2021年05月31日
Memorial Day
Monday, May 31st is Memorial Day in the U.S. Memorial Day is a national holiday to remember soldiers who lost their lives in war. Some people often confuse Veteran's day with Memorial Day. Veteran's Day honors those who have served in the U.S. military and are still living. The holiday is usually referred to Memorial Day weekend since the holiday is always on the last Monday in May. A typical greeting is "Happy Memorial Day Weekend!". Memorial Day is usually celebrated with American flags place on graves of fallen soldiers, barbecue (cookouts) , fireworks and parades in local cities. It's a was to get outside as the weather is warm due to a new Summer starting.
2021年05月31日
Exploring
I’m thinking about getting out and going to explore a bit soon. I’d love to go into the mountains. I think it’s getting hot it could be nice to go to a river. Since it’s hot maybe I’ll go swimming. Do you have any ideas? Where should I go?
2021年05月31日
Ice cream! Looking for that sweet treat
The tie-in candy has with kid stuff is awesome. Ignore the capitalistic implications, and enjoy the sweet treats. I'm an adult so clearly I'm not affected by this. I only bought two! See?
They changed the logos for the different characters. That's really cool! Different symbols and weapons that the characters actually used in the show. Enel is such a iconic villain for One Piece. They defeated him, but he did get away from Luffy in the end (Spoilers for early 2000s). One day I hope he comes back FULL POWER into the story. I can't wait.
2021年05月29日
Man of Action
I saw this door sign when I quarantined in Sakai before coming to Kagawa and, let me just say, it made me laugh! I found it to be so random--so, naturally, I took a picture to remember it! Although, I have to admit, it reminds me to always be a man of purpose: action!
2021年05月28日
New Phone
In general, I'm very comfortable using technology. But when it comes to phones, I guess I'm a little old-fashioned.
I don't especially like smartphones. I am grateful that my phone, my camera, and my GPS have been merged into one device. But I really only want to be able to make phone calls and receive very short text messages.
I don't want to write emails on my phone. I don't want to read books or news on my phone. I don't want to shop on my phone. I don't want to watch TV on my phone. I don't want "an app for that."
But nowadays, smartphones have become a necessity. I got my first smartphone in 2017 because I had to drive to classes and the college would only accept payments for parking through an app. So I got the cheapest, most basic smartphone I could find. It cost $30 (~¥3000). And I did make an effort to try all the popular apps to find out what everyone was so excited about. Meh.
As time passed my basic phone struggled to keep up. My map app took so long to load I was sometimes almost halfway to my destination before it figured out where I was. At my new job, I have to 'clock in' by email, and I was 'late to work' a few times because my keyboard was sluggish. The last straw was when my volunteering organization updated their app and it was no longer compatible with the Android version my phone.
Still, I put it off as long as possible. I don't want to be the kind of person who 'needs' a new phone. But finally I ordered a halfway-decent phone, just so I could keep doing the things I was supposed to be doing. It took a whole day to uninstall all the junk that comes preinstalled on new phones. No, thank you. No, thank you. No, thank you.
Yuck.
The funny thing is, on the day I ordered my new phone, my old phone started acting smoothly and quickly. "No! Please don't replace me! I promise I can be fast!" Too late, old phone. You had your chance.
Thanks for reading!
I don't especially like smartphones. I am grateful that my phone, my camera, and my GPS have been merged into one device. But I really only want to be able to make phone calls and receive very short text messages.
I don't want to write emails on my phone. I don't want to read books or news on my phone. I don't want to shop on my phone. I don't want to watch TV on my phone. I don't want "an app for that."
But nowadays, smartphones have become a necessity. I got my first smartphone in 2017 because I had to drive to classes and the college would only accept payments for parking through an app. So I got the cheapest, most basic smartphone I could find. It cost $30 (~¥3000). And I did make an effort to try all the popular apps to find out what everyone was so excited about. Meh.
There is one app that I liked: Heart Star is a delightful little game.
