How I spent my time today...

Last night, I went to coworker's house after work for dinner. I was very interested to see what on base housing looked like. It was very nice like your average townhouse. Her and her husband made lasagna and we drank some red wine. However, they were not big drinkers and after the first bottle was finished that was it. We chatted, ate, and watched part of dancing with the stars. Her friend took be back to the hotel and I continued on with free tv. If you type in your search project free tv the website will come up. Anyway, I could not sleep and ended up having a nice chat on the internet with Rosalind. I am becoming so Internet savvy. This morning I was running so late that I missed two buses and got to work an hour late. No one noticed and I realized me knowing this is a bad thing. I tried to get my military id but of course nothing is easy with the navy especially if you are a contractor. So I will have to wait and get another letter. I went back to my office and researched Thailand. I spent all morning doing this. I thought it was very close to Japan and realized it is like 3000 miles away. However, I am pretty sure coworker and I are going. After my thrilling morning, I ate a Manchu Wok like the one in Lakeside it was ok and then back to work. This evening I am planning to leave base since I have not left in two days and hunt for a nail salon. However, I plan to go to the gym first maybe Chilis since I missed last night :) Not to exciting today

I have been a busy bee today!

Yesterday, especially at work I was very homesick and missed my monkies and magee. I wanted to get in my truck and go get my nails done. One problem, I have no car, am 7000 miles from home, and after two weeks still have not found a nail salon. I have an appointment at the salon on base for 10/11, but that seems yrs away. After work, I finally made it to the gym. I was so proud of myself for going, seeing that it was freezing and raining. The gym was fine not like my gym, but fine. I caught the bus and went to what seems to be my favorite hot spot Chilis. I really love that black bean burger. The bartender remembered my name and it was nice to have someone whom seemed happy to see me. However, it was so crowded with young sailors and families that I quickly ate my food and left. My coworker had told me about free tv and I did a search for free tv. I don't know the site, but it is awesome. I started to watch the L word since I have only have seen a couple of epoisides. I love it since I am not a fan of the military cable. It sucks that is all I have to say about it. Anyway, today at work I did this and that, filled out forms, I have a navy email address now, and discussed going to Thailand with my coworker. Another coworker invited me to her house for dinner so I have to have my social pants on. I really want to take them off.

I'm concerned it is freezing here today

I woke up and barely could get out of bed because it was like Antarctica in my room. I stepped outside and it felt like a cold day in December in New Orleans. I thought to myself what if it gets colder. I truly hate the cold. I cannot function in it. As you know, I do not have a car here and have to walk everywhere since I frequently miss the bus. Right now, I am doing nothing at work. The other counselors are locked away in their offices probably taking naps or maybe they are working on their blog. I don't know my big debate of the moment is where I will go to lunch. After work, I am going to start back at the gym and try to get on some sort of routine. My mission for the week is to find some place that does nails. They have hundreds of places to get your hair cut, but I have not seen one nail salon. Also, it could be that I don't read, speak, or write Japanese and have no idea what I am looking at. I saw the Saints won the game and hope everyone I know that went had fun. I hope that Rosalind made it to the game.

It seemed like there were a million people in Kyoto...

On Saturday morning, I woke up at 4 AM to meet my coworker to get on the bullet train bound for Kyoto. Kyoto is an ancient city in Japan that was the capital before Tokyo filled with shrines, temples, geishas, and a shitload of people. We made it to the bullet train and had rocken seats in the first row. On the train ride, we saw Mt. Fuji. It is massive don't think I will be hiking it since I complain about the hills and steps here in Yokosuka. Anyway my coworker and I chatted it up talked about this and that. We both thought the train was fast, but both thought it would feel much faster. As we got off the train, we were both shocked to see how modern Kyoto was. It really felt like a mini Tokyo with a million people off to see shrines. We checked into the hotel. It was very nice with one of those fun toilets that spray your butt and have all kind of gadgets to it. I keep meaning to take pictures of the different toilets for Jessica. I promise to do it next week. We found a restaurant where you had to take off your shoes and sit on the floor at a little table. We ordered sake and food. The sake was good and the food was pretty, but for the most part I ate the rice. There was a lot of raw fish and stuff that looked/smelled weird. After that we, walked to the first shrine. I was very tried and my coworker looked at my face when I saw the hike that laid before me and suggested that we split up. I thought this was a great idea because I was in no mood to hike up to the shrine. I looked at the shops, bought a box with a monkey on it, and found a place to get massages. I had to check out that it was legitimate massage and not the the kind with a happy ending. My coworker was very excited when she returned apparently she had hiked very high and was excited about her accomplishment. I was excited I did not go. The massages were great and after we were looking forward to relaxing with some drinks. We thought this would be an easy task, but it was not. We went down this very busy side street and did not find a bar, but did see a Geisha. There shoes look so painful. We looked around for a bar for hrs and finally found an English pub where a Japanese baseball game was on. The Japanese really are crazy for baseball. They got drunk and cheered the whole time it was on. We had lots of drinks, hung out watching the Japanese and went back to the hotel. The next day we hiked up the biggest hill ever. I wanted to throw myself on the ground and tell her to leave me behind. But, I made it up to the shrine and it was worth it, lots of shrines, lots of space, and lots people praying. Overall, Kyoto was a nice city and I liked the bullet train, but the massage place was my favorite.

