Amie's blog

It's been a really long time

2009-07-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

I guess I'll start up this blog thing again......slowly and randomly in true Amie fashion. There has been a lot going on and it will probably end up as a spew section on this blog. For now, I just want to reminisce about my family in France. Whom I miss so much.
so here is a link to my cousins grocery site: http://www.le-relais-fermier.fr/
enjoy!

Greek Green Beans

2009-04-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's the holidays again. Since people have been interested in my cooking I figured heck, if I am going to cook it, I mind as well take pictures of it and give the recipes.

Ingredients:

1 large sweet onion

2 cans of green beans

1 can of diced tomatoes

sugar to taste

salt to taste

pepper to taste

2 Tbl

Step 1. Open cans

Step 2. Chop onion and sautee until slightly brown. Add a bit of sugar (approx 1 tsp)

Step 3. Add caned ingredients all at once. salt and pepper, more olive oil if you like.

Step 4. Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.

Japanese Arachnids

2009-03-29T02:24:00.000-07:00

Spiders kirai!
Totemo kowaii da ne.
Yet, Japanese spiders are kinda interesting.

I met this brown one when I snuck into a temple

I guess both of these spiders are quite harmless. The bright colored one is really common. Infact, one laid eggs on my neighbors ledge. I am glad it didn't hatch while I was in the apt. I am sure it will soon though! The brown on eats cacaroaches. Yes, it is really big and kinda looks like a tarantula(is that how you spell it?)

I have heard randomly, but with out much explanation that the Japanese believe spiders to be good luck. I tried to kill one in art class one time, but my friend Tomoko chided me for it. But her reason for not killing wasn't convincing.

After quite the mystic encounter with a gargantuan arachnid, I thought ask why spiders are good luck to Asami and Shiho sensei. Ok, ready? And the answer is: that at night spiders are the souls of our dead ancestors. (or that they inhabit spiders?) Therefore, you can't kill the suckers at night. They are fair game in the day! Bwahahaha! Die! But, what if you kill a spider in the day time? Does your ancestors' spirit have no place to go if there aren't enough spiders? Does that mean that our ancestors spend more time in fields wishing they picked the spider closer to their relatives place? Wakaranai, but luckily I am Christian and don't have to worry about that dogma.

On My Way

2009-03-29T01:54:00.001-07:00

Chiisai update:
I am hanging out in a hotel near the airport today. I got sick a couple of days ago, so instead of doing anything interesting I am resting. For those of you who don't know, sometimes I get really sick and pass out. It's been happening more frequently than I like and it is extremely scary for me. I am thinking I got some intestinal or nerve damage when I got food poisoning in Turkey,(well it's my best guess and it's fun!) cuz that's when I started passing out. Thank God I have Keiko for a Japanese mom, otherwise, I don't know what I would have done.

A little about Narita: There's an airport! And some hotels! Wow! The airports in Japan are nice, but getting to any airport is a bit of a journey. I had to take the local from Shimizu to Shizuoka, the Shinkansen from Shizuoka to Tokyo, and the Narita express from Tokyo station to the airport. The total cost is around 8,700 Yen. Ouch, and it took a little over 2 1/2 hours. Yuckie...Just think a country the size of California with 3 international airports.

Other things:
I can't wait to see my dog! Shugii is the best. I love my bedroom. I am sure my bed misses me as much as I miss it. Although, I am bringing home my futon(for guests, but Shugii will probably end up marking it as her own.....no, not pee, fur). I haven't watched a T.V in over 4 months. I am sure that habit will fall back in place. I have a job interview....sorry bad economy, I've got things to do. I bought way too many strawberry flavored goodies as omiyage. I really hope I impacted peoples lives. I will miss my students so much. They were so encouraging and bright. I learned more from them than they did from me. without them, I wouldn't have learnt anything about Japan. It's greedy, but I hope they miss me too!

Sorry if this post is odd. I am very rummy from being sick and traveling.
See ya in Seattle,
Amie

CEMETERY TIMES!

2009-03-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

This is the cemetery I hopped into.

The street had no entrance to the cemetery across the street from my house. So, I walked into some one's back yard and scaled the 9' or so wall to get a pick of the cemetery. Unfortunately, it had been raining cats and dogs (or neko and Inu) all day and when I jumped down I got stuck in the mud to my ankles and fell square on my ass in a huge mud puddle. It was so funny!

