The Dutch Baka

summer vacation 2009

2009-08-16T17:25:00.001-07:00

This summer I only had 2 weeks of, last year I had 1.5 month off (I didn't get paid for it, now I do get paid), and it was a very nice one... so nice that I am not looking forward to go back to work tomorrow. Go go Davey!

My brother came over for 2 weeks and we have done a lot of things together... a small list of the things that we have done:

*Barbeque and Sukiyaki at the parents-in-law
*Shabu Shabu and gaming with Fred in Harborland

*Tokyo for 3 days
---Shopping in Ginza (I could finally go to H&M again... next year there will maybe come one in Osaka)
---Gaming in Akihabara and enjoying a maid cafe (the games were pretty cool... Street fighter 4 and Half life... We also enjoyed the maid cafe, although some of the guys whom were walking around there were pretty... weird)
---Roppongi hills (We went to Mori tower for the City view at night... which was amazing! We had a great view over the city and Tokyo Tower looked sweet at night as well)
---Shinjuku and Shibuya (We saw Hachiko, bought some CD's at Tower records, enjoyed the view from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, saw some crazy kids in Yoyogi Park, and went to a sword museum that should have been a lot more interesting)
---Odaiba ( Joypolis a small but very cool indoor attraction park together with Yuka and Takeshi, saw THE 15 meter tall Gundam, and had dinner at an Indian restaurant at 1.30 A.M.
--- Chiba... visiting a friends house, Disney resort (just to take a picture lol), Tsukiji market (we were to late, so there wasn't anything interesting besides the very nice Sushi restaurant), Asakusa (which wasn't very interesting, because I've already been to Kyoto 5 times), and Akihabara again (street fighter)

*Making a TV shelf for the bedroom (my brother is a carpenter ;) )
*Enjoying fireworks with too many people at Yodogawa firework festival
*Nara for 2 days to stay over at Mayuko her friend's place and to visit Kasuga Taisha, Todai-ji, and the beautifal horyu-ji
*Batting center with the sister-in-law to become number 2 ... meaning my brother and I needed to pay for Baskin Robbins 31 ice cream for the whole family
*Visiting graves in Kita-ku and Ashiya
*Going to the city farm on top of Rokko-san
*Shopping in Sannomiya and having a a lovely lunch at Triton Cafe in Kitano
*Going to World Buffet, and to do some game horse ridding (I thought I would die)
*Watching several movies; Hush, Bittersweet life, Wasabi, Banlieu 13 (part 2), and G.I. Joe (which wasn't too bad)

This is my last day off, and all I am going to do today is to relax with my family and sleep ...

Here are some photos

Extra
This holiday a good friend from my wife and I whom we met in Australia committed suicide... Not sure why she did it, because we haven't seen her for a while... but it's just soo unrealistic, especially because she was the only person I have met in my life whom really seemed to enjoy her life to the fullest... We will miss you, but your smile will continue. Let's enjoy life to the fullest

An interesting Sunday, and a new challenge

2009-07-22T06:22:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I went to my first Karate tournament... No I didn't participate (I am not sure if I want to with those punches one guy got on his chest for 9 minutes long), but a friend of mine, Boukje, did. She didn't expect to win at all, but she won twice and because of that she got a shared 3rd place. WOEHOEEE GO GO BOUKJE!!!!

Her husband had 2 fights as well later on the afternoon. He won both of them, which made him champion!!!

Bronze medal Taekwondo fighter Yoriko Okamoto was there as well, so I managed to get a sign (with my name spelled wrong), and a nice picture.

New Challenge

From August I will start my new study: Bachelor Communication & multimedia design.
This study will probably take me about 2-3 years, but I am sure it will be worth it. I love working with computers, and I am very interested in learning more about management.

Someday... I want to have my own company.

JLPT 2 2009 .... it's over...

2009-07-05T17:34:00.000-07:00

After having studied for weeks for the JLPT, the day was finally there yesterday...

I arrived at Kwansei Gakuin (関西学院) where I met this guy I used to go to KCC with. The first test (Kanji - Vocabulary) started at 9.45 which went pretty good (except for the part that they only said ; 5 more minutes to go.... and where you expect them to say last 1 minute it is suddenly: Time is up, put your pencil down.... aaa I still need to do 5 more questions... check check check check check)... Maybe around 75 points

The second test (listening) went really well, I made a lot of notes in the second parts. maybe 85 points...

The 3rd test (reading - grammar) went very well except for the reading part... which I just didn't get because of stress, tiredness, or just because my reading skills suck (probably the last one)... maybe 90 points

Meaning, 75 + 85+ 90 = 250 points.... I need 240 points...

I have to wait until September to hear the result ( please think of me :) )

I kinda feel empty now, having studied Japanese for months and prepared for the test for weeks... and now I don't have to do anything anymore... Setting new goals: LOI Bachelor Communication and Multimedia Design ....

JLPT 2 2009

2009-06-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

One more week to go and then I am going to take the Japanese language proficiency test (JLPT) again.

Although I have far more confidence than the previous time, there are still a lot of things that I have to review in the upcoming week.... 4 card sets, and 1 grammar book.

I practiced the test today, and the kanji part went very well... but I forgot a lot of vocabulary, and saw a lot of grammar rules that I have seen last week, but forgot how and what.

GO GO GO PAPA...

superman is sleeping

2009-06-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

It's here....... Swine flu in Kobe

2009-05-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

It's here.....

The Mexican flu (aka Swine influenza). It has been confirmed that 12 High school students, whom have no record of travelling abroad, have the Mexican flu. The students are from different schools in the Kobe area, and one of those schools is actually not too far from my place.

All the public pre/elementary/junior-high/high schools in the area are closed for at least 7 days... Including my school. Yesterday the head office was still thinking if we should close or not, and they actually told us that the parents can decide if they want to let their kids go to the school or not... But because the sport centre (our school is part of that sport centre) decided to close last night, we will also close our door for the upcoming week (although we , staff, do have to work).

"Recommendations to prevent spread of the virus among humans include using standard infection control against influenza."

Let's hope that everyone will recover soon, so that all the kids can go back to school again... although I don't think that it's just going go fly over that fast.

News about the Zwine flu in Japan:
9 in Osaka confirmed to have new flu, total domestic cases rise to 17+
Japan reports three domestic swine flu cases
Japan records first cases of swine flu

Spring and Golden week

2009-04-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

The weather is getting warmer, and the flowers are blooming (although the cherry blossom has transfered into green leaves).

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a hanami party with the Dutch society next to the Ashiyagawa (river), we were supposed to go with the 3 of us, but Reo got fever so I went alone.

After that I had 2 more hanami parties, one with my work, and one with my family in Tarumi, kenkouundoukoen.

Besides the Hanami parties we also had a Tulip party. North of Osaka there is Expo park (were the 70's expo was held), from April 11th until the 29th there was a tulip festival , a dutch tulip festival with dutch food, beer and Japanese ladies in traditional dutch costumes. We went there together with Boukje and her husband, Rick, Frederic and his wife and brother in law and of course with Mayuko and the little one.... REO

If you want to read a bit more about the tulip festival, then check out Boukje's blog, or Rick's blog.

Saturday the 25th was the day that my GOLDEN WEEK started. And because May the 5th is Children's day, or actually Boy's day (there is a girls day the 3rd of the 3rd, march 3rd. They don't have months as January, February here, but they just have 12 months. １月、　２月、　３月, etc), for this day we received a kabuto specially for boy's day from Mayuko her parents:

Kii-Katsuura
For our golden week holiday (Reo's first holiday), we went to Kii-Katsuura. Kii-Katsuura is a small onsen/fishing place south of Wakayama ken (which is about 4,5 hours by train south of Osaka ). We stayed there for 2 nights, and had a great time.

We left Monday morning around 9.30 and had a very nice ride to Kii-katsuura, Reo did great as well. Arrived at the hotel, Mayuko went to 1 of the 7 onsen that the hotel has (the hotel is located on a peninsula so we needed to take a boat). For dinner we had a buffet, with a lot of Maguro (Tuna). The food was nice but not too special. In the evening I also went to one of the onsen (the first time for me to go alone, the other time that we went to a hotel with onsen I was a bit chicken-shit to go naked with other man.... I know everyone has a trunk, but still... I wasn't used to show my body to strangers... But surprisingly I had no problems with being naked together with other man this time...), after this I really enjoyed going to onsen; I went to 5 of the onsen in the hotel in the following days.

The next day we woke up early for breakfast and for onsen, this time Reo went in the onsen as well together with Mayuko. He was a bit scared so he hold Mayuko tightly the whole time, but he wasn't crying at all.

Later in the morning we went to Nachi no taki, a beautiful place where the tallest waterfall of Japan is (133 meter) but before that we went up the Daimonzaka a 600m long stone-paved stairway with 200 cedar trees that are about 800 years old.

When we came back to the hotel we had a short nap, and then went back to Kii-katsuura for a lovely Maguro dinner at Playboy where we almost ordered a whale dish, but the oksan (the chef's wife) told us that the taste is a difficult to eat for us so we decided not to eat it. Coming back in the the hotel we went to the onsen again, I took Reo with me this time. I really enjoy going to onsen, but I had some skin problems on my chest these days so the salt in the water wasn't very nice for my skin...

The last day I went to the Tuna market, to see all the big fish... and they were indeed big. What a great time that was haha.

We left the hotel, bought some souveniers, plus a Tuna and Whale bento(lunch box) (which didn't taste very nice) and left Kii-katsuura around 1 to be home again before dinner.

In overall we had a great holiday and hope to go again somewhere during the summer holiday.

Here are some photo's;

Reo Dancing

2009-04-04T07:44:00.000-07:00

Overwork

2009-03-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

I don't mind to overwork so now and then... but when I am also overworking in my mind it's getting a bit too much I think.

On March 20th we had a mini presentation, and graduation ceremony for 3 of our students. We practiced for about 3 weeks everyday for the mini presentation (the 3 little pigs) and the kids were amazing. The days before I told them that they needed to stop playing around and think about their last day, but on the day itself... WOW. After the presentation there was a small graduation ceremony witch went fine although it was very sad to say goodbye to 3 of the kids... last week 2 others decided to stop this school due to certain reasons.

Due to certain reasons we have had a lot of meetings the last couple of weeks, and actually 4 of my co-workers will stop working there (there only work 5 persons, so I will be the only one left... and I just work there 2 months :( ) So it's been pretty busy the last couple of weeks, and it probably will stay like that until my new co-workers will known what they have to know.

Besides work, everything is doing fine. Reo is doing well, and Mayuko is very happy with her Nanocare that I gave her for her 31st birthday. Tomorrow we will probably go to Akashi koen, to have a hanami party (cherry blossom viewing party).

New season, new challenges, new chances

Hiking Mt. Maya

2009-03-15T05:56:00.000-07:00

Because there was no Futsall today, neither there was last week though, I decided to do some exercise; Hiking.

I have already hiked up Mt. Maya twice but both of them were with friends, this time I decided to go by myself... why? Because sometimes it can be very annoying when you want to continue and your friends want to stop every 10 minutes to take a break. It was a very nice hike today, although it was a bit difficult because it rained the whole day yesterday the paths turned into water streams, and everything was very slippery. Owww... and I took the wrong road haha.

If anybody want to join me next time, then please contact me... but do know that I do not want to stop every 10 minutes.

The Mountain wasn't so high, but when you go off the main road it's pretty hard I think.

Jumping over rivers was fun.

Can you see the red line in the middle... well I was supposed to take that road, but I took the one north of it.

Wireless Internet (hehehe part 2)

2009-03-02T01:16:00.000-08:00

Well, here is the second part of the mission called; Wireless Internet.

My wife received a phone call from the modem's company, but I wasn't there and also Reo was jumping around in the room, so he gave us a call back today. We were on the phone for about 1.5 hour, but he couldn't help us :( . The information he gave us was so different than the explanation we got from the paper, so I couldn't understand too much of it anymore, and my wife isn't a computer freak at all.... so she got a bit pissed off as well.

After the call, my wife and I had a small discussion about it, and she even said I shouldn't play around with things that I don't know... which of course pissed me off again so I started trying it by myself again.... and then....

IT WORKED!!!!

I don't know what I have done... but it doesn't matter anymore. After F##king around for about 9 hours I can finally use wireless internet.

Red Cliff

2009-02-28T14:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I watched the movie "Red Cliff", an interesting movie that looks like it comes straight out of a video game (Dynasty Warriors from the Playstation). I don't know anything about Chinese history, so it was even more interesting to see it... (I do want to know more about Chinese history, though).

In the movie there are 3 actors that I really enjoy watching at; Takeshi Kaneshiro, Nakamura Shido, and Tony Leung Chiu-Wai. The first actor Takeshi Kaneshiro is of both Japanese and Taiwanese (Hoklo) ancestry. Kaneshiro can speak with varying degrees of fluency in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Japanese, and is probably most know of his part in the movies; Returner, House of Flying Daggers, and The Warlords.

Nakamura Shido is from orign a Kabuki actor, but started acting in movies when he was 30 years old. A couple of movies that he acted in are: Ping pong, Neighbour No. 13 (my favorite), Fearless, Letters from Iwo Jima, and Death note.

I don't think Tony Leung needs in introduction, does he? Anyway, if you don't know who he is please have a look on his page on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Leung_Chiu-Wai

So if you have the time, I would recommend watching this movie especially if you like to watch sword fighting bloody movie.

Trailer:

Kanji DS game

2009-02-24T06:28:00.000-08:00

As you could have read in a couple of posts ago... I failed to pass the JLPT 2 test last December, so I am going to take it again upcoming July.

I really have to work on my Kanji, and after searching for a kanji game for months... I have finally have found the perfect learning game (IMO); Zaidan Houjin Nippon Kanji Nouryoku Kentei Kyoukai Koushiki Soft.

You will start from level 10, which is basic kanji (so basic, that I had forgotten a lot of them) and you can do tests from 10, 20 or 40 minutes. I think that if I will practice this game everyday for about 20 minutes, I should be able to increase my kanji knowledge a lot before July. (here is a full review of the game)

My Japanese teacher (sensei) also made a schedule for me, what to work on and how.

今から本当に頑張ろう！！！

p.s. what reminds me... It would be nice to do the JTEST as well in may... for a level check. Boukje? are you in? can you bring me a pamphlet from school for me? :D

Wireless Internet (ahum part 1)

2009-02-22T23:57:00.000-08:00

Reo is starting to put everything in his mouth, and is pulling every cord that he sees... including the one from my precious MAC.
So we had decided to buy a wireless router the other day. We bought one yesterday, a Planex MZK-WO4N...

I followed the instructions, I change some stuff that I needed to change, I searched for advice on the internet, but after trying to connected it for 4 hours last night, and 3 hours today... I failed to let it work.

