♪GENKI SALSAHOLIC'S BLOG♪

Did you know that 1lb of chicken is 8 servings?

2008-02-06T13:11:00.000+09:00

RUEDA DE CASINO STAGE

2007-11-28T15:24:00.000+09:00

こんな間RUEDAのステージにでって楽しかった。　ビデオを又リンクするね。　♪　マイアミのCONGRESSを楽しみにしているねん。。。

I have finally gotten around to post a video... I didn't take this (because I was dancing... so, I am linking from my teacher's You Tube account.)
私は踊ってたから自分でビデオを取れなかった。　(当たり前でしょう？！）　で、やっとビデオを見附ってこれで私のRUEDA先生のYOU・TUBEにリンクをします。　是非、時間が有ったら見てください。

Tania and Maria's B-day

2007-11-28T15:14:00.000+09:00

It was Maria and Tania's B-day. They threw a nice TIMBA party at Tania's. It was so much fun (^_^)/

My first Month in H-town!

2007-09-03T09:20:00.000+09:00

I just can't get over how long the days seem and how slowly every hour goes. Nonetheless, the weeks and month just pass like nothing. I will officially have been in H-town a whole month tomorrow. It is crazy. At the same time that I still have YUU-PAKU boxes unopened from Japan and still randomly utter interjections or talk to myself in Japanese, I feel like I have been in Houston longer.
Two weeks ago, I started my "real" job. During the summer, I was working a temporary summer program, but now I am in a permanent, full-time position in education. For the sake of privacy (as small as this world is) that is about all regarding my work that I will post here for the moment. Although work is consuming most of my time and energy at the moment, I have managed to make it to San Antonio for the past 2 weeks. Once for a crazy reunion w/ my good friends, and once to see my brother and spend some time with my family. I've been overwhelmed these past two weeks, to say the least, but at least now I have a 3 day weekend to catch up and work ahead.
Two weeks ago, my room-mate from college who visited me a couple times in Japan and whom I've visited twice in Taiwan including for her amazing wedding, came back to visit the states.

Having her visit was a great excuse to get a whole bunch of us back together. I got to also see my best friends in SA and got to meet new people who are friends of friends. At one point, I think we had a party of 12 at a sushi restaurant. We mostly ate, but when our mouths weren't full we got a chance to catch up.
I got a chance to spend an incredible time with my parents, brother, my brother's friends, and the cutest little big doggie in the world out in Canyon lake last weekend. It was really a fun time. It was really important to have this, since we won't be seeing each other again for a relatively long time.
As far as my daily life, I have come to the realization that maybe I am just a workaholic-- regardless of where I live. It is something that I need to work on. But luckily, I was able to find a really nice Rueda instructor and a very welcoming group of salseros y casineros. We are learning some fancy moves to prepare for the Casino Congress in Miami in November. I am so--------- excited to finally get to go to a Congress. Houston Salsa Congress will be in September and although I probably won't be able to get a pass for the workshops, I am going to deffo try to make it to some of the performances.
The only thing that I haven't gotten to do is go to the gym. I am a bit bummed out about that, but the Gold's gyms in Houston don't have a lot of Les Mills and they are pretty far anyway just to go for yoga. But we'll see what happens... Maybe I will get out there soon when work starts becoming more natural.

El Caballero de la Salsa in H-town!

2007-08-29T10:25:00.000+09:00

My feet hurt after work & I had heard that the concert had been rained out... but thanks to my new salsa buddies in H-town, I was able to get the info & make it on a weekday. Although I had a great dance partner, I didn't do as much dancing as I would have liked to because my feet were burning!!! But Gil was great. (^_^)

やっとSKYPEアカウントを作ったよ！

2007-08-07T16:15:00.000+09:00

Hey-- I finally got a SKYPE account. If you are a SKYPER, please add me to your contacts. I am hoping I can keep in touch with everyone. Miss y'all so------ much.

☆SKYPEって分からんと？　←ココにクリックしてね。☆

今週本当に忙しかった。　前の仕事を終わってすぐHOUSTONに来ました。　新しいアパートかなり好きだけど、まだ落ち着くじかんがぜんぜんなかった。　明日、新しい仕事の契約といろな手続きをしに行って来週から小学校4年生の先生になります。　まだHOUSTONの知り合い一人も居ないなの昨日第一のお客さん新しいアパートで泊まったよ。　誰でしょうか？？　大好きなSAYOちゃんがCOSTA RICAの旅後HOUSTONで一泊できて、二人でSALSAを踊りに行きました。　SAYOちゃんは最高だよ。　楽しかった。
Finalmente tuve un momentico para respirar e ingresarme en Skype. Cuando les quede facil, favor de agregarme a su lista de contactos para poder chismear pronto. Estos dias se me han pasado tan rapidamente. Ya termine la escavitud en mi ultimo trabajo y de repente me mude para Houston donde trabajare de maestra de 4o el ano escolar que entra. Como la ven? Mi nuevo depa me agrada mucho y poco a poco ojala k agarre la onda. Aunque todavia no conozco ni a una persona por aqui, ya tuve mi primera huesped! Sayo estuvo en transito por aqui en su regreso de Costa Rica. Fuimos a bailar salsa y no la pasamos rico. Ojala k todos ustedes anden bien y que pronto podamos desatrasarnos. Muchos besos!!!!!!!!

When you think things can't get any worse...

2007-07-21T15:51:00.000+09:00

It is about time that I scare away some of the digital dust cumulating on this blog. When I have time to write, I am so idle that I really have nothing to write about. And when things are happening, I am so overwhelmed, overworked, and things are just too overhappening all over the place that I don’t have even a second to write about them. I guess my life right now is just like a Japanese toilet—you never know what you are going to get.
If you have never used a Japanese toilet, I guess you probably don’t know what I am talking about. Basically you can have a high-end toilet with the motion sensored seats that lift up automatically—you know, the ones with a bide, the special sound effects, and the controlled temperature. (No, I am not kidding or exaggerating.) If you get something on the other end of the spectrum, you will be on a “squatty potty” that may not be a whole lot fancier than a hole in the ground. But, even most of the low-end toilets now days have running water-- but you better pray to all 8th happy god—he’s in charge of the toilet paper. Now that you know the two ends of the spectrum, just know that you can get anything in between, and sometimes you have a choice (western/Japanese). Well, that is what my life feels like now.
Four weeks ago up to last week I was up north in the most luxurious hotel I have probably been in. I had a huge ‘heavenly” bed, a bath robe fit for kings, a great shower, tons of amenities (including FREE Starbucks coffee every morning!!) and room service/house-keeping. On the contrary, today I have come to the hill country and checked into a university dorm room… hmmmm… basically I feel like this is just half a step up from a jail cell. Basically if you took away ½ the square footage, removed the window, and added bars, we’d be in jail! Boooooooooohooooooooo… I am supposed to get changed to a different room tomorrow. The week in between I was driving back and forth from SANCHOUME to the east apartment hunting. Why all this instability, you may ask? Why not pick a toilet and stick with it?
Well, this moving around is partly for a summer program that I am a part of. It is my first job in the US since I came back from Japan. It is actually a really cool “gig”. I get to work with gifted munchkins, an awesome staff, and great curriculum. All the staff and all the munchkins live together for a week and spend from breakfast to bed-time together. The days are long, but I guess it is all worth it in the end. We get to do all kinds of activities, experiments, and projects. One of the most exciting thing I get to do with the munchkins is dissect a cow’s heart! (Cows must be really nice, because they have a big heart.)
The other part of my moving around is the possibility of taking on a more permanent job in H-MACHI. I think I found a new home after my two weeks in Jail. Who knows?

In any case, my life is pretty weird right now—and sometimes I wonder how real it is. My concept of time and distance is incredibly distorted right now. I kind of feel like I’m in MURAKAMI’S Hardboiled Wonderland… Like I am living two lives… Sometimes I doubt that I really lived in Japan and others it doesn’t click that I am still here. I am neither here nor there. I am either living in the past or in the future—but when I am here and in the now I am so obsessed with what is going on that it doesn’t really click. It is really strange.

Yesterday was actually real-time, though… and I was living in the moment. It was the most amazing day spent with my long-life best friend that I met in Kinder. I drove Fer from my parents’ and got pulled over. I got busted for an expired insurance and thought I was going to get written up. (In the US—at least in TX—auto insurance is compulsory.) I don’t know why, but he just gave me a warning. That is unheard of. Something that could have just ruined my whole day turned into a pretty happy moment then. My friend and I then met at a town in the middle of no-where between SANCHOUME and Austin. A little town called COLUMBUS. With the rain and all awkwardness, and the adrenalin rush after almost having been written up, we decided to leave one car at a WAL-MART parking lot and took off to H-TOWN. We had the best Armanian tabouli and shawarma at a hole-in-the-wall Lebanese restaurant that was awesome & checked out the area. We looked at some pretty ritzy apartments, checked out some ghetto ones, and then consulted with a potty-mouthed rude loser and were referred to “the right” place. I think I have found a home yo! After apartment hunting, we went out for some crazy American style sushi. It was so cheap and so tasty…. and the lady who works there is the sweetest!

Now I am in a whole different world. Not in the Westin bubble anymore, but certainly a bubble. I had only found out about the horrible Niigata Earthquake because I was at my parents’ for the week. The news from Japan is disturbing and I hope that everyone I know is OK and that Japan can recover quickly from this terrible tragedy.

Well, tomorrow will be a long day with a whole new group of munchkins coming. I better get some good sleep on my not so heavenly bed. OYASUMI.

The Westin Bubble

2007-07-03T14:31:00.000+09:00

Haven't posted in ages because I am living in a bubble-- a Westin bubble.

I am learning a lot but have a full schedule with limited pee breaks.
I think this is what they call baptism by fire...

I guess I am a sink-or-swim type learner anyway-- whatever that means. I've always worked well under pressure. Tomorrow I get to dissect a heart... Wooooooooooooooheeeeeeeeeee

It is such an awesome experience... I get to work with really wonderful people, a well-thought out curriculum, in a super fancy hotel. But, yeah, it is challenging and the hours are reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllly long. I still have energy at the end of the day (sort of) but my feet just can't make it! I am actually wearing tennis shoes to work!

Well, hope to have more time to say more next time... I will be doing this "gig" for three more weeks after this one... so by the time I get it down to a T it will be time to go look for an other job.

Boooooooooo hoooooooooooo!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!

2007-06-18T03:56:00.000+09:00

ワンちゃんのコーヒーはアボカドの泥簿だ！ PARA MI HERMANO

2007-06-13T13:16:00.000+09:00

La Coffee se robo un aguacate el otro dia. Here is the chase... XOXOXOX

Loosing track of time-- studying for my cert...

2007-06-11T15:08:00.001+09:00

Hey y’all. I haven’t posted at all this month. Time goes by so slowly, yet right before your eyes. I figured I would wait until I had something semi-interesting to write… Basically, I’ve been going to school every day (including Sat.) for the past two weeks from 9-4 so I can get an official paper stating that I know it all—then I can start applying for “real” jobs. I was at a high school for the fist week and this past week I’ve been at a middle school. Lockers, custodians, drug dogs, and vending machines caught my eye. Some things non-existent in Japanese schools, yay? お久しぶり。今月初めてだ！　最近面白いことがなくて、BLOGを書く気がなかったね。5月の終わりから学校に行ってるばかり。土曜日でも朝から午後まで先生面鏡のために勉強している。お久しぶりにアメリカの中学校と高校に行ってラーカーや自動販売機、掃除人、麻薬犬などを見てびっくりした。日本の学校とかなり違うね。
Anyhow, I have to take a total of three tests… one I got a perfect score in and I still have two more (harder ones) to knock down. I’ll be taking them this week. My little brother had to go off to training & the house was quiet and lonely for a bit, but now my grandma is in.　今週試験を2つ受けるつもりです。弟は残念ながら州外に軍事をしています。かわりにおばあちゃんが遊びに来ました。
I finally got to catch up with some of my other friends here. At a non-re-contracting conference in Japan we were warned of severe culture shock. They (CLAIR) basically told us that when we returned to our respective home countries we would find that our friends were boring losers who never did anything. Well, I can proudly say they were WRONG! Ha! In your face! One of my good friends just took a 16 day trip to Italy and an other one of my dear friends just got back from a short trip to Germany. Someone is having an anniversary party, and an other friend is getting married on Friday. Some of my friends just graduated, an other quit a good job to get a greater one, and the friends who are losers still haven’t gotten in touch with me. So, don’t listen to what CLAIR has to say…jejeje　ここに住んでいる友達達とやっと連絡できて出かけたり遊んだりたまにしています。　ほとんどの友達面白い人生を過ごしてるね。
I have a week down so that I can get all my s*it straightened out and take my tests… then, I am going away for a summer job. I am going to be a science faculty for a glorified science camp! Wooooooohoooooo… I was asked to teach kids how to dissect a cow’s heart. I wonder if my stomach can handle it!?　今週レッスンを受けないで試験の勉強ばかりして来週夏の仕事を始めます。1ヶ月半5年と6年のサマー・キャンップ理科の先生になる。
Anyway, besides studying and a whole lot of nothing, I have gotten out dancing a couple of times. I went to the grand opening of a ballroom around here and caught some videos… I’ve also been playing with (and talking to) my brother’s dog quite a bit. She is sooooooooo cute and silly. She’s just like me—she’ll eat anything—so we are good friends. Aaaaaaaa don’t know what else to say. I could vent and complain about traffic? The humidity level?　最近勉強以外あんまり何もしていない。　アボガドを大好きなワンちゃんと遊んだりダンスしたり、お勉強しています

Rueda Congress in Miami (感謝の日よりサルサ！）

2007-06-11T13:58:00.000+09:00

Spent a couple days in Miami chilling with some friends and dancing at the Casino Rueda Congress. (^_^)/ It was sooooooooooooo fun... (Most of the dances on the vid are straight up SALSA--not Rueda-- nontheless if you are interested in the lineup, you can check http://www.salsaruedacongress.com/ I honestly don't know well who is who.
11 月マイアミ・サルサCONGRESSにいったよん！　とても楽しかった。　踊りはRUEDAではないけど、皆物凄く上手だし、色なサルサスタイルを見えました。ちょっと涼しかったので海で泳げん勝ったけど、プールで飲みながら友達と遊んだり踊ったり出来て嬉しかった！！！

Movies con carne

2007-05-27T15:06:00.000+09:00

jejeje nomas una babosada... pero les pongo este videitititito x k a mis padres les da por sacar peliculas de la bibleoteca y el otro dia me toco ver a Don Juan De Marco... jejeje Y como si no fuera suficiente ver al Jonny Depp o como se llame... hoy tambien finalmente vi Los piratas del caribe con unos viejos amigos despues de un BBQ.

Un Mes already?!

2007-05-24T17:26:00.000+09:00

Wassup? It’s been ages since I’ve blogged… Guess this makes it the official one month point. お久しぶりみんな！　日本から帰ってきてから一ヶ月たったよん。
When I first moved to Japan, I talked to an old friend here in the states and he asked me “So… what have you been doing?” I guess he was waiting to hear some super cool Japaneesie things… actually, I don’t know what he might have imagined. But I just replied in all honesty and excitement. “Oh… I’ve been going dancing at a club, going to a gym and working out, and just chilling.”
He answered, “You went ALL THE WAY to Japan to do the same thing you do here all the time?!?!” So… yeah. I did. And you know what? I am back and I am still doing the same freaking thing. People never change. You can take the Japan out of the ghetto but you can’t… what was that saying again?
最初日本に引っ越したときアメリカの友達と電話して毎週スポツジムに行ったり、クラブに踊りに行くと彼に行ってものすごくびっくりした。　なんでココで出来る事を日本までしに行くのがオカシイと彼が思って言いました。しかし、アメリカに戻ってきてもぜんぜん変わってない。　日本でしてた事をほとんどここでしているよ。　つまらないど～？！
Ok… so here’s the spill. Exactly one month ago I was in Taiwan spending the time of my life at my best friends wedding (and yeah, although I didn’t make it to a gym, we DID go salsa dancing!!!) Ever since I got back it’s been kind of in slo-mo, but really busy doing a whole lot of what seems like nothing. I am experiencing extreme culture shock on a daily basis. Aggression, depression, regression, all kinds of weird *hit. I went to study at Starbucks and was shocked that the cashier couldn’t break a $50 note. When he told me with a straight face, I was certain he was kidding… but he wasn’t. So… I bought a mug, too. Americans don’t use cash. It is a plastic world! (Oh yeah, and don’t forget to TIP!!) I still can’t get used to people calling me “ma’am” either. And everyone talking on their cell phones really loudly!! Goodness!!!
しかし、まだなれってない。　アメリカ人はほとんど現金で払わない。　皆キャッシュカードではらう。で、私はまだよくチップを忘れてしまう！そうして、皆どこでもケイタイ電話を使って多きな声で話す！　（うるさい！　いらいら！）

Well, I landed a swell summer job and will be traveling around the country showing genius rich kids how to dissect a cow’s heart. (LUCKY!) It really seems like a sweet deal though and will give me some local work experience. I also get to see how clever elementary school kids around here are. Who knows, they might even know as much as my 3-year-olds at JB! I mean… these kids are supposed to be cream of the crop—too bad everything is “diet” now. There is less and less cream, I have noticed.
夏休み仕事を見つけました！　一ヶ月間小学生に理科を教えることになります。秋までアメリカで経験を出来るなら助かるかも。　今の履歴書日本の経験ばかり書いてあるのでちょっと怪しいだと思う！　へへへ　

Healthwise, I am stocking up on the UKON NO CHIKARA, as always and still going to the gym. I’ve gotten addicted to a new STEP class that isn’t even LES MILLS. And I finally found a good PUMP instructor that can lift more than I without panting or looking like he’s going to break. He’s actually really buff. I might grow to like him as much as a MAEDA, SHIMIZU, FUKUDA, or even YAMAMOTO one day… but no one will ever come close to YAMASITA ne… (sigh!) :::daydreaming::
今健康封建など何もない。　私の健康は大好きなNINAさんよりもらったお守りによるね。へへへ　なぜなら、健康のためによくスポツジムに行ってるばい。普通のステップ・クラスにはまって、やっとよいパンプ・インストラクターを見つけました。

Well… I was really sore after taking COMBAT 27 twice in a row (don’t ask why?) and then maxing out on PUMP so I took of a day at the gym to recover and called my brother up to see if he wanted to go clubbing. We went to Arjons (the ghetto so-called up-scale International club AKA el corrientaso where I more often than not hang out and dance) and got to see CALLE 13 during a meet and greet. They didn’t play, but it was still cool trying to pose and get in pics with him. 104.4 had some special VIP corner where they caged him in with his winners or what not, but we got a good table, lots of drinks and enjoyed a night out. Besides, CALLE 13 is probably easier to catch than my brother! I was just made up that I could spend a little time with him, yeah.

