Wednesday, April 20th, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post.

Today has been just awful!  Last night when I went to bed I immediately had a headache, then the queasiness set in, the chills, intermittent sweating spells, sore joints, weakness- the whole enchilada.

Today I had to go to school for chapel, and was yet again introduced to the students, faculty, etc. as the new teacher- hopefully that will be the last time.

I was supposed to have a "student affairs" meeting, but asked to go home, and try to get over this.

I also missed the "friendly club" meeting tonight.  I didn't really want to go anyway, but sitting here in my apartment is getting kind of claustrophobic!!

I slept 4 hours this afternoon, and when I got up, took a walk.  The walk almost made me sicker, but it was good to get out.

Being sick always makes me homesick.  It's not very bad right now, but I do miss everyone back home.  I'm reminded of the wonderful time we had the Saturday before I left. (I also want to write about it so that it's saved for posterity).

Playing Scrabble all day was great fun, and many people were there:  Peggy & I were partners, Edna and Robin, and Mike and Stephanie.  In the first game I think Robin and Edna won. (Edna brought me a magnet and plaque, and mint chocolates, and we coaxed her into staying for spaghetti casserole).

In the 2nd game Stephanie just beat me by 5 points- ugh!  We all ate dinner, and Bud and Virginia stopped by for dessert (cherry pie, yum!).  Bud and Virginia left after dessert, and the rest of us watched "Outrageous Fortune", then parted...what a fun day!

Tuesday, April 19th, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post.

Today was the opening of English classes.  Today was also my busiest teaching day- 3- 90 minute classes.  It doesn't sound hard, but when you consider that it was my first day of solo teaching ever, in a foreign country, with materials and concepts I've only glanced at, to students who only understand bits and pieces of what I'm saying- and that I have to make them understand- it was quite a day!

I ate lunch with Mike B., Chinatsu, and about 7 other misc. girls.  It was fun, and all the girls at lunch came to my office after school, causing me to miss the train I wanted to take home, and causing photo blindness from the over abundance of picture taking with the "gaijin" that they did.  Mr. I. drove by and gave me a ride home, so it worked out okay.

 NOT the actual train I wanted to take...

I got 3 of my boxes today- so they, and I for that matter, are all here now...a scary feeling...now I can start worrying about how to get it all home!!

I put up the E.S.S. poster today, and think I'll have a fairly good turn out for the introductory meeting Thursday.

Sunday, April 17th, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post.

Today was very tiring, but fun.  I went to Hinomoto Church, stayed for a short English lesson afterwards, and then sprinted back to the apartment to change and meet Mieko Y. for lunch.  We went to good old McDonald's, and got caught up on the past four years.  We shopped for most of the afternoon, and I met a friend that she works with who I think is going to become my English pupil.

We went to the castle and I took more pictures.  We walked all over the castle grounds, visited a shrine nearby, and walked all the way around the castle for the first time (for me anyway, Mieko used to run around it in Jr. High School for track practice).

After I left Mieko I went home and got a call from Linda Lee to come over and watch the ballet "Giselle".  It was good, but would have been better live.

After that I went home and got a call from mom and dad.  They said that Stephanie had been over for dinner the night before.  I was really glad.  I love that they are getting closer...just wish I was there too!  Mom and dad leave for Vienna next Tuesday...lucky dogs!

Saturday, April 16th, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post.

Today was a nice day, Linda Lee and I went to the post office, she got money (and thusly did I) and she taught me to use the postal savings machine- difficult!  After that we went to Miyuki Dori to shop and had lunch at Conserve.  After shopping we went to Himeji Castle and saw the cherry blossoms.  I think I took about 30 pictures.  Japanese drummers were playing on the field and it was very crowded!

After that Nao picked me up and I went to N's for a barbeque.  It was a lot of fun.  Masano's cousin and her husband were visiting, one of Moto's friends was there, and Masano's English student was there.  We had all kinds of interesting things on the grill...fish, potatoes, beef, clams, squid, peppers, etc.

I ate beef and potatoes!!  We did karaoke inside after dark, and sang group songs- (yes we did bugaloo and the duck song).  Nao made a strawberry short cake, and it was a great time!

