The Weekend Review - Kobe Concerts & Sleepy Sundays
Another Monday morning already?! They creep up so quickly these days. Well, the weekend went well, but I feel like I did a lot and nothing all at the same time. I actually didn't even leave the house yesterday (Sunday), but stayed in and got some of that rest that I keep talking about catching up on. Had a million plans at first (matsuri, Ikea, Fashion Museum, running), but then realized that stuff will still be around later and ended up spending time in. But more on that in a second... let's start from the beginning:
Friday
Friday was actually sort of a special day for me because I got to visit another friend's school for their Cultural Festival. I have been to the school campus multiple times to play softball (on holidays) or meet up with my friend that works there (& sometimes her coworkers if they have been out after a work party). This was, however, the first time in the building, and even more so, my first time in another public high school during the day (where I can observe how the staff and students interact, general environment, etc).
I was hoping to arrive at Shimizu, the other school, early in the morning to catch the opening cermony and talent show, but I had to go to work for an assembly and to give a test first. One of my coworkers was kind enough to drive me to the train line closer to Shimizu, at least, and I took a cab from the station so I was able to make it to the second school in time for some the big events (after the talent show, tho... *sigh*).
My friend greeted me when my cab pulled up and her coworkers were all really kind off the bat. It was fun to see my friend interacting with her students (esp after hearing so many stories about them over the past year and a half; she has such a good repore with them) and funny for me to be around so many students that I didn't know since I have gotten so accustomed to my working environment.
Also, my friend is Asian-American and while you wouldn't think that mattered much since she is still from a different culture and country, the kids seemed genuinely interested and surprised to just have someone in the building that looked different from them... even though they interact with another American every day.
The highlights of the Culture Festival were definitely the food stands, serving everything from icecream to dumplings to pudding (we don't have them - as in any of them - at my Culture Festival), seeing the art presentations the students put together (including a Pirates of the Carribean RIDE - yes, RIDE! We waited over an hour to get in and it was so impressive... students literally push you around in a cart, the decorations would rival the Disney adaptation and I actually screamed at a surprise at the end!) and - again - meeting some of the individuals who have become almost legends based on the stories I have heard.
While it was a pleasure just putting a face to a name with many (like MF... *wink, wink*), I had a wonderful time meeting others for the first time. The nurse, for example, is a mother figure to my friend and she was a blast to hang out with. Not only was she really funny (especially when she revealed to the Russian-speaking teacher that I thought he was the most attractive staff member... in front of me!) and incredibly kind (she made me a huge flower arrangement to take home as a souvineer since she knows I have always wanted to take ikebana classes!), but I really felt like I had known her for a long time and was comfortable just hanging out in her office, even though we had just met. My friend is a lucky girl :)
On Friday evening, I went to the first half of Japanese class. It was funny when I walked in because the women in my class made a really big deal about how dressed up and cute I looked. To tell the truth, I haven't put as much effort into my appearance lately, so maybe it was just seeing me in something other than trousers and a plain shirt. And even though I had straightened my hair, worn jewelry and ironed my clothing in the morning, my hair was big and curly by the time they saw me, my shirt was wrinkled (from the sweat and humidity...eww) and it was defiitely toward the end of the day. But I guess it was cool. Our class is definitely getting to know each other better, though, and I found it really sweet that the women wanted to know all about my day. Japanese is still our common language so it's good practice to hang out with them. I'm always in a rush because class is so far away, but it might be fun to do something with them after sometime.
As mentioned, though, I only went to the first half of class and then dipped out early to go to my friend Brendan's concert in Kobe. He and another friend, Ryan, have a really cool band (the Nightfillers) and Friday was one of their last gigs in the area. I had never been to the venue they were playing at before, Helluva Lounge, but I am really glad I went. The show was a lot of fun, the bands were good and the small, intimate crowd seemed to like the music (so a good atmosphere), but the place itself also really reminded me of the smaller venues I used to go to in Oslo. I miss that scene and haven't explored it much here, so I didn't even realize it was around. My friend Leighanne and I also made friends with the bartender, who we thought was Japanese, but revealed himself as being (Japanese-) American halfway through the night. Strongest drinks I have ever had in Japan... I wonder if that was the American special?
Anywyays, I had big plans for Saturday night (another concert), so I took last train home, but was drowsy after the long day and ended up getting off a stop before the last one... which was about a 45 minute walk from home. But the weather was alright and I was in a good mood, so i didn't mind the stroll. Just made for a late Friday night.
