another day off in Kyoto. saw this today. had a moment.

soak in a moment.

I have come to the conclusion that I love change. I love being in flux. Change is the life inside me. When I get in a rut, I will rearrange furniture, change my hair colour (or even cut my own hair, like a did a while back), renovate the blog, take the long way home from work on day, or attempt to sit at the piano and work on writing.

While being here has made me realize that change is a craving of mine, attempting to live in the very present of every moment is a more difficult task. I think this is actually quite a profound thing. Maybe its not even a task at all, but an act of letting go to the quest for change. Simply being. Simply dwelling in the moment.

So often, when I have my days off here, and I find myself on the footsteps of a temple or shrine, my first thought is often, "I must take a picture. " I don't stop to soak it in, to breathe it in. Aftwards, I think, why didn't I just take a moment...for the moment. Do you know what I mean? Simply soak in the present. Did you ever stop to think that the word "present" is not just in the moment, but it is also a gift as well. You recieve it. Sometimes we often don't realize the very nature of it until its gone or the moment has passed.

I often get so ahead of myself here. Thinking about my future, about relationships, about things I want to do or avoid, experiences I want to have or goals I want to accomplish.

Before I left for Japan, I was speaking in the "I hope...I want..." type of language, and when I arrrived I thought this would cease, and I would be able to live in every moment. While there have been many moments of suspended time here for me, I still try to look too far ahead. So far ahead, that it gets foggy and I can't see. I try to answer the questions that I don't have the power or wisdom to answer. I think God gives us time for a reason. To recieve each moment as a gift. A present, if you will.

Take a moment today, whatever your doing. Recieve it. Draw near to it. Listen to it. Taste it. Hey, smell it if you want.

quiet please: this is a library. no laughing allowed. note: you must watch this with a friend.

trust me - go to the bathroom before watching this!! this is a clip from a popular tv show in Japan. you might think i'm weird or crazy for posting this. but, I wanted to show you the first class quality of the t.v here. And I stress the word "quality" you will soon catch on to the point of this. Or the lack thereof. Also note: the bad english in this clip.
Who knew you could have so much fun in a library!?!! Watch the whole thing, and tell me your thoughts.
PS - I had too much time on my hands tonight.
I love to make you all laugh. Don't hold this against me. I'm sorry for any pain this may inflict.

a treasured moment to be sure...

This was taken a Fushimi-Inari Shrine today. (you can click on the pictures link to see more from today if you like!) Lined with these beautiful and unique red posts along the path up the mountain, my senses were overwhelmed with colour. This shrine is in the south eastern outskirts of Kyoto. I met the cutest school girls here today. They were all so excited to practice their english with me and shake my hand. Some of them even followed me, just so they could say hello and goodbye in English, just one more time!

Today, I really felt like I went on a trip. Far out of Osaka. To where the air felt different. The sounds of the city diminished. A nice long , fast train ride to the shrine. It was one of those days where I could go where I could walk where I wanted, sit when I wanted, write when I wanted and just spend time enjoying nature and the beauty of asian culture and arcitecture.

This prefecture outside Kyoto felt very residential and old style Japanese. Children playing in the street. Small coffee shops. A small, old train station.

I also complemented the day with another onsen in the evening. This time, in Kurama...even further outside the city. A very old, rustic outdoor onsen. A shuttle from the train station takes you here, where you can soak under the stars. When I arrived, there were many Japanese women chatting. But, then there seemed to be no one, to my surprise. I had the onsen all to myself. Lets just say, it was truely wonderful. Being in a dark, secluded, rustic, outdoor bath, under the stars. A perfect end my day off.

this is disturbingly funny.

"when we're together...everything just feels so transparent..."

So, as I sit and contemplate the happenings of the day, I can't help but feel satisfied. I, Jane, successfully (and modestly) played Ms. Matchmaker between 2 of my students.