The real downer, however, was when I came home and got my first overseas phone bill...19,000 yen (approximately $190.00) for 3 short calls.  Oy vey!

Friday, April 15th, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post.

I'm going to have to start calling this my every other day journal, as I'm not getting to it as often as planned.

Yesterday I rode in to school with Karl and set up my office.  It's still a bit sparce, but is on the right track.  Anyway, I brought a plant from home and some wall hangings, now I just need a rug and a few more chairs.

We asked at the office for 4 "comfy" chairs and a conference table, but they said that I had all I was entitled to, and would have to bring whatever else I needed from home...well, excuuuuuuse me!

The train took me back to Kyoguchi at about 3:05, along with many other Hinomoto people, and that was the extent of my day.

At the apartment I read a book, cleaned up the place, and called Masano.

Monday, April 11th, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post.

I'm again writing today for yesterday, as I didn't have time last night.  Yesterday I went to Hinomoto Church.   Karl, Linda Lee, Barrett, and I all happened to be there on the same Sunday.

Linda Lee and I left early to catch the train to Kobe for a JALT meeting (Japan Association of Language Teachers).  It was an okay meeting.  The ratio was about even (Caucasian/Japanese) and there were about 20 people there.  The meeting was on the use of video in the classroom, and was quite informative.

Linda Lee and I ate at a coffee shop upon returning to Himeji, and that about caps Sunday.  I called Masano to order tickets to "Les Miserables", Mieko called, and mom and dad called.

Saturday, April 9th, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post. 

I'm writing now, because last night I was too tired to say up and do this.  Yesterday was the opening ceremony at tendai.  It was at 2 p.m. and lasted until about 3:30.  It was long!  Speeches were made by Mr. S., and the president of the Jr. College.  Pictures of faculty and students were taken, and faculty was introduced to the students.  Of course it started with me, and as usual, I didn't know what to do.  I sat by Karl, and he helped.

I also worked on my office for awhile.  Not much to work with, but eventually I'll have it looking okay.  Karl showed Sonia and I around tendai (Bethel Hall, and the library).

Sachiko was there, and I couldn't shake her once she had found me.  She wants me to go to her house for dinner, but I'll stall until I'm able to get through to her that we can only be friends.  (I'd also feel uncomfortable with the family's limited English).

After the ceremony Linda Lee and I rode the train back to Himeji.  I dropped my stuff off at my apartment and went straight to K's.  We went to Royal Host, then to Megumi Church for a Friday night English class.  I met Erland J., the Swedish pastor of the church.  He seemed very nice.

The English class consisted of Karl teaching 5 beginning level girls English, and Linda Lee teaching 2 advanced level boys.  I observed with the idea that someday I'll take Karl's class.  We had coffee and snacks after, then they drove me home, and I opened the first of the boxes I'd shipped- almost like Christmas!

Thursday, April 7th, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post. 

Well, today was the last official day of spring vacation.  Karl, Linda Lee, and I went to a town called Takarazuka to see the play "Kiss Me Kate".  The play revolves around Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew".  What made this play so unusual, is that the cast was all female (much like Shakespeare's day only with all women casts and not all men casts).  Some of them were very believable as men.

 admission ticket

The play was wonderful, the sets terrific, and all in Japanese.  For the first act, I couldn't understand a thing (except that Linda Lee kept telling me what was happening).  For the second act I rented a translator (which was annoying, because it was either behind or ahead of the play, and couldn't be heard at all during the songs).

The dancing was very good, the singing good, and the acting well done.  Takarazuka is a specialty girls school training girls in theater.  They study intensely for two years.  I assume they have classes in "the art of being a man", etc.

 stamp at Grand Theater

Today's show opened with about 50 graduates telling us this was their first show (they danced in the revue at the end), and to please wish them well.  My favorite scene was a very glitzy wedding scene near the end of Act II where Bianca and Lucentio get married.  Everyone is dressed in white glitter and satin, the curtains are silky, arches and pillars, all the lighting in pastel colors with stars in the background...it was gorgeous!

