June 1998 - email10
From: Gary Ploski
6/28/98  
Subject: sayonara no spiichi
To: me

Fact: I am the ame-otoko. (think of dustin hoffman saying "yeah, definitely yeah." you'll get the title) Fact: I went to 5-chu today. (5 = go go go go go --- count em) Fact: Philip and I gave our good-bye speeches. (that's bye-bye speech) Fact: Ame o furimashita! (it rained)

It is truly a fact that is going to be laughed at for years to come. Whether that be between Liz, Philip, Watanabe, Saitoh, and myself will be fine. It's a maddening thing when it rains EVERYTIME one goes to a certain school. It's truly an interesting experience. Oy vey. Where does it come from? Up above... lucky me. have a crazy day. ciao cito
- posted by garyploski @ 6/28/1998 09:42:00 PM 0 comments

 
June 1998 - email9
From: Gary Ploski
6/28/98
Subject: atsuiiiiiii!!
To: me

        Holy HOT batman! Break out Mr.Freeze's supply of winter green gum cause we'z cookin' under the skin!!!  I'z was warm warm warm ! Y? Well, Kazi, Nori and I went to Ogayama to indulge ourselves with a nice break from the tempo of our usual weekends; we went to an onsen. OH yeah!

        An onsen -- a reallllly warm place to go to. We were intelligent enough to go during the summer. Ain't we'z smart. Of course. We arrived and got into a cab; that began out assent of the mountain toward the onsen. BUT, before we went to the onsen we stopped at a very cool museum. It's a museum that is outside. Lot's of stuff to see by Picasso and a bunch of other artists. Most impressive. BIIIIIIG big big works of art.

        Nori, Kazi and I had a very interesting conversation about happy times. Nori ni wa totemo hazukasi no jikan deshita. hehehehehe. Kazi and I had fun... and will as well. haha. tanoshimini! 718. haha ikimasho.

        Dewa, We left for the hot spring (onsen) and roasted our buns!!! It wasn't as hot as I was hoping it to be, but it was definitely worth the trip. Quite expensive, but worth it I must say. The big-n had fun looking for something, anything beyond the wall that was before us. peep, peep. hehe.

        We came back with a lot of good laughs and a look to the future. shichigatsujuhacinichinisannindeikimasho. Ohhh yeah!!! That was planned waaaaay after our golf excursion. YES; I played golf... putta gorufu - that's putter golf, or mini-golf. The wager was 100 yen! Mad yen in the house. It came down to the last hole... Nori had shot a birdie, Kazi-man was waaaaay outta it with an 8 on the hole - that killed his score. I think it was an 8, anyway... My next shot, after Nori's, was a birdie. If I sunk the shot I would win, if I missed... well, who knew what would happen. Nobody would get the money... what a waste.

        I shot...... the ball rolled.... and kept on going. No birdie for me. Nori was yippin and yollin! I said, "Ahh man, I missed, darn. Shucks. Next shot... plop. A tie. 34's in the book, 34's call it even... no money. BUT WAIT! Kazi had an idea. One shot, closet shot wins!  Nori goes first... a good shot. About 5 feet from the hole. My shot... eww... Nori thinks he's got it. He breaks out the club, measures my ball first. About the length of one club.... Nori's... well, let's say it way a bit more. 200 yen went into my hand and Nori was kickin himself telling me to be careful of where I walked. hehehe.

        What a day. Steeeeeeaaaammmin hot time then and ... heeheheheh, then. OH YEAH, tanoshimini I am. have a crazy day. ciao cito
- posted by garyploski @ 6/28/1998 09:41:00 PM 0 comments

 
June 1998 - email8
From: Gary Ploski
6/24/98
Subject: attention attention attention
To: Alice Alarcon, Patrick McNeil, Dan Lombardi, Brian Trusewicz, Brandi Zbikowski, Olga Popova, Yorick Brown

        An idea is in the works for we TPU'ers to get together. The tentative date is AUGUST 2nd (sunday). If it is possible, please let me know ASAP. I know there are other people that are TPU'ers that are still in the area, but aren't on the net(for-ex:prema - she had email, then it disappeared). That poses a difficulty. If any of you could contact them, telling of this plan I would greatly appreciate the help.

        This is basically going to be a small group gathering. Let's keep the numbers reasonable. About 10 or so should allow us to hang out and actually get to talk. If we push it up to high we might not get to chat/talk about what's been happening in our lives throughout the past year. Gotta keep the 'family' together. Hope we can do this. Who knows, maybe we'll get to play v-ball in front of South and East... Ewwww. natsukasiiiiiii.

