Hey! It's the hotel lobby!!

Hey all -
I was too beat last night to take any pictures of what proved to be quite an eventful traveling experience. Delays, crabby 'flight attendants,' microwaved beans/eggs, and travelmates with hyperactive elbows were among the top ten.

Amazingly enough, I woke up at 6:30, showered, passed on the JET sponsered breakfast, and hit a 'konbini' for a tsunamayo onigiri (natsukashii!!!!). I was immediately brought back 10 years to my first visit. (10 years, man!)

My roommates enjoyed a night of Karaoke, 950 yen for all you can sing, while I reviewed the paperwork given to us by the brass. Yep...gettin' a bit older. Truth be told, I've yet to run into anyone who comes close to my age, but everyone says I look like I'm 25. Ha ha! My plan to infiltrate their ranks has worked... Still need a cane, though, which might blow my cover. (^ ^)

Language-wise, I've done OK! I was acutally able to help a few people as well as speak to the shipping company who did not have a handle on English. I'll know how successful that conversation was if I get my box on time...

Ready for another amazing shot?? Not bad through the window, right?

I'm pretty much booked solid today with seminars and whatnot. Thankfully, I'll be meeting my Prefectural Advisors who will give me the details about the trip to Niigata on Wednesday morning.

But for now, things are great. I'm meeting a lot of cool people and enjoying brief moments of 'quiet' time while walking around town.

Now the bad part:

I have to put on a suit...

Keep surfing!
Brendan

Take 'er easy...

Well, that's it...

I said good-bye to Japan America Learning Center today as well as to some of the wonderful students who have filled it's classrooms for so many years. Because of their generous gifts, life in Japan will be much easier. For instance, I will be shielded from rain drops, able to wake up on time to enjoy my favorite tea before class (^ ^)\/, and have unfamiliar surroundings set a glow late at night. After many pictures and well-wishes, I stood up straight and set off determined to focus on something other than the move -- my New York Mets.

You know, it's going to be really tough to leave them behind, seeing as though the gap in the National League East seems to be growing more and more every day. Anyone remember the division lead the Mets had in '86?

I know, I know... Believe me, I'm knocking on wood. Such musings can only tempt ill fate as per folks in my circle. But wouldn't it be cool?


My life-long friend Joe has made it a point to order me out of the room, or to the concession stands any time the Mets have the chance to put runs on the board; most notably when the former Met great, Mike Piazza, covered the plate with his mighty shadow. I will admit that his record number of homeruns as a catcher may not have been possible had I not felt the need to spend 25 minutes in line for a Mets' cap sundae. But the one time I didn't get up to grab a dog, I was able to catch Cliff Floyd greeting the yankees during his first at-bat with the following...

You can even see the ball flying off his bat, on its way out of the park! But the homerun isn't as priceless as the look on the guy's face who's sitting a few rows down from us. With all of this in mind, you might assume that the Mets have benefited from me staying or going...

So perhaps my time in Japan will produce something, dare I say, Amazin'?

Only time will tell...

But now the game is over, and the air that escapes me echoes throughout this empty room. Staring at this glowing box while hammering on the keys beneath, I start the countdown to lift off. With only a few more things to shove into M&D's attic, I smile, realizing that it is rather poetic that the sun I will be riding off into is rising...

I'm not sure if I'll get the chance to post before the plane leaves, but if not, my best to all for safe travels and happy vacations.

Keep surfing!
Brendan

Group hug

I should leave the country more often! I spent Friday evening with the family (including the much traveled Aunt Rene and Pop -- thanks so much for making the trip!) who had been planning the soiree for quite some time. We had some grilled burgers featuring Uncle Ed's salsa -- quite good -- Jersey tomatoes, and the cake pictured above. Check out the Kanji, folks!



Here's a picture of my buddy, Pop, sporting a new hat and looking dapper to say the least.



