Sunday, July 3rd, 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 we got up at 6, did exercises at 7:00, then I went with Mr. M. to school to drop off luggage.  We came back, ate breakfast, and then, while part were driven to church, the rest of us walked and were picked up later by Mr. M.

We had Sunday school in a group, then 1 on 1 on John 3:16.  We sang songs, then went to church.  The caravan did part of the program, I got to be official photographer, and take numerous pictures with numerous cameras.

After church we went to "Herb Garden" for lunch.  I had fresh curry & rice and iced mint tea.  Yum!

After lunch we went to Hinomoto to swim in the school pool.  Needless to say, I got dumped in the drink before it was over.  Ugh.  I hate that!!

After swimming (and dripping up my office), I took a group on the train to Kyoguchi.  We walked to K's for an American picnic.  We had chicken, potato salad, iced tea, etc.  We also did fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July!

I finalized plans to take caravan shopping tomorrow, and David came home with me to begin his homestay- which I didn't think started until the 8th...it could be a long week (but Dave's nice, so it shouldn't be a problem).

Saturday, July 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.

Today I got up, did laundry, then went shopping.  I had to get a plant, some pillows, and various other things.

I came home around 2, did stuff around the apartment, then had my lesson with Kayo.

After my lesson, I caught the train to Koro, was picked up by Mr. M., and went to a ryokan nearby for English camp.  M., the caravan and I were the adults, and there were 8 girls.

We sang songs, played games, chatted, and had a good time.  Every time the girls spoke Japanese they had to pay 100 yen.  The money will go to UNICEF...needless to say several girls already owed a lot of money.

Mr. M. left around 10 to work at school, and that left me in charge.  The girls would not be quiet & go to bed, and finally the owner came and told them to go to sleep.

I finally got to bed about 12:00.

We also did fireworks outside!

Friday, July 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.

Today was basically a waste.  I went in at 8:22, cleaned up from making the Music Machine the previous day, and read for awhile.

I panicked about 1:00, because M. and I were supposed to brief caravan on the retreat, but he didn't come in, nor did O., or M.  So, I went to the office to ask who was here, and, basically, it was no one.  So, I panicked thinking that it was up to me to brief caravan, alone.  Ulp!

Some of the caravan team in Iowa before their trip to Japan

The office contacted me later and said that Mr. M. was coming in around 2.  While in the office they had me try green tea (the kind used in the tea ceremony).  Yuk!...but, I put on a brave front.

M. & I went and got the caravan, brought them to M's office, and we discussed English camp and the retreat.  M. let me handle the retreat.  It's one of the first times that I've felt like I had any authority, anywhere.  I really like Mr. M. a lot!

After that M. had to leave, so I took them on a tour of Hinomoto.  I had a koto lesson at 4, and they came & each took a turn at it (and not without about 7 cameras clicking frequently).

I taught the English class at Megumi w/ Linda Lee.

Wednesday, June 29th, 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, on this day my E.S.S. girls (Chinatsu & Michiyo, mainly) told me that Misuzu was exaggerating yesterday.  I felt a little better, and let down the frown and still "manly" mannerisms for a bit, but, there has to be some truth to the rumor if it was mentioned at all, so I'll be very careful with my motions, etc. from now on.

Today we had chapel and that was my only official thing.  I went to the library and checked out some books.  I got "Les Miserables" and 2 drama books.

Sachiko came and would not leave so I went to the library and read the Mainichi Daily News, and looked around the English book section.

Chinatsu, Michiyo, and Ree came by after school.  We had a nice time and laughed a lot.

Misuzu came for her makeup lesson after school.  She handed me an apology note and came back later, & left & came back & finally sat down for her lesson.  She apologized in her note, but I don't know how soon I'll be able to forgive, nor when I'll forget- which more than likely will be never.  Chinatsu and Michiyo were very kind and I appreciate them now more than ever!

Tuesday, June 28th, 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 was going to write a big sob entry about how Misuzu told me everyone at school thinks I'm gay (which by "everyone" I don't know actually how many that really is, or how long people have thought this), and how it erased any other thing about today that I was going to write about (mainly that K's were gone & I was in charge of my E.C. I, plus Linda Lee's E.C. I, and combined her E.C. II classes into my E.C. II classes).

