Delirium · Nocturnum

This morning I woke up at 7:30 a.m. I think I am completely over my jet lag. Even if I had it. Break fast was the same. Miso soup, rice, and pickled cucumber.

I got to see Yukako’s wedding album latter on in the morning. Wow it was beautiful. She had a traditional Japanese wedding. All the women at the wedding were in kimonos. And all the men were in black. Yuka was in an all white kimono. With her face painted white and bright red lips. She had a geisha wig on and on to of it she had a large white peace of silk draped across her head.

I loved it. [cause I love everything old fashioned] her husband was in a brown, white, and black. Old school samurai looking OUFIT. [if you have ever seen lupin the third. Than you’ll know what I’m talking about.
ßGomen from lopin the third


For lunch we ended up going to a family sushi restaurant. I was wrong thinking the door on the smoking room in the airport was U-NEAK. The main door at the restaurant was exactly the same. I asked Yuka if they were comment. She said. “they are still a little new hear, but all the new building have them and a few of the older building are installing them as well.” I feel even though they are un necessary and promote laziness. They are very good for the elderly and people who are overly sensitive when it comes to germs.

When we walked into the restaurant we gave our name as if any other place. Took a sea to the side and waited. I also noticed everywhere we go were there is a waiting area it is smoking. I have never seen it any other way. I’m probably right in saying it is because this is a suburb. I’m sure that down town Osaka or Kyoto do not have that in their waiting areas. But on the other hand the Osaka and Tokyo airports had them every were. maybe its because they have major air systems. Or that so may Japanese smoke they don’t have the issue of none smokers complaining. That may just be an American thing. Not sure of that either.

When we were seated at our table, it was not a typical eating table. You first had to take off your shoes and put it in your table designated area, for shoes. Than walk up 2 stairs and sit on the floor. The table sat about a foot off the floor with a square carpeted hole cut out underneath, about 3-4 feet deep. You slid your legs under. And sat on a square fluffy pillow. One for each person at the table. By that time it was as if you were at a normal eating table at any restaurant. Except you had no shoes on. And if you had to use the bathroom they had slippers at the last step waiting for you.

When you look at the menu there is a photo of every item you could choose. To make it easier. [expectably for foreigners like me LOL] before you order food the waiter brings you a damp hot cloth and a cup of hot and cold tea. [a another thing I realized was you never really have to order a drink anywhere. Tea is like water for them. Free refills and any kind you want. Hot or cold]

We each ordered a sushi platter consisting of [Tuna, squid, sweet shrimp, pickled eggplant, yellow tail, salmon, octopus, eel, fried bean curd, tuna roll, pickled ginger, and the other kind had Pickled ginger, eel, tuna, salmon, salmon, yellow tail, halibut, sweet shrimp, squid, tuna, halibut, pickled eggplant, fried bean curd, egg.] and two side orders
1- [tempura shrimp, green pepper, and corn] and the other
2- [Chawan-mushi In a small cup. It consisted of egg, chicken, shrimp, shitake mushrooms, and chicken broth]

Taka and I switched the ones in didn’t like, but I for got to switch one of them. I thought is was fluke. I was SO wrong!!! It was EEL after I put it in my moth and chewed on time. I knew it was the wrong thing. I thought I was going to be sick. His parents and sister don’t know my “OH MY GOD, I THINK I;M GONA PUKE FACE.” but Taka saw it the minuet I chewed. We both really didn’t know what to do. It is a complete insult to spit out food especially when the chef is 5 feet from you cooking the other half of your meal. it’s something that can get you kicked out, it the chef is the owner. And Japanese chefs remind me of the [[SOUP NAZI (from Sinfeld)]]

So I did what anybody in my predicament would do. Grab my tea quickly [witch got the rest of the families attention]] and drink the whole gross thing down. After I caught my breath and sighed auto ably. We all hade a good laugh.
Taka ended up eating the rest of my white fish sushi. I just couldn’t do it after that happening. And I stuck to the red fish.

I always thought that [????] should only be eaten on rainy days and I told everybody to. I kind of had to explain my reason. That it is such a warm food with a nice warm taste that to me it picks op my mood on rainy days. They understood my meaning and said they feel the same way about certain foods.

And low and behold about 10 minuets after we let the resonant it started to rain. It only lasted about 15 minuets. But it was long enough to prove my point.

When we got back to the house. Gaku called and talked to me and Taka for a little wile. It ends up we will be going to Tokyo sooner than we though. Next Monday to be exact. His book is being pushed forward for release. While we are in Tokyo I found out they are having a lot of art exhibitions and 3 music fests. One Japanese reggae. [ which is such fun music.], expo fest witch is a bunch of American alternative groups. Like beck, foo fighters, green day. And Elvis fest with Japanese alternative and pop rock groups. They are all cheap to get into any 15-25 U.S. each. [now you think. How can they make it so cheap and make a profit.] well I found out.

