Thanksgiving. . . Miso?

Recovering from my first Japanese flu, I haven't been thinking much about food. . . but tonight it occurred to me that tomorrow is Thanksgiving! Being the good ex-patriot that I am, I decided to cook something special for tomorrow. Turkey? Hah. Stuffing? Nah. Pumpkin Pie? Hmmmm, without an oven????!!! So with the sad lack of an oven, I resorted to. . . miso soup. This soup is usual Japanese fare (often breakfast) made from kelp, vegetables, tofu and miso paste (a flavored bean paste), all boiled together with a bit of fish flavoring. Or at least that's the recipe one of my students recited to me. Hmmm, I think I used too many vegetables, my miso is a bit more like a chowder than a soup. Well, just in case you're bored by these unglamorous photos, I've included one from last Sunday's Nissan party at the Utsunomiya Grand Hotel. I teach at the GKN Driveline company 4 times per week, so I attended their 5-year anniversary party and actually had the chance to speak to my students in Japanese! (In class it's only English, of course:( I'm pictured with Shuhei, one of my Tuesday night students. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and I wish all of you could join me for some miso soup and rice tomorrow morning!!! (evil grin)

Sara

In organizing my computer, I was arrested again by this photo. Any of you connected with the Gaskills or Double D Arabians will recognize Sara (and Uncle Den, of course ;) Sara died during my first week in Japan, so this photo is precious to me. She had a long life, and was my companion during many summers-- my partner in so many adventures! For many years, this little mare epitomized my vision of the ideal horse-- she had enough energy to be challenging, but also enough sensitivity to read her rider. She didn't like the arena much, but there's no horse I'd rather be riding on a tough trail! Or barrel-racing; she definately had a competitive spirit! There were days without number that I would slip a bridle on Sara in the back field and take her for a bareback canter in the woods. Of course, those of you that knew Sara also know that a "canter" on her could quickly turn into a gallop-- she was a little horse with a big engine! Yet she also seemed able to read my emotions, and she would adjust her pace if I was sad or tired. I've never met another horse like her-- even on three continents!-- and I probably never will. She was the best little mare I've ever known, and I still miss her, though I'm on the other side of the world.

Better Late Than. . .

Rather ridiculous, but these photos are pre-Japan era. In organizing my computer, I rediscovered a few photos and thought they might be nice for a few people to see: those of you in Michigan that remember Kit as an unschooled ex-racehorse with a few crazy habits. Of course, she's still an ex-racehorse with a few crazy habits, but at least now she's had some schooling :) I just wish I could ride her again and try some of the things I'm learning at Fuji Horse Riding Club! These photos were taken just before I left. Tatia, the photo of Ole is especially for you. And for the rest of you: yes, my brother Levi really is that tall :)

Karaoke

A blog devoted to Japanese living would never be complete without karaoke photos! Karaoke is especially fun in Japan because you rent a "karaoke box", a private room in which your own group can sing and perform without interruption. Photos include my friends (and secretaries at UEC) Saori (green shirt), Yoshiko (white shirt), and Yamaguchi Sensei (my Japanese teacher ;) Notice that in one photo I'm actually attempting a Japanese song-- I just can't quite read that blasted hiragana fast enough!!! Practice, practice, practice. . . that's how I justify frequent karaoke-- it's really just language study, isn't it?

乗馬クラブ

Uh. . . Fish?

As you'll notice, I was in another ridiculously beautiful place last weekend, camping and fishing. I can't seem to stay away from the mountains. . . As you'll also notice, the largest fish I reeled in was my own minnow lure. Sigh. Hey, at least it's shiny. Anyway, in a place so beautiful, what do fish (or the absence of fish) really matter? I finally got to see the monkeys, and they appeared quite harmless really. . . when viewed from the safety of my car. I have to say, after all the stories I've heard, I found it a little disappointing that they didn't attempt some sort of highly-organized highway ambush or something. . .

Fondue Fondness

Hey, just thought everyone would be envious if I posted photos of my latest hobby: fondue parties. I picked up a $10 fondue pot and have been making the most of it! Here are photos of chocolate "fonduing" with Miho and RuthAnn. Oishiso!!! Also, if you're a fan of fishing-- or at least, if you're interested in this dumb gaijin's humorous account of fishing in Japan-- please stay tuned. Tonight I'm going back to the mountains on another solitary camping trip, and this time I'm armed with a warmer sleeping bag, a cheap fishing rod and dogged determination. I'm driving "farther up and farther in" to the mountains, so I'm anticipating returning with amusing photos of huge rainbow/brown trout and the occasional attacking monkey. . .

Jungle music, please. . .

Ok, just a few quick and amusing comments about details I discovered AFTER returning from Chuzenjiko. After talking to a few of my Japanese students, I discovered that the sign says that one MUST have a bell to hike in the area, because of the bears. Hmmmm, so THAT's why everyone that hiked past me jingled ;) Also, I'd been highly amused in the town of Chuzenji when I saw a sign that said, "Don't Feed the Monkeys." I assumed it was some strange joke, and gave the requisite chuckle while thinking, "Wow, that's funny, "Don't Feed the Monkeys," someone has a strange sense of humor." Well, about the third sign I saw, I started skeptically scanning the treetops (while glancing over my shoulder to see if anyone was laughing at the dumb gaijin looking for monkeys), but no monkeys materialized. Well, on the drive home, I noticed frequent monkey-crossing signs along the mountain highway. I thought that either someone took the joke way too far, or there really were monkeys in the mountains (jungle music, please). Later, after asking a few of my Japanese students, I was informed that the monkeys are actually a big problem in that area-- that they will attack people for food, and that they actually swagger into tourist shops and steal things! Then one of my friends told me that once when her car was parked at a scenic overlook, a monkey jumped into the car, snatched a bag of home-made chocolate chip cookies, and took off with the loot.