To the left is the side street where I trespassed to get to the cemetery.

The proper entrance to the cemetery behind my house. I previously thought it was a temple. Man, I am surrounded by dead people.

Some tomb stonage. Notice how fresh the flowers are. Japanese cemeteries smell really nice too. I love the smell of the incense they use.

the back ally path to the cemetery behind my apartment(I always use this one). If you look carefully, you can see that it is carpeted! It's like the Oscars for dead folk!

Below is a super nice example of a Bonzai tree. I would not feel right being in Japan and not letting you all see one. Think Karate kid and Mr. Miyage. It may make you appreciate it more!?

TV Shows and Gender Roles in Japan

2009-03-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

I started to write this in January, but never got around to posting it. As you know, I am not gay. I do have a lot of wonderful gay and transgendered people in my life and I though that this would be of intrigue to them and are curious to their opinions and to know if I am off base with my conceptions. The role of "gay" as other also interests me, as a individual with depression, as I am also considered an other. The way people interact with each other always seems to fascinate me. So here goes:

During New Years Eve (shogatsu) we watched a pervy cos play bowling show, a wresting match where comedians slapped each other with slippers, Gobo(burdock root), wet towels, tarter sauce, etc. It was hosted by the guys from Down Town (a famous Manzai Style TV show) Down Town is a the show where they put the comedians in strange situations and if they laugh they get spanked really hard by men in full black body suits. I have to say, I love this show.......
On variety shows some sort of transvestites are quite popular. My favorite one is the punk school girl! The characters are really popular (I use sort of and characters cause I don't really know if they are cross dressing, trannies, or gay) and common on TV. Oddly enough I read in Lonely Planet that two people of the same sex wanting to stay in a love hotel will be turned away.
I don't see you average gay person (since writing this I actually met one and they called him a neeman....a sister man, very sweet guy). Although men here are quite effeminate. One the same hand the girls here are really girly or have really short hair do's and look like boys. Some times I confuse men for women an vice versa. Apparently. so do some of the Japanese people I have been around. (a few days ago my Japanese teacher told me that men nowadays are very manly and that they act too much like girls....just food for though...and one persons thoughts) By they way, the Japanese population is plummeting.
Getting off subject, but still on the subject of sex, Japanese people are closet perverts! One of those stupid game shows made me scared of elephants. You don't want to know why....I guess you can't wear an elephant with pants on? I have seen so many pervy manga (comics), anime, love hotels, love taxis and nearly every girl I have met here naked. Am I getting modest? Or do I just feel self conscious around these elfin folk? Whatever, me being naked in an Onsen is a show of some serious humility and nerve on my part.

And becuase Wikipedia actually had some good info on the subject of Jap gender roles take a look see if you are so inclinded.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_minorities_in_Japan

kusanagi-no-yu

2009-03-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

The doctor told me I need to relax and do things that are enjoyable. So, this morning I went to Kusanagi no yu. This is a really nice public bath with water from place in Atami where Ieyasu brought his men to recover after battle. It also has a sauna and steam room. I spent an hour and a half there. You know your finished, when you feel like you're about to pass out and all pruny. The hot spring is only one stop away on the JR line. Convenient and it cost 650. A bit spendy, but that is why I stay till I am saturated with liquid.
Here is a link to thier website in case you're curious.
http://www.kusanagino-yu.com

My working life in Japan in a nut shell

2009-03-15T03:14:00.001-07:00

Gomennasai

2009-03-11T15:55:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful meeting last night. Yeah they love meetings here. They make everthing a big deal! I am not sure AE*N realizes that meetings in the states usually happen when you are in serious trouble or you're getting a promotion. And Lord knows I am not getting a promotion!
Well, I took down all the pictures of my students. That doesn't bother me; I can understand why. I wont be editing the posts where I took them out of........cuz I don't have the time. Sorry if the posts don't make sense any longer!

I d0n't need a title!

2009-03-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

I am just adding my photos. Mom will blog later and explain things

Tokyo

2009-02-23T15:38:00.000-08:00

I bought this egg with custard and sesame seed junk at the bottom. It reminded me the Easter(passover more accurately) is just around the corner. Today is shrove tues.! Mardi Gras time!

This is NS7 where I got my tattoo. Kinda weird huh? The guy in the photo is Gouki my tattoo artist. He giggled all the time. Very cute.