At normal concerts they do not sell any t-shirts, cds, ext…. you only get a little gift bag that is put on your seat. But at theis ones its full promotion. every type of paraphernalia you want from your favorite band, you got it. And the cheapest fest is the one with American bands. that’s because, 1 they HAVE TO BUY THINGS FROM AN AMERICAN BAND THAT GOES TO JAPAN ONLY ONCE EVERY 4-5 YEARS. And the prices of thoughts items are outrageous. Like 85 dollars for a hat and 150 dollars for a t-shirt.
I feel if I go to thoughts consorts. 1 the ticket stubs are enough for me and 2 I’ll just take photos to show I was their.
______________________________________
Tickets for expofest 15 dollars.
taxi 25 dollars
Beer 45 dollars
Seeing an American band in Japan priceless…….
[YEAH THOUGH THAT ONE UP ALL BY MY SELF TOO (LOL)]

Yuka an I tried so hard to find a coffee shop of some sort in Nara. But as it seems all suburbs. Not just the one I live in. doesn’t have a real coffee shop. You have to go either downtown Nara or Osaka for that luxury. And I really didn’t want to go on a train to day.

So we ended up driving to 3 different places before deciding to go to a Denny’s like establishment named Joyful. We stopped at a crazy place were they had coffee but you had to rent a chair and it was only one chair per table and they were all in separate cubicles. I guess for studying. “I really don’t know.” she didn’t get it ether. Than at bookstore type place. [barns and Nobel] but no coffee place inside. And a 7 eleven. Just incase. But we ended up at a Joyful.

It was pretty cool actually. Well to me for Yuka it was normal of course. You sat yourself. And when you were ready to order. You pressed a red and white button at the end of your table. A waiter came over within seconds. He had what looked like a note pad that any waiter would have, but it was usually a NOTEPAD one of the electronically ones we buy for about 60-150 dollars. I was in awe. But didn’t say anything. I ordered a sundae. It was made with green tea ice-cream, gingerbread cracker, sweet beans, a chocolate poky stick, and whip cream. Yuka got a peace of 27 layer crappie pie. She let me try it. OH MY GOODNESS. I love them and to have 27 layers of that in your mouth. You have to come to Japan. J.

The drinks were cool to. I ordered a coffee and expected the waiter to bring it to me. It ends up if you order 1 of any drink you go to the drink bar and get it. Its one flat price for your drink and all the refills. And this is the cool thing you can switch what your drinking when ever you want. I had Japanese coffee. [witch is like weak American coffee.] American coffee, a cappuccino, green tea, and a soda. For 160 yen. that’s like a buck 80. Not bad.

When we got back to the house Taka’s aunt had arrived. this Is Taka’s father’s sister. She’s older that Taka’s father. By a bought 10 years. So I think that would make her in her early 70s. She was nice and very funny. She new a lot of English for some one old fashioned. I think she rehearsed a lot of the questions and fraises she asked me, because when I would answer she would nod her head and say. “yes, yes, yes, I see.” than turn to Taka or yuka and ask for it to be explained. I thought it was cute. It seemed a lot like me. I want to say thing correctly. But when some one answered. I needed a little help with the translation. I’m coming along in that department as well.

Since their was a another guest today we ate in the other dinning room with a large Japanese style table. [witch means very close to the ground.]

For dinner we had. rice with curry, a really really weird cheese salad [I didn’t like it so I gave it to Taka], a regular salad with a creamy sesame dressing, oranges, pickled cucumber and eggplant. Yuka and I found it very funny for some reason that the oranges were made in California. [I really don’t know why.] and to drink beer, saki, oolong tea, and green tea.

After everyone socialized and finished up their tea. Taka’s aunt had to get back to Osaka before it was late. We all said good bye and walked her to the front door. Taka’s father drove her to the train station.

I watched the weather and news. shower/bath and sleepy time for me.

Good night to DAY 5 IN JAPAN……….

This morning instead of my alarm clock wakening me up Yuka and Koshiro came into my room and woke me up. Yuka is so silly and a breath of fresh air. She reminds me of how one of my sisters would act if I were visiting them. She’s so full of energy and sweet. And Koshiro crawled all over me till I got up from bed. Than I carried him to Taka’s room to wake him up. When we went into his room Yuka opened all the blinds and pulled the covers of him than I put Koshiro on his tummy. Instead of Koshiro jumping all over him like he did to me. He just curled up beside him and laved down. [now that wouldn’t o will it. Yuka grabbed Taka’s arm and make him get up for breakfast.

After brushing my teeth I went to the dinning room for some grub. We ate rice, miso soup, tofu with a sweet miso past and green tea to drink.

When we were done eating Yuka put her baby tape in the V.C.R.. It didn’t show her having the baby, but the afterward stuff. Him laying in the baby room. And them leaving the hospital. He was so cute. He already had a very grown up face. And a lot of facial expressions. Like he new something none of us did. T was so silly.

Its Saturday and I really don’t know what I want to do today. I’m still getting use to the time difference. Even though I am a big night person back home. Witch makes me a day person hear I guess. But it is strange for me to get up around 9a.m. instead of p.m.

Even though its Saturdays the kids hear still have school. I hear them out side having gym class. Playing baseball and the track team runs around the block for exercise. I think their having a relay race because the boy out front is holding on of thoughts metal sticks you see that they hand off to the next runner.

Yuka , Taka, Mrs. Yano and I decided to take pictures of each other. To keep memories of us meeting. But it ended up more of a Koshiro picture shot. He was being SO cute. We just had to.