After the show was a 20 minutes glitzy "can can" type review.  Sparkles and lights, disco globes, and fan kicks, waltzing, and flowing gowns- simply eye popping!

We also saw some sights on the grounds after we waited in line for "day of" tickets (we stood in line for an hour to get a number to go inside and buy remaining tickets- we were #14, 15, 16- so no problem).

We saw the dinosaur exhibit, with fairly realistic, semi-moving reptiles.  We also rode through the fairy tale house.  We rode past scenes from 2 or 3 Japanese fairy tales, as well as scenes from "The Little Match Girl", and "Pinocchio"- it was neat!

We had lunch at a fancy coffee lounge (the chandelier was glitzy, to).  (In case you haven't noticed, I'm partial to sparkle...it must be my theater background!!).  We have various snacks throughout the day, and ate at Sato back in Himeji (why do I always write about food?!).

Watched Airwolf back at K's, and now am going to bed...

Wednesday, April 6th, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post. 

A basically uneventful day.  I went shopping after exchanging $$ for yen.  I bought a date book, organizer trays and groceries, plus a men's fashion magazine called "Men's Non-No".

When I got home I did some laundry and while checking to see if it was dry I heard someone walk by on the street behind my apartment.  I hid behind my rice paper door, as I didn't wish to be stared at, and couldn't converse anyway.  Well, this Japanese man saw me duck, and came over to investigate.  I went into the kitchen, and could hear him outside (beside the building) trying to look in.  Evidently he thought I was breaking in (either that, or he had an intense interest in caucasians!).  I was waiting for the police to come crashing through my door at some point after that, but nothing more happened.

I wrote some letters and got this far in my hiragana review:

So for now:  au revoir (I'm tired of Japanese!).

P.S.  My French is improving while here, because we (K's and I) eat at Toki which is a French/Japanese restaurant...I can only read the French part of the menu, and even so, only get part of it.

Tuesday, April 5th, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post. 

Today I called Masano, and was disappointed when she said "Maybe we could get together this weekend".  I hung up discouraged, but was relieved 5 minutes later when she called back and invited me over for the day. (I had woken her up and she was delirious).  Nao picked me up at noon, and I went over for lunch.  Masano's friend Masami M. came over.  She lives near Osaka now, and was someone I met when I was in Japan before.

 We sat around and talked, I sang for everyone, we watched "Mannequin", and looked through my theatrical album for the rest of the afternoon.

For dinner they took me to a restaurant near their home to eat Japanese pizza and to grill at our table.

After a wonderful meal, we went to a coffee shop next door to N's for after dinner coffee (except none of us had coffee- tea, cocoa, tomato juice, and strawberry juice, but no coffee).

We went back to the house and played video games until I returned home. (I did terrible).

At a flower shop during the afternoon I picked up some flowers to buy and Nao started laughing hysterically...I asked what was wrong and after a few minutes she calmed down enough to say that the flowers I picked were arranged for vases on Buddha's alter (in homes).  I put them back and got another bunch. (Nao proceeded to tell everyone back at the house and people at the N's restaurant- who all fond it equally funny).

Monday, April 4th, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post. 

It's the first chance I've had to write in 2 days.  Yesterday was Easter, and I met Karl to go with him to a church outside of Himeji where he was to preach.  We ate breakfast at a hotel in Himeji then took the train to the town (I've forgotten the name).  The church was a real church building, but, tragically, only had 5 members.  The old pastor seems to have driven the congregation away.  Karl game me an English copy of the sermon and I faked the rest of the service (hymns, prayer).

After church, the women had a Bible reading and a luncheon.  It was really fun.  We then took the train to Kobe.  On the journey we followed the coast of the Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean.  In Kobe we went to a department store and bought me some Japanese/English dictionaries and a Kanji (Japanese/Chinese system) book, so I feel like I can function a little more on my own at this point.

We got back to Himeji around 5, and proceeded to Toki for dinner (a French/Japanese restaurant- my favorite in Himeji, so far).  After dinner we watched Superman II at K's.  What a fun day!

Today (April 4) was the pits...seven hours tied up in three tendai meetings- all in Japanese.  M. translated most of it all, but it didn't really seem to pertain to me at this point (all about the European trip this summer, and failed students, etc.).