This is the view from the shrine. The city of Kyoto is down below. It was great to get out of the main part of the city where it seems there are millions of people.

I thought you might like to see inside of one of the shrines. It was very pretty and I saw people praying to it.

This is a shrine in Kyoto. I had to hike up a very very high hill/mountain my calves felt like they were going to burst into flames. It was worth the shrine was amazing and even saw groups chanting in the shrine.

The Japanese get straight to the point!

This is an egg shaped object that you lie in and you chose a program that the device will tailor to fit the chosen reaction. Since I was so sleepy, I chose to feel refreshed. It regulated the temperature, had aromatherapy, and vibrated to music. After 25 mins, I got out feeling completely refresh. I got a back massage to all for less than 50 bucks. It was the best!!!

The food was very pretty, but not very yummy. However, we got to sit on the floor at a little table outside looking at the river.

The bullet train that we took to Kyoto. It goes 200 mph !

Japanese's drivers are safe!

You all we be shocked to hear that I failed my Japanese written driving test. I know, can you believe it me being such a good driver and all. However, I failed and Japan will not experience my wonderful driving skills. I sat all day in Japanese driver's ed only to fail so I did not sign up for my road test. Now, I do have the option to retake the test, but I have decided I do not want to drive here. I know I will never get use to driving on the left so why jeopardize my life and the lives of the Japanese. After the test, we got out early and thought well I know my way around base so why don't I just walk home. Needless to say, I got lost and what should have took me 30 mins turned into almost 2 hrs. At one point, I wanted to throw myself in the street and cry. I got home and tried to look at the positive that I had gotten a great workout. I met my coworker at the Officer's Bar, which I must say next to Chilis is my favorite place. She talked about work and I had some drinks. We left early because we have to get up at 4 am to go to Kyoto. I caught the last ride home on the bus and this was the first day since I had been here that I did not pay to take an on base taxi. I got to the hotel and realized I had not eaten and went to see my one bartender friend at you guessed it Chilis. It has now become a second home to me. I got my black bean burger and a beer made friends with the other girl bartender and thought for a minute maybe this should be my second job. I came to my senses told them that they would not see me tomorrow, but not to worry that I was sure I would be back on Sunday. Well I know you will be sad, but there will be no new post tomorrow as I will be in Kyoto. However, I am sure I will have lots of pictures and stories to tell. By the way, I am reading the funniest book, "Are you there Vodka, its me Chelsea, by Chelesa Handler" go out and get it!

Earthquake Number Two

Just experienced my second earthquake. It is so wrong and freaky when the room shakes.

I did not feel like Yokohama...

I thought I was going to Yokohama, the second largest city in Japan, but as I was sitting in orientation class and thought to myself as she described that it is very large and very crowded city that I hate large and crowded Japanese cities. I decided for my field trip which I'm expected to write a little report to go to see the Big Buddha in Karakura. I went to the train system feeling confident that I had conquered the Japanese train station and proceeded for the next one and half hours to get on and off the wrong train. At one point, I thought about just going back to base, but I stuck it out and finally got to the right stop. The Big Buddha was so big, I thought the name was very fitting. There were hundreds of school children at the Big Buddha. School children are very cute here because they all have to where the same color hat depending on what school they go too. I said good-bye to Buddha and walked to the beach. It was full of people and a cute couple was sitting on the beach hugging and kissing on another. It made me miss Rosalind. I think her and Monkey and Magee would have enjoyed the beach. However, the sand is just gross. I don't even know if it is sand it seems like dirt. Anyway, I could not find anything to eat even though there were a hundred restaurants. I just did not feel like pointing today. I got back and went and got this rice patty thingie I like and walked down to Blue street. I guess it would be like Decatur Street. I went into a Chinese restaurant and ordered chicken I do not know what they served me, but I did not eat it. I tried, but ended up at Chilis again at least I ordered something different. In closing, I have been told and am well aware that my grammar skills and spelling could use some work. I just want to say my mom, rosalind, and karen can tell you I have always had issues with spelling and phonics. Well one more day of orientation.