Next to Minako's apt, was the building where they make Doremon. A famous Japanese cartoon.

This is me snoozing away at Minako's. Under the kotatsu with the heater blowing on me. It was so nice!

A view of Tokyo Tower from Ropongi. Minako and I had Turkish food here for dinner.

This was so weird. I don't know what it is, but Minako seemed to really enjoy it! Creepy.....

Harajuku. Yes, I went shopping here! I got some white pumps with black skulls and some shirts at H&M. Most of the sizes were so small(like 2-6)

Hachiko and I! I was so excited! Still am! What a dork; but Hachiko was such a good dog.

Shibuya had a entire area of sweets! I couldn't buy anything, so I just took a picture. I am sure they were delicious....ahhh

My mom is really interested in the Shinkansen(bullet train) So I took some pictures while in it.

Kore wa Fuji San Desu!

.......blah

2009-02-21T10:54:00.000-08:00

These are pictures from Shiho sensei's welcoming party. We always have parties at a raegee yakitori place. It's not very good or clean! But ,oh well. Then we headed to Shidax for Karaoke.

Your weekly update

2009-02-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

This was Valentines week. On Monday after my Japanese lessons, I went to the Fujieda school manager's house , with their FT Brianna and our Japanese language teacher, to make cookies for our students. Yes, that means enough for two schools. I think we made over a hundred cookies. We made peanut butter and sugar cookies. I don't think anyone at my school is capable of domestic work except for Asami. She's great! I'll post separate about her later. It was a mess! Totally fun! Our Japanese teacher thought everything was too sweet and could barley finish a single cookie! Whaaa? In Japan it is difficult to find a mixer or an oven. Well, there are toaster ovens. But lets just say those are only good for heating things up that taste good burnt. Keiko our Japanese teacher brought ingredients to make gyoza. Delish!
My students were really happy to receive sweets. I gave the junior high boys crap about it yesterday. You see, in Japan Valentines day is for men and there is a separate day when girls get things from boys. It's called Whiteday. I told them they all owed me now! One boys said "but I don't have any money!" Fabulous.
This week I also decided to paint my nails Japanese style. That means gawdy. I love it but, it was a serious pain. They really go all out for nail fashion. Lots of applique.
Last note. My students behaved really well this week, so I actually felt like taking pictures with them. Well, the girl wearing pink is always great. She likes singing and we read some good books together like Frog and Toad. She really did well on her Jr. STEP test. Not because of me though. She's one smart little cookie!

Recap mismosh

2009-02-08T14:16:00.000-08:00

A roasted sweet potato, delicious. There is a truck out side Shimizu station that sells these at night. There are two different pervayors though. The quiet old guy has the best sweet potatoes. Th group of two oyaji are halirious, but tend t burn the poor things. They also asked me if I was from Brazil. I think that comment might be slightly offensive since the Japanese don't like Brazillians. So, I just told them was French, becuase they didn't believe I was American.

The bridge closest to my room(apt) has Kappa figures on it. I have wanted to take a picture of them for a while. Kappa are river sprites.

I went out with a friend around Shizuoka. We ended up going to an area called Nihondaira. There are a lot of strawberries there. We walked up increbily steeps stone stairs to get to the shrine on top. We were so tired by the time we reached the top! Ahhhhh. The view was nice though. I also got a charm for taking tests.

Reaching new lows

2009-02-01T03:25:00.001-08:00

I've been renting Japanese cds from Tsutaya. I got my paws on TOKIO. I like some of their new stuff well enough. I am in Japan, I have to claim knowledge of something. Any way, they are really famous. There happens to be a life sized poster of one of the band members out side of a film store. Everytime I walk past it, I think, man I wish someone was with me so they could take a picture of me next to it! Yeah, that's totally lame. So what.
There is also a picture of one of my trainers hanging up near my room. I want to get an I'm with stupid t-shirt and get a picture of me standing next to it with the arrow pointing at him! Yes, these are my simple pleasures in life. Just wanted to share them all with you. Which is my mom and perhaps Tara. I do realize that no one looks at this blog.

More Food Porn....I love it!

2009-01-24T16:44:00.000-08:00

To your left is:

Daikon with citrus and pan seared fish liver
Below is a a platter of Fugu (blow fish) skin in a spicy aspic, swordfish with some boiled fish inside, some sea critter in a shell (quite bitter...and it very phallic looking once out of the shell) fish row, abalone, and Maguro tuna with a quail egg, lotus flower, and some type of seaweed.