Meaning, we need to call the "give me your money, I will do it for you in 30 minutes... sometimes 2 hours if they have nothing to do" guy. The sales woman told us, it's going to be around 20.000 yen... grrr

So yeah, this is what I did in my weekend! How about you guys

A new Job

2009-02-19T05:11:00.000-08:00

As some of you might already know, I started a new job from the beginning of February. I am again teaching English, but this time I have my own class, with the exception of different kids in the afternoon class, and I have to work from Tuesday to Saturday. So I have 2 days off, instead of having only 1 week off with my previous work.

The work is pretty fun, and the kids are adorable! I still have a lot of things to learn, on how to be more strict and teach them things in a more interesting way than just playing the same game over and over again. My co-workers are pretty cool, and from March-April another Dutch person (Boukje) will be working for the same company.

I took this class over, from a very nice guy from NZ and beside this class I also took over 1 of his private classes (1 doctor and 2 nurses). So yeah, I am very busy... as always lol.

Reo
Reo is doing great, he is first tooth came out about a week ago, and he is starting to walk along the sofa and table. I think it will take maybe 1 or 2 months before he is able to stand and walk by himself. Let's wait and see :D . He already had his first child desease about a month ago (the sixt disease also known as the 3 day fever), meaning he had fever for 3 days (highest was 40.4 degrees) so that was pretty scary.

Japanese
I got the result of my Japanese language Proficiency Test:

I only had 166 points out of 400... I needed over 240 points to pass the test...

Aaah, well I am going to take the test again in June, and I should be able to pass that time. Only 20% to go :D

'Drunken' Japanese Politician Quits His Post

2009-02-18T15:32:00.000-08:00

I thought, let's posts something about Japanese politicians:

A Japanese minister who appeared to be drunk at a G7 news conference has quit.

Shoichi Nakagawa denied being drunk at the G7 news conference
Finance minister Shoichi Nakagawa stunned fellow politicians when he appeared on camera slurring his words, swaying and apparently falling asleep.
He denied being drunk and said a glass of wine on top of a dose of cold medicine was to blame for his bizarre behaviour.
But the minister said he was stepping down for health reasons.
He has been replaced by Kaoru Yosano.
"I have caused trouble to the people," Mr Nakagawa said.

Daddy and I

2008-12-13T18:55:00.001-08:00

Daddy and I
Originally uploaded by bakadutch

December 2008

2008-12-13T18:11:00.000-08:00

I say it over and over again; it's been too long since I have posted something on my blog. I've got 2 reasons for that:

*Time
I've been studying for months in preperation for the JLPT, and Reo is keeping us busy as well (in a nice way of course)
*Readers
Seeing the amount of comments that I receive makes me wonder if people actually read my blog and if it has any meaning to write on it... I mean a blog is there to share stories, but without readers there isn't anything to share, is there?

JLPT
As you can read above, I've been really busy studying for the JLPT. What is the JLPT you might wonder, well the JLPT stands for; Japanese Language proficiency test. There are 4 levels in the test:

Test content and requirements summary
Level Kanji Vocabulary Listening Hours of Study Pass Mark
4 ~100 (103) ~800 (728) Beginner ~150 60%
3 ~300 (284) ~1,500 (1409) Basic ~300
2 ~1000 (1023) ~6,000 (5035) Intermediate ~600
1 ~2000 (1926) ~10,000 (8009) Advanced ~900 70%

I went for level 2, and I have to say that it was bloody hard so I'm not sure if I passed or not. But I will take the test again in July and will take care that I will pass it that time. Passing this test makes it easier for me to find a job in a Japanese environment because I am not planning to stay an English teacher for my whole life!!!

Reo
Reo is doing really great and he is starting to crawl from the living room to the kitchen and back, and likes to explore things (especially by putting everything in his mouth). Mayuko is doing great and she is really making a lot of effort for Reo and me (it's commonsense when you are married I think, but still I want to say that I am proud of her). It's such a pleasure to see him growing day by day!!

Work
Well, yesterday I finally got my contract for my new job. I am going to work for an international kindergarten not too far from here. My working hours are from 9.45 until 18.00 so that means that I can sleep in until 8 in the morning (hihihi). The morning class is a very nice small class, and in the afternoon I will have different kids every day. I am a bit nervous to start this job but I think I should be able to get used to it pretty fast.

Birthday
Yesterday was my 24th birthday (yes, I'm Jack bauer now), and enjoyed my day with Mayuko and Reo. Mayuko made a very nice dinner (kobe beef), a birthday cake, and gave me a nice belt and an organizer for next year. I'm also very happy with all the messages and the phone calls from my family.

I do have to say that when you are getting older, it seems that other people care less about it... I expected a bit more but guess there is nothing to do about it than except.

I hope to be able to update my blog a little bit more next year, but please give some more comments... a reason for me to write on my blog.

does he look like me? or like Anpanman?

2008-09-01T23:34:00.001-07:00

DSC01131
Originally uploaded by bakadutch

kieke boe

2008-09-01T23:32:00.001-07:00

kieke boe
Originally uploaded by bakadutch

KIEKE BOE

Summer 2008

2008-09-01T23:06:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Here a summer update live from the worlds greatest city, Kobe.

It's been a pretty hot summer this year, guess it will only get hotter in the future (if you do not believe in the Day after tomorrow I guess). The weather was a bit hard for the baby tough, especially for his skin because he is mecha mecha (very very) chubby.

Beside his skin, that we are a little worried about, Reo is doing super. He is growing fast, and I think he will become smarter than Mayuko and I are... His neck is also pretty stable, so with our help he is able to sit down, and do sit ups. He is now about 6.5 kilo.

My summer holiday started from half July, and I will go back to the schools tomorrow. I had 2 summer jobs, and they actually make me not wanting to go back to the elementary schools. I am kind of getting tired of traveling to different schools, teaching 800 kids a week, and a lot of teachers/kids just don't care about English. It's a fun job to do, but after 2 years I say: GIVE ME ANOTHER JOB. A well, just another 6 months to go and I will do something else than this (that's my intention though).

I have also decided that I will be doing the JLPT 2 this year, even though the change that I might not pass is a pretty big I will do my best to prepare for it. I does mean that until December, I should at least study 2 hours a day (14 hours a week + 14 weeks is almost 200 hours)... fewww If I do fail, I will take the test again next July. I WILL GET JLPT 2 BEFORE NEXT SUMMER..

There was also a pretty dramatic accident a couple of weeks ago near our house. A river started to flood, and 4 people died.

I have a lot of photo's from Reo, and if you want to see all. Then please visit my flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34591504@N00/

Have fun, and if you have any specific questions on how life in Japan is... FIRE them :D

Happy Birthday, 1 month old

2008-06-28T20:33:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Reo, tomorrow you will become one month old.

Life has changed so much, after he has been born. I want to go home a.s.a.p. , responsibility has tripled, life has got more meaning then before in my opinion. The wife is sometimes complaining a lot towards me, but I can understand that with certain things, and in the other way she is still very sweet to me. I though I would really become on the background, but that's not the thing.

Reo is sleeping very well, even though he got his crying hours (especially between 10-1 in the evening), drinking a lot of milk, becomes cuter and fatter every day.

Today we went to Tarumi Kai Jinja (temple), to pray for his health and future. We sat on a bench, and the priest was walking around, saying stuff in Japanese, and reading text from a book and our names (DEEEVIIEEE SUTOKUUHOFFF , which makes me feel good that we decided to not change Mayuko her last name).

We have been at her parents place for about a month now (it's normal in Japan to go to the parents after the baby is born, to get support and learn how to do certain things... which I think was very nice, because now we can go home with a good feeling).

Anyway, here are some photo's.

The baby is born! Good morning little boy.

2008-06-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

On Friday, May 30th at 10.34 A.M. in the Tanabe FrauenKlinik in Kobe Japan, our little boy was born. He weighted 2970 gram, and was 50.5cm tall when he came out. He already gained about 200 gram in the last week, and he is getting milk from the breast.

His official name is Reo Terao 怜朗　寺尾、but feel free to call him Reo Terao Stokhof in unofficial matters.

He is now already 9 days old, and is a very sweet and smart boy... meaning he doesn't keep us awake all night. He has some things of me, and some things of my wife.... which is one of the most interesting thing of having a mixed child... what's his Japanese side and what's his Dutch side. I will let you people decide your own opinion, because I'm not really good in that.

Our life has changed huge since the day he was born, and there are a lot of things we have to learn, and have to get used to, but we are enjoying every day with our little boy. Before I was happy to go home after work, but now I am really really looking forward going home again, and seeing Reo again. Holding him in my arms, watching his 1000's different expressions, and giving him milk by the bottle when Mayuko is too tired.

A couple of difficult things are, the fact that he is soooo small and fragile and taking a bath with him is a bit hard. Another thing is, but I guess that's also a funny thing is when changing diapers, is that he sometimes urinating straight up... almost in your face.

We will enjoy our time with him, and will do all our best to raise him in a proper way. If anyone has any advice for us, feel free to do that.

Last but definitely not least. I want to thank all our family and friends for their heart warming congratulations, and we will try to post as many blogs, photo's and other updates on the net for your guys...

A happy happy Birthday for our little son Reo Terao (Stokhof)

School, Studying, and the BABY

2008-05-27T02:24:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

How's life? It's been a while again...ahum...

Anyway, everything is doing alright up here. Started school again last week, after I had a holiday for 2 months. Although, I am not sure if I can call it a holiday because I have been studying Japanese for 1.5 month in Osaka from 9 in the morning until sometimes 5 in the afternoon.

Studying Japanese at a school was a lot of fun, and I've made a lot of friends. My Japanese has definitely improved, although I am worried that a lot of things will fade away because I started working again. I should start some private lessons next week though.
I've also done a Japanese test last week, the J-test, which went pretty good (result will come in next month).

School is doing alright, although it's a bit far... but I've got nothing to complain about.

Mayuko is doing good as well... only about 1.5 week to go until the baby is there...

I'll keep you guys up to date

Group photo

2008-04-12T18:39:00.001-07:00

Group photo
Originally uploaded by bakadutch

ow. just to add another one.

We had a Hanami party last wednesday with my Japanese school in Osaka jo koen. We had a great time, with some nice beers, games, and karaoke after wards (7 Koreans, and 1 Dutch).

Bad thing was... my battery was dead so I couldn't call my wife, and I came home late.... yeah I know. I suck :(

Mayuko pregnant

2008-04-12T18:33:00.001-07:00

Mayuko pregnant
Originally uploaded by bakadutch

Well, here is a photo of Mayuko in her 30th week of her pregnancy.

We went for a small Hanami(cherry blossom viewing party)2 weeks ago in Shukugawa (4stops away from our train station). It was a bit cold that day, but the Sakura was very beautiful, but I have to say that nothing beats the belly of Mayuko.

b.t.w. for the people whom are reading my blog, I am looking forward to reading some of your comments, it's the reason I can and want to update this blog.

Going to a Japanese language school

2008-04-05T04:03:00.000-07:00

Since I have about 1.5/2 months vacation, I have decided to work on my Japanese by going to a school this time. I was looking for a school already last year, but couldn't find anything besides private lessons for 3000 yen an hour, and unqualified looking teachers.

This year, I finally found something nice, KKC, a school located in Namba Osaka (about 1 hour away from my house and 1050 yen transportation a day). I can study in the morning from 9 to 12.30 and/or from 1 to 4.30. For one month it costs me 44.000 yen, which sounds expensive, but if you calculate the hours it's actually very cheap.

We use the text book: Mina Nihongo 2, and are in a class of 6 to 10 persons. A lot of koreans, and Chinese, but they are fun besides the fact that they do speak a lot of Korean and I can't understand a word.

Anyway, I really have to put some extra power behind studying Japanese. This year I really hope to do JLPT 2, even though it might be a very VERY big challenge... Wish me luck

Japanese TV... an addition to it

2008-04-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

I think a lot of foreigners in Japan dislike Japanese TV. Why I think that... because I have almost never heard any foreigner talking about Japanese TV when I talked to them about it.

What I think about Japanese TV? Well, I sometimes really enjoy watching it, and have some programs that I just don't want to miss: Mechaike, Lincoln, etc. But I have to agree on some things: There are too many cooking programs where people are lying about the taste, there are too many stupid and low budget commercials, and they amount of foreign programs (movies, drama's etc) is very low to zero (if you do want to watch them, you have to stay up until 1 or 2 in the night).

So, I have been complaining to my wife about it for months... crying, and breaking glasses on the wall. No just kidding.

But yeah, I have been asking for an addition for already a couple of months, but she always said it wasn't necessary or a waste of money. Until this guy from J:com came by and gave her some more information about it. After that she decided to give me a present:

J:Com TV.

J:Com gives you internet, phone, and TV for only 9.000 yen a month. So right now we have 66 extra TV channels :D :D YATTA. I can now watch 7 sports channels, 3 music channels, CNN and CNBC, FOX tv, Discovery channel, history channel, and a lot more Japanese and international TV programs. (here is a list of the channels and the link to J:com in English)

So, thank you Mayuko!

March update

2008-03-07T04:24:00.000-08:00

I guess it has been a while since I have posted a blog entry. Life in Japan can be very busy so now and then, and from June it will be even busier. Mayuko is doing fine although working is getting harder every day, and she can't get the rest that she needs to have. Only 2 weeks left for her, and one week left for myself and then we don't have to work anymore.

Mayuko will then have another 2 months to enjoy by herself before the baby will arrive. I just hope that she will not stay at home to much but that she will start doing some exercise. I will try to push her a bit but she can be sooo stubborn... is that the real Japanese women?

As I have said before, I only have another week left before I have another long holiday. I was thinking of searching for another job (I still have some interviews), but I will probably stay with the same company that I am working for now (W5SS) here at the Kobe elementary schools (Shougakkou) and that will start from the end of May, beginning of June. During the holiday I want to study Japanese as much as possible ( The JLPT 3 should be fair enough).

I'm searching for interesting ways to study Japanese, because studying from a textbook for 4-5 hours a day isn't very exciting. I was thinking about taking my camera out and make photo's of Kanji signs here in the area, and writing a daily dairy on Mixi... Anyone else got some nice ideas for me?

We are also planning a short trip during this holiday, because the last one sure wasn't fun. I, myself was thinking about Kita (north) Hyogo (Prefecture I am living in) at the Japanese sea for 1 or 2 nights.

Anyway, live is doing alright up here, even though it can always be better.

Winter Holiday part 2

2008-01-04T01:04:00.000-08:00

Well to continue from the first part;

The Flu.
I still had to stay another couple of days in my room, just in case I would infect Mayuko with it. But I guess it was alright, I finished my book about the daughter of a Yakuza boss (a very nice book, I might even write another blog entry about this book called "Yakuza Moon"), played "Prince of Persia" and "FF3" on my DS and got to see some movies that I downloaded from the net.

Unfortunately a couple of days later Mayuko also got sick and got 37.5 degrees. We were worried that she also got the flu, but luckily she got a normal temperature again the day after and it didn't go any further then coughing!

