For the past two weeks my sister and her friend have been out to visit
The first week we did a bunch of stuff around Takeo and Saga. It started out slow-- the girls enjoyed shopping at the YouMe Town, a mall just down the street from me, and seeing all of the Japanese produce everywhere. Then I introduced them to Okamura-san and Tatara-san with a kimono lesson, which Ashley in particular adored and wanted to try again, and perhaps buy a kimono. We also took koto lessons, and Ashley adored them and wanted to try again, and perhaps buy her own koto. (Perhaps I sense a clone in the making?)
Another nifty thing I did was bring Jessie and Ashley along to my ginei (吟詠）performance. It was my first performance! (A month after I started taking my lessons! I'm sensing a trend from my teachers...) I ran out of breath in the middle of the song because my lung capacity is shot after taking 6 years off of clarinet, but it was fun nevertheless. I really enjoyed the lunch afterwards, where we talked with a lot of the other singers and then had a free-singing. Basically, the good singers showed off their awesome songs. I really REALLY adored this old Japanese wedding song that one of the old men sang, and want to hear it again (unfortunately, I haven't been able to find it on youtube yet). Another woman sang this really adorable, more European-sounding song about tulips and other flowers. I recognized the melody, but couldn't put a title to it... it felt like a dance from Mozart's time. Jessie and I sang "Simple Gifts" together, and it was excellent singing with my sister again.
The highlight of their stay was a road trip of southern Kyushu. Since I wasn't taking many pictures and since Daniel put in a lot of time making a post about it, I will link to his description of the trip.
http://dhattem.blogspot.jp/2012_09_01_archive.html
He did an excellent time showing the highlights of the trip.
peace!
Mary
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Welcome back, Mary. Why, thank you, Meri-sensei.
This is a brief recap of what has happened to me in May, June, and July. Also, this is the year marker for my time in Japan-- and what an excellent time it has been!
First, the BIG update is that Kirsten came to visit. We had a BLAST! I will hopefully make a photo-post about that soon, because we took many beautiful pictures of our trip to Kyoto and Nara, but first and foremost it as excellent to see a best friend again, and to show her around Japan. I even managed to cook food she liked! Either I'm a better cook, or Japanese food agrees with Kirsten's taste buds.
Next, I started 吟詠 (ginei) lessons with Tatara-san. I had no idea what I was doing, but apparently I was doing well, even though I had no idea what I was doing. Here is a version of the song I am learning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lvOXm8AxOY
Third, the new ALTs are coming. It is great to meet new friends, though it is sad to have to say goodbye to old faces. Last Sunday we went to Sakae no Kuni Matsuri in Saga, which is a huge welcoming festival in Saga. I haven't heard much about the history of the festival, but all of the JETs who came were dressed up in yukata (I helped dress 8 of them-- it was a ball!) and then danced with at least 1,000 other people along the main street in Saga. It was basically 8 blocks with people dancing in a circle, very traditional Japanese dances that is mainly choreographed arm movements and timed tiny steps. It took awhile to learn the dances, but they repeated a set of about four, and everyone was smiling even if we were awkward, and it was an excellent way to meet some of my new co-workers.
Lastly, ten days until my sister is here!
First, the BIG update is that Kirsten came to visit. We had a BLAST! I will hopefully make a photo-post about that soon, because we took many beautiful pictures of our trip to Kyoto and Nara, but first and foremost it as excellent to see a best friend again, and to show her around Japan. I even managed to cook food she liked! Either I'm a better cook, or Japanese food agrees with Kirsten's taste buds.
Next, I started 吟詠 (ginei) lessons with Tatara-san. I had no idea what I was doing, but apparently I was doing well, even though I had no idea what I was doing. Here is a version of the song I am learning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lvOXm8AxOY
Third, the new ALTs are coming. It is great to meet new friends, though it is sad to have to say goodbye to old faces. Last Sunday we went to Sakae no Kuni Matsuri in Saga, which is a huge welcoming festival in Saga. I haven't heard much about the history of the festival, but all of the JETs who came were dressed up in yukata (I helped dress 8 of them-- it was a ball!) and then danced with at least 1,000 other people along the main street in Saga. It was basically 8 blocks with people dancing in a circle, very traditional Japanese dances that is mainly choreographed arm movements and timed tiny steps. It took awhile to learn the dances, but they repeated a set of about four, and everyone was smiling even if we were awkward, and it was an excellent way to meet some of my new co-workers.
Lastly, ten days until my sister is here!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Mukade
I.
Just killed.
A MUKADE.
IN MY APARTMENT.
AUGH.
Okay, so mukade are one of the few poisonous animals in Japan. They are a black and red centipede that can get rather large (the one in my apartment appears to be a baby, only about two inches long). They recommend medical attention if you are bitten.
I'm glad the one in my apartment was tiny, that I killed it easily, and that it came out in the light so I could see it instead of having it crawl on me while I sleep. But now I'm afraid I'm too psyched out and adrenalined up to sleep properly.
Oh well-- the good thing of this whole ordeal? It got me on blogger again.
Just killed.
A MUKADE.
IN MY APARTMENT.
AUGH.
Okay, so mukade are one of the few poisonous animals in Japan. They are a black and red centipede that can get rather large (the one in my apartment appears to be a baby, only about two inches long). They recommend medical attention if you are bitten.
I'm glad the one in my apartment was tiny, that I killed it easily, and that it came out in the light so I could see it instead of having it crawl on me while I sleep. But now I'm afraid I'm too psyched out and adrenalined up to sleep properly.
Oh well-- the good thing of this whole ordeal? It got me on blogger again.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
梅雨*
Tsuyu
The churning of clouds and leaves--
cool winds bearing relief
from muggy summer heat.
Tsuyu
Torrents of rain--
a gentle shower on my head
as I hop over and weave around puddles,
on my way to work.
My pants are soaked to the knee.
Tsuyu
Silver clouds billowing across the sky,
gilting the landscape
and hiding mountains.
Tsuyu wind
Tossing papers in the staff room;
Run! Catch them! Pin them down!
Office life is so much more exciting.
Tsuyu monsoon
Lightening, and the thunderous boom
Make students scream, “kyaaaa!”
A chorus of high-pitched voices,
even the teacher ducks in sudden fear
of the clouds’ mighty voices,
and rises with a grinny blush.
Tyusu
All the hydrangeas in bloom.
*梅雨 tsuyu Rainy Season
Mary E. July 6th, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Parent's Visit, Kyoto: Kawai Kanjiro's house (a potter!)
I have finished my post second post of Kyoto pictures, so you can see the complete post here.
I got through about half of the photos mom took, so expect another post of about the same length sometime in the future.
In the mean time, here are photos of the potter's house. I will add text throughout the week, and make a new post informing you when the process is done.
: )
I got through about half of the photos mom took, so expect another post of about the same length sometime in the future.
In the mean time, here are photos of the potter's house. I will add text throughout the week, and make a new post informing you when the process is done.
: )
Saturday, May 12, 2012
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