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Me, and the Quilt
It’s mostly been the shame that I couldn’t keep up with the nearly daily posting about my time in Japan that’s kept me from updating about more present happenings. I’ll be sure to finish that project...
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Pebbled paths, a drizzled expedition, and being alone
When I found my apartment on Google Maps, I noticed that I’m not far from a wooded area, and made up my mind to go check it out on a day off. Today I rode out to find it, and eventually did. I got...
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My chronological crutch
A lot has happened since I stopped updating this blog. I’ve landed a job teaching ESL at a university, basically a dream job. I’ve traveled for another project I’m shocked and thrilled to be a part of....
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Spawning salmon, a recipe for rice, and hot crazy types
10/2/14 I found a second hand store near Sakanacho Hotline today. The stuff in these shops is much higher quality, and far more fashionable than in American second hand shops. Maybe I need to spend...
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Mascots, athletic Japanese, and evolution denial
10/1/2014 When you arrive in Morioka, the first of many mascots you’ll encounter is Sobachi, the black-and-red-bowl-headed… thing that is just super jazzed you’re finally here. Sometimes his head has...
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Butterflies, and English: The silent language
9/30/14 I’m told I should visit Nanshyousou, an old wooden house with a beautiful garden. It’s a historic landmark in Morioka. I’ll have to go. 7:45pm Private lessons with a high school girl who...
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Bribes, German, parental figures, and inter-cultural lunch
9/29/14 While discussing politics in my reading class, my students brought up the topic of bribes, how they are a problem with politicians all over the world, and Japan is no exception. In fact, the...
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Honey on tap: Beekeeping innovation for a modern age
A couple of the ladies from our hive clean up some spilled honey on top of the bars. Inside, brand new comb shines brilliant white while other bees build even more. My dad and I have been beekeeping...
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Practical Japan: Navigating the Shinkansen (Bullet Train)
Moving to the other side of the planet was traumatic at first, but has been increasingly wonderful since. Still, I’m not so far away from the day I left Los Angeles for Morioka that I’ve forgotten the...
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Sleepy students, calling crows, and no opinions whatsoever
9/24/14 I teach three classes at a hair and makeup academy once a week, and I can easily say it is my least favorite set of classes. It’s filled with post-high school students whose ability to pick...
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International festival!
9/21/14 We had an international festival at work that Ryann and I poured a ton of work into. She made loads of jewlery and coasters to sell, and I constructed a replica of the Hollywood sign, and a 1:7...
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Haiku and Nagasaki castella
9/18/14 I wrote a haiku recently, the first inspiration I’ve had to write since I arrived. It was about the furin, or wind bells that Morioka is well-known for crafting in Nambu-style iron (though they...
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Organic Japanese
Here I will lay down a simple record of the words I learned from my students, and occasionally my coworkers, through their generosity and patience, roughly in the order in which I learned them....
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Swimming with sharks, and ringing stomachs
9/17/14 Today, I had another private lesson with Doctor-san, who is elderly, active, and interested in random, occasionally dangerous activities (but we’ll get to that later). Given that he has such a...
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Random encounters, and full regalia
9/15/14 I met Ryann at my place this morning so we could check out Hachimangu shrine and see the horseback archery (which is tomorrow while we’re working, dammit!). I pointed out the huge bell that I...
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Autumn festival, and an unexpected invitation
9/14/14 Today was the second day of Autumn festival celebrations, which includes lots of yelling, dragging floats around town, and something that could probably be considered singing. It’s been really...
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Agatha Christie, a shy violet, and the Autumn Festival: Akimatsuri
9/13/14 When I asked about favorite books today, one of the students said she likes Edo-era historical fiction, and Agatha Christie (Murder on the Orient Express tops her list: “You should read!” she...
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Kintsukuroi, a better diet, and false advertising
9/11/14 One of my students mentioned something amazing today: one of her friends practices kintsukuroi, the repair of ceramics with precious materials, usually gold. This is a perfect example of a...
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Old names, horses, and Doctor-san
9/10/14 During one of today’s classes, the upcoming holiday came up: Tuesday, the 23rd will be Respect for the Elderly Day. “I’m senile,” declared a male student, suddenly. This weekend’s festival is...
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A little song and dance
9/9/14 One of my female students went to a choir recital for a young family member, and apparently had an unexpectedly awesome time: “My niece… 2 years old. At her school, everybody singing, but just...
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