Oh My GOD!

I know this isn't the greatest video ever taken, but....these boys are are the best. Absolutely the best.

After this, they decided to draw a huge scene on the board:

...it's the three of us in "our house." Mine is the big head in the middle.

Part 2

Miss you, little chans.

Las Ketchup, Part 1

Unfortunately, I have not really been what you would call "on top of things" lately, blogging being one of those things. I apologize.

Since last writing, some pretty big things have happened, namely:

1. my family came to visit for 10 days
2. my two closest friends in Toyama left (for good)
3. my friend Ethan came to visit

I'm going to start in chronological order, so here goes.

It was absolutely wonderful having my family in Japan. We had so much fun together, and we got to see a lot of different and really cool sights, most of which were new to me as well. They first came to Toyama to see my life here, and from there we went on to Kyoto and Nara, where we got to see two beautiful festivals. Next we took a ferry to the beautiful island of Shikoku, "the Tibet of Japan." We rented a car and drove along tiny, winding roads on the sides of beautiful green mountains that lead down into steep, steep ravines. The riding got a little stressful at times, with the roads being one lane switchbacks and cars driving on the left (slight tension in the car, especially when lost), but the scenery was gorgeous.

After two nights in a cabin in a national park on the center of the island, we made our way across Shikoku and off to Miyajima, a small island famous for the large Torii gate in the water, and for deer wandering around everywhere. It was very peaceful (some might say too peaceful), and we had a nice hike up to the top of one of the mountains. We were hoping to see the monkeys that live there, but unfortunately they weren't around. We stopped in Hiroshima on the way back, which was incredibly moving. All in all we couldn't have asked for a better trip. We had so much fun together, and I'm so happy they were able to come and see my life here and that we could experience Japan together.

Torii Gate and Temple at Miyajima

The deer love eating paper. And this was in the women's bathroom.

We look so good in the morning.

Top of the Mountain on Miyajima

A-Bomb Dome, Hiroshima

Tokyo Giants vs. Hiroshima Carp @ the Tokyo Dome

1 Girl, 1 Keg

Go Carp!

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.