Rain

It's completely blustery here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I love it. Surely it is the Pacific Northwest that lives in me. I love that sharp and crisp cold. I love razor edged mountains lined with snow. I love wearing scarves and floppy warm hats. Having said that, I've been in California long enough to appreciate breaks of sun in the winter. Grey skies will always be comforting.

Sometimes I wish I could look out at this sort of scene (see photo)--and spend my days sipping green tea, reading, writing, napping, warming my legs under a kotatsu...feeling peaceful. I miss that part of my life in Japan. The simplicity and the dreaminess. The friendships that kept my heart warm through the 3-meter snow winters. I was happy to visit those good friends earlier this month. This photo was taken from our room at the Mukaitaki in Aizu-Wakamatsu. What I would give for an hour in the spa baths about right now, just before going to bed.

Sometimes I wish I could spend my days as a lifeguard at Onekahakaha Beach in Hilo, Hawai'i. Responsible for very little. The big thing of my day would be to remember sunscreen and figure out what kind of bento I would eat for lunch. There is no doubt that Cappy and I will be retiring there. She will be writing the novel of her dreams. I will be blogging and cooking for our family. We'd sit on our veranda eating freshly picked lychee. We'll have picnics on Coconut Island with our friends and families. I am looking forward to those days. They are still quite far away.

Presently, my life has become robust as I'm settling into the rhythm of 2008. Cappy and I have joined a triathlon training team with the incredible ladies at See Jane Run. Spring semester has brought cheer back into my life. I'm finally seeing tracks on the road. In other words, my dissertation is taking shape--in my mind at least. In other news, one of my favorite couples has just become engaged. They're in Tokyo now, but soon off to Sydney and Sweden. My best childhood friend is recovering from chemotherapy. And lastly, a good friend and I have hatched a plan to create the community that we seek.

I will certainly return to my normal snarkiness tomorrow, but for now I feel thankful and light...

Spring Semester

Catch up:

I'm back in the world of quantitative vs. qualitative research, dreaming of international education conferences, $100 textbooks, study breaks, and classmates... I find school to be the perfect antidote to my annoyances with work. I find the excitement of this past week's departmental meeting to be as fun as a night out in a club. My desire for late night or mid-afternoon clubbing has been temporarily quelled. Although, my association with clubs has been tarnished forever (in a good way, really) In any case, I was honestly quite happy at school this past weekend.

I've recently re-connected with some great friends this past month, both here in the States and abroad. The fact that we've not seen each other for over ten years, or have become too busy in the last few years to hang out reminds me of what I cherish the most--those with whom I share significant context. Those kindred spirits and their incredibly open, intelligent, and generous minds and spirits....

I'm hanging on to these last few days of January. I have a good feeling about 2008. For me. And you.

Poetry for the Day:

High is our calling, Friend!--Creative Art
(Whether the instrument ofwords she use, Or pencil pregnant with ethereal hues,)
Demands the serviceof a mind and heart.

-William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

Nishi-Aizu

Here is a lovely and familiar view of Nishi-Aizu, Japan--the town where I lived from 1993-1995. This was taken from the local Banetsu line that trundles all the way to Niigata. I had forgotten how gorgeous it is up in the north.

I spent so many hours gazing out at this landscape. Through four seasons, through trips back and forth to Tokyo--always with a box of Salad Pretz and a can of green tea. I was either happy to be leaving to a place of anonymity or relieved to be coming back where everyone knew me. Or rushing back thinking I had left my iron on atop my 6 tatami floor. Though rushing is a bit of a stretch, considering there were times that I thought I could run faster than the local train.

This return to Nishi-Aizu was very special since with Cappy by my side. We arrived at the Nozawa stop at 11.45 in the morning. We stepped out onto the familiar station platform and lugged our suitcases up the stairs and across to the other side. I had worried about what we'd do with these heavy monstrosities while walked about the town. Thankfully, the station attendant agreed to store our suitcases and backpack. It was a huge relief.

On this day, the skies were their usual grey, melted snow ran along the side gutters, and the familiar chilly air stung my ears. We walked through the narrow streets. I pointed out the cow that lived down the street from me, my old homestay house, my apartment, the space where I parked my scooter, and my friend Chieko's AC Club. It was the only bar in town with Guinness on draught and real Italian spaghetti. No big deal, except it was one of 3 or 4 restaurants that I went to on a regular basis. Does 7-11 count as a restaurant, though?

The highlight of the day was visiting the nursing home where I used to volunteer. After ten years, I wasn't sure any of the residents that I helped would still be there. Thankfully, I met one of them. When we entered the main dining room, I saw a woman sitting in a wheelchair just in front of the door. "Oh my god, Aiko Suzuki?!" I was amazed-- and the nurse was surprised that I remembered her name. Suzuki-san is now 96 and still had the same caring eyes and bright smile. When asked if she remembered me, she smiled and nodded her head. I used to wheel her out from her room to the dining room. She'd utter questions and tell me stories....I'd just look at her and shake my head--totally not getting what she was saying. She'd just laugh and keep on talking to me.

We made it back to the station in time for the 3.23 train. I knew that the sentiment of this day would be realised and cherished at a later time, but felt the beginning of it as Cappy and I waited on the platform. When asked how I felt about returning, all I could think about was how small it seemed. The town seemed as if I had been looking at it from a bird's eye view. I clearly remember not really being able to see beyond the pine tree borders and mini-mountains back in '93-'95. I guess that is a thing of age and subsequent life experience.

Being in Nishi-Aizu was certainly a nice break from the concrete mega watt land of Tokyo. Although I was deeply satisfied for having re-connected with a few people, I was equally thrilled to be departing. Back when I was 23, I was open to anything. You'll have to do a homestay for one month. OK. Live here. Sure. Work here. Sure. Shop here. OK. Eat lunch in this room today. Sure. Teach a class every Monday night here. OK.

Within minutes of heading down the tracks, my town was already fading away once more. This time, as the train pulled out of Nozawa station, I felt an amazing sense of freedom.

Bump of Chicken

Are you kidding me? Bump of Chicken is a rock band that has set out to "change the history of rock and roll." Who knew that such a monumental transformation may come from a band of thin Japanese dudes from Chiba?

So why Bump of Chicken? Is it an extension of their rebellion to deliberately mashup the English language? I mean, who really owns English anyway? Not the native speakers, I can guarantee you.

What kills me is that the misuse of English is intended--that their self-love surpasses the desire for a familiar and appropriate use of English.

This band name is perplexing to me as Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Ruth's what?! Who is Chris, does he/she belong to Ruth? Jesus Christ.