Don't Touch My Moustache

Halloween Party 2009

2009-10-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

Chie and I headed to Ash for my first Halloween party of the year. I have another one at work this coming Sunday. I chose to be Anpanman this year, he is a famous cartoon character here. You can see the original Anpanman as well. Chie is really talented and helped me create the costume. She did the sewing and such.

We threw the costume together in one day, thus I had to settle on socks for gloves because we couldn't find any gloves. It made drinking my beer difficult. I had to drink with 2 hands like a child...

Apple Marathon Pre-Show

2009-10-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

Oh naive Jared, you had no idea that you would be so out of shape...But check out the cool microchip!

Apple Marathon Begins!

2009-10-14T08:45:00.000-07:00

This is where it all began...

Apple Marathon In Action

2009-10-14T08:39:00.001-07:00

I actually started the race running much faster, but at this point my legs and body could only move at this speed.

Apple Marathon Finish Line

2009-10-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

Apple Marathon Complete!

2009-10-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

I am almost crying, or maybe dying, but I made it.

Apple Marathon...

2009-10-14T08:07:00.000-07:00

Actually, in Japan they say "marathon" for all road races. I only ran the 5 km race. It was a positive and negative experience. First the good news. I ran the whole way and I came in under 27 minutes(that's with only 2 training days which I only ran about 2-4 km each time). The bad news is that I had a cold and almost threw up, I ran 7 minutes slower than my dad's best time, and I lost to a lot of older people...much older!

When I arrived I almost made Chie drive me home because there were so many people there. Of course, in Japan, when people do activities they wear professional looking clothes. Everyone was decked out in running gear, the nicest shoes, tights, and running shirts. I have to admit that I was really nervous! There were some 4000 people running this year, luckily only 528 people ran the 5 km. I finished(barely) 171, but 61 in my age group. As you will see in the photos and the videos that follow, I wasn't in very good shape at the finish line. Next year, my dad's time is going to be broken.

Chie joins the 30 club!

2009-10-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

On September 27th, we celebrated Chie's 30th birthday at her restaurant with many friends, including a few American workers staying at the hotel. Afterwards, we went out for karaoke. It was a great day in which we practiced cutting the cake!

Hanabi part 3

2009-08-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Star Wars!

Hanabi part 2

2009-08-08T07:48:00.000-07:00

So the Hanabi was fantastic. Why was it better than in Lincoln? Maybe it was because we were almost directly beneath it. Fireworks are so much better when you can sit close to them and feel the power when they explode. In fact, a couple times it appeared that some people may even get rained on by some of the fireworks...but everything remained safe. Enjoy more English music with Amazing Grace...

Hanabi but no real Neputa

2009-08-08T07:18:00.000-07:00

This year was great but also a little disappointing. I did have the chance to see a fireworks show for the first time in at least 2 years, and it was much better than any I have seen in Lincoln. It was a real performance that lasted about 2 hours, it was really well done. Also, Chie and I got yukatas, which is the traditional attire to wear to Hanabi and summer festivals, and we enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere. Apparently, I look really good in a yukata because I am not too skinny, and not too fat! That means I am just chubby enough to fit perfectly into the yukata. On the other hand, last year my school was across the street on ground level so we had seats right outside the school to watch the Neputa festival. However, this year, on the second floor, we stayed inside. Only a couple of students stopped by and it wasn't very exciting. I guess it's like watching fireworks on TV. I did get to see about 30 minutes of the festival on Sunday of the opening weekend and even enjoyed some soy sauce/mayo chicken on a stick. Next year, I think I may take a few days off to see the Neputa in Hirosaki and Tachi-Neputa in Goshogarawa(see earlier post from the museum), and even jump with the Nebuta in Aomori. Check out the Back to the Future theme song during the opening fireworks! More to come...

