the weekend and other info

I thought I was going to get a car this weekend. Turns out, I'm not. Ugh. I can't wait!!!

I look out the windows of the cars of the generous people who drive me around and I see so many hills, back roads, strange beaches, unique pockets of the area that I want to explore. I need better patience.

This weekend I went to Mt. Sanbe with a bunch of people to a really chill party at a small coffee shop/bar/gallery, small and quirky. The theme of the party was... (When have I been to a party in Japan that did not have a theme?) hats. Lena, wonder-woman of the century, made a bunch of hats for people. So we arrived from the neck-up as: two damsels in distress, a viking, Robin Hood "the prince of weed", a pumpkin, and various others as designed in the car on the way there. We were the silliest looking people at the party aside from our general gaijin displays of silliness. The Japanese party goers all had tasteful, pretty or normal headwear. They all endured my clumsy Japanese with patience and smiles.

I met a man who makes sake in Shimane. He gave me his card and told me exactly where to buy it in Gotsu. Wasn't that nice of him? He said he "brews sake" in the winter, so he has to get back to work soon. How nice to have a holiday from spring to winter. And I have friends who want to be teachers to have summers off.

While at the party, I had another opportunity to share my views about the Bush administration with a local Shimanian. This has been happening a lot lately. Every time I talk about it, they seem surprised that I am so deeply frustrated with the American government at the moment. Then they ask me about Clinton and they want to talk about blowjobs, so I change the subject.

That seems to happen a lot as well. I often change the flow of the conversation to better represent American issues, American music, American sports, American popular culture (this is the hardest thing to talk about because I don't know much about it, and the things I do know irritate me. However, Japanese pop culture is just as obnoxious, if not more so).

This local chapter of Shimane JETs are a swell group. Being with JETs is interesting. We know so little about each other, but do things together like the closest of friends. This is old news to the people who have been in this program for more than a year, but it is new to me. While Darrell drove me home from the party, we remarked at how lucky we are to have such good people around us. Not only good people, but enjoyable company. When you are the only native English speakers in a small area, bonds are built early and just get stronger. Looking forward to more adventures with this group. They are diverse, gorgeous, interesting and happy. Some nice dancing in there, too.

Homesickness, that icky thing that oozed its way into my thoughts the first month, is slowly dissipating. I am becoming used to things like the food, the company, work and living alone. It does not feel like a sickness anymore, but more like nostalgia and warmth.
Missing David is still hard. Now that we have a better communication source, I think it will get easier.

I am determined to learn to cook for myself! Another JET was in my apartment and commented on the large number of curry boxes in my recycle pile. I felt a bit embarrassed. I eat healthy, but things could taste better with a little effort. I need to go shopping with a Japanese person who can explain how to make what, using what. When I get a rice cooker, a whole new world will open for me. Sad, but I realized the other day that I have never made rice. Who am I? Have I been asleep my whole life? Just lazy? Just not a rice person?

Many students have stock questions that they ask me. For example: "Why did you come to Japan?" "Who is your favorite singer?" "Do you like to cook?"
When I tell them I am a bad cook, they ask me how I ate at home. The girls think it is AMAZING when I tell them that David (his parents, his roommates) did most of the cooking.
Speaking of, I am very hungry now, can't wait to have my curry tonight!