This here photo is Chawan Mushi. I like it. It's a egg custard. This particular one had shrimp crab, mushrooms, and brown stuff...? Looks like a blob of poop. Wakkata. Dakara oishiikata. Oh, can't forget the Shiso leaf.

I would never find an Izakaya like this on my own. The thanks for this particular fascinating culinary experience go to my Shimizu mom Keioko. This is her favorite place and it is run by the parents of one of her old students from when she taught in elementary school. The kid is older than me now! Sorry, I keep on forgetting to take pictures of people.....oops. I guess we know my priorities! I did take pictures of Keiko's cat Shu-chan.

I have a handful of buddies here now. I'll call them friends when we do something besides go for drinks.

I am tired this weeked, work was nuts and I had a friend from Toyohashi AEON come to vist and we were up purdy darn late. Then the next day I went to the Izakaya featured in said photos. So, I am going to do some yoga and veg. It will be the first time.

I still want an animal bad......My last fish died last week. It was adding insult to injury. The week already sucked without something dying.

So, Golden you can pester Pond up in fishy heaven.

Amen.

Images From Somewhere in Shimizu

2009-01-11T03:01:00.000-08:00

I missed the green of Seattle, so today I headed out towards the mountains and this is what I found.

1. A lovely wee little temple

I have no idea what the sign says. I assume it says "Hey, this tree is special!"

2. A cemetery.....it smelled nice! It also seemed rather old when I was looking at the wear on some of the stone Jizo statues.

This is a cool view of Shimizu from the cemetery. It sits fairly high on the hill.

workin' 9-5 what a way to make a livin'

2009-01-10T18:15:00.000-08:00

* My work space. Note, it is fully equipped with Obento made by manager's mom, hashi(chopsticks), camel back water bottle, and ipod. All the necessities in life I'd say.

* The picture below in my student Chi Chan.

My first week back after winter vacation and I am beat. And broke. It's not bad, but I am anal retentive and I plan things out. I want to go to Thailand during golden week so I am saving up for that too. You could say my brokeness is due to my priorities. All it really means is that I am board. Although, I am learning a lot about Japanese culture through the boob tube!
Usually on my days off I bicycle somewhere. I haven't headed north east. I might head that direction today. I also rent cds. That's right, I said rent. I burn um and enjoy. It's like buying 5 cds for 10 bucks, but its in yen so take of 50 cents. On Mondays, I have Japanese lessons. I might have to give it up for a month or so, till I get a little more pocket change. Keiko Sensei is great, she is a student of mine who works at Nova as a cram school teacher. She usually makes me dinner too!
I digress, one of my co-workers got sick and was subsequently fired. So, I took over part of her class load. The new year also brought me a new schedule that was tougher than my previous one. Also, every other week I have 2 extra classes. Oh, and I have been having to do interviews with prospective students lately. My daily schedule is as follows: wake up at get ready for work. Go to work. Stay there for 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 hours. Go home. Eat ramen. Sleep.I do have to say that my co-workers are great. What would I do without them! I can't wait till April when the school year starts. My class load so straighten out some. BTW, Amie wont be having kids now. No, don't like um. They are kinda cute, but I don't want to deal with them.
They economy is also bad here. There is a saying when America coughs Japan gets a cold. As, the foreign teacher, I should work harder, keep my customers (not students), and be more business savvy. All of which I ignore when I am at meetings, cuz I can't get fired and I am working my tail off. Now, if the head office would quit spying on me. Other than that I am getting used to this teaching gig. Please pray that my students are actually learning. I'll try to get work pictures up.
As a side note, which is random. I miss chocolate. The Japanese quality is awful!

* This hilarious video is of one of our students who does magic tricks for us after class.

Nagoya Trip photos

2009-01-03T17:29:00.000-08:00

Kyoko Okasan and Minako waving goodbye to me a the train station.

There is a family of deer living in the old mote of Nagoya castle. It was my favorite part of the castle!
So, I do think I am funny.

The famous Nagoya castle. I got to watch Manzai while I was there....I didn't understand a single word and Okasan feel asleep.