I did have to talk about myself in 2 of the 3 meetings.  In the 2nd meeting I was introduced as new faculty and had to speak Japanese in front of 50 people.  Luckily Linda Lee was sitting next to me and whispered what I had to say sentence by sentence.  In the 3rd meeting I could speak English, but they didn't give me any preparation time, so I'm sure I sounded like an idiot. (Actually I faked it pretty well).

They served lunch between the 2nd & 3rd meeting- nasty stuff like seaweed soup, fish eggs in carrots and vinegar, raw fish, dried fish heads, fish paste, tempura, a rice mixture, strange vegetables, cold eggs, etc.  but it was very pretty!  There were strawberries for dessert, so I enjoyed that part.

After the final meeting I went home discouraged and upset, that I had just wasted most of my day, but my first mail to my apartment address (not school address) was waiting for me...two from Stephaine, 2 from Robin, and the standard "Will you come to dinner?/Do you have a girlfriend?/How do you feel about me?" letter from Sachiko.

Karl called as I was starting a letter to Steph and invited me to Royal Host for dinner.  I had a chicken sandwich (thrilling I know, but someday this may be important!).

I returned home, wrote letters, and am now going to go to bed.  I shudder to think of how tired I'll be when I have to get up for things every day!  Ugh!

Saturday, April 2nd, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post. 

Well today was just kind of here.  Nothing really good happened, and nothing really bad happened.  I did laundry for the first time today in my mini washing machine/spinner.  Not a very effective machine, and I did most of the washing/rinsing by reaching down into the bin and pushing things around in the water.  I did two small loads, and it took about an hour.  I hung things out to dray (this was around 11 a.m.) and most of it still isn't dry...maybe I can wear some of the things I washed next week.

I went to the post office to pick up something that couldn't be delivered while I was gone.  It turned out to be my postal savings book and money card.  It was kind of hard figuring out what the man at the post office was telling me, but it eventually all got worked out.

I went to the plant sale again.  I bought 2 more plants:  a fern, and a yellow lily kind of thing.  I've never seen one before, and think it's really neat.  So, the apartment is starting to take shape!  Plants, plants, plants!

I studied some Japanese classroom instructions, and the first chapter of my Japanese text book, so I'm starting to learn (relearn) the language.  It'll be quite some time before I can actually function on my own, but every step forward is a step in the right direction!

I still wouldn't say I'm exactly happy to be here, but today was basically the first day I've felt comfortable being here.  I still have these occasional anxiety attacks (regarding school, communication, social life, etc.) but for the most part it was a fairly optimistic kind of day.

Tomorrow is Easter, and I'm sure it will be a difficult day to get through, but last I heard I was going to K's for Easter dinner!  Only 1 year, 11 months, 2 weeks, and 1 day left to cope with :-)...

Friday, April 1st, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post.

Well, today has been the first really good day I've had since my arrival.  I had a meeting at school today for all new teachers.  My train was slow and I arrived 5 minutes late, and I think they were all waiting on me, but am no sure since the rest of the meeting was in Japanese.

There were about 10 new staff members added this year. Thank God Jim I. was assigned to be my translator.  He was a big help, and translated all important information, as well as helped me with my introduction. (I almost died- we had to get up and say a few words about ourselves.  I could only say "My name is Jeff S. I live in Fairfield, Iowa in America" in Japanese, so Jim helped me tell them I was studying Japanese and hoped to be able to talk to them soon".

Jim then took me home, and gave me an open invitation to his home some time.  It was good to see him again!  He also offered to help anytime I needed it.  How nice!

That's not really the fun part...Masano called about 2 minutes after I got home.  I had given her the wrong phone number, and she'd tried to call before, but got nothing.  So, once I wrote and gave her the correct phone number- she called right away.

