Adventures in Kamakura Land!

Kamakura is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture known for it's temples, beach, and greenery. Two of my friends, one being my usual partner in crime, invited me to go venture in Kamakura in the rain to look at hydrangeas. It was nice to escape work and other obligations for the first time in two weeks. I was turning into a recluse against my will! It was nice to take some pictures and to see some Kentucky Seoul-ness.

I threw in a five yen coin as an offering at Meigetsuin Temple and it bounced off the offering crate/box. Offering a five yen coin means you will preserve your friendship with the friends you're with at the time. I'm not sure if that was a bad omen but we did get a laugh. I was told that's what I get for being so cheap. Haha! 

 

I wouldn't say I'm a photographer. Hell, it's a long running joke with my partner in crime that I can't take a good picture. If it does turn out good, well I was just lucky. Anyway, this was one of my favorite pictures of the many species of hydrangeas I saw in Kamakura. You could still see the flower was still wet. I'm surprised this wasn't a blurry picture.

It was also Father's Day in Japan yesterday. I hadn't realized how many friends I have that are fathers. It shocks me, especially those I've known in high school or college. More so in college though. Thought about my own Dad too and wondered if he enjoyed his Father's Day.

Not sure why I'm so into Nicki Minaj right now. I get into these random phases where I pick an artist and listen to them for awhile and move on. I guess it fascinates me because she can rap and sing which is rare. Beyonce can sing but she could never rap. Little Kim raps but I can't imagine her singing like Beyonce. It's hard to do both in a song. Plus, this girl is crazy. Lady Gaga does it as art but you can tell in her music who influences her just by listening. Nicki Minaj however...she's all over the place with her different personae and her music style is very different from the usual urban music. o_o

Work has been piling up but more sporadically? I'll have waves of nothing to do and when I need to get things done, they come at once with deadlines and barely any time to even do it all. I went as far as to read my horoscope and it basically said "all work and no play." Didn't stop me from looking at the hydrangeas though!!!

For all those busy, stressed, want to scream at the sky...just remember that it could be worse. But to keep you afloat, just breathe, close your eyes, and relax like this guy right here:

~P. Bear

Weather, weather, what's up with you?

I was on my way to the train station last Sunday, strutting down the street, bobbing to my music, enjoying the warm sun when I noticed this weird fuzzy thing on a bush. I actually stopped in my tracks, walked backwards, and like a curious child, bent over to take a closer look. It was a hairy caterpillar!!!

 

 

 

Unknown hairy caterpillar

I'm not sure whether people were by my head bobbing to music, my sudden walk backwards, or me staring at the caterpillar was strange but the caterpillar did catch me off guard. I've never seen a hairy caterpillar up close.

The weather had been great that Sunday afternoon but suddenly turned dark, dreary, and rainy. That was annoying. I guess it is rainy season but I want my sun! I've been wearing
"Cool Biz" outfits and it's been a little cold. The wind has been a little cooler than I would like. Or at least if it was going to be this cool of a breeze, it should be warmer than it is now. Not enjoying random weather changes.

Today I ate with some first graders during lunch. They totally forgot about me because everyone was excited over their ice cream filled cream puffs. The children were able to choose their flavors but apparently, some children forgot what they chose and decided they wanted chocolate. I was enjoying my strawberry flavored cream puff until the boy who faced me ate the surrounding puff and held the ice cream in his hand, while the other boy beside me was digging the ice cream out to eat with his hands. They smiled at me while doing it so I couldn't help think "How cute...but I hope they wash their hands..." I had tied my plastic wrapper into a bow so the little boy facing me tried it too...and got ice cream all over the wrapper. He looked at me with pleading eyes and asked for help so I sighed and tied it for him...getting ice cream all over my hands. He smiled and thanked me.


Lately, I've been busy. I mean unnaturally busy. Things to make, things to do, places to go...and homework! My classmate said I looked dead tired. I knew I had dark circles recently but I didn't think it was that bad. Maybe it's the weather. Summer is near...and it'll get even hotter. I can't wait! Come on sun!!!

