IrishOboe

This week was a little crazy for personal reasons. School went pretty well and I had a few fun opportunities.

Monday (Dec. 12^th) morning was Christmas for me. Since I’ll be in Thailand for Christmas I decided to open my presents when Mom, Dad and HJJ were opening theirs on Gaudete Sunday. Yes, it was Monday for me, but it was still Sunday for them. I was able to call them before going to work, which was nice. This was the first time I had a real wave of homesickness. I’ll take that to be a good sign.

It was also the last day of exams for the first years so it was my last day of no classes. I spent most of it preparing material for Tuesday’s third year class. Naito sensei’s class was watching Mrs. Doubtfire and I was invited to join. I’d never seen it and it’s pretty funny! I like Robin Williams a lot when he’s not in a sketchy movie.

There was again no ICC because of exams so I had time for dinner before Bible study. It was a smaller group, nice as usual. While we were waiting for people to show I brought out My Word (Christmas present from Mom and Dad) and we all had fun with that.

Tuesday (Dec. 13^th) I was invited to join a cooking class to learn to make houtou! It was a lot of fun and I managed to figure out what was going on despite the language barrier. The houtou was delicious and I think I can make it at home now! Houtou is a Yamanashi specialty. It’s like an udon soup with extra thick noodles. It’s a stock (fishy flavor), miso, thick noodles, and lots of veggies including pumpkin. I love their pumpkin here. You just slice it up and dump it in – the rind is edible and thin! Oishi! (delicious) I should add that we made the noodles from scratch, too. That was fun!

I rehearsed Greensleeves with Fujihara sensei since we’ll be playing it for her second years on Thursday. That was lots of fun and gave me practice reading bass clef since the part was for cello and I was making it fit the oboe as we went along. I’m a bit rusty, but it was fine.

In between putting my oboe away and going to Yuko’s class I got a message from Kasia telling me that her principal told her that she can’t go to Thailand because of bird flu. This was a shock for me and I can’t imagine what a shock it was for her. We leave in ten days! Working out the consequences of this bit of misfortune is what has consumed most of my week.

Wednesday (Dec. 14^th) we were hoping that Kasia could convince her principal to change his mind, but no luck. I won’t go into all the details of events, but the way it stands now is that Kasia is not going and neither am I. I prayed long and hard and I felt the Lord telling me I must stay back. I don’t know why He wants me here, but I’ll find out soon enough. So, with all of that up in the air and consuming my thoughts I welcomed the chance to go see Sayuri with Megan and Mark. This is what Memoirs of a Geisha is called in Japan. I hesitated to go because Kasia, Mike and I wanted to see it together, but I figured I wouldn’t mind seeing it again, and I wasn’t disappointed. This is no movie for kids, but I thought it was really well done. There is less explicit sex in the movie than in the book, and though the sex is important to the story, it doesn’t show much and is just enough for carry the story along. In fact, the whole thing was just enough to get the story across. There is so much in the book that the movie had to whip right along. I think I enjoyed it much more having read the book. I might have been a bit confused otherwise, but in any case, it is a beautifully artistic movie. The last scene was so touching that I was almost moved to tears but they went overboard on a passionate kiss that was totally out of place in my mind and that whipped me right out of the mood. It was sort of like how Titanic heaven spoilt the end of The Titanic for me. Still, I’d love to see it again. The music was great, too. None of my JTE’s of seen it, but the fact that the lead role is played by a Korean actress bothers them quite a bit . . .

Anyway, Thursday (Dec. 15th) I played for Fujihara sensei’s 2^nd period class (they moved my class to fifth period so I could – how sweet!), and it went pretty well. First I listened to the students perform then I played with Fujihara sensei and I also played whistle. During my little explanation Fujihara sensei asked me to demonstrate a little dance. I did the first bit of my reel step and during a jumpover I tried to get some good height without considering the fact that I was underneath the hanging TV. Ouch. I’m glad I was done with the oboe portion of the performance. . . I had a headache the rest of the day but was find the next morning.

After school I listened to the students who needed to make up their oral exams and still made it home in time to get ready for Nikko’s visit. She just finished her library job so she was very happy. It means I can’t pop over to the library to see her anymore, though! She showed me how to make miso soup and tempura. I’m glad I finally know how to make a proper bowl of miso soup – it’s delicious, easy, and so healthy for you! And guess what miso is made of? Soy beans! Next to rice I think soy bean products are the most common food around here. So, a soup with miso, veggies, and tofu is a pretty balanced meal, and it’s sooooo good! I can’t believe there was time not so long ago when I only tolerated tofu, and a time not so long ago before than when I didn’t like it at all!

Friday (Dec. 16^th) things were a little crazy at school, but we made it through and I had the night to myself. The last efforts to work Thailand out were made but didn’t work out. I had a relaxing bath and I chat with family, which helped a lot. I’m trying not to think about what might have been. I have my whole life to get there!

Saturday (Dec. 17^th) was busy, but fun. I played badminton with friends from church, and that was so much fun! I think I played once when I was about eight years old and all I remember was the funny ball. This time I played for nearly two straight hours and really got into it. I think I enjoyed it a lot more than other sports that involve a ball because I wasn’t afraid of getting hurt by the birdie. Of course, I always enjoy learning something totally new, so it was a great time. I’m very sore from it now, though!

Miwako dropped me at the Browns' house to spend a little time before play practice. I ironed my costume and talked with Christian and John (their sons) then went with them to church. It took a while to get started, but we managed to finish in time before the service. They play went pretty well but there weren’t too many people there. Yuko had planned to come but couldn’t at the last minute. After church we all went to the Browns' house for a “pot bless” dinner for Sue Ann, who is going back home to Malaysia. We’ll miss her! I brought out My Word and Nihonjin and gaijin alike enjoyed the game.

I was sad to leave and Leslie and I had to kill about 40 minutes at the train station, but Quiddler (my Christmas present from DSTB) helped with that.

Sunday (Dec. 18^th) Leslie had to catch an early train to go pick up her brother at the airport, so I was up at a decent hour, but decided to use the time to finally finish the knitting project I’d worked on at the Maggie last Summer because Mom and Heather had sent me the correct needles in the mail. I did a pretty good job, but it’s a bit too big and the frill is too frilly, but I’ll find a time and place to wear it I’m sure. It was fun to make. Now I can’t wait to start another project, but I’m thinking the last thing I need is another something I want to do . . .

I ran into Kofu and took the train back. I’d been thinking of doing it for a while and I finally did. It was very cold, though. I’m guessing 40’s. It was 3 degrees Celsius when we got up this morning. That’s an inside temperature!

I borrowed Mike’s DVD player and watched the Nutcracker (not the version I grew up with), which was great. I still love ballet!

I plunked around a bit on Leslie’s guitar that she bought from my downstairs neighbor who moved out. She’s keeping it at my place until she can take it back. It was fun, and a bit tempting, but I’d rather get a little harp to fool around on here then a guitar.

Now I’m finally caught up with my blog again!