I decided that Takahiro’s mother reminds of my friend Sabrina’s mother. Well if she were Asian of course.

For lunch we had udon noodle soup with egg and bean curd. And a peace of really tasty sower dough bread.
After lunch we ended up going to the cell phone store. His mother pre-selected or phones for us, so when we would get down to the store they would have them all ready and Taka would just have to pay.

The girls their were so nice. They didn’t speak any English but I understood them well enough. The cell phones are prepaid phone with only 60 minuets of talk time. But that only gets taken away when I call some one. Not when they call me. So if my mother calls my phone it will not effect the time I have left to talk.

When we were done and every thing was set up. The two girls that were helping us came around the counter with two large boxes. One for each of us. They had stuffed animals and little extras for your phone. As we walked out they hurried a head of us and opened the door baling . And as we walked away they followed us a little bit saying thank you, thank you . The whole time. It was strange getting that kind of polite servos.

I asked Taka if that was normal or if it was because a forener was their. He said “you’ll get use to it, that’s how it is every were. Even if you just by a stick of gum. They thank you till you leave.”

I was thinking. In the U.S. if you bought only a pre-paid cell phone with no contract. They would basically shun you frum the store as soon as you phone was set up and you got a reseat. They only want a costomer that will be stuck with them for 2-5 years. Than over charge them for taxes you don’t even know about.

We went to a funky clothing store after that. Just to look around. They had andy Worhole t shirts and paper denim company jeans ext…. the shirts were a good price only 15 U.S. but nothing special. But the paper denim jeans were 6 hundred and 75 bucks. Taka pointed out that I was wearing the same brand. The sales lady saw and hurried over to us. She started looking at them really close and feeling the material of my jeans. She was so excited. She said she could only afford to buy 3 pairs for her store and asked how much and were I got them. Taka explained to her that we got them in the U.S.. And when he told her the price I think she just about fainted. Be cause I only paid 12.99 at gab’s. I think she’s going to get a passport just to got and buy pants at a great price.

Than we went to the grocery store. Finally I remembered to buy a razor. And they had mine to and it wasn’t even an expensive American import. My pink ladies venues divine. Thank goodness for small favors. It even came with cute little gems and a photo of the Japanese singer Hitomi.

When we got back to the house I decided to go through the cell phone boxes and was very excited to see that half the instructions were Japanese and the other half English. Also my phone has an English setting. That is also a very good thing. Cause’ I’m ok speaking nahongo but reading katakana is a hole different story.

For dinner we had fluke, sweet potatoes, polish sausage, rice, and my first task of 500 dollar saki. Wow that was something elase. It hade the warmness of a whisky but a very a very taste. If I knew what it was called I would tell you the name, but I don’t remember.

All and all today was a nice typical laid back Saturday. Noting to exciting happened but I still got the important things done. The only thing I forgot was some 50 sun block. But I can get that tomorrow.

I went through the ring tones in my phone and they are basically the same as any other cell phone with the difference of 2 songs. One is Alfred Hitchcock and the other is Anastasia from Disney. Mine is the Alfred Hitchcock theme. Also you can pick the noise your keys make when you press them. Mine is the sound of an elephant.

Other than that all I have to do is get a bath/shower. Shave FINALLY. Than go to sleep.

After I got my bath/shower I was about to go to sleep when Taka knocked on my door. He told me his mother wanted to see us down stairs.

I thought I was going to cry when I realized what was going on. She gave me the engagement ring that had been passed down 3 generations in their family. She said I can’t have I quit yet. She wants to get it cleaned and resized for me.

I am so overwhelmed right now. But am really sleepy. Ohyahsume ((means “good night”))

Good night to DAY 4 IN JAPAN……

I actually woke up early this morning and ate breakfast with every one elace. We had tea, toast and miso soup. I love that I can eat that for every meal. I would do it at home if I could. [lol].

[[[[ by the way Carrie and Gwende there is really good Japanese food in the fridge and in the cubert none of it is bad if you know how to make it. It’s yours. Have fun.]]]]

Taka’s mother and father than went to work. And Taka had to go back to dentist to get his cavity fixed.

So while he was gone I decided to put all of our clothing in the closet in our rooms. So we wouldn’t have to keep going through our luggage to find things.

About a half hour after Taka left his sister Yukako and her baby boy Koshiro came over. She says they are going to stay for the weekend. Because her husband is in Tokyo till Monday doing academic teaching. He is a professor for a Osaka college. He will come straight to the parents house Monday night to meet every one.

Yuka lives on the other side of Osaka. Its about an hour away from her parents house.

The first time that Koshiro saw me and I sade hi, he started crying.. Yuka said it was because I am a new person. But I feel its because I am completely different looking than anyone elace. But after a little while I had him laughing and trying on the clothing that Taka and I picked outfit him.

Taka and his mother arrived home around the same time. So Yuka and I decided to make lunch sandwiches for every one. They consisted of. Egg, ham, tomato, ketchup, manias, lettuce, and toast. To drink we had a glass of coffee and a glass of green tea.

We had desert after we cleaned up from lunch. I had to of been the best éclair I have ever eaten in my life. I can’t even explain to you what it was like. I melted in my mouth. Ok I won’t explain any more to you. It was that good.

