Think of the Children

I never knew how easy American kids have it. I know that as a nation we are incredibly fortunate, we have more than we need, etc. etc. etc. But, honestly...our kids have it easy! I remember whining about swim team practice (well, 6:45 was way too early) and doing the occasional yard work, but for the most part life was pretty easy as a kid. To prove it, the following list:

Things I Never Had To Do That Almost Every Japanese Kid Does Every Day (of Summer Vacation):

1. wake up at 6:30 am, walk to the nearest park, and stretch with the other neighborhood kids, some parents, and many old people while listening to the radio

2. upon finishing, clean aforementioned park

3. after cleaning, study for tests (that will take place before summer vacation ends)

4. spend 3 or 4 hours at club sports practice in the middle of the day!! (it's seriously hot here)

5. go to extra classes for additional English practice, or help with other subjects

6. do enough homework that you need to work on it every single day of vacation

I never realized how easy I had it.

(Mom & Dad, if Gabe needs help realizing, feel free to let him read this.)

You Rock, Rock!

This past weekend we went to Fuji Rock, Japan's biggest music festival. The name is actually a lie, it's about 3 hours away from Mount Fuji and on the side of an entirely different mountain, but the show was amazing.

After a two hour train ride, an hour wait in line in the heat for a 45 minute shuttle, and then about an hour of finding and securing a campsite (which was, as most were, on the side of a mountain, so we were at about a 35 degree angle while sleeping), we finally made it inside. And just in time for the Presidents of the USA. They even changed "Peaches" to "Momo," the Japanese word for peach. How cute. The lineup was great (though the past years, honestly, looked a little better), some highlights being:
Grandmaster Flash (amazing)
Bloc Party
the Go! Team
Kate Nash (that girl rocks on stage)
Jamie Lidell (so talented)
Rodrigo y Gabriella (amazing amazing amazing, please check them out - you will not be disappointed)
and Underworld (anthem techno and big bouncy balls, can't beat it)

What I really thought were some of the coolest parts, though, were the small details. First, the area was incredibly beautiful. It took place nestled in this little valley among beautiful green mountains, with a small river running through it that you could hang out at when it got too hot. You could see the fog roll in through the trees and everywhere you looked was just green green green (as well as people people people). The different stages were quite a ways apart, so you had to walk on these cute little trails through the woods (with a huge group of your closest friends), or else on this cool boardwalk they had that wove in and out of the forest. And everywhere you looked there was something interesting. Big beautiful lanterns lined all the pathways, and every now and then you would come across a little woodsy surprise, like a stream of disco balls cascading from the trees. Also, it was so clean. No one put their trash anywhere but the garbage areas, and those areas were manned by people sorting every single last piece of trash into different types of recyclables. The whole system was incredible, and even more so that every single person followed it.

All in all, it was an amazing weekend and totally worth the looks of suppressed disdain given by my Manager (henceforth "Chuckles") when I asked to take off a Friday and Saturday, two of my busiest days at work. It was something that made me look around and think "Oh yeah, I'm in Japan!"...which sounds obvious, but can get lost during the day to day. But I am in Japan...and it rules!

Most of My Compliments Lately...

...have come from those under 10. This little guy, one of my favorites (shh, don't tell anyone I have those) called me cute a few weeks ago, and today told me I am beautiful (in Japanese).

His classmate, another one of my favorites, showed his affection only moments later by pulling down his pants in front of me. No lawsuits, please.

Those Japanese Are Allll Right

The Japanese typically have one reaction when they see someone going for a run: staring. Running is not at all common here; I have probably seen less than 10 other runners during my time in Toyama (not counting the foreigners). So usually, as I make my way through the city to the river, I attempt to tune out the fact that all eyes are on me. It's a nice, awkward feeling.
Today, I was stretching in a park after a run when a man walked up to me. He was middle aged, dressed nicely, probably out for a stroll before work. He was holding two Gatorades in his hand and was offering me one. What a nice guy! I happily drank it instead of the lukewarm bottle of tap water I had in my bag. And, one of the best parts of speaking minimal Japanese, a simple thank you is all that needs to be said. No conversation necessary. Thanks, guy.
At home there are at lot less stares while running, but no one ever offers you free refreshments.