As time passed my basic phone struggled to keep up. My map app took so long to load I was sometimes almost halfway to my destination before it figured out where I was. At my new job, I have to 'clock in' by email, and I was 'late to work' a few times because my keyboard was sluggish. The last straw was when my volunteering organization updated their app and it was no longer compatible with the Android version my phone.
Still, I put it off as long as possible. I don't want to be the kind of person who 'needs' a new phone. But finally I ordered a halfway-decent phone, just so I could keep doing the things I was supposed to be doing. It took a whole day to uninstall all the junk that comes preinstalled on new phones. No, thank you. No, thank you. No, thank you.
Yuck.
The funny thing is, on the day I ordered my new phone, my old phone started acting smoothly and quickly. "No! Please don't replace me! I promise I can be fast!" Too late, old phone. You had your chance.
Thanks for reading!
2021年05月27日
Rain rain go away...
I am aware (as I would imagine everyone else) that we are in the rainy season. I don't necessarily have an issue with rain itself. Sometimes when it rains, I like to relax on a couch or bed and watch a movie or read a book. You can generally find something to do when it rains.
However, I am going to have to learn to adapt to rainy days if I have laundry to do! I grew up most of my life having the luxury of a washer and dryer in the home and if not, within the apartment complex in which I lived in. While I do like air drying my clothing, you just can't pull that off in the rain! There is a laundromat nearby, but on a rainy day, I would just prefer to procrastinate on that and wait for the sun to emerge so I can get that sweet sweet sunlight.
However, I am going to have to learn to adapt to rainy days if I have laundry to do! I grew up most of my life having the luxury of a washer and dryer in the home and if not, within the apartment complex in which I lived in. While I do like air drying my clothing, you just can't pull that off in the rain! There is a laundromat nearby, but on a rainy day, I would just prefer to procrastinate on that and wait for the sun to emerge so I can get that sweet sweet sunlight.
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2021年05月27日
Enemy, thy name is Grass Pollen
I usually go to a weather app to check for the day's forecast. Lately, I've been ignoring the temperature though, and looking at something else. The pollen count.
My allergies have skyrocketed this Spring, and I found the cause. I am allergic to some kind of grass pollen (right now). I have to shake my clothes after taking them off of the laundry line. I still sneeze when I use any of my towels. I can't put my futon outside or open the window most days. It's been tough.
The relief comes on rainy days.
2021年05月27日
Nepali Curry
I recently tried Nepali curry for the first time at this restaurant called Taj Mahal. It came with unlimited naan and it was absolutely delicious. I had the chef make it extra spicy and the end result was a dish that tasted remarkably similar to a West African stew from my father's country.
I'm addition to the Nepali curry and the naan, I tried this delicious dessert drink called Lassi. It's a sweet yogurt-based drink with a creamy consistency. If you go to this restaurant, you definitely won't be disappointed. Everything tasted amazing!
2021年05月24日
ZOC's new album and tour
I am really into Japanese music.
My favorite artist is Oomori Seiko, who happens to be from Ehime prefecture. I have loved her since about 2013. Oomori Seiko is a singer-songwriter.
Recently she started producing as well as being a member of the idol group ZOC. ZOC stands for "Zone of Control" and is pronounced like ゾク--which can mean 'thrilling' or 'exciting'. Currently, the group consists of six members: Oomori Seiko, Aizome Karen, Nishii Marina, Kannagi Maro (formerly known as Fukuda Kanon), Yachia Riko and the newest member Shizume Nodoka.
ZOC are a little bit different than your average idol group--they definitely do not try to keep a pristine and innocent image for the public. One former member, Senritsu Kanano, is known for being in juvenile detention before becoming an idol. Kashii Katy, who graduated from the group in February 2021, is often pictured smoking, and it is a known fact that she was homeless before becoming an idol.
These little imperfections make ZOC all the more human to me and show one of the truly good things about idols--they can bring people together no matter their background. It is important to show that even if you have marks on your history that you can still reach your dreams, I think that is part of what ZOC stands for.