All together
On Saturday the 29th my Takuya, Aki-chan and Nana-chan came over from Osaka, to spend the new year together with the whole family. It feels great to be together with the whole family like that, even tough it also makes me miss my own family. The only one who was still missing was my sister in law Minako, but she would come over on the first of Jan.

Golf practice
On the 30th I played some golf with Takuya and Kimio, well not really playing but more practicing swing on the golf range. Because the two of them would go to a real golf park on the 31st and my golf level is way to low we decided to just go for some swings... It didn't went very well, maybe because I wanted to play golf so much I think I put too much pressure on myself and didn't enjoy a lot. My wife is telling me to stick with futsal because golf is too expensive for me... I guess she is right but still I would like to learn golf a bit more and go with them on the last day of 2008. A well, a nice target.

Baby sitting
Minako couldn't come before the 1st of January but she did got us some delicious fish (buri - yellowtail???), Ikura (salmon eggs), and some other stuff. Because Minako was living in Osaka one of us needed to pick it up from there, and due the fact that I still wasn't feeling 100% Aki-chan decided (forced by mom ;)) to pick it up.

So Aki-chan went to Osaka, Mayuko to the hair dresser, Kimio and Takuya to the golf court, and Akiko needed to drive from the station to the hairdresser. So there I was alone with Nana-chan.... HELP ME !!!!!! BABY!!!!!! No joke, I had a lot of fun taking care of the little one; watching anpanman together, playing with toys and walking around in the house together. She is growing week by week, and she is surprising us all the time. During this holiday she started to walk a bit more by herself, and can walk about 10 meters without any help from us. It was also great to teach her the high-5 (they call it high-touch in Japan for some reason lol)

New years eve
New years eve in Japan is totally different than in the Netherlands. No champagne, no oliebollen, en no Fireworks. I guess I could have bought some Champagne for the eve but I already spend a lot of money on Christmas presents so I was fine with beer! Oliebollen... well I though about making them but I do not have a big frying pan. Fireworks... a well guess its just the way it is haha.

So yeah on new years eve we ate some delicious buri (shabu shabu), drunk foreign beer, and watched the K-1 Dynamite together (some nice fights, especially "Kid" did well). While we were preparing for a count down with beer and toshikoshi soba (noodles) my mother called us to say happy new year and sing a new year song on the speaker (which was funny and very warming) So I (well Mayuko had the phone in her hand) spend the new year with my Japanese family and my mom.

After the beer, and when the little one went to bed we played some kachi kachi (Japanese card game, with 100 yen bets...I won about 4000 yen that evening) and went to bed around 3.

New years day
On new years day we had a traditional Japanese breakfast, watched the Down town Batsu game ( a TV game, in which some famous Japanese comedians were not allowed to laugh or else they would be hit on the ass with a slap stick...See here if you are interested), slept all together on the floor in the living room ate suki-yaki with again delicious beef, and played another Kachi-kachi game (this time Minako was there as well).

Obachan
On the second we left early for Ako, to visit Oba-chan (grandmother) with the whole family. We ate some very nice sushi up there and walked around with Nana-chan. Nana-chan was a bit scared of Oba-chan in the beginning but got in her mood later on the day.

Another golf game, and time to go home
On the third we practiced some golf again, which went way better than before (maybe because I checked some stuff on you tube how to practice the swing), played some wii, and visited a friend of Mayuko; Yumi and her husband. She has a very cute but small house (something we also would like in the upcoming years) In the evening we ate Okonomiyaki from Aki-chan (I think I ate Okonomiyaki 4 times in one month lol).

In the evening we went home again, which was a bit sad but we were happy to be home again as well... We had spend 2.5 week at the parents their house.

It was a great holiday, besides the fact that I fainted and got the flu. Nana-chan grew a lot in 2.5 week time and it was nice to spend time with the family. I can't wait to spend more time with the family again (next time will be in February or March though.

Tomorrow I got to go back to work again... hmmm... aaa well it's alright got to make money to support my family and work on my career the upcoming year.

Here is a video of me playing golf

Winter holiday part 1

2007-12-27T07:09:00.000-08:00

My holiday started on the 19th, just a couple of days after my wife had started her holiday. We where already at her parents place, because we can relax there more than we can at our own little house and are having fun spending time together with them.

Oba-chan in Ako

On my first day off we went to Mayuko her grandmother, a sweet old lady with a funny way off talking (she can say stuff such as kuso baba (my own grandmother can't scold further than "you old pancake lady"), the last time we had been to her place was about a year ago so it felt nice to be back again. Grandmother (obachan) is living in a small city 1.5 hour west of Kobe in the city of Ako, once a samurai town with a famous story (which I have to search up for you guys but I can' use the internet right now...see below). We went there to clean her house, to have some nice lunch in a seafood restaurant, and to give some presents to her sisters whom are living in the same town. One of her sisters was cutting some fish when we came in her garden, the fish was still moving even though it had no head.

Rokko Island

On the next day we went home for a night (we were supposed to clean the house, but it was already clean... It really was), and in the afternoon we spend our time on Rokko Island (one of two large artificial islands that kobe has build in the last 60 years). There are a lot of foreigners on Rokko island, and because of that there is also a foreigner store called the FBC (Foreigners Buyers Club), they have a very large catalogue that you can order true the internet or by phone with stuff from Holland to Australia and from stuff from the states to India. Because we already had seen their catalogue we expected to see a lot of nice stuff in the store, but it was a bit disappointing because they only had a small collection in comparison with their catalogue... but yeah anyway we've bough some peanuts and sweet chili sauce that I really love (especially to put on my chicken). After our visit we went to the a very nice Okonomiyaki restaurant on the island called Fetsuya. Some say that it's the best Okonomiyaki chain in the Kansai area, and I have to say that I was not disappointed at all.

Osaka and the Yaki-Niku restaurant

On Saturday we did some Christmas shopping in Osaka, which was fun at first but after walking around for 2 hours in main Osaka (Umeda) it's wasn't that fun anymore... Osaka is such a crowded city (imagine Amsterdam on Queens day). I've bought some Dutch cheese, and cookies for the family, and also bought a nice one piece for Mayuko (early Christmas present). After shopping we went to a very nice Yaki-niku (Japanese bbq) restaurant, with Mayuko her Brother Takuya, his wife Aki-chan and the baby Nana-chan, where we ate some delicious meat, and with delicious I really mean DELICIOUS.

Jogging and the flu

On Sunday morning, I woke up early (as usual in this holiday, because I always wake up around 8 even though I am having a holiday) and decided to join my father in law with jogging (after he got an operation at his back last year he decided to do something about his condition so he is now jogging 5 times a week for about an hour... and that on an age of 60 years old). We first walked to the park which is about 15-minutes away and in the park we run two rounds (one together, one at own pace). It's been a while since I've been jogging and I really enjoyed doing it (too bad I can't really jog near my own place, because there are too many hills up their).

After we came back, my brother decided to go to the hospital to check his condition, he had not been feeling well for about 2 days so he wanted to check it out. Back from the hospital he came with the news that he had the flu. Because he did not wanted to infect my pregnant wife he went home straight after the lunch. There goes the Christmas together, but yeah the most important thing was that Mayuko did not get infected or the other family members.
He did not had a high fever, so he could drive home (took about an hour though).

Christmas and Wii

Because we were planning on going to Tokyo on Tuesday we had decided to have Christmas on Monday. In Holland we always start with a Christmas Breakfast with bread, smoked sausage, and other small snacks, so I wanted to do the same for my Japanese family. I woke up early to go to the supermarket to buy some stuff for the breakfast, but when I came back around 9 I saw that everyone already had woken up, and that my wife was already eating rice and miso soup... there went my surprise... I was a bit disappointed and started to have a fight with my wife on Christmas morning... nice moment to have a fight.

Anyway, after the fight, we cleaned the house together and the Dutch style breakfast changed into a lunch, which was delicious and the whole family loved it. Later in the afternoon my wife made a cake, and we played some Wii together. Wii fit, a game where you can play balance games on the balance board, and do a whole body work out and yoga. A lovely game, with a lot of games in it. We also have Wii sports (favorite is tennis and bowling), Being Olympics, and Super Mario party (anyone else here with a Wii, and some nice games?).

In the evening my wife and her mom had made a very nice Chicken Christmas Dinner, and gave some presents to the parents (a Hanshin TIgers calendar, and some beer bottles (Duvel, Heineken, Guinness, etc) for dad).

Destination Tokyo.... Stop... Destination Hospital ;(

On Tuesday we got ready to go to Tokyo, we first needed to go to Shin-Osaka to take the Shinkansen (bullet train). I had a bad sleep, and woke up with a lot of pain in my neck. It was busy in the train towards Osaka, and we needed to stand for about 40 minutes. Finally after Ashiya Mayuko could sit down (pregnant and unable to sit down isn't funny).

I stood there in the train and suddenly got a bad feeling, the sound around me started to vague away, and everything in front of me as well. I needed to close my eyes, and about 3 seconds later I noticed I was laying on the floor. Blackout... Mayuko ran up towards me, and a lady gave away her chair for me. When I sat down it went a little bit better, but than suddenly I told Mayuko that I needed to close my eyes again. Again another black out, this time I was even shaking for about 3 seconds. Someone pushed the emergency button and we got out at Amagasaki station where the train conductors came immediately with a wheel chair and was brought to the Hospital with an ambulance about 30 minutes later. I was feeling a bit better again, but was shocked about what had happened, and the same goes for Mayuko. I got an MRI scan, which was pretty scary and I prayed that there was nothing wrong in my brain (a tumor or something....). I even told myself not to sleep while I was in the MRI for 15-minutes.

We were both very relieved to hear that there was nothing wrong with my brain (even though I still have to do a small check for my brain waves), and that I probably had a black-out because I was tired and felt exhausted (I have had some pretty busy months with working 6 days a week, and taking care of Mayuko because she had the morning sickness during the whole day). When we were almost finished we had decided to also do a check if I might had the flu... which I indeed had... Mayuko also did a check, and did not had the flu.

In bed...

So here I am laying in bed for already 2.5 days, all alone with only Mayuko or her mom coming up bringing me food and drinks. It feels pretty lonely, especially because the last time I slept alone was about 1.5 year ago, but on the other hand it gives me some time to give my body and my mind some rest. Mayuko is sleeping downstairs and we won't be able to sleep together for maybe another 4-5 days... meaning we might not be able to spend our new-years night together snif snif. But it's all for the baby so I guess it's just the way it is.

We also tried to cancel our trip to Tokyo, but it was too late... so we can't get any money back for 2 hotel nights and a two person shinkansen return ticket... not the most important thing but still a waste of money.

I am feeling a lot better, and even though I am having the flu, I do not have any fever and can just enjoy watching TV, playing Nintendo DS games, and sleeping.

I hope all of you had a nice Christmas, and will have a great start in the new year.

My birthday

2007-12-17T01:47:00.000-08:00

Last week (December 13th) it was my 23rd B-Day. For the ones who had send me a message thank you very much, and for the ones who had forget about it... Don't forget my 24th B-Day.

Even though my B-day was on the 13th, we also celebrated it a week earlier because of Kimio and Takuya their Birthday. For them we bought an I-pod and a food massage machine. I myself got a Porter bag (very cool one!!!), a T-shirt from Kikuchi takeo, and a nice Edwin jeans from my lady ( I though it was the same as in the Brad Pitt CM... but no).

Minako, made us a B-day cake, and Okasan ordered some very nice o-bento's.

On my birthday itself, my mother woke me up in the morning with a phone call, and my dad give me a call later in the evening. We had a lovely dinner in Sannomiya with again some nice cake...and oww I almost forgot.. the kids at school were singing some B-day songs for me.

In overall I had a very nice b-day, and will do my best in the upcoming year to grow in life, and to enjoy my stay in Japan.

Baby blog

2007-12-01T16:53:00.000-08:00

As some of you might be aware of it, and for some it might be new: The lady is pregnant and you can follow all the news about it on a new blog I made about 2 weeks ago especially for the baby. Here is the link:

http://akachankawaii.blogspot.com

Here you will able to find photo's and updates on how everything is going with the baby Mayuko... and of course with me.. Papa-san ;)

November Update

2007-11-29T04:39:00.000-08:00

Today I went to one of the schools that I'm teaching at (I am teaching at 3 schools this moment). It's a school in Down-town Kobe, what you can see because the kids are a bit rougher and they have some more fights than other schools I have been to, but for the rest the kids are very nice, and closer to me than kids on other schools... I had 5 lessons today, from the 1st period until the 5th period, and I was teaching them about Feelings and Food.

This morning I also talked to Mayuko about what we shall do during our (3 weeks YATTA) winter break. A couple of months ago we were planing of going to Tokyo, but now Mayuko is pregnant a busy city like that is not the best option so we might go to Fukuoka if Mayuko her morning sickness has gone away a little bit more (doing better reccently).

We will also stay at the parents house for at least 2 weeks, where I want to try to give a bit more Dutch style Christmas and New year. Not sure yet how to do that tough... tips?

I am also planning of sending a box full of presents back home, I should because I promised them before....

But yeah, still 3 working weeks to go... ow I mean 2 weeks... dam this week went fast. ;)

Obon part 2

2007-08-24T01:33:00.000-07:00

Sitting here in the train, playing with my mac computer… it’s weird because this is the first time I am actually playing a notebook in the train and it feels kind of weird to be honest… a well who cares.

Anyway, to come back to the Obon holidays, Tuesday Mayuko her sister came back home but unfortunately only for 2 days so we couldn’t go anywhere together (she also invited her friends over so we almost didn’t do anything with her. Because of that Mayuko and I went over to a Manga Kiss, where Mayuko was reading some Manga, and I was playing some games and played with the computer.

On Wednesday Mayuko and I had a very good, and necessary argument together about my life in here. We talked about that I should get more friends, do some sport, and study Japanese more… and you know what, she’s right. I have been here now for one year, and it’s time to do some more things. I got used to Japan, learned the basic stuff, got a job, and some friends… but there Is more. So yeah, tomorrow I will be playing futsal with some guys I have met on the net, and I started learning Japanese again since last week. I’m trying hard, and I will always keep trying.

Thursday.
Together with her mom and dad we went to Fruits and flower park, a 45min drive from their house up north. We had a BBQ (including Kobe beef… the cheap parts but still expensive if you ask me), played some putter golf, and did some go-karts with Mayuko.

Friday
On Friday we visited Mayuko her friend Chie, together with chiseru. This time Eisuke wasn’t the happiest kid on the block, but his sister Urara was. Was fun, and they are getting bigger every time we are coming.

Saturday
On Saturday we had some lunch at a Japanese lunch room, it really was a Japanese style lunch with fish, rice and some more stuff… how much it was? 1000 yen a person.

Sunday was Mayuko her last day of the holiday so we just relaxed at home, watched a movie (Disturbia, a very good movie btw).