Chuzenjiko-- the logical choice ;)

Because of the national holiday on Monday, I decided to celebrate by camping in the mountains on Sunday night. Chuzenjiko was the logical choice-- on the map, it looked like someone used a crimping iron on the road to this mountain lake, and I thought "Hairpin turns? 1,200 meter drops? I think I want to see the place. . ." Unfortunately, it seemed everyone else in this area of Japan had the same sentiment. Although Chuzenjiko is only about 50km from my apartment, it took me over 2 hours to get there. Of course, with the glorious views and good Japanese music, I wasn't about to complain about the stop-and-go traffic. I watched the elevation signs for a while, but after "1,300 Meters Above the Sea," I stopped keeping track. When I finally reached the town of Chuzenji I was fully rewarded for the trek by a mountain sunset AND a mysteriously out-of-place lamp-post (Narnia, anyone?)

Waterfalls and a serious lack of bears. . .

There are so many waterfalls around Chuzenjiko; I visited a few of the falls, and went hiking on Senjogahara Moor (and although the sign said "Scenic Trail Across the Open Moor", the hike was entirely wooded. But not that I'm complaining. Hey, the sign also said "Bear Aware" and gave warnings, but I didn't even get to see one bear! False advertising, all of it ;)

Camping in Japan??? Of course!!!

It was after dark when I pitched my tent at Shobugahama Campground-- I was right on Lake Chuzenjiko, and I hoped to wake to beautiful scenery (ahem, hence the photo of me in the tent grinning in anticipation-- hey, I have to account for that imbecilic grin somehow ;) I wasn't disappointed, there was a brilliant view right outside my tent door! It's still surprising to think that this mountain lake is within 50km of my apartment.

More Photos. . .

Hi again,

I'm sure you're shocked, but more photos. . .
Me and my friend Yumi at my apaato, sitting on my prized possession: a goza mat. I wanted true "tatami" flooring in my apartment, but since I have hardwood floors, I had to settle for buying a "goza" mat, which looks (and smells) like tatami but is very thin. Also more photos from the mountain park (such beauty within 30 minutes of my home!) and a photo of the main room in my apartment (I have one room with an attached hallway/kitchen and toire and ofuro. Speaking of toire, I must have a mad fascination with the technology here, but I just HAD to include a photo of the control panel on my toilet. Yeah, that's right, a control panel on the toilet--I'm livin' the high life now. . . :)

Cheers! Eby

Back in Business

Hey everyone,

Armed with a new USB cable, card reader, and high-speed wireless access, I'm back on the net!

This post will be mostly photos, since that's what I've been promising all along. There are photos from my day trip to a mountain lake (only about 30 minutes from my apt.) and this weekend's camping trip with Ryan & Angie, Tom, and Kazushi-- as the photos demonstrate, we discovered the considerable joy of mixing flashlights with night-vision cameras. (I highly recommend the activity ;) Also a photo of Japanese yen and my "honko," the small stamp with "Eby" in Katakana, used for stamping official documents. Which makes me feel like a very powerful person :)

I'll write more later!

Eby

Finally in Japan

Hello to everyone and apologies to those of you wondering about my very existance. . . (I DID warn about chronic lack of updates. . . see Post #1 ;) I have limited internet access for the next few weeks, so it may not be until the beginning of September that I actually post cool photos on the blog (mediocre photos may appear sooner :)

I really like it here so far-- I've met many people and I've already eaten gyoza, fish eggs, sashimi and various other Japanese foods. I've also already been to the Sento, or public baths, which are very nice indeed!! I'm still trying to locate the Fuji Horse Riding Club (at least I now have a map, which may or may not help considering the Japanese streets and roads are unmarked and illogical to a simple westerner's point of view), but I may be able to join the Utsunomiya University riding club (at least I know my way to the uni. . .). I will also be involved in BEST club with the Navigators (Bible - English - Sports - Travel) and I hope to be able to afford 2 Japanese classes per week (I want to learn to speak Japanese well!)

I will probably send an e-mail sometime in the next few weeks with my address and contact information (I move into my apartment on September 1-- would you believe the toilet in my apartment is digitalized and you can program it to heat the seat!??!)

Well, on that note. . . I hope everyone is well and I hope to have photos for you soon.

Photo of Utsunomiya

Hey, just thought that I should actually have a photo of Japan on the blog entitled "Eby in Japan". . . here is a photo from somewhere in Utsunomiya, my future turf. So just imagine me standing there (hopefully not in the middle of the street in front of a bus or something, regardless of what kind of suppressed aggression you may feel toward me ;)

Welcome to Eby in Japan

Welcome to Eby in Japan, the blog dedicated to intrepid adventurers everywhere!. . . Well, ok, so this is really dedicated to all those friends and relatives worried about never hearing from me again once I move to Japan! Fear not, I'll attempt to keep the site fairly interesting at most times, and if there's absolutely nothing exciting happening in my Japanese life, I'll just make things up. . . so prepare to be amused by the text, awed by the photos, and probably slightly annoyed by a lack of updates on the blog. . .