The is a bar right outside the base. The Japanese obviously know how to lure our military into their bars.

I walked down to the beach and put my feet in the water. The sand looks and feels like dirt. However, it does not stop the Japanese from surfing. You can barely see in the picture, but there are like a hundred people with their surfboards in the water.

Big Buddha's shoes in case he wakes up and wants to walk around. This is really why they are there.

BIG BUDDHA!

Today, after getting on several wrong trains I saw the BIG BUDDHA. I have to say it was worth getting lost. I said hello to him and bought a little Buddha to hang on my new backpack.

Konbanwa=Good Evening in Japanese

I spent the day in Japanese orientation class and had my listening ears on all day. I learned more on how to behave off base and for the most part I think I am doing well not to offend the Japanese. I have been practing my bow and trying the few basic words I know with a local shop owner. Today, I practiced my greetings with him, I need a lot practice. Whenever you go into a store all the workers it at one time say Sumimasen. This is where I freeze and pretend I am mute because I have no idea what to say next. So I will work on that because it really hinders me going into stores. Speaking of stores, I left base and walked to the five story mall down the street. I managed to find the 100 Yen store aka dollar tree and their version of Big Lots. However, all the stuff was so overpriced I could not believe people would buy it. It seems the only thing that is cheap here is food. Everything is like double what we would pay in New Orleans. Luckily, this does not effect me since I can shop on base. I walked all five stories and ended up in the grocery. It was a madhouse due to people getting off work and sushi being discounted after 4 PM. After 4 PM, they start discounting all the sushi because of the strict food laws here and they cannot serve it the next day. I ended up buying what I thought was grapes, but they were blueberries. I don't know they were the biggest blueberries I had ever seen and some sushi. I am trying with the sushi, but I do think I get it yet. Anyway walked outside and saw the very polite protesters outside whom were protesting the USS George Washington due to the ship having nuclear weapons on it. The ship gets here tomorrow and apparently the base population will double. I walked home feeling homesick and understand while some never leave the base. Now I do not want a pep talk from anyone that reads this, but really it is just so hard to do anything here. I mean everything even the bathroom. I walked into the mall bathroom and what did I find, but a Japanese style hole in the ground squat while you pee toilet. I had to go and I managed not to pee on myself. Well I have decided to wait on Tokyo Disney due to I do not want to be that person riding rides by myself. I have decided to go to Yokohama and ride the largest ferriswheel in Japan by myself. However, I was tempted to go to Hello Kitty Land, but I am sure I will make it there soon. Oyasuminasai !!!

I am to sleepy to think of a title

I am so sleepy, but I had to keep you posted on what I did today. Well from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM I sat in a theatre for base orientation. We were told to behave in Japan and told stories of how soliders had killed various people around Yokosuka. Last March, some 22 year old stabbed a Japanese cab driver in the neck. So for America and the Navy, I will not kill anyone while I am in Japan. For lunch, I had Subway. I don't know what i will do since I do not like the cheese or mayo here. It just tastes wrong. However, I told myself you must venture out for dinner. So I went with my coworker and now friend since I started talking about poo with her hehe to another rotating sushi restaurant. It was a little more upscale than my first one. I tried the egg on top of the rice delicious. I tried some more raw fish and I have to say my chopstick skills are improving. Also, today I learned how to say shrimp and see you later in japanese. However, I have no idea how to spell them so when I see you I will just have to tell you. Tommorrow, is another fun filled day of orientation, but on Thursday we are expected to use the train and go on a field trip on our own. I am thinking Tokyo Disneyland!!!!

Uploading Mystery Solved!!

I am sure you are just as shocked as I am that I can upload pictures, but you forget I am the shit hehe!!! Here are some photos and you can expect to see more. I miss yall!

I tried to take my picture while crossing that street, but to blurry. I don't think I will try again, but maybe I might need that picture. Its just a little crowed in Tokyo.

This is my onion and pork ramen soup. Chili's was calling my name after this meal.

This is in Tokyo on Harajuku Street. It was so rainy with a million umbrellas and I was soaking wet. Super Fun!!

At the beach, in Tokyo Bay, I thought Monkey would like this one!

This is my first shrine. It was amazing, but so many stairs in fact there are so many stairs everywhere in Japan.

This is at Club Budweiser. I was amused at this still not sure what G-style, but obviously not allowed :)

This me being my classy self, totally behaving, being a lady with people I work with and had known less than 24 hrs.

Guess who's going to Kyoto?