I started working again last Tuesday, and it’s doing better and better, so I really hope to find myself a job similar to this one in the upcoming weeks/months… before upcoming MARCH… おねがいします。

I hope the rest of you also had a nice holiday during this hot summer months. Enjoy life.

The key of life, keep thinking positive no matter what may happen.

Obon

2007-08-15T21:21:00.000-07:00

This week it is Obon in Japan, that means that besides the fact that it is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors, we are also having some days off. Well, at least the most of us here in Japan. From Saturday morning we went to our Mayuko her parents (1hour driving), and we will stay here probably until tomorrow evening or Saturday morning.

Saturday.
On Saturday evening we played some Hachi-hachi a game where everyone will get 2 cards, and the highest card is the winner. You can bluff which of course works so now and again, and the bet is 100 yen a turn. We played it with 6 players so every time there was a minimum of 600 yen on the table, up to 3000 yen. It's a fun game.

Later on the evening Takuya and I went fishing from 1 until 3 o'clock. Which was fun because normally we go fishing in the morning, but again for the fourth time we didn't catch any fish.

Sunday
On Sunday we went to Shiawase No mura, (trans. Village of happiness) were we had a pick nick together with Frederic, Mayumi and Yoshi. We played some ball sports, and had a waterfight. After that we went to some Izakaya kind of restaurant chain, and had a small firework party together.

I'll be back with more.

Wedding anniversary, a new car, and my summer job.

2007-08-05T19:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome back on my blog, and thanks to all of you whom are reading it and giving me comments. I love reading your responses so if you have any, don't hesitate to write me something.

Well, first things first. Last Friday was our wedding anniversary, we have been married for 2 years now and are planning on many more anniversaries as well.... so please check this blog again next year around this time ;)... anyway, we went out for dinner at a place called Sanda-ya, a famous restaurant here in Kobe with some delicious beef and a wonderful (even though they should have cleaned the windows a bit more... but hey you can't have everything, right?) view over the Akashi Kaikyo bridge. Mayuko gave me some great tickets for a Hanshin Tigers match (finally!!! I have been a fan for over a year, and this will be the first time that I am will be seeing them), and I gave Mayuko a nice neckless.

Because my brother in law had bought himself a new car last week (a nice Nissan Elgrand Rider to be precise), he was so nice to give his old car to us. And we are, we really are, soooooooooooo happy with it. Because we now have our freedom to drive to places in the weekend, go shopping by car instead of by bus and her mothers car.... We can watch TV in the car while we are driving (I did yesterday... wow). So yeah the car is just great. It's a Toyota BB, has a lot of power, space and drives very easy (according to Mayuko, because poor me doesn't have a driver licence yet).

last but not least, last week I also started working at my new summer job. I am teaching some kids from age 4-7 in groups of 8 students English at a school 1.5 hour away from here... which is a bit far, but it's work isn't. I guess it's not to bad, and it's really good for me resume but I will keep doing my best to get a better job a.s.a.p. ... if things work out.

Have a nice hot (it's over 30 here) week.

Going for a drink

2007-07-22T01:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening we went out for a drink together with 2 friends of us; Frederic and Mayumi. We went to a little Izakaya near Sannomiya. Everything in the Izakaya was 350 yen, even the beer. We drunk some beers, had some chicken, akashi yaki, meat, udon, and more before Mayumi her brother Masa and his girlfriend Emi-san came joined us.

Ltr: Masa, Mayu-chan, Frederic, Mayumi, Emi

Later on the evening we went to Bar Trinity a little bit north of Sannomiya where Mayuko her work partner from last year was playing the DJ. It was a small bar, packed with foreigners (5 co-workers of Mayuko were there as well), and some Japanese as well. The music was splendid and I was wondering what this guy (Dee) was doing in this small place... He got some radio interviews on Ibiza, and is working on a CD with some big companies in Germany and The Netherlands as well.

We danced a bit, drunk a bit and well, just enjoyed our evening. The only thing was that when we came home we were both pretty dead so we jumped into bed after we took a shower.

The Tale of Genji

2007-07-21T00:34:00.000-07:00

About a year ago I had decided to buy myself "The Tale of Genji", but due the lack off time, interest, and all the other excuses you won't read here I did not started reading it until last week.

The tale of Genji is written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early eleventh century and is known as the first modern Japanese novel. Here is a the plot (coppied of course from Wiki):

The work recounts the life of a son of a Japanese emperor, known to readers as Hikaru Genji, or "Shining Genji". Neither appellation is his actual name: Genji (源氏, Genji?) is simply another way to read the Chinese characters for the real-life Minamoto clan (源の氏, Minamoto-no-Uji?), to which Genji was made to belong. For political reasons, Genji is relegated to commoner status (by being given the surname Minamoto) and begins a career as an imperial officer.

The tale concentrates on Genji's romantic life and describes the customs of the aristocratic society of the time. Much is made of Genji's good looks. His most important personality trait is the loyalty he shows to all the women in his life, as he never abandons any of his wives.[citation needed] When he finally becomes the most powerful man in the capital, he moves into a palace and provides for each of them.

Genji was the second son of a certain ancient emperor and a low-ranking concubine (known to the readers as Lady Kiritsubo). His mother dies when Genji is three years old, and the Emperor cannot forget her. The Emperor then hears of a woman ("Lady Fujitsubo"), formerly a princess of the preceding emperor, who resembles his deceased concubine, and later she becomes one of his wives. Genji loves her first as a stepmother, but later as a woman. They fall in love with each other, but it is forbidden. Genji is frustrated because of his forbidden love to the Lady Fujitsubo and is on bad terms with his wife (Aoi no Ue).

He also engages in a series of unfulfilling love affairs with other women. In most cases, his advances are rebuffed, his lover dies suddenly during the affair, or he finds his lover to be dull in each instance. In one case, he sees a beautiful young woman through an open window, enters her room without permission, and forces her to have sex with him (see rape). Recognizing him as a man of unchallengeable power, she makes no resistance, saying only that "Someone might hear us." He retorts, "I can go anywhere and do anything."[4]

Mary Arnold points out that, "Women in medieval Japan had little protection against male domination. The customs of the time expected women to be submissive to men, even to the point of rape. Men had no fear that they would be punished for rape, as evidenced in Genji's attitude."[5]

Genji visits Kitayama, the northern rural hilly area of Kyoto, where he finds a beautiful ten-year-old girl. He is fascinated by this little girl ("Murasaki"), and discovers that she is a niece of the Lady Fujitsubo. Finally he kidnaps her, brings her to his own palace and educates her to be his ideal lady; like the Lady Fujitsubo. During this time Genji also meets the Lady Fujitsubo secretly, and she bears his son. Everyone except the two lovers believes the father of the child is the Emperor. Later the boy becomes the Crown Prince and Lady Fujitsubo becomes the Empress, but Genji and Lady Fujitsubo swear to keep their secret.

Genji and his wife Lady Aoi reconcile and she gives birth to a son, but she dies soon after. Genji is sorrowful, but finds consolation in Murasaki, whom he marries. Genji's father, the Emperor, dies; and his political enemies, the Minister of the Right and the new Emperor's mother ("Kokiden") take power in the court. Then another of Genji's secret love affairs is exposed: Genji and a concubine of his brother, the Emperor Suzaku, are discovered when they meet in secret. The Emperor confides his personal amusement at Genji's exploits with the woman ("Oborozukiyo"), but is duty-bound to punish his half-brother. Genji is thus exiled to the town of Suma in rural Harima province (now part of Kobe in Hyōgo Prefecture). There, a prosperous man from Akashi in Settsu province (known as the Akashi Novice) entertains Genji, and Genji has a love affair with Akashi's daughter. She gives birth to a daughter. Genji's sole daughter later becomes the Empress.

In the Capital, the Emperor is troubled by dreams of his late father, and something begins to affect his eyes. Meanwhile, his mother grows ill, which weakens her powerful sway over the throne. Thus the Emperor orders Genji pardoned, and he returns to Kyoto. His son by Lady Fujitsubo becomes the emperor and Genji finishes his imperial career. The new Emperor Reizei knows Genji is his real father, and raises Genji's rank to the highest possible.

However, when Genji turns 40 years old, his life begins to decline. His political status does not change, but his love and emotional life are slowly damaged. He marries another wife, the "Third Princess" (known as Onna san no miya in the Seidensticker version, or Nyōsan in Waley's), but she is taken advantage of by Genji's nephew and bears his son ("Kaoru"). Genji's new marriage changes the relationship between him and Murasaki, who now wishes to become a nun.

Genji's beloved Murasaki dies. In the following chapter, Maboroshi ("Illusion"), Genji contemplates how fleeting life is. Immediately after Maboroshi, there is a chapter entitled Kumogakure ("Vanished into the Clouds") which is left blank, but implies the death of Genji.

The rest of the work is known as the "Uji Chapters". These chapters follow Niou and Kaoru, who are best friends. Niou is an imperial prince, the son of Genji's daughter, the current Empress now that Reizei has abdicated the throne, while Kaoru is known to the world as Genji's son but is in fact fathered by Genji's nephew. The chapters involve Kaoru and Niou's rivalry over several daughters of an imperial prince who lives in Uji, a place some distance away from the capital. The tale ends abruptly, with Kaoru wondering if the lady he loves is being hidden away by Niou. Kaoru has sometimes been called the first anti-hero in literature.

I have only read about 15 pages of the book so far, but I find it very amusing to read about their love life, and the way the story is written. It's a very difficult book for me (My English level is high, but this is higher than mine), but it's a challenge.

Here are some more links if you want to know more about "The Tale of Genji"
The Tale of Genji (wiki)
UNESCO - Tale of Genji

I will post more about the tale of genji, when I have read some more in the book... it's going to take me a while though.

Anyone else have been reading this book?

Run a typhoon is coming!!!

2007-07-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

Well, it wasn't that bad as in the title for me, but it sure was for the people living in the south and south-west of Japan on the island of Kyushu.

About a week ago, I heard from someone on the forum where I am always at (jref) that a typhoon was on it's way and that it was a big one. I have followed it the whole week and it hit the islands of Okinawa first on Thursday/Friday, and it hit the mainland yesterday morning until today. On Okinawa the power fell out in a lot of area's and a lot of warnings were given by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Warnings such as high waves, hard rain, storm, thunderstorms and floods.

It hit this area last night and some warnings were given, but I almost didn't noticed anything except for a lot of rain and some more wind than usual.

Here are some news report on the typhoon called; Man-yi.

Strong typhoon hits western Japan, 2 dead, 2 missing, 68 injured
Warmer seawater is secret of typhoon Man-yi's strength
Tyfoon treft Japan

I feel sorry for the people in Kyushu, because whenever there is a typhoon or hard rain they are always the ones to get hit. Take care.

Presents and letters.

2007-07-10T02:09:00.001-07:00

Well today was my last day at one of my Elementary schools, and what do you get on your last day? Presents and letters... All in Japanese (in exception of some). I expected to get some letter, but I really did not expect this much.

The pumpkin sure was original.

Thanks all you kids from F... ES, you have made me smile a lot the times I was at your school

Speeches

2007-07-09T01:39:00.000-07:00

Because this is my last week at the elementary schools, the schools are asking me to give a "Goodbye, thank you, I have enjoyed this school so much" speech in front of all the staff.

Of course I already knew that the school where I went today would ask me to give such a speech, but they also wanted me to give a speech in front of all the students.

So there I stood in front of about 500 students giving a "Goodbye, thank you, I have enjoyed this school so much" speech in Japanese. I guess it wasn't that bad because all the students said good morning, replied on my "how are you" with "I'm fine" and "I'm great", and some of the teachers complimented me after wards.

So, today I actually noticed that this (giving speeches like this) is one of the things that I have learned in the last year. I don't want to say that I am good at it, but I can say that I can do it.

Saturday Class at my kindergarten

2007-07-07T06:27:00.000-07:00

Today was my fifth time to work at the Saturday class at a Kindergarten in Toyonaka. I normally teach together with Noriko, my Japanese partner, but she had a day off today so I was working together with Mayu (not Mayuko).

We started with circle time, and introduced Mayu to the kids whom of course were a little bit shy *which was cute in some way*. After that we practiced Shapes, the alphabet, phonics, and this months new Vocabulary with the topic "In the sky". It was the first time to do the whole circle time by myself so I was a bit doki doki (nervous) for that, but it went very well.

After circle time we wrote in the journal, textbook, had lunch, played outside and last but not least we were watching 15minutes of "Lilo & Stitch" (one of the kids needed to cry because he was scared of stitch... how cute is that).

I had a very good day, well actually it was my best day at "Kinder kids", so I am very happy about today. But I am also very tired (Mayuko wanted to go shopping after work...), so I won't do anything tomorrow besides some small things.

Have a nice Saturday, and don't forget to smile just for nothing so now and then (or is it now and again?)

76 students

2007-07-06T04:59:00.000-07:00

Because I only have 2 times left at one of my elementary schools (shougakkou), they asked me to give a special lesson to the second grade what of course was fine by me because I love the small kids.

The only thing was that I was not going to teach 1 class with 30 students but 3 classes with a total of 76 students in the Taikan (the sport hall). Because they are little I didn't notice the amount that much, but hearing their loud voice it looked like there were over 100 kids (especially in a sport hall). It went pretty good though, we did some "head, shoulders, knees and toes", "Color D.D.R", "Introducing yourself game", and the "B.I.N.G.O" song. The kids seemed to had a lot of fun, and that's what I think is most important of teaching at shougakko's.

Another nice thing is that we will probably get a present from my brother in law: His car. He is going to buy a new car so he doesn't need this car anymore. It would be great to get this car, because it sure would give us a lot more freedom in the weekends.

Have a nice weekend everyone... I have to work tomorrow and my partner is off so I will be working with someone else... I'm a bit doki doki.

It's getting hot

2007-07-04T06:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess it's the time of the year again: Summer time.

It's about 26 degrees in the house, and last week was the first time to put the airco on again after it hasn't been used for about 7 months. I don't mind the heat, but it can be so humid that your body sticks to your clothes after just walking up the hill... it's annoying so now and then. But the summer also brings good things... Summer festivals.

I really hope to go to some nice festivals this year, especially some small local festivals (Matsuri). I have been to the Gion festival last year, which is one of the largest festivals in Japan, but it was too crowed for me and my girl. We will go to the Kobe firework festival for sure *which is on the 4th of August*. If anyone knows some nice matsuri's in the Kobe region than please let me know.

My summer holiday will start in 2 weeks from now, and I will be having 6 weeks off (maybe will do some summer work, but we will see). I am planning to work on my website and finally give it the long/needed re-design, study on my Japanese, make more friends, and find some sport in Kobe.

Beside that we will also probably head towards Takayama with the whole family for 1 or 2 nights. Looks like a great small village to relax and do some sightseeing.

Busy

2007-06-19T05:49:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, I know I know... It has been a while. 3 reasons for that:

1. I'm busy with my work
2. I couldn't log into my account, because of the new google account (google is taking over the world)
3. well... I should not find to many excuses but just post so now and then.

