OSAKA

Ma and I rode on a train for 34 hours. How ridiculous. There was something wrong with the signal apparently because of heavy rain that caused trains to be seriously delayed. As in, we were to arrive at 12:52pm and didn't get in until 11:40pm. 11 hours delayed. BUT, it turned out alright, even though we were suppossed to share the room with 2 other people, no one showed up and the train wasn't full. So we got the compartment to ourselves, place to lay down, and even though we arrived a little later than if we had tried to switch trains in Kanazawa, we didn't have to sit in a tiny seat. 

We also didn't eat lunch or dinner, just snacks. Stupid train didn't have any food. How stupid?

I'll try and make a bigger post later, but I only have the internet for 24 hours, so until 12:30am tomorrow. We'll be going to the Aquarium tomorrow here in Osaka, then to Kobe for the day, then back to Osaka for nightlife. It seriously reminds me of New York - taxis everywhere! Even at midnight it's busy!

And the hotel....Oh my gosh! Ma and I are STUNNEd. They have bellboys and...well, it's just super fancy. And it's a good thing that I understand Japanese, even the little I do, because it helps...a lot. A lot a lot.

I'll write more and post later! Hope everyone is well and if anyone can figure out what was wrong with the trains...because I can't. heh.

Mom and a Birthday!

I don't have time to elaborate on everything right now, but my birthday evening dinner was a hit.

I got some nice gifts, and had a nice time.

Mom got here fine! And I'm excited to start our trip. I hope she's as excited as I am.

Dunno how much internet I'll have, so I'll get on when I can but I doubt they'll be long. Except Dave-long, in the sense that they're short.

Hope you all are well!

3 to 0?

So, I haven't posted yet. Sorry about that.

I also haven't uploaded pictures because Picasa sucked and my computer freaked.

My holiday was...interesting. It rained a lot. A lot a lot. It took forever to get food at JoJo's, but it was SO GOOD. I biked like 20-30km...which was ridiculous and I'm in pain still. Dave and I went to the Ice cream place and spent too much money. And got free random herbs which we gave to Okaa-san. I got a little frustrated/pissed after biking from Niseko because I didn't think we would be able to find food and I was tired. But I was just too stressed over nothing! Because things turned out fine and Dave and I had a wonderful evening.

Trains don't like bikes. And that sucks.

Today I planted Tulips in the morning, and had a nice conversation with Otoo-san. Then helped with lunch a little, and then went "Traditional" Japanese rafting in the afternoon. It was nice, but I felt lonely because no one was speaking any English and pretty much just igorning me. Whatevs. I got soaked too.

Then, this evening I had an hour nap, then Dave came and we went to the book store (I bought 2 notebooks, some more writing paper for Chinese practice, and 3 CCS books in Japanese! -excited-), and to MaxValu where we got some fantastic ice cream.

I'm a little upset because I think Ma is going to have to buy all the food for my birthday party tomorrow. That just makes me a little angry. But maybe they'll pay some of it, or not make her pay for staying the night. Or something. I am super excited for her to come! And for my dinner! I think it'll be a lot of fun!

Sorry for the short update.

Oh, and earthquakes suck. Otoo-san and I are both afraid of them. A lot.

Just a warning

My computer randomly shut down for no reason.

Not only that, but it took almost an hour to try and repair itself. It came up with "Fatal System Error" for a breif 5 seconds. It says it could not repair it, however it is working right now.

No idea what happened.

But if I suddenly "go missing," my computer probably freaked.

Sorry.

T Minus 3 days....

First of all, I'm sorry I haven't been updating my pictures. I have since uploaded a whole bunch of new ones and added the link to the right side navigation bar.

Two days worth of things to tell, so I'll get to it!

Yesterday
was relatively nice. I got up late though in the morning (7:15) and felt horrible because KaKa and Sylph were working (since 7:00ish) and I had slept in. I told them later "Hey, if it's past 7 and I'm not up, just kick me. Seriously." I on;y have two more days though, and one of them is there (other) holiday. So, it doesn't really matter.
Okaa-san had made KaKa-san clean the kitchen, and Otoo-san said that today was "cleaning check" or something like that. And for some reason tenstions were high. I could feel the stress like it was palable. I was wondering why...
I worked outside in the morning, mowing some more in this one area of the landscape. It is a really hard place to mow though because it is way overgrown with plants at least to my hips. So, it takes awhile. And then it started pouring. I worked a little bit more outside, waiting for someone to come and get me and say "It's ok! Stop!" but no one came. So, I went inside, my hair soaked, my shirt a little soaked (since I had an over outfit thing on), and went to see Otoo-san Okaa-san to see if it was alright that I stopped. Okaa-san saw me and instantly said "Go take a shower. Now." I laughed and said it was alright, but took a shower anyway. After that, we all went and cleaned the badmition room some more, and I found out that there were inspectors coming to check the place out for some reason. So, that's why everyone was stressed! I guess it went alright though.
Sylph-san fell and hurt her back at one point, but other than that, it was an uneventful morning.
In the afternoon, we went to a cherry-farm (I ate like 40 cherries), a farm/ice cream place where I bought two things for Grami (small) and a blueberry icecream (the original place that made them), and then to an onsen. We then went out to dinner, I ate some more intestines of some sort and some chicken yakitori. Except I think that translates are "chicken grilled chicken." hahahahah.
We then stopped at a festival that was going on for two days in downtown Niseko. It was really pretty! Small booths, girls in yukatas, people stared at me, and yummy food! They had cream puff things (which Okaa-san bought one for me), french fries, and cotton candy! It was really, really cool to see. I would like to go to more sometime.
At the farm place, Otoo-san bought a grape tree and said it was a ceremony tree. And that one day, when we came back with husbands and children, we had to come to Bouken and show them the tree that was planted for us. How sweet!


Today
So today it rained in the morning. We cleaned a little bit, mostly worked on stuff for the guest rooms, and helped Otoo-san move some old things to the car/van to be taken to the reclycle place. By lunch time I was starving. We ate lunch, and while we were eating, guests arrived. So we finished quickly, and then we helped prepare the lunch of the guests. Unfortuently, this meant we got no lunch break. I checked online quickly to see if Ma's flight was going alright and found out it landed. Yeah! Welcome to Japan, Mom!
I cleaned the dishes of the guests while KaKa and Sylph-san went outside. Then, I went outside too, and finished mowing. I mowed for 2 in a half hours, about. Gosh, it was a long time. Raked some of the giants leaves into piles too. Giant piles. I'll probably move those to the pile in the back on Friday. How much fun! We stopped work at 4:30.
I took a shower, and am now updating this! Dave and I, after I eat dinner here, will go to JoJo's and have some garlic rolls and coffee, and probably play some cards or study Japanese.
Then, tomorrow is our holiday! Yeah! Who knows what we'll do though. hahahaha.

That's all for now!

Miso Soup Ettiquette

I am really tired.

This morning I got up at 6:30 to get ready to help Okaa-san with breakfast for our 6 guests and ourselves. Usually Sylph and KaKa-san would help with this, but they have their holiday's on Mondays. So I'm SOL. Get up (somehow) and make my way semi-deliriously to the kitchen. I gradually being to wake up (I don't think Okaa-san is a morning person either), and I clean dishes, do menially things. And then Okaa-san asks me to help! Yeah! So I helped make breakfast - well, just preparing some soup and rice and place settings, but still.

Breakfast ends, I clean all the dishes, and then I have nothing really to do. After my break, I clean the restuarant. All the chairs, tables, etc. Then, it's about 10:30, and Okaa-san is done with her activity with people (10 people, about 6 of them mentally challenged) of sasuage making and is preapring lunch. I help her again. But even more! I actually got the salads ready, got the soups ready, got a whole bunch of stuff ready, and then helped make tempura! We had 10 people, and then 3 more showed up, but it was after Okaa-san said I was done. But it was really exciting to help her.

Bad thing though: I fumbled around like an idiot. Didn't know where half the stuff was, or this or that. So that wasn't fun, but I guess it was just nerves. One of the guests kindly informed me that theso Miso Soup goes on the RIGHT side of the place setting as the gohan (rice) goes on the left. Oh! Gosh! How did I not know that!?

No, that's sarcasm there.

Americans and their uncultivated lack of miso placing ettiquette. But now I know.

So, I eat lunch at 12:40 and figure it would be ok not to start again at 1 and have an hour break. I'm exhausted anyway. Chill until 1:30 and then wonder what to do. I see Okaa-san with her daughter and friend in the kitchen, so I figure I'll go outside and clean the yard. So I do that. It was so freakin' boring. Gah! This one person in a car pointed at me though and kept pointing at me. Either that or the chickens...

I finish at about 3:50, go inside and clean a little, and then Okaa-san asks me if I've cleaned my work clothes lately. I keep thinking she means the clothes I work in everyday, so I said yes. We got confused a little, a then we both said "Dijobu." Then I figured out she meant WORK clothes! Oh! That little suit thing! So I went outside, figured out how to use the outside washer, and wshed my suit thing. Then she walked past the room and said "Sometimes clean your room." And we both laughed at how messy it was, so I vaccumed a little and straightened a little.

Then, I was talking to Dave, thinking of taking a nap, figuring out if we would see each other, and Otoo-san calls me....for dinner! It's like 5:00 at this point, so I was a little confused. Turns out they were going to an onsen. Dave had left to come here while I was eating dinner and arrived shortly after I was done. But I though that I was going to the onsen too...which I didn't want to, but I didn't have to! Yeah!

So after Otoo-san and Okaa-san left, Dave and I went to ride into town, but ended up just going to the MaxValu. He bought me some food (yogurt, drinks, etc.), some stuff for him, and ice cream. The ice cream was really delicious! And the man there (owner?) said that the next time I came I had to try the melon, and gave me a 100yen off card thing. Yeah! So I told him I would. I have to go back now! hahaha. Mom and I will have to go for the special dinner anyway.

We get back and we were going to go to JoJo's for coffee and garlic rolls, but it looked like rain and it was getting dark, so we decided that we'll do that in the coming days. Tomorrow I think we may ride into town, and then Wednesday go to JoJo's and hang out. I like hanging out there. And the server guy is very adorable.

Now I'm chilling out, just had some delicious yogurt, waiting for Sylph and KaKa-san to return, and then hit the sack. I guess I should shower somewhere in there too....hmmm...

NOTE TO DAD:
I got an e-mail this morning saying that it couldn't deliver my e-mail to you. I'm not sure if it's here or there that's the problem. But I have been sending you e-mails! You may just not be getting them! Sorry!

Update:
KaKa-san and Sylph-san just got back. Apparently, they WALKED from Niseko back home (it's like a 10 minute 50mph drive). Okaa-san, however was not too happy about this. And frankly, I agree with her.
They didn't say when they would be back, they didn't call saying they'd be late, they didn't have the number at all. I know my Mother would have my head on the chopping block if I did something like that.
I know Okaa-san isn't our real mother, but I think she's worried about us too. Well, we are good workers. She can't go losing us! But, she is responsible for us, our well-being, in a way.
KaKa was saying she didn't think that was right, Okaa-san telling them that they're too late. I said that I don't think it's too late, it's the fact that we didn't know where you were and Okaa-san was worried.
She came in probably 5 minutes before they arrived to see if they were here. I said I didn't know.

