'vacation'

...has been as much, if not more, vacation than work.  thank goodness.
what's best, is hanging out with fam&friends when they're on days off from work as well.
very relaxing.
makes you spend more money than you plan though.
will be grateful for full-time work and little time to spend money.
will be grateful when certain administrative decisions have been made, and then i can make some decisions of my own.
pray.
pray.
pray.
pray.
not for something specific.
just for the best outcome.

Narita, Japan

When I was 13, my new Junior-high teacher had just returned from teaching in Japan.  I spent the next two years learning about Japanese culture and language.  My family even invited a teenage exchange student to live with us for a summer.  She was a few years older than me, but I spent as much time as possible learning about life in Japan.  I soaked in the culture.  I loved it.  Everything about the Asian culture, from the high level of public respect to the fashion to eating with chopsticks.  I knew, one day, I would find my way to Japan.

Over time, my curiosity drew over to europe, but the want to see Japan never left.  When I chose my position to go to Asia, I secretly hoped I could find something in Japan.  However, positions here--through my program, are few and not cost-friendly.  Cost of living in this country almost beats the States at times, and I knew that a relatively small income would not suffice when I would also be spend more than that on repaying Student Loans alone.  I had to suffice with another country I had also been a little interested in.

This current trip back to the States gave an accidental invitation to see Japan, and not just the airport.  :-)

Narita.  It's not Tokyo, which I was dying to see, but much more convenient.  My layover ended up being for 12 hours!!  More than enough time to freshen up, get out of customs, locate a tourist info desk and grab a 10 minute train to a cute destination.

Narita is small.  The town that supports the name of the airport.  I, honestly, don't know much more about it than that.  I will spend a bit of time, after this post, looking up more of Narita.  After locating a bookstore right outside the tram station with a good JP-Eng. phrasebook, I was directed to a street where I would find the local temple.  I don't know how long the walk is supposed to take, as I kept stopping along the way.  Even at 9am, shops are starting to open up, restaurants inviting passers-by in.  I wandered down the small, winding road, until I felt it was time to stop for a brunch.  The cute, little local-style restaurant was cold at first, but slowly warmed up as the small room heaters turned a glowing red.  There is no central heating here, at least not in the smaller shops.  The owners/servers were very warm and friendly--very 'Asian' style.  With only about 7 items on the menu, including eel, eel deluxe and eel super deluxe, I finally decided on just eel.  The eel came in a rice box, with a side of spice I could add to my own discretion.  A spice of something like rosemary mixed with black pepper.  Along with a bowl of some version of Miso and steaming hot cups of tea, it was not too long before my fingers were thawed and very warm.  I did learn one more new thing at that diner.  In HCMC, I had run across some 'Japanese-style' toilets.  These particular toilets actually warm the seat area-making for a warm sit-down.  I had always been unsure as to why the Japanese thought it so important to create such a heating device, until now.  With no central heat, and the small room heaters located in the dining area of the restaurant, the bathrooms are actually quite chilly.  Walking into a cold room can make you seriously rethink your need for the need.  But, have no fear!  Warm toilet seats are here!

After wandering back out into the frigid air, I stayed on the street (only stopping to look into a few shops) until I reached the temple.  This temple is not a temple, it is a religious ground, an area for several temples, trails, burial plots, etc.  Visitors (mostly Japanese and very few Westerners) come here to listen to sermons, pay their respects to buddha (and some sort of monetary giving, that I still have to wiki about), and take in the solace of nature as they stroll along forest trails and around half-frozen ponds and a couple waterfalls.  If I wasn't so cold and my feet didn't hurt from not-so-great sneakers, I would have wandered the trails more--and possibly more slowly.  There was a sign for their calligraphy museum on the premise, but what I think I located seemed quite closed (possibly for the season?).

On my way back up the winding, windy street-straight into the still rising sun, I was stopped by a young Japanese lady who asked where I was from.  She said she also was the States, had only moved back a few years ago.  She prompted me into her family's restaurant (even though my stomach was still full) to try a bowl of their famous Oden soup to warm me up and make me pretty and a skewer of an eel's heart, just to say I had eaten one.  Because they're very rare!  The Oden soup was okay--not nearly as good as Miso.  I think this may have been partially due to the fact that I was unsure about the origins of some of the items in the soup, and was fearfully anticipating the coming kebob.  I learned that the contents of the soup were some sort of fish meat, a type of Japanese radish, a type of squash (?) and some sort of (I think it may have been a seafood)...thing...that is said to make your skin pretty and help you lose weight.  So I ate it...who wouldn't.  The skewered heart...didn't really look like a heart...well, until you stripped away some of the meaty part and found some vessels...  On top of already being overly stuffed, my brain was having a hard time pushing aside the idea of this delicacy.  I tried a couple bites--with a bit of Japanese mustard as well.  I had to quickly put it down.  The meaty part I could almost handle.  The rest...  I ended up with a doggy bag of eel heart...which eventually found its way to the garbage.  Sorry, Japan...that's just one thing I can't do.

To be cont'd...

run for life

one of the end-of-semester activities (this semester) is a student 'race'.  this morning was the elementary's race (yesterday's was the high school).  5th and 6th, then 3rd and 4th.  i ran with both.  :-)  i think it's been maybe 3 or 4 weeks since i've gone on a jog.  i completely didn't switch out my shoes, and ended up running in a pair of old sprinters...ouch.  but each race was MaYbE a mile.  maybe.  but, even with the short(er) distance, i didn't get around quickly.  i ended up toward the back of both packs, running backward, trying to encourage the 'slowees' to get a move on. it was required for all students, so, even those that loathe any physical movement beyond grabbing a remote control, had to run.  well, participate.

