I stumbled upon a JET (Japan English Teaching) website with lots of info on cities and facts about Yamaguchi-ken, where we live. Just thought I'd pass it on to all those who are curious! I love the inside info on the towns!
About Yamaguchi prefecture:
http://ajet.net/yamaguchi/Ykeninfo.html
Cities in Yamaguchi (Hagi included):
http://ajet.net/yamaguchi/cities.html
*Update* AND a cool map in English! http://www.jnto.go.jp/map/eng_map/
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tooth update #1
Well, apparently my mouth didn't want to wait until tomorrow's appointment... we had to make an emergency visit yesterday for a terribly painful wisdom tooth that decided to make its first appearance. If ONE tooth can cause this much pain pushing through, I can't imagine what those poor babies feel when they're getting a whole mouthful at once! The dentist did some kind of laser treatment to help cut away the flesh around the tooth to make it come up easier and did a follow up treatment today. Unfortunately, the pain relievers they gave me aren't helping a bit... but at least it's eased my mind that I'm finally getting help - even if it's not what I originally made the appointment for, lol.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Some of you may like to know...
I make a dentist appointment today (will be next Wednesday, the 26th). I'm ok with it... with the first appointment (x-rays and cleaning) at least... it might not be so scary as I won't be able to understand what he's saying as he examines me! Aya, our friend and school secretary will be accompanying us to help fill out the paperwork and give the diagnosis/treatment plan. She thinks it will be a couple of months before all my dental work is compete. UGH. Why did I wait so long?? It has been six years since I have seen a dentist, and I've known for over half that time that I needed work done. I had a quick visit to a strange dentist before leaving Elgin just to get x-rays and know what I needed done before coming here, and at that time he found a cavity for every year I've missed and a tooth that needs a root canal for good measure. Over the past year I've noticed one more wisdom tooth that has come in and one that has started causing me a little pain from time to time... so we may be looking at some extractions too! I'm such a baby with dental pain... I really wish they had the kind of stuff to knock you out so I would just wake up and it'd all be over, or well... until the next visit... Keep me in your prayers. I need major strength and courage to go through with this.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Obon Weekend
On Monday this week we went with some friends to Mine City for some somen nagashi - you try to catch somen noodles (thin wheat noodles, like angel hair pasta) with chopsticks as they flow down a bamboo, wooden, or metal chute in running water. It's a popular summertime activity - and fun! It was our third time participating in somen nagashi - and by far the best! It was actually a restaurant in the mountains, using the fresh mountain water that came from the streams and waterfalls - some of the best tasting water I've ever had! Along with the noodles, which we dipped in a traditional somen sauce, we were also served onigiri (rice balls), oden (fish paste, egg, and sea vegetables cooked in a fish broth and stuck on a stick), and yakitori (grilled chicken and onion on a stick). Yum!
This week we had a 3-day holiday for the Japanese holiday of Obon. Wednesday night, the 13th, the people welcome back their ancestors (before then, they spend much time cleaning the gravesite and family altar where their "spirits" will stay). We went to Daishoin temple with some friends to view the lighted lanterns in the Mori graveyard and watch a koto and Japanese flute concert. Unfortunately, it was a rainy night so by the end, we were a little damp and muddy, but in good spirits. We returned to our friend's house and enjoyed some snacks and a movie before going home.
Thursday, we went to Yuuya for their annual summer festival and firework show. Yes, another one! BUT this is by far the best ever and if I could only go to one, this would be it! Here's why!!
*sorry for the sound quality - we were right by the speakers and it is just a point-n-shoot digital camera after all... and for the movement - hope I don't make any of you sick!*
And not only did they have an awesome fireworks show, but they had a YELLING contest. The contestants screamed a phrase of their choice at the top of their lungs; the finalists screamed the same thing for fair judging... the winner got tickets to Las Vegas! Sadly, it wasn't the man who screamed a marriage proposal to his girlfriend (she said yes).