今日弟と友達達と一緒にダンス・クラブに行ってきた。　まだ酔っ払いんだけど。。。楽しかった！　CALLE１３と話できて一緒に写真を取れました。　ウレシイだ！　　CALLE１３はかなり有名のラテン・GRAMMYウィナーです。テレビとかで見るともうちょっと大きいだと思ったんだけど、ライブで見て、日本人の大きさとあんま変わらんとびっくりした！そうして、やさしだと思いました。　もっとTOUGHとかバッド・ボーイIMAGEだったね。　へへへ

So, now that I’m just randomly rambling… hehehe… just wanted to let you know that I’ve basically been doing the same thing I do, even in Japan. But since I haven’t been working, I’ve actually had enough time to watch TV and get hooked on an old Brazilian soap… XICA!!! And I’ve been studying for my tests. I’ll start my coursework next week and then I’ll be as busy as I was in the land of the rising sun.　私のライフ・スタイルがそんなに変わってない。ただ、仕事がまだ始まっとらんからいつもより時間があるね。お久しぶりにテレビ・ドラマを見る時間足りて、XICAと言うブラジルのドラマに最近興味しんしんもってて毎日見る！

I still miss my friends dearly and my old hangouts in Kumamoto… but I have also managed to start going out a little, meet some new peeps and even found a little Japanese store that sells frozen natto and chikuwa--- haha and has a little video rental of really old Japanese mysteries for a buck. 友達が居なくてかなり寂しい！　でも、日本の物を売る店を見付けて冷凍ちくわと納豆でも買えました！残念ながら友達を買えない！

Well… I guess that’s all for my one month update. Can’t believe it has been a month!
馬鹿な話ばかりでごめんね。　本当一ヶ月をたったのが信じられない！

Random 3-week update.

2007-05-15T14:03:00.000+09:00

I am almost completing my third week in AmeriKa and realized I haven’t blogged in ages. Nothing has happened—and so much has happened. My body is here and so is half my luggage… My brain is half here, and I am not sure where the hell my heart is. I just had a wonderful time with my mother for mother’s day. We hadn’t been together for mother’s day in 5 years… I have been able to spend time with my family, walk the dog, smell the flowers, and even watch TV—something I hadn’t done since high school probably! I finally had a chance to catch up with old friends (^_^).

I got to have dinner with three of my close college friends. We went to what one of my friends referred to as a “GAIJIN” Mexican Restaurant. It was comical the way that he said it—but 100% true. Regardless that this town is half Mexican none of the guests at that restaurant were. All of the customers were “GAIJIN” haha The Mariachi were even playing “I love you baby…” Now that is a PARA-PARA song… NOT a Mariachi song. (>_<) What’s the world coming down to? I guess they went through the trouble to amuse me. The sauces were good and it was my first time in my life to have a CHIMI CHANGA and watch the beginning of a midget-casted film and more than 15 homicides. It was an interesting night. Good antihistamines. Great Chai. Wonderful friends.

As far as school goes, I had my first exam this Saturday. All the other kids were graduating. It was kind of funny to see everyone wearing caps and gowns. Do other countries do that too? How did that cap and gown thing get started anyway? It is so------ MOTTAINAI! OK… it is not like I expected them to wear kimonos or anything… guess I was just pissed ‘cause they took up all the parking and I had to park really far away to take my exam. I hadn’t seen scantrons in a while. I think scantrons would have made my life so much easier as a KUMADAI teacher. Anyhow, the test was hard—but being the genius that I am, I think I passed it with flying colours. It is the next two that I am **itting my pants about. Anyhow, I also applied for some jobs and have my first interview tomorrow. Crossing my toes that I get it IF the salary is high. (^_^).

I’ve been going to the gym… It is a good way to go out and see people without having to talk to them. It is still within my comfort zone, barely. I must be ANAL RETENTIVE or just turning Japanese… but I really CAN’T stand it when people walk in half-way through class (especially one that requires equipment—like weights or steps) and they take their stupid mobiles with them and can’t stop talking. Could it be that I am just jealous because I don’t have a phone? Who knows. Anyway, I am rather pleased with some of the classes and have figured out which instructors/classes/centers to avoid.

As far as my little dancing world goes—I still haven’t been out on the dance floor. I was so--------- made up because I was going to go see RICKY MARTIN in his B&W Tour. If you see some of the clips you will be green in envy… BUT after you read what happened you will be sad too…
So watch this first:

You didn’t read this yet… did you? OK… so here is what happened. I didn’t get to see RICKY. He threw out his back in Laredo the night before, so he cancelled/postponed the concert he was supposed to be giving in San Antonio. Can you believe it? I hope he gets well soon. I was thinking… maybe I should go to the hospital and pay him a visit. But with all joking aside, I really do hope he is recovering and I wanna see him!!!!!!!!

But anyhow, I got to spend a night out with my mother, a close friend and her mother instead. We had the world’s best Margaritas and just chatted about nonsense in lieu of watching Ricky. Boooooooooooo hoooooooooooooo!

I have been spending time on Mixi trying to keep touch with my friends in Japan… I still haven’t gotten around to writing everyone. My photo albums and address book are still somewhere on international waters—so sorry… but I am thinking of you. Believe me. I miss Japan so much. If you don’t read Japanese fairly well, Mixi is really difficult to use and you probably won’t understand much of what I write anyway… but I’ll still keep this blog yo! And hopefully have more time to VLOG in J-go tamani ne. OYASUMI gotta get some zzzzzzzs b4 my interview.

Official 2 week milestone

2007-05-08T15:30:00.000+09:00

Gosh... It's been 2 weeks since I've been back. It is kinda weird being back "home" after being on my own so------- far away for 3 years. Aside from reverse culture shock I am also dealing with being idle. I haven't been idle in ages... When was the last time I was this HIMA HIMA HIMA?? Maybe when I was in elementary school?? I've been wasting my life away on YOU TUBE and MIXI... and making OMU RAISU and drinking KINAKO MILK. WTF?! I am going to the gym pretty much every day-- but I haven't been out to see the salsa scene... So, to cheer myself up I gave myself a pedicure and made a silly "instructional" video. (Yeah... I know my feat are kind of swollen!)

Anyway... I will be having my first exam next Saturday-- but it is a Spanish test, so I am, I guess, over-confident and can't bring myself to study much. I always wished I had more free time and now that I am so------------------ free, I can't figure out what to do with my time. It is so weird. I started looking through old photos and reading old letters... crying over my past exes and cooking a lot of Japanese comfort foods... I found a little supermarket that had lots of Japanese groceries and I am made! I am looking through the wanted ads to see if I can land a temp job until I take my course at the end of the month. I might go crazy by then if I don't have a job. I guess I really am a workaholic. What sad news. I failed at being NEET, even for a week.

Cowboy hats, pick up trucks, and big guns!!

2007-05-03T06:01:00.000+09:00

憲法記念日どうやって過ごしましたか？アメリカではもちろん関係ない。　しかし、ニートの私は暇ですからスポツ・ジムで過ごした。昨日60分のパンプを受けってすぐ60分コンバットに参加出来ました。　お久しぶりに時間とスタミナが足りて楽しかった。しかし、コナミの友達が居ないで空気とエネルギーレベルはちがうね。寂しい。Today I went to work out. I had a personal training session. Yesterday after my cousins left and all I did pump and combat back to back. All the classes here are 60 min although the instructors and the class energy level is nothing compared to Konami’s. But, I have to look at the bright side—I can actually do two master’s Les Mills classes back to back and have lots of choices, since there are 5 gyms in my area that I could go to. I was actually really looking forward to body jam—but it isn’t all that. I just wish they had Attack here! Maybe I’ll take a drive out to Austin. I heard some of the gyms there have Attack. Anyway, after my personal training session (which was also over rated) I headed out to get some beans (^_^). I went to TAQUERIA JALISCO and had a bit of culture shock… of the 20 people in there there were 5 cops and they all had GUNS!!! I hadn’t seen guns in a long time. I don’t think police officers in Japan are armed… are they? TOSHI, do you have a gun??? The other thing I found exciting was that a bunch of people were wearing their cowboy hats. Jejeje… this is just the general public, Y’all. I am talking about average people who eat at a restaurant. I felt like I was in a movie. I often heard these kinds of stereotypes and questions about this when I was in Japan and usually dismissed them as lies or pure stereotypes--- but it is true! What’s more is that as I looked out the window I noticed that ½ the vehicles in the parking lot were pickups trucks. I am in a growing city—not out in the boonies. Nothing here has changed—I have.
トレーニングを終わってからタコス屋さんで朝ご飯を食べに行ってきた。　びっくりした。　テキサス三町目はぜんぜん田舎じゃないなのにカウボーイ・ハットを被ってた人が多くて駐車場の自動車の半分ぐらいは大きいなピッカップ・トラックだった。　でも一番びっくりしたのは征服のままで食べてた警察さん達だった。三町目のおまわりさん皆多きなピストルを持つ。　日本ではどうですか？　日本では征服のままで遊んでる警察を見たことないしピストルを持ってないと思うね。　コメントで教えてね。熊本警察の友達も居るから知りたいね！！

May Day-- Round 1

2007-05-01T05:56:00.000+09:00

So... I have completed a whole week (Round 1) here and finally get a chance to settle. How long will I be here? Only the rabbit knows. (^_^) Finalmente voy a empezar a estudiar. En menos de dos semanas tengo mi primer examen y todavia no abro el libro. Ayer, despues de ir de central camionera en central camionera y de regreso a la central camionera mi primo decidio extender su visita y regresarse en un vuelo directo a California. No la pasamos bien suave en familia. Hoy por la manana mi primo se regreso y mas tarde recogieron a mi prima y sobrinita para regresarse a Mexico. Que linda bienvenida me hicieron!
Llego una de las 13 cajas que mande de Japon y ya tengo ropita. Extrano mucho a Kumamoto y mis amigos—y la vida cotidiana que llevaba (menos el estress y el trabajo…jejeje) 　やっと親戚それぞれの家に帰りました。　皆で過ごすのが楽しいだけどお客さんが居るとなかなか落ち着けないね。　再来週最初の試験があるなのにまだ本をほとんど開けてない。。。引っ越したときの荷物まだまだ着いてない。　今日第一のユッパクを届いた。　今まですぽんぽんでした。やっと洋服が着ましたね。ものをパックからだしてものすごく寂しかった。火の国の友達に会いたいなぁ！　皆元気？

Primera semana♪一週間目

2007-04-28T15:56:00.000+09:00

Ya tengo por aqui cinco dias. El lunes que llegue me recibio mi familia en el aeropuerto y directito nos fuimos al centro para celebrar el cumpleaños de Panchita en la nakada de Fiesta. Hasta los mosquitos bailaron cumbia para festejarme. Llegandito a casa me dormi y todavia desorientada me llevo mi papito a inscribirme en cursos, ir a la galeria donde tiene mi mami unas pinturas, inscribirme al gimnasio, y a comer tortas regias. En la noche me fui al gimnasio e hice dos clases de aerobics! El proximo dia medio muerta fuimos a recoger a mi primo de California que vino de Alabamba de visita. Estamos aciendo compras, hechando la h...pereza, y de repente nos fuimos al centro a tomarnos una cerveza y disfrutar los raids en el carnaval de Fiesta. Hoy en la madrugada llegaron mi prima y mi sobrina de Monterrey y nos fuimos los tres primos a Austin al lago Travis para andar en la lancha de unos amigos. Como sufrimos! Hasta creo que mañana nos vamos a Sea World. Ya estoy inscrita para tomar 3 examenes para sacar mis licencias para ensenar... aver con todo este desmadre cuando me doy tiempo de estudiar... jejeje

五日目です。月曜日三町目に着いて家に帰らんで、そのままで家族と誕生日を過ごしに街へ行った。すぐの日学校のもし込みして、スポーツジムの会員になってエアロビックスレッスンを二本に参加しました！水曜日カリフォルニアの従兄弟が遊びに来て皆でショッピングやドリンクイングなどをして過ごした。祭りに行ってものすごく面白い乗り物に乗って楽しかった。土曜日もう一人の従姉妹が来て姪ちゃんも連れてきてオースティンに行きました。　あそこのみずみに行って友達のボートに乗って一日を過ごしました。　今とても疲れて日焼けて痛いですが明日またテーマ・パークに行くかも。。。　最近まで毎週土曜日タパスで過ごしてた。　サルサの友達皆元気かなぁ？！　ココもサルサバーなど沢山あるけど、まだ踊りに行く力足りてない。タパスの友達がココ居ないと寂しいすぎて、ちょっとう休みます。皆ゴールデンウィークどうやって過ごしてるでしょうか？

遠いけど関係ないよ！

2007-04-26T17:26:00.000+09:00

皆元気？　I　MISS　YOU!!!

最近移動していたからBLOGをぜんぜん書いてない。ごめんね。落ち着いたら皆分かるように英語か日本語でアップデートします。

最近ソーシャルネットワーキングサイトのmixi(ミクシィ)とHI5(ハイファイブ）を使ってるのでよかったら招待しています。

こちらから招待者のmixiトップページを見ることができます。

こちらから招待者のHI5(ハイファイブ）トップページを見ることができます。

YOU♪TUBEのビデオ・ログ（VLOG)もそのままで続くつもりです。　URLはhttp://www.youtube.com/profile?user=genkisalsaholicです。

よろしくお願いします！

SHARK ATTACK送別会

2007-04-13T19:53:00.000+09:00

I got a little bit worried about the reverse-culture shock I would be having soon, so I got my friends to wear a blond wig so that I could get used to having "foreign" friends when I go back to MUKKOU!

Here is a video of my sillyness:

With all seriousness though, these are my best friends in Kumamoto and the people that I spent the most time with outside of work/gym & dance. They are all great, wonderful people. A couple of them are really extraordinary friends and people that not only stood by me during these fun, crazy, silly times, but also basically saved my life when I was sick by taking me to a hospital and even helped me when I was in really big trouble. Friends that saw me when I was down and helped me through the hard times... Friends that even though didn't want to part came over and helped me pack... I love these people and will never ever forget them.

Poco a poco--- don don

2007-04-13T19:06:00.000+09:00

Ayer empeze a sacar TODO de los closets y me puse a limpiar con un trapito. Rio me va hacer el favor de poner toda la ropita de Pandora en consignacion en Maple Leaf donde da sus clases de salsa. Casi me cago cuando me dijeron que en el vuelo a Taiwan nomas puedo llevar 20 kilos. Si yo perdi 8 kilos cuando pare de traga oniguiris (pero ya los volvi a encontrar) me imagino que nomas las dos maletas vacias que tengo pesan casi eso. Tengo que deshacerme de todo lo que pese media lonja. Anoche despues de las eleven vino Kinu a ver mi ropa y me hizo el favor de llevarse unas cosas de la Josefa. En la madrugada (creo que eral las 6) me desperto una australiana que se llama Anne. Vino antes de su trabajo a ver mi mugrero y se llevo unas cositas de Pandora y otras de la Rafa-- y unas faldas de Liz y unos pantalones de Judy. Se fue muy contenta de encontrar su talla en Japon y me dio una propinita mucho mejor que la que en HARD OFF donde te sacan hasta tu tipo de sangre para darte 2 putos yenes por tu diz que tesoro... eda? Poco despues vino Rennie, una amiga Bulgara con la que pase navidad. Se llevo muchos trastes y el traje que lleve a la entrevista de JET! Tambien se llevo la chamarra negra y mi DVD player. Gracias Rennie! Poco despues llego Aya a saludar y luego paso Greg por la tele y en lo que me despedia de Rennie la bajo solo y se fue. Ordene unas pizzas de STRAWBERRY CONES (jaja) y en lo que Aya y yo empezabamos a comer, llego el terrateniente con su mujer. Hice el mejor negocio! Se va quedar con mi fax, stereo, refri, lavadora, horno, guardachanclas, aire acondicionado, y un monton de cosas. Claro que nomas voy a sacar como unas 500 bolas, pero casi casi me sale lo mismo tirarlas. Su mujer hasta me pidio los ganchos, lamparas, y un espejo. Van a recoger todo el mugrero y me pagan el 19 en la manana. Gracias a dios esto no va ser tan tan tan tan dificil... aunque todavia tengo mucho por tirar. Nomas termine de platicar con el FUDOUSAN (terrateniente) y recibi la llamada de Rio que ya venia por aca. En eso Aya se despidio (despues de un helado) y se fue a trabajar. Rio estuvo aqui un rato se llevo las cosas de Pandora, un sarape de Josefa y el CD player chiquito de Rafaela. Poco a poco las cosas estan cayendo en su lugar. Ahora me voy a arreglar para ir a la ciudad. Les prometi en Shark Attack que hoy voy a despedirme de ellos. Esta callendo una tormenta si no me animo a ir hasta SANKO a comprarle un raton a Buchi. La Jo-Jo no me contesta. Ahora Bucchi es mi mas grande preocupacion. Bueno-- y lo otro es que no se que ponerme para ir a Shark porque la ropa garra ya la tire y la buena se la di a Rio! Jeje

Tengo un amor! (Japon!)