Okay, now back to what's going on in my life.

Since half June I started teaching at my new Elementary schools. This time I have 4 schools, and all of them are (again) in Kita-ku (north of Kobe). The schools are alright, and I have no problem with any of them. I'm also teaching at the smallest elementary school in Kobe, a school with only 19 students in total... a lot isn't.

Since 3 weeks ago I also started teaching at a Saturday class for "Kinder kids", the same company where my wife is working for, and I must say that it's a whole difference from teaching at elementary school; age (3-5 against 7-12), activities (singing, dancing, and phonics against keyword games, and bingo games), English level (Eigo ha wakarimasen *I don&t understand English* against "can I have ..." singing "incredible iguana"). It's fun to do, but because it's been a while it is a little bit stress ful for me.

Working 6 days a week isn't that bad, but I just have to get used to it.

I also want to thank everyone for their comments on our wedding party. It really was the best day off my life, and I do realize so now and then how much I miss my parents so now and then. It feels lonely here in Japan so now and then, even though I have my sweet wife *who really takes care of me a lot*, finding friends isn;t that easy.

Well, from the 19th of July I will be having another 6 weeks off (I know, it's also stress full), and I hope to find a summer job or a new job at that time. Wish me luck.

P.S. How's life in Docomo?

The parents, and "the Wedding"

2007-03-30T21:33:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have posted on here, but I have been really busy with my last weeks of work, my family that came over to Japan, and the preparations for my wedding ceremony.

My mother and her wife came over half march and left Japan today. It was great fun to see them again, and we have enjoyed a lot together. I took them to Kyoto, Himeji, USJ, and other places around and in Kobe. We also went to Karaoke together where they song songs from Frank Sinatra to the Backstreet boys. It was sad to say goodbye today but they have enjoyed a lot and could see that I am in good hands with my wife and her family.

My dad and my brother came over the 23rd and will stay until the 11th of April. They also came to USJ and other places. Next week they will go to Hiroshima for a 2 days, and we will go to Osaka and Nara with them.

The wedding ceremony was just perfect, after weeks of preparation the big day had finally arrived. Mayuko arrived around 14.15, while I arrived around 14.45. Mayuko had her hair done, and we both put on our wedding clothes, I had a tuxedo, and Mayuko had a princes line white wedding dress. The ceremony started on 16.15 in the garden of the place, where I first picked up flowers from the guests to make a bouquet out of it. Then 5minutes later Mayuko arrived and I went down on my knees (again) to give her the bouquet and proposed my love to her. We then swore our love in front of each other and signed the papers. My brother was my witness while Chie was Mayuko her witness, so they signed after us.

After the ceremony we went back inside again, and Mayuko and I had a 10minutes break before we entered the party again. We had an openings speech and after that my dad and Mayuko her brother held a speech for us. We only had a couple of speeches because we didn't wanted everyone to fall asleep. I was glad that Mayuko her best friend Chie had a speech and our friend Yuka (whom we have met in Australia 3.5 years ago).

We changed into our Japanese clothes later on, Kimono and Hakama and cut the cake in the garden. The whole evening we were so busy that we had no time to eat the delicious food, so I really wanted to eat a part of our wedding cake that our friends and family had decorated while we were changing into other clothes.

In the end we had a speech to our parents, which was really emotional for both of the parents, and a speech to our guests.

It was a great day, and I could write a lot more about it, what I will maybe do later on.

Wedding ceremony

2007-01-31T22:39:00.000-08:00

On March the 25th we will have our wedding ceremony here in Kobe. A lot of things need to be arranged before that, from clothes to flowers. I have only been to one wedding (my mom and her wife) before, so I can't compare too much with Dutch weddings but a Japanese wedding is on an average far more expensive than a Dutch one. An average Japanese wedding is about 3-4 million yen, (157 yen is 1 euro, so do the math).

Our wedding isn't that expensive, we will only spend 2 million yen (which is still a lot of money). But the good things are that first you will really have something nice for your wedding, and the second thing is that you will get back around 30.000 from everyone (we will invite about 45 people, so 1.350.000) so you will get half of the money back.

We have chosen our clothes, wedding dress/tuxedo and kimono/hakama, we have almost send out all our invitation letters, so the next thing will be what we want on the ceremony itself. After this we should choose the food (which was delicious when we tried it a couple of months ago), flowers, balloons, hotels for people who have to stay over, wedding gifts, etc.

Most of the guest are Mayuko her friends, I will only invite 2 because I havenÂt made a lot of friends yet (I am desperate please mail me I need friends ;), no joke), her family, and my family will fly over from the Netherlands (my mom and lientje, will stay for 2 weeks, and my dad and my brother will stay for 2.5 week).

I am looking forward to all, but I am also excited to meet the whole family, and if the two families will get along with each other should I care about that?

I am looking forward for some comments from people who also had their wedding in Japan.

Greets, and matane (see you again)
Dave

Photo's from our holiday in Toba Mie-ken

2007-01-20T02:39:00.000-08:00

With the winter holiday we went to Toba for 2 nights and visited some local tourism spots, here are some pictures:

Here am I and the Meoto Iwa (夫婦岩) or the Husband-and-Wife Rocks. They are joined by a shimenawa (a heavy rope of rice straw) and are considered sacred by worshippers at the neighbouring Okitama-jinja. In Japanese Shinto belief, the rocks represent the union of creator gods Izanagi and Izanami. The rocks therefore celebrate the union in marriage of man and woman. The rope, which weighs over a ton, must be replaced several times a year in a special ceremony. The larger rock, said to be male, has a small Torii at its peak.

Futami Sea Paradise, which had some great shows!

Ninja Village near Ise, it was funny to see ninja's haha, normally you only see them in movies but this time I could be like a ninja, see ninja shows, and one even tried to attack Mayuko (I tried to hold him off with my umbrella but his fake Katana was to strong)

An Ama is a female pearl diver, and she did a small demonstration for us (it was really for us, because on that day the weather was pretty shitty so we were the only ones who were watching. See more info

Playing with dolphins at Futami Sea Paradise. First time for me to be this close with these beautiful animals, and to really play with them using balls was fantastic.

Together eating dinner in our hotel room :D

An attraction in Park Espania, where it was minus 31 degrees... cold.

Our dinner, more came later one. It was all Japanese food but I enjoyed it a lot.

Our morning view on the ocean from our hotel room.

Our room :D

Mothers and their children overseas

2007-01-13T18:04:00.000-08:00

This post is for my mom.

My mom is a wonderful woman, and lives in the Netherlands far away from where I am now. Well the thing is that I have my moments that I miss her, but not that much as she is missing me because I started a new life, and everything is existed for me.

My mom is having a pretty hard time so now and then and she doesn't always know how to deal with things.

Now I am searching for parents who are expering the same thing as we do. A mother with her child being on distance. How do you deal with it, how do you contact, etc.

I am looking forward of any comments here, for me but mainly for my mom.

Please have a look on her website Kidsoverzee. (It's in Dutch but you might want to see the pictures or respond on that website.

Thank you.

Christmas in Japan

2006-12-27T19:23:00.000-08:00

For most Japanese who celebrate Christmas, it’s purely a secular holiday devoted to the love of their children, or for the younger couples. Japanese people don’t have a day off like we have. In Japan time to celebrate with the family is with the New year.

But my Christmas in Japan was a pretty nice and warm one. First of all what Mikawa Ossan said in his blog, the Internet community is just great, we wished each other a merry Christmas, and it is heart warming, even on distance and from people you don’t really know well.

The week before Christmas, I had bought some Christmas decorations (2 snowman’s, small wooden Christmas tree, and 2 Christmas socks). We had a Christmas breakfast with Rookworst, cheese, scrambled eggs, and coffee. After this we exchanged presents, Mayuko received her favourite perfume from Tommy Hilfiger, some clothes, and a nice letter including something so that she can care more about her health the upcoming year. In exchange I received a DVD, Socks, and a new Porter Wallet.

After this we made our own Christmas cake (lots of chocolate, cream, and strawberries), watched some TV, started working on our wedding invitation cards, and Mayuko prepared a lovely Christmas dinner.

I enjoyed this Christmas a lot, even though I did miss my family, and the Christmas atmosphere we have in the Netherlands, but yeah maybe next year we will choose a different style.

Merry Christmas (bit late, but it’s about the feeling), and a Happy new year to you all.

I love you Mayuko

It's an ugly picture, but I just wanted to show you guys that I Mayuko didn't make the cake by herself.

The presents

Mayuko and food...

Oishii soooo ne (looks nice ne)

Uncle Dave part 2 (many more to come)

2006-12-27T19:01:00.000-08:00

On the 17th of December my brother in law and his family came over to the family house, and of course the little girl “Nana chan” was there as well.

The baby is so cute, but aren’t all babies cute? Well, anyway I think she is VERY cute haha. I am looking forward to get my own child, but there are some other things that have to be done before that … (sex … ).

Anyway here are some new pictures of the new born Superstar Nana chan + family

Nana-chan

The Family, from left to right: Me, Otosan, Nana-chan, Mayuko, Okasan, Akiko, and brother in law Takuya.

Otosan and Nana-chan

Nana-chan

My Birthday in Japan

2006-12-27T18:37:00.000-08:00

The 13th of December was my 22st birthday, and my first time to celebrate it in Japan. I honestly have to say that I don't miss my parents a lot, because I am just to busy with my life in Japan. But on my birthday I actually missed to have my family around me, because the only person who congratulated me was my wife and some of the teachers... even my parents in law forgot about it.

They don't celebrate birthdays here in Japan as they do it in the Netherlands or other countries, here it is just a Happy birthday and most of the times that's about it.

I was so happy to receive a packet from my parents with a lot of candy, and presents in it! and in the evening Mayuko and I went out for dinner at a local Izakaya.

For my birthday I bought a Nikon D50 camera, and Mayuko helped my buying it.

Here are some of my first Pictures with this beautiful camera.

Uncle Dave

2006-12-11T01:15:00.000-08:00

I am a little bit late with this, but since a month ago I have became Uncle Dave.

My brother-in-law has got a Beautiful little girl, named Nana. The baby is healthy and the mother Akiko-san is doing great as well.

I can't wait to baby sit on Nana-chan, and it sure made me think more about having a baby as well. But I think that will take another 1.5-3 years before we get one. But until that day... I will dream about it.

Here is a picture from Nana-chan 4 days after she was born.

2006-12-07T22:22:00.000-08:00

It is 3.25 now, and I still have 20 minutes before school is over.

Life is doing well, and the schools are doing better than before. I am a little bit sick recently, so the last couple of days the schools where pretty though: Imagine yourself with 40 screaming kids, while you are having a cold and you have 6x 45minutes.

Only 1.3 week to go and I will be having my Winter Break, YATTA!!!(GREAT). I think I have been doing great the last months, even though things are not perfect yet. For example, my Japanese should have been a little bit better, and also my health should have been better as well. So my goals for next year are, 1. Do some sport (Yes I have been saying this too myself since I was 15 or something) 2. I want to join some Japanese classes (even though it is only once a week, I should do something about it).

I still have a lot of other goals for the upcoming years. But I shouldn't rush too much with things, I mean with Kids, buying a mansion, setting up my own business, and buying a nice BMW for myself, etc.

Most important things is that I am enjoying my life, I am learning from my life, and I am happy together with Mayuko ( and I know she is with me... Well most of the times haha)

Just some pics from my classes:

Update

2006-10-23T23:37:00.000-07:00

Okay time for an update of my life here in Japan.

School is doing pretty good, I am getting used to it now, even though some of the little guys are still asking for a hit ( joke!!!!… I just don’t like the Kancho). I had an observation last week from one of my managers, and of course I was nervous because I was afraid to make mistakes, to make mispronunciations and stuff like that (maybe they would fire me, and throw me out of the country…. Ahum) but I was nervous for nothing, because it went really good, he even said that if he had a video camera he would have taped it and shown it to the new trainees.

I don’t think my English is really great, because I make a lot of mistakes, in my sentences, and sometimes in my pronounciation. But in overall I think I can make the lesson fun, and let the kids learn in a fun way. I can communicate with the most teachers (hand gestures, and shouting…) so yeah, in overall I don’t think I am doing that bad ( a good teacher is a person with a lot of experience I think, and I need to get that in the next year(s) , but as I have said in my last post, I don’t think that I want to be an English teacher for all my life.

I started learning Kanji 2 weeks ago, and even though I don’t always have time for it, I am actually enjoying learning it. So I want to share some with you guys

（the last characters are the Kanji characters）
1 ichi いち一
2 ni に　　二
3 san さん三
4 yon よん　　四
5 go ご　　五
6 roku ろく　六
7 nana なな七
8 hachi はち八
9 kyuu きゅう九
10 ju じゅう十

I still have a long way to go with studying kanji, but that doesn’t matter, because you don’t learn 100.000 characters in a day , right?

Last weekend I went hiking with two of my co-workers Jory and Mike (two American guys, we walked up to Mt. Maya (699m) from Shin-kobe station, Hankyu Rokko, a total walk of 7 hours. It enjoyed the walk a lot, and I hope to do some more hiking the up coming months, years. ( my goal is Mt. Fuji)

In the evening we went to some friends (co-workers of Mayu) drunk some beers, had a lovely dinner, and arrived back home around 12.30 am. A great day that was.

Sunday we stayed at home, because I was a bit sick, and we just wanted to do nothing… so we decided to watch ……. GONE WITH THE WIND … haha, a nice movie that was, even though I think 4 hours was a bit long.

I am chancing schools from next week, and I hope that I can get used to those news schools, but I think I can, because it isn’t that hard, and I am enjoying myself for the time being.

See you guys later!!!

Just an update of my life here in Japan

2006-10-08T18:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

First of all thanks for all you cool, sweet, and lovely comments. If I wouldn't get those comments, I don't think that I would still be writing this Blog, because I just need some feedback! So people who don't know how to do that. Just click the Comment button!

Okay, so you guys want to know how I am doing here? I have to say that I am doing pretty well, and I am enjoying my life for 80%(that's way more than I expected). I am getting used to the weather, county, people, food. I have a full-time job ( even though it is pretty hard so now and then, but a great experience in life), I am happy with my wife, and feel that we are growing to each other more and more. I am starting to find some friends in here, and also my Japanese speaking ability is going up little by little.

Of course there are bad things as well, for example I miss peanut butter, being able to communicate with everybody, watching Dutch TV ( believe me, most of it is better than Japanese TV), my family, and relaxing more.

But what can I say, I am only 21, moved to Japan, am one of the Youngest teachers in Japan, becoming trilingual, and getting life experience. So the question is where will I be in 10 years from now, while life is going so fast already. Of course I will get some heavy falls in life, because life is like a rollercoaster.

I hope to keep enjoying my life in Japan, with my wife, that I can grow as a human, that I can mean something for the community, and become successful in something else than teaching.

