Onsen in Appi

February 23-24, 2007
Yo! , This friday I ended up going to another Onsen! (Japanese Hot Spring). So Awesome! A friend of a friend was able to hook us up with a nice discount at a posh Onsen, about a 45 minute drive from downtown Morioka towards Iwate Mountain.
After getting lost once and weaving though some highway construction, we arrived in time to get settled and have dinner, (Really great food!).
After bathing, we cracked open the beers and started drinking and playing different games of sorts, which didn’t really end till about 4 am. The last remanding few of us, hardcore late-nighters, headed for another bath! Anyways, I really needed to take a leek so I started heading for the can. Upon opening the door, I immediacy stopped.
There was an arm and hand coming out from under one of the stalls. (Not moving).
Not sure what to do, I called back to my friends who were just entering the bath. Rather confused with my language barrier, the two girls didn’t know what I was trying to say. Was I really asking them to going looking into the boys washroom?
Or was trying to say something else.
We all went in the boys washroom and there was a moment of silence… The girls didn’t know what to do, and I still wasn’t sure. First we banged on the door but there was no response. So we tried touching the arm, and started bagging on the door some more. No response.
After trying a few more things, I was able to unlock the door. Lying on the ground, face pressing up against the wall, laid a high school kid.
He was breathing, so we knew he wasn’t dead. But, we had shouted pretty loud and he still hadn’t woken up. We thought it would be best, not to move him by way it looked like he had fallen. I got someone to call the manger. After waiting a few minutes. The very tried unhappy looking manger came down the stairs.
As soon as he saw the kid he looked furious. He bent down and punched kid on the ass, and was shouting something I didn’t understand. The kid started moving and squirming. He was drunk as a skunk. After a bit more shouting, the kid was up on his feet, but still really drunk as the manger walked him to his room. Later, I gave it some thought.
If this were to happen in Canada, what would have happened?
Most likely, a call for an ambulance and a stretcher, wasting a huge amount of money on a kid that most likely drank a few beers too many, or rather two beers looking at his age.
Anyways, after thanking the manger, I was able to have a nice night bath.
-Tom

Oh yeah, Showing some leg. ( I put on some pants after see this picture.) ^__^

I tried to get a picture of inside the onsen, but someone told me I shouldn't.

Soul & Gospel

Hey hey,

Today after class, I went to Mori-dai's Soul & Gospel final performance, preformed at the small chapel beside the dormitory. The inside of the chapel was rather quaint with its stained glass windows.

I still haven’t been able to force myself to get up early Sunday mornings to see if there actually is service.
Anyways, the music was great and everyone had a blast.

-Tom

Happy Valentines Day! Everyone!

Did you know? In Japan, Valentines Day is the complete opposite then Canada.

Girls give Chocolates to Guys!! Woot!
I received a few chocolates from some of my friends, I feel so special. Ha ha ha.

I went to the mall yesterday night, and the mall was packed with girls young and old looking for that special Chocolate that says, I love you….
No really, it was insane! It was like the boxing day of Heart Shaped Chocolates…

Oh, Steve. Thanks for the advice you gave me! I remember what you said.
But you never told me about Whiteday, What’s popular for it?

Anyways, it snowed like 2 feet today... I had a hard time getting anywhere without falling over or looking just plan crazy trying to walk anywhere.

Once again, enjoying the cultural differences from the other side of the earth,

-Tom

Out with New friends

Today, I went out with some of my friends from Mori-Dai. We walked around the city, shopped around, found Victoria’s totem pole, and ate a hamburger paddy?!?! (Huh Where’s the bread?)

We also went to the top of Morioka’s tallest building, Where I took a really good picture of Iwate-san!! All in all, today was a pretty good day.

-Tom

Yo! Iwate-san!!

Welcome to Morioka Party

Hey! Remember I was talking about Toshiko wanting to have a welcome party for me!?
Today was my welcome to Morioka party!
I had a really really good time!!~~ A lot of Toshiko’s friends came and we had a great feast!!
The people in Morioka are very friendly! Noriko and Nachiko, the other two nice ladies whom I meet in Victoria also came!
It’s times like this that I’m really glad to come to Morioka.
Going to a different country is stressing, but having gatherings like this really take that away.

Toshiko and her husban also play the guitar ! (Wanna See? Click here - Morioka Welcoming Music)

Thanks everyone that came!!!!~~~~ I had a great time!

-Tom

Funny, How Music and Food always come hand in hand...... Great Acoustics, Toshiko is really skilled!
It makes me wish I could play!!~~

(****** Click Here to watch Toshiko Play *********) - Same as above...


Look at all that food!~ Yummmm.... Smiles everyone!!!

English Camp Sleep Over

Yesterday and today was the English Camp Sleep Over!

A few weeks ago, I was asked if I could help out with an English Boot Camp, Mori-Dai was running with the idea that everyone was expected to only speak in English.
After that, about one week ago Terui-san, the English teacher, asked if I would be willing to run the teaching part of it. I have done a few things like this before, but nothing for this amount of material in such a short time. Normally if I’m teaching, I just make enough materials for 2 hours for the first day, and then see what level everyone is at.
This time I wouldn’t be able to do that. I would have to do one class then ten minutes later do the next class. I spend a lot of time thinking up ideas that would be fun for everyone regardless of their English level.

Anyways, I make up all the materials, and then found that one of other English teachers from the High school was going take 2 hours of the classes.
It was really nice of him!! Two hours less of worry. ^_____^

Always, with the help of the other international students and Japanese helpers, I was able to get some really good lesson ideas and suggestions on how I could make the ones I already make even better! Cael ran the Doge ball game and Jennifer came up with a good idea for the matching game I was planning.

Anyways, the camp was a huge success and everyone had a good time!

-Tom

Throw Peanuts a Demons Festivals ?

Well, I haven’t really written for some time…. The Last week has been pretty much… So much homework!!!! But, It’s ok. I had to write then rewrite and rewrite some speck about Canada in Japanese…. It was really hard!!
I’m surprised that I could do it! But, I guess I really have to hand it to those little dictionaries, There like little bibles! Oodles of information!!
I wish I could have one built into my head……Maybe not…

Anyways, Today I went back into downtown with Toshiko!! (*Such a wonderful lady!*)
Today was the Peanuts Throwing Festival ~~!! , ( I forgot the real name…)
It’s done to chase away bad spirits.

You get to throw peanuts at people!! What better festival could there be!!!!
But really, although it was a bit cold, I really really enjoyed it!
While I was waiting for the Festival to start, I eyed the only other foreigner there, besides Nicole whom I came with. Anyways, we got talking and he was from the States on a 1 year work exchange at one of the smaller high schools. He seemed pretty nice, but he lives a considerably far distances from where I live. It might be difficult of us to meet.

Anyways, After Toshiko treated us to lunch, which by the way, was very very good!!

That about sums it up, Write later

Love and Kisses

-Tom


Pictures with the Rock Spilting Tree.

AWESOME TOSHIKO!!! ---------Oh Dad, You would love this!! Look!!! ( The Public Well)
The Water here is awesome and very fresh!! You can still drink from it!

This guy got me good... A hand full of peanuts...