I am looking forward to ZOC's first major album, PvP, which releases on June 9th of this year.
Following their album, ZOC will be going on a nationwide tour! It's not often that groups that are popular in Tokyo come all the way here to Shikoku, but my dream came true--ZOC will have lives in both Takamatsu and Matsuyama! What's more, they had a VIP ticket on sale. For so long I have wanted to see Oomori Seiko live, and now I will get to see her live and meet her. I can't wait to go to the live on July 11th! I wanted to go to the concert in Matsuyama because that's Seiko's hometown, but unfortunately I am only able to attend the Takamatsu live. Regardless, I am really looking forward to it. Here's hoping that cases are down by that time and it is safe to attend.
I've only scratched the surface here in regards to ZOC but I hope that you enjoyed reading about them even a little bit. I may write a few more blog posts to introduce idols in English in the future. Idol research is one of my hobbies!
See you!
My favorite artist is Oomori Seiko, who happens to be from Ehime prefecture. I have loved her since about 2013. Oomori Seiko is a singer-songwriter.
Oomori Seiko's music video for her song title "Singer Songwriter".
Recently she started producing as well as being a member of the idol group ZOC. ZOC stands for "Zone of Control" and is pronounced like ゾク--which can mean 'thrilling' or 'exciting'. Currently, the group consists of six members: Oomori Seiko, Aizome Karen, Nishii Marina, Kannagi Maro (formerly known as Fukuda Kanon), Yachia Riko and the newest member Shizume Nodoka.
One of ZOC's recent releases, "DON'T TRUST TEENAGER" is my favorite! I find the lyrics quite touching.
ZOC are a little bit different than your average idol group--they definitely do not try to keep a pristine and innocent image for the public. One former member, Senritsu Kanano, is known for being in juvenile detention before becoming an idol. Kashii Katy, who graduated from the group in February 2021, is often pictured smoking, and it is a known fact that she was homeless before becoming an idol.
These little imperfections make ZOC all the more human to me and show one of the truly good things about idols--they can bring people together no matter their background. It is important to show that even if you have marks on your history that you can still reach your dreams, I think that is part of what ZOC stands for.
I am looking forward to ZOC's first major album, PvP, which releases on June 9th of this year.
Following their album, ZOC will be going on a nationwide tour! It's not often that groups that are popular in Tokyo come all the way here to Shikoku, but my dream came true--ZOC will have lives in both Takamatsu and Matsuyama! What's more, they had a VIP ticket on sale. For so long I have wanted to see Oomori Seiko live, and now I will get to see her live and meet her. I can't wait to go to the live on July 11th! I wanted to go to the concert in Matsuyama because that's Seiko's hometown, but unfortunately I am only able to attend the Takamatsu live. Regardless, I am really looking forward to it. Here's hoping that cases are down by that time and it is safe to attend.
I've only scratched the surface here in regards to ZOC but I hope that you enjoyed reading about them even a little bit. I may write a few more blog posts to introduce idols in English in the future. Idol research is one of my hobbies!
See you!
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2021年05月24日
Guys night
Recently I had three of my guy friends over to relax play some games and have some good food. We had way more food than we needed! But it was a really good time.
2021年05月24日
Bug boy
Spring has sprung. The bugs are out in full force. Look at all these hungry little caterpillars. On Sunday, they ate one grain of rice.
They are spinning some strings from trees. They hang from there and get caught in the breeze or by other animals. It's fun to watch. If you're not watching you're likely to get one stuck on you, hahaha.
I was so surprised to see the different colors, but it makes a lot of sense. There are different colors in plants, and these bugs have changed to reflect how they want to hide. Check out the wood-looking one. Is it pretending to be a stick?
2021年05月22日
Big Announcement!
I moved to Japan to be with this girl. I started working at GEM School, we moved in together and, a few weeks ago, I asked her to marry me. She's been with me since my university days back home in Wyoming and now, I can happily say, will be with me in the future to come: our future!