Thanks you guys.

Just a picture of my and Mayu-chan

Hanshin Tigers

2006-09-29T23:17:00.000-07:00

Talking about my love for Japan again, I fell in love with Hanshin Tigers a couple of months ago.

Hanshin Tigers is a Japanese Baseball team and their home is located in Koshien (Nishinomiya, between Kobe and Osaka). They have won the Central League five times (1962, 1964, 1985, 2003, 2005) and the Japan Series once (1985). The have a change to win the the Central league again, but it means that they have to win all games from Chunichi, and Chunichi have to lose a couple of games. Ganbare!! (goodluck)

My parents-in-law (especially my Okasan(mother)-in-law) are big Tigers fans since they were children, and because of them I am getting a big Tigers fan. I love the game because I can watch it everyday, they have a great team, and especially the Tigers Fans are just CRAZY!! They sing the whole game, and cheer for the tigers in good and bad times, and are very loyal to there team.

You won't only find Hanshin tigers in the Kobe-Osaka area, but also in the whole Kansai area and true out all of Japan.

The fight song of the Tigers "Rokko Oroshi" (The Wind of Mount Rokko) is a popular song in the Kansai area. It can even be found at karaoke boxes.

Rokko Oroshi
Rokko oroshi ni sasso to
Soten kakeru nichirin no
Seishun no haki uruwashiku
Kagayaku wagana zo Hanshin Taigasu
O-o-o-o Hanshin Taigasu
Fure-fure-fure-fure

Toshi hatsuratsu tatsu ya ima
Nekketsu sude ni teki o tsuku
Ju-o no iki takaraka ni
Muteki no warera zo Hanshin Taigasu
O-o-o-o Hanshin Taigasu
Fure-fure-fure-fure

The Wind of Mount Rokko
(An official English version, not a direct translation)

Dashing swiftly through the wind blowin' from Rokko
Like the big sun soaring in the clear blue sky
Mighty spirit of the youth shows the victor's grace
The name that shines in glory "Hanshin Tigers"
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Hanshin Tigers
Hooray, Hooray, Hooray, Hooray!

Powerful hits and skillful pitch achieved a thousand times
Trained with every discipline here at Koshien
Crowned with constant victory glorious, matchless feat
Always proud, invincible "Hanshin Tigers"
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Hanshin Tigers
Hooray, Hooray, Hooray, Hooray!

Hanshin Tigers their Official Website: http://hanshintigers.jp/

Forever Love to Tigers!!!

The first working week

2006-09-10T02:43:00.000-07:00

Wow, that was my thought of my first day of working for elementary kids in Japan. I had a lot of fun, even though I was just soooo tired at the end of every working day. I will tell you what happened the last week.

This week I went to 5 elementary schools, 2 in Kobe, and 3 in North Kobe *Kita-Ku*. I had 4-6 lessons a day, from 3rd grade up to the 6th grade. The lessons where only 45 minutes, and I did a lot of small games to practice the target languages ( what is it? It's an apple. What month is it? It is January).

It is funny to see how children look up to you, and sometimes even look down a bit. When I walk in the hallway, I hear things like: aaa ego no sensei *English teacher*, even 2 times David Beckham,and they greet me with a big smile. But sometimes, in the class, I hear Baka or Aho *stupid* because I try to be funny but of course not everyone thinks that I am actually really funny. But I am getting 250.000yen a month to teach some kids English, and to act stupid sometimes... so I don't care about hearing names like that haha.

I needed to make a lot of preparations for the lesson plans last weeks, from making lesson plans up to thinking about games. But I have for example lesson 1-5, 20 times in 1 month, and lesson 1-6 10 times a month, so this week I don't even have to make any preparation anymore :D.

I work from 8.45 up to 3.45 *on Wednesday it is even shorter 1.45/2.45* I have all public holidays, and some extra weeks. Sometimes I only have 4 hours a day, so it means that I have 2 hours were I can do nothing, or prepare for the next lessons.

All by all I think that I have a great job, I can make children smile, can enjoy myself, etc. The only thing is that I have to get used to the hours * waking up at 6* the amount of children in the class *40kids a class, while I normally am to shy to speak in front of less than 10 adults* the school, and teaching English.

So wish me luck for the upcoming weeks, and I will be writing more about this later on.

Greets,

Dave

Job Hunting

2006-08-27T23:19:00.000-07:00

Since I have been in Japan, that's longer than 2 months now, I have been hunting for jobs. I think I send me resume to over 50-100 schools now, and have had around 10 interviews since then. Especially last week was a busy week with 5 interviews, and all of them where in Osaka.

So okay, there I am Dave (in a suit) going to interviews where they ask me questions about my career, if I have a Uni. degree, why I can speak English so well while it isn't my first language, and sometimes they even wanted me to do some small lesson for them. I had good and bad interviews, one of the bad interviews was in Kobe on a Sunday evening: I came there in my suit, on my Sunday ( I am not a Christian, but Sunday is Holy to me) and I had this interview with some guy from Seattle, who told me after 1 minute that they don't hire non-natives.... Excuse me? What am I doing here? So I told him that I didn't like it and after 1minute I walked away without saying properly goodbye to everybody.

My good one was probably last week, maybe not a good one but it sure was interesting: Interac is a big company in Japan that sends teachers to Elementary, high schools, and companies. The interview took 1.5 hour, and she asked me a lot of difficult questions on what my good points and bad points are, what would I do if .... and what would I do if ... I had prepared a small lesson plan and she and a co-worker acted as kids of the age of 7-8. After this I needed to do a personality test, grammar test * aaaaaaaaaaa*, Japanese culture test * who is this man on the 10.000yen bill?* and a normal question form about where I live and my background.

She send me an email last week saying that I was not selected, and she told me she would get in contact with me if another position would open up.... and she did :D this morning she gave me a call, and she wants me to come to the training tomorrow, and I can work from next week until March .. Fulltime

It feels good, even though I am doki doki * nervous *, teaching 40 kids at the same time, instead of 6 * what I am used to as a max*.

For me it was maybe less important to get a fulltime job ( part time would give me more time to study) but for Mayuko this was most important in the first months of my stay in here. So yeah it is a relieve for both of us. And now we can spend some more money on .... haha.

I must say that we don't do bad with an income of around 430.000yen a month, and an apartment for 23.000 yen * this will rise up the upcoming year to 50.000 I think*.

I am a happy person, even though it is really difficult so now and then to life here, and I also feel lonely so now and then.

Time is there to learn

Trip to Hiroshima

2006-08-18T01:25:00.000-07:00

First of all I want to apologize for being lazy about writing on this blog. To make it up with you people I will tell you about the trip we took to Hiroshima the last couple of days.

We (Mayu and I) took the bus to Hiroshima Tuesday morning on 7.45, and arrived in Hiroshima within 4 hours. ( we choose to take the bus because the shinkansen was total 40.000 yen, the normal JR train 28.000yen, and the bus was only 18.000 yen for a 4 hour drive) The bus ride was okay, we slept talked listened to some music on the Ipod ( top 100 love songs haha).

When we arrived in Hiroshima, we decided to leave our bags at the station, so that we could do some sightseeing before we would go to the hotel. We walked from on the beautiful streets of Hiroshima, where we saw a lot of neon lights, and some nice shops (Hiroshima is not a really big city, and I think visiting it for 1-2 days is enough). We turned left and suddenly we saw almost out of no where the A-Bomb Dome. It looked peace full, but thinking about what have happened on this place 61 years ago made me sad (on August 6th, 1945 when a US B29 bomber 'Enola Gay' dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima which eventually killed around 140,000 people and devastated the city). We had walked around the building, and went to the peace park right next to it where we saw the children's monument and the Peace Memorial Museum where we could see pictures, read information , and see video's from the day the bomb fell on Hiroshima. It was impressive and no word I write in here can describe how it made me feel 100%. But one thing is for sure, and that is that when you walk around in this museum, and in the peace park: you will realize what peace is, and you can smile that we are in peace but inside our minds we know that we are in constant danger because there are still so many atomic bombs in the world, and wars going on.

For everyone who is going to Japan, visiting Hiroshima is something what should be highly on your list.

In the evening we went to some building where they had 3 floors of Okonomiyaki restaurants... Hiroshima Okonomiyaki. The food was great, and watching those cooks was even better.

After this we went to the Hotel, because the day was just too hot and we were tired. The hotel wasn't very big, but we had enough space and the place was clean. The hotel stood right next to Hiroshima station so the location was just perfect. We watched some TV, talked about the day , .... , and fell asleep.

On Wednesday we went to Miyajima, and island just 40minutes away from Hiroshima center, and can be reached by ferry. The island it's main attraction is the Itsukushima Shrine with the famous torii. ( Miyajima is on the world heritage list)
Which was the main reason for us to visit this place, and I have to say that it looked beautiful. There were a lot of other temples, and shrines on the island, and especially the ones up Mt misen where amazing. We took the ropeway, and from the station we needed to walk another 30minutes up to the top ( 534meter) we had a great view over the island, and over the whole area from here. When we went down we took some foot bathing in the small river and had a lot of fun in the water. Cooling down was important because it was another hot hot hot day. We had some lunch, looked at the beautiful torii, and went home around 5 after a splendid day at Miyajima.

In the evening we went to some nice Izakaya in the center, and did some Karaoke ( which I didn't like that much because of the sound system at this karaoke center just sucks)

On Thursday we decided to take it easy, and that was needed because we were both broken from the walk up the mountain , and the hot weather from the previous day. We did some shopping, went to some ramen restaurant for lunch, did some karaoke ( again) and bought a present for Eisuke.

We left Hiroshima at 5 pm, and came home at 10. I had some wonderful days, and some great new memories of Hiroshima. Let's never forget what happen in there and enjoy life.

I am looking forward for my further trips the next years to places such as Tokyo, Nara, and maybe Okinawa.

Thanks, and I hope to write something more the upcoming weeks.

Gion Matsuri part 2

2006-07-24T05:23:00.000-07:00

Gion Matsuri

2006-07-24T04:15:00.000-07:00

Last week, Mayu-chan and I went to Gion matsuri, Yama-boko Junko (山鉾巡行, Yama-boko Junko) to be more precise.

Before I will show you the pictures, I will first let you read something about Gion Matsuri and Yama-boko Junko.

Gion Matsuri (祇園祭;, Gion Matsuri) is an annual festival that takes place in Kyoto and is said to be one of the most famous, if not the most famous festival in all of Japan. It spans the entire month of July and is crowned by the beautiful parade, the Yama-boko Junko (山鉾巡行, Yama-boko Junko) on July 17th.

This festival first originated as part of a purification ritual. In 869 CE the people were suffering from plague and pestilence which was thought to be a result of the rampaging deity Gozu. The emperor ordered that the people pray to the god of the Yasaka shrine, Susano-onomikoto. Sixty-six stylized and decorated halberds, one for each province in Japan, were prepared and erected at Shinsen-en Garden (at the intersection of Oike Street and Omiya Street, Nakagyo Ward) along with the portable shrines (omikoshi) from Yasaka Shrine.

This became a somewhat standard practice and was repeated wherever an outbreak would occur. In 970 CE it was decreed an annual event and has since seldom been broken. Over time the increasingly powerful and influential merchant class made the festival more elaborate and used the parade to brandish their wealth.

In 1533 the Muromachi shogunate halted all religious events, but the people protested stating that they could do with out the rituals, but not the procession. This marks the progression into the festival's current form.

Yamaboko Float Details

The floats in the Yoiyama Parade are divided into two groups, Hoko and Yama, and are collectively called Yamaboko. There are 9 of the larger Hoko which represent the 66 spears used in the original purification ritual, and 23 of the smaller Yama which carry life-size figures of famous and important people. All the floats are decorated with beautiful tapestries both from Nishijin (the finest in all of Japan) and imported from all over the world. In addition to the art, there are many traditional musicians and artists sitting in the floats.

Each year the families that maintain the floats draw lots at special meeting to determine what order they will take in the festival. These lots are issued at a special ceremony before the parade, during which the Mayor of Kyoto dons the robes of a magister.

Hoko Floats

Weight: about 12,000 kg

Height: about 25m from ground to tip / 8 m from ground to roof

Wheel diameter: about 1.9 m

Attendants: about 30-40 pulling during procession, usually 2 men piloting with wedges

Yama Floats

Height: about 6 m

Weight: 1,200 – 1,600 kg

Attendants: 14-24 people to pull, push or carry

More to come!

Pictures

2006-07-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

Girls High school behind our house. (yes only girls)

Hanshin Tigers Vending Machine!!!!!!!

View over the city a couple minutes walking from our house

Some small shrine on a small island in a small city called Ako

A small shrine on top of the mountain 2 trainstops from our house (that were some HIGH HIGH stairs hahaha)

Well, this picture says enough

Ako

Nunobiki Ropeway, from shinkobe station

Nunobiki Ropeway

Nunobiki waterfall, view from the ropeway

The Japanese Subway

2006-07-04T00:28:00.000-07:00

-Schoolgirls in all sort of uniforms,

-Salaryman in their black suits,
-People reading comic books, old and young,
-Middle age women fighting for a seat ( of course the middle age women win)
-Female only cabins,
-Chikans and Chijo
-Sleeping people, while sitting or standing
-trains every 5-10 minutes
-Train pushers

-Densha Otoko
-VERY CROWD SUBWAYS

-50% will play with their Keitai ( mobile phone)

-advertisements above your head
-Getting lost
-Watching the latest fashion
-A Gas Attack ( well this only happened one time)

First week in Japan

2006-06-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, Sorry for the late post, I have written a post last Friday but by mistake I lost everything (one hour writing) so now I am trying it again.

on Thursday the 15th of June, I needed to say goodbye to my family, which was of course really difficult, and sad. But not as sad as I thought it would be, maybe because the evening before I realized that life is fantastic, and I didn`t needed to care to much about my family, known they would be alright.

The flight from Amsterdam to Helsinki was alright, and nothing special happened in there, besides me smiling in my seat.

The flight from Helsinki to Osaka was different, first of all because it was much longer 10 hours, and I had a nice older Japanese couple sitting next to me, whom I talked to for hours. Arigato ne Eiko san and Enzo san, for being so kind to me. The airplane was of course full with Japanese people, and from around 200 people I maybe could only see 10-15 non Japanese. I tried to get some sleep in the airplane but remembering my previous experience with flying for this many hours, I knew I wouldn`t be able to sleep, and I didn`t.

Arriving in Japan was a bit weird I must say, because I was really tired, and suddenly I was unable to use my English, my Japanese level isn`t that high, and also the way to Kobe was weird, seeing building everywhere. Mayuko her mom picked me up from Sannomiya (center of Kobe), and we drove together to our new house in Rokko ( see pictures in the previous post. It was great to see her mom again, and we talked a lot.