Thought for the day: Do you know what the above mentioned caterpillar is called?

~P.Bear

Cards and Cars

I've been a little more productive at work. I made a whole crap load of flash cards today to replace the "made in haste" cards that the previous teacher made. I'm assuming those cards weren't made out of laziness but if they were, shame on that person. That person would've gotten low marks from my Speech professor back at State. Anyway, I didn't realize how much time would go by creating flashcards, improving worksheets, laminating, and cutting would take. I had three periods free and I still ended up leaving work a little late.

I thought if I had extra time, I would study some Japanese but that went out the door. I still have that test to study for. *Shudders* Yeah, I could procrastinate and not care as I'm not being graded on this but I want to slay that JLPT and own it. I will take no prisoners. Plus, my course is pretty cheap compared to other Japanese schools that cost ten times the amount I paid for one whole year. I've gotta take advantage of this situation.

On my way home from work, I walked by two brand new Ford SUVs, an early 2000's Nissan Skyline, a Mini Austin Cooper with writing all over it, and a suped up Lexus with a speaker system that could shake the ground. Those were a pretty decent amount of cars that stood out in the sea of mediocre, boxed, and boring family cars. Even a semi is more interesting than those boxed cars. Japan praises their ability to be eco friendly but a boxed car is NOT aerodynamic. I learned that in two years of shop and a year of science tech. What I find strange is that Japanese people aren;t as  judgmental about cars as they are about other things. They'll freak out about a Mercedes or a Benz, but rarely a sports car. If so, it'll be an import, rarely Japanese. Even my conversations with Japanese co-workers, we never talk about cars. If so, it's more driving the family around. I should talk about cars next time I talk to me co-workers. Start off the conversation with Toyota ending it's production of the Supra or something.

But I did have a student who said he loved Gran Turismo, which means his dad must love cars. And I do have an old co-worker who sent me a picture of his late 1960's Corvette. (Can't remember what year though. I'm not a motor head.) So some people do have interest in cars.

Sorry about ending this with some semi-"man" talk. Gotta balance the beauty talk with some "man" talk to make the brother happy.

In the end, I would not own this:

Mazda AZ Wagon

I would rather own a Demio, which would shock my brother. Besides, this doesn't even match my personality. o_O

Thought for the day: What's your dream car?

-P. Bear

What a way to start a Monday!

I woke up this morning feeling a little lazy, until I realized that I switched my gym membership from being an "Evening Member" to an "Afternoon Member." That made me look forward to today. I can finally go right after work from now on instead of starting at 8:30pm.

Went to the gym right after work and it was strange seeing the gym during the day, filled with elderly people. I ran into the fitness staff member who was present during my futsal accident, and he seemed glad to see me after nearly three months of not being able to go to the gym. Not sure if he was just glad to see me, or because I was one of the younger members at the gym. Overall, I was happy that I was welcomed back.

As I peddled on the bike between two older gentlemen both old enough to be my father, I thought how nice it was they both care about their health. Then I realized their resistance weight was at a higher amount than mine, which made me feel bad because elderly people usually tell me I'm energetic. This made me a little sad because a lot of elderly people in America tell me they're too old to workout or complain about joint pain, yet today while I was stretching, I saw an elderly lady with her trainer, helping her stretch to work out her joints. My motivation spiked after today. I didn't want to over do working out since I'm an extreme type of person, so I just did weights and the bike, dropping the run I usually do at the end of my workout routine.

After the gym, I headed to my Japanese class. Teaching English in Japan doesn't improve your Japanese level. It hurts my pride that I've studied Japanese for so long, being around the equivalent to the old Level 2 JLPT upon graduation, only to have it deteriorate. Now I'm taking an Advanced Japanese Class to make up for the six years I've lost. I've never had so much homework thrown at me, along with a test to study for but I won't lie; it's a great feeling!

Today was an even balance of mental and physical exercise. Hoping to continue with the routine and this "high" I'm on doesn't fade away too quickly!

-P. Bear

Relaxation, finally!