2021年05月22日
The Zenigata Sunae!
I love living in Kanonji. There's so many amazing restaurants and places to see. One of them, which I witnessed for the first time the other week, is the Zenigata Sunae. It was truly spectacular, especially because I got the chance to see it before sunset. I love Kagawa!
2021年05月21日
The Oldies
For the past hundred years or so, people have been defining themselves and their generation by the musical styles they associate with their adolescence. I've read that by the time you turn 30, what you think of as 'your music' has pretty much settled. Most people stop seeking out new music and keep listening to the same music they listened to from ages 15-30 for the rest of their life.
My parents were born in the mid-1950's. They were teenagers in the late 1960's and early 1970's, so that is the period in pop music that defines their generation: The Beatles, The Carpenters, Neil Diamond, and Elvis Presley.
I was born in the early 1980's. By the time I was a teenager, music of the 1950's-1970's was considered 'old' (but still popular) music, and some radio stations specialized in these "oldies". My parents kept the radio on most of the time at home, so I spent my teen years listening to the same music my parents had listened to in their teen years. While my peers were listening to Madonna, Michael Jackson, MC Hammer, and Vanilla Ice, I was listening to The Beatles, The Carpenters, Neil Diamond, and Elvis Presley. I still picked up enough from my friends that I also consider music of the 1980's-1990's 'my music'. But after 2005, I pretty much stopped being exposed to new music, or the new music I heard didn't connect to me the same way.
Up until now, I was in charge of what music my kids listened to. But now they're getting to the age that they're picking up new music from their friends at school, and I'm going to have to start thinking of a new way to categorize music.
Music from when my parents were born to when I was born is and always will be (to me) "oldies".
Music from when I was born to the present was what I thought of as 'current music'. But I'm getting old enough that this category is too long.
So I need a name for a category of music from when I was born to when my kids were born, and I need to start thinking of 'current music' only as music after my kids were born.
Thanks for reading!
My parents were born in the mid-1950's. They were teenagers in the late 1960's and early 1970's, so that is the period in pop music that defines their generation: The Beatles, The Carpenters, Neil Diamond, and Elvis Presley.
I was born in the early 1980's. By the time I was a teenager, music of the 1950's-1970's was considered 'old' (but still popular) music, and some radio stations specialized in these "oldies". My parents kept the radio on most of the time at home, so I spent my teen years listening to the same music my parents had listened to in their teen years. While my peers were listening to Madonna, Michael Jackson, MC Hammer, and Vanilla Ice, I was listening to The Beatles, The Carpenters, Neil Diamond, and Elvis Presley. I still picked up enough from my friends that I also consider music of the 1980's-1990's 'my music'. But after 2005, I pretty much stopped being exposed to new music, or the new music I heard didn't connect to me the same way.
Up until now, I was in charge of what music my kids listened to. But now they're getting to the age that they're picking up new music from their friends at school, and I'm going to have to start thinking of a new way to categorize music.
Music from when my parents were born to when I was born is and always will be (to me) "oldies".
Music from when I was born to the present was what I thought of as 'current music'. But I'm getting old enough that this category is too long.
So I need a name for a category of music from when I was born to when my kids were born, and I need to start thinking of 'current music' only as music after my kids were born.
Thanks for reading!
2021年05月21日
Hello, Sweetie!
I like to have a nice dessert every now and then. One of my favorite places in my hometown for desserts is a little bakery shop called Hello Cupcake! The shop offers different flavored cupcakes and each one is special and delicious. My favorite is the Red Velvet cupcake. The recipe is the closest to the original, southern recipe that I have taste. It is rich, buttery, not too sweet, and covered with cream cheese icing. I also like their Pina colada and Oreo cookies and cream cupcakes. Hello Cupcake also makes awesome cakes for special occasions. Not only do they look good but they taste great! Hello Cupcake is one of my first planned stops on my next visit home.
