Friday, March 23rd, 1990

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.

The farewell bbq was fun.  There were a lot of people there.  Mike brought his video camera and I was behind it for most of the day.  Akira & Hiroko left early and took the futon to Kyoto with them (they went to a wedding), so we rode to my place (Kimberly & I) & loaded it then walked back to the party with me taping the walk back.  It was fun.

That night Mitsuko went to a wake, then stayed over.  The next morning we got up & around, and went to Rokko to get ready for the bbq (choir).  Everyone came at about 1:00-ish.  I made bbq sauce with okonomiyaki sauce and catsup & everyone like it a lot.  Nicki & I had a chance to talk while we were battling the smoky grill.   She's such a doll!

I met Chiyomi and Mayumi at the eki at 6:30.  They gave me a briefcase.  I was really surprised.

The concert went very well.  I turned it over to God, and He took care of everything.  I used comedy, seriousness, and music, and had a really good time.  Lots of people were praying for me, and I could tell.

Kimberly started crying during the 3rd song, so I knew it was going to be a hard show, but using comedy helped lighten the mood a bit.  I was fine until the last song, "Friends", and I made it through, but started tearing during the last chorus.  My last phrase was really shaky, and my speech (thank you), afterwards choked, but overall, it was a great time.  I enjoyed doing a concert for the 1st time, really.  I know it's because God was in control.  It was great.

Carol W. said some really neat things to me after the show about a good blend of comedy, seriousness, and music, and things like anywhere I go & whatever I do will be exciting and that great things would happen.  It was really nice of her to say.

After church, and a teary farewell from Chiyomi & Mayumi, and saying see you later to Akira & Hiroko, I waited around & rode to singles with the B's.  Kimberly & I had to say a few things about our lives & time in Japan.

After singles we had fellowship, and they made a cake for K & I.

After that Mitsuko & I came back to Himeji.  we got home at 1 a.m.

Monday Mitsuko got up & left early (for the funeral).  I met Daniel & Sheila at Himeji eki at 12.  We got on the train & went to Suma.  We met Mitsuko at the station & walked along the beach (through the "demiliterized zone"- old cars, nets, & war looking trash) to the Suma Aquarium.  We ate at a soba shop before the aquarium.

The aquarium was gorgeous!  The best part was a wall with a big window in it.  There were lots of different kinds of fish.  We also saw the sea otter show, fish feeding, and dolphin show.  The aquarium was a really neat place.

After the aquarium, we went to Sannomiya, then ate at Gaylord's.

Tuesday I went to Hinomoto and gave the 1st year retest.  There were 2 students.  One passed, but the other only got a total of 16 pts. out of 100.  I couldn't believe it.  She'd had most of the questions on the 1st test, but still didn't pass!  I had to grade them and give final grades, even though neither of them was my student.  The office made me miss my train home by calling each of the teachers & asking them questions regarding the two students.  John wanted me to give his student's final grade, but I said I only could judge by her final exam score, so couldn't.

I walked slowly back to the station (I had 40 minutes before my next train), then got on a two car train that was absolutely jam packed.  Needless to say, I was not happy.

I met Mike at my apartment at 12:15 and we took my cubic meter of stuff to Kobe to the shipping company.  We got stuck in traffic on the way, which added a little more frustration, but once we got to Kobe things went a lot easier than anticipated.  We met Kimberly & Mitsuko, took care of paperwork, went to the warehouse, then went to Central Station for a great lunch.  K & M left, & Mike & I shopped for a little while.

Then we went back to Himeji, loaded up the rest of my stuff to go to Mike's house.  Mike went on and I stayed at the apartment and gave it a final cleaning.

I walked to M's to drop off some stuff, gave some mail and a key to Paul, then went to B's where I've been since.

Wednesday I stayed at B's all day.  Resa & I redecorated the living room.  She changed it from mauve & blue to Mauve & country green, so most of the day I repainted blue wooden things green, hung curtains, & set up little groupings of things.  I also packed up 3 more boxes to ship home.  In the evening we watched videos.

Thursday I shopped, mailed boxes, pd. bills, got a haircut, and then M's & I went to Royal Host for lunch.  After lunch I walked to American Dream, then went to the park behind the castle & sat by the moat & on the moat wall & relaxed.  On the other side of the moat was a solitary cherry blossom tree in full bloom.  It was gorgeous.

At 5:30 I met Tomoko, Tomomi, Michiyo, Kanako, and Yukako.  We saw "Dead Poet's Society" (excellent!), then went to a snack shop.

Then I went back to B's.

Friday I got up & around & met Mika at 31.  We had lunch & shopped a little, then went to Hinomoto.  I had a faculty meeting, then they had a farewell party for Soma (in the office), Mike M., and I.  It was nice, & I felt a little sincerity from the group as a whole, until it was over and most of them just got up & left without saying anything to anyone.  I guess it was just another required meeting!  Haruko, M., Nobu, Machiko & Sakai, Koji, M., and Matsuo-san said goodbye, though.  I guess those are the only people I really wanted to say goodbye to anyway.