Right now Taka’s trying to get a hold of the internet company so that his parents can have DSL installed.
And Taka’s mom gave me a Landry basket for my dirty clothing.

I just realized it’s Friday the 13th hear.[[[DO DO DO DO]]] “Carrie I hope you have an uneventful Saturday the 14th.”

Mrs. Yano, Yuka, Koshiro and I went to the market to buy supper stuff. And did you know it’s against the law to park with the front of your car facing in. it’s a Japanese fact.

Yuka showed me the furans snack section and a snickers bar is about 4 dollars and 50 cents. “it’s a good thing I don’t like chocolate.

Yuka was asking me a lot of questions, but I didn’t mind. I figured that her mom and dad probably asked her to ask me.

___________________________________
Have you ever been abroad?
What’s your favorite alcoholic beverages?
What’s my favorite food?…………………..


Things like that.

Koshiro is worming up to me a little bit. Well more like he’s worming up to my hot pink finger nails. He loves them so much. Every time he sees them he’ll reach out and try to grab them. And pet them. [I think cause’ they are so smooth.

Taka and his father went to the doctors. His father has had a bad cough all day and wanted to get checked out. He doesn’t want to be sick around Koshiro. the sooner he gets better the sooner he can play with his grandson.

Me and Taka were going to go to the bank today but, since he dad had a cough we couldn’t make It to the bank. That mean we really can’t go anywhere this weekend. Witch really sucks. Come on first time in Japan. FIRST WEEKEND IN JAPAN!!!! And I can’t go anywhere. I mean we have enough money to go to downtown Nara but that about it. NO OSAKA!! NO KYOTO!!!

I’m not really that mad. I’m messing with you. I have 90 days in Japan. I can miss one weekend. And Taka and I are still doing the meat the family stuff. So don’t take the capital letters so seriously. [lol]

While Mrs. Yano mad dinner and Yuka feed Koshiro. I went upstairs to send every one emails about what has gone on the past couple days.

Taka finally got back from the doctors with his father. And he reminded me that I forgot to get cigarettes from the market. So we went down the street to a cigarette vending machine. Smokes are so cheap hear. 2 dollars and 75 cents. I use to 5 to 9 dollars depending were you are. It was a really nice walk he showed my were he went to kindergarten and junior high.

And speaking of junior high. His is about two streets down from his house. And when they change classes it sounds like an old grand fathers clock. Really nice sound. [[and than I realized]] every thing hear mike cute little sound like the microwave and the toaster even the phone. Cute little melodies. Makes you wonder why we are all angry. We have buzzing and ringing at offal loud long periods of time.

Dinner was done when we got back. We had shrimp and pork fried spring rolls, a caviar roll, pickled cucumber, a really strange salad [[didn’t understand what was in it but I liked it]] steamed rice. And to drink 1 beer and a cup of green tea. As usual.

After dinner I hade in a way, a nice conversation with Taka’s mother. What I couldn’t say in Japanese. Yuka explains for me. It was really nice. Afterward everyone got their shower/ bath.

It was so cute since Yuka and Koshiro are staying over Taka’s mom and dad want to send all their time with the baby. They both sung a little lullaby for him so he would go to sleep. After that everyone went to bed.

Good night to DAY 3 IN JAPAN….

I MISS YOU ALL SO MUCH J

May 12th

Its only really been one day since I left the states. But I lost may 11th while one a plane..AHHH a day I will never get back. I think its creepy. You can be alive but literally not live through a certain day. May 11th never existed for me. Weird.

Any way I had gotten up at 12: noon. Had coffee, tea and a peach croissant for breakfast. Watched the Japanese weather on the news. [[HEAVY RAIN ALL DAY]] that’s ok I like heavy rain and thunderstorms. They don’t scare me. I actually love them. Very relaxing.

by the time I was showered and dressed Takahiro’s mother had lunch ready. I know I just had breakfast. but if your going to walk around downtown nara you need your energy. [lol]

For lunch we had miso soup, udon noodles and really yummy cheese cake desert.

After Taka and I went to the Nara train station to get to down town nara. The station systen reminds me of a really really clean Washington D.C. metro system. Really clean. Everything hear is super clean.

When we got to downtown Nara. We went to nara family mall. My mother would be in heaven 15 floors of shopping and food. Its amazing.

Taconite told me this is just a small shopping mall. I can’t wait to see a real Japanese mall. We didn’t buy anything just walked around for about 2 hours. Grabbed a yummy lime tasting drink than left.

We next went to pachinko. HAHAHAHA it was fun gambling. I didn’t win anything. But Takahiro got triple sevens on his machine. If you think American slot machines make a lot of noise when you win. You are in for a crazy surprise. It was like he hit for a million. Lights flashing loud, loud noises a screen appears on top on the ,machine and little samurai guys start dancing. The way pachinko is set up is . Rows and rows of slot machines back to back and a chair in front of each one. there is only enough room for one person at a time to walk through each row. And about 10 rows. Witch is actually 20 rows of machines that go straight back. Intense huh?


But we had to get back to Taka’s parents house after that. Because he had a dentist appoint mint at 6: p.m.