Mr.T, we will call him, comes to our Kita Senri branch fairly often. He is about to complete his PhD in chemistry, enjoys travel and is familiar face around our branch. I often see him in Starbucks and we frequently strike up a conversation. Whenever one of the teachers has a class with him, it doesn't really fee like teaching at all, he is just a pleasure to talk to. He is so articulate and I often find myself learning from him in classes.
Now...Ms. K, we will call her, is an arcitecture student and Osaka University. I frequently have her in one of my classes and she is just lovely. She is one of those people where you feel like you have known her in another life or something.
Both Mr. T and Ms. K happened to meet for the first time today in one class they had with me. The topic we were discussing was t.v commercials and the media. Both high level students, conversation seemed to be flowing. This was the first time they had been in a class together. Excitement seemed to be lingering in the air. I noticed they kept making eye contact throughout the lesson and seemed to really be hitting it off. Mr. T seemed to be very coy as well. Wanting to play it cool. Good man. Both being in their twenties, I put two and two together, and figured that they needed to date. For goodness sake - some one needed to do something. I felt bad for the housewife that was sitting between them, I think she felt a little awkward, as Mr. T and Ms. K seemed to be carrying on about this and that.

After the lesson, I pulled Mr.T aside, and said that Ms. K seemed like a nice girl and commented that I couldnt believe that they hadn't met before. I said that he needed to ask her for coffee at Starbucks after class and they could have "english conversation" together (I love how this is basically code for "lets date" in Japan).
He asked, "do you think she would be interested?I have been searching for a girlfriend recently," he said. I told him a little more about her and how I both knew they share a love of travel, and english! It would be perfect. He seemed to be very appreciative, but so shy about the whole thing. "Thanks for the advice," he said.

They both had another class together after this, but my shift was over, so I'm not sure if he took the plunge and asked her out, but I will keep you posted. This was seriously a moment to be treasured for sure. I had to share it with you. I seriously find some students here absolute diamonds! This is why I love my job!

I sometime wonder why our textbook doesn't have a lesson on how to ask people out on a date. Could have been useful today. Hmm...

English: its brings people together.

I am a sap.

An engrish resson on sea urchin!?

Funny moment today...

I was doing a lesson on interesting experiences. Helping students to ask questions like, have you ever climbed a mountain? have you ever tried alligator? Have you ever eaten frog? You know, the regular everyday stuff.

Well, apparently my english seems to have gotten worse over the last few months because in the textbook there was the question "Have you ever eaten SEA URCHIN?" - And...I got all these puzzled looks from the 4 students in my class. Do you think, for the life of me, that I could describe what a sea urchin was? I tried pictures, I tried my mime artistry, and yet no english seemed to come out of me!? The students and I were killing ourselves laughing. They had no english, and I had no english. It was by far, a humbling moment. This is the first time I have really felt like I have been stumped as a teacher. Sea urchin? What the heck is it? Do you eat it? Have you ever tried it? I hardly know what it is, none the less trying to explain it so someone in an english as a second language class.

Today: Gong show - give me a chance and I could probably explain this any day!

two firsts.

Tonight were two firsts for me: travelling in an actual Japanese car and going to an onsen (asian spa). Two both scary and exciting events.

Scary? Why? you ask.
Reason #1. I was with my Japanese friend Kana, who is crazy, I'm convinced. She wips around in this small little car, through crowded traffic and small winding streets, and sometimes the wrong way down a one way. Driving in Osaka, is...well...mind boggling. It takes both guts and a certain amount of skill to drive here. 10% skill. 90% guts!

Reason #2. Once at the onsen, you are surrounded by, well, nudity (chuckling to myself now). But, you know, it actually does not have to be a scary thing, I'm learning. I guess its kind of everyones fear, isn't it? Being naked in public. For the Japanese, its a perfectly normal, communal activity. In a totally natural and healthy way, I mean. Besides - bodies - we all have them. And, we need to love them and take care of them. Something I think I'm learning to pay attention to more this year. This feels a litte funny to be writing about this. hmm...

We entered the building in Takatsuki city, took off our shoes and found our feet confronted with a bamboo floor. We paid the 800 yen fee, and walked to the change room, dis-robed (or whatever you call it), and proceeded to the pools. Its separated for men and women. It did feel a little strange at first...a little awkward. But, to my surprise, that all goes away once you sit in the hot, silky water. Kana made me feel so comfortable, showing me what to do and where to go. We soaked in a series of luxurious baths, some outside surrounded by rocks and trees. You actually feel quite secluded here. Like you are bathing in the side of a mountain or something.

I guess in the Okinowa area, its one of the most popular spots for onsens. She was telling me that the theory is many people live into their 80's and 90's here because of the healing properties of the water. I can see how this is probably true.

So, after our skin felt silky smooth, and baby soft (sorry, am I making you jealous yet?. my bad.), we headed back to Shin-Osaka. It was so good to be in a real car again. It made me miss my little Hyundai in Edmonton. Still, I think I will stick to the safety of the subway.