I recently read in my Bible that we're suppossed to act like children. Not like children in the "let's be irresponsible," but in the "I'm going to trust you, and a love you, and forgive you" kind of way. And this trip, I think, has been all about that. I mean, these people could kill me if they wanted too. (I mean, a lot of people could kill me, but let's think about it this way.) They could take me to a mountain and leave me there with nothing. They could sell me into slavery. I think this trip has shown me that humans are inherently good. At least, most. And that we need to trust more, believe more. I mean, it may still be hard to forgive, but I/we can work on that, right?

Ame onnanoko

Rain girl, they have taken to calling me. Since it rains whenever I go outside.

Today was a good day, if a little long. We got to make ice cream! Okaa-san had some guests coming over for an activity on making ice cream, and we got to as well! So now, when I get home, I want to have an ice cream making party! It was really delicious too!

Then we cleaned the rest of the day pretty much. It was super boring. Especially because I wanted music, but didn't have any. Sad. After lunch (o-bento...again), I watched the beginning of AVATAR Season Finale. OH MY GOSH! But I only got to the 2nd part (out of 4). Sylph-san and I then went outside and picked up grass. And guess who passed by! Well, yeah, it's kind of obvious, isn't it? Dave passed by with another SAS guy and luckily, we were outside and close to the road. It was pretty amazing.

It started to rain just a little, and I thought to myself, how cool it would be if it were like a Florida storm, where it was suddenly raining hard. And it did! Not super hard, but harder than the drizzle it usually is. I laughed to myself. And Otoo-san told us to go inside. We had an hour left. So we cleaned more. Got some ice cream. And then Dave stopped by for about two minutes. Very nice of his SAS guy to let him stop in.

During our free time, after work, I finished Avatar. AND OH MY GOSH! It was SO EPIC. I can't even begin to tell you all how EPIC it was. It was THE BEST EVER. Better than, and yes, I'll will say it, Doctor Who. OH MY GOSH! -spazz-

I then went to help with dinner and I actually did! She told me to help with the guests food. Yeah! Her two grandchildren were over (the ones that played tag with me), and the "children" ate together. Okaa-san was going in and out of the kitchen, and the fish we were suppossed to eat was in the middle. It was the really nasty smelling fish that makes me hate fish in general, and I really, really didn't want to eat it. So I didn't. Woo! Got away with it. And very happy about that too. 

Sylph and KaKa-san don't like the children much, and they were upset when Okaa-san asked us to walk outside with them. I think they're adorable, if a little spoiled (ok, a lot spoiled). So I cleaned up, and then went outside with them for awhile. I understood them mostly, but I still didn't get some of it. I also tried to teach them some manners. Don't know how that worked. XD

I wanted to do more on the computer before I go to bed, but KaKa and Sylph-san were on it for awhile. That's alright though. I'm going to bed early though because I have to help with breakfast t 6:45 since it's their holiday. Wee. Long day.

But, Dave'll be coming done at the end of the day and we'll be riding into Kutchan. Fun!

5 days until I get to see Ma and my birthday! I'm so excited! Woo hoo! And only 4 days of work, really, since I have a holiday! (Well, not including tomorrow in these counts.)

Oh, my dears, my dears

Yesterday was bad. Not bad for me really. Bad for the whole family. You shall see why in a bit.

We wake up, clean and help breakfast, then head off to the farm all three of us. We get there are there are 8 people working that day (though only 5 stayed the whole time), and we finished all of the rows of stuff we were meant to do by 3:30ish. So, we got off of work sooner than expected and yeah! I got a nasty bento box for lunch. Ick. But I also got a pancake sandwich which was good. We also got -as gifts- this candy like sugary thing that looks like poop. But it tastes really good. We all make jokes about it. 

We also saw mini-melons after work and I smashed one. Yeah strong me!

Okaa-san picks us up at 4:40, 40 minutes after we're suppossed to be done work, and stops at a store on the way back home, so we get home at about 5:15ish. I'm kind of angry because Dave was suppossed to be here at 5, and frankly, I want to be away from work at 4, not stuck there for another hour doing nothing.

Dave comes over and we talk about what we've done that day, random stuff. Otoo-san and him have -what seems like- a nice conversation, and then I ask him when dinner is. He says to go help Okaa-san as she's making it now. I say ok, say goodbye to Dave, and go help with dinner. Sylph-san looks at me when I walk in and says "You look happy." And couldn't quite here her, so I asked what? She said, "You talked to Dave and now you're so happy." I just smiled and nodded. I didn't realize it was so apparent! hhahaha. I don't remember how much I helped but...

this is where it gets interesting.

I guess the meat we were having at dinner was fat. I didn't realize that. Mainly because I just don't ask what I'm eating anymore. I just don't. Vegetables, fine. But meat...I just let that be. Because usually  don't eat the fat, it just tastes all nasty and chewy. Anyway, that's important. The fat bit. We're almost finished eating, and I notice that KaKa and Sylph-san have both put the meat to the edge of the plate,like I do with onion because I can't eat it. I thought that was weird, and so I pointed it out. This is where I feel like an idiot/ass now.

I figured Otoo-san would say something like "Why do you eat that?" and then they would. Nope. Not that easy. They say that they don't like it; KaKa says she gags on it. Otoo-san then goes into his "lecture" that I recieved about eating all your food and how rude it is not too, and how we have to try everything, etc., etc. But he gets really upset about it. He actually stamped his fist on the table and knocked over his water. I'm not sure why though, I just had my head down. He also brought up that Jun-san is taking time out of his farming to drive us to a "nicer" bathroom, and how we shouldn't have to make him do that, and how we should use the Japanese toliet in Obaa-san's house (which is really, really nasty apparently). We didn't know though that Jun-san was upset about taking us to the bathroom, and none of us wanted to inconveience him!

Well, Sylph-san starts crying. Has to leave the room, and she just keeps saying she's so sorry and she didn't mean for this to happen, and they just don't like eating the fat of the meat. I eat the fat of the meat (even though I don't enjoy it much and I'm beyond full). Otoo-san looks at me almost desperatly after Sylph has run off crying and KaKa has gone to help her get together, and says "You're my family. They're my family." He looks like he's about to cry.

Well, KaKa and I clean the dishes, and then go to our room. Basically, it's super awkward. I try and talk to them. Tell them that it's just a miscommunication. That I got this same thing my 2nd day here, that everything will be alright. "He's not angry!" I say with a smile. And I start to believe it myself. "He's trying to teach us. He's showing us the Japanese culture, isn't that why we're here? We're his daughters and he's teaching us."

"My Father would not make me eat something I didn't want to. I'm 24 years old," KaKa-san says angerily, "I shouldn't have to eat what I don't like. I'm not a child."

I explain to them that I hate fish. I mean, hate. I say it over and over again. That it makes me gag. That I hate it. But look what I'm doing: I'm eating fish. I'm trying out new things. Trying to enjoy it. Learn from the journey! Basically, I'm trying to tell them everything that you all have told me. But Sylph-san is just crying and KaKa-san is upset. She says she liked Otoo-san a lot, and that to be upset over big things is fine, but small things? She says she's disappointed in him.

I mean, I guess I can see where she's coming from. But at the same time, I see where Otoo-san and Okaa-san are coming from. We're in their house. We follow their rules. We eat their food, as it's an insult to the chef not to eat everything, which in this case would be Okaa-san. Big no-no. They told KaKa and Sylph-san that if they were allergic, like I am to onions, that's ok, but just because they don't like it? That's not ok.

So now things are super awkward. It's like...just...blah. It's like no one is happy, and no one is going to try and change that. I'm not sure what to do about it really. I mean, at least KaKa and Sylp have each other, and me, to complain to. I was like "I didn't have anyone."

They keep asking why I didn't travel with Dave here. Why we didn't go together. Hmmm...Good question, I want to say.

So, this morning, get up and go to help with breakfast. Okaa-san says to "frite" (wash down) the restuarant. So I grab a towel/cloth from this basket she has and she instantly goes "Ashley. Dame." (dame means "not good" basically). I look confused and scared and she slightly calmly, slightly angry, explains to me that I can't use these towels, that they're for hand-washing from activities, that I am to use these towels. I know she's told us to use certain towels for certain things before, but I never knew that these towels were for this only. I guess I want to ask "why" more, but I'm afraid that I won't understand them when they explain it and I'll just be more confused.

But it's alright, because I understood, and I nodded and said Ok, and then she points to her mouth and starts laughing, and says something about "ha" (teeth) and I realize that I have toothpaste all over my mouth still. hahaha! She laughed like "Oh, you're so silly" not like mockingly, which I thought was nice. I alguehd about it too. She says "Ah, muzukashii..." (difficult) pretending nd sighing like me. We just laugh. She then tells me to clean this, and do this, and I actually feel helpful because she's telling me to do stuff! Not kitchen-work stuff, but stuff. Which is good.

Tomorrow I have to get up early, like 6:30 to go help with breakfast, since KaKa and Sylph have a holiday and will be sleeping in. I should be really noisy and wake them up like they did mine. But I'm not that mean.

Today we're cleaning and making ice cream with some guests! Yeah!

I'm trying to be happy and excited, to get KaKa and Sylph to lighten up again...but, well, it's not working. They're just upset. I guess it just takes time and self-expoloration? I have 5 days (not including today and my birthday) until I get to see Ma, we have a killer party, and I turn 19! Oh my gosh! And then a week from today, Ma and I will probably be on our ways to Sapporo to catch our overnight train and start sightseeing! I'm so excited!

I'm excited too because the overnight train we'll be on goes along the western coast, which Ma and I won't get to see. So that'll be nice to look at....in the dark...and not see much of...or see it at 100mph. hahaha!

I also figured out that my memory cards do not work with this camera. Boo. So I only have one 512MB memory card. I think I'm going to see how much cameras cost in Japan. I do like their camera's very much.

Well, hopefully things will lighten up here...

It's a new day

I'm going to be typing this a little differently than the previous ones, more like the first ones. Just because I feel like it.