Every time we went to the train station it was at an hour were people are at school and work. But this time was when everyone is on their way home. So it was my first experience with a jam packed Japanese train. Its kind of fun. But I’m sure I’ll get sick of it in a week. Wanting more space to breath. But to day it was fun.

When we got off at suburb Nara stop. Me and Taka had to split up. Now don’t get scared knowing I was alone on my second day in Japan. You can see Takahiro’s parents house from the front of the station. Its about a 2 minuet walk. So not a huge deal.

When I got to Taka’s house his mother greated me at the door and interduced me to two of her students who are learning traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Taka’s father does not speak English. but he tried. He had in the best way he could. Showed me how to say high to Taka’s grand parents in their little temples. that’s not what their called, but it’s the best way to describe them.

The way to say hi basically is kneel on the cushion in front of the mini temple. Then light an isent. Put it in this little bowl filled with sand. Next to the insent is a brass bowl and a small nicely polished peace of wood. You lightly tap the side of the bowl to make a long bell like noise. Than you put your hands together like you are praying. You don’t really pray. You basically say hi to them and maybe tell them what’s going on. As if they are still alive. Because in their beliefs their spirits are still alive. And they listen. Witch I think is nice sounding.

******But right now Taka is at the dentist and I’m writing this.

When Taka got back from the Dentist he came upstairs and got me. We went downstairs and his mother had her ceremonial tea set out she than proceeded to teach me the first step to ceremonial tea eating and drinking.

Step 1.. Sit geisha style on a red peace of square cloth.
2. Put your hands flat down in front of your knees. Do a half bow. Than sit straight.
She had than placed a bowl with two dumpling in them in front of me. With a set of chop sticks laying on top of the bowl.
3. Use right hand. With your thumb and pointer finger. A little more than half way up the sticks. Pick up chop sticks .
4. Than with left hand. With your thumb and pointer finger places directly next to your right hands fingers hold chop sticks.
You are now holding with both hands.
5. Now remove right hand from chop sticks and place under chop sticks with right hand your fingers the same as when you had it on top.
6.now release left hand from sticks to adjust for eating purposes.
7.take left hand and place on left side e of bowl.
8. Use chop sticks to pick up one dumpling.
9. Place left hand under dumpling the whole time you are moving dumpling. But never let your left hand touch it.
Now Taka’s mother placeless small white cloth napkin In front of your knees.
10.place dumpling on napkin.
11. With right hand pick up napkin with dumpling and place in left hand.
12. Hold left hand halfway up torso.
Taka’s mother places metal tool. [looks like long flat razor in hap of a long skinny triangle.] on your right hand side next to your right knee.
13.Pick up metal tool with right hand
14. Cut dumpling only 1/3 not in half.
15. Stick metal tool into the peace you cut and place in moth[[eat.]]
16. Now cut what is left of your dumpling in half. Stick metal tool in the peace closest to you. [eat]
17. Do the same with last remaining peace.
18. Put metal tool. Half way across napkin and centered.
19. Fold napkin in half. Squeeze were metal tool is and pull [[to clean it]]
20. Turn napkin and place metal tool same way as above. Pull.
21. Repeat one more time.
22. Place napkin on the left hand side of you just behind the knee. Place metal tool on top.
Now Taka’s mother places a bowl filled only 1/4th of the way up with fresh green tea in front of you.
1. Put your hands on your knees. Slide hands down till your fingers just touch the floor.
2. Do a half bow over tea bowl and sit straight again.
3 place right hand on right side of bowl. And lift a small bit.
4. Place left hand under bowl.
5. Bring bowl half way up torso.
6. Take right hand from bowl. Put thumb and middle finger on side of bowl facing away from you and hold the edge.
7. Turn bowl two time on left hand.
8. Place right hand back on right hand of bowl.
9. Take small drink.[[making a slurp sipping noise is encouraged. To show you are enjoying the tea as well as helping it cool off.]]
Take small sips until finished.
9.place bowl back down in front of you.
10.repeat steps 1 and 2.

Than your done!!!

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Gaku called the house. He can’t wait Taka and I to go see him in Tokyo.
He had asked me what we did today. I told him we played pachinko. He said “oh, god I can’t believe your first experience in Japan is gambling. that’s what you want to remember the rest of your life. I can’t believe you went their your first day.” [lol] all the wile laughing.

he’s a very funny guy. He told me one of his friends has a job and its to play pachinko 10 hours a day, straight. He said if I like it that much I could get money having that job in Tokyo while Taka has to work for his book release. I told him I’d think about it, but most likely I would go insane if I had that job.

Well I’m going to grocery store now I’ll write more latter

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I have to say driving on the opposite side of the road is still something I have to get use to. When Taka’s father makes a turn I fell like we are going to get hit by on coming traffic. But than it clicks in really quick that “oh yeah I’m in Japan, how stupid of me.”

Well we made it to the grocery store just fine. Their grocery store is basically our giant eagle. And the strange thing was the American foods they had are the foods I won’t buy in America. Like Pringles or that fragrant shaving cream for women that makes me brake out.

It wasn’t hard for me to find the things I like to eat cause’ Taka and I shop at the Japanese grocery stores down in the strip distract so much that I know what is good and what tastes icky.