You can check out a few pics and a couple videos from tonight if you like. Sorry...only pictures of people fully clothed! (am laughing now!) Ok, someone change the subject...its too quiet in here.

www.dropshots.com/erickson_jane

"in a world turned upside-down, can the truth be turned around?"

Currently listening to: Third Day, "King of Glory"
Current obsession: cold coffee drinks.
Current location: my futon, under a blanket.

This one is for the person I was just talking to on the phone. You know who you are.
-----

Difference. What is it? What does it look like? What does it sound like? Can you touch it? Can you see it? Can you hear it? Does it smell? Does it feel? Does it live in a box? Does it wear shoes?

This year I have come to identify myself as a foreigner. There are over 1.69 million of us living here in Japan. Its a term of difference. This is the first thing people see when I walk down the street. I am different. Sometimes, its the only thing they see or its the only thing they want to see.

Everyday, I am confronted with my difference. At the grocery store, at work, at the bank, at the train station, or on the phone trying to order pizza. Sometimes, ahem...all the time, I get stared at (do I have something on my face?). Sometimes people take one look at me,and either laugh, smile friendly, start up a conversation, or whisper to their neighbor, stare, look away, or even make a point of sitting on the other side of the train. Have you experienced this too? Oh good, I'm not the only one.

Today I saw a cross dresser coming out of the train station at Minamikata. Heels, a wig and a dress. He was different and I found myself wanting to look, I was curious. I noticed turning heads, avoidance and some stares. The other day, I saw...

a man with a massive skin growth on his face...

I also saw a woman with a limp...

Two men holding hands...

Two women holding hands...

A young girl on the train wearing a short skirt, a tight shirt, leather boots and applying sparkles to her already decorated face...

And a lady sleeping in the subway, with nothing more than a cardboard box to lay on...

A homeless man trying to sell a newspaper

an old woman with purple hair...

another foreigner like myself.
I could go on.

Did any of these make you uncomfortable? Many of these are different from the regular experiences each of us has day to day. How can an old lady with purple hair be put in the same category as someone who wears a tight top and leather boots or who dresses as the opposite sex? Or someone who comes from a different country? Although there are various polarities of difference, it is still difference. No matter how you ice the cake. I feel like somehow I just want to understand it more.

Sometimes its uncomfortable. Sometimes beautiful. Sometimes its scary. Sometimes I want to run away from it. Other times, I want to run and hug it. Or maybe just talk to it, difference that is. Or maybe its not difference at all, maybe its just a person...like myself.

Difference. Maybe its all the same. "Red, yellow, black and white...they are precious..." And, more colourful.

every now and again...

today was...well...a restful day.

woke up late
had miso soup and rice for lunch
coffee with a friend
strolled around shin-osaka in the afternoon
mailed some very late christmas/new years cards
rode my bike to rent a couple movies
had a nap
watched a movie
ate sushi, while wathcing the movie.
chatted with dad... making plans for their upcoming family visit the end of May.
had a nap ...again (love my days off for this very reason)
now, I'm off the the gym.

not much, but i love days like these every now and again.
just thought i should share these days with you as well. the average ones, i mean.

air guitar competition: with takeshi the samuri, of japan

Takeshi, born and raised in Japan, is a master of the air-guitar arts. watch, and be amazed. Be very amazed...or disturbed. I'm still not sure yet. My vote is still out.

japanese commercial

These are a series of fanta commercials I found. Totally random...and totally funny. You will laugh...hard. Just prooves that when I think I know this country...I actually have no clue at all!!

under the shade of the bamboo grove

Arashiyama is the picture of perfection. This is where another day trip took me to today. Old Japanese streets, people boating in the Togetsuko river, many women walking in traditional colourful kimono's, the smell of incense in the air. This prefecture kisses the feet of mount Orurayama. Bamboo and bonsai trees are all around.

Today, I walked the streets of this beautiful prefecture, just outside Kyoto. I wandered along the riverside, gazed at the mountains, and people boating, seemed to be something out of a storybook. Many small restraunts and beautiful lanterns line the street here, along with with many people as well. It is easy to loose yourself here, to the sound of traditional Japanese music seemingly coming from the mountains. Passing by Tenryuji temple, people are praying and the smell of a fire looms in the air.