After the farewell meeting, Nobu dropped me off by my old apartment.  Then I took a bus downtown, then another bus to the B's.

The Lord blessed me that day because the 70,000 yen I thought I would be getting as my retirement money ended up being 230,000 yen, and I got some unpublished material from Word Records to look over for use in a project (demo tape).  They typed my name on the tape & wrote a contact name for me, and it was very encouraging.  If it's God's will I hope it works out!

Saturday, March 17th, 1990

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.

Saturday night at I's was fun.  We had lasagna.  It was a nice chance to talk and relax.

After I's, Kimberly & I stayed at Mitsuko's.

Sunday I tried to call Dave about lunch, to see if we were on or not, but he still wasn't home.  So, I went to a pay phone at about 12:30 & checked my machine, & sure enough, we were meeting at 1:30, so I ran to a taxi.  I made it to our meeting place only 5 minutes late.  Dave was 10 minutes late, so it was no problem.  Thank goodness for answering machines, or it would have been chaos!

Dave & I ate at Gaylord's, then shopped for awhile.  He's going back to the states in May, so we talked a lot about going home.

At 4:45 was choir, b. study, etc.  I came home soon after church ended.

Monday was spent packing & cleaning.

Tuesday was the graduation party...lots of karaoke, & fish dishes, but I got flowers & Daniel, Sheila & I managed to finagle our way to the same table.

Tuesday afternoon I shopped, packed, cleaned, etc.

Wednesday was graduation chapel.  It was really boring.  The speaker spoke for 1 hour.  I had to give a farewell speech.  M. translated.

The rest of Wednesday I shopped, packed, cleaned, etc.  Wednesday evening I went to the M's for dinner...our last- shoot!  It was a nice time!

Thursday was graduation- long & dull.  Chinatsu had to give a speech & was crying.

After the ceremony Mike & I left soon after.  We got bento lunches for going.  When I got home, I opened it & it was the basic, yucky, fishy junk.  I ate the hot dog, threw the rest away & ordered a pizza.

After that I went shopping, cleaned, blah, blah, blah.

Friday was more of the same.  At 4:30 I went shopping & met Mike & Resa at 5:15 to go to "Turner & Hooch" w/Tom Hanks.  The dog was destructive.  I hated it, then started liking it when it calmed down, then it got shot & died...stupid movie!  It was pretty good.

After that we went to Conservo for dinner, then to the B's for videos.  It was a tape of comedies.  It was nice!

Today I've practiced for my concert tomorrow- ulp, made salad for the farewell party, cleaned, etc.

Mitsuko's coming over at 2:00.  Then we're off to the bbq.  Look forward to it "de mo", dreading it!

Friday, March 2nd, 1990

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.

Sunday night we practiced "Praise Ye The Lord" which we're doing with choir as backup at my concert on the 18th.  It was hard, because we practiced with a tape & did a little choreography, both of which people in the group aren't used to doing.

Monday I got up & around (eventually), and that's about it.  Nothing's sticking out as being particularly interesting or memorable.  Robin called, and we had a nice chat.

Tuesday was my last Tuesday class.  I met Allison at Nozato eki.  She's my replacement.   She was very nice.  Her British accent was great!  My last class had a party for me.  Mitsuko made a cake, they brought me 15 peach roses, Machiko gave me two big friendship balls & made pudding.  It was nice!

Wednesday night I went to Akira & Hiroko's.  Hiroko's friend who teaches at a nearby junior high was there.  She's also from Britain, Liz.  It was the first time Akira had ever spoken to a British person.

Thursday I walked out to American Dream, but Resa was sick, so I came back home.  In the p.m. I wrote a newsletter letter for First Baptist, and filled out an application & personality report for Kyoto International School.

Today I mailed my application, and went to American Dream from 1:30 - 6.  I typed out a form letter if inquiry on Mike's computer, then went back & retyped various addresses & things in the letters.  It was fun.  The Japanese owner is so nice.  She keeps inviting me back.  I also got to look at the J.C. Penney Spring catalog, and some decorating magazines/catalogs.

Tonight I watched videos.

Sunday, February 25th, 1990

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, Feb. 13th nothing memorable happened.  I taught at Mizoguchi.  During Chiyomi and Mayumi's class, I went to their house to see Sayaka's doll display (girl's festival March 3rd).  We took pictures & talked.  I gave them one of  my demo tapes.

Wednesday, I went to the grocery store and bought groceries for dinner.  I made chili.  Hiroko and Akira came over.