2007-04-12T19:08:00.000+09:00

Hoy sali corriendo a la ciudad. Se me fue la basura y me subi al camion con una bolsa de focos rotos... puta basura-- pero la mesita oxidada se fue! (Los focos los dizque olvide en el cafe--- aver si no me meten a la carcel!) Ya son mis ultimos dias. En una semana estoy en el aire. (Extrano a mi familia! Que gacho estar tan lejos!) En la manana quede con Anita y Luz en la iglesia de Shimazaki. Me toco saludar a Zurine y a MAKKO (la de Salty Peanuts) en el alto--- todavia con la basura en la mano. Que pendejada! Finalmente fui a un cafe con Anita y Luz (las voy a extranar un chingo!)... platicamos un buen rato y me fui a la ultima clase de Kumon. Otra vez rodaron lagrimas. Sali con Ryuu a comer lonch en una susheria y me fui en chinga a terminar de hacer mis cosas. Ahora no voy a combat...(>_<) Aunque tengo muchas ganas!!! en vez me quedo en casa empacando mis cositas y les dedico esta bachatita... (Ya me voy a tirar mas basura! PUTA BASURA!!!!) Dice que tengo un amor-- pero si nomas tuviese uno seria mucho mas facil, eda? Estando aqui estoy lejos de los de aya que tambien los quiero y los extrano un monton-- pero me voy pa' alla y voy a extranar lo de aqui. Que complicada es la gente. Si los humanos tuvieramos menos basura y fueramos menos necios que abburida vida no? Bueno-- no me pregunted sobre los monos-- no conozco este ANIME... pero esta cancion la adoro-- siempre fue el cool down de la clase de salsa en el hospital...

Random things in a batta batta day

2007-04-11T20:41:00.000+09:00

I took the bus to downtown again. It is the 400th year anniversary of Kumamoto Castle. I have seen this little castle character everywhere, but I was surprised that they have appholstered the seats on the bus with him now. I think his name is HIGOMARU. Kinda cute but creepy. I had my last Wed. Kumon class today. We went to a cafe at the Kotsu center. One of the ladies is so------- sweet and she remembers me telling her that I was going to miss HIJIKI and GOBO, so she made me a home-made bento. I am going to miss this class. The ladies are so sweet and great students! Too bad they won't be continuing next year.

After, I ran to RKK to do a listening test. Jeff really hooked me up with this gig. We recorded a four page script for some high school kids-- and it is paying 1/2 my ticket to Taiwan. Good job! We ended a little later than I expected so I took a taxi to Kinoshita's studio and after the lesson decided to "challenge" walking home. Since I have quit most of my jobs, I finished work EARLY-- it was only 6:15PM, so there was still light!!! It only took me about an hour to briskly walk from MINAMI KUMAMOTO EKI all the way home. On the way I saw the strangest hamburger place-- quite cheap and big! Fit for a dragon (^_^)... and I also got to see a strange sign in the toilet stall of a super market. It reads "A NOTICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS: IT IS PROHIBITED FOR BOYS AND GIRLS TO ENTER THE TOILET STALL TOGETHER. THANK YOU, THE MANAGEMENT." For a country that has so many UNSTATED rules, it seems a bit odd that they would have to write down the obvious-- especially since it was a SUPER MARKET (not a public park or anything) AND there were separate M and W restrooms... Go figure... Anyway, it was also nice to see that the KOINOBORI (Carp streamers put up for Boy's/Children's day on May 5th) are already up. I will be spending GOLDEN WEEK in the USA this year--- training for my new job! Woooooohooooooo... (Hope it brings in more gold!)
Now I am home and better get packing. I missed the bicycle garbage day, damn it!!! So I am planning to abandon MAMA-CHARI by the station with the key in-- see if some drunk man will give me the honor of stealing her. I threw out some other things tonight-- tomorrow is the broken umbrellas and hot-pot garbage day-- they didn't have a picture of a rusty TV stand though... hope the broken umbrella people will take it. Damn the garbage system!!

Tenemos carrito nuevo!

2007-04-07T21:45:00.000+09:00

Quiero verlo!!!!!!!!
Un nombre mocho y no tan macho-- que te parese Ferdinando??

Esta en Portugues... pero si eres medio rancherito y tienes GOOD LISTENING SKILLS (Como Dona Bucchi) no tendras ningun problema...

VLOG #2

2007-04-06T15:17:00.000+09:00

Today I had my last Kumon class and my last Salsa Lesson at Kinou Byouin. I scrapped poor SUNSHINE last month-- but look forward to meeting (Ferdinando) NANCHAN... It has been tough getting around without a car in this INAKA, but taking the bus reminds me of when I was in Japan for fun... haha I went to Hanshin department store (because it is right next to the Central bus station) and got individually wrapped sushi from the basement. I had a little HITORIBOCCHI hanami and went to buy out all of the sharpeners from the 100 yen store before heading to my Kumon lesson. After the lesson I took the bus to Minami Kumamoto and had a private TOEIC lesson. Soon after, I got Hirochan to pick me up to head to Salsa and we got to see more IDOU-CHU Hanami.

Sakura Matsuri 2007

2007-03-31T03:11:00.000+09:00

Where did this week go?

2007-03-30T02:16:00.000+09:00

El martes tuvimos clases normales en JB y el miercoles fue mi ultimo dia supuestamente. Pense que iva a ser mas dificil, pero a pesar de que tenemos muchos chiquillos nuevos y padres dizque observando (creo que confunden "observar" con "estorbar"??) fue un dia mas o menos normal-- hasta que empezo la lloradera. En la tarde deje que los niños grandes vieran el video que les tome de sus clases. Se supone que se los tengo que terminar para el viernes. Los dias se van volando aunque uno parece no hacer nada. El jueves limpiamos todo JB y yo tenia clase privada con el señor del estudio de baile-- pero se me hace muy dificil llegar a Konami despues de su clase y le cancelle. Creo que tengo mis prioridades todas GUCHA-GUCHA. Le dije que se me hacia muy dificil llegar a mi proxima clase sin carro-- pero no le mencione que era una clase de gimnasia que YO tomaba... jeje... Me siento medio WAGAMAMA pero al fin de cuentas es mi ultima oportunidad de ver las caras del YAMAMOTO... y me encana BODY COMBAT. Es mi clase favorita... Bueno, anyway-- al fin de cuentas pude convencer al estudiante que me cambiara la clase al miercoles... Ya en mi camino a Konami me entro un mail de NINA a mi KEITAI... Quede con el despues del gymnasio. Fuimos al restaurante de MATSU a comer BASASHI y terminamos bailando en el SANCTUARY. El jueves se supone que fue mi ultimo dia en JB-- el viernes me senti tan tan tan tan tan rara. Desperte a la hora que se me pego la gana (a las 9 y pico!) y perdi el dia consiguiendo ingredientes para los bento. Creo k aparte estaba medio cruda. Hacer cosas sin coche son bastante dificiles... pero logre conseguir tortillas y mas. Despues me arregle, aggarre mis cosas de Konami y me fui a la ciudad a ver a Jovan. Mi camara esta descochinflada y fui a ver si me la podian arreglar-- pero parece muy dificil... entonces me compre otra... (no deveria de confesar-- por q luego quien me cree cuando digo que no tengo plata!)... bueno-- pero es una compra muy importante x q sin mi camarita mis blogs serian mucho menos HIGH TENSION eda?! Sin fotos y sin videos... no... mejor que la compre. Es mas-- no estaba (tan) cara... y cenamos YOSHINOYA kimuchi-don-- ahi es donde se ahorra por k t dan una cantidad enorme de mindongo por menos de 500 yenes. Despues fuimos a un bar de darts y deje a los muchachos jugando solos x k yo me fui a Konami al BODY PUMP de YAMAMOTO. Ya nomas me toca ver a MAEDA los lunes (>_<); Des[ies regrese a casa a cocinar. Hice 40 bentos esta vez. Les puse nomas un poquitito de comida pero me demore mas que la ultima vez-- o sera que la ultima vez estaba tan boracha que ni me acurerdo... jaja... Todo tenia que estar listo para el SAKURA MATSUIR el Sabado.

Sunshine goes to car heaven

2007-03-26T02:30:00.000+09:00

Sunshine is on death row. Today was his last drive out to Shirayuri. He is patiently posing in the parking lot outside my house... After Dave went to car heaven, I was really lucky to get Sunshine. He was already being taken apart-- but I saved his life. They put him back together just for me. The mechanics were super nice and let me "borrow" him for three months. He was their DAISHA (lender car). Unlucky for him, his SHAKEN expires this month-- and so off he goes to car heaven. Maybe he will have some nice things to talk about with Dave.
Poor Sunshine...They say that Japan has a free enterprise system-- but that is as ridiculous as saying that America is a free country. The way that the government in Japan fixes the Shaken system stimulates (forces) consumerism. People are almost forced to scrap good cars like Sunshine and buy new cars. It is ridiculous. The reasoning behind this is for suposed ecological reasons, which makes sense at first. But now it has just turned into a money making, economy stimulating scheme that I am pretty sure hardly helps the environment. In any case, I will miss having a car.
Now I get to think about what I wanna drive when I get a job again!!!!!!! Something small and purple maybe?!?!?! eheheh

最後のRUEDA

2007-03-26T00:55:00.000+09:00

After cooking and all, I managed to take a short nap. Luckily Anita called me and I was able to get up to go to Rueda. Normally in this condition I would have skipped... but it was the last lesson-- so I just couldn't. It is too bad that this Rueda class won't continue. (>_<) But we have a lot of really great memories and learned some basic moves. I will miss June and this group a lot. 今日は本当に最後なの？　寂しいね。また近いうちに皆に会えると願っています。　皆ばらばらになってもずっとーダンスを楽しんで連絡をとろうね。
10回目のビデオはあんまりきれいにとれてない。　新しいカメラ買わなきゃ！　なんかオカシイ。　最近ファイル・エラーばかりでイライラ！　ばてんビデオはココにあるよ。　呼びかけできる人本当に尊敬しえているね。　なかなか難しいね。　おげんきで♪　またタパスで～　☆

Hang over Mexican Bento

2007-03-25T01:51:00.000+09:00

Click to enlarge... (sorry, it only works for images.)

It was an other non-stop week. On Saturday I had a full day of work and then headed to Latino's for Jun-kun's going away/shinkon party. Then, we went to the ni-ji-kai at Tapas, and even then I headed to Shark. After 3 in the morning I headed home to cook-- I made 34 boxed lunches with refried beans, mole, mexican rice, flautas, salsa, and dessert. (^_^) With only about 2 hours of sleep I then headed out to the Kumamoto International Center to sell them. We had shit weather, but it was fun... The Sakura bloomed early this year-- but it has been really windy and rainy, so I am afraid we are going to have lots of GREEN HANAMI parties. Shucks!

A short long week-じゅん君バイバイ！

2007-03-24T01:09:00.000+09:00

Even though we had a holiday smack in the middle of the week, I can't figure out why it seemed to go so slowly. Wednesday we had a going away for Manuel, so I stayed up pretty late-- and then had a killer Thursday as usual. For some reason Yo & Ki switched schedules and we have had people come and observe all week. I had a mid-day lesson at Kumon, privates at JB in the afternoon and then my regular TOEIC private in the evening. I made it to Combat giri-giri and then had to prepare for Friday. It was my last Friday private at JB! (^_^)/ (doing a happy dance) I was so pooped that I didn't make it to pump. Bummer. But I guess it was a good thing. On Saturday I cancelled salsa class to go to Jun's going away party. He was one of the very first people I met in Kumamoto. I went to go see Manolito y su Trabuco live at the Gekkijo the day that I got my car insurance. It was my first time driving in Japan and I had no earthly idea where I was going-- but I decided to go even if it was by myself. That was my first day to meet Michiko also-- she was working at Encuentros at that time and was taking tickets at the door. Such crazy memories. I feel like I have known Jun forever now. He just got married and will be living in Osaka. I really miss having Tetcyan around too-- and now everyone is going everywhere. Reality just kicked in that I am leaving really soon too. April is really sad in Japan. Lots of goodbyes.
分かれるのが本当にやだです。　熊本に来て5日目にじゅん君に出会ってほとんど毎週タパスですばらしい時間を過ごした。最近RUEDAにも入らせてタイガうれしかった。　私ももうすぐ国に帰るしじゅん君も大阪に行っちゃう。　仕方ないばてんずっと～友達だ！　☆ご結婚オメデトウ☆　FELICIDADES　Esta cortando el pastel con su esposa en la izquierda y bailando con Haji en la derecha-- no se confundan!
Despues de la fiesta para Jun en latinos nos fuimos a TAPAS... (Of course!) y despues me encontre a Matsu y fuimos a saludar a Gi a Shark Attack... llegue a la casa a las cuatro de la madrugada... para cocinar!

El derecho al respeto ageno es la paz!

2007-03-21T01:30:00.000+09:00

Hoy se celebra el primer dia de la primavera y el nacimiento de mi heroe Don Benito Juarez. Con la primavera vienen muchos cambios... Es curioso como coincidio que Sandra, Manuel, el Padre Ernesto y yo todos nos vamos. Hoy fue un dia muy largo porque Kinu y yo nos fuimos a Kagoshima y tambien fue un dia muy alegre pero triste proque nos reunimos para despedirnos de Manuel y Sandra. Manuel se nos va a Costa Rica y Sandra se muda Kanagawa.

RESPECT TO RIGHTS OF OTHERS IS PEACE!!!
I met up with Kinu at the central bus station before 8 and we got on the bus. It took us more than 3 hours to get to IBUSUKE where we had Kurobuta Shabu-Shabu at HANTEN and continued on to the Sand Baths. The Shabu Shabu was really yummy and we had a great view of Sakurajima. At the Onsen it was crazy to get burried in hot sand-- and we got to burn our butts. Unfortunatelly the whole trip was rushed and we spent most of the time on the bus-- but it was well worth it. We aslo got to go to Nagasaki-bana. It was an other gorgeous view. We saw lots of fishers and "nori-hunters". It really was spectacular despite the rush.

The most impressive part of the trip is that for the entire bus ride--- more than 6 hours total... the tour guide talked non-stop. At first it was relevant topics but then I guess she ran out of things to say and just started rambling on a bunch of useless trivial stuff. I don't understand how someone can talk in KEIGO (Honorific Japanese) about farts-- but she did it-- I swear to God! She said "de gozaimasu" more than a thousand times and explained about "ONARA". Finally when even the fart topics were exhausted she resorted to singing. If I hear an other "to iwareteiru koto de gozaimasu" I might have to explode!
Ya sabemos que lo que mas me impresiono de Nagasaki fue el nopal...
y les confieso que lo que mas me impresiono de Kagoshima fue el agave!

Only one more week of work...

2007-03-19T16:19:00.000+09:00

I only have one more class at Shirayuri. The kids gave me a little going away present where all of them drew a picture of me. Now... THIS is what I REALLY look like.

9回目ルエダ練習ビデオ(3/18)

2007-03-18T01:54:00.000+09:00

今日も楽しかったね。後一回しかないと気付いてかなり寂しいね。また土曜日ね☆LATINOSとTAPASでとてもよいな時間を皆で過ごしましょう！
今日のAMIGO♪POSEでとった写真と生ビデオをそのままでながしています。このじきすごく忙しくてばたばたしているのであんまりビデオをEDITする時間がない。今度ちゃんとビデオを纏めってCDをやくね♪

SEE YOU ON THE DANCE FLOOR!

Graduados (negreros)

2007-03-18T01:36:00.000+09:00

Los pequenos frijolitos entran a la primaria en abril. Tuvimos una graduacion preciosisima con "espiches", flores, lloradera, baile, cena, y de todo. Lo digo de corazon cuando digo que fue lindisimo todo--- pero lo que nunca terminare de entender es porque se tuvieron que graduar un pinche domingo. Dios (si hay dios--- huy... k no me escuche dudandolo en cuaresma! Josefa dice que si hay... bueno... whatever... que se hagan bolas...) Let me say it again. Dios puede ser que sea negro, blanco, azul... de cualquier color--- pero te lo aseguro que no fue Japones. Por lo menos Diosito si tuvo su coffee break en el 8 dia. Sera que antes tenian un dia extra? Porque las semanas modernas nomas tienen 7 dias-- y en Japon todos se trabajan. Quizas nos falta el 8 dia para tener un break? Quien sabe? Luego le pregunto a Rafa-- porque ella sabe de todo.

(PD Le pregunte a Rafaella. Dice que si es cierto. Las semanas antiguas eran mas largas. Pero no importa. Dice Rafaella que aunque las semanas fueran de 800 dias, los Japoneses los trabajarian todos.)

Las tres ninas que se gaduaron son genias. Tienen un conocimiento increible y una capacidad de aprender cualquer cosa generalmente no vista en ninos de esa edad. Los felicito y espero que tengan una bonita nines y que los padres no los empujen demaciado. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

St. Patrick's Day Final Combat

2007-03-17T06:47:00.000+09:00

El viernes en la noche se supone que ibamos a bailar en Happy Fish, pero la organizadora desorganizada se cuatrapeo y se jodio el asunto. Al fin de cuentas nos pidio que fueramos ya vestidas y que esperaramos en un rinconsito del pasillo del baño para bailar echas bolas en otro pasillo. Parece que ni lugar para sentarnos ibamos a tener. Los mandamos a volar. Hiro y Miki ya habian rentado el PAREA (un salon que queda en el piso 10 del Tsuruya) para practicar antes del show. Ahi bailamos un rato y nos fuimos a comer en SOYA -- donde ahora trabaja Matsu. Esta muy rico y los precios y las porciones muy razonables. De ahi se regresaron las muchachas y por inercia la Pandora se fue a Shark Attack. Regreso a casa tarde, pero luego me fui yo el sabado en la mañana a JB a trabajar.
Despues de las clases me fui a Konami. Llegue GUIRIGUIRIGUIRI. Fui la ultima para inscribirme en la ultima clase del Fukuda. LUCK OF THE IRISH! Toda la musica y la coreografia estuvo estupenda. De repente se puso camisa y corbata para uno de los combates. En el estudio eramos 40 personas todos sudando, brincando, y gritando. Era un desmadre a poca madre. Los espejos quedaron completamente empañados. Increible. Entre bromas y despedidas le tiramos confeti, le lloramos, y le sacaron mil fotos. Yo me compre un SPORTS BRA de Combate (que nunca me va quedar porque tengo una barriga empanzurrada) y le saque un autografo. Deveras fue una clase increible. Yo quede exhausta, pero la Josefa se fue a dictar la clase de salsa...