A Tori gate at a ? some Jingu in Nagoya. There were so many people. It was like being in a mosh pit. I have never been shoved in Japan before this. I hope to never do this again. But, it was very fun and I was making babbies laugh while waiting in a 400 meter que.

Breakfast #2. Tofu with bonito and green onion. grilled fish, rice, Omisu with Omochi, and salad.

This is my fist Shabu Shabu experiece. Pork, some tofu like thing, greens, and bean sprouts, and ofcourse dipping sauce.

The sideways picture is my New Year breakfast. It's comprised of : fish cakes, tamago yaki, oseichi, renkon, little teriyaki dried fish, and fish eggs.

Oiishikaata! Osoba with tempura ebu (shrimp) and pickles

Christmas in Shimizu

2008-12-22T17:14:00.000-08:00

Yup it's KFC and Christmas cake time!
Today I actaully might get a slice of Christmas cake. To me it just looks like a white cake with some strawberries? I know sounds very hoilday like. I wont tell them about ginger bread. They might get upset.
I wont be doing anything for the holidays. But on the eve of, I am going to a karaoke party. Maybe I'll sing jingle bells in Japanese? Very festive indeed.
I get internet by sitting out on my porch; with the laundry. It's free and conveniently located. Unfortunatly a spider thinks this is a good location to build a home for its family. Yes, I am going to try and kill it. It's huge and balck and yellow, in addition to being Japanese. Therefore, it can not be trusted.
I am constantly decorating my apartment. By the photos I am sure you noticed that it is a wee bit small. It sucks, but the loft is really nice. I'll post more photos soon. Feel free to vist when your in the area!
On Monday nights I take Japanese lessons. Which means I try to speak Japanese and Japanese people answer back in Japanese and I don't understand a thing. It's fun! Some how everything works out.
I was at a shrine in Miho and purchased a fortune with tigers eye stone. I said I had a good fortune and then proceeded to tell me all the shit that was going to go wrong. Hum, very Japanese. Well, the year is almost over so I don't have to worry about it much.

I am going to Tomokos mum's house for New Years. It's a really big deal. I'll post pictures. I'm wearing a kimono,....you've been forwarned.

I for got to make you jelous about cheap sea food and such. Geeze, and I am a fat person! I have not right to be one...

Shimizu pictures

2008-12-15T16:16:00.000-08:00

My not so lovley apartment and my lovley view.

The view from my class room at Shimizu station.

Who needs X-mass lights when you have neon?

Wow, racist! It was funny though, becuase it made me think of my brother Nicholas. Another thing that makes me think of him is a student I have that sounds like a Japanese Borat.

The port of Shimizu from the S Plus Dream Plaza( aka the mall).

It's Time

2008-11-18T11:32:00.000-08:00

I leave this friday! I wont be posting for a while as it takes forever to get internet set up and I don't have any hotspots close to my place.
If you have any questions about Japan ask me and I'll go on a quest to answer it for you.
caio,
Amie
I am here and it's the 21. I am sick but here.

Link Between American TV and Eating Disorders

2008-09-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

I actually watched CBS this morning. I usually don't. Not for any particular reason. Anyway, a segment on eating disorders briefly brought up an interesting study in Fiji. American television wasn't brought to Fiji until the late 1990's, allowing a study of its effects to be studied. What were the findings? Well, eating disorders shot up, and girls thought they were too fat.
Hum, unrealistic images perhaps? Commercials selling products that make a better you?
I'm sure advertisers believe they are trying to get people to be healthier (read money), but there has never been a time in human history when people were wrought with weight disorders. There seems to be a link with idealization and techonolgizing that have caused our brains to fail our bodies. I think people forget that the mechanisms for anorexia and obesity are the same and tend to brought about because of self esteem issues. Health has become trendy instead of healthy. How sad.
Here is a link to the study: http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/180/6/509?ijkey=d3acdb91ca9c34c9537a9b6cdd64abae09810dcf

War Statistics

2008-09-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

World Mapper is a cool sight that maps just about everything. I decided to look at war distribution. To see this map go here http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=285

If this map confuses you maybe Wikipedia can help. A search of current wars yeilded this table. and another map.

I could tell you why looking a maps of nations at war is important, but that would be MY opinion, and that wouldn't do YOU any good.

I noticed the pictures weren't showing up. If you click on either of the empty boxes it should take you to a link of the maps.

Thanks,

Amie

Is happiness real?