I finally have a weekend where I can just relax. I was so busy last weekend so when Monday came around, I thought, "Why...for the love of mother..." I spent the day doing laundry and talking to the family. I plan to do the same thing next weekend as well. I need to recuperate!

My plan: Spend my time reading short stories of the Ghost Squad and of the Blue Squad and to make my review of the Approaching Infinity Series. The author is a friend of mine and he asked me to write a review on Amazon. Good thing I have the Kindle application so I can read on the go. This series is basically Kung-Fu in space. It's an easy read and even if you aren't familiar with the science fiction genre, you'll enjoy this. You can't find a hard copy in the bookstores, just on Amazon. You can download it as an e-book as well. If you purchase any of the books, you'll be helping out my friend. Plus, it's a fun book series. ^_^ Chris Eisenlaur's Approaching Infinity Series


I finally ordered my dress for my friend's wedding. I thought I'd have no worries after I ordered it but then I realized I needed shoes, a bag, and other necessities. T____________T I don't like Japanese shoes; most of them are poorly made. There's a difference between affordable that's good quality and cheap that falls apart. My father told me to always wear good quality shoes and take care of them. The men in my family always polish their dress shoes which I find is important, so I make sure I do the same. Also, if you have good quality dress shoes, you take them to the cobbler to be fixed. Most shoes I see that are sold here have no hope if you brought them to a cobbler. I think the cobbler will just look at you and tell you to toss those things in the bin!


I also want a Kindle. Reading from a smart phone is okay, but I'd like something bigger when I'm engrossed in reading. The books I read are pretty thick so carrying it around is a little troublesome, especially when I travel. Also, I could store so many books and take notes easily.

Oh so many wants, so many more needs, but not enough to be able to balance them both. Great sadness.

Relaxing physically is just as important as mentally. Hope everyone is totally "zen" right now.

-P.Bear

That was a heavy down pour...

...followed by an earthquake hours later.I'm not one to post about earthquakes or fear them. I was five when the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake hit the Bay Area. I had one Japanese person say, "You're lucky that America doesn't have earthquakes." Say WHAT? o_O When I told them I've experienced an earthquake back in 89', I was told it probably wasn't as bad as the Hanshin earthquake, which actually was the same magnitude as the Loma Prieta. Go figure. o_O

That random down pour this morning was a sign of typhoon season is starting. I don't really mind typhoons, except that they bring floods. (I don't like wet shoes, much more my home being more than wet.) That I don't like. I do like the feel of it raining and it being humid. It's better than a cold, wet, hurricane. That's worse on your health.

Well, it has been awhile since I posted. I met up with a friend I haven't seen in awhile and we went to the batting center to bat away pent up stress. The muscles in my arms don't hurt, which surprises me since I batted about seventy-five times. It's my abs, lower back, and shoulders that are in pain. I managed to hit the ball a couple of times (yes a couple). Somehow, I swung the bat and the knob hit the side of my forearm, resulting in a small bruise. I told my students about the bruise and they went, "How'd you do that?!" It puzzles me just as much as the students. Well, since my abs are giving me trouble, an excellent time to make a come back to the gym after being sick on and off since February. I finally kicked my cough, so I'm back in action.

I feel bad since I haven't mailed anyone back for awhile. If I haven't mailed you back, sorry. Lately, I've been busy with a lot of things which is why I haven't been updating this blog as much as I would like. Fear not, I plan to take it easy this weekend, and hopefully the next, to get back on track. But for now, I need to recover from the batting center.

One good thing about the added stress that I have is that I've improved in my Japanese class. I got about seventy-five percent correct on my practice exam...that I didn't know about until I walked into class. I bombed in once section because I totally skipped over it when I did the homework. (Which is SO me! Whoops!) Seventy-five percent isn't bad for not knowing I had a test. The N1 Listening exam however is a totally different story. (For those who don't know, N1 is the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and it is ridiculously difficult beyond belief. The N2 certificate is needed to work for Japanese companies, but recently the companies require N1.)

Thought for the day: How do you release pent up stress?