Shopping
I still feel really bad for getting to sleep in when Sylph-san and KaKa-san had to get up at 5am to help with breakfast. I wanted to help, but I slept instead. I'd probably just get in the way anyway. Well, I wake up at about 9, talk with Dave, and then get ready and WAIT for him to come. Gosh! He eventually arrived (after me waiting and glaring in the distance) at 11ish. We then decided that we were going to head into Kutchan and see what we could do. We ended up going to this CD/Manga/etc store...spent like an hour in there. It was amazing! Dave bought me a little pencil holder, Japanese candy, and a manga. The manga I got was "DNAngel," which is in Japanese, but I have the English version. So I can learn Japanese via that! hahaha. It was only 150yen too (about $1.50) a lot cheaper than in America! We then went to the post-office because Sylph-san had to mail a letter to Hong Kong and I told her I would take it to the post office, and there was a CD store next to it. We were there looking for gifts. I found a 100yen section with used CDS, and Dave bought me two CDS, Japanese of course. I was very excited. He also debated buying a Nintendo DS for $100, which is pretty cheap compared to America. And they have some really cool "learn Japanese!" "games" you can buy. It's pretty awesome. And I want one! hahaha. As we were leaving, it had started pouring outside, so we biked as fast as we could to the Max Valu, where we spent the next hour (and a half?) or so buying food for Dave, some for me, and lunch. I got snacks for $15 that should last me until Mom comes. (Yes, I had to withdraw more money. Boo. I suck.)

Rain
I rained a whole lot. Which I knew it would, but I wasn't staying inside all day. No way! We stayed in Max Valu for awhile, ate our lunch in there while we waited for it to stop raining (at least a little) so we could go back to Bouken. As we finished, it had cleared a little, and we checked out and headed back. It was raining only slightly, so while we got wet, we were soaked as we were going into Max Valu, at least. We got to Bouken, I gave Sylph and KaKa-san their items they asked me to buy, put my stuff down, and put Dave's stuff in my bag since his bag sucked. We ate this strawberry/grape/something sourish candy gum that he bought at the manga/cd store for me. Sat awhile, and then went up to Niseko/Hirafu area where he's staying to drop off his food and stuff. While we were putting his stuff away, it started pouring, absolutly pouring. So we stayed in his "Australia House," which reminds me of a dorm kind of, just...with not as many rooms. Even has nametags on the doors. We chilled, which was nice for once, studied, etc.

Dinner
We decided for dinner that we were going to stay in Hirafu and try this downtown cafe, I believe it's actually called. It was smallish, and cafe-like. I ordered this chicken bagel thing, which was DELICIOUS, and even had a fruit smoothie with bananas in it! Oh my gosh! It was good too. Dave had pizza, which was very messy and hot. It closed at 8:00 though and we wanted to get coffee and hang out more before I left, and it was almost 8, so we left and went to JoJo's. I had to run to Seicomart too, because at the grocery store, I forgot toothpaste. Which was the real reason I needed to go there. -heavy sigh- Silly me. Coffee and dessert were my treat, and it was very lovely. Found out that rock climbing is a lot cheaper than I thought; also found out that their store downstairs has pretty cheap climbing shoes. Well, cheaper than in American, I should say.

Darkness
So, after we finished our last game of gin (yeah, Dave didn't know how to play, so I taught him - We took a picture of a pretty amazing game...I'll post it here when I upload it), we headed each to our respective homes. Dave insisted I use his flashlight, since I told him I could ride back by myself. It was dark, sure, but I figured I would be fine, and I didn't see the point of Dave riding back and then riding all the way back up the hill himself. I headed out, and for most of the way it's lit, but there's some parts where it's pretty darn dark. The flashlight didn't really help much either, but oh, well. I was an idiot too and riding in practically all black. Oh, yeah, real smart. Luckily, there was a lot of sidewalk and not too many cars. I was scared at one point, but I biked as fast as I could and was alert for anything suspicious. Though I must say, Japan is probably the safest place ever. You know they don't even lock their bikes when they go to the store?! I made it back fine, took a shower, and went to sleep. I was exhausted.

The Italian Guy
So there was this Italian guy staying at Bouken who had gone to the Summit, spoke French, Spanish, and Italian, and is a journalist. Yeah, pretty awesome. He was really nice, and the three of us talked to him a lot while he was here. He asked me in the morning if he could use my computer - I guess Sylph and Ka told him I had one. I said sure, and I went in my room to get my computer, but he followed me in, so he just used it there.
"Do you do a lot of work here?" He asked, as I was sitting doing nothing and Sylph and Ka were working.
"Yeah, but today is my holiday." I smiled up at him, laughing in my head.
"Oh, do you want toride into town together then?" He asked, pointing in the general direction of Niseko/Hirafu.
"Oh..." I said, shaking my head. "My boyfriend is coming to meet me and we're going out."
He asked if Dave was Japanese and I laughed. I don't think he was asking me out, really, just seeing if I wanted to explore I guess. But it was funny none-the-less. It turns out that Okaa-san did not like him in our room. I guess I can understand that. But I mean, none of us were in there...But she said today actually to me, no boys in the room. I said that's perfectly alright. She was apparently really pissed at the Italian though.
Dave and I also saw him biking back on our way to dinner.
I found out today that he's writing for the guide book "The Lonely Planet." So I'll have to check the newest edition sometime in the next year or so and see if Bouken is in it.


Plans
I've been making plans on what to do for my next (and last) holiday. I have a couple things: Rock climbing most of the afternoon, going to this ice cream place (biking there from Niseko) and eating ice cream, shopping, taking pictures, and eating lunch/snacks there in the cafe, and horseback riding. Or hot air ballooning if it's nice enough! Unfortuently, kind of expensive.

Today....
Today was...rather interesting. I got up with KaKa and went to the kitchen, where I didn't do much. Ate breakfast, and Otoo-san told us that Sylph-san would be staying and cleaning, and KaKa and i would be going to the farm. I was a little confused, because I thought it was suppossed to rain all day and I didn't see how we could farm...But we got there. Had three rows left, which we did by the end of the day, and despite a little bit of rain. It was super humid though, which kind of sucked for farming. The rain helped a little.
After lunch, Jun-san took us to this plastic recylcing place, and then stopped by a vending machine. He handed me a 1000 yen note and said "pick ten." So KaKa and I did, but I forgot to take them out of the bottom, so they all got stuck around each other and we couldn't get them out. After a lot of laughing, we got them out, and went back to farming.
At 4:00, KaKa and I stop, because that's when we usually do. But Okaa-san wasn't there. We had seen her drive by at about 2:00ish, and we didn't know where she was. We waited until 4:30, then I fell asleep. At 5:20ish, Jun-san came and got us and took us to this other farm. Turns out Okaa-san was farming here. We waited a little, then got in the van and waited some more.
We waited until 6:30. I was super pissed. I was cold and sweat, felt like I had a fever, and just wasted 2 1/2 hours waiting. I was not a happy camper.
I get back inside and remember that Avatar's newest episode (like the 4th to last one) is on! I'm super excited, though still pissed. Start to watch it, have a little snack (I had a super headache) and find out we're going out to eat lunch.
We go to this "Nihon Bashi" restuarant and I had Tempura. Tempura fish and vegetable! Actually, it was all really good. Okaa-san was teaching me some words, and showed me the various fresh/raw fish everyone else was eating. She asked if I would try anything and I said I would try the raw salmon. It was really sweet and delicious! But everything was a little too much and too hot, and I started feeling woosy. I think I was (am) super tired too. So I just relaxed, had a bit more, and felt perfect. A little full, but not too bad.
And to my surprise I was not upset at all with Okaa-san and we had actually had a really nice night! hahaha.
And then I got back, watched Avatar (which was pretty awesome) and now I'm updating this.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring!?

It's raining, it's pouring...

(What's with all the kid's songs? O_o)

We have decided here that Okaa-san has given us too much work to do for WWOOFing. WWOOFers are suppossed to work 6 hours, and basically, we work a lot more than that. I guess it's really like we're "part of the family" during non-work hours, which is weird and good.

One person is suppossed to get up at about 6:45 to help breakfast, while the other two have to clean the bathroom and the toliet room before breakfast. We then eat breakfast, get changed, and head out to the farming place. We farm from 9-12, then lunch, then 1-4 when Okaa-san comes and picks us up. We're then suppossed to help with dinner. I mean, that's a lot of work. A long day, really.

Today was pretty boring, though much nicer for farming. Okaa-san brought over 40 high-school students to the farm for an activity. I'm not sure why, but she did. They were there though while we were at lunch. After lunch, Slyph-san and KaKa-san needed a bathroom, so they asked Jun-san (the farm manager) and he took us to this kind of middle of nowhere public bthroom. Interesting. His wife was there too. Not in the bathroom, mind you, but in the car waiting. We then drove around a little more, and we stopped at this "gondala" (cable car) place and watched the cars go up the mountain. Jun-san all of the sudden said "Let's go." And we went up the mountain on a cable car for free! Unfortuently, as we didn't bring our cameras thinking a trip to the loo would be this exciting. 

We went to the top of Mt. Annupuri, saw all of Hirafu/Niseko/Kutchan and then went back to farming. Farmed until 4:00, and then went and took all the seeds and weeds to be dumped. On the way there though Jun-san stopped at a small, off-the-road, Shinto shrine. I got to see where they pray to the kami (kind of like a a nature god) where they would pray to for rain if it didn't come soon. Very interesting considering the book I'm reading now just finished talking about kami and Buddhism!

We then left, and it started raining. That's great. Raining. and it will be for my day off tomorrow meaning I can't do any of the stuff I wanted to do because it'll be shut down or too miserable to go out. Not like I have a car to get anywhere anyway and it's too far to bike to a lot of places. But still! I'm a little pissed off. Happy for the farmers getting their rain, but unhappy otherwise.

So who knows what I'll be doing tomorrow. Dave has the day off too. So we'll hopefully be doing something together.

Old McDonald had a farm....

Last night I found out that we had to be up by 7:00 because that was when breakfast was. We were going onto Niseko to "pick flowers" and we had to leave by 8:00ish. I got up at about 5:50 because Slyph-san's alarm went off (she's crazy), and then went back to sleep until 6:45. Have breakfast (fish...again), and get my stuff together for what I assumed was some hiking in the mountains with Otoo-san for the morning.

I got that completly and utterly wrong.

It turns out that we were farming! I mean full on at a farm picking one of the plants! And all day! I wasn't upset at all by this. It was hot, and I got burned a little on my hands and right arm, but it was a pretty nice day. It's absolutly gorgeous where we are. I mean, stunning. We saw paragliders too! It was nice being outside and not doing anything too taxing. Though my back does hurt and so do my feet.

It turns out that we're doing this every day! hahaha. I guess Okaa-san is sick of us all. She seemed very...hmm...touchy with "the duo" this morning because they were moving rather slowly. I guess there's nothing more for us to clean? I wonder if we'll have more holidays or the same. I mean, we're working from 9-4:30 with an hour break for lunch...more than WWOOFers usually do. I guess I'll just have to see!

I'm going to upload some pictures (I found out only one memory card works in my camera for some reason!) and add them to my album and maybe put some here.

Hope you are all well!

And how many people can say that they farmed in Japan? Save you know the Japanese farmers? How many people from The University of Georgia can say they farmed in Japan? Umm...one. Me. hahahaha!

