Right, since I've been rather remiss recently in making blog posts, here goes....
The last time I posted, I talked about going to Awaji, and when we actually went there with the kids it was an interesting trip. I got to know some of the older kids a little better on the bus ride, and when we went into the rice field to do the planting, for me, not much happened because I was busy with my one student who didn't want to go in and was screaming and latched onto me with an iron grip. Eventually I just set her down in the water, but she couldn't do anything, although I made her walk through the mud by herself on the way back. Mean teacher, I know. Anyway, I wish I could show pictures, but we're not allowed to take any or even have our phones, so it's unfortunately impossible.
I also started taking a Japanese class (privately) once every week, in mid-June, and although I wasn't really happy with it after the first class, I talked with my teacher about what I wanted, and since that first time, it has been much better. I get homework every week, and I'm doing a lot of writing because every week I have to write about things that happen to me daily. My teacher is quite impressed with my ability and keeps talking about how good of a student I am. Sure, sure.
I finally tried out a pancake restaurant that I've been wanting to go to for a very long time! I went together with my friend, and her friend. That day was pouring rain, but the food was delicious, and the atmosphere very nice. And there were smoothies!!! Mmmm...smoothies...
Let's see, what else? Well, I've been to more street lives. Of course. Do I even need to mention that? (I found another band I like) ^_- And of course, I've been to the beach (even with some other people one time too!) How unusual.
At the end of June I completely lost my voice for a couple days, which made for some interesting work days. My students and teaching partner started whispering just like me, even though that was completely unnecessary. It was kind of amusing though. During the time when I lost my voice, I went to this place I know to get a kind of honey lemon drink, and it was amazing!!! The next day I had my voice back! At that time, I also found out that I'm considered to be a 'special guest' at that place, and so I haven't been getting charged a cover charge. First time I heard about it--but if it means I can save money, I'm good with that.
At the Pinot live in June, it was kind of unfortunate for ヨシダさん because for most of the night I was the only customer there. No one else came in until almost midnight (when it finishes). But it was nice for me, because I got a chance to talk with them a lot. Although it was kind of not cool because he stopped playing for more than an hour right after I came in. And at one point he just started practicing a song he was working on, over and over...which was interesting, but not exactly what I came for. But at that time, 山口さん came out from behind the bar and sat next to me, and basically told ヨシダさん to keep practicing, and he would talk with me instead. Good times. And closer to the end of the night, 山口さん made ヨシダさん play for my sake. Yay!! At the very end, ヨシダさん told me that for this time, money wasn't necessary, since he didn't really sing much, but had me promise to come to his special live in Shukugawa in July, and to try to ask some friends if they would join me. Fair enough deal.
At the Pinot live in June, it was kind of unfortunate for ヨシダさん because for most of the night I was the only customer there. No one else came in until almost midnight (when it finishes). But it was nice for me, because I got a chance to talk with them a lot. Although it was kind of not cool because he stopped playing for more than an hour right after I came in. And at one point he just started practicing a song he was working on, over and over...which was interesting, but not exactly what I came for. But at that time, 山口さん came out from behind the bar and sat next to me, and basically told ヨシダさん to keep practicing, and he would talk with me instead. Good times. And closer to the end of the night, 山口さん made ヨシダさん play for my sake. Yay!! At the very end, ヨシダさん told me that for this time, money wasn't necessary, since he didn't really sing much, but had me promise to come to his special live in Shukugawa in July, and to try to ask some friends if they would join me. Fair enough deal.
Let's see...the beginning of July... On the way to get my haircut, something unfortunate happened to me. A pigeon pooped on my head. Disgusting. I wanted to cry. Lol. But, instead I got out a tissue, wiped it as best as I could, and tried to think positively--could've been worse--at least I was on my way to somewhere where they would be washing my hair anyway, and it didn't get on my clothes, so if it had to happen, it was good timing and happened in a good location.
Oh, and I can't forget!! July 4th marked my 2nd year anniversary of living in Japan! Important day!
