Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the States! It was weird today...it was so normal, not even a holiday really for me here. Since today was Thursday we had our teachers' meeting and then we all went out for lunch. Greg, Chihiro and I all had a pumpkin tart for dessert, which was the closest thing to pumpkin pie for us today! It at least had a little taste of pumpkin pie so that was nice. All in all, not a bad day. I hope everyone drinks some wine and stuffs themselves silly with turkey and all the fixins. Its really cute because all my students ask me what we do for Thanksgiving. Makin this one a short one tonight, I'm tired and must retire to bed!

Christmas is around the corner

Wow, the year has flown by so fast! I only have 3 more presents to buy! YAY! But then there are the shipping costs and what not...thank God I get paid on the 25th of every month! YAYAYAY!!!! I love it! In Japan it is very common to get paid only once a month. The 25th is everyone's pay day...which makes going to the bank horrendous on pay day...trust me, you want to avoid it. Everyone is in lines waiting for the ATMs.

Today I attempted to get my shopping done, but I couldn't find anything for dad....but I have an idea so hopefully I will get it tomorrow morning before work. Mom is another one I still have to buy for and Jason, my brother in law, is the last person...although I have already gotten most of Jason's present. Its going to be weird not being in the States for Christmas...I really wish I could be home for the holidays. And if the economic situation doesn't improve, it may be the first of many. We will just have to see.

Have a great day today in the States. It rained all day here, but I guess that is better than snow. Stay dry everyone!

Tokyo with Brandon

Well, I met up with Brandon last weekend. We had a smashing good time. I took him to a temple where we got to see a traditional Japanese wedding. We walked the streets in Harajuku and he got a first hand look at some of the crazy Japanese fashion. We then went to an izakaiya where we had a more traditional Japanese dinner. It was a great time! Brandon even tried raw octopus and salmon! I loved it, and I think he did too! After dinner I took him and his friends to a karaoke bar. We sang for 2 hours and had a fabulous time.

This past week has been a good week. Nothing major at the school. We had a fun time as always in class.

It was great seeing the article in the Derrick about our family all voting absentee and on three continents. It was nice to see the picture of Michael as well. I am not surprised that was front page news in good ole Oil City! I love the small town! I'm almost finished Christmas shopping! I will be done tomorrow! I can't wait to finish! Then, I have to mail everything....thats gonna hurt the bank account.

Some of the teachers at school are going to help me even more with my Japanese. I am very excited about it. I have learned a couple of things in the past few days. The language is slowly coming along........its scary!

YAY OSU BEAT THAT STATE UP NORTH (AKA MICHIGAN)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BUCKS!

Hello Hello

Wow, today was an incredibly long, yet quick day. I taught 7 classes today...just like on Saturday. Usually on Wednesdays I teach 5 classes but I had 2 private lessons as well. I am worn out from it. The rest of this week is just as crazy. I can't believe how much I am teaching. On the up side, I will be seeing Michael's friend Brandon this weekend. Brandon is studying in the Semester at Sea Program. He will be in Tokyo between the 15-17. I work the 15th so I will see him on the 16th. I can't wait! I need a little Oil City in my life right now. I can't wait to see him! He may not be my natural brother but he feels like one! Have a great day in the US of A! Night!

Yay America!

Wow, Obama won...I am so happy! The international perspective of America is now optimistic. After living overseas you can learn so much about how different peoples view America. Some people even say they are Canadian instead of American, because feelings of America are so strong. I am so happy America decided to go for change. I think it is definitely time for that step. I am very confident about the future. It is now time for Americans to unite and be what we have always been, the United States.

OK....political talk over. This week was another Counseling Week. And once again I over estimated my students abilities. I did an Interview Class and a Charades Class. It was a lot of fun, but sometimes very trying. My Japanese is getting better, slowly...my friends say I am now talking faster in Japanese and I am not taking as much time to form my sentences. The particles are death for me with the language. I never know when to say wa, ga, de, mo, (w)o....so confusing! But I wish myself ganbatte! or good luck! I am translating some easy to read Japanese books right now to help me. I decided to do The Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty, since I know those stories in English. It is very difficult. I have to read the Japanese then translate into English which is horribly dreadful and confusing...but I am learning a lot. I am also learning Japanese tongue twisters....and trust me, they really are! My tongue can't always do the right thing....for example ka versus kya. When I say it fast my ka turns into kya. OOOO!!!

Way to go Buckeyes! Victory this week! My condolences to Penn State....ouch....one second left. You will beat the Hawkeyes next year! Sorry about the perfect season. I think you still have a shot for the National Championship! But, the Buckeyes won! So dakara, therefore, I am very very very happy!

VOTE VOTE VOTE

I hope everyone goes out and votes today (OBAMA)!!!!!!! I will be closely watching the news tomorrow! Who knows, maybe we will know the next president when I wake up in the morning! Probably not though, we won't hear til afternoon when the polls have closed. Thank you daylight savings. Just a warning, a vote for McCain keeps David in Japan another 4 years! Something for everyone to think about when you are in the voting booth! I already voted 2 weeks ago! Make yours count!