Saturday
I met the "old ladies" on Saturday morning and had a great time chatting with them. I actually stayed for over two hours longer than I ha d planned to to talk to them, but I hardly noticed at all because we were having such a great time. I think the best quote of the morning had to have been when they were explaining to me that everyone looks better with white skin. When I told them we have the opposite perspective in America, that everyone looks better with a tan... they almost didn't believe me. Not in Kansas anymore, Toto.
After my session, I ended up just going home and cleaning and relaxing for a while. We are busy planning for the upcoming conference in Tokyo with the volunteer organization I am working with (still doing the advertising stuff... like a job sometimes these days!), so I played around with that for a while and ran some errands. Later in the afternoon, I headed into Kobe to watch the England vs. New Zealand rugby game with some boys at Hobgoblin, the new pub where Ryan's Irish Pub used to be (for those of you that know Sannomiya). For those of you know don't know, Ryan's Pub was this Irish bar we used to go to a lot when I first arrived in Japan (was a popular expat hangout). My friend Jen's boyfriend worked there and Ryan, the owner, would let us host pub quizzes and general events there. It was actually where we held the first charity gig that Kelly and I helped plan... it's a small venue, but I think we took in something like $2,000 for Habitat for Humanity that night. Not bad. Anyways, walking back in definitely brought back some memories, but I do like the space and it's nice to have a place like that in central Kobe to go for games and such. Don't foresee myself going there as much as I used to (and the social dynamic of my social circle has definitely changed since then), but I like having the option to if I ever need to. And while rugby is fun (well, I'm learning... although scram statistics - for how many times they pile onto each other- has to be my new all-time favorite sports term/stat!) and I had a good time, the real event of the evening took place after Hobgoblin at another popular expat spot, Polo Dog.
Before I left for Japan, I met two girls from Wisconsin/Minnesota who live somewhat close to my current location in Japan. I would say we're pretty different, but they are intelligent, interesting and fun ladies... and it has been such a breath of fresh air to have the option of meeting up with these midwestern gal pals (usually in random locations around Japan) over the past two years! I am sure I've described these girls before, so I won't do the whole introduction thing again... but Shannon, the one in Shiga that I went to Hikone Castle with, was singing (for the first time in public!) with some bands on Saturday so we headed over to see the gig.
Another friend of mine, Sean, and several of Shannon's friends from her community in Shiga Prefecture were also playing in the same show, so I was really glad I went. Polo Dog is probably the closest thing to an American dive bar (penned-up dollar bills on top of the bar, florescent Bud signs and all) that I have seen in Japan, but I actually really like the small space, and especially the benches on the side, for live music. The different bands decided to play smaller sets and rotate throughout the night, so that everyone could hear each band, no matter when they showed up and when they left. To my surprise, the crowd turned into quite an eclectic mix of aquaintances from various activities and circles, too... it was a late night, pretty loud and crazy by the end, but honestly exactly what I needed. Just a night to enjoy music with good friends, hang out, talk (well, not about such real issues...but still catch up) and just enjoy an ale or two. Shannon was staying at my place afterwards, so Lena decided to bike over as well and we had a little slumber party with the three of us and Miwa, my neighbor. I feel a little guilty because we were probably a little loud (and who knows when we went to bed... I think we were trying to get my hookah to work, outside on the balcony, around 3am so we could try Lena's jasmin shisha), but I haven't gotten any dirty looks from the neighbors yet, so no worries.
I have to say that it was really nice having the girls over, though. I like living on my own and it's been a while since I have had housemates or roommates, but I do miss having people to talk to late at night like that. I also used to love hosting parties and dinner parties. I hadn't realized it, but it's been ages since i've really cooked for other people...especially since my staple food (for potlucks, parties...even when hosting) has been salad in Japan. I was just making simple things like mini-weiners, fried onions (etc etc) to snack on while the girls were over (and then pancakes in the morning) and Lena seemed genuinely surprised that I was cooking so much. I was equally genuinely suprised that she didn't realize I like cooking. I guess you don't always realize that the people you know here (even good friends) still only know a portion of you - based on your life/situation here... and that hostess is just not Japan Brenda. Funny....
Sunday
Ahh, yes, Sunday. So after the events of the weekend, Sunday was spent, well, doing pretty much nothing. I made breakfast in the morning and spent some time with the girls. Also considered fixing my broken bike and going to Ikea (seriously craving black licorice lately... and lingdon berries... and swedish meatballs....), but I did NONE of it, kept the futons out, and just SLEPT most of the day. I am happy to say I am finally getting over the nasty cold (or whatever it was) that has been plaguing me, but it literally took a day of rest. This is why normal people take sick days.
