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

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!!!