I walked through a dense bamboo forrest, hearing the sound of the branches as I make my way around a corner, and come to an open area with a rice field, and just around the corner from this, and up a hill, is Jojkukouji shrine. I climb the never ending staircase up to the temple, turn around and see a commanding view over Kyoto. The porch of the temple is a good place to enjoy the moss garden here. Another steep path leads towards a beautiful pagoda. I spent time revelling in what seemed to be a dream, complimented by a rather foggy sky. I couldn't help but think, I was made for this moment.

I make my way down the hill, and back into the centre of the town. Many coffee shops, traditional Japense stores selling umbrellas and green tea ice cream. More women in kimono's. I stop to have a latte and look out the window to see couples walking hand in hand.

I make my way home on the Hankyu line. It is now night time, the moon is out, and tea houses light up the bank of the river. Today, I fell in love... with Arashiyama.

osechi and the BIG buddha!

Happy New Year! 2007! Its here. Perhaps its time to kick of your shoes and celebrate!

This is from my recent trip to Nara on New Years Eve (you can check for newly posted pics, if you like). I have been loving Japanese shoes lately. If only I had the feet to fit into them.

You will notice I have made a few changes recently. I put a few more links for you to devour, including things that I have enjoyed over the last few months. Hopefully giving you a taste of what things are like over here for me.

The other day, I was remembering something from this time, last year. I silently remember making a new years resolution to myself...to experience another culture. I think this may be one resolution that actually stuck. Cause, here I am. I recall something inside me saying, "You will be called into your wilderness this year." The land unfamiliar. A place that is both scary and exciting. Charting new territory. New years resolutions can be like that sometime. For anyone out there in the midst of making a resolution and then having the courage to actually do it, I admire you.

The last four months, there have been times where I have been scared s***less, there have been times where I have been speechless. Times when I have laughed into the depths of my soul, and cried equally as hard. Times when I have chuckled quietly to myself, times when I have seen such beauty and have not had the words that come close to describing it. Equally so, times where I have seen the hurt that exists among the people here as well. All of it - overwhelming.

One thing that seems to have made a deep impression on me over the last few months is how important symbols are to the Japanese. An example, a few of my students gave me a lesson on the traditional dish that is eaten on new years day - osechi (simliar to a lunch box, filled with Japanese cuisine). Each dish in osechi means something different. Its like a hope or a prayer for the new year:

Herring roe - hope for children; Gomame (type of small fish) - diligent work; Kromame (a hard bean) - wealth; Komaboko (steamed fish paste) - this is a red and white colour, ironically the colours in the Japanese flag - symbollizing luck. Shrimp (Japanese characters for "shrimp" are actually "old sea" - so it means to have long life. Interestingly, the shrimp has a curved shape, as you know. One student reminded me that it looks like an old man! Finally, fuki (the steam of a plant) is used. It is hollow and long, so you can see through to the end. The students tell me this means being able to see far into the distance or the ability to have hope.

It kinda makes you think about the next time you go to eat shrimp, doesn't it? You may be asking for longer life...or a curved spine.

New Years Eve is a very special time here. While travelling to a nearby town, Nara, my friend Sarah and I noticed how many people were at the temples to pray and burn insence. I was struck by the powerful image of the BIG Buddha at Todai-ji Temple (biggest one in Japan!). It was almost frightening. The large gold and bronze statue, adorned with flowers and candles.

Many people come to Nara to pray to Buddha for passing exams, long life, seeking direction, finding a partner etc. It got me to thinking about idols and what I look to for direction in life. Where do I go searching for it? How is it disguised sometimes? I guess its the whole thing about having faith, without sight, as Jesus puts it. While being confronted with this huge, golden statue, I suddenly found myself needing to cling to Christ. And not needing him to appear before me so that I could have evidence of His power, but simply just wanting to hear His voice. I can appreciate the history and the cultural importance of Buddha, I just want to hopefully love Christ all the more with giving Him my life.

Knowing that His power lies in the still small voice of the trees, in the beauty of colour, the bliss of little children playing, the sound of a kind voice, in the complexity of language and in the joy of experiencing something for the first time. So, this new year, I hope that we can all experience what it is to have belief. A faith without sight.

Thank you everyone for sticking by me in this. I love hearing from you.

May you see new things this year.

Jane

PS - Bri, I dedicate this one to you.
PPS - if you made it to the end of this edition...i commend you.