In the afternoon I finally saw Mayuko again, and that felt so great! hold my wife in my arms again, after 6months and knowing we don`t have to separate anymore. Together we walked to our house ( from Rokko station, to our house is about 15minutes up hill walk) and she showed me our house.

I think the house where we are living in is great, it`s heaps larger than I had expected, and also the area where we are living in is great. Mountains on the right, ocean view on the left.

On Sunday we went to her parents house, and met the whole family again. We had a lunch together, toasted with beer (Kanpai) and had some nice talks. Later that afternoon we were shopping with her brother and his wife (we got a sofa from him).

On Monday we went to the City hall to take care of my Gaijin card ( this is a card that I should always have with me, because I am a foreigner in Japan ( Gaijin- outside person, foreigner. this word can be a bit rude, the same we have alochtoon in the Netherlands). When we wanted to fill in the papers, we found out that this fucker ( sorry but he is a fucker) on the airport made a mistake, by not checking my visa , and not reading my intent of stay in Japan. Because of this, he gave me a 3 month stamp, with the meaning that I needed to go out of Japan with in 3months, and that I could only get a 1 year Gaijin Card instead of a 5 year gaijin card. So yeah after we filled in some papers, we also needed to mail my passport to the Immigration.

A lot of work needed to be done, and probably still needs to be done. Paperwork, paperwork, and even more paperwork. Arigato Mayuko for taking care of this!!!

The days after that, we bought some stuff for the house, relaxed in Kobe`s herb park, and just enjoyed being together again.

On Thursday Mayuko needed to work again, so I started searching for a job as an English teacher. I had send out a lot of emails to companies in here, and even got a short interview on Friday, the interview wasn`t really an interview, because I just got the job, only problem was I didn`t knew for how many hours etc.

On Saturday we went to her Grandmothers house in Ako, she is around 84, we had a lunch. We had this real big EBI ( ebi is a Prawn), and after that we went to her grandmothers house. She showed me pictures of herself when she was young, and from Mayuko her mother ( funny to see that they really look like each other sometimes).

On Sunday we went to Sannomiya to buy a mobile phone for me, and a suit ( yes me in a suit, for job interviews, and for weddings etc). Well I got a real nice Mobile phone, the Vodafone 804ss please click here for some information. And also the suit I bought was pretty nice.

yesterday I started my Job as an Enlgish teacher here in Japan, and I have to say that I really enjoyed it, even tough the first boy was a pain in the ass, because he just couldn`t concentrate, and I needed to take care of him by myself ( the teacher just run off, and said please take care of him). Later that afternoon I needed to teach some little girl from 6, which was just perfect, she was really sweet, and it was really easy to work with her. We practiced Pre-positions, and time.

The only bad thing about this work is that I can only work 2 times a week, and summer school which is starting from the 24th of June. So I don`t think I will stay here for a long time. Actually I am already looking for another job.

So this is a bit what had happened the last week. It`s busy, and I must say that so now and then I have my bad moments. For example, I like to be in charge, to do things myself, but now I am totally dependent from Mayuko, and that makes me insecure sometimes. But on the other hand, I am proud of myself on what I am doing, and proud of Mayuko on what she is doing for us.

We still got a long way to go, but we believe in the future, and up to now, our plans came out well...

Thanks everybody, and don`t forget to post a comment!!!

Our house

2006-06-20T04:53:00.000-07:00

The kitchen

The 2 doors to the toilet and bathroom

TV\Computer, sofa will come in 2 weeks, and table in a couple of days

Eating Okonomiyaki with Mayu on my first day

.. Says enough?

Sorry for no message, because we are pretty busy at the moment, but everything is going well in here. We are setting up the house, and enjoying being together again.

Packing, and saying bye bye

2006-06-14T02:42:00.000-07:00

Today it will be my last day in the Netherlands, at least for the next years. Tomorrow morning on 11.55 I will depart to Japan, via Helsinki.

A lot have happened the few days so let me first go back to my last day of work; Friday the 9th of June. I took a morning off, to get some sleep, and woke up perfectly happy. On my work it was pretty normal actually, and it didn't really felt like it was my last day. Because another guy (Paul) also had his last day in there, we decided to buy something together * here in the Netherlands when it is your last day on work, or birthday, it is normal to buy something like Pie or Candy* but because we couldn't order Pie anymore we decided to buy some Pizza for everyone. After work we had a small goodbye party/ watching the first soccer match at the bar across the street. I was happy to see the Japanese managers in their too, because I know that they won't come that fast. I want to thank everybody from my work for the great time I have had in there, and the trust and respect you guys gave me. Arigato Gozaimasu (thank you very much) especially I have to say thank you to a group of people, but I think you guys already know who I mean.

On Saturday I had a beautiful canoe trip with my sweet mom, the weather was perfect, and the water was quiet. We had some great talks that day, and as normal it always feels great talking with my mom about nothing, life etc.

On Sunday I was at my dads place to watch soccer with the whole family! Whoehoe, Netherlands won with 1-0. I am definitely going to continue following the matches when I am in Japan, just I don't know if they are really being broadcast in there.

Monday was shopping day, I needed to have some shoes, t-shirts, and for my mother in law Godiva chocolate. Ow and not to forget I also bought Rummikub, and Triominos. I packed my bag ( I won't use a suitcase but a big Cricket bag because I can put more crap in it) which was 25 kilo... AAAA I can only bring 20 with me, so I needed to take some things out of the bag, DVDs do I need them NO, BYE BYE. A book, NO don't need BYE Bye, So finally it went back to 15 kilo. But yeah haha, on the next day it was back to 22 kilo. pfff I hate packing my bag.

I went to Egmond yesterday with my mom, a small place next to the beach, where we did some last shopping * I have bought some presents for the child that my brother in law and his wife are expecting, and for Eisuke the child of Mayuko her best friend. While we sat on the beach we had some good talk (again) and I asked her for advice. My mom is a bit afraid that I am going to lose my Dutch feeling, and while turn into Samurai William. But I don't think I will do that, because my heart will always be in The Netherlands, and I will always have Dutch blood *alright a little Belgium blood too, don't say this to anybody else alright*.

And today is my last day in here, I have finished packing my bag, except for my laptop and the chocolates that lays in the fridge. Tonight we will have a family dinner at my dads place, and tomorrow will be the time to say goodbye.

This is where it become difficult. Saying goodbye to people whom I love, and especially to people whom are family and whom I have become so close with for the last 2 years. I love you my brother, I love you Carolien, I love you Dad, and I love you my sweet mom. You guys will always be in my heart and my family forever. That's why distance is nothing more than meters and flying hours. Because we will always stick together.

I will update you guys next week how my first week in Japan was. Wish me luck

7 days to go, what should I bring with me?

2006-06-07T23:58:00.000-07:00

Well only 7 days to go, 1.5 day to work. Next Monday I will go shopping; food, clothes, etc. But the question is: What shall I buy, what shall I bring with me to Japan? I hope you people have some idea's for me.

List of things that definitely want to buy:
Peanut butter
Godiva Chocolate for my mother in law
Chocolate spread
Cheese shaver
Smoked Sausage
Dutch souvenirs: such as post cards, and small well other stuff, NO DROP
present for my father in law, V.S.O.P

So if anybody got some idea's for me???? Please leave a comment.

8 days to go

2006-06-07T07:44:00.000-07:00

Only 8 days to go, and I will depart to Japan. WOEHOE!!! I must say that sometimes I am going crazy a little bit, it's a big step that I am going to take and sometimes it is a bit scary, but mainly I am just so happy to be with Mayuko again, and to be in Kireii (beautifull) Japan again.

Almost everything is done, I only have to send out some money next week, and make some phone calls to the city hall, and my insurance company.

But first off all only 2 days to work, I must say that I have really enjoyed this job, even though there are some things in the company that I disagree on. But yeah, that's okay. Just want to say thanks to all of you guys who have been kind to me in here. Niara ;)

I will be writing more the next couple of days, and I hope that when I am in Japan I will be able to write every week.

Matane * see you soon

32 Days to go.

2006-05-14T03:32:00.000-07:00

Since last week Mayuko has moved into our new house to get used to the place, and because it is close to her work in Nishinomiya. She is also setting up the house, so that when I come we only have to do the fun things. Thank you my love for this!!! Stuff that mayuko bought already:
*Fridge
*washingmachine
*Table
*Carpet.. we got 2 rooms with tatami, bit to much
*Futon
*Microwave

She also got some stuff from her parents, and we will buy some small things together when I arrive there.

The walking up and down from the station to the house is not so bad as she thought, but the summer is not here yet hahaha. And also she saw a wild boar in front of our house. haha, scared the hell out of me when I heard this... great for the BBQ though. From our balcony we can see a large tree, and some view over the ocean!

This upcoming Monday, I have to go to the Japanese embassy here in The Hague, to change my COE *Certificate of Eligibility* into a Visa. I should fill in some papers in the morning, than wait for 5 hours * I think I will go to the beach* and I will have my REAL Visa.

Then Tuesday, I have to tell my managers that I am leaving the company, so that is also very exciting.

and then Thursday I have to go to my uncle, who is sadly having cancer, and is doing worse all the time.

So yeah, beside the last thing my life is great! And I am a happy person :D

I GOT THE VISA

2006-04-30T23:41:00.000-07:00

This last Saturday my wife said that she had big news for me, and it WAS! When she said this I immediately knew what she was going to say: She received my Visa.

I was so happy to hear this, because I was a little bit worried if it would come in on time, and that everything was arranged good. I almost cried actually and it made me have this big smile when I am thinking about it! 45 days to go now, yes counting off sucks because the days are only going slower and slower, and my excitement is getting bigger and bigger haha.

Mayuko will be moving to the house this Wednesday, so let's see what she's thinking of it.

I hope this last weeks will not be to hard, but I will try to see everything with a positive attitude.

less than 50 days to go, Yatta

2006-04-25T23:32:00.000-07:00

Well, only less than 50 days to go, whohoe, I am getting Dokidoki *excited* because Mayuko got the keys of the house yesterday, and it is larger than we expected. It is as I have said before 2 rooms of 6tatami, but the Kitchen is also 6 tatami, so that means that we can put a table in it. and also the balcony is larger than we expected, we can even put 3 chairs in it haha.

I went to the bank last week, to get an insurance, to send money to Japan, and to give Lientje * my mom her wife* power to end my bank account. So I guess almost everything is done in here, all I have to do is send a moving out message to the City hall, and some other small things, and wait for the big thing the Visa...

Recently I have been working a lot on my website www.kobecityinfo.com and added many things, so please take a look and tell me what you think of it, and if anyone knows how I can let my website be higher in the search programs, please send me a message!

See you in 49 days in Japan :D

My love for "Dreams Come True"

2006-04-19T23:23:00.000-07:00

My love for Japanese music, only goes to a couple of artists, such as Hikaru Utada, Boa, Spitz, and a couple more. But my Favorite Japanese Band all time is : "Dreams come True". Why I love them? Because I can cry on their music, but at the same time smile, even though I don't understand a thing about it.

The band was formed in 1988 by the bands lead singer is Miwa Yoshida, Nakamura Masato, the arranger, producer, bassist & overall mastermind, and Nishikawa Takahiro, keyboardist, manipulation and sound designer (who stepped out of the group in 2002).

Dreams Come True presents music which is a pleasure to the ear, the mind, and the soul. Never being content with one style, they compose songs with genre influences from Pop, R&B, Jazz, Funk, Disco, Soul, Rock, Hip Hop, Latin, and even Classical; Many styles, as varied as their own musical influences, provide their music with a rich base to form their own unique Dreams Come True style.

They have sold over 30 million albums and 15 million singles. Had 22 Top five singles, and reached 10 times the #1 posistion. And also their album hit the #1 album posistion 11 times. Dreams Come True albums have also been a staple of the Oricon charts, accumulating close to 18 years worth of time during the group's 17 year history. Their second album, Love Goes On..., spent over 4 years on the charts.

So I guess everyone is getting the point: THE JUST ARE THE BEST BAND IN JAPANESE HISTORY!

So here are some songs for you:

Because I think DTC is such a great band, I want to spend some more attention to them later on, so: TO BE CONTINUED

Learning Japanese

2006-04-18T23:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, with only less then 2 months to go, I have to learn the language as soon as possible. The problem is a bit (read my previous post) that I can't get my mind clear. But maybe this is the cure for it, to keep busy in my mind.

My goal for learning Japanese this upcoming 2 months, is first of all to increase my vocabulary, to be able to talk in basic conversations *well this is for the next half year.... year).

to be continued...

Less then 2 months, and I am freaking out sometimes

2006-04-18T23:34:00.000-07:00

It's less then 2 months to go, and It looks like everything is doing great, finished my Tefl degree, got a great cheap house, saved enough money, and am ready to go to Japan and my wife.

But, with less then 2 months, I am also losing myself in some way, getting more stressed, losing my confident, and just sometimes don't know what to do. I guess this is because of being on a distance relation for 2.5 year, and this will be the last 2 months of it. I have to say goodbye to my family, my life, my country, and start all over again, is it really this difficult? or really this simple? I don't know any more how to think about certain things, I am having my emotions about this, but when I talk to my wife about it, i can't always get to hear what I want, that's not her fault, because she is raised by this, and same as most Japanese, feelings is just way different than we Dutch people.

But it's is tough sometimes, and I guess I just have to come over it, be strong, and be patient. I am already patient for 2 years now, and now is finaly the time , and I am freaking out haha.

I should be confident about myself more, and keep knowing in my mind that my wife is loving me, even though she is busy with school, herself, and our house etc.

Only less then 2 months... Counting of the days... day by day, day by day, everything looks so slow at the moment...

Teaching in Japan preparation

2006-03-27T22:28:00.002-08:00

When I arrive in Japan, I should get *of course* a job. My love is in the IT/Design section, but that's not so easy to get, because my Japanese is not that good yet. So instead of searching for an IT job, I want to start as an English teacher ( EIGO NO SENSEI). When I was in Japan last year, I was teaching Japanese kids in summer school for one week! It was not easy, especially because I had NO NO NO experience in teaching at all, but It also was heaps of fun, and after already 3 days the kids started to enjoy a lot with me, and I enjoyed with them.

So as a preparation to make things more easy, getting a job, and feeling confident about myself, I am doing a TEFL course (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). It is not the best teaching course there is, but better something than nothing! I have 10 modules, plus and extra Grammar, and Kids module! Here is a short list of what I learn:

> Module 1 : Student Motivation, Teacher Roles & EFL Methodology
> Module 2 : Grammar Awareness
> Module 3 : Classroom Management & Student Levels
> Module 4 : How to teach Grammar
> Module 5 : How to teach Vocabulary
> Module 6 : Observe & analyze a teacher in action (on DVD ROM)
> Module 7 : How to teach Speaking and Writing Skills
> Module 8 : How to teach Reading and Listening Skills
> Module 9 : Games & Lesson Planning
> Module 10 : Information & Resources
> Module 11 : Extra GAM (Grammar Awareness module)
> Module 12 : Extra Young Learners

Check for more info the website from I to I tefl

I am really enjoying this course, and I am learning a lot ( even though it is only theory) I still have to work on my English though, and that is one of the hardest parts of this course. But yeah, isn't everyone learning in life!? I finished all modules except the Games & Lesson Planning and the Young Learners one. The Lesson planning really is a .... But I learn a lot from it, so that's okay.