We didn’t have a lot of time to shop around. The store was closing in 30 minuets. But Taka’s father wanted to buy me some of the snack foods that he thought I would like and since we didn’t have time we went to. [[SEVEN ELEVEN]] who would have guessed their would be one hear. NOT ME!!! I was like “wow I got to take a pitcher of this for Bridget.” [[because that’s the date of her birthday]] their seven eleven was huge. It was as good as the super market. So we hung out and shopped around for a while.

By the time we made it back to Taka’s parents house his mother had dinner ready. We ate sashimi tuna and white snapper. Dark chicken with lemon. Seaweed salad, Japanese potato salad. [[witch was a little bit more bitter than American, but still very tasty, and French cream cheese. Of course one Japanese beer each a little bit of sake and green tea. Afterward it was time for the shower/ bath. I went last today because I wanted to type a little more.

When I went to get my bath every one was watching TV. in the family room. But by the time I was finished Taka was upstairs in his room and his parents were asleep.

So all the lights were off except the bathroom ones. Witch I had to turn of before I went up stares. Now you have to remember I have only been in this house for 1 ½ days, so I don’t know how to get around well.

[[ each room has a step down into it.. Keep this in mind.. Also every ones asleep]]

Me trying to be the swift cat that I am tried to make it upstairs to my room with out waking anyone up. WRONGE!!! The second I stepped from the bathroom I forgot about the step and landed on the sliding door across from me and made the loudest noise possible. And you know when you thin you cursed in a low voice but its so quiet in the house that in your head you think it echoed. AHHH!!! It was horrible every one woke up to make sure I was ok.

After they realized I was fine and just clumsy they went back t bed. But before Taka and I went back to our rooms he showed me around the house and were every light switch was. So I wouldn’t be falling every night.

After all that I went upstairs and fell asleep.

Good night to DAY TWO IN JAPAN…..

It all started may 10th 2005. My father woke Takahiro and I up at 4 o’clock a.m.

The night before Taka and I had taken all 8 peaces of our luggage out to my father van. So all we had to do today was get a shower, dress and get to the air port two hours before our flight to Chicago left at 9:28 a.m.

When we got to she airport we had to pay 6 u.s. dollars for 2 carts. Just to take them to the check in station. If you ask me it’s a rip off. When you return the you get 50 cents back. [horrible]

We had a little bit of trouble getting our tickets. The are I think 2 American airline and we weren’t sure witch one we had to be in line for. But after a little time. We got to the right one it was American eagle airlines. The guy was nice but strict.

We had brought 1 carry on each and 1 computer bag each. He said our computer bags were to big and he considered them carry on. So we had to pay extra money to bring 2 more bags. But we had to have them. So we played.

We now checked our luggage and have our boarding passes. One for Pittsburgh to Chicago and one from Chicago to Tokyo.

I had worn my splints today. Cause I knew it was going to be a long day with a lot of walking and pushing. So when we went through the security line they had me go to a special spot to get searched and they searched Takas bag as well.

I understand that They have to go through and check people. I have no problem with that. All the better.
But for goodness sake. At the bottom of Taka’s carry on in a mans grooming kit inside an unopened grooming kit was a pair of nose hair clippers with tape and plastic covered tip. They had us sit aside. The check guy took it to security came back and they took white cloth wiped me and Takas luggage shoes and top of palms. And wiped the cloth over them. We had to what to get it cleared. And our carry ones wouldn’t’ close. Cause’ the guy who went through them messed every thing up. And we had the type of luggage that every thing was place jus right so it would close.

We had to figure out how to get it closed again. And since it took us more than 30 seconds to get it closed. The tried to shu us away. For good ness sake [[I hade to say it again]]

So we finally get through. And head to were our gate is. Of course it is right next to T.G.I.FRIDAYS.[[and yes if your wondering. It is the same T.G.I.FRIDAYS that I hade a gate next to when I went to Vegas, Florida, and new jersy. I always take off from the same freaken’ gate at the airport.

Me and Taka drank wine at 8 in the morning. Its strange but we wanted to sleep on the plain. We only had 2 hours of sleep the night before. If that.

When the plain was ready to load passengers. Well we went on of course. And low and behold we had a crap load of space. Our so called carry on. [NOT COMPUTER CASES]] carry on fit under our seats. Witch means. We really didn’t have to pay. We could have taken all of our bags on the plan. And this wasn’t even a big plain. It held ummm….. Probably only 75 people. At most. And only half full.

And we sleaped. All the way to Chicago.

At Chicago we first found our gate than went to eat. We ate a Wolfgang puck [[I think that what it was]]
Had a Russian watris.[[very scary lady]] ate a weird salad. But it was good. But weird. Took 2 P.M. pills paid, than got on our plain to Tokyo.

This had to of been the biggest plain I have ever been on. Their was three seats for each window row and 5 seat in the middle row. We were in the middle row. Witch I thought I would hat, but as it turns out I was more comfy with it. The whole time I felt like I was in my fathers van in the back bucket seat but bigger. They had TV’s on the back on each seat. With 15 channels to chose from. 5 of them movies. 3 of them regular stations. [like comedy central. one with only C.S.I. And one with cartoon net work. 2 with news. American news and Japanese news. [of course I watched the C.S.I. One when ever I was up long enough.] but I mostly slept.

