Let's exploring

Last year, I travelled a lot. I wanted to do everything, see everything. I crashed on S's living room every weekend in Koriyama last fall. I didn't have a problem staying out all night in Fukushima, only to find a couple hours of slumber in a karaoke box. And I yearned for the sleepless nights in Tokyo, eating McDonald's at six a.m. while waiting for the first train out of Shibuya.

This year, I travelled a bit. But I regret not exploring all that much more. I shouldn't complain, I know. My Japanese bosses and co-workers often marvel at how much I leave the city. A-sensei remembered how I distributed small packages specially-flavoured dried seaweed to my BoE people, after my trip to Seoul last Golden Week.

So, I'm wondering what can I be thankful for discovering this year...

Feeling desperation and stupidity while clambering up the volcanic rocks of Mt. Fuji last July. Seeing the bright lights of Tokyo with the noobs in the summer. Waiting in lines at Disney Sea with the girls in Tokyo last September. Seeing the colourful autumn transformation in Nikko in November -- content and alone. Showed a chilhood friend the nooks and crannies of Tokyo. Doing the FuJET trips as the fearful leader - being reunited with the soccer pitches in Nagano and the snow streetscapes of Sapporo. And of course, my well-needed trip back home where I did nothing but slept, watched satellite television, ate fatty foods, hung out with my family and occassionally saw my ol' friends.

So, what are my travel goals for the next few months? I'd like to solidify my plans for Fukuoka. I want to study Japanese there for two weeks. I'm also rather keen to visit: the Philippines, Okinawa, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong and Malaysia. My list is rather fluid, so I'm sure I'll add more destinations as time goes on.

Where my Noguchis at?

Spring has sprung... a leak.

The photo above was taken on a chilly, overcast day in Motomiya. I remember it clearly, because it was payday. After we were finished our business at the Board of Education, B. and I took a quick drive over to a nearby pond at "Flowerland." There was a swan gliding through the water. The cherry blossoms were starting to bloom, enhancing the park with a wash of light pink. It seemed like spring had finally sprung!

But the following morning, I pulled open my curtains and was surprised to see huge snowflakes coming from the sky. I had to dig out my ol' windshield scraper to brush off the thick layer of snow on my car. Everyone shivered at school, because we had already disassembled our usual source of heat: the old kerosene stoves. The other teachers were telling me they hadn't seen such snowy weather in late April since forty years ago. Thank you, Mother Nature. It also didn't help that a few days ago, we had another fresh coat of snow dumped all over the city. In addition to that, we felt a minor earthquake at 6:30 in the morning, which woke me up from my slumber. Eee... bad news bears!

Cherry blossom viewing ("hanami") viewing parties are a focal part of springtime in Japan. It's an excuse for people to gather underneath the trees to take in nature's beauty... and enjoy each other's company while indulging on alcohol and good food. A few weeks ago, I went to Fukushima-shi for the second annual "Sakura" (cherry blossoms) BBQ. Sadly, we were the only ones at the park. It was a blustery day, and the trees were bare. Fortunately, we ate lots of delicious Brazilian BBQ. Last week, another hanami party was held at the picturesque Tsurugajo, a castle in the city of Aizuwakamatsu. But I ended up skipping it, because I couldn't bring myself to driving 1.5 hours to sit outside on a slightly chilly day.

As a result, my cherry blossom tradition has been hampered quite a bit this year! Fortunately, I viewed some of the blossoms before the rain and snow started pelting the poor delicate things. This year, I took a leisurely hike at Hanamiyama Park in Fukushima-shi; Mizuiro Park, which also has sweet water installments, in Motomiya; and Jana no Hana Land (Flowerland) near my house.

I've been doing some light Googling, and I've just realized I have been telling lies to some of my teachers. They've asked if we have cherry blossoms in Canada... and I said there might be a handful of trees in Vancouver. But it turns out that there is even a cherry blossom festival held there every year! My bad.

If tomorrow's another overcast day, I won't be too bothered. I took the day, giving me a wonderful 7-day hiatus from work. (We have a bunch of consecutive national holidays - thank you, Golden Week!)