2008-09-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

I googled this question which produced 74,800,000 webpages. Why are so many people searching for happiness? I don't really know. Yet, happiness is a big business, filled with self -help books, material goods and plastic surgery. All meant to fill some void left by the absence of the illusive happiness. In fact, the University of Michigan conducts the World Values Surveys in which they determine the subjective well being of a particular nation. The countries with the happiest people are as follows 1. Nigeria 2. Mexico 3. Venezuela 4. El Salvador 5. Puerto Rico. Results for subjective well being were slightly different, and placed Puerto Rico in the number one spot. My home country the US was number 15.
So, why the obsession? Perhaps it is as simple as definition and language. Why does happiness have to be pursued or found? I don't think our ancestors were occupied with finding happiness. 10,000 years ago they were too busy trying to survive. Words and word usage are powerful. The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis shows that words hold meaning. A simple concept we all know. Yet, this hypothesis made by an insurance salesmen informs us that we are times, mindless to a meaning's consequence. For example, men working with empty gas barrels thought it was safe to smoke near these empty barrels. Unfortunately, the word empty made them feel safe, when in fact the barrels were only empty of gasoline and not gas fumes. The complacency caused by the word empty lead to a horrible fire.
The word happy is also used in a misleading way, this I realized after reading Deepak Chopra's book on the life of Buddha. Buddha believed that this world was illusory. Meaning that nothing in it is real. People run from pain and seek pleasure making the illusion. Enlightenment was obtained by this realization and reveling in nothingness. Nothingness! How can nothingness be great; is it not like death? Like a deep sleep where you don't remember your dreams.
Let me back track for a moment. In my early teens I was diagnosed with depression. I wanted desperately to be happy. It was my only goal in life and if I didn't achieve it by some arbitrary date, in some arbitrary way, then all that was left may be death. Slowly, I learned to empty my mind of thoughts of the future. I didn't live in the moment, I just made my inner thoughts shut up. The only way to become someone that I could live with was to move forward. If it was easy enough and socially agreeable( thereby giving me status), I did it. That somehow meant dropping out of high school and going straight to college. All of a sudden I wasn't happy, but I was okay. I could live like this. I even enjoyed what I was doing. Now, that I look back I was happy, I am happy.
Here is where Buddha stops and language comes into play again. Happiness is a word attached to other feelings. This is the exact reason why people don't think they are happy. And, they are probably not, because they are tickled by something, content, satisfied, or in awe among other things. Happiness is not something to achieve. It is a state of being. Perhaps the natural human state(back to Buddha). This is enlightening.

UW Presents the CHID Programs Auroville Study Abroad

2008-08-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I am dreadful at making videos. I don't know why I even try. But, I do, all the while terrorizing all the people within ear shot. Maybe it is not me, but the moving making software the is the real bugger. I regrettably am using Microsoft Movie Maker. The worst editing software around. In addition my footage is on a mid range digital camera, not a decent camcorder with mini DV. Not that I am better when using the right tools of the trade. It's not even the tedium of putting the barley 2 minute video together; what truly makes this process an abomination to the psyche is the touchy nature of the beast. You can't do two things at once. Can't click off the screen. Can't minimize the program, can't export a damn thing right, can't delete unwanted clips, and even better, can't download the damn thing. Well, I am in the process of trying that now. If it works, you'll get to see the video! If not, I hope my frustration amuses you.

A bit about this wanna be promotional video (I don't know what else to call it). In January of 2007, I went to India's lovey Tamil Nadu area and stayed in the Auroville eco village. The program is made possible by the lovely CHID program and has differing themes for different years. In 2007 it was religion, politics, and the environment. If my video downloads you may notice that the clip doesn't contain many of the program specifics I mentioned above. Now, you know what the trip is really like. By the time class hits after lunch and work, the only realistic thing to do was space out and try not to fall asleep. The only thing I can say about the video is that the pictures and video clips prove we were there and took something away from the experience.

