Seiji Did Japan Good-bye Party Today I had my "Seiji 'Did' Japan" Good-bye Party! It was great! So many people came that I was completely surprised! It was at Akiko's cafe of "Cafe le Sucre" and she (and Hideki-her husband) cooked and set up everything! I was able to meet everyone and say good-bye. Also, I decided to play the violin for them (so I practiced all afternoon till my fingers were sore). I don't think anyone has ever heard me play, so I figured it was a good opportunity. But the violin kept getting out of tune, so it took awhile before I was able to play (a bit embarrassing). Anyways, they seemed to like it! Me and Ruben got flowers as a farewell gift. I also got a nice photo album of the people who attended the party! And at the end, I gave a on-the-spot speech and thanked everyone individually around the room. I couldn't help but cry. (T_T) It was an emotional roller coaster for me, but I really LOVED every second of it! A beautiful way to end my experience here in Japan!! (^_;)v

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"Very nice. I remember my Japanese send off, very emotional."

By Anonymous, at 7:14 PM  

Taco Rice After cleaning and painting the sign, Kae-sensei and Shimogai-sensei came over to have lunch. I decided to make "taco rice". "Taco Rice" was actually invented in Okinawa. It's a very simple dish. Rice is covered with lettuce, taco-flavored meat/chicken, cheese and diced tomatoes. It's really quite good! And luckily, Kae-sensei and Shimogai-sensei thought it was good too! Yummy!! ;-9

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Apartment Cleaning It was cleaning day again at the apartments. And of course, I was the only ALT to go clean again. Which is fine, I guess. I enjoy doing the occasional yard work once in awhile. This time, it took me 4 hours to cut all the grass! And in addition, I decided to paint the sign outside of our apartments. I think it looks a lot better and is easier for people to find the place. Of course, I wasn't sure if it would be alright for people to know that this was a "Teacher's Housing". But the tenants gave the "ok" to do it. And I think it looks pretty good even though it's very rough. A lot better than a rusty sign at least!

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Spiderman 2 Today was the premiere of "Spiderman 2"!!! And of course I had to be there! So, I got Chikako, Takako and Ruben to go see it. I got a free comic, a cool cup, a pamphlet, etc. And the movie was AWESOME!!! The story was great!!!! I really thought the effects, the humor, the horror sequences and the character development were really well done! Sam Raimi, the director, did a fantastic job with this one. The only thing I didn't like was the amount of foreshadowing that happened at the end. I know that they are already planning a Spiderman 3, but the foreshadowing was a a little heavy. But I'm willing to accept it as long as the next movie is the best of the 3! Some people say that Spiderman 2 is better than the first one. I have to agree, story-wise. But, I still like the stories where a hero is "born". Those are always my favorites! Go Spidey!!!

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"Totally agree, Seiji - Spider-Man 2 was *awesome*. I also thought it was better than the first film in the series, which is saying something because the first one was, at the time, perhaps the best comic-book based movie ever (challenged only by X-Men 2, which is still right up there). Direction... Casting... Effects... Everything came together perfectly in Spidey 2, and the reward for the audience is a masterpiece of a film.

I loved the ending, because the foreshadowing is going to lead into the introduction of Hobgoblin for Spidey 3 - Hobgoblin has always been my favorite of the Spidey villains, because in the comics he's so freakin' nasty. Hopefully Raimi can keep the core cast together for the third flick; we're already two-thirds of the way into what should be a legendary film trilogy, and by *far* the best one-two punch of any film franchise we've seen in recent memory."

By Andy, at 6:30 AM  

English Farewell Enkai Today was the *enkai* party for the leaving ALTs hosted by the English Teachers of Miki. So, a teacher from each school came to say good-bye and thank you to the ALTs that were leaving. It was real good to see everybody there. I actually taught with everyone in that room! So, it was a very special *enkai* for me personally. It's still hard to believe that I will be leaving?! After the *enkai*, some of us went to sing *karaoke* at a whiskey bar. We had a few drinks and were driven home at the end of the night. But, Luella, Ruben, Mr. Wada and myself decided the night wasn't over for us, and had a bit more to drink at Luella's. The best part of the evening was watching Ruben get so drunk that he passed out at the toilet (see picture). We left him there to sleep for about 2 hours. Then by 4 in the morning, we decided to call it a night. We were able to get Ruben on his feet and back to his apartment. The next day, Ruben says he doesn't remember anything that happened at Luella's! Which is probably a good thing considering he was asleep with his head in the toilet! Haha!! The poor guy. (^O^)

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Miki-Higashi JHS Last Day It was my last day at Miki Higashi JHS. There was no parade nor big commotion for my leaving. Which is fine. I kinda enjoy leaving the school the way I found it. I had a good time and it will be a good memory. Before I left though, Kano-sensei asked me to make a frame out of this art kit that had foam clay. She is in charge of the art class, so wanted a good example. So, I quickly made this "Totoro Photo Frame". I think it looks pretty good! What do you think?

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Jiyugaoka English Club I meet once a month with the English club of Jiyugaoka Community Center. They are an advanced level class and their teacher recently left for health reasons. So, I've been filling in as a "teacher". We usually talk about certain topics, such as current events or issues. Today was about "random acts of happiness" (where you do something nice for a stranger). It was the last class for me (as I am leaving Japan). So, I took a group photo. I have lots of group photos of people, but slowly forget their names over time. Then I got the great idea of writing people's names down on cards and having them hold it up! I should have thought of this long time ago!!

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Claire in Kobe Claire and her family came into Kobe today. Chikako and I drove down to pick them up from the Shinkansen station and drove them to Harborland. We went to the "Brasilianio" restaurant, where it is all you can eat. I think me and Claire must have talked forever on rowing and coxing things. Topics that no one else at the table could relate to, nor probably anyone else in Kobe for that matter. I haven't talked about rowing in a LONG time and it was fantastic to be able to once again. Claire seemed to be doing really good in her team at Kansas State University. I'm real proud of her! I always think of her as a kind of little sister. So, I enjoy watching her progress both in life and in rowing!

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