 Masano and her family at Masano's graduation...a few years before I moved to Japan

I was picked up by Nau, her sister, and taken to their new house (basically a mansion). Masano has certainly changed!  Long hair and glasses, and more beautiful than I've ever seen her!  We talked, caught up, and looked at old photos until 6:00, when her English conversation student came.  Okasan and Masano told me to greet him at the door, and it really threw him for a loop! (Speaking of which, it was so good to see okasan again!  She's as crazy as ever, and although I don't understand some of her language (she speaks mainly Japanese) we understand each other very well- love the woman!).

Masano's student's name is Nobuaki M.  He's a policeman in Himeji, and is going to San Francisco to see his brother in July, so Masano gives him two two hour classes a week.  So, for 2 hours he talked and I talked, and was basically, his English teacher for the night.  It was great fun!  He was very nice.  His father is a Shinto priest, and his brother is a Shinto missionary in San Francisco.  I never really thought of missionaries from here going to the states!

After his lesson (and social time) we met Masano's dad at one of his restaurants (he owns two, plus a public pool).  Mr. N. attempted English, I attempted Japanese and one way or another we communicated.  He did magic tricks and it was a great night.

*N's have 5 cats (one named Smokey) and it was neat to pet animals again!  What a day!

Thursday, March 31st, 1988

Note:  This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji, Japan (1988-1990).  I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.  Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only.  For details on this series of blog entries, see this post.

Nothing much happened today.  I went to the grocery store and bought yet more junk food.  I think I also bought hamburger- but am not really sure if that's what is is or not.

Karl is in Hiroshima, and Linda Lee is at a conference somewhere so I've been on my own.  It hasn't been bad though...no major problem.  Sachiko called today to see if I was going to "chaachie" tonight (Maundy Thursday services).  Told her I wasn't sure (but really was- that I wasn't going).

I went down to the park to the "green sale". This is where various flower and plant merchants all congregate to sell their stuff.  I went to look, but of course ended up buying a peace lily and a miniature carnation plant.  Hey, you can never have too many plants, right?!

After I brought them home, I left again because the walls are tending to close in on me these days.  I took my camera and took various pictures around my area.  I shot a couple of Shinto/Buddhist shrines, and took a fair amount of pictures of Himeji Castle.  It was fun shooting them because I walked all over the Himeji Castle paths and parks.  I looked down over the moat wall high above a street of Himeji into the moat which was full of Japanese carp- all bright oranges, whites, and black.  There were also ducks, swans, and a flock of geese.

During the latter part of my walk on the castle grounds, the sun was setting behind the mountains.  What a sight!  It is also a full moon tonight, so I stared at it for awhile (wishing that I was staring at it from my front porch in Fairfield).  Walks are usually good for me when I'm homesick and depressed, adn this one was great.  The castle is so beautiful, and the sunset, the surroundings, and the fish and birds made it a very enjoyable outing.

Not much else to report at this point.  Today is dad's birthday, and I wish very much that I was there to sing and eat cherry pie with them.  But alas, tis not so..

Walk Around Himeji Castle

Paths lead in directions I'm not sure I can go,

the signs give no clue, as they're foreign in print and idea.

The castle looms up ahead, majestic and graceful-

a white heron, they say, poised in flight.

Architecture I understand.  Even though the design is foreign, 

I see workmanship and love of the craft.

I pass the poised heron and heat towards the perimeter.

Walking upon the moat wall I see the sunset behind mountains not so far away.

A full moon, pale in the still existing sunlight sits in the sky, 

ready to take over when the sun has gone to light my side of the world.

In the moat below, blurry shapes of Japanese carp float just below the surface,

very big and bright, but nonetheless blurred in the murky water.

The chill in the light losing air only deepens my withdrawal into myself-

as if the language and culture barrier weren't enough of an inward thrust.

Night falls, and the castle, illuminated by modern white and green flood lights

doesn't fit the ancientness and majesty of its build, 

much as I don't fit yet in this foreign land, unnatural to me.

I bid good night, and head for the comfort of my lonely apartment, 

as the moon becomes active and glows in the now darkened sky.

Now if that depressed you a little, what about this little pip of a poem...

It's not really that far, you know,

the sun shines there, and the moon glows here...

however, 

the moon glows from the suns shine

so here and there are basically connected.

Does that not make home seem a little closer than it once did?

...no...but it was a noble effort.