Walk=Money=Cure for ALS

2008-08-26T21:31:00.000-07:00

I will be joining members of Magnolia Lutheran Church, participating in the Walk to Defeat ALS. The walk will take place in Seattle on September 27, 2008. The ALS.org website says every 90 minutes someone in this country is diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also called "Lou Gehrig's Disease" , and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS affected my church when our Pastor Doug died slowly from the degeneration of his muscles. He showed us all grace through his death and by fundraising the strength that came through his grace can reach others with this disease and their families.
The money raised goes towards patient services and research.
I will be placing a donation envelope in the Comparative History of Ideas office, B-102 Padelford Hall Box 354300, University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195 . Please send donations there and please supply your name and full address.
The ALS walk and I:
To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure I could raise any money in a short amount of time. Not to mention, I am grossly out of shape, and that I don't even know how long the walk is. That aside, a deadly combo of a strong will/ideals and being a CHID-ster, I wanted to participate on my own principles. A principle that a sincere effort, no matter how small can make a difference. That means that even though I could sit in front of the boob tube and watch the DNC all day and night, I could find a handful of minutes to pick up a donation envelope and write an email or two. Even that minute amount of pushing my self, would do some sort of good. At least I am adding to the group (power in numbers right?) An even greater plus, is that by pleading for money, people will learn about ALS. And as we all know learning has no bounds, so I am sure this information will do good somewhere in the world. Maybe it will be like a positive bastardization of entropy ( a law that states that order creates disorder somewhere else in the Universe). Take that how you will.
Amie

Kimono Anthropology

2008-08-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

Unbeknownst to them, the proprietors of the online kimono dealer Ichiroya send out weekly emails of self ethnography. They are truly insightful and tell news worthy information about life in Japan that CNN or BBC could never imagine. They (husband and wife them Ichiro and Yuka) write about history, politics, and anything else that might effect their Kimono and traditional handicraft business.
Since I have not asked permission to publish any of these emails, I will give you their website and an blurb from the newsletter. If you feel inclined asked to be put on their mailing list.

An excerpt from the news letter: We came to live in this town two years ago, and this year, we had to be one of hancho(leader) of this community association. There are 8 groups in this area, each group has about 20 houses The houses started to be built about 16 years ago, and in the past 10 years, they had kept this summer bon odori festival.The festival needs quite a lot of preparation, so there was a log of discussion but since small kids are looking forward to this event and in this summer holiday season, many families come back to meet their parents taking their kids, so grandpa and grandma living in this area can take their grandchildren to the festival, so we have decide do continue this event. This year it was supposed to be held on oater August 23rd, but we had to postpone to Sunday because of rain, and we had to set to the earlier time instead of night.Usually many dancers in yukata comes, but because of the postpone, many women dancing group could not come, so it became more like game event for children, but we found many adults were having fun too.
email: info@ichiroya.com
Website: http://www.ichiroya.com/

If you haven't seen it, it's new to you

2008-08-23T17:30:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of clips of music I have had the pleasure to hear while traveling in India and Armenia. I have found that whenever I cannot understand another person's language, I can understand their music. Or, at least, understand the music's function for the individual. When it comes down to the nitty gritty, good music can move anyone......even Willam Hong.

Music

2008-08-23T15:54:00.000-07:00

Saw this band last night at the KEXP mural concert. I decided to post this video simply because some woman (read crazed Pela fan) asked me to.

,

All Things Considered, (look ma I'm a journalist)

2008-08-22T16:22:00.000-07:00

Well, not all things are considered, the title just makes me sound like an intellect. If I did consider everything I would be God and God uses judgement. That is something I don't have, otherwise I wouldn't gallivant around the world all the time( whilst having problems like pneumonia). What I did consider, was the fact that I will be leaving for a good while and a blog would be a dandy way for people to know what I am up to. Sorry family if this blog upsets you more than informs you (as I tend to be a wee bit easygoing).

The main purpose of this blog will be to explore the people, places, and cultures I will be gazing my western eyes upon. Hopefully I will be a good girl and stick to what I learned from being an Anthropologist and not make everyone into exotic others. My hope is that this blog becomes a source of learning and understanding through my experiences.

The logistics(kinda):
I leave to Nagoya the 21 of November 2008 and about 2 weeks later will be in my new home town of Shimizu. I will be there for a year, so do come and visit. I hope to at least make it to China and Korea while I am in the vicinity. I may or may not have Internet for quite a while. If you feel an urgent need to contact me (and I know you will) keep in mind Japan has a 16 hour time difference from the west coast.

As a final note, I will not be around Seattle for most of September as I will be in Idaho and Arizona.(to see my eldest brother's family and to check out grad school). If you want to see me before I go October is wide open.....for now.

Amie