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.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
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.
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....
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....
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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?
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.
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.
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