Wednesday, October 12th, 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.

Okay, I'm finally getting to this again, but no apologies, or regrets.  I'll write when I can I guess, besides not that much happens every day that' exciting enough to bother with.

So, since my last entry the main event has been the JALT conference on Portopia Island in Kobe.  Kyl came down on Wednesday, so we'd have some time to see each other.  He got in on Wednesday night.  Matsuo-san took me to the station to pick him up, and we went to Matsuo's for dinner.

Hiroko cooked yakiniku, and waited on us hand and foot.  We looked through hundreds of pictures, and exchanged cultural names.  Kyl is now Masao, Akira is Steven Carter, and Hiroko is Rebecca Williams.  I'm still Akira Hahayama- lecturer of the funny mountain.

Thursday Kyl came to school for the day.  He came to my class and part of Kim's, sat in on my Japanese lesson, and participated in E.S.S.

Friday he went sight seeing/shopping.  I came to school and talked and sang at high school chapel.  It went well.  I left at noon  met Kyl.  We went through Himeji Castle and shopped some more.

We took a later train and went to Nobu and Carol's for the night. 

Saturday the conference started.  I attended many good lectures, and received lots of practical ideas.  Most notably from the 3 days was a lecture on using a point system in motivating students.  I implemented it in both of my E.C. II classes with fabulous results.  Very encouraging!

We stayed with Carol & Nobu again Saturday night.

Monday Kyl left & I went to the last day of conferences alone.  Exhausted & burnt out I somehow made it through the day.

Monday night Kim stayed over.  We talked a little, but we went to sleep soon after she arrived.

Tuesday was a full class day.  My attitude was positive the whole day and my classes went very well.  I'm enjoying my newly smaller E.C. I class, and for the 1st time, was excited about E.C. II.  Mike used the point system too, with equally positive results.  Kim is going to use it in her E.C. I class.  I guess they are pretty surly.

The jazz group practiced at lunch outside today.  We perform at Poppolo in 2 weeks...ack!

Friday, September 30th, 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, I'm not doing very well, am I?  Since my last entry, I don't even remember everything that's happened.

Yoko, Kim & I had lunch a couple of times, I've gone shopping (of course) a couple of times, and went to Osaka to see Nobu & Carol's friend Jinnouchi Taizo, an up and coming rock singer, perform at a club there.  He used to be Ryan's tutor, and has a very good voice.

I have received a letter from the post office saying that a package sent by Dianne was damaged.  I went and sat in the post office for 45 minutes, trying to figure out what the postal workers were saying, and waiting for them to figure out what to do.

It turned out that the package was a framed needlework.  The needlework was fine, but the frame busted.  It's of 2 blue fans.  I have it hanging on my wall, and it looks great!

I also received a package from mom, with my peanut butter, magazines, flannel robe, cocoa, t-shirts, etc. in it, and a package with medicine.

I've survived my first writing, and administering, and contemplation of checking midterms.  As of this moment, I haven't actually checked them yet... :-(.  It's very strange to be on the other side of the exam, and to see the nervous faces, instead of being a nervous face!

I sang at International Church for the first time.  I sang "Stephen's Song" and was really nervous, because it was the first time in 6 months that people would really understand what I was saying.  It went well, though, and I made my first professional contact.  The members of a group called The Covenant Players, touring Japan, based in California, were in the congregation, taking a breather from their tour, and heard me sing.

One of the members came up afterwards and said that I made her cry.  She said the Covenant Players were always interested in quality performers, and gave me a business card.  C.P. has about 40 troupes that tour worldwide, so I'm definitely going to check it out!  Wow!

I've been watching a lot of the Olympics.  Lots of doping (notably Ben Johnson of Canada).  Matt Biondi and Janet Evans have been winning the gold for the U.S. and Florence Joyner & her sister-in-law, as well as Carl Lewis in track events.

I'm not sure why I'm so interested in the Olympics (for the 1st time).  Maybe it's the thrill in the winners faces, or on seeing non-Japanese people on t.v., or maybe the bits & pieces of English are enticing me!

My doctor said I don't have to go back, about my ear, if I have no further problems.

I called Kyl last night, and he may go to the JALT conference next weekend...so I may get to see him!!

Akira M. came over for tacos the other night.  It was his fist time to eat tacos.  I think he liked them...he ate 5!  He looked through my pictures, and we watched part of a movie.  He also sat in on my lesson with Kayo.  Kayo gave me 2 beautiful blue bowls with ginko and maple leaves on them.

M-san and I are going to get together once a week.  Next week it's at his house, and his girlfriend Hiroko is cooking.  He says she's not a good cook...we'll see.

I walked all the way to Megumi class last Friday, only to find that no one bothered to tell me class was cancelled...oh well, it was only 3 miles there & 3 back.  Nobody also bothered to tell me that I was in charge of fellowship at English church in Himeji on the Sunday I didn't go (same Sunday I sang at Kobe International Church)  grrrrr...

Well, as this is the last page to write on, I'll close EDITION 1 and try to continue on an every day basis in VOLUME TWO...

to be continued...

Wednesday, September 14th, 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, it's been almost a month since I wrote last, and I can't think of much that was done during this time.  Kim & I went to Osaka several times.  We hit a store that had complete kitchens set up, plus baskets and such.

I've been in Osaka a lot lately, because of the opera I'm doing now.  Last Friday was the first rehearsal of "La Boheme" (with the La Scala Opera).  We rehearsed Friday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and will perform Friday.  It's a lot of fun, and I've met some fun people.  I play a coffee vendor, with another red head, John R., who is from Ireland.

I also "rescued" a girl from Australia, who was being picked up by an Italian chorus member.  We have backstage passes, and it's very strict, but interesting.  I push a coffee cart and sell in the 1st scene of the 2nd act & walk around on a raised platform later.

The principles were at yesterdays rehearsal for the first time.  The lead soprano is fabulous!  I'll miss it when its all over.  The strange thing is, though, that I don't utter a sound through the whole thing!

Sunday night I stayed with Kim in Mikage (side paragraph- Mike & Resa, Kim & I moved Kim to Mikage the day before.  She had a lot of stuff & we got lost all day long.  We moved her in, ate at Danny Boy in Sannomiya, then went to B's to get the stuff left for us by someone returning home, then took her back  on the way home got hopelessly lost!  The main highway was closed and it took us 3 1/2 hours for a 1 hour trip.  I got home at 1:30.  They got home at 2:30 (am).).

We have to watch it because men aren't allowed at the apartment building.  But of course I ran into the landlord & his wife on the way out the next morning!

Monday night I stayed with I's.  It was fun. Carol took me to meet her 3 English students at a coffee shop, & it was a lot of fun!

Tuesday was dress rehearsal.  The conductor was there, & we were warned that if we took pictures, talked, or did anything out of line, he would huff off & we could be there for hours & hours, but all went well & we were out by 7:00.

 There's a lot of sitting when you're an extra!!

I ran to Osaka station, got a train home & got here about 2 hours before "The Messengers" arrived.  2 of the group are staying with me at present.  They sang today in chapel, but that'll be mentioned in my next entry.

They came at 12:30 & I was exhausted, but luckily they wanted to go right to bed.