北海道新聞

I wasn't going to bring this up at all but I realized it might be more interesting for my readers. I was in the paper yesterday. Above pictures of pictures taken from yesterday's (Hokkaido wide) newspaper. Last week, the day before I went to Fukushima, we had an open class. I had known what it was about but had been so busy I barely thought anything of it. However, lo and behold, in yesterday's paper on page two, was a long story (by Japanese standards) about Shikaoi's extensive English program and how its different from the average Japanese student's English class. The text goes on to talk about lower teacher-student ratios, more hours dedicated to English per year and the use of most advance teaching methods.

Sandwiches are Beautiful

It won't come as to much of a surprise to those that know me that I love sandwiches. Sure I like good Italian food or good sushi, but when it comes to something I could eat everyday, everymeal; it must look toward the humble sandwich.

The Tsuchiya's house in Koriyama, well quieter that it was when I was living there seven years ago for several tragic reasons, still often represents a hive of activity; extended family, friends, business associates, workmen, and delivery people are constantly moving in and out of the house. In attempting to subtract from the choas instead of add to it, I suggested one day for lunch we try good old fashion coldcut sandwiches. Nothing could be easier to offer the variety of people that could around for lunch any given day. On this particular day, nine people were aptly fed: Yukipapa, Kumama, Hiromi, Kaho, Shiho, Shigetaro and guest, and Shigetaku (but he left early for an appointment) with me taking the picture.

Afterward everyone raved about the sandwiches; claiming surprise about the simplness of just putting everything on the table for everyone to make their own. I was helped by quailty ingredients; I found great cheeses and sliced meats which cqn be hard to find in Japan. (We ended up going to what must be the only deli in Koriyama.) Bread too was key; using fresh - literaly hours old - crossants, baguettes and buns; all up to Japan's normally high standards. My Grandma M. will be happy to know it was a complete success!

On a side note: Even though I was trying to keep everything simple, the Japanese, and espesically Kumama, sometimes have a certain way things ought be done. I wanted to just plop the sliced meat and cheese on plates and open the bags of buns on the table. I desperately hoped not to give Kumama and Hiromi extra work for what I had earlier advertised as a quick and easy meal. I promised it would taste the same. We humorously nearly came to blows in the kitchen because Kumama was strongly of the opinion that the meat, cheese and tomatoes should be neatly arranged on plates and the table set par excellence. (She won.)

Oh the irony.

I write this post shaking my fists at the Weather Gods.

So heading out the door this morning, as groggy as anyone might be on a Monday morning, one couldn't help but notice the complete down pour. I watched longingly, from the amples windows inside the school, it brighten up outside throughout the day. And just as I began to believe my hopes of going for a run could be salvaged, I watched as work wound to an end, the sky darken. It stayed rainy until just after dark when it stopped, and now if one was so inclined, you could stepp outside and see field of stars.

Great house in Koriyama

Well, in trying to keep the theme of architecture healthy in my blog I would like to add these images of a traditional-style house overlooking a small park only blocks away from the Tsuchiya's house. I've known about it for years but only recently thought to take a picture of it. Not out standing pictures really, more for future reference. One can't tell from the images but the layout of the house and grounds is well thought out and innovative. Everything seems to just naturally flow from one part to the other. This does not come as unexecpted in Japan. In putting these images up I don't mean to put the Tsuchiya's house down, with it's huge private garden done in the traditional style leading visitors to the entrance I still give the edge to the Tsuchiya's house. However, I really liked this house and its design. Especially its gate, which I can easily imagine welcoming guests to my house. Dr. Tsuchiya, not surprisingly, knows the owners and we were planning to take a quick look inside but we ran out of time before suitable arrangments could be made.

Home From Koriyama

Okay. Good night! I'm a little tired since its after 11 but I'm home safe and sound nonetheless. I expect I will give a longish update tomorrow. It was raining when I left Fukushima and raining in Shikaoi too. Somethings are unavoidable.

Images From Walking Around Yesterday

Images From Koriyama

The above picture was taken by Kaho (10), the Tsuchiya's niece!


Not a cherry blossom. :(
(But that is my hand.)


The above object is takenoko, a type of bamboo that is prized in spring for eating. I had a chance to eat some later grown right outside the house and it was very bitter in its raw state. I'm sure the finsihed product will be produced for breakfast tomorrow. Not the most friendly looking vegetable.

In Honshu

I`m getting back lots of lovely memories of working with MS Windows as I type this update because just a second ago the system crashed and I lost the post. What fun! For the record, we`re starting over.

At this point I am well settled in at the Tsuchiya`s. With it being Golden Week lots of the Tsuchiya`s will be around with people arriving constantly. Tomorrow will be even more busy around the house. Kumama is busy in the kitchen right now making enough curry rice to feed an army. And she is such a good cook, I know it will be good. I also hope to show my Hong Kong photos to everyone after dinner.

The weather was very nice today, sunny and warm with a slight breeze. I was lucky to spend most of it outside with Kaho and Shiho the Tsuchiya`s nicies taking photos, playing baseball, and just being generally goofy.

I will try to get some pictures up later but just wanted to say I am having a great time in Koriyama. Tomorrow the weather is not as nice so maybe shopping. I promised the Tsuchiya`s I would make them my miso soup. I will try to post some pictures later but if I don`t I want the readers to know on Saturday I plan to send time with various South Koriyama Rotary members.

行きましょう！

Hmmm.. I didn't plan this too well. The dishes and vacuuming are done and I'm all packed but it's not even 9:30 AM yet. I would love to go for a run because I have just the perfect window of freetime until I have to leave but at the moment it's cold outside - frigid really - and raining. I could go indoors since I have the day off but it would cause a bit of a scandel for the locals that would see me at the Sports Center and not at school and wouldn't know I have the day off. Hence I am sequestered in my house for the time being. I have to take the train to the airport so really its a whole day in transit. (It's fun though.)