By the way, the two people we're working with (well, four actually, but the two main ones) are 74 and 79 years old. Very healthy! They don't look more than 60, really. It's amazing how young all the Japanese look! Maybe fish is good for something? But, Obaa-san, the older woman, she only speaks Japanese and she walks with a hunch back. It makes sense though, because she's picking crops all day for 40 years! A lot of older Japanese people walk with a pretty serious hunch. A chriopractor would die out here.

Also, tonight we went to the friend's house again, the one with the tea company. He had about 6-7 women from his Osak branch and 2 men staying with him. They were quite funny people! I learned more Japanese, taught some English tongue twister, and had a very enjoyable night. I have to keep trying my best at Nihongo! No matter what! Gotta keep my head high!

Mud baths

Today was rather boring, I guess.

Otoo-san and I went to get milk from this milk farmer. I was shown where it would be every morning and where to leave the money. That's nice. I just hope I don't have to pay for it.

When we got back, he showed me how I would pick up the grass cuttings. I really didn't think it was going to take to long. I mean, how long could it take to pick up grass shavings?! Apparently, a very long time. In 3 hours (the morning shift), I picked up about a 1/3 of the entire place. 1/3...I thought it would take me an hour at most. Seriously!

But 12 o'clock came by and no one had called me for lunch (or a break), so I went inside anyway. Okaa-san was just finishing stuff up, so I sat down to wait for lunch. Otoo-san and I ate lunch and then he told me we were going to a mud bath and then an onsen. I got my stuff together, and we headed out.

It was...so cool! I'll have to put up pictures if not today, tomorrow. I mean, I think I got some good stuff here. It was SO2 that we went "mud bathing" in. I'm glad I bought those hiking shoes now! They were perfect!

We go to the onsen but Slyph, Ka, and I decide not to do it. I don't have any money anyway. I did by a strawberry ice cream and a vending machine drinks (I almost bought a beer, but it was too expensive). Then Otoo-san came and said we were going to get even better ice cream! I was trying to teach him some English, and he was also trying Cantonese, and at one point, this random old guy walked by and like...stopped and stared at us. It was really weird. I'm not sure anyone else noticed.

We go get some fantastic ice cream! And I almost bought a present for Sam because it was SUPER PERFECT but it was too expensive. ;_; I'll have to try and go back though for more ice cream, and maybe Dave can get me a gift there. hahahah.

I get back, and Okaa-san talks with Slyph and Ka-san about what they're going to do for dinner (since it's their holiday). She then tells me that I'm eating by myself and shows me what's for dinner. I'm totally fine with that, just curious as to where Okaa-san and Otoo-san are going/doing. She walks in a little later, after I've started eating, and says something almost the boiler, and I say that this was delicious! It was chicken wings and potatos and carrots and mushrooms (I didn't eat those). I loved it! She then looks at me after saying thank you and says "Where is your rice?" I swear she probably thinks I wouldn't know where my nose was if it wasn't on my face! I laugh and get some rice and she leaves.

I didn't eat all my food. I didn't care that I didn't eat all my food. I ate strawberry yogurt without asking anyone, I ate it while I was walking down the hall. Basically, I felt free. It was quite wonderful.

So, I just took a shower, updating this, and I think I'm going to try and study something, but who knows. I'm very tired today for some reason! I really need to get in better shape too!

Root beer float...but not really

Yesterday, again, I fell asleep before I could update about the rest of the day. So, here it is along with this morning.

After breakfast, I get to work mowing again. That's what I did all day. It was boring. I mean, it kind of always is, but for some reason, I just wanted it to be over. Ate lunch, fell asleep and didn't start work until 1:30, worked until 4:15 mowing.

I had asked Dave to come over because I wanted to show him this bridge/park thing (yeah, now you know Dave. Oh, well) in Kutchan. But, he said he couldn't come. But by that time, Slyph and KaKa had left to go to the supermarket to buy breakfast (they have a holday today....) and had asked me if I wanted to go but I said no because I was waiting for Dave.

I scramble to get my bike and ride to the market to meet them. Right as I pull up to the market, they're leaving, and so I shop alone. Only spent $5 of my remaining $13. I wonder if I'll have to pay for the mud bath/onsen today? Hmmm. That might be problomatic.

Get back, chill out until dinner, which turns out to be a BBQ! It was a lot of fun. Met Otoo-san's real daughter's husband (we've already met her) and his friend Disuke, who went to University of Kentuky and so speaks pretty fluent English. He was our translator for most of the night. I mean, I can understand the gist of what they're saying, but he would actually explain it to me.

At one point, Slyph-san refused to eat this particular shrimp because it had it's whole body attached. I ate it. Yeah, I did. And fish that Otoo-san had caught that they just fried right there on the grill. Ate it. Pig intestine. Ate it. I told her: Otoo-san told me that in Japanese culture, if someone gives you something, you say Thank you, not No. Okaa-san explained it further and looked at me and said that I've tried everything! That I've tried a whole bunch of stuff! And that she should try this.

I felt proud.

A little later, there was some meat left, and as a joke, I said to Otoo-san "Niku koko." Which literally means "Meat here." I know it sounded rude, but it was suppossed to be kind of funny. Okaa-san started laughing and said something to me that I figured was something along the lines of "that was a little disrespectful, you should say it like this." But she was laughing, not lecturing. Disuke then told me she said I sounded like a princess, and I must have looked hurt, because they both started laughing and said "Joke! Joke!"

So I figured out Okaa-san's humor! It's kind of like Mr. H's. I mean, the first time I met him, he asked Dave when he was getting rid of me. Said it for about another year and a half. If you don't know me well, I'm impeciably shy and nervous around new people, especially people that I want to please/do well for. Try that, in a foreign language, by yourself. I think I just totally missed all the jokes and stuff, and Okaa-san didn't want to say anything because she thinks I'm soft...maybe?

We helped clean up, and Okaa-san treated me the exact same as Slyph and KaKa. I felt happy. We played badmition for awhile. Then shower. Then sleep.

I woke up this morning at 6:30, intending to help make breakfast. But no one was up! Slept until 7:00, got ready, no one was up! Slept until I heard Okaa-san walking down the corridor, woke up, said good morning, she went and talked to Otoo-san, I came back to the room for ten or fifteen minutes. Get up to check to see if I should help breakfast, and there just about to eat! They shuffle about, I sit down, and say "No, it's alright" but they insist. I watch them, and then we eat. I ate seaweed. It was actually good! Didn't gag or anything!

So, now I have to go pick up the grass that I mowed yesterday. hahaa.

Hope everything is well where you are!

(The post title: I bought this drink that tastes like a root beer float, but isn't actually a root beer float!)

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

The day yesterday was...well, it could've been a lot better. But it did get better after lunch, so that's good.

We woke up, had everyone was helping with breakfast. So, I tried to help, but, as usual, got prety much ignored. So, I feel a little dizzy/woosy, and I decide to start cleaning instead. I clean the bathroom and one of the guest rooms being used. Not completly cleaned, but clean enough for now. We eat breakfast, and at one point KaKa-san used the part of your chopsticks you eat with to pick up something in a communal bowl. Okaa-san told her that that wasn't how you do it. Otoo-san looked up at me, and I at him, and we both kind of smiled because I had gotten that right.

Well, anyway, we're suppossed to clean the jam house and the guest roms. So, we start cleaning the guest rooms, but really, there's only enough for two people to do stuff. I mean, at a hotel, they have 2 maids, not 3. So I do very little and feel bad. Their cleaning the room that I had folded up the futons for earlier, and I decide to go back to our room and wait for them there. Soon KaKa-san comes and I ask if their done and we need to clean the jam house. She says that they're going to clean the other rooms. I just kind of look at her and say "Doushide?" (Why?) Because they weren't dirty and I was bored out of my mind. So I shrugged and started cleaning the jam house by myself.

They come at some point, and we cleaned mostly in silence. Whenever I cleaned something, they went back and cleaned it. And we cleaned everything like 6 times. So I finally went and got Okaa-san who said everything looked fine. I then asked Otoo-san to check it so we could have break, and he just said "Gohan." Which means, food. Meaning, we were free. He asked if I wanted to go pick up lunch with him from the MaxValu. Sure, I said. Not like I had anything to do at the house. So, we drive to the store and I push the cart around and pick up lunch boxes (o-bento) and when we check out I ask how we're going to carry everything (actally I said "nani" [what] and made the motion to carry something). Otoo-san said a box, and we were in a hurry to get back because Okaa-san needed help, so I make a small-ish box enough to fit everything but the o-bento box, which I'll carry. Otoo-san goes to pick it up, and everything falls through the bottom. Oh, I was so embarassed! He quickly made another box that fit everything and didn't break. We laughed about it on the way to the car and he taught me the words for "to drop," and "embarassed." I can only remember one. I also learned the word for cloud and poision, because the catepillars are poisionious here! Eek!

I really am learning the essentials. hahaha.

After lunch, which we took in shifts (and I found out KaKa-san sits like a "man" when she sits at a low table), I mowed the lawn. Just the side, for about an hour and a half. Then, it was end of work time, and I contacted Dave to see if he wanted to get together. I met him about half-way from his place to mine and we walked back. I asked Otoo-san if I could eat dinner with him and he said ok. We just had to wait for Slyph-san and KaKa-san to get back from the store to grab another bike. We study for a little awhile, they come back, and we decide to go to JoJo's, this cafe/restaurant near his work. Dave also prompetly finds out how out of shape I'm in. I suck at biking.

We get in (Dave's treat!) and order some gralic rolls and a hamburger (with egg on it?) nd I have a strawberry milkshake. It. Was. So. Good. It was huge, and I ate the whole thing. Plus, the chips that came with it. And when I say chips, I mean the English chips. I also had a latte afterwards. I was so full! We said we'd be back by 7:30, and we left JoJo's at 7:30. Dave rides the whole way back with me so I don't have to walk with two bikes, and then leaves. I did feel really bad though since he hurt his foot and he had to walk that whole way...

I get back, take a shower, and then study a little and go to bed.

I find out that KaKa and Slyph are being taught how to make this certain kind of egg in the morning and I say I want to help too! I wake up at 6:20, then decide to sleep a little more...only to wake up an hour later when breakfast is made! They didn't even wake me up to help. Gah. Plan = epic fail.

I still don't quite understand why Okaa-san doesn't treat me the same way. It's really confusing. Maybe it's just because I'm not domestic enough. But I mean, I'm taking in the culture. I'm sitting the way a "woman" in Japan is suppossed to sit, I'm eating everything they put in front of me (not what they put to the side of me though), and am trying hard to learn the language and do everything I can. I told Slyph and Ka-san that I don't like Okaa-san likes me and they said "No!" They explained that it's probably just the language barrier, and rather than attempt (and possibly fail) at helping/doing something for her,she just does it herself. I think that might be part of it, but not all of it. I just feel like there's more.