After the show, they turned on the bubble machines so we all had fun watching the kids play with them - and ourselves too! We all wore yukata to the event (except Jeremy - we need to find him a jimbe). Carla and I actually went shopping for yukata the day before so here we're showing off our new summer outfits. :-)
This week we had a 3-day holiday for the Japanese holiday of Obon. Wednesday night, the 13th, the people welcome back their ancestors (before then, they spend much time cleaning the gravesite and family altar where their "spirits" will stay). We went to Daishoin temple with some friends to view the lighted lanterns in the Mori graveyard and watch a koto and Japanese flute concert. Unfortunately, it was a rainy night so by the end, we were a little damp and muddy, but in good spirits. We returned to our friend's house and enjoyed some snacks and a movie before going home.
Thursday, we went to Yuuya for their annual summer festival and firework show. Yes, another one! BUT this is by far the best ever and if I could only go to one, this would be it! Here's why!!
*sorry for the sound quality - we were right by the speakers and it is just a point-n-shoot digital camera after all... and for the movement - hope I don't make any of you sick!*
And not only did they have an awesome fireworks show, but they had a YELLING contest. The contestants screamed a phrase of their choice at the top of their lungs; the finalists screamed the same thing for fair judging... the winner got tickets to Las Vegas! Sadly, it wasn't the man who screamed a marriage proposal to his girlfriend (she said yes).
After the show, they turned on the bubble machines so we all had fun watching the kids play with them - and ourselves too! We all wore yukata to the event (except Jeremy - we need to find him a jimbe). Carla and I actually went shopping for yukata the day before so here we're showing off our new summer outfits. :-)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Hokkaido
It's official! We are actually going on a "big" vacation next month. We plopped down nearly $1,000 to purchase the tickets the other day - who else can say they've spent that much at a convenience store? Yes, they have machines at them where we can pay our bills, buy tickets, pay for orders, make copies, send mail, etc - it's convenient, right? :-)
We have plans to fly from Fukuoka to Haneda (Tokyo) and then from Haneda to Chitose (Sapporo) on 9/21, and back on 9/28. We'll visit and stay the night in Fukuoka on the 20th as our flight leaves at 7am the next day. In Hokkaido, we plan to buy a 4-day train pass and visit the countryside of Furano and Biei, the mountains of Asahikawa, and the famous Sounkyo Gorge. We'll spend the rest of our time in Sapporo visiting our friends, Asami and Philip. We're sooo excited!
Oh... and sad news if you haven't heard... we are computerless for a while until we either fix mine (not sure what's wrong with it) or buy a new one. Thankfully, we have access to the school's computer, which I'm currently using, but we lack access to Skype and other messengers, so we pray the situation can be solved soon so we can regain communication with our loved ones again!
We have plans to fly from Fukuoka to Haneda (Tokyo) and then from Haneda to Chitose (Sapporo) on 9/21, and back on 9/28. We'll visit and stay the night in Fukuoka on the 20th as our flight leaves at 7am the next day. In Hokkaido, we plan to buy a 4-day train pass and visit the countryside of Furano and Biei, the mountains of Asahikawa, and the famous Sounkyo Gorge. We'll spend the rest of our time in Sapporo visiting our friends, Asami and Philip. We're sooo excited!
Oh... and sad news if you haven't heard... we are computerless for a while until we either fix mine (not sure what's wrong with it) or buy a new one. Thankfully, we have access to the school's computer, which I'm currently using, but we lack access to Skype and other messengers, so we pray the situation can be solved soon so we can regain communication with our loved ones again!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
More fireworks and yukata
This past weekend was the Hagi summer festival, and of course, we went to see more fireworks - however, this time, they were just a short walk from our house which made for a nice, relaxing evening despite the 40,000 people that also came. At least we didn't have to figure out parking or get stuck in a crowd for hours on end. We came and went at our own pace, watching the final few fireworks from our house. It was lovely. :-)
On Monday, there was a yukata contest - 14 girls (last year there were some men too), and Carla entered. The judging was based on the attire and interview. She won second place! First and second receive a couple hundred bucks - and just look at those bonus prizes! I'm thinking we'll enter next year! There was also a lot of Hawaiian music and dancing - this year's theme, perhaps?
On Monday, there was a yukata contest - 14 girls (last year there were some men too), and Carla entered. The judging was based on the attire and interview. She won second place! First and second receive a couple hundred bucks - and just look at those bonus prizes! I'm thinking we'll enter next year! There was also a lot of Hawaiian music and dancing - this year's theme, perhaps?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)