An Update from my Slacker Self

Time moves too quickly sometimes. I know that in my last blog I said that I was going to be more regular about adding to the blog, and then today I looked and it has been a month. Grrr. I am going to blame it all on the fact that it is summer, and that I am not really accustomed to doing things in the summer with a deadline attached to it.

There have been some pretty crucial updates to add. Last Thursday I received an e-mail from IIE (Institute for International Education...they administer the JFMF program in the States). That e-mail gave me my host city information. I will be spending my time outside of Tokyo in....drumroll, please...

Sanyo-Onoda!!!

Yep, like you, I had never heard of it. Turns out that Sanyo-Onoda is a city that was recently created when the two cities of Sanyo and Onoda merged. It's in the Yamaguchi prefecture, and you would find it on the main island of Honshu, down at the southern tip. It's on the coastline, and is very close to the small strait that separates the islands of Honshu and Kyushu. You would have to find a very detailed map of Japan to see it. You can get a decent idea of where it is by clicking this link. Just scroll down until you see the hotel info listed for the October group, and then you can see a map. There are little pushpins showing where the rest of the groups will be staying, so you will just have to click until you find Sanyo-Onoda. Not the best map, but it should give you a general idea.

In other news, I have been working on the whole packing thing. I am trying to streamline as much as possible, and though you may laugh at the fact that I have this list done this far in advance, I am anticipating not having that much time to work on it when school starts. I also purchased a packable duffel bag to throw in my suitcase so that I have an extra bag for my flight back. We can only take one suitcase over, but are allowed two checked bags on the return trip. Thanks, Japan! Right now I am planning on taking my suitcase, backpack, and a carry-on bag for when I fly over. I am very afraid that I am going to overpack, so the more I think about this, the more things I can cut from the list. Of course, I may keep adding. Maybe I shouldn't think about it too much more!

Latest hair-brained idea...I've decided that I want to try fugu while in Japan. If you don't know what fugu is, here's a brief description. It's fish, specifically the blowfish. And it is highly poisonous. That article link goes into a lot more description (students, here I would like to take a moment to point out that yes, that is an article from Wikipedia, and yes, you know that I hate Wikipedia, but I am making an exception this one time...please don't try this in class). I know that there are several restaurants around the hotel that offer fugu. One offers a five-course meal! I just want a taste, to say that I tried it. In other strange food news, you can also get horse sashimi in Japan (that's raw horse, people, just so you know). I want to try that too. For those of you who are now thoroughly disgusted, let me tell you about horsemeat. It's good. I had some when I went to Paris (thanks, Kevin!) and it was fantastic. There is a ban on horse butchering here, so we can't all try it, but in other countries, it's just like beef. So again, while there, why not?

In looking back at the things I want to do, I am starting to realize that my list of desired activities is bizarre and strange. Let's take a look at it...

1. Fugu. Potential for accidental death? Quite high.
2. Horse sashimi. I have no idea where to get it, but I will find it.
3. International Ramen Museum in Yokohama. Travelling for ramen....weird.
4. Tokyo Disney. Maybe the most conventional of the bunch?
5. Geisha portraits. My goal to be the Fat Geisha is so close!!!

Now, when the list serve for the October group starts up at the end of August, this is what I will be sharing with my fellow travellers. They're going to be scared of me, or at least find me strange. That wouldn't be so wrong, would it?

BTW, my Japanese is as weak as ever. REALLY need to work on that.

Also, got my business card translated. I need to scan it in and get them printed. Thanks, Dr. Kurabawa!

That's all for now...I feel like I am rambling!!!