Thursday I went to Suma.  I met Becky at the station and I went to see Marist.  Brother George wasn't there, but I met Brothers Moriarty and Doughty.  I also met a few teachers.  Since then I found out that the position has been filled.  It kind of upset me, because they didn't even interview me.  I'm sure it's because of my lack of teaching experience, which makes me furious!  There are so many "experienced" teachers who are just plain bad teachers.  We, motivated, "inexperienced" teachers don't even get a chance to prove ourselves.  So they'll have an experienced teacher, who'll be totally "green" with regards to Japan & it's ways...good luck Marist!

I've been praying that I not get the job if God has something better for me somewhere else, so I guess I can't be too upset.  Who knows what the future holds?!

To finish up the "Marist Saga"...Brother George called & asked if I would like him to give my name & number to a Japanese high school in Rokko that needs an English conversation teacher.  I promptly called back & said "NO!".

Kimberly went last week to Marist & her position was also already filled, so it looks as if we're both going home.

However...Brother George also gave my resume to Kyoto International Schools, and the head mistress called me that same day, needing a sub for April & May.  I told her I couldn't, but, she also mentioned 4 openings next fall & is sending me info. on the school.  So now I need to pray & think about this.  Life is getting so complicated!

Last Friday I went bowling with 3 students and Daniel & Sheila.  Friday night I taught my class.

Saturday I met Mitsuko & we went to Mike & Resa's.  We had a wonderful dinner (Resa made chicken pot pie!), and watched a movie.

Sunday I went to Kyoto and met Janet.  We went to Fushimi Inari- a mountain temple with 1,000 torii.  It was really beautiful, & the weather was incredible!  We also went to the Handicraft Center.

I was late getting back for choir practice.  Bible study was on angels- interesting.  After church was singles, but Mitsuko & I skipped.

Monday we got up & I helped Mitsuko study TOEFL.  We met Kimberly in Osaka for lunch, then went to the youth hostel office to buy bags and vouchers.  I came back to Himeji and went to Daniel & Sheila's for dinner.  We invited Paul L. to come too.  Interesting...he's very nice, but not what Hinomoto is expecting.  He's not as bilingual as they are expecting. I guess M's been doing some lying to get him here...anyway, it's not my concern any more.  I wash my hands of all Hinomoto concerns...feels GOOD!!!

Tuesday I taught at Mizoguchi.

Wednesday there was a faculty mtng.  3 1/2 hours...only 2 more...

Thursday I met Mitsuko at 9.  We went to the yochien where I taught with Yukari last September.  We did a class on colors & animals.  It was a little difficult, but fun.  They showed me how to spin a Japanese top.  They also drew me pictures & made things for me.

After coffee with the gakucho sensei we went to Himeji for lunch, then ran errands- changing change to larger bills, changing my address, etc. then came back here.  I gave Mitsuko her birthday presents, then gave her the veggies for Saturdays cooking class & sent her on her way.  The rest of the day I cleaned, laundered, etc.

Friday I went to the grocery store to buy the rest of the stuff for the cooking class.  When I got home Mike called, and I went to help set up the store.  It was really fun!  When I got there the place was a mess...boxes, etc. all over the place.  The stuff had just gotten there the day before so, we got busy & hung wall stuff.

I had to leave at 5 to go home & get ready for class.  I ate, got changed & waited for Masao to pick me up...and waited, and waited.  Finally, at 7:40, when I decided to come in & maybe leave soon to go back to the store, Masao called.  He'd forgotten to get me.  So, he brought Toshihiro & Norihiko, and we went to Masao's house for the remaining class time.  We looked at pictures.  After class I had him drop me off at the store & I stayed there and helped until midnight.

Mike brought me home & I showered & went to bed.

Saturday my alarm went off at 7, but I went back to sleep.  Becky called at 7:08 to tell me she wasn't coming to the cooking class.  Lucky she did, or I would have slept through it.

So, I got up, got ready & went to Okamoto.  There were 12 people at the class.  I made Tater Tot Casserole, Chicken Veggie Stew w/Dill & Parsley Dumplings, salad, rolls & jello.  It was a lot of fun!

After class Lynn, Kimberly, Mitsuko & I came back to Himeji for the opening of the store.

The only bad part of the whole day, was when I opened my strangely garlic-y smelling backpack on the train & discovered that the bottle had come open...spent an hour washing the thing when I got home & it still smells like an Italian kitchen.  Anyway, we got to Himeji, and we took a taxi to the store.  They had sold a lot of stuff when we got there at 3.  It was great!  We stayed for awhile.  The owner gave me a sheep figurine for helping the day before.  We also got table cloths.

After the opening, we went to Kimberly's & my coffee shop.  They they went to Topos & I went to the film store.

I came home & cleaned, laundered, & relaxed!

Today I've cleaned, practiced for my concert on the 18th, mailed off a few letters, done laundry, and, basically, have spent a very quiet, uneventful day.

Tonight is choir, b. study, and church.  Afterwards, I'm coming home and taking my big gomi to the pickup area & getting rid of some old papers & magazines.