And he is alive

I really am horrible about doing this.

Here are some things I have been up too:
I was invited to spend New Years (the major holiday in Japan) with the President of the Universities family. On New Years Eve we went to their house around 2230 and watched variety shows for about 20 min, then we walked down to Ueno Park. In the park there are many temples. When the clock struck midnight they rang the gong in one of them way too many times for me to count. We received our fortunes, I believe mine was "little good luck", but it had a sweet drawing of a guy with a sword(yes I havent grown up) so I kept it. We then went to another shrine called Nezu Shrine, two years ago I carried the portable shrine here. We had some amezaki (a sweet unfiltered sake) and paid our money to the shrine.

A few days after that I believe on the third we went to their house to have a traditional New Years meal. There were many different things and each one had a special meaning. The two that I remember were the fish row (many kids) and sweet black beans (good health). Most of the foods were pickled or preserved some how, as traditionally they didnt have fresh fish or meat in the winter.

On January fourth I believe I boarded a plane to Ryukyu (Okinawa). My first shock was how easy flying inside of Japan is. If you have a plastic bottle with water in it, they scan it and let you keep it. You can not have in your checked bags lighters or alcohol, but you can carry on one lighter and as much booze as you want. Considering Japan has the highest tobacco sales per capita in the world, the lighter part doesnt surprise me. I went greated at the airport by my friend from college Julia (half Japanese half American). As a special treat (yes it was a treat) she had some of her military friends sign us in at the base and I was able to eat some Taco Bell and to make things better there was some football on TV as well. We then went to go check out a very old castle with some of her friends. It was really cool and I learned that as a part time job in high school Julia used to dance there every day. After she went to go drop me off at my hotel. The issue was that the hotel which normally costs 1800yen a night was now charging 3600yen a night because of the holiday. Now this place was basically a hostel, it was not worth 3600 a night. So we started hunting. We were able to find a hotel for less that was of high quality, but still more than I wanted to pay.

While in Okinawa I was able to check out the beach, go to a museum and learn a ton about the island like how the original name was Ryukyu (dragon ball) but was changed by the Japanese to Okinawa (thin island), I also went to the Peace memorial park.

Here are the photos from Okinawa:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2091739&id=93401081&l=aaf05c886e
and here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2091733&id=93401081&l=4e4e4b9c37


A few other things that I have been doing are:
I started taking some metalsmithing classes here in Japan studying some traditional Japanese techniques like: mokumegane (my teacher website http://manji.main.jp/works.html ) and Zougan which is where you use a chisel to carve out metal from one piece to cold(no heat or glue) inlay another piece of metal. My main teacher for Zougan was recently hired by the Japanese government to restore some of the national treasures, so I think I am in good hands.

I helped show the President of St.Johns Fr.Bob, former interim President of SJU Mr.Whalen, and the head of alumni affairs around Tokyo about two weeks ago.

I have started tutoring my Ikebana (flower arrangement) teachers grand daughter in English. This has been a very hard task as I am basically teaching her how to read and speak at the same time. I have to say I would hate to have to learn English as a second language and I have much respect for anyone that has.


Other Random Things:

My good friend from back home will be visiting me in March, so that should be a lot of fun.

I am slowly becoming addicted to the orange vinegar potato chips that are out right now.

I will be attending a lecture by Christo this weekend. As well as volunteering at a beer festival.

I have purchased a ticket to Tai Pei for the end of March to visit one of my old high school friends who is studying there.

I am planning my 3000 mile grad school tour for when I land back in the states.

It has snowed twice in Tokyo but I am glad that it is back out of the 30-40's (Yes I am screwed when I go back to the states in April)

My friend Theo from America has moved in with us until he can find a job here. He is currently on a visitors visa.

I have no idea how to file my taxes when I go back to the states.

I also have become addicted to www.ted.com not nearly as bad as potato chips.

I have lost a bit of weight as I now have to tighten my belt one more notch.

I have become obsessed with finding all the kit kat flavors in japan. here are some: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2091783&id=93401081&l=7dbbb745ab

I secretly am hoping that the dollar gets weaker before I head home.

I had a dream that my friend had three kids. Turn out that two days ago they found out that she was preggers with their third child. If the kid is a boy, it would be awesome.

and I think that is about it. I wont promise or say I will post more cause we know from the past how well that works out. Its like saying you are not going to drink before going out, it never ends well.

Till next time.

Alex