leaving japan

Hello, this is Esan again and I’m not being bribed to write another paragraph in the blog”wink.” So im writing at about 11:50 the night before we leave to go back to the states and I’ve got to admit, it’s a little sad leaving everyone here in Tokyo. Even though we are leaving tomorrow I’ve got a lot to remember Japan with, like my 35,000 yen which isn’t bad at all being that I didn’t have to do anything to get that money except going to restaurants with my family. Also I’ve read 2 books during my trip that were ok and I also learned a song on the piano from my cousin who’s pretty ducking good if I might add. Biking 2 north side video store was a lot of fun 2 even though most of the time we didn’t buy anything but it was still a good experience. Some bad things though is that I got destroyed by mosquito’s and I technically got hit by a car riding my bike with no hands (lol, you should have seen the guys face who was driving.) besides that it was a very fun trip and I would love to come back again. So, this is about the end of my blog entry and I guess im just about 24 hours from lying down in the basement and watching TV. And my bag is totally packed with food that Mary said we had to put in! And we may also be getting a PS3 and if Sean is reading this mom I talked to dad to tell Sean but he didn’t want to talk so dad said that whatever it was I could have it for myself so I have his word that he can’t use it, even though that’s probably not gonna happen. Well, no more for me, and don’t worry we have plenty of pictures of Japan and also videos of us in the house so you don’t have to worry. And while I’m drinking my reward of unlimited ordinamin C’s can’t wait to see everyone at home. See you in a little bit, Peace!!!

Another Sayonara

Leaving again. I know I feel this way every time, but this visit… it really feels like we shouldn’t be going back yet. Three weeks just isn’t long enough. I’m so used to staying here for months that it seems like my trip should be just beginning, I should just be settling in. But, that’s not the case this time. We’re off tomorrow, back to the U.S. It’s mixed feelings, like always, knowing I’m gonna miss everyone/everything so much and also having so much to look forward to in the states. I don’t feel as sad as I did about leaving before though. I’ll be back, soon. It feels more certain than it did in the past. This is another home that I know I can always come back to. It’s a pretty amazing thing to have two places in two parts of the world where I can say I feel 100% at home and comfortable.



Our last dinner outing: Korean BBQ. It's been a good visit. Really, really good. It was a lot different than ones that I'm used to, but I suppose that's just the way of things the more that I come here. I'm so glad to have gotten to spend this time with Ethan (as frustrating as it was at moments). It will be weird to not see him everyday, not hear his "psych!" or "your mom" jokes (yes, i know, he does those jokes to me). But, I think we'll both remember this trip for a long time and hopefully be in Japan together (with everyone else too) again soon!

Alright well, for now, bye bye Japan. またね〜！

much love,
Hanako

Rice, rice everywhere...

We're back!! Ethan and I got back from Soma a couple days ago and it was absolutely gorgeous!!! We were way out in the countryside of Japan, surrounded simply by ocean, woods and rice fields. With none of the noise, department stores, sky scrapers, traffic jams, or neon lights of Tokyo, I think Ethan and I both experienced a bit of culture shock. We had no time to waste though, thanks to Chieko-san, our schedule was completely packed with fun ways to check out the area. In fact, we ended up hardly teaching any English. Which was fine cuz we all had a great time just exploring Soma and hanging out.


I wasn’t kidding. So many of the roads we drove down were rice fields as far as you could see. It was a perfect time of the year too, cuz the green was beautiful! The down side though: to us, everywhere looked the same. So, getting lost just became a part of our daily routine.


This trip has made me realize how much I truly love the beach. I would’ve been totally content to just spend the whole time hanging out at the ocean, relaxing, playing and listening to the waves.

The sunrise is somewhere behind the clouds in this photo. Miraculously, every single person (Ethan included!), woke up at 4am to go see it.  The weather wasn’t really in our favor though and we didn’t get to see much.

No success with catching any fish, but Ethan did get a gigantic piece of seaweed together with a tiny crab.
Japanese style BBQ: This was a first for me and Emer, and a total change up from what we're used to when we hear "bbq." No burgers or hot dogs here, we were cooking up yaki niku (marinated beef) and yaki soba (noodles). The food was out of this world and left a lot of us with pretty heavy stomachs.

Hanabi! Tokyo recently enforced a new rule that says you're not allowed to do hanabi in small parks, side streets, etc, basically meaning no more individual fireworks in the city. So, we took full advantage of the big space, less enforced rules of Soma and did all sorts of loud, fun fireworks.




