Plum Blossoms and More

So like I said in the previous post, my predecessor was in town and introducing me and helping me break the ice with some of the teachers. Well Friday night I went to a dinner party with her and some of the other current and former teachers at my school. I was a bit nervous at first but after everyone there (japanese) had a couple drinks, they made a 180 degree transformation from the normal quiet, and rather boring business people Id known at work, into well..... very normal, interesting, funny and talkative drunk people!! It was great!! And the best part was that since Japanese get drunk so fast and easily, I didnt have to drink very much at all! They were making jokes, I was making jokes back, we were talking in a strange mixture of Japanese and English and Kansaiben (dialect here). They got a real kick out of me trying out my new Kansaiben skills... seemed to think it was the funniest thing in the world! Which I guess if you think about it, would be funny had the situation been reversed. Think of a Japanese exchange student who can barely speak English trying to say "whoa awesome man!" or "thats, like, way cool!" Itd be hilarious! Ok, the example I gave isnt EXACTLY the same, but the result is! Anyway, one of the former teachers was actually a current teacher at Adams school, so at the end of dinner, we called Adam (who was currently at a British bar in town) to come and join us. He did, and we all ended up at another pub where Adam got to practice his Japanese and they got to meet the "more outgoing and talkative" Adam ;) So, the whole night was a blast and I was able to see a side of my co-workers Id have never seen before. And to top it off, Adams co-worker brought us fresh homemade bread! It was marbled and had walnuts and golden raisins in it! Delicious!



The next day we went to Osakajokoen (Osaka Castle Park) to see all the plum blossoms in bloom. They were gorgeous and I took some pretty nice pictures. It was also one of the warmest days this year so far, so that made it all the better!





See? I didn't even need my wool or down jacket! Yaay!













We saw some bright pink trees and some white ones. I had the impression that they went from white to pink as they bloomed, but I could (and probably am) completely wrong. There might just be pink ones and white ones! Whatever, they're still gorgeous!




We also spotted many interesting outfits on peoples' dogs, this being the winner for the most ridiculous! I mean Ive seen doggie outfits from tutus to neon green puffy vests to baby doll dresses, but never had I seen such torture as sunglasses on a dog. And theyre not even human sunglasses! They were actually made for the dog! Now, Im not a dog expert, but I really have a strong feeling that dogs DONT NEED SUNGLASSES! Honestly, people!! Come on, now... Whatever, theyre Japanese... that says everything!

That same night was Sams going away (aka going back to Australia) party and lots of us got together in Yagi for some dinner, drinks and karaoke! The night was a blast and there are some good pics that came out of it!



Take a REALLY close look at this Engrish Menu. If you have to, click on the picture and look in the middle under the flavors of cyuhai (chuhai = japanese style spritzer). Look again, really closely. Now, answer me this. What exactly would a "cock" flavored chuhai taste like? I mean.... I have some ideas, but what worries me is HOW they got this particular flavor! What are they doing to our drinks in the back room?!?!?! This is rather worrisome, is it not? After careful consideration, we thought maybe, just maybe they meant to write "coke"? Even then, a coke flavored chuhai would be disgusting and strange... In any event, this was either another case of electronic dictionary non-wisdom, or the person that wrote this failed English class! (or was maybe learning the wrong kind of English?) Whatever, you decide!




Our table... someone does NOT know how to take a good group pic...








The other table with Sam there in the front eating Japanese spaghetti. The Japanese woman to the right just happens to be the most gorgeous Japanese woman Ive ever seen and also happens to be the wife of our fellow friend and JET Andy Sowter (on the left, hidden, with the baby). Their daughter is very cute as well, as most mixed children are. But wow, I was floored when I saw her. The pic doesnt quite do her justice.

So yeah, I could put some random karaoke pics on here, but Im really tired, I ran a few kilometers today, my shoulders hurt and the rest of the pics are on my shutterfly account which you all can access if you click on the link to the right! I couldnt put all the pics here cuz this is already an insanely long post. Hope you all enjoyed!!