Also in July, ヨシダさんhad a live in Shukugawa, and it was a special live! He did it together with another musician, 山本義則, who I have seen before as well (he typically plays the piano and sings). Anyway, it was interesting because it was a 'cinema' live. So basically, they set it up like a movie theatre (even had popcorn) and had taken/used various video projected behind them that augmented their songs. It was really cool! Unfortunately for me, I hadn't been feeling that great, as I had been having a rather high fever all weekend--but I promised I would go, so...Actually, at the end of the live, ヨシダさん basically asked me if I was ok because it didn't look like it (and this was before I even said hello), so when he found out I wasn't feeling so great, he basically told me to hurry up and go home and get some rest, and get better. Hmph. But apparently he knows me well enough now to be able to tell that I'm not okay just by looking at me. Hmmm.... Anyway, it was definitely worth it!! And everyone, including them really enjoyed it, so much so that they decided that evening to do one more in December!! I'm excited about it!
The weekend following that, I felt much better, and took about a 2.5/3 hour walk one evening. I found this tiny lantern festival in the Rokko area, and then spent the rest of the evening walking around Kobe taking pictures of various lights.
The next evening, I wanted to see puppies, but by the time I got to the store, they were sleeping and covered by a curtain. Disappointing. But, I did end up seeing an interesting event with this guy juggling fire-lit batons, and things with LED lights as well. It was pretty cool.
One night when I was coming back from a street live in Osaka, I went all the way to Sannomiya because I wanted a bit of a walk to get home. At that time, I came across a band I've recently heard, but haven't talked to. They're called Colors to Cooks. So, that evening the vocalist came and talked with me for a while, and he was super nice. As I was leaving, he was talking with someone else, but he stopped to chat a little more with me before I left--like I said, super nice. The bassist, seemed kind of shy and didn't say much other than bye, but I definitely want to go to their street lives again!! I really like their music.
On the 22nd, I went to Pinot, as ヨシダさん was doing his monthly live there. That night was really interesting. When I got there, there was another girl there, and she was talking with me for a while, although she left before the evening was finished. And apparently when she left, she left some extra money to pay for drinks for me! Why?! I was so surprised---why didn't she say anything? Very nice of her though. I also got to talk with ヨシダさん too--we talked about sports, especially winter sports, and I had to explain some hockey rules (which I did do correctly -- confirmed by my dad). Not really my strong topic of conversation, but it was still interesting, and good practice for me.
Speaking of practice, I also joined my friend in going to this conversation group, and it was an evening of talking in Japanese with some university students. I also met a Korean guy, and when he found out I knew some Korean, Korean came out too. He was pretty stoked when he found out I knew where his hometown was, because apparently most foreigners have never even heard of it. It was an interesting and fun evening...and as it was my first time I didn't even have to pay the small fee either! Score!
As far as work goes, this month we have been having PTCs and I have had to prepare progress reports and huge portfolios for each of my students. It was a very time consuming process, and I was very happy when I finished. Also this month, we have started summer school, so all the students who come got mixed into different classes and students from outside join as well. So my class is a mix of 3 and 4 year olds. Makes life very interesting. One day, one of them asked me if I was 100 years old. Thank you so very much. I hope I look like this when I'm 100! The next day the same student asked if I'm a grandma. No sense of age whatsoever.
And to finish the month, on the 29th, I met up with my friend and some coworkers (from our campus and another) and we went to a Mexican restaurant in Okamoto. It was a fun evening! When we left the restaurant most of us went back to Sannomiya and got ice-cream and took a walk (so they could catch Pokemon).
Then on the 31st, I headed into Osaka for the afternoon/evening. Unfortunately, it started raining quite heavily about half an hour after I got there, but it cleared up after a while, so I was able to do a bit of what I wanted. There was some kind of big festival going on outside of Osaka Station. Watched for a bit.
And, point of interest--while I was walking around, I came across a street live (I know, I know...but wait for it...). This street live was by Usagi--and their vocalist, 上田和寛, is actually the very first street musician that I ever met, way back in my first trip to Japan, 5 years ago. So, kind of nostalgic. That band is basically pro now, so it's difficult to see their lives, and there were indeed a lot of people crowded around, and it was difficult to hear, so I didn't stay long, but wow--hard to believe it's already been that long since that first adventure of mine!
And that's pretty much the gist of what's been up with me recently!