Getting excited for Neputa

2009-07-23T07:17:00.000-07:00

Neputa is just around the corner, actually about 8 days away. This is the time of year when the biggest festival in Aomori takes place. In Hirosaki, we have floats that are carried and rolled through the streets while groups play music and dance. It is really exciting. In Aomori they also have jumpers and it is more active, and goes by Nebuta. In Goshogarawa they have 4 story Tachi-Neputa. Last Monday I went to Goshogarawa to see the Tachi-Neputa at their museum and may actually go to see them in action this year. I have included pictures of the huge door used to bring them out as well as a model of the 3 different Neputas/Nebuta. Here's a taste...

The lighthouse

2009-07-14T15:02:00.001-07:00

As if seeing horses along the sea wasn't enough. Their home is on the same land as a famous lighthouse...I am lucky to live in Aomori.

Wild Horses pt. 2

2009-07-14T14:54:00.001-07:00

Although the horses seemed quite calm, a sense of awe took over me as I was amazed by their raw power. I couldn't help but think that at any time they could become aggressive. They didn't, but this Japanese man had to run around his car to get back inside.

Wild Horses pt. 1

2009-07-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

These horses are not much different than what I've seen before other than that they seem much more powerful. I don't know if it's because they are wild or because of their huge legs. The weather turned out some great photos as the horses are in sunlight while the sky is grey and the grass is so green.

Drive to Mutsu

2009-07-14T14:26:00.000-07:00

Last Monday I took a trip to the Mutsu area of Aomori, which is the axe at the north of the prefecture. The purpose was to visit some famous wild horses that live near a lighthouse. It was far better than anything I could have imagined. The scenery along the way was breathtaking, while the horses(as you will see soon) and the lighthouse were magnificent in their own way. My dad likes lighthouses so I hope he can enjoy these photos.

I'm Huge in Japan

2009-07-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

After 1 year in Hirosaki, there is still quite a lot that I haven't seen. Today my friend showed me the rest of the city. Some of it I wish my parents could have seen when they came to visit...I guess they need to come again!

Wasao in action

2009-06-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

WASAO!!! At Last!

2009-06-28T22:18:00.000-07:00

The ugly-cute Fusa-Fusa wanco seemed to be out of our reach that day. We finally stumbled upon his shop but Wasao was riding around in the back of his pickup. However, just as we were ready to leave, guess who showed up...

In Search of Wasao!

2009-06-28T22:10:00.000-07:00

After our day at the beach we headed off in search of the ugly-cute dog named Wasao. He is a legend in Ajigasawa. At mere 2 years old he has become an internet sensation, he even has his own photo show up at the Ajigasawa Hall. After an hour of searching we nearly gave up and went home...

Ajigasawa Beach

2009-06-28T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hirosaki seems to have everything, the beach and sea, mountains and snowboarding, festivals, and usually great weather. Just another day in Aomori Prefecture as we took a short trip to the beach.

Parents in Japan Pt. 3

2009-06-15T06:20:00.000-07:00

Parents in Japan pt. 2

2009-06-15T06:12:00.001-07:00

My Parents came to Japan pt. 1

2009-06-15T06:03:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally had my first visitors and it was a wonderful time. They were lucky enough to see the most beautiful time in Hirosaki as well as visit Tokyo and Nikko. The following are pictures of the week they were here.

30 is the new 20!

2009-03-28T19:09:00.000-07:00

Well that's if at 20 you just relax at home on your birthday and watch 24:Redemption. So I relaxed with Rie and Jack Bauer, which actually didn't feel like 24. The good news is that turning 30 didn't feel so bad. I still feel young and I have a new desire to become healthier. Today, I will buy some jogging shoes. Last week, I started mini workouts in my apartment. Now that Spring is just around the corner(I thought it was here last week but then it snowed again this week) I am ready to get back in shape. I don't have many problems with my old body except that sometimes my back hurts. I think it's genetic, from my dad.

My parents are coming to town in about 1 month, I am very excited. So who will be next? I hope a few more people come out to see what I think is a very nice, but little known city. Please keep reading the blog, Spring brings about a lot exciting things to do. I was getting bored of posting snow pictures. So more will come, just wait a bit longer. And please, no bad language in your comments or I cannot post them(Pierce!).

Failure...

2009-03-01T09:30:00.000-08:00

Success...

