Takoyaki

What a busy week it's been. I began doing after school tutoring for elementary school students. I mean, I've only done one class so far, but I can see how I'll be in for long days in the next few months. But I like the kids, and teaching English isn't very difficult. Mostly it involves just speaking in English to the children all day.

I went to Himeji yesterday to pick up a birthday gift for Ikki. He told me shortly after we met that he likes the puzzle game Puyo Puyo. In America it was released as Puyo Pop Fever. It's a fun game. I was in Uniqlo a week ago, and I spotted a new spring/summer line of t-shirts called Japan>Game. They are shirt designs based on Japanese video games (most of which are also in the US). So I picked up a Puyo Puyo shirt for Ikki, and a Mega Man shirt for myself.





After getting back home and wrapping Ikki's gift, I went shopping with Nakamura, Miyazaki and Shon-kun in preparation of the takoyaki party. We bought a bunch of stuff, then came back to the house and made some takoyaki. A bunch of people showed up. And, I'm slightly embarrassed to admit, I forget some of their names.



Joe is another teacher from the US that lives in Kamigori. He teaches at the Junior High School. He took this shot for me. If I look a bit drunk, well, it's because I was totally drunk. Everyone brought stuff, which was very cool of them. Shuu-chan (in the blue jacket) brought me a bottle of wine and a 12 year-old bottle of Scotch. He's super nice, but quiet. I have to say, my Japanese was tested last night. I had to ask people to slow down, but I was able to get along for most of the evening. I had to ask Joe for help a few times, though.

Joe actually gave me a lot of insight about Kamigori. He told me about the giant spiders, poisonous snakes and amphetamine-inducing effects of centipede infused sake. He also gave me a bit of local history, and posited some interesting opinions about Japanese culture in general. For example, when you say to a Japanese person that you like Japanese culture, they almost always mention the seasons. As if this is the only country with all four. Interesting.

Today is just cleaning and relaxing. I did get out to take a shot of Kamigori after the rain. It's really pretty here. This is a couple blocks from my house.



Today's drink of the day is to address concerns that I may not be getting a sufficient amount of vitamin C in my diet:

Dekavita C


It's another "power drink" from Suntory. That's how everyone here refers to energy drinks. This one is mostly vitamins, and it tastes pretty good. Better than a lot of energy drinks in the US, anyway.

Valuable Lessons

Things I learned today:

- Being from California, I slur my words. This makes speaking Japanese difficult (for example, kawaii = cute, kowai = scary)

- Despite the above fact, I've been told that my Japanese pronunciation is excellent

- Numerous people have told me that I use chopsticks like a Japanese person



- The eye is the best part of a broiled fish head



- Japanese pre-schoolers learn way more than American pre-schools teach, like piano, Go and Kendo







I also learned a few new useful words, thanks to Ikki. Also, while at sushi tonight, I was introduced to a bunch of people from all over town. Shon-kun, Miyazaki, Nakamura and Ikki are coming over next Friday for a takoyaki party. And tomorrow I may go to Osaka to check it out, as I've never been. I'll let you know how it goes.