This post is insanely long and I need to go, but I might head to the Yukata Matsuri (kimono festival) in Himeji tonight and have a busy week ahead (more volunteer stuff, SIX classes one day, coworker coming over for din...). Will try to post soon, but if I'm slow... know I'm at least thinking about you :) Have a good Monday!
Friday
Friday was actually sort of a special day for me because I got to visit another friend's school for their Cultural Festival. I have been to the school campus multiple times to play softball (on holidays) or meet up with my friend that works there (& sometimes her coworkers if they have been out after a work party). This was, however, the first time in the building, and even more so, my first time in another public high school during the day (where I can observe how the staff and students interact, general environment, etc).
I was hoping to arrive at Shimizu, the other school, early in the morning to catch the opening cermony and talent show, but I had to go to work for an assembly and to give a test first. One of my coworkers was kind enough to drive me to the train line closer to Shimizu, at least, and I took a cab from the station so I was able to make it to the second school in time for some the big events (after the talent show, tho... *sigh*).
My friend greeted me when my cab pulled up and her coworkers were all really kind off the bat. It was fun to see my friend interacting with her students (esp after hearing so many stories about them over the past year and a half; she has such a good repore with them) and funny for me to be around so many students that I didn't know since I have gotten so accustomed to my working environment.
Also, my friend is Asian-American and while you wouldn't think that mattered much since she is still from a different culture and country, the kids seemed genuinely interested and surprised to just have someone in the building that looked different from them... even though they interact with another American every day.
The highlights of the Culture Festival were definitely the food stands, serving everything from icecream to dumplings to pudding (we don't have them - as in any of them - at my Culture Festival), seeing the art presentations the students put together (including a Pirates of the Carribean RIDE - yes, RIDE! We waited over an hour to get in and it was so impressive... students literally push you around in a cart, the decorations would rival the Disney adaptation and I actually screamed at a surprise at the end!) and - again - meeting some of the individuals who have become almost legends based on the stories I have heard.
While it was a pleasure just putting a face to a name with many (like MF... *wink, wink*), I had a wonderful time meeting others for the first time. The nurse, for example, is a mother figure to my friend and she was a blast to hang out with. Not only was she really funny (especially when she revealed to the Russian-speaking teacher that I thought he was the most attractive staff member... in front of me!) and incredibly kind (she made me a huge flower arrangement to take home as a souvineer since she knows I have always wanted to take ikebana classes!), but I really felt like I had known her for a long time and was comfortable just hanging out in her office, even though we had just met. My friend is a lucky girl :)
On Friday evening, I went to the first half of Japanese class. It was funny when I walked in because the women in my class made a really big deal about how dressed up and cute I looked. To tell the truth, I haven't put as much effort into my appearance lately, so maybe it was just seeing me in something other than trousers and a plain shirt. And even though I had straightened my hair, worn jewelry and ironed my clothing in the morning, my hair was big and curly by the time they saw me, my shirt was wrinkled (from the sweat and humidity...eww) and it was defiitely toward the end of the day. But I guess it was cool. Our class is definitely getting to know each other better, though, and I found it really sweet that the women wanted to know all about my day. Japanese is still our common language so it's good practice to hang out with them. I'm always in a rush because class is so far away, but it might be fun to do something with them after sometime.
As mentioned, though, I only went to the first half of class and then dipped out early to go to my friend Brendan's concert in Kobe. He and another friend, Ryan, have a really cool band (the Nightfillers) and Friday was one of their last gigs in the area. I had never been to the venue they were playing at before, Helluva Lounge, but I am really glad I went. The show was a lot of fun, the bands were good and the small, intimate crowd seemed to like the music (so a good atmosphere), but the place itself also really reminded me of the smaller venues I used to go to in Oslo. I miss that scene and haven't explored it much here, so I didn't even realize it was around. My friend Leighanne and I also made friends with the bartender, who we thought was Japanese, but revealed himself as being (Japanese-) American halfway through the night. Strongest drinks I have ever had in Japan... I wonder if that was the American special?
Anywyays, I had big plans for Saturday night (another concert), so I took last train home, but was drowsy after the long day and ended up getting off a stop before the last one... which was about a 45 minute walk from home. But the weather was alright and I was in a good mood, so i didn't mind the stroll. Just made for a late Friday night.
Saturday
I met the "old ladies" on Saturday morning and had a great time chatting with them. I actually stayed for over two hours longer than I ha d planned to to talk to them, but I hardly noticed at all because we were having such a great time. I think the best quote of the morning had to have been when they were explaining to me that everyone looks better with white skin. When I told them we have the opposite perspective in America, that everyone looks better with a tan... they almost didn't believe me. Not in Kansas anymore, Toto.
