Weekend Recap: Violin Concert, Mt Sarakuar, YNAB

Another weekend has come and gone. Time is slipping through my fingers. I have been in Japan for 65 days! I've heard it takes 60 days to form a habit. Well, my life in Japan is officially a habit. I have established my routines and I have developed a way of life. I just need it to all slow down ...

Weekend High's: Seeing Kitakyushu City from above & establishing my YNAB Budget.

Weekend Low's: Realizing I am in the real world ... bills, pensions, and expenses.

Thanks for reading!

Until next time,

- M

July 29, 2016 - Today was a work day. I traveled into Fukuoka City by train to help with English camp preparations. I got into the city a couple of hours early and explored. 

After work I jumped on a train and headed back to Orio Station. I had a ticket to a violin concert in Kurosaki that I didn't want to miss. When I was younger I played the violin, but now I cannot play any type of instrument. I have an appreciation for people whose talents lie in the arts. 

I made it to Kurosaki without any problem and was able to find the concert hall.

 Festival Decorations

Lanterns lining the streets of Kurosaki.

Kurosaki Music Hall

I found a seat right in the middle and enjoyed an hour and a half of classical music. 

Wonderful.

July 30, 2016 - Tonight I was hosted by a Japanese family for dinner and an amazing view of Kitakyushu.  I cannot put into words how much this night meant to me. Hospitality at it's finest. 

Learned how to make sushi rice.

Ate traditional Japanese food -- sashimi, karaage, vegetables, tofu, unagi

For dessert --- wine, Starbucks coffee, individual dark chocolate mouse

Took a cable car to the top of Mt. Sarakura.

Night time view of Kitakyushu City

I fall more in love with this city every day.

xoxo

July 31, 2016 -  After a little work, I tackled things I have been dreading ...

• YNAB Budget 
• Organizing Work Paperwork
• Travel Documents for Summer Vacation to America
• Packing for America
• Laundry
• Cleaning

I cannot believe how quickly my trip is approaching. I still have a lot to do, but I've got the process started.  I do have some exciting things planned for my layover in NRT, though! 

Netflix played in the background: Suits 

Weekly Update: July 25-28

Happy Friday, everyone! My weekend starts now ... after a couple of hours of work, of course. So here is my week in review - Monday through Thursday. It was a fun filled, busy week that flew by. 

The High's: seeing my first robot at the Fukuoka airport for ANA Airlines, 

& finding shipping container stores in Fukuoka.

The Low's: stumbling all over myself while trying to order anything in Japanese, 

& running out of the green trash bags for disposing of plastic containers**.

But, I wouldn't change a single thing. 

Thanks reading!

- M

**Recycling and garbage disposal are practices Japan takes very seriously. Since I ran out of green trash bags for disposing of plastic containers, I am unable to have my plastics collected this week. I have to make sure I buy green bags before next Friday or else I will begin to look like a hoarder of plastic. That's not a look I'm after. At least I didn't run out of blue bags for combustible, everyday trash --- that would truly be an unpleasant issue.

July 25, 2016 - Today was a Work Day. I traveled by bus to and from the assignment. It was a fun filled day. I'm really enjoying public transportation. I like being a passenger and taking in the sights.

There's not much I can report today since I spent my whole day working. When I got home to my apartment I made some food and kind of just crashed.  Even though it was a long day and I was exhausted, I loved the feeling. I worked --- I wasn't a zombie just going through the motions. I was doing something I love and I was fully present. Exhausted but happy.

July 26, 2015 - Today was a Work Day. I took care of my assignments in the afternoon and when I was finished I went on a walk. On Work Day's I cannot travel too far, so I decided to just walk around my neighborhood and continue to explore. I also did some window shopping at the department store above SunLive. I should be getting my first paycheck this week ... I probably won't have any spending money, but it's fun to dream. 

For dinner I picked up a pack of sushi at SunLive. During the afternoon I had cooked a bunch of vegetables, rice, and eggs for the rest of the week. I didn't want to dig into it all just yet so I bought sushi. I also splurged and finally bought the red bean filled pancake bites I'd been eyeing for the past few trips to the store. They were oishii - delicious.

I ended my night by making a cup of coffee and streaming the Today Show. I always have to watch the episode for the day prior, but it's comforting to watch familiar faces. I've been making a real effort to keep up with current events not only in America and Japan, but worldwide. I have a list of podcasts that I listen to, news recap websites I read, and Twitter feeds I follow. It all helps. I'll be returning to America for vacation in a couple of weeks and I know it's inevitable that I'll feel out of touch and behind. I just want to do my best to reduce the time it takes me to readjust.