2009-03-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

Snowboarding

2009-03-01T09:17:00.000-08:00

One of the benefits of living in Hirosaki, Japan and not in the bigger cities is the chance to go snowboarding every weekend. I haven't quite been out that often, but have made it out about 7 or 8 times. I have only been to Ajigasaw this year but plan to visit Hakkoda and Owani or Hyakuzawa. Here's a taste of what I've been up to. Yes that is me flying through the air...and I landed that as well!

It's FINALLY official!

2009-02-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

I don't know if this means Arsenal can get back into fourth place by the end of the season. But one thing it does mean is that I can get some sleep!

I hope we get to see Arshavin play soon!

Saitama Stadium, Home of the Reds

2009-01-25T06:57:00.003-08:00

So I finally got to see a real soccer stadium! It was my first time that I could feel like I was a professional player, even though I didn't even step on the pitch. I have been inside Memorial Stadium several times to watch the Huskers, and even played a soccer game on the field. However, I have never been shocked at seeing such a great stadium which football's(the real football) greatest players have stepped foot in. This stadium is now home of the Urawa Red Diamonds, but a few years back was one of the main fields used for the World Cup. As an unashamed David Beckham fan I even took a nice photo of his enlarged autograph. Then Rie and I did our best Becks and Posh impressions...notice the sweet shades. They are so sweet that the lens sometimes falls out.

Be careful of the cab drivers around Urawa station though. Our cabbie got lost and still continued to charge us. On the plus side, there is a station right by the stadium. When I say right by I mean, 1.2 km away. It's not JR lines however and you have to wait a bit longer for your train to leave, but the walk to or from the stadium is nice. This summer I hope to catch a game or two at the stadium, and if I'm lucky maybe even a Nippon National game.

More Asakusa

2009-01-25T06:39:00.001-08:00

If you find this sake tasting booth, don't be fooled like I was. I was later informed that the more expensive white sake was non-alcoholic! What a sham! Oh well, it was mid-afternoon so I really didn't need to drink. As for the pigeon, he kept staring at me like I was supposed to give him something. So I hope he's happy that I gave him immortality on my website, which is viewed by about 3 people. You're welcome!

Tokyo, Take 2

2009-01-25T06:19:00.000-08:00

Well I made it back to Tokyo for my winter holidays. I spent about 8 days down in Saitama, and travelled to Tokyo quite a bit. This is the first of my trips...I think. It has been about 3 weeks since I got back but I don't have a lot of time between work and snowboarding. I even forgot to put out my plastic(PET) bottles this week, that means 2 more weeks of sitting in my apartment entrance.

Back to the trip. This first set of pictures is from our trip to Asakusa. It is a wonderful area of Tokyo that lacks Japanese people. Actually, that's not exactly true, but there might be more foreigners than Japanese. There are so many shops with Japanese ornaments and dolls and such that it feels like the entrance to Disneyland. As we made our way closer to the temple I participated in putting smoke over my head and body and washing my hands in a public fountain. The temple was beautiful and the experience would have been more exciting on the 1st or 2nd of January. This is one of those places that you should visit if you are a tourist in Japan. If you come, look out for the giant poop on the Asahi building as you ride the train. Thanks to Kevin I got to see it. However, we actually took the wrong train, so I had to see it on our drive home from Roppongi a few days later. I think it's supposed to be foam from a beer, but everyone seems to recognize it as poop.

1st 6 months part 8

2008-12-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

The first snow. Just like Nebraska, people can't drive during the first snow. Also, it doesn't appear to be a requirement to shovel sidewalks. It's actually quite a relief to know that you are responsible for yourself and not others. If you walk in the snow and fall, it's your fault. Maybe it seems cruel but I love the responsibility. It actually carries over to almost everything, for example, bars are not required to close until they choose, as far as I can tell. The one exception, is that Pachinko parlors must close at 11pm. Just look at the snow... Also, if you see this first, try starting at part one. It is pretty much in chronological order. There is more to come soon.

1st 6 months part 7

2008-12-10T08:57:00.000-08:00

Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING has a mascot in Japan. Unfortunately, I only have a few examples, but once visiting Japan you will soon realize that this is true, even comical. Just like Disneyland, which is one reason it may be so popular in Japan.