In total there were 14 of us, and it was definitely a really fun group to be a part of. We all got along great and remarkably left with no one getting sick, hurt or having anything else major happening. It was a new, but no doubt awesome experience for both Ethan and I.

much love,
Hanako

my trip to japan

hello, this is esan franz and i am in japan with my loser sister who nags me about everything and needs to get a life and give me all her money. being in japan is ok but there are many downsides like for example, the bugs and insects here are so big and gigantic that most of them look like they can kill you, and the heat and humidity makes it extremely hot. well thats it for me, and if anybodies reading this wire me some money please!!!

P.S. we just got done teaching in soma and all we taught them were how to say omg and idk. so... yeah im a pretty good $#%@ing teacher. peace

food!!

Caan't forget the food.  This post is devoted solely to Japanese food.  In Tokyo, your choices are never limited, which if you're anything like me, is more than a enough to keep your mouth good and watering.

Tokyo is a pretty unique mix of modern/traditional/Japanese/International elements, and not just with food, but everything.  This obviously has it's ups and downs, but for food, I'd have to lean way towards the plus side.  

Conveyor Belt Sushi:  One of my favorites!  In Tokyo, it's hard to go wrong with sushi, and especially if it's on a conveyor belt; nothing beats freshly made sushi sliding by at your fingertips.   

Ramen:  Quick, cheap and oh soooo good.  This muddle of noodles, sprouts, pork, scallions or whatever else, is a slurping daydream.   

Korean BBQ:  I'm not one for cooking meat, or really eating it a lot, but this is a definite exception.  Also, probably the few ways that I would be totally fine with eating cow tongue, liver and other not so appetizing animal parts.  

and lastly, mcdonald's.  ethan, three weeks without it?  ...i tried.  

Ok, that's all for the food for now.  There's much, much more, so expect a part 2...  I've also realized that most of the food I included originated in other places, so I'll try and include more 'Japanese' food in the next one.  Also look for desserts... hmmm, yes.  

Ethan and I are off to English camp now!  We leave tomorrow for Soma, Japan for swimming, hiking, fishing and of course more co-teaching!  Write more when we get back!

much love,

Hanako

all over Tokyo

We had a pretty packed day on Sunday, visiting a traditional Japanese garden, riding a boat on the Sumida River and hanging out at one of Tokyo's biggest aquariums.  Our first stop was the garden, which was surprisingly gorgeous.  The route there was typical Tokyo: buildings, cement... repeat.  But, when we walked past the gate, it was like we had entered another world.   It was quiet, peaceful and green!  This is by far one of my favorite aspects of Tokyo, the twists and turns that can lead you somewhere that seems so out of place, but yet, was just what you needed. 

Then we were off on the boat to the aquarium.  It was a short ride, and very tourist-y, but it was interesting and we got a nice view of the city.   

Next we were on our way to the aquarium, but we actually missed the boat that would've taken us straight to the aquarium, so we ended up having to take like 2 or 3 more trains plus the monorail.  It was a nice crash course in Tokyo public transit for Ethan, but I think after the like 2nd train, he was a bit over it.  

I don't remember the last aquarium I went to in the US and Ethan couldn't either, but he definitely seemed to enjoy it and get a kick out of the tons of different things that we got to check out.  

I have another English lesson later on today, but this time, no Ethan.  Today's class is the older "obaasan" (grandma/older women) class, and no matter how much I offer, he doesn't really seem to budge with this one.  Which is fine I guess, cuz we leave for the camp on Sunday, when there'll be plenty to do.  

much love,

Hanako

First English Lesson

Ethan and I taught our first lesson!  There was a lot of coercing, bribing and buying of Japanese soda drinks that had to happen before hand, but in the end, I'd have to say that it went pretty well.  The lesson didn't last that long and we mostly just played this one card game, but for Ethan's first time teaching anything or really doing anything of that sort, it was definitely a success.  

Later on that day was also an "obon festival," which is why the one girl is wearing a yukata (summer kimono).  Ethan and I ended up wearing them later on too, with much thanks to Chieko-san (the woman who runs the English school) who bought one for each of us.  

attempting to learn the obon dance

Yojiro and I have been here one week now.  It's definitely an interesting living situation.  Baba: our 72 year old grandma, who has one of the loudest personalities I've ever encountered, plus her 14 year old grandson, who is also loud, kind of obnoxious and not to mention:  English only.  Then there's me:  umm... somewhere in the middle??  Sometimes I definitely feel like it's a bit much, but I gotta say, overall...  it's been pretty entertaining.  Knock on wood it continues to stay that way...

much love,

Hanako