Mientras... la Pandora se fue hasta OZU al bar Irlandes....

Que bueno que tuvimos suerte, pero si nos hubiese caido una bomba, ahi acaba el ENGLISH EDUCATION de todo Kumamoto. Estaban ahi 3/4 de todos los profesores de ingles de la prefectura. jajaja Mientras la Pandora echo su desmadre Irlandes en Ozu la Josefa estaba en TAPAS bailando salsa. No se como no se hacen bolas. Y para terminar de chingar a uno-- el domingo no descanso. (>_<)

先週のRUEDAビデオ

2007-03-17T06:25:00.000+09:00

お待たせしました！遅れてごめんね。　今週とても忙しかった！　

党中でファイルエラーがあってそんなによくとってないですのでそのままでアップしたね。
ココにクリックをしたら見えます。　またTAPASで！♪　明日もRUEDAを頑張ろう！！

I'm feeling GREEN

2007-03-16T16:26:00.000+09:00

Today we made shrinki-dinks with clovers and leprechauns... and I've been on the whole Irish theme since HINA MATSURI. The wall is green. I taught the kids a little jig and this one is just for fun. Before I go to salsa, let me just shout out an early Erin Go Braugh! to all...
Y pa todos los que no saven... VIVA IRLANDA!!!! K VIVAN LOS SAN PATRICIOS!

NOMAS PARA REFLEXIONAR

Si el video te puso a llorar... aqui hay un alguito para que te alegres. (^_^)

NOMAS PARA JODER

Ramen NOT guilty

2007-03-15T16:00:00.000+09:00

The ramen didn't give me AUTO GERI. It was something else. I was super GENKI on Monday and then Tuesday at work I started feeling nauseous. I thought it was a normal reaction to seeing T*t*u*a picking his nose... but come lunch time, I had ZERO apetite and felt like throwing up... A third of the kids were gone because of flu or other kaze-like diseases so I didn't do my evening privates... I went home early and the THROW-UP GERI contest began. For not having consumed much the whole day, I produced quite a lot! The LAST thing I want to do is see an other doctor in this country-- unless of course s/he is my student (^_^). Unless I go there in an ambulance, I won't be stepping foot in an other J-hospital. I went to the local ELEVEN and got some OC stuff. It is weird how although it is still behind the counter and hard to get. I got a GERI-DOME that worked. If you are in Japan and get the runs... try this one... I'll put the picture for my fellows in deep shit... hahah! I also got some bullshit medicine supposedly to stop vomiting and nausea-- but it did not work. Finally, I ended up taking some seriously expired (the ex. date on the bottle was 2004!) Tylenol PMs to control fever and keep me from moving around. It worked. Now am as genki as can be... I haven't been to the gym at all this week (>_<) but I guess I still have a couple more weeks this month.
Wednesday was white day... I went out with Nina for tea. He seems genki. I got muffins and cakes and cute gum... but no chocolate?!?! Well... at least I didn't get any roses... (^_^) But I demand my CHOCO! NO MARSHMALLOWS PLEASE. Late White day presents are welcome-- especially if it is CHOCOLATES!!! (Did I mention I like Chocolate? hahaa) Tomorrow we were supposed to dance at Happy Fish again... but they have some kind of special event and asked us to move to next week. We'll see what happens. I am a bit upset about how they just pushed Jo-Jo around like that... so I'm not sure if we will participate... I had already told a bunch of people about it. It's a bummer!

My Brother's Birthday is Today!

2007-03-12T04:30:00.000+09:00

Hey Chris! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Today is my brother's birthday... but I don't know where he is. I woke up with AUTO-GERI from RAMEN DELIVERY last night... (Yes... Kumamoto Ramen is the best over-the counter laxative known to HIGOMOKOSU-kind) haha... and took out the trash before going to work. I get sick of hearing comments like "Wow! Your Japanese is excellent! I thought you were Japanese." OR "Wow! You are really good at using chopsticks!" every time I go out. But if one day I get a comment like "Wow! You figured out how to throw away non-combustibles!" I think I will be really pleased. That is something noteworthy! Learning all the Kanji and using chopsticks with your left hand and your eyes closed is an easy peasy task compared to learning how to read the stupid rubbish calendar. I think the Aztec calendar is easier to figure out. Nonetheless, I managed to dispose of at least 10 kilos of old clothes, about two months worth of aluminum, tin, and titanium alloys plus a bunch of little glass bottles of genki drinks. What is really noteworthy is that I managed to properly, legally dispose of a broken perfume bottle with small plastic and metal parts. I should get a certificate for that!
Anyway, I realized today that I only have two more MONDAY lessons. YATTA!!!! Despues del trabajo fui a la tienda de cien yenes y me puse todos los vasos en la cabeza. El 25 y el 31 se supone que Luz, Evelyn, y yo vamos a bailar La Bruja... jejeej finalmente compre unos ceniceros que creo que no se nos caen. Tambien compre estambre para hacer unas trenzas y me fui a la junta de las comadritas. Antes de que Sandra se vaya a Yokohama, Luz consiguio que les diera un taller de macrame. Les estan quedando bonitas. Yo nomas voy a hacerles el OJAMA pero en verdad que tengo demasiadas cosas que hacer como para ponerme a hacer tejidos. La ultima vez si ayude un poco a desmadrar unos nuditos y a desenredar una piola... jeej... pero hoy nomas me puse a hacer unas trenzas para el Jarabe que vamos a bailar Anita y yo el viernes y disfrute la platica de las comadritas... Claro que tambien trague y practicamos los bailes.

Me quede con las ganas de ir en busqueda de la piedrita que nos conto Sandra-- pero primero tengo que aprender a pedir. Estoy segura que se me va a pasar pedir algo y quedare como tontita.
Hoy le mande un alguito a mi hermanish. Better late than never... maybe?

Crazy Weekend

2007-03-11T14:22:00.000+09:00

El viernes me llego un mail de un doctor de quimica que acaba de traducir unos documentos acerca de sus investigaciones. Me pido ayuda redactando su ingles y le dije que si se lo hacia pero que le iba a cobrar. Aun asi acepto, y me quede hasta las 2 de la mañana redactando sus documentos despues de la clase de PUMP de Maeda que por cierto me dejo exhausta. Total, despues de consultar ochocientos diccionarios medicos pude redactar los documentos dormir un rato y terminar en JB. Olvide el celular en la casa y la compañeras de trabajo me trato de llamar tres veces para decirme que iba a llegar tarde. Mejor que no avise. Ya se hizo habito y me acostumbre. Es mejor que me llame cuando si va a llegar a tiempo. Creo que si llega antes que yo me infarto. Pero anyway. Despues de que paso el HINA MATSURI me estoy echando estas clases con San Patricio. Hicimos unos SHRINKYDINKIS de trebol que nos quedaron bien simpaticonas y los niños fascinados. Despues de JB me dormi una siestesita hice los que haceres y me fui a la clase de salsa. Nomas se termino y nomas regrese a dejar mi coche y a treparme al ultimo camion a Fukuoka. Llegue a Tenjin en menos de hora y media (que se me fue volando-- porque apenitas me dio tiempo para maquillarme, hacerme manicura, y cambiarme de ropa...jajaaj) y me fui de parranda a LATINOS IN TENJIN... donde le segui al ONE WAY y despues a SAFARI hasta las deshoras de la mañana listo para regresar en el primer camion a Kumamoto. En ONE WAY me toco la sorpresa de ver a Marcelo.... y esta vez no se me escapo. Me dio mil besos pa mi mamita (TE LOS MANDO, MAMI!--- nomas me robo uno... OKEY?) y dice que la recuerdan mucho en TIEMPO por un dibujo GUCHA GUCHA que dizque les mando... jejejejajaja... Anyway, tambien me toco bailar con muy buenos salseros, bachateros, merengueros... y hentai na ojichan... Me diverti como enana de circo y regrese a casa pa dormirme otra siesta para luego ir a ver a mi cliente. Creo que Pandora estaba cruda y mando a La Rafa y a Josefina a la ciudad. La Rafa converso con el doctor, cobro y se fue al shit. La Josefa se fue a la rueda. Luego la Pandora desperto y se fue a Shark Attack. Gi ya regreso de China... Creo que despues de ordernar RAMEN DELIVERY al bar, se regresaron las tres (Pandora, Rafa, y Josefa) juntas... No se como no se hacen bolas. Mañana a ver quien diablos va a Shirayuri pa enseñar a los kodomos jodones.

ルエダ・デ・カシーノのビデオについて

2007-03-10T00:02:00.000+09:00

お疲れ様でした。今日もサルサ・レッスン楽しかったね♪。　黒板にこのBLOGのURLを書きましたけど、ほとんどスペイン語か変わってる言葉で書いてあるのでビデオが見つけにくいと心配して教えマンボ。　
このリンクにクリックしたらすぐYOU TUBEにアップロードしている先週のビデオを見えると思います。また来週OCHENTA Y　CINCOとSETENTA COMPLICADOを頑張りましょう。OCHENTA Y CINCOまだどうぎゃんするかまたくわからんけん！しきるまでがんばるばい！NOS VEMOS!!!!　(←　スペイン語でまたね☆）

WILD Books

2007-03-07T01:28:00.000+09:00

I still can't believe that I am actually leaving... I got Isaac to buy my little yellow couch thingi today. (^_^) Yatta! I thought I was gonna have to sell it for 20 yen to Hard Off. I am shipping all my academic books home, but I have decided to let my fiction free. I will be releasing most of my books into the wild shortly-- so keep posted and see if you can catch one. Hehehe...

See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com (My screen name is genkichikuwa -- don't ask!)

I've been a semi-dormant member of bookcrossing.com for almost 2 years now... but it is time to wake up! It is free and easy to join-- so if you are into reading, check it out!

Batsu-ichi

2007-03-06T23:10:00.000+09:00

Sanrio Introduces New Divorced Character

Haha! I got a kick out of this article.　It's crazy old-- nontheless omosiroiiiiiiiii!

I haven't blogged in ages. I've been super crazy busy both with work and partying-- so I do have some things to post... I'll just be a bit late (^_^)

ta ta

Tamalada cancelada y la maquinita foto-sacadora

2007-03-04T01:36:00.000+09:00

Hoy se supone k ibamos a hacer una tamalada en casa de Joca en Omuta, pero uno de los muchachos se enfermo gacho y tuvimos que cancelar la ida. Pero Anita organizo que en vez hicieramos fiesta de traje otra vez en su casa y como siempre nos divertimos un *ingo! Despues de hacer tacos de chirashi con mole estilo Angelica y enchilarnos retequete padre con la sopa de tortilla a la Luz del Carmen nos pusimos a bailar como los gorilas. En verdad que tiramos la casa por la ventana... Se supone que fue la despedida de Manuel y Sandra-- pero Sandra no llego y todavia no doy credito que Manuel en verdad se va. Es mas, todavia no me pasa por la garganta que yo tambien voy pa fuera. El padre tambien coincide que regresa a Mexico a evangelizar mochos.
Despues de la fiesta, nos fuimos a la clase de rueda--pero antes de la clase, no falto una visita a la maquinita foto-sacadora PURIKURA. Estan chistosisimas las fotos que nos sacamos. Es mas, parecen familiares. Jaja Los salseros pensaban que el Padre y Anita eran pareja... Aqui nos metimos los tres a surfing, a los cuetes, y hasta la cama. Para que se siga rumorando... jejeejej

FAQ: How to take a pet python from Japan to the USA

2007-02-28T00:00:00.000+09:00

A:
Step 1. Give her leg growth hormones.
Step 2. Dress her up as a common dog and teach her how to bark.
Step 3. Implant a chip on her shoulder.
Step 4. Get a Pet Passport (YES, I am serious.)

No problem!

Ok... let's get real. I have had Bucchi for 3 years now. She is the best! A great dancer and great listener. She is independent, quiet, clean, and oh so--------- cute!!! She is a great room-mate and pet. I really don't want to leave her behind... and I have no idea who could give her a good home here... even temporarily. It is a tough one yo! DOU SYOU????

The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery says that as long as Bucchi is not a hipopotamus, she won't be quarrantined in Japan. And according to the US Center for Disease Control the importation of snakes is not regulated. The USDA Veterenary Services National Center for Import/Export also states the same thing.
So... the legalities seem less complicated. But-- will airlines let me travel with her (>_<) Especially since I am doing a stop-over in Taiwan, it is a little doubtful. I guess my English is getting rusty, because I am not sure what Delta means when they say they won't allow shipment of snakes from unkown senders-- does that mean that they DO allow them from known senders???
But... if I do finally get her on-- I can't keep her... This is waaaaaaaaaay so complicated!

The Fish and Wildlife Service says:

All snakes in the Boidae family (boas, pythons) are listed in CITES Appendix I or II. Some are also listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. Commonly held pets, such as the boa constrictor (Boa constrictor) [excluding the Argentine boa (B. c. occidentalis) which is listed in Appendix I], ball python (Python regius), and reticulated python (P. reticulatus), are listed in Appendix II. Check the lists to determine how the boa you own is protected. (If the species name is not individually listed on the CITES list, the species is listed in Appendix II.)

* To export an Appendix-II species from the United States, you need a CITES permit. Click here for an application form. Contact the foreign country to meet its requirements.
* To import an Appendix-II or Appendix-I pet snake into the United States, you need a CITES permit issued by the exporting country.
* To import a snake listed in Appendix I you may also need a permit from us unless the foreign country has issued a CITES bred-in-captivity certificate. To import a snake listed under the ESA, you need a permit from us. Click here for an application form.
* You must import or export your pet boa through a designated port unless you have received a port exception permit. You must notify the FWS wildlife inspection office at the port of entry or exit at least 48 hours in advance, present our declaration form to the wildlife inspectors, and receive clearance from us prior to export or at the time of import. We will validate any U.S. CITES permits during this clearance process.

Did anyone get that? It is chotto muri-- a little bit impossible. I checked the CITES site (not a gyagu... I swear!). Very troublesome and very expensive. And it will be a lot of stress on her if she has to be shipped so-------- far. Poor Bucchi! So... the conclusion is BUCCHI can't/won't come with me. (At least not this trip.) So... what will I do? Where will she go? That is the next question. It is so sad. I love her!

Matsuri, Cuaresma, y Rueda

2007-02-26T02:23:00.000+09:00

Anoche fui a Tapas y regresando a casa en daiko a las seis de la mañana me fui directo a la camita. Poco despues un TAIKO me desperto. Ya que me di cuenta que no eran tambores, si no la lavadora del vecino, decidi bañarme. Me toco hablar por telefono con la familia y despues me fui a Kawaramachi. Kede con Zurine. Llegando vimos unos kimonos y escuchando musica buena nos quedamos en Ado un rato. Probe un licuado de platano con aguacate la cosa mas rara del planeta... pero a Zaya le gusto. (^_^) Despues del MATSURI me fui a Misa. Nomas en Japon uno se quita los zapatos para entrar a la iglesia... jeje... Y darnos la paz es un relajo porque somos tan pocas personas que nos toca abrazar y besar a todos. Hoy es el primer domingo de la cuaresma. La Misa estuvo muy linda y tuvo buen mensaje. Despeas de misa, Cesar trajo un pastel para celebrar el cumpleaños del Padre Erensto y nos toco cantar las mañanitas y echar un poco de relajo. Despues nos fuimos al Shimotori a tomarnos fotos en las maquinitas PURIKURA bien acomodados... y como ya íbamos guiriguiri y esas vainas se demoran bastante, Anita y yo llegamos tardisimo a la clase de rueda. Nos toco PENALTY gacho. Como Ernesto si es bueno el se adelanto y llego a tiempo. De todas maneras aqui tomamos un video pa'k no se nos olvide. Para la proxima no vamos a llegar tarde.

Los munchkins estan bailando bonito

2007-02-23T01:23:00.000+09:00

Here is a video of my Kinder kids dancing Macarena, Mayonesa, and El baile del gorila. They made their own costumes and are so-------- cute. They are getting quite good. (^_^) They really enjoy it, too.

Sorry, this video is not public. Only friends and family may view it for privacy reasons. 私が教えてる子供たちの楽しいラテンダンス練習のビデオですが、FAMILYかFRIENDSしか観ることが出来ません。皆楽しんでるよ！♪　頑張ってる！可愛いでしょう？？？

Afuera Telaranas! Chocolate Power!

