It’s been a while since I’ve blogged here. It’s been more difficult to find time to blog in the last month or so because my schedule has become quite busy since the last time I blogged. Tuesdays and Thursdays I have been rehearsing with a local community band in the local fire station building, which is 12 stories high and looks more like an office building. The group is similar to that of Wheaton Band, though the level is lower and the music, so far, has been pops music, like some jazz and familiar anime tunes. They work very hard, and are enjoyable people to work with. I had stumbled upon this gig by meeting one of the members at my welcome party in Asakura, who plays trumpet. He offered to pick me up each time to bring me to rehearsals; Since I was missing playing music greatly, “yes” easily slid out of my mouth, like quickly pouring a bucket of water onto the ground. While, of course, I would much rather be playing with a symphony orchestra or at least a band that performs more serious works, I am indeed grateful for the opportunity that I have here. Who knows, maybe another one will come up in the coming months… We gave a concert today at the Asakura arts and music festival that lasted about 40 minutes long, followed by some free food offered to the band, and some conversation”ish” with one of the other percussion members. I’m confident that all of Asakura now knows who I am, so if a resident sees me crossing the intersection when I’m not supposed to (even if there are no cars around for miles,) they might be able to more easily hunt me down and tell me what a bad japanese person I am…in which I would respond, “amerika-jin desu.”

chuugakusei-o-lantern

Halloween festivities were active among us gaikokujin this year. The first activity was with Eri and I at school, having the students submit their jack-o-lantern designs, then her and I choosing the best one to put on the massive pumpkin she obtained. We destuffed and carved it last week at my place while eating pizza. Being here and away from the country where I celebrated these holidays, I am realizing their importance to my substance. Before coming here, I never really thought much of it…*sigh* ohhh, the human mind, the more I know you, the more I don’t…

And no halloween can truly be called halloween without the wearing of the costumes… The ALTs in my prefecture hold an annual costume get-together in Matsuyama. I was a little concerned on finding a costume in this country that doesn’t really do the costume thing (some youth wear costumes when it’s not halloween, though.) Fortunately, I found the local Japanese hippie shop down the street…LOL! Once again, you think you start to know this country, and but then you’re surprised with something new: It’s wonderful! So, feel free to peak down and view part of my costume below. The hilarious horse costume is another ALT’s and I should have more photos of me and others as people post them on facebook. This year, we began with a “konbini-crawl” where we walked around to convenience stores in our large group of gaikoku-jin and talked and allowed the Japanese people to take pictures of us with their cameras and cell phones (the Japanese love to take pictures.) We then proceeded to an awesome music venue where there were live bands (including the ehime-famous ALT group, “The Temptations”) and dancing until early morning. Since I had to be back for the festival today, I caught the 5:07 am train back to Imabari. And on that note, I shall scribble below, work on a lesson for tomorrow, then sssslleeeeeeeeep.

Scribbles

-Fun acting out emotions for my chuugakusei students

-A short sentimental moment when a student personally came up to me after class, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for the lesson by bowing and saying, “arigatou gozaimashita”

-”moony” diapers

-Paul’s bike appearing displaced upon return from matsuyama on halloween

- The discovery of the local Imabari hippy shop.

- Viewing children’s beautiful art with Sechan after bunkasai in Asakura

-Kind of disappointed with Haagen-Dazs Cookies and Cream… it’s not living up to the usual H-D standard.

-Sallie Mae is the ancient ancestor of the devil, but is unfortunately still alive. It deserves to die.