1st 6 months part 6

2008-12-10T08:50:00.001-08:00

More Tokyo...

1st 6 months part 5

2008-12-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

Tokyo continued... My first visit to Tokyo was too short and even though we skipped around town I felt like I saw less than 1% of the city.

1st 6 months part 4

2008-12-10T08:28:00.000-08:00

Tokyo was great but extremely crowded. I will be going back at the end of December and hopefully will continue to fall in love and see more of the city. I used to think that I could convince people to visit me in Hirosaki(which you should because it's beautiful and calm) and was considering copying Andrew's offer of buying dinner for my first visitor, Rie you don't count but I bought you dinner anyway. However, I soon realized that Hirosaki is like Maine in the USA, nobody in Japan ever comes here. I don't think anyone realizes how nice it is. So, if you come to Japan I promise that I will meet you in Tokyo and show you around. You will love it, unless you are claustrophobic and you have the patience to wait in line.

1st 6 months part 3

2008-12-10T08:20:00.000-08:00

Mount Iwaki...It's about 30 minutes from Hirosaki and is a great place to go fro hiking. It's quite beautiful even on a cloudy and foggy day. In fact, it is easy to see why people once believed there was a dragon living in the mountain. Soon, many of the mountains will be covered with snow in which I will be snowboarding.

1st 6 months part 2

2008-12-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

Neputa...This is only a brief view of what really happened, there were some 70+ neputas, or floats(except they aren't floats). There is also some discrepancy as to who has the largest taiko drum in Japan. I was told that this one is, however, I have heard contradictions from people who are not from Hirosaki. Needless to say it is large!

1st 6 months part 1

2008-12-10T07:42:00.000-08:00

First of all, to all my friends and family who have waited to hear from me or learn about life in Japan, I am sorry for the wait. In my defense, I have to say that I didn't have internet until late October. I went 5 months without internet and it was nice, however I am sure my parents wished they had heard from me more.

The first question you may ask yourself(and my FAQ will be what I think you wonder, maybe not what you really care about) is Japan better than the USA? I can't definitively say yes, but many things are better and I'm sure many things are worse. At the moment, I am still in love, and as they say, "love is blind." Even the things that have bothered me I tend to look at more optimistically than other foreigners do. Most of the things people see as faults in Japan, I see as faults in me. Not being able to use ATMs 24/7 seems like a burden but it's actually quite refreshing. So I will begin with a few pictures and short descriptions and if you have questions feel free to ask. However, if you want to ask about my work you will have to send me an email as I cannot talk about my job in a public blog.

Enjoy...

Barack Obama Wins!!!!

2008-11-04T09:19:00.001-08:00

You have heard it first here. I am calling the election at 2:20 am Wednesday morning Japanese time. That's 11:20 am Central time USA on Tuesday November 4 th. Obama wins!!! Hope for the world...Next post will be back to Japan

2008-10-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

So just under six months and I finally have internet! It's kind of crazy to think of a country so advanced in technology could give me so much trouble. As it turns out, apparently my city changed all of the addresses about 5-10 years ago and my company didn't pick up on that so that delayed my internet 2 months beyond the original 3 week wait. I have plenty of pictures but not a lot of time so check back once a week and hopefully I can fit something new onto the site.

VOTE OBAMA or else! (not much I can threaten you with as I am not moving back to the USA anytime soon, but if you visit me I won't talk to you for 30 minutes out of every hour you are here! booyah!)

I am still alive, just having a tough time with internet

2008-09-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures to wet your appetite for what's to come...as soon as I sort out my internet.

only 2 weeks or more until new posts!

2008-05-31T23:21:00.000-07:00

I am sorry for all of you who have been waiting so patiently for new posts. However, there is a little problem with Hirosaki. It seems that there is no such thing as wireless internet in coffee shops or restaurants, etc. Also, before I can start a bank account I had to get a gaijin card, which is a slang term for foreigner card. Without this card I cannot get internet, cell phone or anything else for that matter. So it has been a bit lonely but I have also been busy. I have a lot of pictures to put up and stories to tell. Tomorrow I will pick up this wonderful card and set up a bank account and if I have enough time I will get a cell phone. After I set up the internet it may take weeks before they actually install it, so hang on don't forget about me. I promise that you won't be disappointed.

