Let’s just say that I am making up for lost time! This past month has been a social outbreak for Michelle, Jamie and I. The countdown begins…..only 5 months before leaving Japan. This past month has been filled with building better relationships with a variety of people throughout Japan. To leave all of them behind will be a very difficult thing to do but at least I have had the chance to form these relationships.
Here is a bit of a briefing from my past social activities….
There is nothing like hitting the slopes on a beautiful weekend! Michelle, Jamie, Christy, Liz, Tiff, Yoshida, Shina and Takumi all tried our skills at Cupid Valley one Saturday! It was a blast driving up there with this crew because you never know what joke will be coming your way. A bunch of American girls and some crazy Japanese guys always equals fun times! The sun was shining and our techniques were coming back which made it all a success. We then hit the onsen (hot spring baths) and then started our drive back to Nagaoka. That night Michelle, Jamie and I decided to round-up a group and have our belated Christmas / New Years Party at last. Michelle and I found a cute little surf bar that offered us a great deal on drinks and dinner. About 20 people came to the event and think all had a great time by meeting new people and catching up with old.
The following Saturday Michelle, Jamie and I went to the musical performed by the ALTs in Niigata. Every year a group of ALTs put on a production to raise money for children in Papa New Guinea. This year the theme was ‘The Jungle Book’. Besides the entertainment, it is always a great place to see other ALTs and catch up on life. That evening we all headed to a nearby establishment and chatted over drinks and dinner.
The Niigata Girls
The night ended with numerous stories and singing in a karaoke booth for hours on end! Ok…let me be honest here. I love Japan but I hate karaoke! It could be because I simply can’t sing or maybe because I don’t really like to listen to others that can’t sing either. Whatever the case, I will probably miss the mysterious Japanese karaoke infatuation in a few months so should start appreciating it.
This brings me to last weekend where it was back to back entertainment. I headed down to Kashiwazaki where Jamie and I attended another ALTs birthday bash. Many of my Japanese friends were there along with new people that brought great conversations!
A Shina Sandwich!
The Great Play!
A kampai after the play
From ages 30 to over 70 they all are excited to speak English and live life to the fullest. I hope to be as international and full of life at that age as they are. The best part was that they only agreed to participate in the play if Jamie would put together a party afterwards. Of course Michelle and I joined in! The room was filled with Japanese and Americans from all ages which brought wonderful conversations to the table. We all have to laugh at one older man who has confessed his love to all 3 of us….and we do love him too! *smile, smile. The refreshing thing about this class is that they can all joke wonderfully. It is a difficult mission to joke in a foreign language but all of them pass which lightens the mood and brings everyone closer together. Oh and there are always practical jokes such as them trying to secretly feed us natto (fermented soybeans)! What another great evening where I learned a bit of culture, about the individual people and laughed a lot!
Michelle and Kogi
After hitting the slopes
This brings me to last weekend where it was back to back entertainment. I headed down to Kashiwazaki where Jamie and I attended another ALTs birthday bash. Many of my Japanese friends were there along with new people that brought great conversations!
A Shina Sandwich!
The Great Play!
A kampai after the play
Michelle and Kogi
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