'you can do it'

          'no, i can't'

'yes, you can!'

          '...grumble...'

'you're almost half-way there!'

'you're over half-way there!'

'look! there's the finish line!'

(the last one almost got them as they were just a couple yards away and basically wanted the event to be over, so they ran.  most of them.  lol...)

although i did get three sets of students to 'race' me to the finish line.

maybe i need to ask to set up a jogging club.

again?

haven't i done that before?  another time...another place...

appetite and non-vacation

i haven't had a real appetite for over a week now.  you'd think it'd be due to stress.  but most of the stress is relatively over...at work.  this weekend, though, appetite came back a little.  gladly gorged myself on some amazing pasta, couscous salad and veggie version of a vn pancake  :-)  thought maybe i'd feel better today. still no real appetite.  two more days, though before i leave for my non-vaca  :-)  i'm probably just feeling the anticipation.  brain checklist of everything i need to get/pack/fix before i leave.  excited about a 12hr layover in tokyo!!!!!!!  i have dreamed of visiting that wonderful city since i was...13?  nervous about the work i'll have to do when back in the states.  recruiting.  this is so far out of my normal realm of work.  this most likely makes me the most nervous...  i'm soooo excited to be able to see family and friends soon, though!!  only three days to landing on u.s. soil and visitation rights lol  possibly more excited to be able to play in some good 'ol southern snow lol :-D  i'm just glad i'll be able to see snow this winter (just like last year!)  keep up these crazy winters, mother nature!!

love and hugs to everyone i'll get to see shortly!!

love and more hugs to everyone i won't have a chance to!!

love and hugs to everyone i'll be seeing again in about a month--yah, i'll miss y'all when i'm gone ;-)

after running around like a madman yesterday afternoon (only a half-day of school!!!) last night, i had the most amazing, lazy evening with my two cuddly monsters

that sounds weird, lol

but the cats are starting to get along more--and chica's wanting to be closer to me, as she's still a bit jealous of the kitten always laying on me.  i'm not quite sure if i've met a kitten that needs to be held more than bella mia...she has more or less decided that i'm mommy and likes to sleep on me for warmth (?)

fortunately, it's chica she tries to suckle on...well, chica doesn't think she's so fortunate lol

with the white fog and raininess outside, and a fan to make it 'chilly' inside and listening to old tracks of adventures in odessy (i'm a sucker for stories, even kids stories, and love to play them for my kids at school as well)--the only thing to make it more perfect would have been if i had made a cup of hot chocolate, maybe.

last night, i had the most amazing, lazy evening with my two cuddly monsters
that sounds weird, lol
but the cats are starting to get along more--and chica's wanting to be closer to me, as she's still a bit jealous of the kitten always laying on me.  i'm not quite sure if i've met a kitten that needs to be held more than bella mia...she has more or less decided that i'm mommy and likes to sleep on me for warmth (?)
fortunately, it's chica she tries to suckle on...well, chica doesn't think she's so fortunate lol
with the white fog and raininess outside, and a fan to make it 'chilly' inside and listening to old tracks of adventures in odessy (i'm a sucker for stories, even kids stories, and love to play them for my kids at school as well)--the only thing to make it more perfect would have been if i had made a cup of hot chocolate, maybe.

Accents! (of the World)

ahhh....this isn't what i was looking for-but i'll leave it up until i can find the correct copy

Accents! (of the UK)

an old favorite

o captain! my captain!  our fearful trip is done;

the ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won;

the port is near, the bells i hear, the people all exulting,

while follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;

                      but o heart! heart! heart!

                      o the bleeding drops of red,

                      where on the deck my captain lies,

                      fallen cold and dead.

o captain! my captain! rise up and hear the bells;

rise up -- for you the flag is flung -- for you the bugle trills;

for you bouquets and ribboned wreaths -- for you the shores a-crowding;

for you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;

                       here captain!  dear father!

                       this arm beneath your head;

                       it is some dream that on the deck,

                       you've fallen cold and dead.

my captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;

my father does not feel my arm, he has not pulse nor will;

the ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;

from fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;

                       exult, o shores, and ring, o bells!

                       but i, with mournful tread,

                       walk the deck my captain lies,

                       fallen cold and dead.

                                           -- Walt Whitman

kitten little

day 3 of new kitten--starting 4th night

bella mia is an adorable orange and white sherbet-looking kitten--about 4 months :-)

(no camera, remember? so, you're going to have to trust me on this one)

'the sweetest thing ever' (in a grandma's voice)   lol

terribly cuddly (wayyyyy more so than chica)

terribly purry (wayyyyy more so than chica)

terribly not litter trained yet.... (def. unlike chica)

and i think may be a bit sick....not good....throws up, runny stool, lack of appetite (at first i thought it was stress of a new environment and jealous older cat)....but, ahh....it hasn't gotten much better-almost worse, actually

had to spoon feed (force feed) her milk tonight.  tried some fishy, wet cat food (she didn't let the more solid mass enter between her teeth)

poor thing.

scrawny.  weak.

i hope i have enough time to wean her back to life before holiday/recruitment project

i'm just praying that i don't end up seeing any worms....