HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Just wanted to put up a quick post to wish my dear old Dad Happy Birthday back in the UK!!!!

HAVE A GREAT DAY DAD!!!!

Sayonnara Jason

So Mr. Jason M Ramboz has left these shores and headed home to the US of A.

We had a meal and much Karaoke Madness on Sunday night to say farewell to him. Despite being the biggest geek I have ever met he was also one of the nicest people I've had the pleasure to know.

There are many memories of Jason...

1. Getting lost on the first day of work, even though I showed him the way and Derrick drew him a map.

2. Going to Kansai airport and forgetting his passport.

3. Trying SOOOOO hard to woo Suzette on first day it was embarrissing...

4. His trademark quotes..."Stop having done all the lessons" being a personal fave.

5. Trying to teach a Special Voice on Greek Mythology to low level students.

GOOD LUCK JASON....

We love you Jason!!!!

We love you Jason!!!!
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

L-R (BACK ROW) - Kleaner Ken, Evan "Austin Powers" Peterson, Yuka the Alcoholic, Yuka the Manager

(FRONT ROW) Jason "Goatman" Ramboz, Some wierd British dude...

Jason and T-shirt

Jason and T-shirt
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

He's Jewish AND from near Washington...T-shirt found in Hiroshima!

Joker Jason and his second T-shirt signed by us

Joker Jason and his second T-shirt signed by us
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

Ken..nice hat...

Ken..nice hat...
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

Yuka and Evan

Yuka and Evan
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

Me and Jason...I've just seen the size of Jason's manhood...

Me and Jason...I've just seen the size of Jason's manhood...
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

The Jason Show!

The Jason Show!
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

Yuka after a Jason "number"...

Yuka after a Jason "number"...
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

Goodbye Jason...

Goodbye Jason...
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

Charisma Man

From the hand of (probable) ex Foreign Language teachers comes the comic strip "Charisma Man". It's fairly popular over here with Gaijin but I'd never heard of it in the small town of Saijo, until Mark mentioned it too me.

It's fairly accurate, in an obviously exaggerated way, but the humour is very sharp. Just google it and I'm sure you'll find it if you're interested.

Flatmates

The last few days have seen my quiet solitary existance disrupted by the arrival of two new tennants into Curail Watannabe. 5 months is a fair time to spend in ones own company. Cooking whenever I felt like it. Showering whenever I felt like it. Playing my music as loud as I liked (off course neighbourly concerns are noted here).

So I have been fairly apprehensive about the arrival of Matt (permanent teacher from Sydney) and Mark (help teacher from Tottori, also originally from Sydney). What would they be like ? Would they be chest beating World War 2 obsessed loons with a secret craving for Hitler like Steve ? Or maybe geeky, ain't got a clue fish out of water types like Jason ? What would I be like as a flatmate again ?

Myself and Evan were pretty similar and this worked to our advantage. We also have become friends, so I was and still am trying to not to make comparisons.

So lets be honest...

They are both great!

Matt is older (37), a little more reserved and stoic but seems like a sound guy. I think he will settle in well, although it's a brand new bag for me!

Mark and I get on well. We've similar interests and find the same things funny. We are about the same age with similar personalities.

Its making this a lot easier on me...although the seductive call of Jason's soon-to-be empty appartment is calling...

Ha Ha Ha...

More Engrish

Another peach of the use of "Engrish" from www.engrish.com

Please click the link on the side of the page for more hilarious examples (although some are offensive)

Evan's been playing to much Grand Theft Auto

Evan's been playing to much Grand Theft Auto
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

Evan's been playing to much Grand Theft Auto!

Oh, dear...Karaoke night to say farewell and thanks to our Help Teacher, Miki from Tottori.

Apologies for sound quality!

Jason goes all "Top Gun" to our help teacher, Miki

Jason goes all "Top Gun" to our help teacher, Miki
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

Another painful number

Another painful number
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

What a cool guy...(sigh)

What a cool guy...(sigh)
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

" I will survive!"

" I will survive!"
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

Evan ponders the mysteries of Japanese beer..

Evan ponders the mysteries of Japanese beer..
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

Alright Geezer!

Alright Geezer!
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

Names

So I thought I would put up some of the more popular child names for Japanese children of the last few years.


