Project Read: 36 views of Mount Fuji

Or more specifically, 36 views of Mount Fuji: on finding myself in Japan by Cathy N. Davidson, an American who wrote about her observations, feelings, and life in between Japan and the U.S. in the 80s. Her love (and I mean love!) for Japan's culture and people is obvious throughout, and I couldn't help but notice that some of her sentiments were similar to mine. For instance, the Japanese are indeed a private people, respecting others' boundaries, and feeling safe is but a constant vibe no matter where you are in Japan. Davidson taught at a university in Japan and thus writes professorially--you know, big, deep words, but vivid and honest in every way.

Davidson also writes about subjects that may be considered taboo to Japanese, but brings it up so that it is clear she's seeking a true understanding of why Japan is the way it is and why Japanese are the way they are. Just like any other country seen from an outsider, I suppose. She eventually relocates to the U.S., taking along not only physical reminders of Japan, the country she so adores, but also that which can only be learned in Japan.

Great read. Cathy N. Davidson, I agree; Nippon wa subarashii desu!

A silly reminder to you if you read it--you'll always think you're on page 36! (Be sure to look at the bottom for the page number.) Haha.

Hamura Festival festivities

I went to the Hamura Festival today where they sold yakisoba, yakitori, beer, goldfish(?), and some far out kids' toys among other things! Different uniformed groups paraded down the streets with amazing colors and structures I've never before seen. There was bon dancing and samba dancing(?), but this was my favorite one, I guess because I understood the lyrics. I swear, Japanese kids are the cutest. I felt so sorry for them because today was a hot and humid day in Japan. The tiny one in orange's got star potential, I think.

Joke-pooper

I walked into the self-help store today, and at the end of my transaction, the guy at the counter says, "Hey, you wanna hear a joke?"

Me: Yeah.

Him: What kind of mouse stands on two feet?

Me: Um, a mouse on his hind legs.

Him: No! Mickey Mouse! What kind of a duck stands on two feet?

Me: Um, a regular duck.

Him: Oh man! You're supposed to say Donald Duck!


These airmen.

Fit in progress

Yesterday morning I took advantage of what my work calls a "Microfit Assessment." It is a free service that my fitness center (Gym) provides to assess one's fitness level. Yup, they confirmed what I pretty much already knew--Needs Work.

This assessment involved getting down to my skivvies so that she could measure my body fat on my thigh, tummy, and arm. She also weighed me and recorded my health history.

These are the fitness categories and my results for each. The scoring range starts at Needs Work, Fair, Fit, and ends at Excellent.

Blood pressure: Fit
Heart rate: Excellent
Body fat: Needs Work
Back flexibility: Needs Work
Biceps strength: Excellent
Aerobic fitness: Their heart monitor on the bike wasn't working so I'll be going back Thursday.

I should be so embarrassed sharing my body fat and back flexibility scores, but I'm super-duper proud of my heart rate and biceps strength. I've always been pretty strong. Me. Lift. You.

On Thursday I return to complete the aerobic fitness part, and I can't help but to assume that I will score another Needs Work. But that's okay. After all, I can probably lift the bicycle over my head!

Happy Birthday, Khayleb

I love you, Filipino.

(Sorry I'm a day late, dude.)

My relationship with Gym

My guy's name is Gym, and he's about 3 blocks from my apartment. He's what I've been up to lately--sort of. I hope to see him every day and not just from a distance with a Taco Bell bag in my hand.

Now I need to work on my relationship with Water, whom I was so much in love with years ago. Soda and I have never had a peaceful relationship so he's been out of the picture for a long time. Not like Dessert and Rice, my lifelong friends. And I'm working on visiting Vegetables and Fruits more often.

Cupcake-face

Niece Emma.

I don't know whether I want to clean her or join her.



Photo courtesty of Zina.

Gag with me a reel

Are you like me? Do you look for the bloopers in the Special Features section of every DVD you watch? No matter how solemn, serious, or educational a film is, such as Flags of Our Fathers, Saw III, or a National Geographic documentary, I always look for the gag reel.

Just curious.

