Twilight Zone

Yesterday at my flower arranging class, there were 4 high school students, 2 English senseis, my coworker (Stuart) and myself. We enjoyed our class and all came back to the staff room afterwards to display our flowers. The 4 students came into the staffroom as well and after I sat down at my desk, all 4 girls circled around my desk. i began to ask them some basic questions...

Q: So, girls, what are you going to do today?
A: We are going shopping
Q: Oh, that's sounds fun. I love shopping! Where is your favorite shopping area?
A: Sannomiya Center Street (its a huge shopping strip in Kobe)
Q: Oh, that sounds great! What are you going to buy?
A: Ummm, maybe some new legwarmers (no, that's not true. I just forgot what they said)
Q: Well, have fun
A: Ok

Then there was silence. I was finished asking questions. They were finished answering. But... they just stood there and...

STARED AT ME!!!!!!!

I didn't want to say, "bye". I didn`t want to be rude, but they all stood around my chair as I sat there. Nobody said anything. THEY JUST CONTINUED TO STARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I said, "well, have a good time, girls". And they just smiled and stared. I felt like I was in the twilight zone. It was the strangest phenomenon. It's as if they were waiting for me to release them, but I didn't know the magic word.

Next, I stood up from my chair, but they still didn't move. So, there were 5 of us just standing in a little cluster and I soon realized that I was stuck. I couldn't move.

I decided on an escape plan. I took the rubberband off of my wrist and shot it in the air. Luckily it fell outside of our little 5-man cluster, and so I said, "oh, excuse me, I'm just gonna grab that really quick." And I was free. Free at last.

I successfully escaped the cluster and the twilight zone moment.

Then, one of them proceeded to ask me if i would like to go with them to kyoto this Saturday. I was so excited. I felt like the new dork on campus... so thrilled that the cool girls had invited me somewhere. It should be fun to have little tour guides that are fluent in Japanese. I think that I will bring pictures of my family and friends for the 45 minute train ride over to Kyoto since I am anticipating that the conversation may run a little dry after about... 5 minutes.

I just had another idea... maybe, I can buy some new legwarmers for my visit to kyoto with the girls. Just for kicks. If i do, i will surely take pictures. Have no fear.

But what if they don't wear their legwarmers on Saturday and I do? Then, I'll really be the new dork on campus!

Granny Goose Got Me

One of the many great things about Japan is that most everybody here rides bikes. It's the greatest thing. Its especially fun to see the little old ladies on their bikes. One might think that they would be wobbling all over the place, but no, these little ladies are quick! I mean, we're talking 80 year old ladies giving me a run for my money.

This morning on the way to work, there was an old lady who whizzed by me. So I thought, "oh yeah, you wanna race? I'll race ya!" So without her even knowing it, I was trying desperately to keep up with her. On my 30 minute journey to school, I only passed her twice... only to get passed by her again.

So the final leg of the race, I see a yellow light turning red, at which I stopped. Grannie sprinted through the light and left me in the dust.

Although I was defeated today... please know that this race is not over yet. I will hopefully see her tomorrow.

Get your watermelons!

Yesterday I had a huge revelation as I was walking through the streets of Osaka... I realized... I... am... in... Japan! It's been so long that I have wanted to do this, and now it is a dream come true. I had to pinch myself yesterday and remind myself to enjoy each and every moment, even the moments when people are slurping their soup as if it's their last bowl of soup... ever.

I will promise to cherish the moments when I hear a man yelling at the top of his lungs "Irrashimasae" as I enter the grocery store. "Irrashaimase" means "welcome" in Japanese, but it's a bit frightening to be honest with you.

These "Irrashaimase" men are hard workers. They continue to scream, and talk like an auctioneer, with a really really deep voice. His main purpose is to get people to buy watermelons... and at about $5 a pound, he's going to have to do a lot of welcoming. The good news is that if you buy a watermelon, you get a free paper fan.

Now that's what I call a marketing plan!

Something I CANNOT promise to cherish about Japan are the lady workers who scream "Irrashaimase"... in fact, I think this sound might send me to the nuthouse. It is the most earpiercing and frightening sound ever. And they must go to "Irrashaimase" camp because they all sound alike. They must practice for weeks!

These women tend to sound like children that are whining and pouting just before they are about to burst into tears. So, yes, they use this tone in order to "welcome" people into the store.

I think I'm probably the only person in my town that hears that sound upon entering the grocery store and then immediately makes a U-turn back out the same door.

It looks like grocery shopping in Japan is going to have to be done in quick sprints.

Home Sweet Home

I just arrived at my new apartment last night.. and woah mama is it perfect. I feel like Goldilocks. Not too big. Not too small. Just right.

Here in Japan they measure rooms in Tatami mats which are the square, tan, bamboo straw mats that you would associate with a traditional Japanese room. My bedroom is 6 tatami mats, which measures about 8 feet by 10 feet. My bedroom doubles as a family room, so I have a couch and television and table in my bedroom/family room. The kitchen is about the same size as my bedroom/kitchen.

Now on to the fun stuff. My shower and washing machine.

The shower is in a small bathroom that has a sliding door like that of an airplane bathroom door. In fact it has the same sound when you shut it. The only difference is that it doesn't have the "occupied/vacant" sign on it.

And now the washing machine...

My washer looks like it was manufactured by Hello Kitty (Kitty-Chan as they call her in Japan). It's bubblegum pink and plastic. The best part about it is that when its ending the spin cycle, it sounds like an space ship decending, and shakes like an old hooptie car. Oh yeah, and no dryer. I get to line dry my clothes on a line off the balcony. That way, they get that nice crunchy feel to them. Hey, i wonder if Hello Kitty offers fabric softner?...

My actual apartment building is part of Rainbow Town. Gay pride parades coming up anytime soon? No, its actually called Rainbow Town because each building is a different pastel color. Mine is pink and I live on the 8th floor. My apartment building is located in a funky little town called Nishinomiya. Nishinomiya is directly in between Osaka and Kobe. About 15 minutes by train from each one. I am also about 45 minutes away from Kyoto. Lots of traveling is on the horizon, but as for now I've been busy getting situated...

These past few days have been a whirlwind. Between applying for my alien registration card, meeting new people at work, getting a Japanese bank account, and buying stuff to make my little apartment a home... there hasn`t been much time for venturing out in the city. But from what i've seen, I ABSOLUTELY love this place.

Oh, and by the way, Japanese kids are soooooo cute. Oh my gosh, i want to eat their little cheeks... with chopsticks. : )

And thats the truth.