See, at lunch time, about 6 people showed up for lunch at the same time. So everyone's helping with something. I ask what I should do, and Oto-san hands me a fly-swap since Okaa-san didn't say anthing. So I swatted at the one fly in the kitchen while everyone else cooked and helped prepare the customers food. When it was ready to take out, who took it out? Yeah, that's right, Slyph and Ka-san. There were 5 dishes, and Okaa-san didn't ask me to take out a single one. Umm...hi....yeah, I used to be a waitress. I can take all 5 out at once if you wanted...Oh, no, you'd rather have them, fine. But when they leave, I help clean up and pick everything off the table, and my waitressing skills come in handy here. I pile everything (3 people's dishes [rice, main meal, soup, drink]) on to one hand. Okaa-san actually THANKED me. I guess there's a first time to everything.

I need to start getting up sooner, and just trying to think positively. I gotta keep trying. It's not quite the experience I wanted, but it's an experience and I need to embrace it.

"Gravitation doesn't make people fall in love"

This is a HUGE update that I've been gradually writing in my head for the past three (I think) days.  So, here's what I can remember.

I fell alseep that first night because Ka-Ka and Slyph-san were using my computer and I was apparently exhausted. What do I remember from that day? I'm not quite sure...I did stuff. That was what happened.

Then, I woke up and proceeded to mow (yes, hand mow) the side of the yard. I also did more of the front...all day. I realized that I was more Otoo-san's WWOOFER and Slyph and KaKa-san were Okaa-san's. Did it make me feel any better? A little bit; because I would rather be outside than inside. At breakfast, I had asked Otoo-san if it would be alright if I made "American" food on my birthday. He said alright! We're going to have a celebration for my birthday and work being over (and Ka-Ka and Slyph-san too, since they leave soon after), with American, Hong-Kong, and Japanese food all being served. I'm so excited! I sure hope they eat their burgers! hahaha. Then, at dinner when I was suppossed to help, and after dinner, I got super jealous of K&S with Okaa-san again. I moped for about ten minutes and then Slyph came and said we were to socialize with the guests. So, I did, and I felt better. It was a very enjoyable evening.

So far I have drunk:
Blue Beer
Red-ish wine (though it didn't have much alchol in it)
Red wine from 2003

All less than half a glass. After all, I'm still a "child."

Before bed, Otoo-san said "You have a holiday tomorrow!" I went "OMG!" -spazz- Because a certain someone was getting in that day and I had a BRILLANT idea.

I thought about it and decided that my brillant idea would cost a fortune, but it was brillant.

So, I woke up in the morning, asked Otoo-san if I could go to Sapporo/New-Chitose even though I would get back at about midnight, and he said ok. I was so excited! Okaa-san drove me to the train station and I caught a train to Sapporo. I arrived in Sapporo at about 1:30. I had my guidebook with me, so I knew what I wanted to see. But first, I had to find an ATM because I was hungry and I wanted to buy some gifts. Plus, I needed to have money to get to the Airport and back. So, it took me about 30 minutes to find an ATM that worked, but I withdrew about $100.

All of which I spent. Ok, maybe about $85 of it I spent.

About $50 of it was for train tickets though. Well, maybe $40. I went to the TVB Tower, the clock tower, Odori Koen (Park), and a giant "arcade" mall. I bought some gifts for people, a few things for myself, ice cream, and a coffee. At about 4:30, I left the coffee shop I was in to head back to the JR Sapporo Station. I had about an hour to kill, so I saw a Gap. I figured, "hey I can just wander, maybe buy something cheap." Well, there was an elevator...and that Elevator led to about 6 floors of shops. So I wandered...and it was HARD not to buy stuff because they were having a HUGE sale that ended that day. I found a shirt I almost bought that had the title of this post on it. For only $17 too, which is pretty good. But I didn't...

So, I go to the airport on the 5:55 train, get there at about 6:30...I figure that's plenty of time, in case Dave somehow switched to an earlier flight, as his was suppossed to arrive at 7:45. Well, there were TWO planes arriving at 7:45, and I was an IDIOT (for once) and didn't write down the flight number. So, there was one from Narita and one from Tokyo (which I didn't understand, because Narita is in Tokyo...) which I assumed was Haneda. Haneda was where I came from, so I figured his would be that one. It got in on time, and I saw the people coming out...

Only problem...Dave wasn't one of them. I waited until I missed the 20:04 train back to Otaru, and I took, instead, the 20:34 one to Otaru, crying most of the way there. Well, most of the way to Sapporo. It was then that I realized that my train, stopping at every station between Sapporo and Otaru may not in fact make it to Otaru in time for the last train to Kutchan. So I would be stuck at Otaru, with barely enough money to get food, a train ticket, and have money for a taxi back in the morning. I prayed...the entire way to Otaru. And I made it at 22:10 for the 22:29 train to Kutchan.

But I was also extremely worried about Dave. Had I missed him in the sprawl of people? Had he missed his flight? Had something happened to his ANA flight from Chicago? Had he gotten an earlier flight? I figured if he had been lost amiss the mass of people, made the 20:04 or the 20:34 train to Otaru, he would be on the Kutchan train I was on. We had about three minutes left when this other train, across the platform, pulls up. I watch the people get off, noticing a few running to the Kutchan train, when in the corner of my eye, in the flash of the window, I see a rather familiar face moving amongst the crowd.

And there I am, sitting in the front seat, tall and blonde amidst Japanese people, and Dave steps onto my train. We kind of just stare at eachother, which was not how it was suppossed to work out (at least, it didn't in my head) and he comes and stands in front of me (since there were no seats left).

So after all that (and believe me, it was bad...with not finding him, thinking I wasted all that money, and then thinking I might miss the train), it turned out that he was on the OTHER flight that got in at 19:45 and got in late.

Oops.

Well, we chat the whole way to Kutcha, duh, and I remember I haven't eaten dinner. And Dave hasn't eaten in awhile either. But we can't do anything about it because the train doesn't have food and everything in Kutchan is closed. Plus, I don't have money.

Dave's hosts were suppossed to meet him at the train station and I figured, since you pass my place on the way to his, they could drop me off. Well...they weren't there. He tries calling them, confused, and unsure, and I decide we should get a taxi and go to Bouken (where I'm working). We get in the taxi (it's raining too...) and I give the driver the address. He doesn't know where it is. I finally find it on a map and he starts driving...only it isn't the way that I remember from when Otoo-san picked me up at the train station. And being my Mother's daughter, I have a pretty good head with directions. Well, he just took a different way, because soon enough I recognized the MaxValu supermarket. hahaha. Of course, it was that! We make it to Bouken, I get him a room (though I didn't wake Otoo-san up because it was midnight) and go to sleep.

I wake up super nervous, eat breakfast, and Otoo-san sees the note I left for him last night telling him about Dave. Or rather, Dave wrote it in Japanese for him. I'm not sure he understood it, but he didn't yell at me for giving Dave a room. And Okaa-san wasn't there to yell at me either. Though, she seemed fine with it when she did arrive. Dave got his stuff together, paid Okaa-san ($31.50, not bad), and called his host. SAS finally came and picked him up at about 10:00 and he left.

Then I find out that Sylph, Ka-Ka, and Otoo-san are going rafting. I get to stay in the house and clean. Okaa-san leaves as well to go shopping, and I clean. It wasn't bad. Until lunch...I try to help Okaa-san with lunch. I asked her if I can help, she says "not right now" (I think...it was in fast Japanese) and I stand there awkwardly, cleaning the few dishes that needed it, and picking up after her. She, basically, just completly ignores me. She has jokes with Slyph and Kaka-san. Why can't she have jokes with me? I'm eager, waiting to please and help in any way I can, and she ignores it.

Needless to say, not feeling great at this point. But, I do help a little bit, everyone eats, and then we find out we have to clean the outside house. No problem, we do that. About five different times because each time wasn't good enough. And now, at 4:30pm, I started this post.

Phew. And I can't even bike up to the Niseko area to eat in some bakeries and possibly see Dave because it's raining. Though Okaa-san did come in a ask if I wasn't eating dinner. I thought she asked if I was helping with dinner (because it's my turn to tonight), so I said yes. And then I remember hearing "dame" which means "not" basically, and I paused in confusion. Wait? Not eating dinner? No...I need to eat dinner! I scramble after her and say "Yes, I am in fact, eating dinner." She thought I was going somewhere with Dave. I just shook my head and said "Nope!" (At least, I'm not to my knowledge...)

Though I do really want to check out that new burger place...I really want a burger...

By the way, what did you think of the surprise for Dave? Hmm? Am I not the most awesome person ever doing that? Yeah. I am.

hahaha. Just kidding.

Does it really need saying?

This was probably the best day I've had so far, though of course, it too is laced with its own fears and uncertainties.

Woke up (yeah, you guessed it) late and began cleaning the entrance and corridor while Ka-san cleaned the bathroom and restuarant, and Slyph-san helped make breakfast. I started to vaccum, but Slyph-san said that Okaa-san said to stop because we had a guest. He was up, that much I knew because I saw him, but I guess Okaa-san didn't want the noise. So I swept instead...Anyway, eat breakfast, and then go to clean the bus a little (Slyph and Ka-san did it again later...and better), then came back and we had to reorganize the room we were in. No problem there. But it felt like only one or two people were doing the work. It was easy to get bored.

Well the three of us did various cleaning jobs around the place until lunch. Eat lunch and then Otoo-san says for me to change into wet clothes (as in, able to get wet) because we're going to clean the river. Cool, I think. I don't have to be stuck in the house. hahaha.

Unfortuently, I don't really have wet-clothes. I do have my bathing suit, and I somehow (God's work here, seriously) brought along for some unknown reason my surfing suit top. So I wore that with my Dickies men shorts. It was a good choice.

And I find out we're RAFTING and cleaning  up the river. I went Rafting! It was really cool. And Wakari-san (I believe that's her name) was really awesome. Incredibly strong too. Well, we clean up and raft and it's amazing. I did slip at one point though on rocks, and you all know me, I bruise really easily. So I have a welt on my knee, and like ten bruises in various parts of my shin and knee, along with scratches on both knees/legs. But it was totally worth it!

We get back at about 4:30, and I tell Slyph and Ka-san that I want to go to the store. Unfortuently, only two of the bikes work, so we walk. It's a long walk. A lot longer than I thought it was. We were suppossed to be back by 6:00...we got back at about 6:30. And then Otoo-san started (kind of) lecturing Slyph and Ka-san. I felt bad for them and confused...He was saying that they should have checked with him to make sure they could have free-time when they're work was done. But Okaa-san had checked their work and said we could all go out. So I was confused.

Bad thing: I spent $20 in snacks. -headdesk- This is bad. I only have about $30 left before I start dipping into my credit-card. I've decided that this is enough to last me two weeks (hopefully!) and that I will only by gifts for people from now on. Gosh. Since when have I relied this much on food?

Anyway, I was suppossed to help make dinner, and well...I only did a little, because Okaa-san had done it already, and Slyph and Ka-san were there too.