2021年05月20日
Relaxation by the sunport
Generally, I like to use my free days from work to explore Kagawa, although I usually find myself gravitating towards Takamatsu given its close proximity to my residence close to Hashioka Station. I like to use that time to relax, regroup, and recover myself mentally in a nuanced form of meditation.
As a result, I like to make a little trip from Takamatsu Station and go north past the symbol tower and over to the seaside sunport and just relax for a while. I find it very peaceful and even having lived in Florida for years, I'm closer to a large body of water here than I was there. I would have to travel about 90 minutes back there in order to get there. It is very reminiscent of Toronto, where it isn't really a beach, but just being by the water, hearing the waves crash against the shore is a very calming feeling and I like making the trip at least every two weeks. This is one panoramic shot I took recently.
As a result, I like to make a little trip from Takamatsu Station and go north past the symbol tower and over to the seaside sunport and just relax for a while. I find it very peaceful and even having lived in Florida for years, I'm closer to a large body of water here than I was there. I would have to travel about 90 minutes back there in order to get there. It is very reminiscent of Toronto, where it isn't really a beach, but just being by the water, hearing the waves crash against the shore is a very calming feeling and I like making the trip at least every two weeks. This is one panoramic shot I took recently.
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2021年05月20日
No Sweets No Life
My best friend has taught me to enjoy the finer things in life. I now have more of a refined palate when it comes to sweets. Recently, I celebrated doing something difficult. It was nice to have cake go with a feeling of accomplishment.
My friend does wonder how I can eat so much sugar. I tell her that it's because I'm an American. They hide sugar in everything so I'm used to it.
It's not uncommon for my friend to seek out rare bakeries and sweet shops.
One time, I asked my friend where she went. She replied "It's a secret."
"You got a cheesecake." I guessed.
She was very surprised I got it right.
2021年05月20日
Loose Stitches
I've had a pretty hard time finding clothes that I like in Japan. Either their wholly unattractive or the measurements aren't made for someone of my build. With that being said, everything that I am wearing currently are items that I bought back in the States. Some of these items are very old, but I still like them and I'm not willing to part with them just yet. This reasoning has caused be to get back into sewing so that I can properly mend some of my older clothes without visiting a tailor or a seamstress.
Sewing is not very difficult and it can actually be kind of relaxing once you get the hang of it. It's a great skill to have because not only do you save money, it is also better for the environment.
2021年05月17日
Ramen blog #2
A couple of months ago a new ramen restaurant named Marugen Ramen opened up right next to the Niihama Gem School! I was so excited! Though I was also a little bit wary... what if the ramen was a type I didn't like? I decided to go soon after it opened to try for the first time. I stuck with tonkotsu ramen for my first visit--that's a safe bet wherever I go. It had nori in it--but was definitely delicious. Plus it's so convenient having a ramen place near work! It's even open until 1am! Needless to say, I went back again really soon afterward. My second time, I tried their miso ramen. I love tonkotsu, but I find that usually it doesn't come with enough veggies for my liking. Miso is usually the best option to get lots of veggies with my ramen.
Eventually, I tried their signature ramen called 肉そば (niku soba). According to my dictionary, this ramen's broth is made with fermented soy sauce. I was worried I wouldn't like it, but it's my favorite! I think I prefer it to tonkotsu, now! I love to get the 野菜肉そば version--topped with a ton of veggies.
See you!
Eventually, I tried their signature ramen called 肉そば (niku soba). According to my dictionary, this ramen's broth is made with fermented soy sauce. I was worried I wouldn't like it, but it's my favorite! I think I prefer it to tonkotsu, now! I love to get the 野菜肉そば version--topped with a ton of veggies.
See you!
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2021年05月17日
A beautiful drive 2
Last week I mentioned going hiking. In order to get to where we hiked I had to drive two hours into the mountains. The weather was perfect! It was really nice getting to go out with some friends, enjoy music, and enjoy nature. I hope I can get out and drive again soon.
