Sorry, faithful readers!

Sorry for the lack of new updates, it`s been a busy week and I managed to break my computer while in Aomori city... New one arrived today.

Blew a couple co-workers minds by showing them Google`s Street View... now Minako worries that Google-san is watching our every move...

Hobo in Japanese is `nearly` or `almost`... I looked up what hobo in English is... heh heh heh.

Mmmmm takoyaki...

Because I didn`t bring a lunch, I got to go and check out a festival in Shichinohe town central park yesterday. While I missed seeing the Go Buster, I did get to see some taiko drumming. The video`s pretty long, so I won`t post it just yet...the upload speeds at work are... not so hot.

Anyway, the food was super yummy. I had some onigiri, a few different flavours (balls of rice with stuff inside, wrapped in seaweed)... but I didn`t take a photo.

Found the used CD shop... dun dun DUNNNN!

Put in my 7 hours of the BOE, working on my Japanese and updating things online, then I got a message from Tim asking if I wanted to join him at checking out the Electronics and GEM. I`ve now got a lime green case for my camera and a picture of some curiously named stores in the same parking lot as the electronics shop...

I don`t know what is sold @ Wonder Goo... or Hard-Off for that matter... but I like that they`re right next door to eachother... like the Dentist office and Laura Secord @ the Tuxedo shopping center back in Winnipeg.

To the beach!

Now to continue with the beach adventure.

Welcome to the WOOOORLD of TOMORROW!

Howdy folks,

Sorry for the delay in updating, I was trying to resist doing this at work, but, since I have no idea when I`ll be online in my apartment, I say nutz to work ethic. So, I`ve been setteling in  alright, but, it`s very strange not having a cell or `net connection at home to keep me in contact with you lot. Thankfully I live near a couple of other ALTs (assistant language teachers) and they have been great for inviting me a long to go shopping and hang out with folks.

My towel and tissue gift from my bank. Who needs a toaster!?

Leaving on a JET plane

Sitting by gate A23 with all the other JETs. Looking forward to spending the flight with the other Winnipeg JETs, I think we're all in the same row. All the folks here are super nice, but the Winnipeg crew seems pretty tight already. I'm going to miss them, even though we've only known each other for such a short while. It's weird how some folks you just click with, huh?

I'm not sure when I'll get to post again, I would imagine that the swanky hotel we're set up in will have wifi, but I don't know when I'll get internet access at home. That may make me a little batty. Hopefully it won't take too long to get it going. I'll just have to explore my new home and meet as many folks as I can while I'm there.

Time to run and grab some food before take off.

Day 1... first stop: Cowtown!

After a short nap, Ben went with me to the airport for the un-cool hour of 4:30am. Obviously I did *not* book the flight. Good thing we had those beers to help us relax and catch some minimal Zzzs.
My Aunt/Godmother met me there bright and early to share her sunny disposition, neverending encouragement and love to help me out with that morning.

Despite the fact that I forgot to wear a suit (I always dress comfy for flights), I managed to get changed at the Calgary airport and suit up to the appropriate businessy level of dress. We went for a short orientation meeting at the Japanese Consulate, then went to a welcome gathering at the Consulate General's home for lunch and meet 'n' greet.

Currently, we're crashing in 'The Boy's' (Jon and Rigor) room at the International Hotel. We seem to have a nice little clique going. I wonder if we'll be seated near each other on the long flight.  I believe the plan is to hit up a pub for dinner for a few pints and some pub food...