Updates on life

So I haven't made a post in a month or so.

Sorry I've been busy with life as usual in Japan. Nothing really big to report.

Just thought I would share some funny thoughts or things that have happened in the last few weeks:

1. I had to introduce myself in Japanese to an entire room full of people. I`ve been taking classes at the local city hall. They made me hold up this sign with an American flag and my name written in katakana チャド　ヒュストン . There were two other new students both from China with names in full Kanji (chinese characters) and they were definitely able to say more than I did (Hi I`m Chad I`m from America, I`m and English teacher. nice to meet you). It was the most embarrassed I've been since I thought it would be a good idea to go as Lance Armstrong for Halloween and walk around Dallas all night in biker shorts.
   


2. I`ve really started to fell like I recognize people on the street and such. Sometimes its my students or friends, but most of the time its just people I`ve given nicknames to. Like guy with the huge white dog, or guy who smokes with his feet cause he has no arms.


3. I met this group of people in Nara the other day, and this new English teacher came, and after a while it came up that she was a lesbian. So I started talking to her about my theory of how I love gay guys but hate lesbians (because gay guys help the ratio for me, and lesbians hurt it). Anyway I don`t think she thought it was as funny as I did.


4. I`ve decided that when dealing with language barriers it causes you to be really blunt. Like last night I was hanging out with one of my friends and I told her I`m really excited about my parents coming because they treat me to dinner at night. And she was like I don`t understand. So I had to say "I get free dinners" (at this point I feel like a real cheap skate).


5. My parents and sister are coming to Japan in two weeks. I`m really pumped but also kind of nervous cause my Dad hates onions and Hollee doesn`t like seafood. Which is about 90% of most Japanese food. Of course we can always go to MacDonalds and get the new McPork (did that come out in America too?)


6. It went from really really hot, to really really cold in the span of about 3 hours. Weather here is so much more extreme than Texas (it changes so fast)


7. Went on I guess my first "date" since I`ve been in Japan. It feels really pathetic being 25 and texting her saying, I`ll meet you on my bike near the train station. I almost feel like we should hang out at the arcade or the mall afterwards.


8. I`m really trying to pump up Romo out here, but nobody has ever heard of him. I just say its Carri Underwoods boyfriend and they get really excited.


9. I'm really excited about introducing my parents to my students and saying "These are my English teachers!" Does anyone think thats as funny as I do?
10. I've been reading the Stand by Stephen King. I woke up mid nap the other day and screamed out loud cause I thought my backpack was "the dark man".
    

Here are some pics from my latest travels.

Osaka Aquarium...

Osaka on bay...

Me and my buddy Robbie with these Swedish girls who live next to him. We had to wear the head phones for the English translation, and the glasses for the 3d effects. This really took back to my glasses and braces combo days (when 78% of my face was metal)

So there are 3 of them, Charlotte the one taking the picture is who we usually hang out with and when its just her we speak English. But once they all get together it turns into the most confusing thing you can imagine. Hanging out with people speaking Swedish while everyone around you is speaking Japanese.

Another great memory, me and Robbie finding some Mountain Dew in the vending machine outside and "doing the dew" for the first time in months.



Manta Ray


Crazy looking Sunfish (this thing is about 4 feet long)

The famous Osaka Whale Shark. This thing was huge. (I'm prob about as big as its left fin)
Spider crabs. Very scary.
Doesn't this look like a picture that comes as a background on your computer or something. I mean am I a good photographer or what!

Candle festival in Nara. The girl on the left is my friend Seans girlfriend Sayumi and the other one is my friend Mari from Hawaii.

So many candles. Of course I knocked one over at one point.


Me and Sean in a hike looking over Kyoto. The telephone pole really adds to the Japanese Nature feel right? Also notice the Pocari Sweat (Japanese Gatorade) can in my hand which I bought in a vending machine at the top of the mountain.

Tunnel heading into the Aquarium. It was a holiday, and man I thought all of Japan had come to the Aquarium this day.
So I think the fish in this video have more room than I do at this point. I think people in America go to Zoo's and think, man this is sad the animals live in such a small space. People in Japan are envious at the size of their cages.



One last thing. I got a letter today saying I have to either extend my contract or tell them I'm leaving in March by November 19th. Wow time flies right. Well I'm trying to make my decision, right now I don't want to leave, but I also know I don't want to get stuck being too comfortable with my life here. So if you have any input let me know.

Also I will be in Dallas from December 23rd - January 4th. So everyone make an effort to come and see me if you can.

Chad