Friday, October 31, 2003

The are a lot of ramen shops here in Hokkaido.

I'm not talking about some store that sells cup-o-noodles by the bulk. I'm talking about full blown restaurants that feature ramen. I guess the closest thing I can compare them to is Katana-ya for all you El Cerrito/Richmond folks out there. Except that even there, ramen is one of many other kinds of "Japanese" food you can get. The extent of variety in the ramen shops here in Hokkaido includes ramen (what else?), sometimes potstickers, and sometimes fried rice (I'll get back to the fried rice in a second).

How is the ramen served? In a bowl... kinda like pho minus the nasty dirty chopsticks and the even nastier dirty soup spoon. Yo, if you need to wipe the eating utensils with a napkin before you use em, there's something wrong. Getting back to the ramen, I remember my senior year in Berkeley when my roommate and I went crazy over the Korean ramen noodles sold at Ranch 99. We seriously bought them in bulk. Then we'd put all this stuff inside to make it semi-nutricious. Eggs, bok choy, spinach, even mochi... I don't remember other stuff we put in there. Anyway, because of all the good stuff, we served it as a meal. Gourmet ramen I think was what we dubbed it. Hahaha. So anyway, I come here to Japan, and "gourmet ramen" is everywhere. It's like college batchelors took over Japan and opened up all these restaurants.

So about the fried rice. As my other roommate Jason said once, "You can't make fried rice from your rice." "Your rice" of course, is in reference to the sticky Japanese rice. Apparently, he tried to make fried rice for lunch one day using the Japanese rice, and it just didn't work because Japanese sticky rice stays... well, sticky. Regardless, Japanese people still make fried rice... or at least their version of it. A sticky version.

The best thing about Japanese rice though is that you can make rice balls (onigiri) out of them. Can I get an amen from some of the Japanese readers out there? Going on a picnic? Wanna eat rice? Have no worries. Just smush a gob of rice together into a rounded triangle and wrap it in dried seaweed for some wholesome goodness. Portable rice. Aww yeah.

Wednesday, October 29, 2003

This week has been crazy... but the BCS continues...

The BCS. Haha. In its conception, it was merely a fun way to list my links and show who's blogs I'm reading. I know that it's all in good humor, but I never imagined it to be the topic of conversation for another person's blog or regular people-to-people conversation. Honestly, I think I got more traffic to this blog because of the BCS.

So, as for the questions about it... I don't know when the BCS season will be over. I'm thinking until the end of November. We need an offseason... play some winter ball in Mexico or something.

Will there a playoff structure? Well, if we hold true to the format of the original BCS for college football, the only matchup that'll make sense will be the No. 1 and No. 2. The rest is a toss up. Maybe we'll do it by regions. The number 1 from the East Bay Conference vs. the number 1 from the South Bay Conference. Who knows, if Christina jumps back in the rankings, she'll practically have an automatic bid to a bowl cuz she has little competition on the East Coast... the Big East Conference. I guess she could go head to head against the No 1 from the SoCal Conference.

As for real blogging material from my side... I've noticed that I've become a lot more domesticated since coming to Japan. Example... I've picked up baking again. My latest project: A good pumpkin pie. Why? Because if I want to eat pumpkin pie, I can't just go to the local Safeway and pay $5. Not that I did before anyway. Before, I had a bad case of Safeway-Club-Card-itis. What is Safeway-Club-Card-itis? It's the condition found primarily in Asian American college-aged males, in which the affected will only buy things that are on sale with the Safeway Club Card. The symptoms are especially strong when the affected sees the "Buy 1 get 1 free" placard. It doesn't matter if the $5 pumpkin pie from the Safeway bakery is a great buy. It never has the placard with the picture of the Safeway Club Card. If, however, they were orignally priced at $6, but you save $1 with the Safeway Club Card, those pies would disappear so quickly. Same price in the end, but so incredibly different to those affected by Safeway-Club-Card-itis.

Tuesday, October 21, 2003

The end is coming...