BOYS

Daichi
Daiki
Daisuke
Jun
Kaito
Kazuki
Kazuya
Kenta
Kouhei
Naoki
Naoto
Ren
Riku
Ryouta
Ryuu
Shou
Shouhei
Shouta
Souta
Takahiro
Takumi
Takuya
Tatsuya
Tsubasa
Yuu
Yuudai
Yuuta
Yuuto

GIRLS

Ai
Akane
Ami
Aoi
Asuka
Aya
Ayaka
Ayano
Chihiro
Chinatsu
Haruka
Hina
Kaeda
Kana
Kotone
Mai
Manami
Mayu
Miho
Miki
Misaki
Miu
Miyu
Mizuki
Moe
Momoko
Nana
Nanako
Nanami
Natsuki
Natsumi
Reina
Riko
Rin
Rina
Saika
Saki
Sakura
Shiori
Yui
Yuuka

Masks

This photo that I found on the Net shows the man in the beanie hat wearing what looks like a surgical mask. No he isn't a Doctor who's forgotten to take it off. In actual fact this site is rather common in Japan, especially in Winter and in high pollen season.

The thoughtful Japanese wear these masks, not to prevent catching illness's from others but to stop their own bugs being transmitted.

I don't know if I could ever get used to wearing one though!

Barcelona 2 Arsenal 1

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Good News!

As a Spurs fan (Tottenham to all those who know little about English Football and rivals of Arsenal) this was absolute joy! After pipping us in the League for a Champions League place next year, it was sweet revenge to my favourite European team win!!!

Goodbye Henry!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Rain!

It rained again today. It seems like the weather has some alternating deal in which the sun and the rain get an equal share. It's not that I mind the rain, I am British after all, and with the rise in temperature its a welcome addittion to cool everything down. However I still need to get my bike fixed, and don't fancy taking a 30 minute hike in lashing rain to get a new inner tube.

On the plus side, I bought a new rice cooker (as the old one was conking out on me) AND cleaned the appartment in anticipation of my new flatmate AND the help teacher who both arrive next week.

Lesson E 18

This Lesson aims to provide our students with the ability to ask for favours. This following conversation happened at the end of the lesson, where the student have to ask their friend (the other student) to pick them up at the airport at 5am. I am paired with, well for her own anonimity, lets call her Student with French accent.






STUDENT WITH FRENCH ACCENT - Hello.

JUSTIN SENSEI - Hello.

STUDENT WITH FRENCH ACCENT - I was wondering if you could do me a favour. My flight arrives at 5am. Can you pick me up. (Long pause) Please.

JUSTIN SENSEI - Well it's my day off, and I've been busy all week. I hate getting up early. Sorry.

STUDENT WITH FRENCH ACCENT - Oh. Well if you don't pick me up, I will telephone your wife and tell her that we are having an affair.

Justin Sensei is gobsmacked...

Moshi Moshi..

"Hello...Yes, One Honey covered Pizza please.."

Campai!

Yokel Ted checks out Japanese TV

Some interesting facts about Japan!!!

It bloody rains here too!

Spring heat

Blimey. The last week has seen a dramatic change in the weather here in Saijo. It's like someone has turned on the heating and forgotten to open the window. And not being the greatest fan of hot, humid weather, you can bet that I'm welcoming this muggy change with a sigh of despair.

On a good note, this has meant that the Rice farming season has begun with the farmers flooding their fields. In the warm, close evening this allows a chorus of frogs to chirp away, and help send me to sleep.

The plethora of odd bugs have also started to appear, although thankfully I haven't seen any snakes yet (or millipedes, that just so happen to be poisonous over here).

A recipe for you to try

So here is a recipe for you to try of one of my favourite foods from over here and one that I cooked tonight!

MABU TOFU

INGREDIENTS

Pound soft tofu, rinsed

Medium-size (about 1/3 oz., 3/4 cup)Shitake mushrooms (normal ones will do)

6 to 8 green onions, ends trimmed

1 Aubergine

2/4 pound ground turkey, ground lean beef, ground lean pork or quorn mince

Teaspoon minced fresh ginger

Teaspoon pepper

Tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons of Chilli powder

Cup reduced-sodium or regular soy sauce

Cup of cooking sake (optional)

4 teaspoons cornstarch blended with 1 tablespoon water

INSTRUCTIONS

Cut tofu into 1/2-inch chunks and drain on towels.

In a small bowl, pour 1 cup boiling water over mushrooms; let stand until soft, 15 to 20 minutes. Lift out mushrooms; discard stems. Thinly slice caps; return to water.
Thinly slice green onions, keeping white and green parts separate.

Top and tail the aubergine. Half the Aubergine, lengthwise, and the slice into 2 inch pieces.

Crumble meat/quorn mince into a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over medium-high heat. Add white part of onions; stir often until meat is browned. Add the Aubergine and cook for about 5 minutes. Add ginger, sugar, soy, sake, mushrooms with their water, and cornstarch mixture. Add chilli.

Stir until boiling; add tofu, simmer until hot, about 5 minutes. Spoon mixture onto rice and top with green part of onions. Serves 4-6.

If you like the Tofu with the "skin" (like me), then I recommend adding just after the meat/quorn mince.

ENJOY FOLKS!

The End of Golden Week

And thank the sweet Lord!