2007-02-22T14:07:00.000+09:00

I once heard that when something bad happens, people usually tell about 20 people-- but when something good happens they only tell 1 or 2 if any. So, I thought I would skip the bitching on my blog today and tell you what a good day I have had! Not even the shitty rain could spoil my chocolate-filled day!
ウコンの力とニンニクの力のPOWERが足りないときチョコレートの力！！！！！！！！今日3800カロリーのパフェーを食べて2キロ減らして一日ものすごく元気だった！！！ハハハ　やっとGOOD　DAYをすごしましたね。☆

(MAMUSHKA:T ACUERDAS CUANDO CHILLAMOS CON ESTE VIDEO? TQM!!!)
Anoche me kede hasta la deshoras de la madrugada grading papers... Auni asi, en la mañana desperte antes de que mi alarma sonara, pero me kede en cama. Aunque no hace frio, me gusta poner la cobija electrica y me demoro bastante en levantarme. Anyway, me ni me vi en el espejo y me senti muy bien en la ropa k escogi a la primera. Mi bento ya lo tenia preparado desde en la noche y tenia hasta mi desayuno en el refri. Es medio raro k este tan bien organizada. A JB llegue de buen animo y hasta a los niños mas jodones los trate con una sonrisa. Despues de trabajar toda la mañana en JB me di cuenta k no tenia mis cosas para el gimnasio y me fui de volada a casa por ellas. Apenas agarre el ultimo lugar en el estacionamiento cuando se escucha por la radio "icho ji desu". Cuando me bajaba del coche vi al tomatito del YMCA (el k me hizo sufrir). Tambien parece k iba acarrereado-- pero como estaba en mis zapatos de Carlos Santana e iba disfrazada de Rafaella,echando truenos y el se veia fregadisimo, decidi saludarlo. El me dio un "konichiwa" y yo insisti en hablarle ingles pero NO ESL-- para k se le quite el complejo de muy chingon. K cabrona soy, eda? Se le vio el ojo takataka medio cuadradon --- bueno-- deje al buey con el ojo rectangulado y la cola entre las patas k casi se tropieza pero me vale madre. Total llegue a mi clase de Kumon guiri guiri y la leccion me salio muy bien. Creo que al tomatito no le podre pedir una recomendacion... pero se sintio mas padre saludarlo k recibir cualquier cartita de parte de el. Despues da la clase en Kumon me fui al Hanshin a ordenar un perfume. Lo han descontinuado pero la señorita de ahi parece k estaba teniendo buen dia y llamo a otra tienda (en Oita) k tenia UNO en stock. Creo que sali con el ultimo FREEDOM de toda la nacion. Mientras arregle que me leo mandaran vi que venia Yoko. Ahi mismo en el Hanshin encontramos un lugar donde se prohibe fumar y nos sentamos a disque tomarnos un cafe. Pero ese cafe se convirtio en un parfait de 3800 calorias. (Pork nos dio la gana!) Hoy en mis pantalones de UNICRO k compre en Uto cuando estaba delgada y mi calzado de Santana (pa ke se escuchen pis pasos gueyes!!) no es dia para contar calorias. Es mas, creo que no se contar tan alto. (Nomas llegue hasta Calculus II en la universidad-- donde los numeros de alta caloria se vuelven imaginarios. Pero al parfait si le tome foto para estar segura k no fue imaginario...)Los parfaits se desaparecieron en un dos por tres... como sin nada y chismeamos hasta k me dio la hora para regresar al frijol de gelatina. En la tarde puse a todos los niños a hacer el baile del gorila x k parece k es lo k vamos a bailar en la graduacion de los munchkins k se van a la primaria en abril. Despues tuve clase con los genios y no se x k pero ellos estaban de muy buen animo y no se pelearon ni hicieron caras. Se fue de volada la clase y de ahi me fui directo al estudio de Kinoshita. Llegue 2 minutos antes (aunque siempre acostumbro llegar guiri guiri) y aunque el dijo k no se sentia bien, la clase se fue rapidisima. El aun no sabe k me voy. Tendre k decirle pronto-- pero hoy no es dia para eso... jejeje Estaba lloviendo a cantaros... pero tenia mi paraguas listo. Hoy ni la lluvia ni encuentros con tomatitos me arruinan el dia. Anyway. Termine la clase y me fui derechito a Konami... llegue guiri guiri y sace locker de arriba! Mi nombre fue el ultimo en la lista para Body Combat. Aunque me tuve k parar medio atras, todavia me toco ver el espejo y al instructor. Fue la ultima clase de Fukuda. Tenia una energia tremenda. Creo k logre quemar las 3800 calorias que me trague hace rato. Es mas, despues de la clase me pese-- perdi 2 kilos!!! jajajja mañana engordare. En el regreso a casa agarre un bento de Sunny y termine mis grades para Kumadai. Me senti muy chingona todo el dia. Ser a por la sobredosis de chocolate?

KALIMBOS COPICHES!

2007-02-20T22:41:00.000+09:00

If you show this (right) picture to any Japanese child or anyone even slightly interested in anime, they will immediately identify them as TOTOROs... Unmistakeably Totoro... TONARI NO TOTORO. Surprisingly, today as I was searching for the lyrics to a song on the net, I ran into a so-called KALIMBO Character (below) on pequenet.com The site has a lot of great jokes, tongue-twisters, and riddles among other interesting things-- but it makes me wonder if they thought no one would notice that they are putting a TOTORO WANNABE.... hahaha...
But KALIMBO's name sounds like a play on my name... so I like him. You can hear him sing songs in a very strange electonic voice. It is a bit creepy.... Anyway... that's all. Just wanted to taddle on the copy-cats out there. Hahaha... Spot the similaritiies? But then again, Pikachu is not far off either. But don't forget, TOTORO is the ORIGINAL (^_^) and Ghibuli is the best!!!!

Back to the future!

2007-02-16T17:06:00.000+09:00

Today I turned in my admissions application to 　(Texas StateUniversity!!) (^_^) yatta! And… check this out… I got my AFAA certification reinstated—so as of now, I am a licensed aerobics instructor again. If only I could look the part now… hehehe…
So… now I am just waiting for UTSA to send my transcripts and need to take my GRE… but I don’t see myself paying 2man plus to go to Tokyo to take a test if I can put it off until I go to San Anto.

I can’t wait to be a student again (^_^)

Who killed Rafaella?

2007-02-15T17:04:00.000+09:00

Esta semana estoy como loca haciendo mis put*s grades para la universidad. Todavia tengo que escribir el examen final para el departamento de ingeneria, pero mi curso ya lo termine. En Wayo, tuve la ultima clase el Jueves. Les di el examen final y ya entrege resultados.

She is not dead. Stay tuned for Rafaella PART II

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

2007-02-14T19:45:00.000+09:00

Hmmmmmm...

Author, baker, ramen-loving dancing-drunkard, Martha Stewart & bimyou athlete

2007-02-13T22:44:00.000+09:00

On Saturday we wrote a book… A huge book during the morning lesson—here are geniuses at work! In the afternoon we made cookies with the older kids & then I went to Salsa. Shoko & the gang are back and Miki’s niece came. They picked up the GalanteBoogaloo routine right away. I think Miki, Hiro, and I are going to do a routine to La India’s “Soy Diferente”. After the salsa lesson, I did my nails with little hearts for Valentine’s and headed out to Shark Attack. Gi is going to be going to Shanghai pretty soon and I wanted to see him before he leaves. I was so--------------- happy to see Yi and Paul there until I realized that they were there because Gi was not feeling well. Oh…. I love Yi and Paul and was super crazy happy to see them… but, I hope that Gi feels better soon yo! After just one proper drink and a Tequila shot, I headed to Tapas. It was nice to see some people I hadn’t seen in a lo--------ng time. We danced the night away. After, I somehow ended up eating ramen again. I think I followed Takashi to Ginza… Hahaha… Maybe I need to change my screen name to gengkiramenholic?? This ramen shop was crazy though!!! The ramen-eaters sit in individual stalls (kind of like the library – or at school when you got sent to time out)! Then you get this complicated order form (written by the same people who write the Eiken or the Census perhaps) and you are not allowed to talk! (Yeah---> that's the pic yo. Looks like a MAJIME library... doesn't it?) You just hear this dead silence and the slurping sounds. The ramen is really good. I am gonna miss ramen. Boooooooooohoooooo… But this isolation station type of ramen was my first experience. I guess I can’t call it a date…ahhaahaaaaaaaaa Anyway, It was too late to catch a daiko back… so I went to Sanctuary for hell knows what and then caught a cab home. In the morning I rode the bus back to go get my car. There were some rallies going on for National Foundation day, so traffic was terrible—but I finally went home & did some grading and lots of sleeping after calling home. Sundays are usually undetectable in my weekly schedule because I spend them either sleeping or doing shit around the house. I went to A-price and bought tortillas and spent half the day doing laundry… Monday I didn’t have to go to Shirayuri!!! I had Jo-Jo, Yoko, and Sandy over for lunch… it was great (^_^) I was supposed to meet Zurine for coffee after, but got caught up doing a bunch of nothing. I am getting good at that. I made a compilation of danceable love songs for a Valentine’s CD and spent hours on You Tube wasting my life away.

My cousin told me about a Japanese T-shirt folding… and I just had to look it up… And then I couldn’t stop watching dumb stuff. (I am a lo-------ser! *part-time*) Then on Tuesday we spent the whole day making cookies at JB. I don’t know why I was so------- sleepy. I went valentine’s shopping down town and then headed to Konami. I didn’t feel like I could do Attack—so I went to the pool and did a really BIMYOU water fighters. And that is how I am wasting my life away…

たまたま

2007-02-10T00:43:00.000+09:00

日本ふへたくそ！　エクスキュースミマセン！読まなくてよかよ。
たまたま朝カリキュラムを変わって、切り紙で可愛いかにを作りました。　たまたま、昼いつも通りの個人レッスンをキャンセルさせって、スリニエに会いに行って、お久しぶりにたまたまタイラーとアンに会いました。　保育園に帰ったときたまたまコナミのカヨコとイギリスから戻ってきたばかりの友達のナツエちゃんが子供たちを見に来てくれて、またカリキュラムを帰ってたまたまアフターヌーン・プログラムなのに踊ったばかり。楽しかったよ！　☆ありがとう！　またきてね！☆　大体毎週コナミの江上先生のステプに参加するんだけど、今日JBでカヨコにあって江上先生はお休みするとたまたま聞きました。それで、たまたま、プライベートレッスンが終わってから急がないで、ゆっくり家に帰ろうとしていた。ドアを閉めてたところ、たまたままっちゃんかなんかの電話があった！　平日なのに街にでかけた！　先週まっちゃんがセサルにサンクであってあんまりコミュニケーションできなかったんだって。　しかし、ラティーノスに興味になって、たまたまお久しぶりにラティーノスに行こうとしていた。そのときたまたまお久しぶりにちかちゃんの電話があって誘ったばい！とても美味しかった！九時まで家に帰って着替えって、コナミにまにあえました。　山本パンプ今年を始めて、楽しみにしていた。　たまたま、山浦インストラクターが遊びにたまたまレッスンを山本インストラクターと一緒に担当した。たまた真前に立ってやっと腹筋の使い方理解できました！
Today everything was slightly unusual. I broke lots of routines & got to see lots of people that I hardly ever see & finally figured out how you are supposed to contract your abs during a dead row!

No pares. Sigue! Sigue!　(part 2)

2007-02-09T01:10:00.000+09:00

Wake up Saturday. Go to work. Get beans thrown at me. Do 2 lessons. (Made cute ONI!) Rush home. Get my bags. Go to the train station. Meet Rio and Taka. Drink beer & eat on the train. Arrive at Fukuoka. Go to a Jazz Concert. Look for a place to eat. Get turned down multiple times. Finally find a place. Eat. Go to One Way. Dance a lot. Drink rum. Meet Sonia. Dance more. Get abandoned. Dance more. Go to Hasta Cuba Club. Drink a Mojito. Talk. Get out. Check into hotel. Sleep a little. Take a shower. Sleep a little more. Wake up Sunday. Go to Canal City for brunch with Rio. Shop. Meet up with Taka. Shop more. Kill my feet! Shop more. Go to a fancy bar. Shop more. Go to Tenjin. Shop more. Go to yatai. Eat a lot. Invent our own YAKISOBA CON SALSA!. Go to Hakata. Miss the train. Take a bus. Get home past midnight. Go to sleep. Wake up Monday. Go to Shirayuri. Teach a lesson. Come back. Do shit around the house. Finalize the final exam. Prepare lessons. Sleep. Go to Pump. Get sore. Go to sleep. Wake up Tuesday. Go to JB. Teach lessons. Go to the Uni. Give a final exam. Have a meeting. Go to Y&A’s private lesson. Stay talking forever. Miss Attack. Talk more. Miss Water Fighter. Continue talking. Miss Healing. WTF??? Go home. Eat peanuts. Sleep pissed. Wake up Wednesday. Go to JB. Go to Kumon. Go back to JB. Finish work. Go to the hospital. Teach salsa. Go home. Grade papers. Sleep. Wake up Thursday. Go to JB. Go to Kumon. Go back to JB. Teach a private. Go to Kinoshita’s dance studio. Teach a private lesson. Go to Konami. Miss Combat. Get really really angry --- but no tears! Take Basic. Enjoy it. Get talked into taking Original Jogging. Hate every moment of it. Go home. Sleep. Wake up Friday.

No pares. Sigue! Sigue!　(part 1)

2007-02-03T14:33:00.000+09:00

Wed-Sat
Have you heard of the meals on wheels program? Well my meals on wheels program is a bit different. It involves eating only in the car. That is why there is no meal plan in my program below:

Crazy cycle… Wed. Wake up. Go to work at JB. Practice at the Hospital. Go back to JB. Edit music. Practice at Hiro’s until midnight. Go home & sleep. Thursday. Wake up. Go to work. Teach at Kumon. Go back to JB. Teach private kids lessons. Go to Kinoshita’s dance dtudio. Teach private TOEIC class. Go to Konami. Take Combat. Take a shower. Go to Hiro’s for practice. Go home. Edit music. Sleep. Friday. Wake up. Go to JB. Throw beans. Teach a private lesson. Pick up Ana. Go to Happy Fish. Dance in 2 shows. Drop off Ana. Go to sleep. Wake up Saturday. Go to work. Arghhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! (To be continued…)

These are some pictures from the show we had at happy fish! I wish we had some of the Hula pictures too. If you took any good hula pics, can I have copies, please??? I just gave my camera to Miki-- she got some good shots of Boogaloo, Bamba, and Bruja (^_^) Thanks a lot. The Hula was also amazing though!

Thanks to everyone who came and participated… and thanks to Jo-Jo for inviting us to dance. We plan on doing a dinner show again on March 16th (with an other one of Jo-Jo's Hula teams) – and we will have some new numbers. (^_^) Yatta!

Watch less cinema, make more babies!

2007-02-01T13:21:00.000+09:00

Everything is too fast! But so behind… What can I say? In the year 2007, top politicians still get away with publicly calling women “baby-making machines”　女性は”産む機械、装置” and we have to wait ages to get a movie that has already been nominated multiple awards in other countries.

I look so forward to seeing Babel!
I mistakenly thought that it would be out in Japan this month… but when I checked the movie schedule today—I realized that I would be back in the States before the movie showed here. It won’t be out until sometime in April! Geeeeeeeeez!

Anyway…. That is my *itching for the day. I guess if we watch less cinema we can have more time to try to make babies. Maybe the Japanese government can start a campaign giving free movie tickets to women who have more babies! After all, our neighbours, S. Korea recently had an equally ridiculous campaign. I remember reading an article during the new year about the S.Korean government giving away tickets to salary men who promised not to go to brothels during the winter vacation.

Are we really in the year 2007? Hello! Get with the times--- it is so unHeisei!

Guernica Part III

2007-01-30T23:36:00.000+09:00

AFTER

No puedo creer que ya casi se termina el mes de enero. Parese k acaba de empezar el a~o nuevo y todavia ni hace frio. Ya el 2 de Febrero disque entra la primavera. Cambie el cerdo por un osito de San Valentin pero le cubri la cara con una mascara de ogro rojo. Aqui en Japon hay una costumbre de tirar frijoles para sacar los ogros y malos espiritus y atraer la felicidad. Que raro verdad. Creo que es una costumbre China que luego llego a Japon. A quien se le ocurre? Que pasa si los recojo y me los hago refritos? Sera sacrilegio o nomas mala suerte?

BEFORE

Hoy gracias a dios no tuve clase en la universidad y pude dar la clase de los genios/enanos en JB. Hoy no tuve k ir a su casa y si pude ir finalmente a Konami. Es la primera clase que tomo con Shimizu este a~o. Se rapo la cabeza pero sigue igual de peludo en todo el cuerpo! Creo que su novia, la viejita, lo esta descuidando... por raparle la cabeza se le olvido retocarle la espalda. En verdad quize ir a la clase de Attack de Kayoko, pero creo que con el Huevonasa Syndrome y el Post-Tragona Trauma que me esperan despues de mis lindisisisisismos dias con Guellina no pudiese aguantar la clase. Manana tengo PE en JB y creo k me va tocar practicar con Hiro. De todas maneras, espero que este en mejor forma y con menos syndromes y traumas para el jueves poder hacer Combat como manda la ley de los no traumados.

お知らせYOU ARE INVITED！　☆DINNER SHOW☆

2007-01-30T02:58:00.000+09:00

Dance Show
Iokepine Polynesian Dance Troupe & Danza Con Corazon present:
MAGICAL TROPICAL PARADAISE

DATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3
２月３日(金曜日）
We plan on making this a monthly event.

TIME: 8PM & 9PM START

TICKET: NO TICKET/RESERVATION REQUIRED (FREE SHOW)　♪　FOOD & DRINK AT OWN COST
(無料）チケットか予約は不要・食べ物などは別料

ACCESS/INFORMATION: CLICK ON THE FISH LOGO ↑　フィッシュにクリックしてください。)

PLACE: Happy Fish
熊本市安政町2-29 セントラルビル5F
ANSEI MACHI 2-29 CENTRAL BLDG. 5F
(Next to SEVEN ELEVEN across from TSUTAYA AV)

PROGRAM: THE PROGRAM FOR THIS TIME INCLUDES LATIN BOOGALOO/SALSA, TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES FROM MEXICO, and TRADITIONAL and MODERN POLYNESIAN/HULA DANCES.