To set the record straight, I'm coming home in March. Recently, on AIM, I've been getting messages like "So, when are you coming back?" Actually, scratch that... more like early April. I'm hoping to do some traveling after the term is over. Go see this country that I've been working at for the past 2 years. Haven't done a whole lot of sightseeing. Actually, very little. And what little I have seen, well, let's put it this way... I've mostly been in northeastern Japan. Japan looks like the letter J and I've been at the top of the J. Most tourists don't bother with northeastern Japan. Seri did though.

The thing is that because the end of my time here is ending, I'm starting to make plans for when I come back home. Yikes. If I do everything that sounds cool... I'll go on a roadtrip to who-knows-where in April, go to Virginia in May, go to LA in June, sprinkle in the inevitable weddings in the summer, go to Chicago sometime probably in July or August, and then go to school in September. KERAYYYZEEE!

Monday, October 20, 2003

One big thing that God has taught me so far in this country... the huge difference between success and victory.

When people ask me, "So, what exactly are you doing in Japan?" I answer the scripted, "Helping a Japanese church do church planting." To which, the same people inevitably say, "So, how's the church planting going?"

I wish I could say that it's going splendidly. But it isn't. I wish I could say that we've (Date church and I) made huge strides. But we haven't. Basically, I wish I could say that in the Date area there is at least one group of people away from the mother church, that meets together to worship God and are seeing many people become Christian. But it's not happening that way. This isn't to say that my efforts have been completely unfruitful. We've made steps. We've seen great things happen. It's just that, well, to me, we're moving at a snail's pace.

Interesting thing about missions or probably any ministry occupation, there's an incredible pressure to succeed. Yes, there is a lot of pressure on everybody to succeed. But there's an added pressure that is very unique to this field of work. I experience it every month when I write those newsletters. As with most other fields, this field's success is often measured by numbers and tasks accomplished. It is often perceived that if nothing is accomplished, that is, no goals are realized, that the labor was in vain.

If this is success, God doesn't guarantee success. No, but God does guarantee victory. Victory cannot be measured by numbers. Victory cannot be measured by the list of goals that have been met. There is no prerequisite for victory checklist. Victory is knowing that when all is set and done, we'll meet up with Him and hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" After all, labor isn't in vain if we don't see results. Labor is in vain if we don't join God in His work. And sometimes, that requires "failure" on our part.

Sunday, October 19, 2003

A couple of English language things...

So among a bunch of other things, I'm teaching English here. In the elementary school kids' class this week, we did animals and their corresponding onomatopoeia. I let the kids choose the animals we were going to cover that week. Well, I came across a problem. One of the kids said, "Elephant." What sound does an elephant make? It's not the same problem like a rabbit where the animal doesn't make much of a sound. Elephants definitely make a sound. I just don't know what the sound looks or sounds like.

In related news, I'm forgetting my English.

A high school English teacher showed me the following sentences:
Fiji is a small island WHICH I've long wanted to visit.
Fiji is a small island WHERE he was born.

The teacher then asked me, "How do you know? How do you know when to use 'which' instead of 'where'?" I smiled, looked at him, and said, "You're an English teacher, you know the answer right?" He did. He just wanted to know how a native English speaker can tell the difference. So I told him. "I just know. I hear it and it sounds right." We had a good laugh.

Wednesday, October 15, 2003

AIMing with the entertainment himself... BET.

BET on the upcoming Giants' offseason:

TaoPingKuang: i think the giants need to sign vlad
Heeday1719: they hafta
TaoPingKuang: yeah because bonds can't imitate babe ruth forever
TaoPingKuang: and when he stops . . . so do the giants
Heeday1719: yeah cuz alfonzo's not carrying the team
Heeday1719: i learned that pretty early in the season
TaoPingKuang: i think he'll be better next year
TaoPingKuang: personallly i think signing sexon would be a good idea
TaoPingKuang: partially becauswe i like his last name
Heeday1719: hahah
TaoPingKuang: that way every time i see hiim hit one out i can say . . "aww yeah he's sexon"