July 27, 2016 - Today was a Work Day. I didn't start adventuring until later in the afternoon. I left my apartment at about 15:00 and headed east. I didn't have a real plan or anything in particular I was looking for, I just wanted to explore.

I headed east but I took so many twists and turns I'm pretty sure I ended up doing a big figure eight loop. I was all over the place. I do have to say though, the more I explore the more of an understanding I have of my area. It's finally starting to feel manageable. For the most part I know where I am. It's nice to finally have a sense of direction.

Here's what I found today . . . 

Everything is greener here.

A flower store that sold drift wood.

A cute neighborhood.

A stunning view.

Patisserie Leo - a bakery near Orio Station.

Matcha pan covered with sugar and filled with matcha cream.

Matcha Meringue - - - melt in my mouth goodness.

Aloevera Water at 7-11 --- best drink ever!

A day well spent.

July 28, 2016 - Today was a Training Day. I made my way to Fukuoka for the meeting. The meeting wasn't until later in the afternoon so I had some time to explore the city beforehand. I had a specific agenda for today. 

• Visit and navigate the Fukuoka Airport
• Look at hotel options
• Check into options for transporting and storing luggage
• Find the Starbucks near the office 

My trip to America is fast approaching. It will be here before I know it. I wanted to take the time today to prepare myself for what is to come. In a couple of weeks I have to get myself and my luggage to the airport. This should be simple, but this is my first time navigating public transportation on my own with luggage. I have a couple ideas of what I can do ... I just haven't decided on anything yet. It's tricky because I don't need to bring much to America, but when I leave America and head back to Japan, I will have a lot more with me -- my current dilemma. 

Orio Station to Hakata Satation --- one of my absolute favorite train rides.

Fukuoka Airport

I made it to the Fukuoka Airport and now feel a million times better about my upcoming trip. I don't mind trying new things at all, I just like to be as prepared as possible. The Fukuoka Airport is not terribly large. It felt a lot like Love Field in Dallas, TX. I stayed at the airport longer than I planned because I had so much fun looking around. There are some neat restaurants inside and even a Uniqlo. 

Now that I've ventured out to the airport and planned my route, I am so excited for my trip!

I also have another mission for the next time I'm at the airport: Get a picture with Pepper. Pepper is a human shaped robot that works at the ANA Airline check in. I could not believe it. I saw a real live robot today! I am kicking myself for not taking a picture. Here's one from the ANA site ... 

Next stop ... Hakata Station to check out hotels.

Fun Fact: I can count on my hand the number of times I used a backpack in college. Now, I don't travel anywhere without my backpack. Things change.

Fukuoka Airport Subway

Family Mart coffee with two creams

I made it back to Hakata Station. I went walking around to all of the hotels I had marked on my list of potential options. I found a hotel and booked a room for my trip. Everything is starting to come together. Success!

Also, at the station I checked into my options for storing luggage. It should be pretty easy.

I then ventured on to find the Starbucks near the office for training. I like to go into all of my meetings with caffeine ... it's truly a bonus when it's Starbucks.  I tracked down the Starbucks without using my GPS --- huge success!

Starbucks, Fukuoka City, Tenjin Station

On my way to the office I came across some of the most spectacular buildings.

ACROS Building

1) The ACROS Building is something I have been wanting to see. I was so excited when I stumbled upon it today. It's truly a green building.

Shipping Container Stores, Fukuoka City

2) A strip of stores housed in shipping containers -- I geeked out!  Someone almost ran into me because I stopped so quickly. One of the stores was a PINKBERRY --- I'll definitely be back to revisit this area.

GOAL: Own a shipping container home, building, store ... something!
I love this concept so much.

After training I headed back home with C and B. It was a long day, but so much fun!

I love the cities I have access to. I'm excited to come home to America for vacation, but I also am so excited to have more exploration and more adventure to return to.

For the train ride back I picked up two sesame seed dumplings filled with red beans. 

Oishii - delicious!

Watching me order these dumplings was a whole other story. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing so well with my Japanese. And then, moments like this happen. I froze and I couldn't not form the question I wanted to ask. I just stood there, frozen. It took me a moment to even think to point to what I wanted. Moments like these only push me harder --- I'll be downloading more Innovative app Japanese lessons.

Sesame Seed Dumpling w/ Red Beans

Weekend Task: Paying Bills

July 24, 2016 - SUNDAY

 Today was a day to play catch up. I like using my Sunday's to:

• wash clothes
• clean
• organize 
• tackle and attend to paperwork
• grocery shop 
• pay bills 

Today, I did all the above.  When I checked my mail the other morning both my gas and second electric bill had arrived. I paid them today at 7-11 and also went to the bank to deposit money into my account. *This ATM trip was a success!