I say I was, because, after pouting and moping for 4 hours, I've had it!!  I was going to go to school tomorrow a totally different person, but screw them!  I move, act, talk, walk as I do because I'm an artist.  The theater revolves around fluid movement, good singing, graceful dance, and gestures to add understanding and interestingness to the words.  Just because I gesture frequently, and don't talk like Sylvester Stallone, or walk like John Wayne is no FREAKING right for the girls to start gossiping that I'm gay.  How dare they!  Screw them...who needs this crap!  

I'm here to teach, not play Rambo, and those stupid, immature, giggly, dumb girls are not going to change what I don't want to change in me.  Hopefully this gossip won't reach my colleagues, but, I figure my friends will ignore the rumor & my enemies & the countless unknown I don't give a flying crap about.  Argh!!  I thought I left this pettiness and freaking crap in America!!

Oh I'm so very angry!!!  (Oh, I mean...duh...FREAK I'm DARN PISSED!) (More macho).

Editors Note:   All words in BOLD print are NOT the actual words written in my journal...

Other Editors Note:  I used to be so sensitive...apparently.

Sunday, June 26th, 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 started at 5:45- ugh!  I got up, got ready, then went to Kyoguchi Station to start the journey to Tachibana.  I took the 6:54 to Himeji, then walked around & tried to figure out if the track mentioned in my train schedule book was correct.  It was, and I made my train transfer at Ashiya, and arrived to meet Nobu with no problem.

We went to his church, after picking up Becky, his adorable 9 year old daughter.  I talked "off the cuff" in the Sunday school class, then answered questions about America & life in general.

I talked & sang in church about family.  I sang "Friends".  They paid me 10,000 yen for my efforts...a bit extravagant!

After church we went to Victoria Station for lunch.  I had a fabulous salad bar, prime rib, and chocolate mousse.  The interior is designed like a depot with trains at the tracks (complete with rocks under the "cars" and depot signs)(really neat!). 

Ryan (their son) didn't join us because he was dirty from cleaning the church yard.  He's very nice too.  Carol joined us at the "station" (I forgot to mention that Victoria Station is from San Francisco-- there's also one next to Ashiya Station*).

It was a great time.  Becky kept making origami for me, and put together 3 cars of a cardboard train for me...what a doll.

Nobu took me to the station, after a great chat with Carol & Nobu, and several invitations to come in August, October, and they even said they'd get me in Himeji with my luggage, and take me to Osaka after an overnight there in December.  :-)

I got home with no problem, then walked clear from Himeji station to Megumi church...quite a jaunt (especially considering the long day).

S's came down to do the English worship service.  I sang.  All the high school girls going to America were there, so it was a good crowd.

Mr. S. spoke on God's gifts, and it was great to understand what was being said!

I walked home with Linda Lee, and have been vegetating since I got home.

*Remember this

Tuesday, June 21st, 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.

Tuesday I taught my classes, then had free time until Misuzu came for her lesson at 4:05.  I rode the train in in the morning.

Nobu drove M. & I to a restaurant in Himeji for a follow-up mtng. on festival.  There were about 25 faculty & students there.  We had Japanese pizza...ack!  I walked home afterwards, no problem...except I went the wrong direction...I eventually got home though.

After school Misuzu, L. Lee & I went into Himeji for the "Yukatta Matsuri".  Downtown was crammed with booths, people wearing yukatta's, regualr people, vendors, etc.  I found corn dogs- they were great.  There were also shelves set up filled with water & hundreds of goldfish.  Children pay 200 yen for a paper net & catch as many fish as they can before the paper net dissolved.  Kind of neat!

We ate dinner at Pizza House Miyuki, and since one of my English II students was our waitress, I gave her a hard time by only using English & being a little demanding.  It was fun!

After dinner we went to the park & watched a yukatta fashion show, fireworks, & a karaoke competition.  I bought 2 tea sets at Daiei for Christmas presents.

I cashed yen for dollars & sent a check to mom & $50 to Steph. to cover her 51 minutes, $71.50 phone call to me a few weeks ago.

The whole day I thought about Stephanie, as it was her birthday.  I called her at 7:30, her time, and woke her up to be the first to wish her a happy birthday.  Some of the girls at school wished me "Happy Stephanie's birthday"!