Bum Diddly Numb Bum

So for the 2nd year in a row i ended up staring at naked ass all night and not being attracted by any of it...but thats not the point right?!!!
The point is actually the Hadaka Matsuri, or "Naked Man Festival" which is held in Okayama every year. Thousands of men Fundoshi (the nappy/daiper things) themselves up, drink copious amounts of Sake, run around a temple 3 times then into a freezing pond, before clambering onto the main temple to fight for some Shingi (ceremonial incense sticks) that when caught can be exchanged for huge amounts of dosh!
Why? you may ask. Well to usher in the springtime of course! It is a fantastic sight to see...from a distance....i don't envy the 65 JET's that actually took part in the craziness. There were no major injuries to report in our group though, just a bump to the head and a few minor bruises and scratches....oh and of course dignity, but who needs that anyway?!
This year, being part of AJET, we had to organise the trip (or Claire did and the rest of us showed up on the night and lost our voices screaming directions/instructions) for 180 JET's. So at 7.30 everyone descended on Okayama station to pile onto the 4 buses that we had chartered for the night. Bless the drivers who had to put up with a mass of drunken foreigners and extreme lateness....which of course is unheard of in Japan! But, a fun night was had by all, even though we paid for it the next day ;)

Whingy McWhinge-meister

So really what do i have to complain about? I have been a really miserable whench the last couple of weeks, i have been missing Luke terribly and therefore everything just was crappy. But, i think i have snapped myself out of it!
I had this epiphany yesterday while driving back from Bisaku (a small school of 35 special needs students about 45 minutes drive through the mountains) It was a surprisingly beautiful day considering the day before had been snowing. The sun was shining the mountains had a beautiful mist on them and i was feeling so relaxed and happy. It got me to thinking about all the things i have been whinging about recently. Of course being apart from my wonderful husband is one of the most difficult things i have ever had to deal with, but other than that i am healthy, i have an easy job that pays well, i have my own place, my own car, great friends, and am living in a beautiful (albeit boring) country town in japan....how lucky am i?!!! I decided to stop focusing on the one thing in my life that was getting me down and start enjoying the things i have. No doubt i will have my grumpy days and get upset again, but next time i am gonna take a look around and notice how lovely this place is and remember all the good things i have. Anyhoo, that was my mushy story of the week....urgh (but thank god i am not having a nervous breakdown anymore!)

The Pleasure/Pain Principle

Anyone who has been a teacher in Japan will understand the title of this blog when i say one word "San-Gattsu". Yes, this week is the last week of classes until the new term starts in April. Wow, you may think, a whole month with no classes...how great, it's like a big free holiday! In any other country it would sound fantastic (or if you are one of the much despised and envied Okayama City-JETs...grrrr it prickles me to hear them talk of trips to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam etc) But, alas, we are in Japan now, where work is prized above all else and me along with another 60 or so JETs must twiddle our thumbs at our desks at a silent/desolate school. So begins the most boring 31 days of the year, the feeling of imminent dread is tangible. For many JETs this is a time of intense internal debate between their devil and angel..."Do i suffer the pain of boredom and fulfill my duties like a good ALT? Or be extremely naughty and bunk off work thus experiencing the pleasure of ill-gained freedom?" Last year i balanced my demons and although i stayed at work most of the time, i did take about a week of "home-study" leave...the fact that my Japanese is no better 1 year on, i think shows the lack of commitment i have with regards to Japanese study, so that excuse is gone! This year, i fear my devil shall win out...i just can't take it anymore... i will be telling rather than asking for the time off, my time/life is too precious to waste in such a dull way...so i shall spend it in bed!...ahhh sweet bliss.

Revenge of the Whale

So after being in Japan for about 2 years and remaining pretty apolitical about most things that astound me or abore me, i have decided to buy a t-shirt that might stir things up. I have had the conversation with Japanese people many times about whaling and whale meat....particularly serving it to unsuspecting elementary school children for their school dinner!!! and i always get the same reply "but whale is so delicious"....are you serious??? they are an endangered species and are protected by international law...."but whale is so delicious"...are you serious??? the meat actually looks blue, is blubbery and can't possibly be chewable.... "but whale is so delicious" and so it goes on! A thought that the whale can be anything other than delicious is not conceivable, hmmm. I suppose children, elephants and poo might be delicious too, but does it mean we should eat them? I recently read an article by a Japanese doctor defending the consuming of the ENDANGERED species, which stated it was in Japanese people's DNA to eat whale meat ??!!!....It made me question the system of education in Japan more than i did already by them allowing me to work here! sheeesh.
It has frustrated me enough to sign a greenpeace petition... www.whalesrevenge.com ...not that these ever achieve anything, but still my voice is noted and i may even buy a t-shirt, i wonder what the response will be if i wore it to school..."but whale is so delicious"....AAAaaahhhhhhhh!!!