I did some grocery shopping today at SunLive. I went ahead and bought a little more than usual. I have a few things going on this week and I wanted to make sure I actually had food in my apartment.  Here's what today's trip looked like:

• milk
• rice
• yogurt
• bananas
• matcha red bean twists
• miso soup
• coffee
• pumpkin
• kimchi
• beansprouts

I also picked up two onigiri for dinner.  Once was filled with salmon and the other was filled with seaweed. They were delicious. I sat outside on my balcony and ate them. It was such a nice night.

For the rest of the night I prepared for the week ahead.  

I'll post my "Weekly Update" on Friday.

Adventure: Tobata Gion Festival

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Announcement: Be assured that I still love my job, my students, and my schools. However, I am making some changes to my blog. I will no longer be making single "weekday" entries. I'm going to do a "weekly recap" post that will include personal life details, but nothing about work; and "weekend adventure" posts that will chronicle my unique experiences. It's come to my attention that this it the best solution. 

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On a lighter note ...

... today's adventure.

July 23, 2016 - Today was a full full of adventures.  I woke up, checked the train schedule, go dressed, and headed out to meet up with R and B. We planned to meet at the Starbucks in the Futajima AEON at 1pm. I took an early train and got there about 45 minutes beforehand. I wanted to drink my coffee and look around some stores.  Hushush was having a sale ... I steered clear.

When I met up with R and B we stayed at Starbucks and talked for a while. We had a lot to catch up on. We then headed out to explore Wakamatsu. R was our TAXI DRIVER. There was so much they had to show us.

Stop #1 - Fadie's Cafe & Grocery Market

It's a coffee shop and grocery mart. Their prices are extremely reasonable and they have a wide variety. I cannot wait to go back and try their coffee bar. They also sell coffee beans from around the world and will grind them for you.  *There was also another market across that we went to go explore. Look at the sushi selection we found! 

 Stop #2 - KOMEDA'S Coffee

A local coffee shop and sandwich shop. I ordered a pizza pie but accidentally ate half of R's sandwich. We didn't realize what had happened until halfway through the meal. We ended up each eating half of each other's order. It all worked out. 

Stop #3 - COSTCO

Can you believe it? There are multiple Costco's in Japan and they are exactly the same. I walked in and felt like I was having deja vu.  I felt like I was back home with my parents shopping at Costco on the weekend. Everything was the same. 

I'm probably going to go back and get a sleeve of Einstein Bagels (blueberry) and an Adirondack tan utility coat later this week.

Stop #4 - Trial Discount Warehouse & the Boat Race Stadium

R drove us to the Trial Discount Warehouse in Futajima. Their prices were unbelievable. I think that when I have to get dry goods and household cleaning supplies that is where I will go.  Across the street is the stadium where they have boat races. I don't think I'll have time to go this summer, but when the school year starts it's on my list of things to do. R said the races are free to watch and they have amazing donut stands inside! --- sounds like a great time!

Stope #5 - Overview of Wakamatsu Ward

We drove up an incredibly steep hill to be met with the most spectacular view.

I could have stayed up there for hours. I'm planning a trip to go back. But, when I go back I'm taking the stairs and climbing the hill.  It's going to be a killer workout.

Next week Wakamatsu Ward is having their Firework Festival. I won't be able to watch from the top of this lookout point, but I will be by the water taking it all in. 

Stop #6 - Wakamatsu Fairy Port

R dropped B and I off at the Fairy Port and helped us navigate buying tickets. Turns out it's incredibly simple and convenient to take the fairy from Wakamatsu to Tobata. We had the best ride. The views were incredible and it was so much to be on the water.

Stop #7 - Tobata Gion Festival  

B and I walked from the Tobabta Fairy Port to Tobata Station where we followed the massive crowd to the Tobata Gion Festival. This was by far the best adventure I've had since coming to Japan. I truly felt like a local. There was a huge pathway flanked with food stands on either side. We had fun looking at all the booths. I stopped at the "Pineapple on Stick" stand and also tracked down Kirin Beer on tap. B got strawberries covered in a sugar syrup. They almost looked too pretty to eat.

We walked around for a while just taking it all in. The parade started at 7 pm, so at about 6:45 we began to look for a place to watch from. We found a spot on the street level and were squished between hundreds of people. I could not believe the turn out.

The parade was magical. --- a time I'll never forget.

Stop #8 - Tobata Fairy Port

We took the fairy back across to Wakamatsu Ward, walked to Wakamatsu Station, and took the train back to our stations.