Meaningless rambling from August & September
Typhoon #16 or 17 (I've lost track) is making its way through Japan right now. I was stranded at home this weekend, partly because of the typhoon and partly because I currently do not posess a driver's license. My international one - which I was told was a phony a few days ago - expired on Wednesday and I don't have my driving test until Tuesday. Since I was stopped for the fourth time this week for a DUI check - I'm not taking any chances. So, being stranded at home for me = new website. Aren't you lucky? Just looked outside - the rain is horizontal - is that possible?
The typhoon roared all night. I felt like I was in the Wizard of Oz. I think I've had about 30 people view my site so far - or perhaps one of you just keeps going back for more. Don't let the counter on the site fool you - I was the only one who viewed it the first 33 times. I have my driving test in just a few hours. I'm so nervous. Apparently most foreigners do not pass the first time around. And my boss is going with me to help with the Japanese instructions - so that just makes me even more nervous. Thanks to all of you for the feedback so far on the site - its been really helpful and way too nice. Have a great day!
Later.... I failed. I was so sure I was going to make the foreigners of Mie look good - but no, I failed my first time around just like all the rest. There were 7 of us taking the test today - I was the only one there for the first time. Only two people passed - one woman happened to be taking the test for the fifth time. Most of the others were on their third or fourth try. I am going to driving school tomorrow - $50 for one hour - what the hell? Then I try the test again on Thursday. Thank God it's so soon - I can't be stranded at home for too much longer...
September 2, 2004
I passed! I passed! I am SOOOOO relieved! There were ten of us who took the test today. I heard stories all morning of people who were there for their fourth or fifth or sixth - or even seventh time. I thought - this is just stupid - these guys are just trying to get money out of us - since you have to pay another $20 every time you re-test. So, I took the test - felt good about it - but wasn't sure I passed. Actually, I was prepared to fail - just seemed like that was the natural course of action. But, by some act of God, the short little old man tester who looked like he was angry at the world all morning - passed me - and four others. He said it was very unusual to have that many pass. Whatever - I am just so happy to not be stranded at home anymore! Yahoooo!
Almost forgot - Happy 27th Birthday Brad!!!!!!!!
September 4, 2004
Another typical day for Kim in Japan. I decided to buy a bike from my friend Daniel's old roommate (that came and worked for Nova for a whole three weeks and then left Japan). So, I walked down to my closest train station a couple km away from my house and took the train to Daniel's to pick up the bike. All's cool - we hang out and chat a bit and then decide to ride our bikes up to the beach. Know what they say about never forgetting how to ride a bike? Well, that doesn't apply to me. I can't remember the last time I rode I bike, but I'm pretty sure it was on a dirt road in North Carolina. It's a bit different here. Anyways... Really nice day - the water feels great - I finished another book and then it starts to sprinkle. No biggie - just a little. We head back home and its really not so bad. Well, except for the fact that Daniel's home is about ten minutes away - and mine is about an hour away. So we go our separate ways - and I proceed to get completely drenched for the next hour. So, now I am home - and of course - it is no longer raining.
September 5, 2004
Daniel and I went to see Fahrenheit 9/11 last night. We couldn't speak for about 20 minutes after the film. It may very well have been the most disturbing thing I have ever seen. But, I am very glad I went to see it. No matter what you think of Michael Moore (Daniel hated him and said his opinion of him went up after seeing this) - I think every American should see this movie. It won't leave you with warm fuzzy feelings but you will learn a lot about what has been well-hidden from Americans in the recent past regarding the war (against terror) and our country's leadership and its role in it all. (among many other gut-wrenching things) I do not claim to know much about politics (ignorance is bliss, right?) but this film certainly got my attention and makes me feel like I need to do something - whatever my little part could be - something is better than nothing. Let me know if you have seen it and what you think. I have Moore's link on my home page. Okay, enough of that - time for a bike ride- minus the rain.
Later.... just had an earthquake. First one I've felt this year. I guess Mother Nature was holding it all in for awhile and just let it all out today. It was a biggun. If my sources are correct, it was a 7.4 and apparently my little town of Tsu was the closest land to the epicenter - a little less than 100 miles. It seemed to last at least 30 seconds - I was in the doorway praying. Thank you God for answering my prayers! Yikes, those are not fun. Please... no aftershocks now....
September 9, 2004
Well, since I last wrote 4 days ago, we have had eight more earthquakes. I have felt more earthquakes in the last 4 days in Japan than I ever did in the ten + years I lived in California. We've also had more typhoons. Actually, I just found out that September is actually typhoon season. So, even though we've already had 19 so far this year, the season has technically just begun. This country just gets more and more fascinating everyday.
September 23, 2004
Needed a break from my sudden burst of wanna-be internet-savvy-ness. Not too much has happened over the last two weeks. I decided I am going to take the annual Japanese Language Proficiency Test this December, so I've been studying like a mad woman. Well, by my my standards, that is. By Japanese standards, I'm sure I'm extremely lazy. Mother Nature has eased up on my land for now, so for that, I am grateful. Guess she's been too busy with the south eastern US. Hope none of you or your loved ones were affected with all the Hurricane craziness out that way. The Japanese baseball players went on strike last weekend for the first time ever. And we're tracking Ichiro's road to breaking the hitting record like you wouldn't believe, so I've gotten into the spirit by picking up You Gotta Have Wa at the library - its all about Japanese baseball and how it compares to the American game. I was never much of a baseball fan before, but its really interesting. Hopefully I can catch a game here sometime soon. Heading back to Tokyo in a couple weeks to visit some old friends...other than that, its Japanese life as usual. Hope you all are doing great! Happy Birthday to Sandy and Claire!!!!