We had three meals on this flight. The first on I had chicken and pasta. The second a half a sandwich meat hoggy. And the third was chicken curry. The first one sucked, it was awful. But the other two were ok. And they had a wide variety of drinks. Ranging from water, coca cola produces, Japanese soft drink products, and a pub’s list of beer you could choose from. It was so cool.

We got to Tokyo. Around 2 P.M. Japan time. Our flight to Osaka wasn’t until 6 P.M. when getting off the plain it wasn’t like at the American airports. Were you go through a long tunnel and end up in the air port. Instead of that. You had to directly walk down a flight of stairs. Onto the runway. Than get into a bus that took you to the main airport. And it was a good thing Taka and I had 4 hours to burn Because Taka and I had no clue were to go. And it ends up. We had to get all our luggage take a another bus to a different building . For non international flights. Recheck in our luggage. Get our next set of plain tickets. Than we went to a restaurant. So whets that saying about the Romans. You know.. Just say it different. [[when in Japan do as the Japanese.]] we ate sushi. And its really hard to find a good sushi place in P.A. hear we found a small little airport sushi house. And you know what. It was better than any sushi I ever ate. Strange huh??

After we ate we went to the bathroom. Witch I read a bought Japanese women’s bathrooms but I forgot about it till I saw it again. A woman’s toilet is at the same level as the floor and you have to pull your pants almost to your knees. Pulled back with one hand and squat. Its not that difficult and very sanitary if you think about it. Than the motion detector for flushing. The sinks in the bathroom are the same as in the U.S. what can you really change with it.

We than went to our gate. And it ends up every gate to depart has a very spacious and lavious smoking room. The front of it is all glass and looks like there is no door to get in. b but their is a little black square that you wave your hand in front of. Than one of the glass panels slides into the wall and you can walk in.

I think its funny. Were you wait for your plain its rows of small connected seats. But in the smoking room. Theirs big lavish couches nice drink machines and is more air conditioned than the rest of the building.

When we got on the next plane. Even though it was only a 45 minuet flight. It was nicer than the last plain. Bigger seats. You had the option of heating them. The blankets were fleece. and the pillows were that cool spongy material. They had games you could play and the choice of 25 movies. Some from U.S., Asia, England, Ireland. A bought 10 magazines you could read. But my favorite ting was the big screen T.V. on the main wall in front of every on. It ends up there is a camera on the front of the plain. You get to see the plain take off from the pilots view and land on the big screen. Also one of the channels of the T.V. you can watch the whole flight.

Getting off the plain and to our luggage was the easy at this airport. Their was a luggage pick up right next to your gate when you got off. We loaded up our luggage on two carts and found the exit.

People are not a lode to pick passengers up near the airport. so instead you take a limo bus to a special limo bus stop near were the person or taxi is waiting for you. I think that’s a pretty neat idea. Saves on gas and is very convenient.

Their Taka’s father was waiting for us. I could tell taka and his father were very happy to see each other. They were smiling and he got a really great hand shake. We stuffed all our bags in his fathers car. Literally. We ended up taking the train to Takas house. Cause we didn’t fit in the car. Takas father was waiting for us their.

When we got to his house I got a great big hug from Takas mom she was so glade to meat me. We got all the luggage from the car up to the spear bedroom. And went downstairs to eat a little food. We had home made kerokke seaweed salad and japanned bear. It was so good better than mass production kerokke.

After ward it was time to get washed off before going to bed.

The bathroom consisted of four rooms all with sliding doors. One to the sink, one for the shower/ bath. One for changing, and one for the toilet.

But before that I had to go to the bathroom. I so glade that household toilets are not like public ones. It was normal. Well kind of. First thing I noticed was that the toilet seat had a kind of electronic key pad next to it. And instead of one knob to flush it had to connected together. The two knobs both have a purpose. After you go to the bathroom. You have to press both knobs down. The one on the inside releases the flow of water. The one on the out side opens the whole to everything can go into the pipes. Than after everything is done. Turn off the water flow. Make sure water stops than close of the pipeline.

The device on the side of the toilet seat did 3 things. 1. Heated the seat. [how cool is that] 2. A budai. 3. Self cleaning. [don’t ask I don’t know]

A Japanese show / bath consists of may steps. Along with everything elace that Japanese people do, is never simple.

Japanese shower/ bath.

1. Turn on bathtub heater.
2. Turn water on to your liking [preferable hot]
3. Go to changing room and get undressed. [changing room is right next to bath room]
4. Go into bathroom turn off water.

MAIN WASHING STEPS

There is are four large bowls. Mine is the pink one. [CUTE]
The shower and bathtub are in the same space. there are no separators. The bath tub is a little shorter that an American tub. But twice as high. The floor and walls are made of tile. And there is a large drain off to the side. In one corner is the bathtub. in the other corner is the shower head.

1. Take bowl and fill with bath water. Pour over yourself .
2. Take your washrag wet it, suds with sope and clean yourself. [[[down below only]]
3. Take bowl again and clean all sope from body.
4. Than step in to the bath tub. [stay in for about 2-5 minuets]
5. Get out from bathtub and proceed to clean your body.
6. Now turn on shower and wash hair and clean off body completely.
7. Clean out your bowl and rinse out you washcloth. Hang washcloth up.
8. Step back into tub and rest in the nice hot water for 10-15 minuets.
9. Step out of tub and drain.