Horrible. Bloody Horrible.

Thats the nicest way I can explain this week. Of course this is probably because I had to work 6 days out of 7, whilst the rest of Japan had at least 4 days off and in all probability around 9.

And what are the reasons for my humourous gripes!

Getting up around 8 everyday when my body clock has reset to getting up for 1030. It's a National Holiday, lets get the staff in early..WHY!?!?

Students deciding to come to NOVA and learn English on National Holidays. Bloody Hell dudes, you work God Awful hours go and spend some time with your families, or sleeping or shopping...not at NOVA!!!!

Lack of Kids Lessons. Normally this breaks up the day, without them it feels like you are stuck in permanent Groundhog Day style deja vu.

Taking time off. Leaving an understaffed school to cope on a busy holiday period stinks of selfishness.

At least peeps its BACK TO NORMAL tommorrow.

Golden Week

This week in Japan is Golden Week. This has meant that whilst most people have at least one National Holiday, us Nova-ites must work on!

Below is some information about Golden Week.

"The Golden Week is a collection of four National Holidays within seven days. In combination with well placed weekends, the Golden Week becomes one of Japan's three busiest holiday seasons besides New Year and the Obon week.

The national holidays making up the Golden Week are:
April 29 Greenery Day (Midori no hi): April 29 used to be the birthday of Emperor Showa, who died in the year 1989. After his death, the day was changed into a national holiday for enviroment and Nature , since the emperor loved plants and nature. From 2007, this national holiday will be renamed Showa Day, while Greenery Day will be moved to May 4.

May 3 Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi): On this day in 1947, the new post war constitution was put into effect.

May 4 "Between Day" (Kokumin no kyujitsu): According to Japanese law, a day which falls between two national holidays is also declared a national holiday, unless the "between day" is a Sunday, in which case it will be just a regular Sunday. From 2007, Greenery Day, currently celebrated on April 29, will be moved to May 4.

May 5 Children's Day (Kodomo no hi): The Boy's Festival (Tango no Sekku) is celebrated on this day. Families pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up carp streamers and displaying samurai dolls, both symbolizing strength, power and success in life.

The girls festival, by the way, is celebrated on March 3.
In 2006, the weekends are placed, creating a holiday of five consecutive days. Travel activity is anticipated to peak on May 3 with people leaving the large urban centers and on May 7 in the opposite direction."

A mixed bag

I recieved a great package this week from home (a BIG thanks to Mum and Dad). There is always a little bit of home in everything I get sent from the shores of England. It reminds me that the little things (which contain as much significance as the larger, political and social issues in a way) still continue.

For example, Creme Eggs. Now I know that for those of you in England and reading this across the world who have access to these small chocolate covered pieces of heaven will not understand the delight I had in sinking my teeth into one. But that is one of the things I mean about being in such an alien enviroment; the little things become just as important.

Also this week, well yesterday actually, I recieved word that I will be getting a new flatmate.

Matthew Monaghan, from Australia, will arrive here on the 24th of May.

It will be nice to have a flatmate again, and I just hope he is a nice guy rather than a complete arse.

It is strange thinking that I am one of the "experienced" ones now...

Japan - a retrospective one year on type thing

So.

Well.

Yes.

Right-o.

I'll get on with this post now. So I've been here nearly one year, and despite being stuck in the Capra-san version of Japan (for those of you who don't get this, 1. shame on you and 2. go check out some Frank Capra, namely Mr Smith goes to Washington, Its a wonderful life and The Philadelphia Story)) for this time, I have come to realise that there may be 4 stages of life here.

1. What the F@*#? stage

Weird symbols are everywhere. The food is strange. People look at you funny. I know this sounds like life after a good ole Satruday night out, but this is Japan, your first 2 months in. SERIOUSLY.

Everything is Alien. Not in a H.R. Giger type way, but in a waking up after too much JD in a strange town type way.

Everything seems smaller.

You are afraid to eat anything in case it contains raw poisonous puffa fish (unaware how expensive this is and there is NO WAY this could be in your Cup Noodle).

People look at you like you have two heads and a pimple the size of Bradford.

It gets better though...

2. HOLY SHIT! I AM IN JAPAN AND IM LOVIN IT stage

Comfort and the familiar begins to set in.

Eating raw Octopus is another new adventure.

You've discovered the delights of Karaoke!

Japanese women look hot...all the time.

3. I miss my home country....the bad weather, rude people, ugly large nosed women and shit food stage

This stage usually happens after an excursion home. Everything you tried to escape from seems like gold dust now.

Even that fat ugly girl you kissed once...

Eww!

4. Jeez! I'm glad I had the balls to stay on stage.

My current way of thinking...seeing as I've just moved into this, I cannot make an honest comment! hahahahaha

Come see the view from my appartment!!