Oil City on Yahoo!!!!

Woah! To my surprise tonight after work, Yahoo.com had featured a story about Oil City. Congrats to the city for having Halloween back at night! I faintly remember Halloween at night, and I am happy more kids in the area will have that chance again. It has been a long time, but the events 16 years ago did change our view of Oil City. I am still dumbstruck. It was kinda funny. I saw the headline and thought, that sounds like Oil City. I read the little description and thought wow, it really sounds like Oil City. Then I opened the article and almost choked on my dinner because it WAS Oil City. How funny. Hope all it well back there. Life is good here. Goodnight! Oyasumi!

What a Month

Hello again. Here is a picture of me canyoning. This is when we were lowered down a waterfall halfway then released to plunge into the pool below. It was amazing! I loved it so much. That was back in August, so now, back to October.

October has been a different month. I have started Christmas shopping...and have not been as successful as I have wanted to be. Alyssa and Shaun's shopping has come along pretty good, but everyone else....eeeeeee. I will work some magic, no worries. This month I also have had my allergies act up. That was fun, and I caught a little flu or cold for a couple of days.

I also had a medical check up. AEON allows us to have one medical check up a year. One would think that there would be English interpreters to help out. HAHA.....no. I had no such luck. First, the place was near impossible to find. I had to travel about an hour away from Kumagaya by train and bus. Then a nice little walk followed where Hidemi, the head teacher at my school, and I had to ask for directions a couple of times. The map AEON gave us to the medical center was all sorts of messed up. So anyways, we get there. And after about 10 minutes of figuring out what is going on and how to sign in, we find out no interpreter. So my head teacher has to act as my interpreter. YAY for me! I mean, what if I had a problem and I didn't want him to know about it, there goes that. I don't have a problem, but still, what if! Isn't there any privacy here? I don't want my colleagues to know everything about me! Well, I am rambling, so back to the story. The medical center was set up very station like...you go here get an x-ray of your chest, you go here and pee in a cup, go here for height, go here for eyes, blood pressure....etc. At the end of the exam the doctor says I am overweight. But I think the doctor is comparing me to Japanese standards where the men are sticks. So compared to them, yes, I am fat, but I am normal in America. Anyways, the whole thing was basically an odd experience. It wasn't very well organized and the medical center looked like the Bates Motel.

So, tomorrow, I am thinking about going to Asakusa. Hopefully I will find some pretty good Japanesey Christmas gifts for everyone. Have a great one in the USA...

Oh yeah....congrats to Penn State and Uncle Bill and Aunt Pat for their win against OSU....just luck if you ask me....from what I have read at least! Don't worry....we will get you next year!

Happy Sunday

Well, my Sunday is coming to an end, and yours is beginning. My allergies have been acting up for the past couple of days, so I stayed home and cleaned and relaxed. I did watch some movies today. I found Dexter on the internet! I love that show so much! IT WAS SO GOOD! I hope I can find the next episode tomorrow evening.

I went to Disneyland last Sunday. It was a lot of fun, except all the children! There were far too many of them there, but I guess that should come as no surprise. The lines were horrendous. I wont ever go back on the weekend, only the weekdays from now on.

A special thank you to my mom and dad for sending the wonderful taco seasoning and ranch mix! There is no ranch dressing in all of Japan....trust me, I have been looking for it! Oh well, what can you do?

Tomorrow I am going to Omiya to go shopping. Unfortunately tomorrow is a holiday, so it will be crowded. At least it won't be like Tokyo! It is weird to think I really have to start Christmas shopping soon, so all the presents get back in time!

I hope all is well! Time to get some dishes cleaned. Have a good time in the USA!

Hello October

Well, I am approaching my sixth month here in Japan...and I can't believe it. Time has gone by so fast! I'm loving it. This weekend I am planning to go to Disneyland with some friends. It should be a good time. One thing is for sure, the Japanese love, and I do mean LOVE, Disney. Almost every student I have has something Disney. I'm looking forward to it.



I need ideas for a Halloween costume. I need something that will be really great! Something to really shock the staff and students. I am honestly lost on this...my best idea is an 80s aerobic instructor. I can't think of anthing else! PLEASE SEND ME SOME IDEAS! Yall know the email addy. Drop me a line.

This week is normal normal normal. Nothing new as of yet. I am working on a new short course for the school. I am trying to do a discussion lesson for intermediate students. Usually discussion lessons are only for advanced students, so I am trying to broaden the curriculum.

All the best for the States....I can't wait to watch the Palin-Biden debate! I wonder how silly she will sound!