Ni-Ju-Yon! 24!
So for those of you who don’t know yet, I’m another year older. The big 2-4 is upon me and my quarter-life crisis is now awaiting me around the corner. I foresee it getting really bad when I try to figure out what I will do after the Jet Program. In any case, my birthday was this past Monday, so we decided to celebrate by heading to the City for a CD release party for one of Kaz and Alex’s friends. Originally, we were going to take Laura to the airport; however, Jill gave her a ride so we just said bye to her from Osaki. She seemed excited to be going home and was carrying back 2 huge suitcases each with 70 lbs. worth of gifts. After saying goodbye, Cristina and I headed to Uniqlo where Cristina bought me this cool Japanese-style summer pajama that I wanted for my birthday. Then, we were off to Kagoshima to meet up with Kaz and Alex.
On the way there, we decided to visit the new Dolphin Port. It is a seaside, 2-story shopping plaza with a boardwalk that reminded all of us of Bayside in Miami, except there were no bars and it seemed that the second floor was devoted to fancy restaurants and wedding locales. They were actually setting up for a wedding when we went and we both thought what a crap place it was to get married – with other people walking along holding their shopping bags and stopping and staring. While there, we went to a Starbucks-wannabe green tea place where we had some green tea drinks with tapioca pearls. It was OK except for the fact that a very rude woman skipped us in the line and Cristina and I were both very upset. After Dolphin Port, we walked past Tenmonkan to Amu Plaza to buy some stuff to make fajitas. Since we had not gotten Alex anything for his birthday on June 2nd (or 3rd) we decided to make him fajitas and get him an ice cream cake. On the way to his house, we were greeted by Kaz and Alex leaning out of his 6th floor apartment window reciting some Romeo and Juliet.
Before going to the CD release party, we went to a pre-party party at Nick’s place, complete with treats and sangria. I do not know him particularly well, but I kept on hearing that people were pleasantly surprised. Then after spending some time there, we headed to Bang On’s CD release party. It was in a closet of a space, but Richard (a guy from the band who lives next door to Alex) said he wanted the space to be intimate. That it was. It was like two 10x10 rooms with about 80 people and a bar. I really don’t know what I would classify their music as other than a blend of electronic mixing, guitar and vocals. I forgot to mention that I learned a trick with a string from Kaz during the pre-party that I kept on performing during the party. It was quite the hit there and quite the hit with all of my students for the past week. Although to be quite honest, I have jazzed it up a bit just to make a bit more dramatic and exciting.
The next day I woke up before the others a bit hung over. I walked from Alex’s to Amu Plaza to enjoy a nice cool cup of Starbucks. It really hit the spot considering how hot it was the night before and that morning. Then, I walked around Amu Plaza to pass the time before getting Cristina’s call. She let me know that everyone was awake and were formulating a plan for lunch. I returned to Alex’s to wait for everyone to shower and get ready and then we headed back to Amu to eat at an all-you-can-eat buffet place. It was OK – all Japanese stuff. After we headed to the movie theater to see Batman Begins. What an experience! I did not enjoy the movie’s plot as much as the others, but I did enjoy the huge theater we saw it in and with the great sound effects. It was the first time that we saw a movie in one of the big theaters at that Cineplex. After the movie, we returned to Alex’s flat to enjoy some of the ice cream cake we had bought at Baskin Robbins.
At around 4:00, we left Alex’s and walked back to Amu. I know what you’re thinking, my day sounds really repetitive – IT WAS! We returned to Amu so Cristina could have some Starbucks. We also split a “dragon twister” from KFC which we have come to love so much (fried chicken in a flour tortilla with some sauce, tomato and lettuce). Then, it was time to go back home.
Monday, June 20th was my birthday. It started out with me going to Uchinoura Elementary School where I was going to spend the day with the 2nd graders. Actually, I lie. Before that, at the office they sang Happy Birthday to me after the Monday morning meetings. Then, I went to meet with the second graders and they sang Happy Birthday to me. They also handed me 22 laminated birthday cards. The ones with their sketches of me were my favorite. It was great to also see them really trying to write in the Roman alphabet. The class was a lot of fun, but not one of my best like today when I come up with brilliant games on the spot that seem to save the day (sorta).
After school, I headed to Cristina’s where she had tried to hide from me the fact that she was baking a cake. It was really funny to see her get upset at me for not being dumb as a doornail. I was really excited because she managed to make my favorite cake – pea-picking cake – without the usual materials she uses to make it. Then, she took me to Tomo-chan’s in Osaki where Jill and Osa (all the way from Nichinan) surprised me. We, of course, had a great meal and enjoyed our time with Tomo-chan. Kaz also arrived after her eikaiwa class later in the evening. Oh, and I forgot to mention, Cristina pre-ordered the new Harry Potter book to my house along with two other books that I wanted. I am really excited about the new Harry Potter book coming out. On another HP sidenote, we were able to see the preview for the new Harry Potter film coming out in Japan on November something.
Anyway, today I went to elementary school again. It has been pouring and storming all day (as it usually does every June day in Japan or so I am hearing). So, for recess we had to play inside. The kids were trying to show me a game that reminded of me of duck, duck goose. Therefore, I decided to show it to them and they decided to play it. Unfortunately, it was over 30 kids and a space of 10x15 which means that it was a bit dangerous. Well, one kid did end up hitting his head against the wall which meant that it was time to stop. We ended up playing the Down by the lake hand slapping game but with the ABC song instead. It was quite the hit as well.