Guisante Boogaloo

2007-01-28T14:53:00.000+09:00

Ya decidi k no me voy en el bote de guisantes (aunque son mas elegantes k los chicharos jeje). Despues de la practica de Salsa con Miki y Hiro en el hospital fui a misa. Creo k primero tengo k buscar paz en mi misma y luego me concentrare en los guisantes sobre el mundo. Anyway, la misa estuvo muy linda y me alegre de ver a todos. Ya Luz y Anita regresaron de Mexico (^_^) Anita si se va a animar a bailar la bamba el viernes. Tuvimos una fiestesita antes de misa y despues nos fuimos en bola a la clase de rueda. Le estoy agarrando la onda y nos divirtimos bastante. Hoy se supone k fue la ultima practica antes del show el viernes-- pero como Miki no va poder bailar con su tobillo asi, decidimos no bailar Mas Papaya. De repente tuvimos que arreglar una nueva coreografia y me kede hasta las 2 arreglando una musica para. el GALANTE BOOGALOO de Jerry es originalmente de mas de 5 minutos!!! Ojala k nos vaya bien con este BOOGALOO (^_^) Aqui hay varios video de la practica... los tomo Miki en su keitai, pero pa ke se den idea... jeje

If we keep practicing, we might be as good as these ham(p)sters one day! Actually, I didn't want to tell anyone, but... dancing like the Ham(p)sters is really my goal in life. shhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

申し訳ありませんが、このダンスビデオはプライベートです。YOUTUBEのFRIENDSかFAMILYの設定している方しかビデオを見られない。
SORRY... these videos are currently only available to friends and family. If you are my friend or family and would like to see them, please request to be on my YouTube list. (^_^)

Dance Shoesお知らせ

2007-01-27T22:28:00.000+09:00

この間とても可愛いダンス・シューズを見つけてSALSA CON　CORAZONの団メンバーズを皆おそろいのアメリカから頼んだよん。　私が現在↓のピンク色のBLOCHを使ってる。　おどりやすくて、写真よりキレイで、すごく丈夫です。
しかし、サイズはちょっと普通より小さいほうですので二人がサイズアップします。アメリカまで送ってみたら郵便もかかるからとりあえずだれか２３．５cm～２４cmの方興味があったら新品のBLOCHかジャズ・シューズを販売できます。興味あったら、コメントか連絡をください！　よろしくお願いします。
BLOCHは9000円でジャズは3500円です。　TAPASか熊本市のどこでもまで持っていけます。

We were so excited to have ordered these great dance shoes from the States! We ordered pink blochs and black leather dance shoes. Not only are they so------------ super cute (and not easy to find in Japan), they are also really easy to dance in and will hold up well. I am dancing in mine (^_^). Unfortunatelly, they run pretty small, so two of my dance group members want to re-order a size up. If we send them back to the shop for an exchange, we have to pay(international) shipping and handling again, so-- at first, we'd like to see if anyone already in Japan (preferably Kumamoto) who has a size 23.5cm - 24cm foot is interested in purchasing these. They are still brand new, in the box with tags and all. We can take them to TAPAS or pretty much anywhere in the Kumamoto area. We are asking for 9,000yen for the pink blochs and 3,500yen for the black, leather jazz shoes.
If you are interested please contact me right away by leaving a comment with a way to get in touch with you. Thanks a lot (^_^) and see you on the dance floor!

I am a cat!

2007-01-26T17:48:00.000+09:00

Today we went to Kawachi machi on the way to Tensui in Tamana. Walking around Tougenochaya, where Souseki's spirits are still hanging around, I was greeted by a cat. I remember doing a research project on MANEKI NEKO when I was an exchange student at KYOTO GAIKOKUGO DAIGAKU. There is a bit of Japanese folklore with a cat motif. I started thinking about how odd we really must be from that cat's perspective. He/she didn't look hungry-- not too skinny like those stray cats at the temple. Yet, the cat seemed to be following us. I wondered if it was trying to tell us something. Cats must think we are so weird. We are. (BTW, one of SOUSEKI's best novels is titled I AM A CAT.)

We had DAGOJIRU after a nice stroll and drove up the mountain to KUSAMAKURA ONSEN for more SOUSEKI. It was a drizzly cool evening, so the sunset wasn't too splendid, but the view was still dawnting. The cold air felt so good and I gave myself a facial and took my sweet time bathing.

After heading back to the city, we went to JYUJYU and had a very strange OKONOMIYAKI.

Yeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaw!

2007-01-25T18:07:00.000+09:00

I met Wei-Ching when I was studying at UTSA... so country music & fusian food brought lots of memories back. Wei-Ching went skiing in Gokase (Miyazaki) in the morning and after my JB lessons (I cancelled my evening privates) I picked her up at the Kotsu Center and we headed out to Tiger Man. We ordered so----------- much food. Fish, chicken, bread, soup, etc.. and then we ordered a second dish of Cajun Chicken w/ avocado and even an other dish of chicken wings. Tonight is GLUTTON POWER trip... but I know that when she leaves I am going to get EXTREME FUTTOTERU SYNDROME... especially since I have been totally skipping the gym... I think it will be combination NAMAKEMONO FUTTOTERU SYNDROME. God help me!

Anyway... after dinner, we headed down town to Charlie Nagatani's bar, Good Time Charlie's. Charlie is awesome!!!!!!!!!!! He has a better Texas accent than most Texans. His band plays live every day and really puts a show on. He dropped out of school after his 20th b-day to start his country band and his wife is a sweet lady and a great line dancer. It was fun (^_^)

Kikuchi Kyoukoku con bulto

2007-01-23T17:31:00.000+09:00

Las fotos son mas bonitas sin monos, eda...
Y los trips tambien (^_^)... sigo con mi refransillo enfadosillo k mas vale solo k mal acompa~ado. Que dios me ayude k ni sola me soporto.

Que bonito Kikuchi!

Tome 1/2 dia libre de JB y en chinga nos fuimos a ver k onda en el Kyoukoku y deje a Wei-Ching en el centro cuando regresamos a Kumamoto. Nomas me dio tiempo de cambiarme de ropa e irme en chinga a la universidad. Despues segui con la clase de los genios y antes de k marcaran las 7:30 ya estaba Wei-Ching en el telefono preguntando que cuando comiamos. Caminamos por el centro y esa noche comimos en el restaurante de Sri Lanka. De ahi nos fuimos a Latinos x k queriamos Barbacoa en "flour tortilla" para llevar porque ya habiamos tragado como marranas en engorda... pero todo demaciado "spicy". Que bonito es compartir las lindas memorias.

Despues de road trip, trabajo, otro trabajo, comida, otra comida, shopping, etc... fuimos al ONSEN que queda en el piso alto del Pachinko al final del KAMITORI. Regresamos muertas.

Cigarro, cafe, y cerveza (hasta las quince!)

2007-01-21T15:38:00.000+09:00

En JB me hice pendeja. A los ninos nunca los dejan jugar y como fue un dia soleado los saque al parque a que jugaran un poco. Aver si les vaja el estres y se demoran en matar a sus padres por levantarlos a las cinco de la madrugada para estudiar antes de venir al kinder en un sabado. Los ninos se divirtieron y creo k nadie se dio cuenta. Total… si me corren es su bronca. Que encuentren a otra maestra mas chingona.
Despues de mis clases tuve disque junta. Despues de armar el rompecabezas ya ningun drama ni plan de victima me parte el corazon. Estoy firme de que este circulo vicioso se termina en abril. Hay gente mal. Me da tristeza-- pero ni k fuera yo la madre Teresa... ni k los ninos se estuviesen muriendo de hambre. Get real! Son ninos bien k pueden largarse a donde se les pegue la gana (con sus bentos) cuando quieran. Yo tambien. Se acabo.
La clase de salsa en Otassya esta saliendo muy bonita. Creo k para el show en Happy Fish vamos a bailar Mas Papaya, Chin-chin-chan y de repente aver si Ana Maria se anima a bailar folklorico de Veracruz juntas. Quien sabe… quizas nos hechemos La bamba o Bruja—o de repente Jarabe o Jesusita…
Despues de la clase de salsa me regrese a casa a hacer mis cosas y llamar a los EEUU. Llegue a Tapas ya tardisimo—creo k como la 1:30. Estaban todas las del grupito de los que bailan acapella todas en vestidos Chinos porque hicieron una fiesta Latina. Kien les entiende. Estan mas perdidos k uno. (K diablos tiene k ver un vestido chino con una fiesta Latina en Japon?) Anyway… no es mi bronca. Baile suficiente y despues fui al udon/oden con Rio y Taka. Me caen muy bien. Despues Taka se fue y me kede con Rio hasta las ocho de la manana platicando de pendejada y media. Ella con su cigarro, café, y cerveza… y yo con mi café helado y un te de alga que tenia aroma de orine de ballena.
El Domingo me lo pase dormida y haciendo unos pocos quehaceres para esperar la semana—y fui a la clase de Rueda y luego me quede charlando con Gi un rato. Manana tengo k pagar mi fucking health insurance y llega Wei-Ching… tambien se va la basura que no se quema y tengo clase en Shirayuri. Aver si logro ir al gym x k me late k esta semana va a ser tragadera y media y no me van a dejar ir a Konami.

Putting together the pieces

2007-01-19T12:34:00.000+09:00

Today I rushed out of JB after lunch to go to the eye doctor. They changed the rules so that now EVERY time that you want to get a refill on contact lenses u have to go through an eye exam. If KANJI had capital letters, that would be MENDOUKUSSSSSAI in all caps, let me tell u. They have the same hours as the immigration office for some reason-- basically when NO ONE can go. So... finally, I got down to my last pair, and had to make the trip. Ofcourse, they were closed. So I waited and did some window shopping in the area. This is a small vegetable shop on the Shimotouri. I was surprised that the price of Mangos had gone down-- and then I realized that they weren't Mexican mangos. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.... Australian mangos are only about 15 US bucks a pop!!!!!!!! How cheap! Yeah right. But last year I saw Mexican mangos for about 30 US bucks. Japan is soooooooooooooooooo expensive. Can you imagine that my contact lenses AND the eye exam (with insurance ofcourse--- which I pay and arm and a leg and probably an other leg for) were the same price of a mango? No wonder they pack them so nicely. For that price they should come with ribbons and bows!

Jambalaya night at Yoko's was fun & yummy. We hardly have a chance to get ALL of us together, especially since I never work with Jo-Jo or Sandy. We stayed up until 3 in the morning "putting the pieces together". It is really nice of Yoko to do this. (^_^) Thank you! Gochisou sama deshita!

Nothing special...

2007-01-18T01:02:00.000+09:00

The picture I have been using on my profile is not so old... Matsu took it sometime in Sept at Shark. I think it is my usual dekakeru-mode look... but I guess I've gone through some metamorphosis or something.
HARSH TRUTH!
I am not getting any younger or any thinner.
Sumire told me that my picture on my profile doesn't look like me.
So--- In order to stop deceiving people I have taken some NAMA pics. Just like I look when I type my BS. No contacts... no make-up.... no special hairstyle. Actually, I am not even wearing underwear if that is not TMI. So... please comment as to which one I should use for my profile. I will be happy to stop deceiving people.
PLEASE COMMENT
Which one do you think best shows my true colors??? (All pics were taken on the same day within 2 min)

Anyway... Ya paso una semana desde k perdi a Dave. Aunque parese k ya fue hace mucho, no a pasado casi nada. El lunes fui al Kinder Japones donde siempre voy. Yo misma me sorprendi k los ni~os ya hablan bastante. Seran genios o tendran buena maestra?! Me puse un poco sentimental x k se k nomas kedan pocas clases. Ellos todavia no saben k no regreso para el a~o k entra... aver cuando se le ocurre a la brain defficiency mensionar something pa ke empiezen a buscar a otro payaso. Despues del kinder fui a tragar CHANPON con Dai-chan. El 17 se regresa a Australia y no me late k lo pueda ver. Mas tarde pude ir a la tortura de maeda. La musica nueva ta buena y los ejercisios para piernas estan mas dificiles k la temporada previa.

El Martes todo iguanas k siempre. Fui a la universidad. Estoy contando las clases k me kedan. Tambien hice la clase privada... Aunque tanto quize salirme despues de la clase para poder ir a la clase de Kayoko en Konami-- a los *!()(+_+##(&$%$#$%^&*()*&^%$#@#$%^ padres de los #$%^&*()(*&^%$#@#$%^&*( ni~os se les occurio cada rollo. No pude largarme. La clase empieza a las seis y media y aun no llegue a Konami. Fui llegando a mi apaato a eso de las eleven. Hijos de su &^%$#$%^&*(!!!!!

Me saco de onda una llamada. Tengo muchas cosas k pensar.

Hoy todo N. Creo k todo mi bitching no merece ser escrito en este blog. Quizas me arrepienta y lo borre.

Goodnight.

Back to N (w/ FUTOTTERU SYNDROME COMPLEX)

2007-01-14T05:54:00.000+09:00

I haven’t posted in a while – guess I haven’t had any “hima”暇 (free time) since getting back to my regular schedule in a rather unusual style. On top of all the getting back to routine BS, I had to re-experience public transportation after a very long time. Surprisinlgy, it was quite natural for me to hop on the bus and make it to work. I had, however, never had to take public transportation to work before. The rush-hour buses are so crowded, but somehow I always managed to get my over-sized gaijin ass through the door and squeeze my way into the giri-giri-safe zone before the “ドアが閉まります” アイズ(door closing). The bus time schedule was also a good incentive for me to get up out of bed on time. When I am driving I always manage to negotiate a couple extra minutes of sleep… but with the bus, I can’t. (>_<)
With the help of some very *uc*ing sugoii (ファッキング・スゴイ)　people I was able to give Dave a proper haisha廃車(disposing of cars in Japan is a process that requires paper-work & money) and could lease an other car. It really helps to know people in high places. Now, thankfully, I can avoid the aroma of the morning bus　（朝バスの香り） and get back to my normal (to me) abnormal lifestyle. The car I am leasing doesn’t have a name—but it is a red Civic 2-door wagon who’s life expectancy is 3 months more… He/she has got almost no shaken車検(car inspection in Japan is a very pricy process) left. Poor thing!
My first day back at work was when the darn accident happened—and I have been back to JB every day since. I have also gone to Kumon once & have finally gone back to Konami. On Friday we had a field trip to the Early-Childhood（保育大） University and the children did their play again. They are so--------------- cute, clever, and stressed-out. After the play teachers went back to JB and had a meeting at an organic restaurant… I had my most dreaded lesson with “the mute” and then went to Konami after a lo-------ng break.
Friday I did both step and master’s Pump back to back. Yamamoto played tracks from 2 & 3 years ago… it was so-------------------- natsukasii懐かしい(nostalgic) that I started crying during the chest track (Push-up). Lots of memories of when I was shiawase幸せ (content)!!! Luckily we lie down for the chest-press and no one noticed I was crying like a baby… Booo hooooo…. I finally composed myself and made it through the end of class OK… but when I got on the scale later, I wanted to cry again. Oh my God! I guess I must have over-done it with the nenmatsu年末 (EOY) partying. My weight is outrageous… 　泣きたい（＞＿＜）NAKITAI!!!!!!!! Quite depressing. Fat with no car?!?! I am KAWAISOU. I can say that again. I am KAWAISOU… 繰り返します… KAWAISOU yo! Ok… Oshimai.　（おしまい）Anyway, I peeped at the track listing for BP60 and can't wait for INVINCIBLE to come out! I really need to get back in shape. (>_<) Daisuke and I were commenting on a new trend of diagnosing people with "Metabolic Syndrome" in Japan. Basically, if you have a big belly, disproprtionate to the rest of your body, you are unhealthy and at high risk. Hahah! DOH?!?! Did you really need research to prove that? Anyway... I am suffering from a terrible case of FUTOTTERU SYNDROME.
But enough complaining... Tonight I went out. Yatta! Sumire from Fukuoka that I met on KC and her friend Jimmy from Wisconsin who is doing exchange studies at Kansai-Gaidai in Oosaka came to Kumamoto to visit Chie, a lady in Kumamoto who runs a Japanese-style Inn (月華荘) called Gekkasou. We all met up for conveyer-belt sushi dinner at Youme town and then went to my salsa class together. It was really fun hanging out with them. After class I went to Shark Attack (atarimaejyanai?) 当たり前ジャン！and met a lot of interesting people. Then, I just couldn’t help going to Tapas! Of course, I wanted to dance, but also I had made a promise with Sumire and her friends. There were very few people at Tapas, but most were pretty good dancers. A group of Latinos who are doing some research at the hospital here also showed up… \(^_^)/♪♪盛り上がってたね。♪
Before tapas closed I went to go say hi to Yi at Shark and ran into Matsu, Yasu & Mirei! I got talked into giving up my FUTOTTERU SYNDROME COMPLEX (the psychological effects of having a big belly) and headed out for Kumamoto Ramen. (>_<) YABAI!!! But at least I kept my promise not to drink. I had a total of 4 oolong-cha-cha-chas and 2 caffeine on the rocks the whole night... so, at least I won't be hung over... It is 5:44… 早起きね. Better get some zzzzzzzzz’s.

Rompiendo puertas-- cerrando heridas

2007-01-11T00:21:00.000+09:00

Breaking mirrors & choking on mochi -- you do the hokey pokey and that's what it's all about.

Kagami mochi is not only a tradition that goes back to feudal Japan, it is also a lethal weapon. Feed it to your mother in law! I should start a business selling MOCHI insurance....

HEADLINES ON THE NEWS
TOKYO — Four men choked to death on Monday and Tuesday in Tokyo, Niigata and Ibaraki prefectures, and seven others in the capital became critically ill after choking on mochi rice cakes, a traditional New Year's food in Japan, police and firefighters said. Read the article on JAPAN TODAY by clicking here.

To keep from choking to death the Tokyo Fire Department recommends cutting mochi and meat into small pieces, eating slowly, and not eating alone.

Now... what I REALLY want to know is why the Fire Department is involved in this?!?! Once I had to call the fire department because I had a ring stuck on my finger and had an international flight soon to depart. Now THAT was an emergency... MOCHI? Nah...

This is a picture that one of my 6 year old students drew in her diary.

Dave

2007-01-09T23:27:00.000+09:00

I have known Dave for almost 4 years. As a matter of fact, he was at the airport when I arrived in Kumamoto for the first time. At that time he was Collette's. To me, he was just too cool and completely out of my league. Almost a year later, Collette decided to leave Japan and Dave ended up with Joanne. Although Jo and I would often take him out to lunch (usually to our favourite shop in Shiranuhi -- the Decoy, or to various Bento no Hirai). We even dragged him out to the beach and onsen on one occasion! Although we made great memories and I got to know him more and more, he was still out of my reach. But, almost unexpectedly, when I was ready to leave Uto and Jo said her farewells to Japan, Dave came with me to Suizenji. I had to make special arrangements with my landlord in order to have Dave stay here with me. We've been together for almost two years now. We spent hours together every day... He took me to work and waited patiently every day... he put up with my loud music everywhere we went. We've been to the beach, to the mountains, to the forests, salsa dancing, hanami, and many other trips. He was so reliable and never gave me any headaches. My mom and my friends even liked him! Although Dad never met him, he gave Mom money to spend on him! Sometimes Dave would make strange sounds, but he never complained about how poorly I treated him. He was quite handsome and GENKI for his age! Recently he took me to Tomochimachi and Kikuchi... and even put up with stinky daiko drivers this season when I drank too much. Poor Dave was so good to me. I will always remember him and feel really sorry to see him gone. I will miss him so---------- much. I really depended on him and I don't know how I will do without him.

