Meishi

Here they are!




The back actually has my name as "Michelle Emily" and not "Micky Emily" just in case you are fluent in Japanese and see that it doesn't match up!

I changed my mind...sue me.

So, about that free day in Japan...
I've been thinking about that giant Buddha. A lot. I have mentioned him before, much earlier in this blog, as a potential sight to take in on my one and only free day in Japan. Well, as you may or may not remember, I said I was going to spend my free day taking in Disney.
Sooooooo.....
I mean, a girl can change her mind, right?
I've decided to spend my free day in Kamakura, one of Toyko's ancient capitals. I'll post more info here as I discover more of what Kamakura has to offer. It's just that it is only one hour from Tokyo, and I would be a real moron if I didn't get out of Tokyo as much as I could and experience more of what Japan has to offer.
Besides...
There are always the evenings after the seminars end in Tokyo. And that, my friends, is when I will go to Disney.
You didn't think I would completely abandon going to Disney, did you?!?!

BTW...seven weeks from today I will be noshing on food with the Consul-General of Japan in San Francisco. Just thought I'd rub that in.

Finally, people who understand me...

So yesterday I got an e-mail from Robin (from IIE) that gave an update on all-things-related-to-the-trip, and finally, after much anticipation, the getting-to-know-you part is beginning. JFMF set up a Ning site (Ning is fantastic...I may start using it for everything, and may make up new words for all things Ning-related, like "Ningtastic" or "Ningeriffic"...anyway, you should check it out...for now, I digress). This site will help the 160 of us get to know each other before we head to Japan, and hopefully ease any anxieties people may have about traveling with 159 perfect strangers (one assumes you know yourself well enough to not include yourself in the 160). So, I registered, and am ready to start meeting people.

But...

it's pretty silent in there right now...

Where is everyone? My gosh, I have been checking that thing constantly since last night! Yet another sign that I am obsessed. Sigh.

Wanna check out what happens when 160 Japan-obsessed people are given a forum where they can talk to others who won't tell them to shut up about Japan? Then party on over to the Ning site...if you're not going, you can't post comments (besides, you should be posting them HERE, Skippy), but you can see what the group is up to...

Click HERE to visit the Ning!

YES!!!!

It's here, it's finally here! I ordered it at the beginning of July, and it finally showed up!!! I immediately sat down and began to take it in...yes, folks, I speak of nothing more than the book whose publication I have eagerly awaited since late March. It's none other than the only guidebook on the market for Tokyo Disney!!! Oh, happy day! I am going to have to pace myself going through it...I have even thought about putting it with all of the other Japan stuff and waiting until I am on the plane to tear into it. But, I couldn't help it. It's kind of like having a beautiful rich piece of chocolate on a plate in front of you, just waiting to be consumed. Ah, Disney...how I love thee.

Books...what is it with teachers and books? Most teachers love a good bookstore, and I am no different. But I have to admit, I think I may have gone overboard...



These are the books that I have collected thus far in my preparations for Japan, with the exception of three (three!) books that didn't make it into the pic. One such book is my Japanese in 10 Minutes a Day book, which accompanies me practically everywhere, and spends quite a bit of time in a bag in the back seat of my car because I cannot get myself motivated enough to learn and I just leave it in the car constantly. Another is the Disney book...I had taken this pic before it arrived. The last book not included is an autobiography about Mineko Iwasaka, a reknowned geisha (or geiko) in Kyoto in the 60s. It was in the bag with the Japanese language book and just didn't make it in the pic.

I haven't read all of these yet, but I have chosen a few favorites. I really liked the World Food: Japan book, which detailed some of the unique foods found in Japan (yes, there was a section on fugu). Japan Made Easy is also very informative, and has explained different customs in a very easy to understand format. Japanese Made Easy? Oh, I sooooooooo need to read that one more!

Of course, not all of these are going to Japan. I will probably take the Insight Guide: Tokyo book, Japanese Made Easy, Learning to Bow (designated plane read), and...well...that Tokyo Disney book, of course!!! Eventually when I get my webpage up, I am going to include an annotated bibliography on all of these books...until then, it's just read, and enjoy!

Hi Students!!!

So now that you all have the blog address, stop by and make comments. I get bored when I am not around you...doesn't that make you feel special??? Anyway, when and if you post a comment, please be sure and do the following:

1. Include your name...I have to delete comments if your name isn't on your comment post. Already had to do that right before I started writing this post...sorry!
2. Please make sure that your comment is school appropriate, as this may eventually end up on the school's web server.
3. Have questions about anything in Japan, or are you wondering what I am planning on doing while I am there? Ask away! Also, if you have any ideas for me as far as what to do while I am in Japan, throw 'em at me! I dare you to beat the Ramen Museum, though! That one just MIGHT be untouchable!

Okay, all for now...see you in class tomorrow! Tests on Wednesday for everyone, all on me! You're welcome!

A New Year

School started back today...can you believe it? It seems so early! Perhaps working all summer (assisting at summer school) has kept me primed for school to start, because today seemed like any other day, albeit with more people to deal with than the small summer school group. I doubt that I will ever do two summer sessions back to back again, but it did allow me to put some money away for the trip and to buy some things to help me get prepared. But, the most important thing about today? It means that the trip is closer than ever! In fact, in a mere 66 days my butt will be on its way to Japan.

I was able to gt my meishi ordered. They arrived last week. I'm not thrilled with them, but I got them at a great price (around $16 bucks for 250 cards...should be more than enough). I wish that they weren't glossy, and that my name was easier to read, but they will do. I am sure that I am just being overly critical! I will try to scan it in at some point and add it to the blog.

My excitement is growing leaps and bounds as each day passes. I cannot wait to go on this trip. I know that it is going to be an invaluable and incomparable experience. I've been reading up a storm, and no, I still don't know any more Japanese than I did when this all started. I REALLY need to work on that.

In other very sad news, Corydon lost one of its finest attributes this week with the loss of Bart Zimmerman. Bart's work at Zimmerman Art Glass, along with that of his father Joe and his brother Kerry, has been something that I have collected and treasured for quite some time, and his sudden death will be a blow to us here. I had hoped to take some of Bart's work to Japan with me as a gift for my host family - in fact, I had stopped by the shop a couple of weeks ago to place an order for a glass basket. Bart told me to stop by August 6 (today), he should have it done by then. I'm not sure if he had a chance to get to the basket, and if he did, I'm not sure I could part with it. I definitely plan on taking a piece of Zimmerman glass with me, and I told Bart of my plans to have his work represent my hometown to my host family. I hope that it made him happy to know that. Bart and his family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Bart.


Example shot of the basket I ordered...


Bart at work