Tonight, Yu-chan invited us out to Kabochate, the all-you-can-eat-and-drink Japanese pub. I think we’re all looking forward to it. It should be fun and a great way to unwind from our busy weeks.
On the way there, we decided to visit the new Dolphin Port. It is a seaside, 2-story shopping plaza with a boardwalk that reminded all of us of Bayside in Miami, except there were no bars and it seemed that the second floor was devoted to fancy restaurants and wedding locales. They were actually setting up for a wedding when we went and we both thought what a crap place it was to get married – with other people walking along holding their shopping bags and stopping and staring. While there, we went to a Starbucks-wannabe green tea place where we had some green tea drinks with tapioca pearls. It was OK except for the fact that a very rude woman skipped us in the line and Cristina and I were both very upset. After Dolphin Port, we walked past Tenmonkan to Amu Plaza to buy some stuff to make fajitas. Since we had not gotten Alex anything for his birthday on June 2nd (or 3rd) we decided to make him fajitas and get him an ice cream cake. On the way to his house, we were greeted by Kaz and Alex leaning out of his 6th floor apartment window reciting some Romeo and Juliet.
Before going to the CD release party, we went to a pre-party party at Nick’s place, complete with treats and sangria. I do not know him particularly well, but I kept on hearing that people were pleasantly surprised. Then after spending some time there, we headed to Bang On’s CD release party. It was in a closet of a space, but Richard (a guy from the band who lives next door to Alex) said he wanted the space to be intimate. That it was. It was like two 10x10 rooms with about 80 people and a bar. I really don’t know what I would classify their music as other than a blend of electronic mixing, guitar and vocals. I forgot to mention that I learned a trick with a string from Kaz during the pre-party that I kept on performing during the party. It was quite the hit there and quite the hit with all of my students for the past week. Although to be quite honest, I have jazzed it up a bit just to make a bit more dramatic and exciting.
The next day I woke up before the others a bit hung over. I walked from Alex’s to Amu Plaza to enjoy a nice cool cup of Starbucks. It really hit the spot considering how hot it was the night before and that morning. Then, I walked around Amu Plaza to pass the time before getting Cristina’s call. She let me know that everyone was awake and were formulating a plan for lunch. I returned to Alex’s to wait for everyone to shower and get ready and then we headed back to Amu to eat at an all-you-can-eat buffet place. It was OK – all Japanese stuff. After we headed to the movie theater to see Batman Begins. What an experience! I did not enjoy the movie’s plot as much as the others, but I did enjoy the huge theater we saw it in and with the great sound effects. It was the first time that we saw a movie in one of the big theaters at that Cineplex. After the movie, we returned to Alex’s flat to enjoy some of the ice cream cake we had bought at Baskin Robbins.
At around 4:00, we left Alex’s and walked back to Amu. I know what you’re thinking, my day sounds really repetitive – IT WAS! We returned to Amu so Cristina could have some Starbucks. We also split a “dragon twister” from KFC which we have come to love so much (fried chicken in a flour tortilla with some sauce, tomato and lettuce). Then, it was time to go back home.
Monday, June 20th was my birthday. It started out with me going to Uchinoura Elementary School where I was going to spend the day with the 2nd graders. Actually, I lie. Before that, at the office they sang Happy Birthday to me after the Monday morning meetings. Then, I went to meet with the second graders and they sang Happy Birthday to me. They also handed me 22 laminated birthday cards. The ones with their sketches of me were my favorite. It was great to also see them really trying to write in the Roman alphabet. The class was a lot of fun, but not one of my best like today when I come up with brilliant games on the spot that seem to save the day (sorta).
After school, I headed to Cristina’s where she had tried to hide from me the fact that she was baking a cake. It was really funny to see her get upset at me for not being dumb as a doornail. I was really excited because she managed to make my favorite cake – pea-picking cake – without the usual materials she uses to make it. Then, she took me to Tomo-chan’s in Osaki where Jill and Osa (all the way from Nichinan) surprised me. We, of course, had a great meal and enjoyed our time with Tomo-chan. Kaz also arrived after her eikaiwa class later in the evening. Oh, and I forgot to mention, Cristina pre-ordered the new Harry Potter book to my house along with two other books that I wanted. I am really excited about the new Harry Potter book coming out. On another HP sidenote, we were able to see the preview for the new Harry Potter film coming out in Japan on November something.
Anyway, today I went to elementary school again. It has been pouring and storming all day (as it usually does every June day in Japan or so I am hearing). So, for recess we had to play inside. The kids were trying to show me a game that reminded of me of duck, duck goose. Therefore, I decided to show it to them and they decided to play it. Unfortunately, it was over 30 kids and a space of 10x15 which means that it was a bit dangerous. Well, one kid did end up hitting his head against the wall which meant that it was time to stop. We ended up playing the Down by the lake hand slapping game but with the ABC song instead. It was quite the hit as well.
Tonight, Yu-chan invited us out to Kabochate, the all-you-can-eat-and-drink Japanese pub. I think we’re all looking forward to it. It should be fun and a great way to unwind from our busy weeks.
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