Izakaya Night...but still in Vancouver

2008-05-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

Words of Wisdom

2008-05-15T16:21:00.001-07:00

Vancouver

2008-05-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard yet, I'm out of the USA. I have travelled to our northern neighbor Canada. I am in what may be the most amazing city I have been to so far in my short life. Imagine a city like San Francisco or Chicago except where kilometers are used, some funky money with the queen of England(I think!) on it, 2 and 1 dollar coins, and dimes and quarters that are cleaner and shinier yet a little smaller than ours in the US. Next, replace every scowl and unpleasantness with a smile and helping hand. Finally, the part that I least expected, about 40% of the population is Asian, mostly Chinese and Japanese, it is astonishing. I actually don't believe this figure as I have seen more asian people than white, but that's what wikipedia said. You also have to just see the other cultures that are also considered part of this wonderful city. Even the airport workers/security were in good and helpful moods, I swear it's true. Anyone who has traveled within the US is sure to think I am telling lies, thinking I've become to soft and gone pro-Canadian, but honestly I can see why people love it here. I actually was waiting to speak to the traffic/security lady at the airport and she didn't ignore me, she approached me and asked what she could do. Then as I asked where I could find my bus, she smiled and showed me where to go. It was almost too scary.

I didn't get any pictures of it, but along the main road from the airport there are thousands of trees that are literally walled together providing privacy for the houses behind. There were your normal evergreen-like trees you would expect to see in Canada, but then I kid you not there were palm trees! Could Vancouver be the paradise of cultural togetherness and love? I almost forgot, even the homeless on the street do not even ask you one thing, is it that maybe people give to them from the kindness of their hearts? I don't know what's going on here, but I will do my best to find out and Americanize Vancouver before it gets to crazy. I have 6 days.

Last days in lincoln

2008-05-11T12:27:00.001-07:00

Hirosaki City

2008-04-04T20:45:00.000-07:00

I have just found out where I will be located. My company is about 90% sure that I will be in Hirosaki City. I am so excited to be moving to Japan. I am a little nervous that I will be quite far from my friends who are in Saitama and Nagoya, but this is what it's all about. I now have a chance to embrace the culture and language. This could also be interesting as I am told that there is a strong dialect in the north. I don't know if this will cause a problem when I travel, but I will soon find out.
The area seems to be rich with heritage; there is a castle, several festivals, and a few temples. From what I can tell, it will be like the Lincoln of Japan but with mountains. Hirosaki is a little more spread out than the bigger cities, the cost of living is lower, and the weather is a bit colder. It is about 168, 000 people or so, which may be a bit smaller than Lincoln, but that's probably why they chose this location. They probably didn't want a little Nebraska boy to freak out in the city.
Enjoy these pictures that I have found online, and for some photos of the snow light festival check out this website: http://samuraidave.wordpress.com/category/yuki-matsuri/

Hard Work Pays Off

2008-03-20T20:19:00.000-07:00

I slept for an average of 3 hours a night during my travels, but it was well worth it. I was offered a job. I'm excited things are in motion, pics to follow when I have time.

6 days

2008-03-08T20:58:00.000-08:00

I have started this blog hoping to document my life after graduation. What will my life be like now? I hope to get a job teaching English in Japan and next week I will take my first step. I have two interviews, one in Dallas and one in Chicago. It looks like my best case scenario would be to move to Japan in late May or June if I am offered a job after next weekend.
I have been preparing for the interview for about one week now and I think I will be ready. I am lucky enough to know a few teachers who have loaned books to me or given great advice and I appreciate their help. Today Rie bought me a nice Japanese language map, which will make me the nerdy tourist when I first arrive but honestly I think it will be very helpful. I am following in the footsteps of my wonderful friends, Kevin, Greg, and Andrew(but Andrew never went to Japan, he's so crazy!). My next blog will come from Dallas. Cheers!