10 dias y 5000 noches- GUCHA GUCHA

2007-01-08T01:41:00.000+09:00

Estoy agotada. M-U-E-R-T-A! No puedo creer que ma~ana entro a trabajar de nuevo en JB. Ya mis vacaciones, aunque largas (enough) mis 10 dias ya se fueron al shit. Los dias ya se me empalmaron y es dificil decir cuando fue when… Como dice Shakira:

ya no se si he vivido
diez mil días
o un dia diez mil veces...

al vez haya vivido tanto
en tan poco y tan corto tiempo
que no sé ni que idioma hablo...

El sabado en la noche fui a Tapas y auque no tome, regrese a casa casi a las 6 de la ma~ana. Dormi unas (pocas) horas (como dice Takashi – soy 早起き—muy madrugadora) y de ahi me fui al hospital donde trabajan Hiro y Miki para practicar salsa. Empezamos al medio dia y finalmente terminamos la rutina para el show que vamos a presentar en Happy Fish a principios de febrero. Todavia estoy adolorida de los tresmilyferia escalones --.tengo DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) gacho!!!! Pero nos quedo simpaticona la rutinita y estan super excitadas (jeje) las chavas porque van a ordenar zapatos rosados para el show. Estan bailando bien y les late mucho salir “on stage”.

Ya casi terminamos cuando me entro una llamada del Padre Ernesto diciendo que ya estaban en la iglesia de SHIMASAKI. Antes de venir a Kumamoto parece que estuvo en Osaka por una temporada. Unos amigos de OSAKA vinieron a visitarlo y me invitaron a KIKUCHI. Me agradaron mucho los amigos del padre. Los cristianos de la iglesia de KIKUCHI nos hicieron una vienvenida tan tan tan (pero tan!)bonita. Hicieron fiesta de SUKIYAKI y pusieron musica. El Sukiyaki (un tipo de nabe) me encanta, pero no es facil conseguirlo porque es cocina casera. En Japon no se encuentra en restaurants, y como no acostumbro ser gorrona (porque generalmente sale mucho mas caro!) nomas me a tocado comerlo dos veces! No se como se organizaron, pero hicieron muchisima comida y muy rica.

Cuando terminamos de comer, quitaron las mesas (literally) y se pusieron a bailar. Me quede con el ojo cuadrado viendo a Japoneses de mas de 60 a~os bailando el Asereje y la Macarena… unos hasta bailaron quebradita!!! No doy credito. Yo con mi DOMS y ellos como sin nada. Despues de comer y bailar un se~or que es el mero mero de la iglesia repartio entradas para el ONSEN y de ahi la bronca fue que todos habiamos consumido un liquido amarillento y espumoso que te pone muy happy. Nadie podia manejar hasta el onsen. Nos organizamos en un car-pool y Mucchan, Kicchan(Paparin), Lurdes, y yo nos fuimos al ONSEN gracias a los very nice OJICHAN Y OBACHAN que nos llevaron. El Padre y Ikuko se quedaron en la iglesia en en Internet. El Onsen estaba riquisimo y solo. Eramos las unicas y despues de tallarnos como qualquier buen “onsenero” nos fuimos al ROTENBURO (el agua termal afuera) y pude platicar bien con Lurdes. Tiene mucha experiencia y aunque estabamos en agua caliente algunas cosas que me conto me cayeron como baldes de agua fria. Tiene mucho que compartir y no es por nada que me toco conocerla en esta epoca.

Despues del ONSEN nos regresamos a la iglesia y ahi nos acomodamos como pudimos para dormir. En la manana desayunamos sopa de cangrejo y fuimos a la Misa. Es la primera vez que voy a una Misa Catolica en Japones. Esta muy bonita la iglesia y finalmente me cayo el veinte de que el Padre si es sacerdote. Jejeje Hay que ver para creer. Despues de la misa nos tomamos un cafecito y yo me fui de KIKUCHI directo a KONAMI. Ahora con cruda y DOMS pero con la bendicion… En el camino me toco ver varias muchachas “enkimonadas” por ser成人の日 (El dia que todos los que cumplen 20 a~os en 2007 celebran que ya son adultos) Tambien por ser feriado, hoy fue un evento de BTSJ. Desde enenenneenneantes compre voletos para pump, attack, y combat… tres clases de 90 min cada una back to back… A quien se le occure? Estaba movidisimo el ambiente con todos los instructors super hyper… Antes de ba~arme cheque mi celular y tenia mensaje de Zurine. Le habia comentado que si le interesaba ense~ar en Kumon o en Wayo le podia dejar las clases cuando termine mi mission en Kumamoto y queriamos platicarlo mejor. Me invito a cenar. Todavia un poco cruda, con doble DOMS, y con el canzancio de 270 minutos de tortura a-la-Maeda con high-impact brincadera de Kayoko y mucha hambre me fui a hacerle el OJAMA a Zuri~e. Ahi entre chistes y chismes nos dio las deshoras y me regrese a casa. Cheque mis mails y lei las noticias. Estoy FURIOSA con los planes del pendejo de Bush de comprar al publico estadounidence. (CLICK TO READ THE ARTICLE) Lei que va a dar un disque "tax break" a los que apoyen la guerra en Irak. Esta loco el guey? Estoy tan desepcionada de como esta manipulando a la gente. Espero que no se vendan tan barato pendejos!!!!!!!!! Ya... para que me enfado. No tiene caso. Ahora ya no encuentro pies ni cabeza de estos dias revueltos y creo que con la rabia que me dio leyendo las noticias es mejor no informarme de nada y vivir una vida plastica a la Japonesa. Tampoco quiero creer es que ma~ana regreso a JB. Me imagino que aunque los genuises de JB no estan completamente informados de la mierda de presidente que tienen en los EEUU, tambien van a estar sacados de onda despues de un puente tan largo y va a ser una chilladera en la ma~ana cuando las mamas los dejen. Se termina el SHOGATSU y empieza el reality check.
Aunque no tiene que ver nada la entrada... lo titule asi x k Justo, estoy en PANDORA escuchando 19 dias y 5000 noches de Joaquin Sabina. Creo que el tambien estaba gucha gucha.

☆Gaspar, Melchor y Baltasar☆

2007-01-06T06:02:00.000+09:00

iFeliz dia de los reyes!
Hoy me dolian las piernas pero gacho! Aun asi me fui a Tapas. Hoy no uvo ni rosca de reyes ni rueda de casino, pero estaban ahi Hiro y Keisuke -- tengo siglos k no los veo. A Keisuke lo conoci en San Anto cuando estaba en High School... imaginate! El mundo es un pa~ueloですね！ La ultima vez que lo vi es cuando regreso de Nagoya en el verano. Es mas, lo vi en Isla de Salsa por casualidad. Esta noche aunque me tronaban las patas (jeje), baile bastante (con mis pumas k me regalo mi hermanish) y luego nos fuimos pa Jeff's. Fue agradable. Ya me voy a dormir porque manana voy a bailar en el hospital de Miki y Hiro y luego tengo cita con el padre en Kikuchi!
Hoy no llame al DAIKO... jeejej (^_^) Me porte bien porque se k los reyes magos me estan vijilando. おやすみなさい... y buenos dias...

NB: My Japanese is not good. It is just that yours sucks, so you can't spot my mistakes.

3333 sansensambyakusanjusan say it three times fast!

2007-01-05T20:47:00.000+09:00

Mas vale solo que mal acompanado... pero si tienes buena compania el refran vale madre. Last night I went out with the tequila-slamming Dai-chan from Australia that I met on KC. Since we made a good impression by coming home early AND SOBER, we had a chance to go climb the stairway to heaven in MISATO-machi. Actually it is the 3333 Stone Steps of Chuo , but as every Kuwashii Kumamotoan should know Chuo and Tomochi GAPPEID(<--new Janglish verb of the day) last year to form MISATO. We were lucky to have such great weather. Although the night before Dai-chan didn't really seem excited about the physical labour climbing these steps would take, he was wickedly good company and actually kept me going. I totally underestimated the time and effort it would take to accomplish this task, but he underestimated his apparently excellent physical condition. It was a beautiful view and we burnt enough calories to eat a hipo! If you have some free time and want to try, It is a rather short drive from Kumamoto City and a nice day trip.
If you do climb though, bring your own water, as there are no water fountains or any shops/vending machines on the way. (^_^) It took us about 2 or so hours to do the climb, I guess... and I was able to get my fortune & and have a good laugh with Dai. We were really hungry... so we skipped looking around the area (although I don't think there was anything particularly attractive) and headed off for food! After some slightly over-priced but rather tasty inaka ryouri we debated over heading to PACHINKO or to the "creepy banana" and onsen manjuu UFO catcher. But we were both so exhausted that instead we ended up falling asleep. I dropped Dai-chan off at his pink house (^_^) ::smirk:: and swung by SUPER KID to stock up on staple stuff including my most highly priced luxury of double-ply TP among TUBAKI shampoo. After putting things up I passed out and was awakened by TOMOMI yelling at me through my keitai... "WHERE ARE YOU???" so.... I ran off to Shark Attack. I am usually driving, so I only drink occasionally and then go home by DAIKO... Everyone knows that I rarely drink beer -- when I dance, I drink rum & when I don't I drink tequila... Tonight I had a "challenge drink" created by Gi. It is the only drink you will need all night for two very obvious reasons. 1. It is not so tasty -- so you won't chug it. You'll find yourself slowly sipping for a looooooooong time. 2. It contains enough alchol to kill a horse... so u don't want to drink too many.

Q: どっちが美味しいですか？
１．ラム・テキーラ割り
２．テキーラ・ラム割り

A:　両方メッチャマズイですっ！

Needless to say, I called the Daiko... AGAIN! (First time this year, though!!!)

iFeliz como una lombriz!

2007-01-04T23:39:00.000+09:00

Estoy pasando estos dias tratando de arreglar mi mugrero del a~o pasado. Estoy "quemando puentes" y lavando basura. Ya el pendejish de *** no me va a molestar. Lo mande a la *uta *ingada! Ya estaba hasta el gorro de k me mandaba tres o cuatro mailes por dia despues del "incident" cuando me trato de llamar como perrish desde afuera de Tapas. Dije k hasta k no me pidiera disculpas no le contestaria... pero aun que no le conteste nunca le cayo el veinte... ni de cara ni de cuerpo -- sera por no ser Peruano? iHijo de su madre! Anyway, finalmente tuve k contestarle... Creo que no fui muy nais... pero ya.... finalmente he got the point. Soy una cabrona. Oh well. Creo que por ese KHARMA tan bonito, me toco esperar casi dos horas en la lavanderia para secar mis garras.

ANYWAY, Hoy le cambie de papel al tanque de BUCCHI. BUCCHI esta muy bien. Se supone que tiene que estar hibernando pero con este invierno tan PUSSY la pobre esta sacada de onda. Esta feliz como una lombriz y se esta tragando los ratones como k si fueran snacks. Este a~o no le pongo su mesita calentadora y aun asi hizo una caca milagrosa... Tuvo hijs!! K raro. Creo k la voy a cambiar de cuarto para k le baje la calentura...

BY THE WAY, a mi direccion le llego una tarjeta de Feliz ano nuevo a Do~a Buchi!!!!! Se cre muy muy de lo mas mas.

En la tarde tuve mi primera clase de ingles del ano. Aprendi que en BALLROOM hay un paso que se llama la cucaracha. Me lo dijo muy en serio mi estudiante de ingles y yo me ataque de la risa. Aver si no me corren.

Despues de mi clase de ingles, fui a comer con Dai-chan. Fuimos a SAKANAICHIBA. Queda bien cerquita del estudio que rento en SUNLIVE KUMANAN los sabados. Fui ahi con mami un dia k nos estabamos muriendo de hambrish -- tuvo bonito y pudimos platicar un *ingo de nuevo. Es muy refrezcante hablar en una lingua franca con alguien educado que ha viajado. Este muchacho es simpatico y tiene buen sentido del humor. Pero Do~a Bucchi es la best listener!

Shogatsu-boke!

2007-01-03T19:09:00.000+09:00

I am so------ pooped. Spent most of the day catching up on sleep and getting over my hang over(s)... hehehe
I went to Wonder City with Motomi and had dinner & played the UFO catchers.... We got some bananas and cute onsen manju. Those things are addictive. We also took more purikura! I hadn't seen her since we went to Kawashiri's HanabiTaikai in August!! She went to Thailand this year and seems to be doing well. \(^_^)/
We are such gluttons! Even after dinner we had a Sasebo urger and tapioka drinks. I guess the diet won't start until 2008... haha!

After hanging out for a bit, Rio, Takashi and I were supposed to go to the temple... but by the time I got to Rio's Taka was passed out and Rio and I just watched Rosio Durcal and Sin Bandera DVD's until almost 6 AM! Somewhere in betweeen hot & heavy girl talk and nostalgic corridas, I had a psychiatric phone conference w/ ***. I suck at giving love advice... but I can try to be a good listener sometimes. **** was my shrink when I worked at the Y and felt like I was going to explode, listening to love nayami now is the least I could do... ne!

HAPPY 2007!

2007-01-01T01:28:00.000+09:00

Kings and Queens Salsa Night

2006-12-30T01:49:00.000+09:00

Nos fuimos de parrand a Fukuoka...

Detox Body Slam!

2006-12-29T02:20:00.000+09:00

En la tarde me toco tomarme un cafe con Zurine y Zaya en Tapas. Pudimos platicar bonito y luego me fui a Konami con Maeda...

Cuando termine de "trabajar pa fuera" fui a la izakaya donde ahora trabaja Matsu.
Se llama So-ya!

Just curious...
Has anyone heard of a tequila slam? How about a body slam?

FYI: There is a Thai music group called bodyslam... and it is also the name of a signature wrestling move.

Kyushuu Connection testimonials???
Dai-chan and I went on a "detox" treatment. Dai-chan is so----- WICKED!!!! \(^_^)/

::Embarrassed:: My most called number on my keitai is FLOWER DAIKO...

Salken Returns

2006-12-28T00:14:00.000+09:00

今日保育園の仕事を終わってたところに久しぶりにげんちゃんから電話をもらった。　大好きなてっちゃんと恵子ちゃんが金沢から火の国にお正月を過ごしに帰って来たんだ！　（＾＿＾）やった！！
個人レッスンを全部終わってからげんちゃんの居酒屋に行って、みんなでいいとき過ごしたね。♪　タイガ懐かしかばい！　世界はこんなに狭いと？夢みたい！！五年前アメリカでてっちゃんに知り合ってその時代週④～⑤回HASTA LAS QUINCE遊んでた！

Me llego una llamada sorpresa de k Tetsuro ha regresado a Kumamoto para pasar el a~o nuevo. Conoci a Tetsuro y a Taka en San Antonio hace 5 a~os. Me acuerdo que casi todos los dias Janie, Taka, Tetsuro, y otros amigos saliamos a rumbear... Domingo y Jueves en Arjon's, Viernes en Excess, Martes en Central Station, Sabado en Agave con Semeneya... jeje Ahora el unico "club" que todavia existe es Arjon's. Que locos tiempos... En verdad que el mundo es un pa~uelo.

Body Attack EOY Party

2006-12-27T03:27:00.000+09:00

During my "break" in between Jelly Bean and KUMON, I had a coffee w/ ***, but she was a little bit late -- so I went down the street window shopping for a glam dress for New Year's. I had found a dress that I liked, but didn't have a chance to try it on... so, after finishing work in the evening I headed back to the Shimotouri to try on that dress that I saw at Paradise in Daiei... but on my way, I ran into Nakanishi and Hiraoka who were headed to the Body Attack Bounenkai. Most of the members were Attack groupies, but it was almost like a KONPA with the swimming guys. It was a lot of fun (^_^). After, Yamamoto and one of the swimming guys and I shared a daiko back. (So... I never got the dress. But I ate so much, that it is better that I didn't get it coz I probably won't fit into it!) We usually just see each other at the gym. Actually I haven't been to Attack in about 2 months now though. I usually end up going to Shimizu's Aqua Fighter instead. Next year, though, I think I really need to take Healing... so I might start going back to the studio and stay out of the pool for the next season... who knows?
The so--------- dreaded Bounenkai season hasn't been bad at all this year. Most of the parties have been quite affordable and a lot of fun compared to when I used to work at the Y and at the BOE.... those parties were so expensive and no one really wanted to go...

Guernica Part II

2006-12-26T23:47:00.000+09:00

BEFORE NAP TIME ↓
I couldn't stand looking at Santa after Christmas any more... so someone had to "steal" Santa's surf-board while the kids were sleeping. If you click to enlarge, you can see that the wild boar is carrying a big KAGAMI MOCHI. Please don't be confused... as to contrary belief, it is NOT snow man poop!
AFTER NAP TIME　↓

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2006-12-25T00:52:00.000+09:00

I'll be working on Christmas. (^_^) I might as well be Santa.
Wishing everyone a peaceful and happy Christmas.
Lots of love!

My first Christmas chicken!

2006-12-24T01:12:00.000+09:00

Japanese Christmas
●Christmas Cake
●Christmas Chicken
●Christmas Date
●Christmas Costumes

In my class at the technical college, there are a few students from China who I teach. For their last class this year, I decided to teach a simple Christmas song and some vocabulary. They were just as confused as I was -- and in a state of severe culture shock!
The Japanese Christmas is some strange mix of Halloween, Valentine's, and all the winter holidays mashed together. I didn't have Christmas Cake this year nor did I go on a date to a "Fashion Hotel"... but I did wear a costume and get to eat Christmas Chicken. But... before I went out for my Christmas Chicken I had a strange phone call. I didn't recognize the number and had a bit of a hang over, so I didn't answer the phone... but they kept calling, so I decided to just answer. It was KURONEKO TAKYUBIN -- the dudes that deliver frozen foods, flowers, and live things. They said they had been trying to deliver something that apparently had the wrong address, but it had my phone number on it. A clever someone who doesn't know my address challenged the delivery dudes. The sender just wrote Kumamoto, and my town name and phone number. The card just said "あなたへの気持ちをこめてMerry Christmas" and was signed in CRAZY KANJI that isn't in my name dictionary... and had no return address... Can't believe this... Flowers and feathers? This dude apparently knows absolutely nothing about me or didn't know what he was ordering. It must have cost a fortune-- and the nerve to send it annonymously. It is obviously from outside the prefecture. MY BAD! It wasn't annonimous... I found out who it was... HOW SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!! (I am such a bitch!)
For those who don't believe the weird costume thingi, here is a pic of me as a Santa and Kazu dressed as a frog! Yes... it is green, but other than that it has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas... am I right?
In any case, I was able to spend a little bit of time back in reality at my friend Renie's house. She and her husband had me over for Christmas Eve Dinner. She is so full of cheer! She made a Christmas chicken (^_^) It was my first time! It was an interesting Christmas, let me say.