BET on Jack-in-the-Box:

TaoPingKuang: you know that jack takes credit card now!?!
Heeday1719: no way
TaoPingKuang: man i would have been there all the time if they did htat in college
Heeday1719: it's a good thing they didn't when were at berkeley
Heeday1719: exactly
Heeday1719: you'd be like 300 pounds
TaoPingKuang: you'd see on my statement a whole buncha 2.32 cent charges from jack in a box
TaoPingKuang: for one jumbo jack and two tacos

BET on cooking:

TaoPingKuang: when i live alone . . . i have to weigh the benefit of eating with the cost of cooking
Heeday1719: hahaha
TaoPingKuang: many times i evaluate the situation and say the cost outweighs the benefit
Heeday1719: so sometimes you just go without eating?
TaoPingKuang: only when my hunger isn't greater than my laziness
Heeday1719: so some days you're on the far end of the graph
TaoPingKuang: asometimes the hunger pains are too strong and i must microwave the taquitos

Tuesday, October 14, 2003

In honor of the Giants-less baseball playoffs (what was Zimmer thinking?), I'll continue my writings of Japanese professional baseball... or puro-yakyuu.

Deddo booru (Dead ball). Shuuto (Shoot).

That's beanball (as in what Roger Clemens likes throwing) and screwball (as in what John Franco and Jim Mecir throws). Where they got those terms... I have no idea. Oh, and like half of the pitchers here in Japan throw a "shuuto." And nearly all of em throw splitters or forkballs (i.e. Kazuhiro Sasaki and Hideo Nomo). Combine those nasty pitches along with Koshien, the big nationwide high school baseball tournment that happens twice a year, and I think anybody can figure out why most Japanese pitchers' arms practically fall off by the time they turn 30.

"The count is 2-3 with 2 outs." (Translated)

2 and 3? 3 strikes? Isn't that an out? No, no. 2-3 is read as being 2 strikes and 3 balls here in Japan. Not 2 balls and 3 strikes as it would be read in America. It's the little differences.

Speaking of differences... strategy.

Bunt. Bunt. Bunt.

It doesn't matter who's at bat. If there's a man on first and less than 2 outs... they guy at bat is more than likely to bunt. Forget the hit and run. If Barry Bonds ever comes here to play Japanese baseball, he better learn how to lay down a bunt. Rob Neyer, and his devout disciple Ben Tao would go nuts.

"Hey, you swing like a Major Leaguer." (Translated)

I went to a batting cage a while ago. People stopped and took notice. Apparently, I swing differently from all Japanese hitters, both pro and amateur. According to them, I swing like an American Major Leaguer. How do they swing? After watching other people for a while... i noticed a few differences. All their swings were either level or in a downward motion. Mine were either level or in a upward motion... an uppercut. The level swing I can understand. The downward swing... yeah, that goes beyond all logic in my mind. Then there's the issue of the legs. They didn't try to generate any power for the swings from their legs... I did.

The fans.

Baseball? A pasttime? As Tony Soprano would say, "Forget about it." Japanese fans are super devout. Going to a Japanese baseball game is not about sitting down and having a good time. Going to a Japanese baseball game is about standing up for a majority of the time, following the the lead of the "mic man," and going all out for your team. Closest thing I can compare it to is going to a college football game in the student section.

Ahh, the repercussions of not having a real national military force. All that built up energy gets put into sports. No joke. It gets downright scary at times. Never will you hear a Japanese athlete say that "Baseball is a game." Instead you might hear things like "Baseball is a battle," or "Baseball is life," or "Baseball represents the struggle between... etc etc etc." or "Baseball is the sacrifice of the individual for the greater good." It's incredible. Gotta admire them for their commitment to their convictions.

Monday, October 13, 2003

"Don't assume."

A piece of advice that my parents reinforced over and over and over again when I was younger. Apparently, this is an American value because Japanese people always assume. It works both ways here.