Saturday featured a party at Japan America Learning Center where I've been teaching for the past three years. There was great food and a rousing game of "Duck, Duck, Goose," (I knew I should have gotten the extended warranty on my knees). The kids presented me with a Build-A-Bear that everyone had signed, including very encouraging sentiments -- the little fellow has already been packed for my trip, serving as major inspiration when I'm freaking out on the first day of class.

But for now I'm putting the finishing touches on the box that's being sent to Niigata tomorrow. I suppose I won't know how successful this whole shipping ordeal has been until I'm unpacking the box in my new apartment...

Anyway, thanks to everyone who took the time to prepare and attend such great parties for me over the weekend! I really did enjoy spending time with all of you.

Keep surfing!
Brendan

P.S. Much obliged also to all who suggested AAA for the IDL! Took about 15 minutes in total...

Saying 'good-bye'

Greetings everyone -

Today was filled (yet again) with saying good bye to some students and friends. This picture is of me and Hide Takada. Hide and his wife Hiroko (always smiling (^ ^) ) are owners of Oishimbo, a Japanese gourmet grocery store in Harrison, NY. I taught their two kids at the local Kumon school over the past two years. We would all chat from time to time when I visited Oishimbo to practice my food shopping. I'm definitely going to miss the bento and dorayaki from the shop! If anyone local is in Harrison, please make the trip. The food is great!

So, in a little over two weeks I'll be on my way, getting to know new store owners who may have different reactions to me perusing the aisles of their stores.

But in the meantime, welcome to the new members/readers of my blog! (Eiko-san, Murakami-san...Thank you for reading!)

Keep surfing,
Brendan

Hide-san...thanks for the box!

Opening My Own Store...

Hey all -

At this point, I'd be able to open my own souvenir shop. However, it might be a good idea to actually pass these things on! There are about 50 pencils (I have a feeling that they might run out quickly), about 20 books of stickers, and some random toys (including this totally cool Mets Matchbox car that has a...Ok, that one's going to be hard to give up).

Teacher / co-workerwise, I have Mets bottle openers, Old Navy beer huggies, picture frame refrigerator magnets shaped like flowers, a whole bunch of NY-style keychains, and some postcards featuring towns here in Westchester.

I might be bringing a few of the Mets things back in case I find myself surrounded by Yankee fans... *shudder* (I'll hold a few of them aside for you, BG, if that turns out to be the case.)

The MOMA store had some great stuff, especially some NY coffee mugs, which might be popular. I still have to get some things for the brass. At this point, I'm getting a bit rushed for time and find the whole shipping task a bit daunting. Tonight will feature a packing dry run... I will try to control my excitement.

It's time for Brendan's AWSOMEST PERSON(s) OF THE WEEK award:

Congratulations to Ken 'The Dad' and Mari 'The Mom' Share.

Not only did they give me the green light to leave my car at their crib while I'm gone, but they even dusted off a couple of old suitcases that fit Northwest's 'linear dimension total' requirements!

Here's your prize:

"Thanks!"

Ok, now I gotta start the packing process...

And now for our random question portion in which the winner qualifies to get a cool prize:

Does anyone know of any reputable companies that do international driver licenses? I'm expecting some interesting posts from THOSE road experiences...

Keep surfing!
Brendan

Break for the 4th!

Hey all -
Here's a pic from today's 4th of July BBQ, featuring karaage (Japanese fried chicken), burgers, and dogs. The fireworks were a bit lame because we ended up sitting a bit too far from the water line (Tarrytown, NY). Some flood lights and street lamps made it difficult to see as well... But nonetheless, good times were had by all. It was a nice break from cleaning up dusty closets and buying NY trinkets.
Hope everyone had a fun 4th!
Keep surfing!
Brendan

New Digs

Hey everyone -

Well, here it is...

Initially, I was told that many of the apartments JETs get are closer to shoeboxes in size, but I suppose being suburban has it's perks! Figuring out what to pack has been a bit of a tangle recently but seeing the floor plan helps out a great deal. There's even a balcony!

26 and counting...

Keeping surfing!
Brendan