After my session, I ended up just going home and cleaning and relaxing for a while. We are busy planning for the upcoming conference in Tokyo with the volunteer organization I am working with (still doing the advertising stuff... like a job sometimes these days!), so I played around with that for a while and ran some errands. Later in the afternoon, I headed into Kobe to watch the England vs. New Zealand rugby game with some boys at Hobgoblin, the new pub where Ryan's Irish Pub used to be (for those of you that know Sannomiya). For those of you know don't know, Ryan's Pub was this Irish bar we used to go to a lot when I first arrived in Japan (was a popular expat hangout). My friend Jen's boyfriend worked there and Ryan, the owner, would let us host pub quizzes and general events there. It was actually where we held the first charity gig that Kelly and I helped plan... it's a small venue, but I think we took in something like $2,000 for Habitat for Humanity that night. Not bad. Anyways, walking back in definitely brought back some memories, but I do like the space and it's nice to have a place like that in central Kobe to go for games and such. Don't foresee myself going there as much as I used to (and the social dynamic of my social circle has definitely changed since then), but I like having the option to if I ever need to. And while rugby is fun (well, I'm learning... although scram statistics - for how many times they pile onto each other- has to be my new all-time favorite sports term/stat!) and I had a good time, the real event of the evening took place after Hobgoblin at another popular expat spot, Polo Dog.
Before I left for Japan, I met two girls from Wisconsin/Minnesota who live somewhat close to my current location in Japan. I would say we're pretty different, but they are intelligent, interesting and fun ladies... and it has been such a breath of fresh air to have the option of meeting up with these midwestern gal pals (usually in random locations around Japan) over the past two years! I am sure I've described these girls before, so I won't do the whole introduction thing again... but Shannon, the one in Shiga that I went to Hikone Castle with, was singing (for the first time in public!) with some bands on Saturday so we headed over to see the gig.
Another friend of mine, Sean, and several of Shannon's friends from her community in Shiga Prefecture were also playing in the same show, so I was really glad I went. Polo Dog is probably the closest thing to an American dive bar (penned-up dollar bills on top of the bar, florescent Bud signs and all) that I have seen in Japan, but I actually really like the small space, and especially the benches on the side, for live music. The different bands decided to play smaller sets and rotate throughout the night, so that everyone could hear each band, no matter when they showed up and when they left. To my surprise, the crowd turned into quite an eclectic mix of aquaintances from various activities and circles, too... it was a late night, pretty loud and crazy by the end, but honestly exactly what I needed. Just a night to enjoy music with good friends, hang out, talk (well, not about such real issues...but still catch up) and just enjoy an ale or two. Shannon was staying at my place afterwards, so Lena decided to bike over as well and we had a little slumber party with the three of us and Miwa, my neighbor. I feel a little guilty because we were probably a little loud (and who knows when we went to bed... I think we were trying to get my hookah to work, outside on the balcony, around 3am so we could try Lena's jasmin shisha), but I haven't gotten any dirty looks from the neighbors yet, so no worries.
I have to say that it was really nice having the girls over, though. I like living on my own and it's been a while since I have had housemates or roommates, but I do miss having people to talk to late at night like that. I also used to love hosting parties and dinner parties. I hadn't realized it, but it's been ages since i've really cooked for other people...especially since my staple food (for potlucks, parties...even when hosting) has been salad in Japan. I was just making simple things like mini-weiners, fried onions (etc etc) to snack on while the girls were over (and then pancakes in the morning) and Lena seemed genuinely surprised that I was cooking so much. I was equally genuinely suprised that she didn't realize I like cooking. I guess you don't always realize that the people you know here (even good friends) still only know a portion of you - based on your life/situation here... and that hostess is just not Japan Brenda. Funny....
Sunday
Ahh, yes, Sunday. So after the events of the weekend, Sunday was spent, well, doing pretty much nothing. I made breakfast in the morning and spent some time with the girls. Also considered fixing my broken bike and going to Ikea (seriously craving black licorice lately... and lingdon berries... and swedish meatballs....), but I did NONE of it, kept the futons out, and just SLEPT most of the day. I am happy to say I am finally getting over the nasty cold (or whatever it was) that has been plaguing me, but it literally took a day of rest. This is why normal people take sick days.
This post is insanely long and I need to go, but I might head to the Yukata Matsuri (kimono festival) in Himeji tonight and have a busy week ahead (more volunteer stuff, SIX classes one day, coworker coming over for din...). Will try to post soon, but if I'm slow... know I'm at least thinking about you :) Have a good Monday!
posted by Brenda Ann Elizabeth McKinney @ 11:55 PM
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