Project Read: The Ruins of California by Martha Sherrill

We follow Inez Ruin through her preteen to early college years during the 1970s and 80s in L.A., where she bounces living back and forth with her mother and father while spending time with her half-brother and grandmothers. Each family member's lifestyle makes a profound effect on Inez, shaping her thinking, actions, and sometimes rebelliousness. We witness her experiences of social drug use, death, sexual encounters, and the blunt dialogue especially between her and her father. There is an open-mindedness and caring quality about Inez that's hard to ignore.

I read this book entirely because I selected it for my Library Book Club, and I needed to have finished it before Wednesday, the day the Club meets. I am fully satisfied with my selection and wish there was a sequel to the book. Inez is just that likeable.

Team Puzzle: It fell nicely into a thousand pieces

It's been a while since I've completed a puzzle--since last September, I think. Years ago, my sister showed off her oriental-themed puzzle, and I've been silently jealous that I could not find such designs anywhere in the states. Now that I live in Japan ...

Fat you can lose, ugly you can't

My former boss and I keep in contact via email. She's on Guam; I'm in Japan.

She writes:
When are you coming to Guam? We have a lot to catch up on. Esta birada.

I write:
Yes, a lot to catch up on! I don't know when yet. Anyway, I have to lose weight first before I see you! I'm still so fat! :)

She writes:
It is all good girl. I am fat too. I would rather be fat than flat. Or the other line I like to use is I would rather be fat than ugly. Fat you can lose, ugly you cannot lose. Anyway, if you get here what are we going to do but eat and talk? It’s LIFE. Hope to see you soon.

And that's why you keep in touch with the great bosses. She always got me.

It'll be over in just a second

Sound Prank At Library - For more amazing video clips, click here

HBTM

Happy Birthday to me.

Thank you for the wishes:
Mom
Dad
Gin
Carla
Candy
Jesse
Kaori
Jovita
Yoshiko
Natsuko
Fumie
Cheryl
Lady from Wachovia
Rip
Patty
Mary
Carla R.
Jamie

And my rottweiler godson, Marxie.

My rudest burp ever

Today I am ashamed of myself.

Typically I burp out loud only in front of family or when I'm by myself. I harbor no thoughts of whether they think I'm rude because, well, they're my family and they're used to my shortcomings. If I must burp in front of others, i.e., coworkers, I noiselessly release the air through the sliver of space I so casually make between my upper and bottom lip. And then I go about my business, relieved and saying "excuse me."

Today the new intern started. Remember what I wrote last month about her being deaf? She is a sweet and hard-working thing, but I burped out loud when she was in my office. My conscience must've been taking a nap because I just flat out burped and didn't excuse myself or try to keep it sans audio. I simply went about my business, relieved. Period.

My conscience finally woke up a few minutes ago, and I feel terrible about what I did. How could I have been so tactless? She is a person who deserves the same respect I show others.

I am so ashamed. And I am so sorry.

Let's groove tonight

Tokyo Dance Troper - video powered by Metacafe

Josie, I feel the same way about Japan. Gotta love it.

Contra, I'm going to play you again one day.

What do I want at this very moment?

To play Contra.



Remember up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A? This got you 30 lives.

Galaga will always be my first love, but Contra's Bill and Lance are right up there as well. Red Falcon, we shall conquer you.

Ki-more-no

I know, I know--enough kimono.

I watched a short kimono show in Kyoto, and the reason I love this specific video is the accompanying music. I remember it making me feel like going into the corner and dancing by myself.

You too?

Project Read returns

In the spirit of Team Read, Project Read has returned. And how fitting that the title of the book I finished last night is The 17 essential qualities of a team player by John C. Maxwell.

Maxwell prefaces each quality with quotes about the essence of teamwork. The quote most noticeable to me was "Anyone who loves his opinions more than his teammates will advance his opinions but set back his team." -Maxwell

Guilty. I do love my opinions more than others'. (But who doesn't?) I'll try to be more aware, at least about work-related stuff. Maxwell does a good job of describing a piece of history to demonstrate elements of teamwork and then dives in to how you can take that lesson and apply it to your thinking today. The book is really a self-help book, prompting you to analyze not only your work, but your life.

A boring book, you may wonder. Not really. Reading books about leadership, optimism, and the workplace helps me stay positive and motivated about my job. Believe it or not, there are times when I just want to throw my hands up in the air and then am soothed by what I'm reading. Sounds corny, but it works for me.