Beer, Sake and Sushi

First we decided to ditch the cafteria food and get some sushi at a place in the city called Kappa.  It was an awesome little sushi joint- in every booth there were little screens on which you can select the kind of sushi you want and in minutes the sushi is delivered to you on  a little train that runs through the side of each booth.   Tried squid, salmon, octopus, even crab brains.

Sushi delivered on little train!

Visited the local mall with some friends and discovered purple potatoe ice-cream which actually tastes better than it sounds.  We also did a bit of shopping with Trev, buying only the essentials...

Trygve and the shopping cart

Purple Potatoe ice cream

Trev and I have got this habit of having a wee beer or two after a long day at the office. Normally we often go to the school cafeteria- apparently we are the only ones using the beer machine.  Whenever possible, on sunny day we tan in Trev's front garden.

Beer in cafeteria

Chilling in Trev's garden 

Last night the boys and I decided to go out for an All-You-Can-Drink Karaoke night.  The All-You Can-Drink bar was designed around a traditional Japanese monster.  The story goes: these men dressed as demon monsters would kidnap young Japanese children and scare the hell out of them till their parents offered gifts to the monster in order to get their child back.  This scare tactic was used on the kids in order to get them to respect and listen to their parents.

Trev in front of the bar 

Beautiful Monsters

Anthony, Dom, Mike and Trev

PS: Photo of last weekend Trev and I as Mexicans! 

Another week in Japan!

 Once again it's been a great week in Japan. On Tuesday I turned 21 years old, felt like any other day. The only think I really missed was not having Grandma's strawberry sponge cake-probably the first time in 21 years.  Luckily, Tasha bought me a Japanese Birthday cake...good, but nowhere near Grandma's.
My amazing Japanese Baseball Team gave me a beautiful necklace and T-Shirt.  Really appreciated it.

On Friday I went to the doctors for my shoulder pain. After many testes, the doctors said it was nothing serious just pulled muscle in the shoulder mainly due to the difference off weight between hard ball and rubber ball. I was then send to reeducation centre next to the hospital. The infrastructure was amazing, they had a indoor bullpen was camera all around to film you pitching. Then with help of the doctor  you tried to find the best mechanic for you to pitch without getting pain in shoulder or elbow. 

Sexy hospital flip-flops ;)

Friday night my dear friend Trev and I went to a "Semi-Formal Ball" and we decided to go as semi-formal Mexicans.  Unfortunately, no photos to document the event but we definitely did NOT look ridiculous.


Some random photos of thing in Japan:

Coca-Cola can in Japan!

Trev @ Sushi Restaurant 

Intouchable in Japanese 

Tasha and I working hard!!!

   

Baseball Tournament

This week end being a three days break( today is old peoples day in Japan). My team and I participated in a baseball tournament at Yori-Honjo with 8 local teams from the prefecture. Our first game was an easy win 14/4 ( sorry I've forgotten the name of the team).

First Baseball field

This was one of the stadiums we played in. Our next game was on Sunday against Sendai University. After a bad start, we slowly started to make our way back into the game. I pitched from the 5th to the 7th. I was pleased with my outing, the shoulder still a little stiff. We were winning 7 to 5 but unfortunately conceded 4 points in the 8th and lost 9 to 7 :(
Still have to wait for my first win...

First Baseball field

Earlier that day, Fukuji won the first semi final against Hirosaki.

Freshly painted bases for our game!!! 

So today we played for third place against Hirosaki University. I got to start the game as pitcher, threw 4 scoreless innings, 3hits and 4 strikes outs. We won 3/1, but still know win for me ;) (didn't pitch the 5th) I think my arm is getting used to the kenko ball and to pitch every day. It is feeling a lot better. 

Second baseball field

Second baseball field

I was rewarded with a beautiful gift for something, but I did not understand what for. I just heard Maxwell Tyler mixed into some Japanese and suddenly everybody is looking at me. I had no idea what to do, when was I suppose to bow? or not!!! I think I made a fool of my self. But I'm a foreigner, I'm used of everybody starring at me now.
Maybe the reward was best foreigner... but being the only one doesn't make it that cool...


Tonights post was posted from the beautiful Library ;)

Where I spend most of my time  

Long Weekend!!!

After a long hard working Friday, it was time for The Dance Party ;) Was a good night out met some very nice people. On Saturday Andrea, Trev and I went looking for the beach. After walking for nearly one hour and still no sign of the beach, we decided to ask for help... One little problem, Trev doesn't speak Japanese so talks in Norwegian to them ^^and Andrea and I are in beginner class. We learned quite a lot in class but nothing about directions... Some very kind man, tried his best to explain us how to get there but we couldn't understand a thing he was saying, so just reply the famous "Yes Yes" and walked on. About 20minutes down the road, some truck drive blew the horn to us. It turned out to be the kind man, he was willing to drive us to the beach during his lunch break!!!!

Adrea and I squeezed in the back of the truck

Adrea,Sate and I

          

Beach for ourselves  ;)

Today we went to play up north in Oga, against a industrial team. We played well but lost 1/0, I pitched from the seventh to the ninth  (1h, 1R, 2BB, 2k 0 ER) and struck out in the ninth :(  What I like about baseball is that after the game we go and eat in these amazing places for lunch. Today we went to a fish place on the harbour.

My lunch!!!

Back to work!!!

Classes started on Monday, could of done with another week or two of holidays ;) Monday is a my "busy" day at school with 3 classes, 5 hour day!!!! My french part of me is really struggling, hopefully all the bank holidays fall on a Monday this year ;) (No chance for a strike of La Poste in Japan...)
I have chosen 4 classes for the first semester International Trade, Money and Banking, Elementary Japanese and Economics of Globalisation. All of them are really interesting, most of the teachers have actually been business man so they can teach us a lot more then just the course. My international trade teacher worked for Sony, he told us many gripping stories. I much prefers the education systems here were I get to choose my classes, at least I can studies things I like... sayoonara law!!!
My Japanese is getting better, I know how to count to 100,  know most of the greetings and even say I'm a international student ;)

Off to dinner, Oyasuminasai

Busy Weekend

Saturday morning was our matriculation ceremony. After recognising each student the dean officially inducted us into the class in AIU. Then followed a couple of interesting and inspiring speeches by older students. At the end Reiko Watanabe a world famous violinist played a little (http://www.reikowatanabe.com/) she is also a teacher a AIU. It sounded very good but by that time I was only thinking about the welcoming meal...

Welcoming meal

After a rough night yesterday for Ivan 21st Bday party. Today we decided to go for a walk in a search for a lake or river we could swim in. Never been a big walking person, but this morning walk up feeling adventurist... and hangover!!!

VERY hot!

We walk though in forest, rice fields, little town and finally found a river we could swim in. The water was so refreshing it was a good feeling!!! 

Rice fields

I think we walked 10 miles there and back to Uni... 

Lying in the water!