Unquestionably Winter

Snow has settled in to stay here in Kamo as of late - I ventured out for a little bit today to take a couple of shots:


Snowy Omi Shrine, Kamo
Originally uploaded by kristi-san.

Also, I don't think I've mentioned it before, but Japan has an interesting method of melting the snow on the roads. Instead of using salt, they've equipped many streets with a kind of built-in sprinkler system that turns everything to mush:


Keeping Roads Safe, Japanese-Style
Originally uploaded by kristi-san.

On Monday night, Rosalind and I ventured out to Niigata City to see a jazz concert being sponsored by the U.S. embassy. Apparently, Niigata-ken was one of the top two prefectures that donated money to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, so the concert was a "thank you" for that generosity. Only three were scheduled around Japan - in Tokyo, Kobe, and Niigata, surprisingly enough. Anyway, it was very lively and provided ample opportunity to chuckle at the gigantic differences in African-American and Japanese culture as the two tried to interact on stage. But yeah, it was great fun. Everyone got really into it. Good times were had.


Doreen's Jazz (and Japanese Guests) - Niigata Thank You Concert
Originally uploaded by kristi-san.

Work has been really incredible busy, with lots of special things to plan for here and there. Taught my first English elective class on Tuesday, doing a bit of a murder mystery game for the kids. Next Monday I'm teaching my first handicapped class. The students have been extremely friendly lately, very much in the holiday spirit. I finished my apps for University of Michigan, University of Chicago, and University of Wisconsin in the past few days. Columbia is my next project, since the deadline was extended until December 19.

And to close, a summary of what's going through my mind these days:

Grad School Apps Left: 6
Days Until I Fly Home: 7
Number of Classes Left in 2005: 8
Days of Work Left in 2005: 4

It's raining, it's pouring...

Niigata has been a very rainy place as of late. Snow has been falling in the more western parts of the prefecture, but in the middle (or chuetsu) region, it has been nothing but gray skies and steady rain. Even now, I hear the drops steadily pelting my windows... I went into Nagaoka for my monthly Board of Education meeting today and took a quick snapshot to capture the very typical weather:


Rainy Nagaoka
Originally uploaded by kristi-san.

I just returned from my first bon-enkai or "forget the year" party out there. It was fun hanging out with the other prefectural ALTs and generally having a good time, particularly since I rarely see that set of folks.

I got my second completed app under the belt today - after much deliberation, UCLA went into the mail this morning. Supplementary materials and writing samples are also winging their way to Columbia, Chicago, Michigan, and Wisconsin. (The rest of their apps are my project for this weekend, oh joy of joys). Seriously, this whole process is like a second full-time job.

Ohisashiburi!

It's been a while! And of course, lots and lots has happened. You know what that means - time for a list!

1. Berkeley Application: Submitted!
That's right, that's right! 1 down, 10 to go!

2. Upcoming Clarinet Solo - Date TBA
The music teachers at my base school recently walked up to me and handed me a copy of the solo clarinet part for Sing Sing Sing. Oh God.

3. Haircut at a Japanese Salon!
So, despite my initial reluctance, this it turned out to be an *amazing* experience. A Japanese friend recommended a salon in Kamo. It started out with a consultation (per usual). And then there was the shampooing. I think I know how it feels to be a car going through an automatic car wash - that's how practiced and quick this guy's movements were. It was wonderful. And it lasted like 5 minutes or so. And then he rinsed. And then he shampooed my hair for another 5 minutes. And then there was the conditioner. And then there was a head, neck, and shoulder massage. And then my hair was cut. And then there was another shampoo. And then it was time to blowdry and flat-iron. Two hours and 4800 yen later, Kristi was finally able to wear her hair down again. *smile* A girl from the salon even walked me to my car in the rain so my hair wouldn't get wet...

4. English Day at Niigata Women's College
I spent the majority of my Saturday talking to Japanese college girls. They're all studying English, so their school lured in a whole slew of ALTs with promises of free food and about $100 in compensation. It was a *lot* of fun. I met a lot of nice girls and got a lot of cell phone numbers. It was also exhausting beyond all belief though. They rotated through in half-hour sessions, so every thirty minutes you had to start a new conversation with two or three girls. It's hard to be on for that long... Afterwards, one of the girls slipped me a little note, complete with pictures of cats, the Space Needle, and a little self-portrait - and her contact information, of course...


English Day at Niigata Women's College
Originally uploaded by kristi-san.

5. Fun in Niigata City
Melissa, Aaron, Kate, JP, Nuria, and I decided to have ourselves a good time out on the town:


Outside the Immigrant's Cafe, Niigata City
Originally uploaded by kristi-san.

At the Hot Spot, Niigata City
Originally uploaded by kristi-san.

Niigata ALTs Love Purikura
Originally uploaded by kristi-san.

6. Winter Shopping!
So, I mentioned that I got paid $100 to talk to Japanese students, right? Well, guess what I did with it. :) Seriously though, people are saying it's going to snow any day now, so I went on a little shopping excursion. I bought the most amazing pair of boots ever. And a down coat that's very much in the Japanese fashion (fur-trimmed hood and all). But very warm, of course. Fun stuff.

Ok, that's enough for now - it's past my 10 pm bedtime, as sad as that is. :) Back to work tomorrow... Hrm...