I really hope that I can find a nice teaching Job in Japan, and that I can develop my website (www.kobecityinfo.com ) , so that I can make money with that, and get more people visiting my website * currently I got 2300 a month! woehoe!

Catch you people later, and don't be afraid to leave a comment!

Baseball

2006-03-23T23:31:00.000-08:00

The number one sport in my own country The Netherlands is soccer, I am raised with soccer by my father; we always watched the games and I played soccer daily on the street with my brother, and my dad.

This is over from the time I will arive in Japan, because the number one sport in Japan *at least the one that is most interested for me* is Baseball ( Yakyu in Japanese), you know 2 teams, try to hit the ball as good as posible, and than RUN!!! first base, Second base, third base, HOME!!!! HOMEEEEE RUNNNNNNN. In Japan there are 2 leauges, the Central leauge, and the Pacific leuage. They concists of 6 teams, which plays several games a week. The winner of each leauge will play against each other in the play offs. and the winner of that is THE WINNER!!!!

Last year the Hanshin tigers * they are located in the Kansai area, so I will probably see some games of them. * were the winner of the Central leauge, but they lost the Play offs.

In the last month their were the World Baseball Classics, what is seen as the WORLD CUP. and the winner of that: JAPAN!!!!!!!!

Housing

2006-03-15T23:32:00.000-08:00

The last year, my wife (oksan) and I have been fantasizing about a house, where, how much, etc. We have looked around on some websites, and when I was in Japan last year, we even visited 2 houses. The size of a house is in Tatami size, one tatami is measure roughly 180 cm x 90 cm. What were looking for was a house with 2 rooms, both 6 Tatami exl Kitchen, and bath. Normally for something like this you pay around 60/70.000 yen a month * convert* and the first month you have to pay around 4 to 5 times the rent: Reservation fee (tetsukekin), Deposit (shikikin), Key money (reikin), and Service fee (chukai tesuryo) . So yeah this will cost around 240.000 yen, which is of course expensive! But the good thing is, that in Japan, you don't have waiting lists, you can get a house in 1 or 2 days! and that's what I like, because here in Amsterdam, you will come on a waiting list from a minimum of 3-4 years, at least to get something that you Like!.

Because when I come to Japan, I won't have a job yet, we need to life from my oksan her salary, so we shouldn't get a too expensive house. So what we did, well actually she did, was applying for a special house *provided by the City Hall* , which only people who don't have enough income, are handicaped, etc. and the good thing is, we got one!! (well for 99%, she only should show the papers!) this house cost us only 30.000 yen a month, compairing to what I wrote before, it's a BIG difference!!! we have size what we want, 2 rooms from 6 Tatami, and a balcony *what more do you want!!! and one of the best things is that it is located between Kobe, and Osaka, in a place called Rokko, which is just under Mt. Rokko * we spend our wedding day here. From this area you could view over the whole city of kobe, and see the ocean.

So yeah, I am really happy to get to life in this area, even though we have to walk up the mountain from Rokko station! Here are some pictures from the Mt Rokko area.

3 Months until Departure

2006-03-13T23:40:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I have written something down here, so I though, let's Write. Especially because it's only 3 months before I am going to Japan, I should update you guys, and well everyone else on this planet.

The last time I wrote something in here, is already 8 months ago or something, so a short update : After coming back to the Netherlands I felt really bad, because of the 2 different worlds we are living in, the selfish western world, and the non-selfish-sometimesfake- eastern world. I choose to live in the Eastern world!

I've been studying Japanese, English, and started up my own website: www.kobecityinfo.com this website started out with 100 a month, 1000 a month and now I have over 2000 for the upcoming month with around 300+ visitors a month. I almost finished my Tefl study, it's damn hard sometimes, but hey, if I can get a job more easy in Japan, why not?

2 weeks ago my wife applied for my Spouse Visa, and we will probably hear something in about 1.5-2 months from now. Crazy times it are, lot of things to do, and lots days to wait. At least, it sometimes seems to be a lot of days, while it is only 3 months.

The next weeks I will update you people more about my preparing for Japan, and my departure from my country, my family, my work, etc.

Matane ( see you soon in Japanese)

Just married!!!!

2005-08-04T21:04:00.000-07:00

this is infront of the city hall, we kept it small but the day was great, and the feeling of being married even greater

our dinner, soup, spagethi, salade, steak, deserts, toast, etc etc.. to much haha

our view, while eating our lovely dinner, to bad the night photo's failed!!! cause that was just beautifull, looking over Osaka, kobe, see nara behind osaka, and in the background starts wakayama!

MARRIED COUPLE and beautiful background!!!

2005-07-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

Here I am sitting in my room in Japan, a Japanese style room, with tatami mats, and those paper windows.. So cute it is haha. I am so happy to be here, to see my girl and to see Japan. I will tell more about it later, but for now I will go back to the beginning at 13july when my travel started from Amsterdam.

After waiting 7 months I was finally going to see my sweet girl again, and visit Japan for the first time. My bag was packed, everything I had with me. I travelled from Amsterdam to Brussels, Brussels to Milan, and from Milan to Kansai ( Japan). Yes, I was thinking like that too.. LONG!!! And it was long too. I need to wait in Brussels for around 12 hours , cause I needed to take the most early bus from Amsterdam the evening before. The bus wasn’t that bad though, were I could have some nice sleep, but the airport was just killing me, all the shops and café’s were closed, so I didn’t had anything to do there, besides sleeping on a table until some cleaner needed to clean it… so eventually I slept around 1 hour, and closed my eyes for 2 hours. The flight from Brussels to Milan was absolutely stunning, as I flew above the Alps, and it was the first time for me to see mountains with snow YATTA(*yatta means like GREAT in Japanese ).

Arrived on Milan, I was really happy that I could start my last flight to Japan, first I did some shopping , OF COURSE.. Hello I am in Milan, there I should buy something shouldn’t I ?? So I bought some nice perfume, and called my girl that I had a terrible night haha. I just needed to wait for around 1 hour, in an ugly airport ( with strange toilets, instead you open the door up down, you need to push the handle… how the F**k should I know, so I pulled it down for around 3 minutes… I thought I was going crazy, I didn’t want to miss my flight, If I would be in here longer I would kicked that door for sure!!!!! ). The airplane was pretty nice though as I had a tv in front of me, and I could listen to music, watch movies and played some games ( no super Mario this time.. ). But yeah all this things didn’t matter cause I was just so sleepy/tired that I didn’t felt like using it a lot. I tried to get some sleep, but it just didn’t work, maybe I was just to doki doki (*nervous/excited in Japanese), or because I changed my watch 7 hours later (Japanese time).

As I finally arrived on the Kansai airport( the airport near Kobe that was build on the water, when you land it almost looks likes you land on water, sugoii ne (* cool/great in Japanese) ) Mayuko her sister Minako-san(*in Japan they use the word San after the name as respect for people who are older or higher level) was waiting for me, I was a bit afraid of her English, cause Mayuko didn’t knew about it, and bit I was afraid that she couldn’t speak English, but yeah that turned out to be fine, and I had some nice conversations with her in the bus to Kobe city (Sannomiya), where her mom was waiting for us. Her mom was came toward us, and as I had practiced many times ( but it still feels strange) I bowed to her and said: Hajimemashite, Dave Desu, Dozo yoroshiku (*how are you , I am Dave, nice to meet you… the how are you in this way you only say when you meet somebody the first time, normal how are you is : O genki Desuka?) and she bowed back and said the same thing, + something extra that I couldn’t understand.

Its really humid in the summer I remembered Mayuko saying to me, haha and so I found out, cause it was just so hot in there, even in the car to her home it was. We talked in the car with her mom, and I said some Japanese words which I knew. The way to Mayuko her house was great, driving true strange roads, seeing Japanese style houses, and see many hills, and mountains ( as maybe some of you know, in the Netherlands we don’t really have mountains or big hills… ). The house was just so cute to see, bigger then I expected , cause I thought it was a small house, (turns out that my girl is rich anyway haha no joke,, normal she says .. Yeah right ;)) , I took off my shoes, and refreshed myself, before I would see Mayuko again.

A couple of hours later we were driving to the near by station were Mayuko was arriving. When we arrived at the station I saw Mayuko waiting outside, and we hugged and kisses each other (a decent kiss cause her mom was watching…), and it felt a little bit strange in someway, cause we haven’t seen each other for 7 months. But yeah the best thing was that after an hour or 2, that strange feeling was disappeared , and it felt like we have seen each other almost everyday.

In the evening I met her father, and he was really kind to me, gave me some beers to relaxed and as we were eating this nice oichii ( delicious in Japanese) food, we started talking , easy talk, but also really serious . I thought I would be really difficult and really not looking forward to it, but it wasn’t like that at all, it was a relaxed talk ( the beer does it.. Asahi you are the best!!!!!! (*Asahi Japanese beer .. Best haha). At the end I asked her dad straight, ( this was the most scary part!!!!) Kekon Sassete kudasai ( can I marry with your daugther) and he said……. Hai Hai Hai. Of course ( hai-yes) , and I just felt so relieved, cause In the beginning, he didn’t agreed with our relation , cause I am a Gaijin ( non-Japanese) and in his mind he thinks a Japanese should marry with a Japanese ( which I can understand in some way cause in Japan the percentage of gaijins is only 1% ( from 125Milion people, and her parents don’t know any gaijin) .

On Saturday we slept in until around 10-11 and had some talk with each other, until we decided to have a short walk around. We went to some store’s near here, and I could finally see the Japanese Vending machines , and we went to sushi train were I tried out around 5-6 different kind of sushi with raw fish, and raw meat. The rest of the day we only talked, serious up to stupid.

On Sunday we went to the city to Harborland ( an area where are heaps of shops, and restaurants/café’s ) there was a free market, which was a bit smaller then I thought, and we saw a Japanese couple who where just married in a western style dress, and some girls wearing kimono. What I really like in here is that they still were traditional clothes a lot, like the Yukata ( the Yukata is a similar version of the kimono, but then much easier and less expensive.). As I will be staying in Japan for a month it would be convenient to have a Mobile phone, and Japanese phone’s are just so kakoii (* COOL) as they have so many extra options, and great designs, so we looked for that… but at the end I didn’t bought that one but a normal phone that looks like a phone that children from 5 use… but haha I only need a phone for a month , for a cheap price, and cheap it was.. For only 25 euro (30.000 Yen) I got a phone, with the same price Prepaid card included.. Well is that cheap or not cheap? I also bought some slippers, HOT weather ;), and some nice sushi/rice/meat balls to take with us, .. Were did we go? Well haha to the soccer game, Kobe VS Tokyo… stadium was pretty big 15.000 people in it. And the atmosphere was great.. Kobe fans in Red shirts, and with flags, who were singing the Whole game, even Kobe lost with 4-0... Only kawaii-so (* sad/poor) thing was that some F-side fans started to throw bottles on the field, and yelled bad things.. Because Kobe lost the game the players decided to give there apologise to the fans, and came closer, and they even bowed for them, this was really amazing to see, as this would not be thinkable in my country, were the players would almost run to the dressing room, and run to there wife’s to forget about the game. So lots of respect for the players that did this! We walked home after the match, we were just so tired from all day walking that we didn’t felt like doing anything else anymore that evening.

On Monday ( well just 2 hours ago LoL) we went to the city to Sannomiya and to Motomachi, and Mayuko teach me about how the Subway works in here ( not that easy to understand I think, cause everything is in Japanese… ( it is difficult sometimes for me, because I cant speak Japanese well, especially against there parents it is difficult to communicate good with each other. ) there are so many nice shops in here, and everywhere there are so oichii looking restaurants!!!!! We got some Starbucks coffee ( STARBUCKS RULES!!!) and went to Kobe’s China town, were we eat some Chinese food. I noticed today about the fact that there are not many Gaijins in Japan, but yeah, in one way I think that is not a big problem for me in the future. Mayuko bought a nice cute t-shirt, and we went to the Ikuta shrine ( one of the biggest shrines in Kobe) and we prayed there, and wrote a message on a piece of wood. it always relaxes me when i go to a shrine, or a church. it makes me think deep about spirituality.

I am really enjoying my stay in Japan , and am looking forward for the next weeks, but yeah I hope they wont go to fast, as I know I have to leave Japan again , and that I wont see my girl for another 5 months, its hard to think about it now, but yeah I am here just 4 days, and I still have around 25 days to go. So yeah that Is something for later to think about more.

Today I will look for jobs, do some things on the web, go walking around, and help her mom with mowing the lawn. Mayuko is working today and I will see her tonight again.

For now, I will stop cause I am really tired. But besides that, I can say I am one of the Happiest man in the world at this moment, cause I have almost everything that I want in life for now!

Aishiteru yo Mayuko always and forever

1 week to go

2005-07-03T10:35:00.000-07:00

Just 1 week to go, and then i am finnaly going to Japan! my flight is in brussel on thursday the 14th. its going to be a pretty long travel, cause i need to go to brussels first, wait there for 9 hours, check in, wait 2.5 hour, go to milan, wait 2 hours, and then i fly to Japan....

well i am pretty nerveuse, and also verry happy. i will meet her parents for the first time, and the rest of her familie, also i will see japan for the first time!!! have been waiting pretty long for that... but most important of all is that i will see my beautiful girl Mayuko again! cant wait to hold her in my arms, to kiss her, etc. i will stay there for 4,5 week almost, and were going to do really lovely things!!!

just 1 week work, and yeah the last 2 days next week, are just mmm hurry up days

gr Dave

Introduction

2005-06-04T04:26:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody...

well this is my first post here! Lol... why do i want to have a blog? i was thinking about getting a blog for already a while and now i found a good one... i want to have a blog, because i think i have something that can interrest people... as in this way everybody have something that other people are interrested in.....

this page is mainly about Me , and Japan.... i have a relation with a japanese woman for 1.5 year now.. and we are getting married in less then 2 months from now, i met her in australia, and we were together for 5 months, but then we needed to seperad because we both needed to go back to our country's in the last year we just saw each other for 2.5 weeks, but we have contact almost everyday, and i will be going to japan in 1.5 month for a month long...

i wanted to know more about japan, as i didnt know much about it then Samurai, world war 2 and some anime like : REMI lost in the world.....

so i start making a website about japan japanichiban (dutch) start to post on japanese forums, and ever learn the langauge a bit......

what will be comming on this page: well mainly things about japan , from news , to strange pictures, from my mind, to a report on how i enjoyed japan etc etc

hope you people will keep comming here, and enjoy Japan, as much as i do

here is a picture of me :