Probably the greatest thing about Japanese people is that they assume. They assume or perceive a need you have, and go at great lengths to meet those needs. This is the famous Japanese hospitality that everybody always talks about. I remember going through Japanese culture training at the LIFE office in LA, and being told never to say that you like something in somebody else's home. Why? Example... when I was in Shizuoka a while ago, I glancingly said that I thought my host family father's old high school baseball uniform was really cool. As a farewell present, guess what I got from the host family father? The same old high school baseball uniform.

At the same time probably the greatest struggles I have with Japanese people is that they assume. I say something, and they think I'm saying something else. This isn't a language barrier issue. It doesn't matter if I'm speaking perfect Japanese. When I speak, people listen to me with the assumption that I'm not speaking with my "honne" or my true intentions/feelings. Of course, being both male and American, I say what I mean or at least I try to. But in the Japanese culture context, to speak my "honne" is perceived as being immature. And so, as Japanese people listen, they try to figure out what I'm really trying to say when in fact, I'm saying what I'm trying to say. Confusing? You betcha. Basically, Japanese people figure that I'm not directly communicating my true intentions when I am. Wow, that was a lot harder to explain than I thought it'd be.

In response to Steve's response... I never knew! Burps? Someone needs to give them cows a crazy mess load of Altoids. And oops, sorry about the mistakes. Guess I'm just ignant in regards to Davis. Yes, that was spelling of ignorant was intentional.

Friday, October 10, 2003

I just sent an email to Brandon out in Thailand saying that it probably doesn't smell as bad here in Japan as it does out there... among other things, don't worry! Anyway, it looks like I underestimated the smell of Date. I forgot about the pig farm. Up on the hills there's a pig farm. And every now and then, usually when it's sunny and windy, the smell of its feces blankets the entire city. It looks like I'm living in Quatro at Davis. Or as my old accountability group used to say... C-C-C-Cohwalinngahhh! (that's Coalinga)

Today was sunny and windy, a great day for hanging laundry on the balcony like a FOB. Well, except for the fact that the funk of the pig farm was swirling in the air too. Still hung it out though.

Wednesday, October 08, 2003

Great, simple article about Japanese economics and politics on newsweek: Japan is Back (No, really!)

Things that surprised me about the article... Japan is the fourth largest spender on military? I had no idea. All this talk from Japanese people saying that they don't have a military but a "self defense force" blah blah blah. I don't care how big the SDF is in terms of members, if you're the fourth largest spender on it, you're a formidable force. They're making a small army of Rambos out here.

Speaking of which, I've found that Sly has zero charisma here in Japan. Not that he has much in America now... but he used to. But no luck here in Japan. Every Japanese person I've talked to doesn't like and never did like Sly. On the contrary, Arnold's got a huge fan base here. What's the difference? "Stallone's gross" is the most I've gotten so far... maybe I'm not asking the most articulate people in the country.

Well, after his governorship, Arnold can come to Japan and try to be the Prime Minister of Japan. He can team up with the pro wrestler in parliament, The Great Sasuke and "pump up" the government by getting rid of all the flabby girly men.

Friday, October 03, 2003

Bob, I usually update the rankings on Monday. In the case of last week, however, because I was butt-tired after coming back from Tokyo on Monday, I decided it was wise to just adjust the rankings on Tuesday. I'm sure you understand.

In related news, I'm wondering how many BCS weeks should constitute a "season." And then what of the post-season? Are we gonna have blog bowls? Hey, if that means corporate sponsorships, I'd be more than happy to set that up. This being the inaugural year of the BCS, we probably won't be able to get big name sponsorships like Tostitos or even Enterprise. Oh well.

Completely unrelated... looks like winter's rearing its incredibly ugly head around to Hokkaido. Hasn't snowed yet in Date, but wow, it's getting mighty cold. Today's HIGH... 10 celcius. I'm not sure but I think that's around the ballpark of mid to low 50s. My celcius to fahrenheit conversion skills went out the window when I was introduced to Kelvin in chemistry. Stupid Kelvin.