Go to the changing room. Get dry and change back into your clothing or night wear.

After I was done with my shower I joined every one in the family room to watch some T.V. Taka’s father had bought really good sake. So we could cheer for us being in Japan. We only had one. The bottle was small and expense. So that’s all we could do.

After that I went to my prepared room and passed out from being so tiered.

Good night to DAY ONE IN JAPAN…..

The grave, with 18 trenches, is in Samawa, 230 miles (370 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, along the Euphrates River. Most of Iraq's Kurds live in the north of the country.

"We know they're Kurdish victims because of the clothing and artifacts that were found with the bodies," said Gregg Nivala, an attorney with the Department of Justice's Regime Crimes Liaison Office.

Nivala said more than 300 mass graves have been found in Iraq, but investigators have only been able to get to two. It is not clear how many bodies are in any of the other graves.

In the late 1980s, Saddam Hussein's government forcibly removed Kurds from their homes in the country's north in an attempt to resettle their communities with Arabs.

"We believe that more than half of the Iraqi population have someone who is missing in their family," Bakhtiar Amin, outgoing Iraqi Human Rights Minister and a Kurd. About 26 million people live in Iraq.

Investigators working at the grave since early April have recovered the remains of 113 people. With the exception of five, all are women and children.

About 15 percent of the bodies had identification cards.

It is thought that the trenches were dug by the Kurds, who were shot right at the edge of the trenches and buried in them.

The new government in Iraq is trying to build a criminal case against Saddam and 10 of his aides.

The Iraq Special Tribunal was established in late 2003 to bring charges against members of Saddam's regime for crimes against humanity, including war crimes in connection with Iraq's wars against Iran and Kuwait.

At a July 2004 hearing, seven preliminary charges were outlined in the former ruler's arrest warrant -- the killing of religious figures in 1974; gassing of Kurds in Halabja in 1988; killing the Kurdish Barzani clan in 1983; killing members of political parties in the last 30 years; the 1986-88 ''Anfal'' campaign of displacing Kurds; the suppression of the 1991 uprisings by Kurds and Shiites, and the 1990 invasion of Kuwait. The charges were not formal.

No trial date has been set.

Emi Masuda traveled into Tokyo on a packed commuter train running through the suburbs. Forced up against a young high school student, the 23-year-old ad agency worker was surprised when his body reacted like most testosterone-packed young men's would.
Rather than be alarmed by the experience, Masuda found it a thrill. In fact, she enjoyed it so much, a trip to the bathroom shortly after arriving at her workplace saw her relieving herself in more ways than one.

"It was the first time I'd ever diddled myself at work," she tells Shukan Taishu. "Our company's toilet is unisex. On the way, a small moan slipped out and it seems like somebody heard it. When I got back to my desk, I found a note there saying, 'What are you doing in the toilet when everybody else is at a meeting?' I think one of the guys in the office wrote it. I couldn't look them in the face. In some ways, that anonymous note was even harder to bear than being talked to directly."

Perhaps the average guy's biggest nightmare while relieving their carnal frustrations is being caught in the act, but the same applies to women, too, according to Shukan Taishu.

Nanami Kuwata, an apparel company employee, knows exactly what the men's weekly is talking about. Given a little time to herself while on a tennis vacation with a couple of girls from work, she found herself in the mood and promptly began parting her Afro, so to speak.

"Just as I was moving into another world, the girl sharing my room burst in, saying, 'Hey, hey. Have you got a spare wristband?'" Kuwata says, adding that she had her dress and panties around her ankles and hands between her legs at the time. "She knew immediately what I'd been doing. I could only look up at her and say, 'Sorry, I haven't got a wristband.' She rushed out of the room. At that moment, I felt like burying myself in a huge hole."

Nurse Miki Mizusawa was in fact burying something into a hole of her own when she was nabbed.

"My boyfriend suddenly popped out of the closet in my room," she tells Shukan Taishu. He was really embarrassed and apologized, saying he had been planning to give me a surprise. "I was furious. I started screaming at him before finally dragging him over to my bed and hurling him onto it. My potential was pretty high considering I'd done half the work myself, and I was ashamed that I'd been spotted, so I went at it with an intensity my boyfriend had probably never experienced in a woman before."

Perhaps prying parents are the most likely to make women red-faced if they catch them red-handed. Junko Ishida certainly felt that way when her mom spotted her playing with the little man in the boat while soaking in an outdoor hot springs while on a family trip with her parents who had traveled from their home in Fukuoka to stay with her near Tokyo.

"Mom couldn't sleep because dad's snoring was too loud, so she decided to have a bath, too. She knew exactly what I was doing, but stood there looking at me and said, 'Hey, what are you doing?' I didn't know what to say, but stuttered out, 'Um, um, I was just enjoying the beautiful moon,' and hurried out of the bath," the 25-year-old government official tells Shukan Taishu, adding that when her parents headed for home, her mother grabbed her around the shoulders and said, "You'd better hurry up and find yourself somebody nice." "Now, whenever I remember my mom's parting words, it still makes my face turn bright red."