Currently, I am still at work and this meant walking over to the military travel agency and planning my trip for the weekend. However, a snag came into the plan when we discovered that the Mt. Fuji had a waitlist. So I was talking to the travel agent about another trip when my coworker asked if I wanted to go to Kyoto. I said sure knowing absolutely nothing about Kyoto. It turns out the trip includes getting to ride on the Bullet Train!!! You know the train that goes over 200 mph! Yikes maybe they'll let me drive. Anyway Kyoto was the ancient capital before Tokyo. All kinds of famous shrines, temples, and at night you might get to see a Geisha on Gino Street. Look it up it looks absolutely beautiful and I am very excited. Since I have nothing to do at work, I have planned out the entire trip and going to ask the lady up front to write it in Japanese. Turns out when you give something to a cab driver in English they can't read. Yesterday I discovered that and laughed when I thought about it later on.

Things that are interesting to me in Japan

1. There are little to no trash cans in Japan. There are signs posted various places that tell you in English with a funny little pink hippo to bring your trash home. The Japanese are supposedly a very progressive and green society. So my Coach purse has become my purse/trashcan. Never realized how much trash I make in a day.
2. They do not give you a napkins in any restaurant. Why you may ask same principle as number one. The Japanese carry little wash rags in there bags to conserve on paper. I keep forgetting mine so my shirt/napkin was been mine. I planned to put one in my purse today.
3. The Japanese love to wear anything with English on it even if it is completely inappropriate or does not make any sense. I saw a little girl in something that basically said she was a whore and a little Japanese lady with a Fuck It pin on her purse. I forget all the things that made no sense, but they were funny.
4. The Japanese do not talk on the train. You have a car filled with 100 people and no one is talking. They are either sleeping, reading, or texting. Even the people that no one another do not talk. The only people you will ever hear talking are foreign.
5. The Japanese men and women have these charms that they hang from their cell phone. Reminds me of someone with a bunch of key chains. Imagine that is what is hanging from either their cellphones or with some business men I am told there suits.

Well for now these are my findings will report others interesting things as I see them.

Oh! Tokyo I don't really like you :(

Lets begin the day with an earthquake well that's how I began mine. It was around 6 AM and my bed began to shake and the walls rattled. It woke me up and I thought to myself hmm I think that was an earthquake. It was not until I was at the bus stop where I heard others talking and remembered there had been a small earthquake. So I can check that off the box. Anyway, around 10 AM I started my journey to Tokyo with the goal of seeing Harajuku girls. It started off good just me and a million Japanesse. I got on the train and knew my first switch was at Yokohama. When I got off at Yokohama someone must have poured water on the Japanesse because there were milions of Japanesse going here and going there. The Japanesse may seem nice, but when it comes to train stations they are assholes, pushing and shoving. So needless to say, I pushed right back and made my way to Tokyo. I was doing well until Shibuya. I should have gotten off there I did not and chose to get off at Tokyo Station. I mean Tokyo Station you would think there would be a lot of shit there well there is not. Its like some sort of business district. By this time, it was pouring and I had no umbrella. I went into the 7-11, but the Japanesse call it 7 and eye holdings (I think that's funny) and got an umbrella. Again, I was on my way until I slipped on the slick sidewalk and skinned both keens. I sucked it up and realized I was in the middle of nowhere. So I chose to get in a cab and the cab driver told me I was very far away from the Harajuku district. So I a 30 yen ride later, I was in Harajuku. It is like Bourbon Street on the Saturday before Mardi Gras day. In fact, all of Tokyo is like that. Tokyo is a shitload of Japanesse. So I walked around looked at random things saw crazy Tokyo fashions ate at a restaurant where I pointed to something and got a onion and pork soup yum and walked back to the train. I managed to get back and missed America so much when I got back I had to go to Chilis. Well back to work tomorrow, I know the bus schedule. I plan to check out the gym and maybe eat somewhere different on base or out in town.

Uploading Pictures the Great Mystery?