The four of us women ate together (even though I'm a "child" here still; Otoo-san had a friend over in the BBQ house). It was stingray, I believe...and I ate more squid. I didn't WANT to, but I gave myself a lot of rice and tried not to think about it. Then, this is where it goes downhill. Not that they said anything, it's just that...well, Okaa-san "likes" them more. And who wouldn't? They're not afraid to ask questions, they're not afraid to speak Japanese and I am. I'm trying, I really am, but...well, I'm a scardy cat. I'm nervous and shy and I want to please, but it's hard with Okaa-san because I want to do it right so badly.

Slyph-san noticed something and kept asking if I was alright, and I just said yes. I tried to get into their conversations, to be talkative and listening with them, but it's hard. I'm just in the background and easy to pass over. It's just...what am I suppossed to do? I'm not entirely sure about it.

So, I'm going to take a shower, eat more snacks, not hurt my knee more, and think about it.

I mean, I'm jealous of my two new friends, I'm angry at myself for not being more open and warm, and my knee hurts.

But it really was a good day! I had a lot of fun rafting! And I cannot wait to do it again! I felt so...well, productive. I mean, I just held onto the raft most of the time while they cleaned, but I did do some cleaning. I helped make Hokkaido pretty!

Interesting facts about Japan:
The trucks, when they're turning, have this stupid loud signal...and it talks.
They have more bugs than I've ever seen here.
Hirafu/Kutchan don't allow buildings to be above 6 floors.

And now I can't remember anything else...I really should start writing a list...

I'm not alone anymore....

I woke up late...again...today. But so did Otoo-san, so I'm not really guilty about it. Okaa-san drove Chuuko-chan to school and the came back and we had washed the dishes and finished making breakfast. And then, as I was getting ready to clean, Otoo-san and Okaa-san tell me that I need to make my room up because we have two new WWOOFers arriving today.

Actually, they tell me I have to rearrange a whole room that they keep everything in. So I did what Ashley does best! I took a whole lot of stuff and put it in a very small space. I'll have to take a picture of it now. But I must say...I did a fantastic job. But don't I always? And I did it quickly too. Got everything almost finished before they arrived at about lunchtime. I started at about 10, and I just had to vaccum and move my stuff after lunch.

I was kind of afraid that it was going to be a couple, and an older one, and they were going to...well, "side" with Okaa-san and Otoo-san and I was going to feel more left out. But, Otoo-san came and got me and introduced me to them. And thy're not at all like I expected them! They're two girls, just graduated from college in Hong-Kong, speak Cantonese and English and are learning Japanese. They're 22 and 24, and I couldn't spell their name if I wanted to. For some reason, I'm having the hardest time remembering names. I think I'm just so nervous that it goes in one ear and out the other. I really have to listen more.

Well, we have our room all set up now, and we cleaned a little, and I showed them around. Otoo-san ws very funny at lunch, and the two of them are very friendly and open. They aren't afraid to ask questions, where as I am. I think this will help me lighten up. And now I have people to study with and talk to. And walk to the store with and laugh with. And they're about my age, so that's good too. And they won't be trying to have sex in the same room with me. XD

hahaha. Yes, I was worried about that happening if it was a couple. How awkward.

So, that's the update for now. I'll update it again after dinner. Ta.

Update @ 8:40 JST: Today has been a pretty fantastic day. Yeah, it could've been a little better, but I'm not complaining at all!

Hoi Ka and Slyph (like the wind-spirit XD) are both very nice. And they speak just a little more Japanese than I do, so we're all in the same boat. They make me feel not as stupid when I'm trying to speak to Anan-san and Okaa-san. I didn't realize that I was so afraid, because I WAS trying, but now that they're here, I feel like a burden is off my shoulders. I'm not as afraid anymore. Maybe just because there's someone else here...maybe because then I can complain...but, well, it's a liberating feeling.

We're rotating our duties, so that'll be interesting. I get to help Okaa-san cook one meal a day. Woo. That'll be...interesting. hahaha.

They leave 3 days after I do. How very convienent!

I'm still very excited to have Dave here though. Even though I have other people now to show the sights too. I'm kind of afraid they'll just pair off an do their own thing, but I hope they invite me too! We'll see how things go in the coming days!

So I'm just going...

I'm just going to do two posts because I'm too lazy to scroll down and click the edit button. Oh, well. Yeah for you all, you get two updates!

I watched Doctor Who. It took FOREVER, because the video kept getting out of sync, so I'm going to have to watch it all over again at some point just to get the real thing. Of course, I'll watch it again for no reason too. But, at the end of the episode, I was confused on my feelings about it. So I went and took a short walk and figured out that I am indeed heartbroken over the episode. I mean, I feel like I've been jipped...and it's just a TV show!

Of course, for those of you who don't watch Doctor Who, you'll be utterly confused and this won't make any sense to you. But, I feel like I've lost someone close to me, or at least to that extent. It was an amazing episode, but...

Well, Anan-san drove by me on his way to pick up our two new guests from an onsen up the ways a little (by where Dave is going to work) and he picked me up. I think I'm going to help Okaa-san with dinner, because I can't sit here and think about Doctor Who some more.

I think we might be doing a BBQ again though. I'm not quite sure.

Update: So last night, we did indeed go to a BBQ. At the same people's house that I ate raw seafood at. Except this time (after I prepared myself for fish, fish, and fish) it was meat! Oh, glorious, glorious meat! There was some fish, and I ate trout and salmon, but only a little. I also ate part of a scallop and oyster. It's funny to get Japanese people to say scallop.

They all kept asking me about fish and why my family and I don't eat it. I just shrugged. I mean, I just don't like it. Why don't they eat it? I don't know. Becaue there are better things to eat? Maybe? They asked about crabs and I do eat those so I said yes. They were just having the hardest time grasping it (again...) because Florida is surrounded by water! I just laughed with them. Okaa-san said it's just because I'm a child. When I'm an adult, she said, I'll like it. I shook my head and said no...politely.

I wanted to get back because I was tired and needed to shower, but we stayed there until midnight. Gah! I did get a nice message from their message chair. And they finally realized how tall I was. I hit my head on the screen door because I didn't duck enough, and then when I was sitting with my knees bent on a high-stool chair, one of the guests there pointed to my legs and came over to see how he compared. I stood up and I TOWERED over him. He just started laughing and shaking his head. It was kind of amusing. 

I think Okaa-san had a little too much to drink, but she seems fine now. It's raining, and it suppossed to be raining all week, so who knows when I'll get to go for my walks again or what I'll be doing for work...since I can only clean so much...

I do think things are getting better. I'm getting used to them, and their getting used to me. Anan-san and I lso bonded over badmition. Because I apparently have some pretty awesome latient skills, however off my depth-perception is.

Well, gotta get to work now. 

It's really, really hot outside...

Doctor Who has takin' all day to download. Srsly, not too happy about that. But, at the same time, it's not like I could watch it during the day since I work. Even though, I think I'm suppossed to get Sundays off.

Anyway, it has 5 minutes left to go to download (yes, I know I could watch is on STC or youtube, but I don't wanna), so I figured I'd update.

Woke up late this morning (as in 7:30ish). Ate breakfast, and then at 9 headed outside to finish weeding. I didn't know if I had the day off ('cause like I said, I thought I did), but I figured someone would tell me if I did. So, I weed, weed. Okaa-san comes out and tells me to go quicker by doing it this other way and that when I was done with that, I could stop work for the day.

I worked real fast after that.

It still took me the whole morning to do it, but I finished. I think I got kind of sloppy towards the end, but it went quickly and I did what needed to be done. I think I could've done it better though.

Then, Anan-san says during our break, that because we have two new guests coming and because we got a lot of bugs in the house yesterday from the party, that I need to clean. I agree with that. That's fine. So, we eat lunch, I have a small break (in which I fume at the computer for not going faster) and make a list of what to do. I check all the rooms, vaccum, clean the toliets, fold some sheets, mop the bathroom, and wash down every bench, windowsill in the house, and clean the restuarant...and it only took an hour and a half. I mean, I worked fast, but I didn't know I worked THAT fast.

So, I technically still have an hour left of work, but I've done everything I can think of. Our new guests have arrived. I can't really help with dinner (if Okaa-san is back) since I can't cook, and I've cleaned everything.

Do I clean everything again?

So, it has 1 minute left. OMG! -flails- I figure I'll just watch it and they'll come get me if they need me. I mean, I worked hard today and did everything they asked...Hmm...Oh, well.

I'll update again later.

OMGWTFBBQDOCTORWHO?!?!?!

Actually, this post has nothing to do with Doctor Who really, other than the fact that I am thoroughly upset that I have to wait an EXTRA day because London just can't keep up with Japan. Gosh. No wonder the Japanese can be snooty, they're *really* ahead of everyone else.

Anyway, today was a pretty good day. And when I mean pretty good, I mean the best I've had so far. One little hiccup and that's it.

So, woke up (late), ate breakfast, and then went outside to weed. But it wasn't just weeding! It was weeding with a hoe! Woo! It didn't go any faster, really. I still weeded the whole day and only got about half done. I even worked 95% of the time I was standing there. You just have to go really slowly since all the weeds are all mixed in with what you don't want to cut.

Anyway, do that. Lunch rolls around and we eat. Yeah. I was starving. It was Spinich Udon (Anan-san didn't know "spinach," so he started singing the Popeye the Sailorman Song. hahahaha!) and it was oishii! Delicious. I then got the nerve up and flat out said to Okaa-san "the washing machine is not washing." She nods and takes me to said machine, turns it on, hits the button to start it, and BAM it works. Ummm...yeah! I tried that at least 10 times. Seriously. It WOULD not turn on. I did nothing different! Turns out the water wasn't on. Oops.

But yeah for clean clothes that are drying now in my room!

Anyway, go back outside, and before I do, Okaa-san says to go to the store and by myself towels after work. So, I weed some more, lalala. It got really hot out and I took the ridiculous get-up I'm in off. I think I twisted my ankle at some point too, because it hurts sometimes.

Works ends, and then I go to the store. It was a pleasant bike trip there. Perfect weather really...low to mid 70s, slight wind. It was nice. Make it there, and find a glorious big fluffy GREEN towel! Ahhh! So I bought that, a smaller towel, and some face scrub. Then I go next store and splurge on snacks/sweets.

Yes, I know. I shouldn't be spending money...but...well, I've come to think of these sweets as my strength. It's my "I just ate fish and squid again, you deserve this." or "you had a rough day, eat this." I've never regarded food this way because I've always had other things distracting me. But, well, it's good food and there really isn't anything to distract me here. So, on the way back from the store (I bought a green bag too, because they don't give you bags to carry your stuff in. It's a good reusable shopping bag for life!), I decide to stop under this bridge and they have this park thing. I eat my ice-cream I bought there and just enjoy being surrounded by no one but mountains and flowers and water. It was pleasant and gorgeous.  Get back up, decide to walk rather than bike, and stop at the Seicomart (like 7 and happenings, which is a 7-11) and buy more drinks (blueberry yorgurt drink is fantastic! Orange drink...not so much Milk tea tastes like Grami's tea!). Make it back (finally- I was riding uphill AGAINST the wind) and I'm exhausted. Sit in my room, get things straightened (my sunglasses broke!) hang up my clothes, etc. Plus, I'm exhausted.

