Dinner and Bowling

Dinner and Bowling
Saturday, January 19, 2008

Tonight we met up with some of the teachers from one of Tara’s schools. We went to dinner first and then went over to Joypolis for some bowling fun. Along with the teachers, some of our friends met us there so we had a great group.

I chose my ball even before we had gotten our shoes. I spotted it from far away: Hello Kitty. I swear, in Japan you find her on everything, even the bowling balls.
In America you tell them your size and the people hand you the tattered old shoes. Not in Japan! In Japan you go to a little machine and put in some money, press the size that you want, and out pop the shoes! It’s great.

Me returning my shoes
Amy and Amanda have TWIN SHOES!!
Don't know what's going on here, just happy to be bowling.
Bowling was a fun event for the evening. I’m not great at bowling by any means. Over Christmas I went bowling with my friends at home and I was one of the lower scores on the screen. But in Japan, I was second only to Tara (and just by a few points). The Japanese people were terrible at bowling but they were so much fun to be with.

Typical Japanese photo-PEACE!
Tara...always three points ahead.
Probably another strike or something.

Always posing for the camera...I tried to take candids but she wasn't having it.

Bernie and her pink ball. Bernie was trying out speed bowling.

Amy is sad because Amanda is a better bowler than she will ever be. Amy actually lost to Amanda and had to make her breakfast the follwing morning. :)

Every time we hang out with the different teachers we have such a great time. Our friends were really impressed with them too I think. We all laughed and cheered and danced to the old pop music that was playing. I think the bowling ally staff had more fun that night then they had had in a long time.

Merry Christmas...Yeah, It's Late

When I came to Japan, one of the biggest misconceptions I had was that I was not going to get to celebrate American holidays. That was not true in the least. Here are a few shots of just a little Christmas cheer around town.

This is the tree in front of Okayama Station.
These are some more decorations in fromt of Okayama Station.
This is the same tree when it turns white.
This is a tree in one of the little malls.
And finally, this is my tree.

The first day it stood up straight and then it fell over...I used tape but it just didn't work. Check out the little oragami flowers on it though! I made them.

Snow yet AGAIN!

Snow Again
Thursday, January 24, 2008

I think I’m sick. Actually, I know I’m sick because it’s the same stuff that I had before I went home for Christmas. Now it’s a month later and I still have it…yuck. BUT, that’s not the topic of today.

I left my apartment to head to work and I was feeling really sluggish. I opened my door and…it was snowing! That woke me up. I had to ride my bike to the station in the snowy weather. Granted, it’s not like a blizzard or anything, it’s just flurrying, but it’s still fun to see.

When I got on the train and we were zooming through the cities (it’s my long train ride day) I was watching the snow fall. I feel like a little kid sitting here looking out the windows (yes, I’m writing this on the train).

They sky is really white with a little bit of a dark shadow. I keep hoping that maybe they will have to send me home early due to weather conditions. I doubt it very seriously, but I can dream, right?

Snow Again!

This was a few nights later!

This is the view from my balcony...Snow over Dr. Drive. It's so beautiful. :)



Too bad this isn't my car...

Snow!

Snow
Sunday, January 20, 2008

It was a gross day, too gross outside to do anything. My friends had spent the night last night so we were all lying around. We decided that we wanted to go get some food and since I had not gone to the grocery store in over a month and a half; that meant that we had to go get something. It was raining out so we made a quick trip. When we got back to my apartment, my friends decided that they had better head home. We said our goodbyes and I snuggled in for a nap.

Later that evening when I woke up, I talked to Tara. We had to go get out bikes from the station. We had left them there and taken a cab home the night before with all of our friends. It sounded like it was still raining so I peeked out the window. It was all foggy so I had to go out on my balcony only to realize that it was snowing! It was snowing really hard too.

I convinced Tara (from Iowa, so it was not humorous to her at all) to go for a walk in the snow to get out bikes. By the next morning there was a lot of snow on the ground. Sadly though, there are no school closings. The Japanese people seem to work no matter what the conditions.

My Balcony Ledge
Jolly Pasta in the Snow
Bikes at the Station
The Red One is Mine!