Oh! How I would like to show you the pictures of the shire I went too, but I am retarded and for now will just have to write about it. So I woke up around 10 AM and straightened up my room. It is messy especially since I have refused to unpack. I look at if I stay or if I go I don't live here so why unpack. Anyway I proceeded to get ready for my first adventure outside of Yokosuka. My coworker and I had planned to meet at noon to go to an island. As I was waiting for her, someone had been hit on bicycle and I got to the Japanese EMTs at work which they all wear masks. Apparently, the Japanese are extremely afraid of germs or anything dirty. My coworker showed up and we walked to the train station where she showed me how to buy a train pass and we attempted to navigate the train system. This meant we asked random Japanese people and acted out or pointed where we wanted to go. Great success, we made to Enoshima and it was the first time it really felt like I was in Japan. We got off the train walked down and up narrow streets selling random shit and of course Hello Kitty gear crossed a bridge and headed up the street to the Yasaka Shrine. It was beautiful you climb a thousand steps to get to the top where I followed others and put money into this box and took a piece of paper out it. After you get the paper you open it up and there is a little budda which I put in my wallet and tied the rest of the paper around the post. Of course I had no idea what it was all about, but I decided it was some kind of wish for good luck. We proceeded up the steps and washed our hands in this place like they did in America's Next Top Model. It was amazing and a great workout. After the shrine, we went to restaurant and pointed what we wanted to eat. I had soba noddles with egg shrimp and crab. It was yum, but difficult because of my beginner chop stick skill. After that we went to a local aquarium and the beach where the Japanese love to surf and I put my feet in the water. The last thing I did for the day was eat dinner on base at the Chili's you know I just needed something American. Tomorrow I am going to try to go to Tokyo wish me luck I will need it.

I Heart Karaoke but not Typhoons or Fire Alarms

Apparently, every Friday at the officers club they have a free meal and kick ass drink specials. I went to the club where it was Mexican fiesta night with some coworkers. The coworkers although not big drinkers where surprising fun. However, I would later learn their love for karaoke. They brought me to club called Club Budweiser, nice huh, where the drinks are expensive and everyone no matter what their talent level karaokes. Its cool because there is no stage and you can karaoke in your chair. Of course, at first, I did not karaoke especially when it turns out that the coworkers should quit being counselors and get into a band. One of my coworkers has recorded a CD so needless to say I was a little intimated. However, after a few 10 dollar red bull and vodka I was a singing karaoke fool. Apparently, I had a duet with my co worker of "I'm just a Gigaloo." After, that we went to a bar named Charlie which I found funny you know a Japanese bar named Charlie. Anyway, I met Charlie tiny little Japanese man where my coworker proceeded in more karaoke. After Charlie's, I did not know, but we were in the middle of a typhoon so I got soaking wet before I made it to the room. At 5:45 AM I was awoken by the fire alarm, some genius was smoking in his room. I thought it was funny that they called him out and told the entire hotel. It was fun.

My navy job paid to do nothing!!

Its really amazing I was paid to do nothing in New Orleans and now I am once again paid to do nothing in Japan. Today, I woke up and had to take taxi to work because I keep forgetting to look at the bus schedule. Surprisingly, I was late for work on my second day and had to take a taxi which costs about seven dollars. So mental note must check bus schedule. At work, I proceeded to fill out numerous forms for all numerous passwords, id, keys blah blah to work on base. I left without asking hehe to get my new prepaid cell phone and camera. I got a Nikon Coolpix in Blue. It is the shit. I proceeded to play with my new toys for the two hrs. I went to lunch at long john silvers. There are a ton of restaurants in the place like a food court in any mall. I ate there the Subway line was way to long. It was fun lots of kids I think they must get out of school early on Friday. I proceeded to take numerous pictures of the base and my office. However, I am having trouble uploading so it may be days before I can figure that out. Tonight, I am suppose to drink with coworkers on base and then go to my first karaoke bar. I am sure there will be lots of drunk amusing pictures. Saturday, I am going with a coworker to some island with temples and all kind of cool stuff. Sunday, I will be attempting to go to Tokyo on my own I have directions so cross your fingers I don't get lost and sold into white slavery. I miss you all!!!

Hope's adventure in Japan

I have created this blog to document my time in Japan. 9/18/08, was my first offical day in Japan and at work. I work with the Navy in Yokosuka, Japan. My job seems to be no different than my job in New Orleans. However, the base is truly like a small town in America. There are numerous restaurants from Long John Silvers to Popeyes. The Nex which is a store has everything I mean it has everything from Coach purses, Clinque, food, clothes, and every electronic you can think of. I am planning to buy a camera tommorrow to add pictures to my blog. After work, I went with a co worker to see her apt. It was cute, but she has the most amazing view of Tokyo Bay. We went to dinner at one of those rotating sushi restaurants. It was so fun. You take a plate when it passes you by and everything is about a dollar. I only had two mistakes today first at Seven Eleven ATM I took out 50,000 Yen which I thought was 50 dollars turns out it was 500 dollars and when it was time to go home I could not figure out the bus or how to get a cab so I walked about 5 miles back to base. My feet are killing me, but I dont have to go the gym. On the way home I went into two electronic stores looking for something for rosalind. Lots to look at and its kind of fun not being able to read or understand the language. I have done a lot of pointing and acting out what I needed today.