Then I get called for dinner. It was a BBQ outside with the two guests that have been here since I've been here, and -I think- some family. Two children, Chuuko and Gigi (but I don't know if that's his actual name), and I'm assuming their mother. We ate...and well, it was mostly fish. But I ate some. I did not, however, eat any squid nor did I eat the snail thing they had. Eww. No way. I drew the line at that. Luckily, they didn't ask me to eat that.

But at one point, I was getting full and I didn't really want anymore. Someone put this "tongue" thing in front of me (which is not, in fact, tongue, just some part of pig) and I said No, thank you. I didn't say that I was full though, just sat there listening to them talk. Anan-san turns to me and says that in Japanese culture, you don't do that. When someone gives you something you say yes and you eat it. He said as a student, I should try everything, even if I didn't want it. Umm..yeah, that's what I've been doing! He points to it again and asks me if I want it, I reply with a shy (and embarassed) "thank you" and eat it.

So I shut down for a little while after that. And at one point, Anan-san moved the lightbulb (with like a gazillion mosquitos surrounding it) right above me as a joke. I chuckled and with as much sarcasm as I could muster thanked him. Yeah, put the mosquitos above the foreign girl who doesn't have the immunity to the disease sometimes carried in mosquitos here! Please! Ah, yeah, I wasn't upset, because he doesn't know that and it was a joke. I just wasn't in a good mood.

But then the children came over to me and asked me to play. Well, they kind of pulled me along and then said "oni!" Which, from my Cardcaptor Sakura DVDs, I know means "monster." So we played a little game of "oni" tag kind of thing. They were adorable, and they didn't care if I ate everything, or if I was Western and American, or how hard I worked. They loved the fact that I was playing with them and willingly be "oni." And I loved it right back.

Then we took like 2151125 pictures, and then had cake (keki! the children kept saying) because it's Anan-san's birthday (and Gigi's?). Anan-san got out his wooden Japanese flute he bought a carnival because I told him earlier I played flute (I was wearing a marching band shirt). I tried to play stuff, but it's slightly different and I can't get all the notes out. But we had a blast: the two guests, Anan-san, and I. I was in a better mood too, because the children had lightened me up.

Then, Chuuko just came and sat on my lap. I mean, just hopped on! So the two guests said that I had a Japanese sister now! I laughed, but it felt nice thinking that someone at least likes me here. We had these delicious cakes for dessert, and then...the children asked to play (what sounded like) matomeat. Well, it's batometa. Or something like that. Badmition. Shuttle cock.

Anan-san, the two kids, and I went to the big back room and set up a "court." We played for a little while, and then the two guests and the children's mother came and joined us. Okaa-san did later as well.

The thing is...well, the Japanese love drinking. Especailly these two guests. And they can pretty much hold their beer. But...I think they were on the border of drunk, if not so. And the Japanese don't play beer-pong or whatever...they play badmition. Drunk.

Oh, my gosh. It was hilarious.

We had a BLAST playing. Or at least, I did. And then, it ended. I took a shower (with my new towel!) and here I am.

So, that was my day. No idea what I'll be doing tomorrow (probably weeding for half-a-day, if not the whole day- I think I don't work Sunday afternoons), other than WATCHING DOCTOR WHO!!!!

OMG!!!!

Yeah, that's right. I'm excited. But I don't know when! We'll have to see. I mean, it doesn't even air in Britain for another 5 hours. Boo. I'll start downloading it when I wake up, it should be up around that time.

Hope all is well with everyone.

P.S. The Japanese apparently don't burn because they do not have suncreen at the stores. Thanks, you Japanese, you.

Also, the police I think have caught on to me. I knew they would find me eventually. I think they had been searching for the past couple of days, but my clever disguise of worker in complete white getup through them off. I wonder who told them of my evil plan to take over the world? Luckily, the thought my hoe was not dangerous and eventually left. hahaha. That's right, police, you keep thinking that.

Shakespeare got it wrong...

The question is: Do I go get more Choco Pies or not? It might rain, and I have a headache. Is food worth it?

I think it might be.

------

Ok, well now for the real update.

It rained here in Kutchan last night and this morning, so that meant no work outside. I get up later than usual (I think it's because I shut the blinds in the other room...) and get ready. Eat some breakfast, and then clean the house. I cleaned the toliet room, vacuumed every single room, dusted everything, and then cleaned the bathroom. (It's kinda gross in there.) And yet, that took barely 3 hours. I still have another 4 to go after lunch.

I go ask Okaa-san if she wants my help with anything, and we make lunch. Well, ramen I know how to make ramen, but I think she thought I was an idiot who couldn't do that. Eat lunch, clean up, have a small break, and then go outside to pick weeds. I also helped with some firewood stacking, then picked more weeds. Yeah. Oh, joy.

And for some reason, the washing machine hates me and refuses to do my laundry.

Anyway, I go to my room after work and I have a headache. I read for a little while, get distracted by pretty Doctor Who Icons of "The Stolen Earth" and then wrench myself away to study some Japanese. I study in the restaurant until the guests come back. I go in my room again, and then Otoo-san says to get ready for dinner. We're going to some friends house. Ok, whatever, that's cool.

Okaa-san tells me on the way however that everything will be seafood. Lots and lots of RAW seafood! Oh, great. That's just wonderful. I ate it though. I ate sea urchin, some kind of sashimi that poked my mouth when I tried to swallow it, lotus flower (which is delicious!), andsome other kind of fish. I ate it all. And then they brought out this pork roast, and it was so good and tasted like home. I even ate with a fork and knife. Yummy.

Well, I find out after awhile that the host can speak French. (He owns a tea company called L'Ecipcier.) So, I asked him "Tu parle francais?" Though why I used the informal, I don't know why. My accent was pretty awesome though and for a minute I thought I could speak french! We chatted a little, and I realized how AWFUL my French was. I could listen fine, understand him perfectly well, but when it came to speaking, I ws trying but drawing a blank. And I kept answering him in Japanese! XD He would ask a question and I would say "Hai" or something like that and then just laugh at the situation. I had like three different languages in my head at one moment and it was hard! The kids were cute, young, but they just ran around like mad men (well, man and woman). I played with them a little and learned a key phrase "Kore wa doko desu ka?" (Where does this go?)

Things are going well. I'm having a nice time (despite the fish [and the shrimp had their eyes and everything!]). Anan-san cannot get over the fact that I don't eat fish. And I feel like I'm understanding more of it. Not speaking it any better, but listening and hearing more. And then, as we're going to leave, the host shows me he has a pizza oven and Anan-san says something about cooking. I shrug, because I'm sure I could make it, but it wouldn't be good, and Okaa-san just shrugs like I do and laughs at me. Because apparently, I'm no good because I can't freakin' cook. No, I don't cook. How hard of a concept is that to grasp? Apparently, one that gets you freakin' codemned here in Japan.

At this point, I'm embarassed, upset, and now getting angry. I'm trying very hard not to scream at these people sometimes. They have patience when they try to teach me a Japanese word or custom, but they have no sense of...my loneliness, of what it's like for me to be here! I'm trying to be in their shoes and respect them, but their not doing the same! I don't think they like the "western woman." I haven't complained once about eating all their stupid fish. I haven't complained about the work. I haven't whined once. And what do I get?

Nothing. Laughed at for not cooking!

GAHHH!

So the happy evening I was having and all the cool things I was going to say to everyone doesn't matter now because I'm just hurt and angry. I'll forget about it in the morning and go shopping instead (I need towels), but still...

And for those of you who don't know, Dave got a place to stay about 20 min bike ride from where I am. That makes me very happy. I think these people will be very impressed when they meet him. Maybe then they'll respect me more.

I'm cleaning their freakin' house...whatever...I'm just...over it.

I think Okaa-san is counting down the days too.

P.S. There is not enough work to do around here for 20 more days. Let alone for other WWOOFers.

Holiday 1

So, I had a holiday today. Yeah! No work! Boo. I like doing work. It makes me feel needed, and well, makes me feel like I'm doing something.

I wanted to sleep in, but no...I did just stay in bed until about 9 o'clock. Then I cleaned my room, straightened stuff out, and went to eat breakfast. I wanted to ask Okaa-san how to do laundry, but she seemed very busy (and sick) so I didn't. Yeah, I'm a chicken. Whatever. I'll ask her before the night's over.

I did get burned on my arms yesterday. Oh, well, it's not too bad.

Then Anan-san (right as I got outside to study) asked if I wanted to go to the supermarket. Uh, duh! So, we went, and I wandered around like a tourist in the shopping mart. Everything is tiny! And pretty cheap too. They have a LOT of sweets. A couple things I recognized, most of the stuff I didn't though- sweets and otherwise. Anan-san came up behind me at one point and startled me. Then he came again and said he was going to wait in the car. I hurried up and bought my things.

I bought:
Mriji chocolate bar
Chocopies (6 in a box)
Some pastry thing (like the ones the Howcroft's get at Sams, just bigger)
Strawberry Icecream (it's in it's own little jar, with the whipped cream sticking up!)
Apple juice (tiny!)
Ramune
2 dry ice-cream things
Potato chips (!!! tiny package though)
Chocolate bite-sized things called walky walky
A "campus" small notebook to write Japanese in
Some Japanese/Chinese writing box paper (hard to explain)
And some fancy envelopes for letters to people

All for only 1630 yen! I thought that was pretty good.

After that, I ate some stuff...then went outside to study...but people came and started bbqing outside, and I didn't want to intrude. So I ate some more and came to my room. Okaa-san did see me at one point as asked me to join everyone outside. I said ok, and I ate with them. I ate...squid and shellfish and meat. They laughed when I ate the squid. It tasted...I don't really know. Like squid, I guess. Ths shellfish tasted like...fishy stuff.

It did start to rain a little, and I'm just upset it didn't rain more.

I miss rain. (Update: it rained! But not like Florida rain...)

So I'm not sure when I'm eating again (since lunch was late), or if I'm going to go outside and ride around because it still looks like it might rain. I might study more, might not. Need to shower too. That's bout it, I guess.

Nothing else really new. Sometimes I wonder if they're making fun of me, but I just try to smile. I'm living day-by-day. Can't do much more than that.

Oh, the Japanese DO look eachother in the eye when they speak. And they do ignore you at points because you don't speak the language. That might just be a human nature thing. What else about the culture? They make noises a lot when they're listening to someone speak, and they speak quickly. Then again, I guess everyone does. They also don't always bring their bowl to their face like we think they do. And there was one more thing...sitting like they do hurts!