Emperor's Birthday-Christmas Social-Salsa All Nighter!

2006-12-23T13:57:00.000+09:00

I am such a hypocrite! I’ve spent the last month or so as Super Grinch complaining about how everyone is wearing Santa Suits and all… Well maybe my *iching was a tid bit jealousy and an other tid bit hypocrisy… but I went and got a Santa suit too. So I am contributing to the high rate of Santa Suits per capita stats for this nation.
Anyway, today from early morning we worked on the JB Christmas program. It turned out darling and the kids did a good job overall.

VIDEOS COMING SOON!
I will post some videos later…
The kids did a play, some songs, and then got a visit from Santa. Then we had lunch and it was over.
In the evening I got dressed up to go to the-so-called “LA FIESTA DE NAVIDAD” that Shoko has been organizing. The event they had in YAMAGA last month was a big hit! They did a really good job and I guess it was just really hard to top that. Sometimes I am having soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much fun that I just forget to take any pictures… I don’t know why I didn’t take any pictures this time – but the good news is that later that night I took a purikura, so I’ll post that and leave the whole Sintoh Café image up to your imagination.
I took a Purikura with Saori! I hadn't taken one since summer w/ a Yukata on. This one is a so called "formal" wear pic, I guess.

Although we kept having power shortages for some unknown reason, DJ Maru kept good tracks playing w/ some newer merengues I hadn’t even heard…. Rio and Tico did a little performance and had some capoeristas in the house.
After the social, I headed off to Latinos for some food and drinks with good friends (^_^) Yatta! And then we headed to Tapas. Rio, the Manager, and I put on Santa suits.
After that, I went to Shark Attack. I got home around 6 AM by daiko. Goodness! But thanks to UKON NO CHIKARA, I didn’t spend all Christmas eve in bed with a hang over….

Don't just look good- smell, feel, and think good too!

2006-12-21T23:04:00.000+09:00

I got a news paper article from my mommy about how make-up is a girl's best friend. It was a bit scary to see J-lo w/ no makeup on. I guess it gives hope to us regular people....
But -- I am not just a girl. I am a salsaholic party girl who pulls all nighters preparing for work when not out dancing my balls off. Last night Grandma called me thinking I was getting ready for bed. Shuks, I got caught red-handed at a bar on a week night at almost 2AM. Damn it! So--- let me tell you. Make up does wonders for looks... but what good is it looking good when you have a hangover from hell and feel like crud?
Get the Turmeric power! CLICK FOR HEALTH INFO ABOUT TURMERIC

My room mate in college and I used to always say... WORK & PLAY DON'T MIX-- so...
PLAY FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!
★TOP SECRET★
Now I am playing hard and working hard, so my best friends this season are:
1. Tubaki conditioner (in a spray bottle to camouflage de smell of cigarette smoke--btw the lable should read 外国人の女性も美しい！)
2. Press on nails (won't grow KABI in the winter and are faster than nail polish & easy to take off at the stop-lights on the way to work)
3. Make-up, BAN ZERO, and CARMEX.
4. And... UKON NO CHIKARA -- I thought Turmeric was just delicious... but it turns out that it not only cures your hangovers it also makes you smarter!!!!!!!!!! YATTA (^_^) Power 2 me!

水前寺Kinako Live

2006-12-20T21:41:00.000+09:00

Este es el Kinako k conoci con mi mamita en Kawaramachi en abril. En el esenario es un tipo completamente diferente. Su look me recuerda una foto k me tomo mi tia Rosi en el jardin d mi abue en Guad. Le estabamos haciendo una broma a Momis y se me ocurrio ponerme una peluca y unos lentes medio ridiculos. No se por k, pero me late k hasta tenia una guitarra... kien sabra!

Anyway, esta es una de las ultimas canciones k nos toco. Parese ser k el tambien es compositor y por lo visto quiere k Santa Clos le traiga un ULTRA MAN para la Navidad.

今夜ジャンゴで水前寺きなこのライブをみに行ったんだ。　何回も川原町のADOで会ったことあったんだけどライブで聞くのがはじめて。　歌はとても上手し、歌詞はかなり面白かった。　格好とメークもオリジナルだったね。　とても盛り上がってて、楽しかった。　行ってよかったね。　　　アップしているビデオは最後の歌だった。　メリー★クリスマス！　サンタさんからウルトラマンをもらえるかなぁ？！
ライブで同級生のフナさんと天才のお姉様の美礼(※漢字を勉強している人のためにポイント→失礼の礼ですっ！）と裕子ヒメ様に会って、ライブか終わったら皆で手羽先屋さんへ行った。　サルサで知り合ったゆうきまんとただしくんと付き合ってSHARKでワンドリンクしたら朝の4時になってしまった。　びっくりした！　すぎの日仕事は大変だった！

Taking things for granted

2006-12-19T21:07:00.000+09:00

Americans take having a dryer available to them for granted. Walking space is also taken for granted. This is how I dry my laundry on rainy days. If I had more transparent clothing, I could even watch TV while I waited for them to dry.
Japanese take soft-porn available EVERYWHERE including at laundry mats for granted. We had too many freaking cold and rainy days in a row... so it got to the point where I exhausted even my granny panties and had to go to the laundry mat and pay 500 yen to dry my clothes. What a rip-off! Anyway, what I didn't realize is that if you aren't completely satisfied with the porn selection, you can just sit on the benches and watch the laundry spin around.
If you don't get dizzy after a while you might be able to spot a pair of high-school-girl-worn panties and fantasize about them for a good while. What's even better is that you don't even have to pay to watch. (Walking down the street to the nearest beer or porn mag vending machine or convenience store would take time and some pocket change.) If no were watching you could even steal used panties (and save a climb to your neighbors balcony where she line dries them) and end up in a stupid book like Tokyo Confidential.

What do you take for granted?
Mind you... I didn't make it to Konami on time today coz I had so much damn laundry to do! I guess having a dryer is one thing I look forward to when going back to the states. Although, I will miss the porn!

iFeliz Januca! Happy Hanukkah! GIRI GIRI Lifestyle...

2006-12-16T17:45:00.000+09:00

Today is the first day of Hanukkah! Best wishes to all. I will go and dance a lot to celebrate all the wonderful things that God has given me. Mexicans just add more water to the beans to make them last longer & feed more people! I guess that is my innate survival skill... but, even so, I feel like I have truly been blessed. Every day that I feel my resources are just about to run out, I still make it "GIRI GIRI". Best wishes to all for a happy holiday season!
And no offence to anyone, but.... I must share this work of art-- Southpark's Dreidel Song!

Hoy empiezan las celebraciones de Januca. Estoy hasta la madre con todo lo comercial que es la Navidad aqui en Japon y para boycotear el curriculum se me occurio ensenarles a los ninos el juego de TOMA TODO (dreidel). Pero como buena maestra tuve que hacer un poco de "research" antes de presentar la idea. El leer acerca de Januca me sirvio como oportunidad de refleccionar. Aunque yo no soy Judia, (creo-- amenos que una si sea...) siento que especialmente estos dias estoy viviendo el milagro e Januca todos los dias. El milagro que los Judios vieron hace 2000 y tantos a~os se trata de que una racion de aceite para una sola noche les duro ocho noches enteras... Siento que lo mismo me pasa a mi. Una racion de energia... dinero... comida... cualquier cosa que se supone que a una persona normal nomas le dura por un insante, a mi me ajusta guiri guiri hasta que finalmente encuentro otros recursos. En Mexico decimos que nomas le hechamos agua a los frijoles! No se... pero por razones muy ovias y cientificas -- y porque los Judios son muy inteligentes-- no creo que le hecharon agua al aceite... Bueno... el punto es que todos los dias estoy viviendo el milagro del GUIRI GUIRI y le doy gracias a los dioses, al Dios, a la Virgen de Guadalupe, a los santos, a Los Angeles, a Las Vegas, a New York... a los Whatevers que me estan cuidando. Hoy voy a ir a bailar para festejar todos los milagros de todos los dias! Otro dia vere si voy a confecion...

Soy una salvaje!!!

2006-12-13T16:25:00.000+09:00

Soy una rumbera, rumbera salvaje,
bailo a mi manera, como los primates.
Soy una rumbera, voy cortando el aire,
y sin me dan cuerda ya no hay quien me pare.

Soy una rumbera, rumbera,
rumbera, vamos a bailar.

Las manos hacia arriba,
Las manos hacia abajo,
y como los gorilas,
uh uh uh uh uh
todos caminamos

Aqui les van los Jellybeaners bailando.
SORRY. THIS VIDEO IS NOT PUBLIC. ONLY FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAN VIEW IT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE ACCESS, PLEASE SEND A REQUEST.

Santana y Sidestepper

2006-12-12T13:35:00.000+09:00

Santana y Sidestepper deverian de combinar su talento para hacer un re-mix de Pinche Migra y Mas Papaya... Exactamente como esa cancion me siento ahora....

It would sound a little bit like this:

Mira que la gente ya no se calla
No vale la pena dar más Papaya
Malicia veo en tus ojos desprecio en tu corazon
It's not worth adding fuel to the fire.

No me pidan que me quede esperando (por el pinche inkan)
No me digas que me esconda o me valla
No me digas que es mejor que me aguante
Para ver si la cabeza me talla

Migra, migra
Pinche migra dejame en paz

Yo no quiero que me agarre la noche
No me pidan que ahora tire la toalla
No me pidan que me valla corriendo
Que me rinda sin pelear la batalla

Me necesitas tu a me mas y mas que yo a ti
Me necesitas tu a me mas y mas que yo a ti
Me necesitas tu a me mas y mas que yo a ti
Me necesitas tu a me mas y mas que yo a ti

Rueda De Casino en Kumamoto

2006-12-11T15:40:00.000+09:00

Esta es la pizarra de la clase de Jun que empeze a tomar la semana pasada. Que simpaticos se ven los nombres de los pasos en Japones, no?
Vamos Arriba, Vamos Abajo, Dile que no, Pa ti Pa mi, Enchufa, Pelota, Dame, Adios, Setenta, La Prima, Sombrero, Kentucky, etc...
Casino Rueda es muy divertida. La semana pasada vino un muchacho altisisisisisisisimo de Iran que fue bailarin profesional y se le occurio bailar Rueda en Tapas. Como ya me se los pasos basicos pude agregarme al grupito y fue muy divertido.

ANYONE INTERESTED-- JUN'S SALSA LESSONS ARE ON SUNDAYS. IF YOU ARE ALREADY PRETTY GOOD AT SALSA DANCING, COME JOIN THE RUEDA CLASS. IT STARTS AT 8ISH AND IS ONLY 500 YEN. HE IS A GREAT INSTRUCTOR WITH A GOOD DANCE BACKGROUND AND ALSO TEACHES BEGGINERS BEFORE THE RUEDA CLASS. THE STUDIO WE USE IS IN DOWNTOWN KUMAMOTO NEAR SHIMOTOURI ONE STREET SOUTH OF TAPAS SPANISH BAR. FOR MORE INFO LEAVE A COMMENT AND I WILL FORWARD IT TO JUN.

Playing the dictionary

2006-12-09T15:48:00.000+09:00

This morning I went to work. Sometimes when I tell people that the kids I teach are really clever, they don't believe me. My kids don't need EIKAIWA. But no one believes me. My pre-schoolers woul probably find second or third grade in an American elementary school a piece of cake. As a matter of fact, they laughed at the fifth grade spelling list that I gave them.
They just got dictionaries and we are practicing how to use them. We are reading The Legend of the Poinsetta in class next week. Although it is a rather simple story, it has quite difficult vocabulary such as manger, procession, blazing, burro, etc... I took some of the most difficult words from the story and had them look them up in the dictionary. They thought it was a game and got quite competitive.
Unfortunatelly, these are not my kids, so I can't make this video publicly available on the Internet. But, if you are on my friends or family list.... take a look at what my kids can do!!!

It is crazy that they can do this. I know some middle school kids that don't know how to use an index or glossary. Although my kids don't have the dexterity to tie their shoes and still have squeaky voices and believe in Santa with all their hearts, they know the difference among the parts of speech, can do long division, and can find words in the dictionary!!!! You still don't believe they are clever? (I must admit... it is a little bit scary. The littlest one sent an e-mail from my cell phone a week ago.)

Strange products that made me smile this week...Mambo & Pottacho!

2006-12-08T19:50:00.000+09:00

Esta semana fue de la *ingada... pero en vez de contar las pesadillas que e tenido con mi trabajo que empieza con J y termina con B.... y con la *inche migra, mejor les presumo la nueva playera rete chida k me acabo de comprar. Como k si me sobrara tiempo y plata... jeje... la encontre en el internet y me la mandaron desde Canada. Un ninja me la entrego ayer cuando regrese a casa para tomarme 15 minutos de descanzo despues de la clase de Wayo (el colegio de costura).

And if that wasn't enough to cheer me up after this GREAT week.... let me introduce the best invention. If you like potatos and chocolate... Why not indulge in chocolate covered potato chips??? If you want that extra kick and you are either pregnant, on the rag, or have awful taste... you could just go that extra step and slab on some hot queso or guacamole... or some french onion dip??? A quien se le occurre...

Chin-chin-chan o Shin-chan Chankenhoy?

2006-12-07T23:07:00.000+09:00

No... el titulo no esta en Chino.... Lo k pasa es k buscando una coreografia para el chin-chin-chan encontre accidentalmente un clip de crayon shin-chan. Recuerdo que me gustaba mucho cuando estudie en Kyoto. Es mas, mi hermanito me regalo un reloj del Shin-chan hace unos a~os....

Pero esta es la primera vez que lo veo en Espa~ol. Se me hace simpaticon el Shin-chan con accento Gachupin y me encanto como hicieron el jyanken.... no es CHANKENHOY! si no, piedra, papel, tijeras.... jejejeje

Densha-dori lit up

2006-12-04T19:42:00.000+09:00

These lights have been up since Halloween, but I just finally got a chance to photograph and post. The whole street-car route down town is lit up with blue lights and the Tsuruya building is all decked out.They aren't exactly great shots coz I took them from my car... while it was moving... not safe, I know. Shut up!
The Shimoutori, Kamitouri, and Shower-street are all lit up too. It is really pretty. Maybe I will take a pic on Sat night if I remember... haha

Huevos?

2006-12-03T19:29:00.000+09:00

Tenia planeado tomar foto de cada Santa, pero soy una coyona. De pensar que fui a la entrevista para ser reportera del canal 8 cuando tenia la edad que tenia en esa epoca... jeje Ahora ni reportera ni periodista puedo ser porque ninguna de mis personalidades tienen huevos. De los Mil ochocientos Santas que vi nomas logre atreverme a tomarles foto a estos tres.Esta Santa esta en la caja -- y no la caja de regalos....
A este Santa se le olvido su sombrero, pero parese estar teniendo un problema con sus drinks. Pos si son tan trabajadores, pa k diablos tienen duendes???
Esta Santa hasta se pone a separar la basura-- porque como va tirar uno la basura sucia? Hay que limpearla primero.
Tendre que pedirle a Papa Noel que este a~o me regale unos huevos para poder atreverme a tomar mas fotos....

Dreaming of a GREEN X'mas

2006-12-02T04:30:00.000+09:00

Who ever dreamt of a white Christmas? I think the song should be Dreaming of a GREEN Christmas...

Official Statistics
X = $$$$$

OFFICIAL STATISTICS
Has there ever been anything officially published regarding the consumption of Santa suits? If there is, I am 100% convinced that Japan is the country with the highest per-capita rate of Santa Suit ownership in the world. So far, I have seen more than a hundred in the past week or so. Everyone from part-timers at convenience stores, gas pumps, and game centers wear these silly costumes. I've even seen pizza delivery mophed riders wearing these... Tomorrow is my day off, and I am determined to photograph each santa suit that I see. Furthermore, I am thinking of stimulating the economy and becoming a complete hypocrite by purchasing one myself. I have seen some animal print Santa Suits that are quite fashionable this year.

Most people here have no idea what X'mas, much less Christmas, is really about. To the Japanese it is just an excuse to go on a date and enjoy consumption of useless things -- such as millions of Santa Suits, Christmas cakes, etc... The service business is also thriving with love hotels being humped to capacity and restaurants being over-booked.

No es ningun Guernica pero...

2006-11-28T22:42:00.000+09:00

ira lo k pinte!
Ho Ho Ho... jejeje!
Aunque fue un dia raro. Creo que las tres se hicieron bolas. En la manana yo fui a Jelly Bean, luego La Rafaella se fue a la universidad y yo termine dando la clase en casa de la narrator k pronto le explota el brain. Despues fui a Konami a la clase de Water Fighter con el peludo k tiene fama de andar con viejitas... me ba~e y sali guiri guiri antes de k me cerraran el gym. De ahi empieza la bronca. Se me hace que Rafaella tambien esta traumada. No se que le paso-- tambien tendra triple personalidad? No se. Desupes de Konami en suit y todo se arranco a tomarse un cafe en Ado con Berry. Eso es razon suficiente para dudar que esta cuerda -- pero lo proximo esta para dar pendiente. La pendeja salio de Ado directo a JB ya casi dando la 1 de la manana, se quito su suit (le preste la ropa del gym) y se puso a pintar la pared. La verdad que no se si fue Rafa u otra que se disfrazo... pero tomando cafe y con musica a todo volumen salio esta piece of... art? s**t? Quien sabra...
Ya estaba hasta el gorro de ver esa *inche islita y el solaso en la pared... El sol se volvio hombre nieve (o mujer??) y las olas crecieron bastante. Esta obra maestra la titulo: SANTA'S ARMPIT HAIR.