Update: I ate squid again tonight...Ick. And the fish still tasted fishy, though I ate most of it. Anan-san also said "Americans don't eat?" point to the squid, and I said "No, they do." And he just look fonsued. And then I pointed to myself and shook my head and said "I don't..." And then he asked if I Ice Skate and to "challenge" (that's what we say when I suck at stuff) and I shook my head and smiled and said "Suki desu." It made me think of all the times at the ice rink with Kels and Allen and Patty ice skating around like idiots. I love it.

What do I miss most today?
Showers
And big, fluffy, gigantic, warm bath towels....

Been here almost a week now...

Odd things eaten today:
Scallop
Leek
Bamboo leaves something or other

Can't wait for:
To see Mom
Doctor Who on Sunday (well, Sunday here)

New theory on Oka-san:
She thinks I'm useless because I'm not domestic. I'm like the Doctor; I don't take the domestic approach. Maybe?

Chocolate left:
None

Money left
...enough to buy a lot of chocolate and sweets

So, the life of Ashley today...is sore. You'll feel it too by the end of this.

I woke up exhausted (I did go to bed kind of late) and didn't get up until almost an hour later than I usually do. But oh well. I figured it wasn't a big deal. But man, was I sore! I had no idea what from. Maybe just a lot of work? Who knows. (Well, you'll know if you read on 'cause I know now.) Eat breakfast (consisteing of the weird stuff above), and then Anan-san says study outside until 9 when work starts. Ok, so I do. Tomato, the dog, is even starting to like me and follow me. He's a cutie!

Anyway, today I mow the lawn. And I don't mean mow the lawn as in like an actual mower, I mean...hand mow the freakin' lawn. Hand mow. Not the push mower, or even (because this would've been too good) the Howcroft's sit mower, I mean hand mow.

Oh, it's going to be a long day.

So, I mow for three hours until lunch. And it was getting HOT. I figured out later how to strap the stupid get up I'm in so that it just covers my legs. But I had to be an idiot today and wear jeans. Not a good idea. It was 20 degrees Celsuis. Which, I think, is in the 80s. Anan-san and Oka-san at lunch (ramen!) that I'm used to this since I live in Florida!

Ummm, yeah, but I don't freakin' hand mow the lawn in it! I'm inside drinking water!

Whenever I did have a break (2 total, not including lunch), we didn't drink water. I'm not quite sure why...

Well, anyway, I did that...all day. And it's not even totally done. I mean, it's mostly done, there's only a few patchy areas that aren't done because I got ADD and wandered off with the mowing. It's like half-dirt anyway...so I'm not sure if I'll have to finish it. I just hope I don't have to mow more! Weeds, I can handle...mowing...it's painful. My shoulders and back are aching! But, I did have my iPod, which was good, but the earpiece sucks so I on;y hear it in one ear.

I went for my bike ride. Made it to Niseko I think. Was out for about an hour-and-a-half, and I started getting COLD. I think I got some nice pictures though, and I know where some bakery's and such are. But it was a grueling ride. This is how I figured out why I was sore....the bike. Yup. Way sore.

I am so out of shape.

So, now, I'm updating, waiting for dinner, and I smell really bad. I think we might be BBQing, but I'm not sure. So, I'm going to go sit in the resturant and study some more.

Oh, and here's the link to my pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/bartlett.ashley/TravelsInTime?authkey=FasgokjDzDs

Maybe?

I think I got it now...

First of all, I want to say thank you to the lot of you. I've gotten supportive e-mails from a lot of people (some I didn't expect) and that really means a lot to me. I can't even begin to explain it.

I'm going to go through my day, and the revelation is at the end. Well, it came towards the end of the work day, but I really think I've figured it out. And it's with a lot of help from all of you.

I woke up at about 6:00am. I keep waking up earlier than that...which kind of sucks. But I was depressed last night, so I went to bed early. Wake up, and begin to with e-mails and IMs. I just started crying. I pretty much lost it. Find out that Dave still hasn't heard anything from the hosts and has no where to go. So I'm desperatly worried for him and scared and nervous.

Well, I clean myself up, clean around the house a bit, and then go eat breakfast. I ate fish. Yes, I did. It tasted...fishy. But it didn't smell bad, which was good. I really think it's the smell of things that turns me off. Hm. Interesting.

Anyway, I immediatly go outside, but I'm also desperatly searching for Anan-san to ask him if Dave can stay with us...I cannot find him to sve my life. I weed a little and then notice that there are several chickens wandering around outside their pen. I figure it's not suppossed to be like that. I go get Oka-san and say "chickens...out..." and point outside. I think she thought I was meaning to feed them, so she gave me scrap food in a bucket. Well, I figured it would work as a lure. After awhile, I got most of them (all except 2) back in their pen thing. Later, I got the other two in the main pen, but I couldn't get them in their specific pen. Oh, well.

So, I finally found Anan-san, but he was walking towards me looking...well, not good. I don't know exactly how to say it. Maybe concerned. He told me that Dave couldn't stay. And then laughed when I told him that Dave had no place to stay. I should've figured out how to say "procrastinator." He was like "Ashley, Bouken (that's where I'm staying). Dave, question?" It was quite funny. We laughed a little over that, and then he left, and I sobbed. I really could've used Dave here.

Well, time passes, about three hours, and I just sit there, weeding and sobbing. I really had no idea what to do. I mean, should I just give up and try to find a new host? And now I have to wait even longer to see Dave? (He arrives now on the 10th rather than tomorrow.) I start singing to myself because no one is out there. Anan-san leaves and says to me to take a break at 10. I say yes, but I know I'm not going to. I'm going to work my hardest until lunch time. It gets hot, so I do take about a 10 minutes breather, than go inside at some point to see what I could do there. Unfortuently, not really anything since I cleaned in the morning and the guests room was still in use.

The guests did give me some candy before they left this morning.

Anyway, I go back outside right as some new guests arrive. A man from Alabama and his Japanese wife. They live in Singapore and are holidaying in Hokkaido for a week. But I'm too depressed really to talk any. And I don't want to be "caught" taking such a long break. So, I go back to weeding. Only there for a little while when Anan-san comes back and says "break! lunch time!" and I go in to eat lunch.

I eat a small lunch with him...I actually DRANK raw egg. Yeah, that's right. It wasn't too bad either. Had it with my noodles. Was pretty good.

After lunch, I took about a five minute break and then went to go back outside, but Anan-san said "No! 13 more minutes!" So I went back inside because I was mid-conversation with Dad. We chatted for awhile, and here's where it starts to turn.

Tananka-san had come over to help cut firewood and do...whatever it is Tanaka-san comes over to do. I went back to picking weeds. Then, I get to thinking. I need to change my attitude. It's not that these people need to adjust to me, I'm at their house, sleeping in their house, helping them, I need to adjust to them.

Isn't tht why I'm here in the first place! Not just to have fun, but to learn! I need to shift my paradigm, shift my way of thinking. I need to look at everything as a challenge. I can't just say "Oh, they don't like me." I have to keep trying. Keep working my best. Keep talking to them. I mean, there are going to be people in life (especially in my job) that don't like me. And I can't just ignore them or not do anything with/for them! I have to adjust!

And  then Anan-san called me over to cut firewood. "2 pieces!" He said. Well, I suck at cutting firewood, but Tanaka-san and he stood back and watched. We all laughed at me. Then Anan-san said "Go get your camera!" Well, actually, he just said "camera" with a japanese accent and made the motion of taking a picture. So, I went and got it. Tanaka-san wouldn't stand for a picture or take one, so I went back to picking weeds for about 2 minutes before Anan-san called me over again and climbed all over firewood to take pictures of me cutting wood. He got some of Tanaka-san too. He is much better than me at cutting wood. Oh, and I actually cut 3 pieces.

Then, I went back to picking weeds, having about an hour left of work. Tanaka-san left, came back because he forgot his shoes, left again. When he left the first time, I went over to Anan-san, who I think thought I would leave because Dave couldn't stay here. And I said "Ano, Anan-san...Watashi no tomodachi koko not stay/work, demo watashi wa koko stay/work." (Um, Anan-san...My friend not stay/work here, but I stay work/here) Yeah, that's Japanglish right there. He was like "Daijobu?" (Is that alright?) And I said "Yes." And he smiled.

I also take it as a good sign that when the American guest asked me a question, I said "Hai," first instead of "yes."

I picked a whole lot of weeds. Then Oka-san came over and she took a picture of me working and said "10 minutes left of work!" and stood for a picture of her own. Well, I figured this was a good sign. She can at least talk to me.

So, I came inside and she told me to get a bike and go ride it outside. So, I did. But it was broked. So, Anan-san fixed it, and I cleaned it. Then, I took off. I couldn't remember which side of the road to ride on, so I was an idiot for a little while until I remembered my bike rules. Rode around, went to a 7-11 (which doesn't hide its pornography, I can tell you that; nor is it called 7-11). I got this ice-cream...but it's dry! It's really cool! And really tasty! And I got this drink called "Pictori Sweat" or something like that. Basically, it's gatorade, but it looks like water! It's pretty awesome.

I got back and asked Oka-san where I could study. So I study in the restuarant since no one was there. Practiced my hiragana. Then, she came and told me to shower while the guests ate. I did, then went in the kitchen and started practicing my writing again. Anan-san and Oka-san both watched me writing and helped with some words. They asked me some questions about what stuff was in Japanese and I failed, but I tried. Then, I ate lamb. And the muscle/fat on the lamb. Both of which I hate. And it wasn't too bad. Then, I pulled out the flash cards. (Glad I got those to fit in my luggage!)

Yes, my giant stack of them. That went over well with Anan-san and Oka-san. We were quizzing each other with them. Anan-san's English is hilarious. "work" and...something else are the funniest.

Oka-san told me, "If you have questions about Japanese, ask Oka-san." She smiled and nodded, so I took that as a good sign also. See, I did it. Dad and Dave were right. Go figure.

So, now I'm in bed, well, getting there. I'm going to do some reading/writing, and something for school then hit the sack, I guess.

Japan has some crazy freakin' bugs. No joke. They're huge. And gross. And sometimes on my bed. Eek!

I also got bit by mosquitos...I hope they're not the ones that carry that disease that I didn't get a shot for. That would suck. And be very ironic.

I also apologize for the length of this. Some of you, I need to go e-mail back now!

P.S. I turn 19 in 25 days. Anan-san turns "20" in 6 days. And only children drink juice (or something other than tea or water or o-sake) during dinner. Oh, well. I'm a child.

Here's the revalation, by the way. You read all that for this:
It's privacy that's the biggest difference. See, when I want to study, I go to my room. When I want to go on the computer, I go to my room. The Japanese don't have tht privacy. They go to their room to sleep, that's it. So, I have to get around that. I have to do everything NOT in my room. But, the problem was, I would go to my room because that's where I could contact all of you! In my loneliness, I hid, and the Japanese don't like that. Well, they're not used to it.

That's it.

I think also that Oka-san may have called the people coming from Hong Kong backwards. I'm going to pretend she did to make myself feel better.

Also, riding the bike made me realize how out of shape I am. And I wrote a lot of this blog in my head when I was gardening. How sad.