        Where is this to happen? Why, TPU of course. Brunch at TPU! Talk about nostalgic stuff! Hey, it's cheap, everyone knows where it is, and we'll be able to sit together. How's this sound so far? Well, that's the basic idea at the moment. We need to organise the meeting time/place then we can figure out the rest of the day. SO.... please get back to me ASAP. No rest for the wicked. Oh yeah... I look forward to seeing all of you (on my second or third day back in CT). Let's do it up! Have a crazy day. ciao cito
- posted by garyploski @ 6/24/1998 09:40:00 PM 0 comments

 
June 1998 - email7
From: Gary Ploski
6/23/98
Subject: what's up? i no no. u no?
To: Gary Ploski  

        I've been to Kashima. I've been to the budou god's temple. I've been to school. I've been to the deepest parts of my mind. What do all these have in common? ANSWER--- "I've been to..." Indeed there is one more thing---- they're all true.

        This past weekend I was awoke at 4:30 so that I could meet a group of people at Asaka 3-chu for a 5:30 departure. Yeehhaa. OUCH! The day before I had gone out with Kazi, chillin out maxin. Sure Ya did batman - let's go to the video tape.  We basically chatted and stuff about the World Cup. Oh how great it is! We are lovin it! Gooo teams!

        Anyway, I met up to go to KASHIMA - home of the Antlers!! (a J-League team - my favz) We didn't go to watch a game though. We went to a budou event. It was something that was absolutely incredible! An 82 year old dude, SCARYYYYYY GUY!!! he is/was! He was yellin and yellin!!! People were trying not to anger him anymore than he was. YIKES! This guy was incredible with the sword! He cut through 4! Count em 4 rolls of bamboo!! During the day some ppl couldn't cut through 1!!!! This guy cut through 4!! AND, he cut through bamboo! Dry bamboo -- the stuff is really solid! Swooooosh - right through. Clean cuts. Absolutely incredible! Amazed I was.

        Here's the kicker. My camera's battery died on me just as I was about to take a picture of him!!! What a kick in the pants! OUCH. I was able to buy a battery later, but that was when I arrived at the temple later on. Bummer. Have to hope I get a pic from someone else that went. I can only hope.

        We spent the day in Kashima and eventually returned to 3-chu, where I found my umbrella to be gone. That's right! MY FIRST UMBRELLA STOLEN!!! Oy ve!! I can not (said with a british accent) believe it! Well, I can, but it blew me away that it happened at school. Actually know that I think of it... this was my second umbrella ot have been stolen from me. The first.... happened within the school! The same school. I brought it into the school, put it with all the others, returned to get it at the end of the day to find it was... gone. HUH!? So, those are my umbrella incidents. Yipppee yeah. wowzers.

        School is been what I've expected it to be... cool. 3-chu was the BOMB!!! I had the most fun at that school! I competed in one event during "sports day". The student teachers and I ran the 800m relay. I was the anchor. We came in..... last. The batton was dropped during the second lap... from there... it was over. The 3rd graders took it to us. What a day. IMMMMMEDIATELY after I finished I had to go to elementary school. Soo, I had about 13 minutes to get my stuff, then ride my bike up the biggest hill I know of in Asaka toward 2-sho. I got there ...... at 3:00. Club started.... at 3:00. We (the teacher and I) went a few minutes late. I was pleased with my bodies reaction to how much I pushed it. My legs did hurt for a few days after, but it was worth it.

        Classes were also spectacular. I worked with student teachers -- all of whom were 21 or 22. It was very cool!!! I worked with the experienced teachers and the student teachers at the same time. Talk about full circle. A true taste of fun. Those teachers and I are getting together before I leave as well. A very cool thing, lucky lucky.

        What's next... Who knows... Only youuuuuuu can make an ice cream soda... eww eww ewww... onnnly you can make an ice cream float.... sorry, old tune got in my head. think it's called "yummy day".

        Times have been tough over here. Lots of bad things lots of good things. What's to happen when I get back? I've already been thinking about my soon to be experienced 'reverse culture shock' upon settling down in CT. Boy is that gonna be fun. Yuck. irimasen!!! Dewa, what do I do? Nothing but live my life over here in JPN because this is where I am. I have conquered many things and that is one that I'll be able to conquer. Just give me some time.

        This time has been most interesting. I've learned a lot about ppl and myself. I've also been able to find a few new goals for myself to follow. Gotta keep it going, no rest for the wicked. No rest, period. One must continue to push oneself to test limits, to test.... oneself. Rest... no thanks - not for a looong time anyway. A holiday is always good.. if you learn something during the holiday. 'Push it. push it realll good.'  have a crazy day in the land of the learned. ciao cito ppls happy.
- posted by garyploski @ 6/23/1998 09:39:00 PM 0 comments

 
June 1998 - email6
From: Gary Ploski
6/20/98
Subject: Re: Hi
To: Cherwp

        Thanks. Glad to know somebody is thinking of me. : ) I've heard the jpb market is goood, but since I'm here (in JPN) it doesn't do much good. I will get my resume out to lots of people after I return to CT, but until then all I can do is live this crazy life thing over here. AND that is what I'm doin.

        For ex... I will be getting up this morning (SUNDAY!!!) at about 4:15 to get ready for a trip to see a Kendo Tournament. It should be pretty cool. I've been told that some OOOOOOLLLD dude will be there that is ABSOLUTELY incredible. I was told that he is about 85 years old!!! It's gonnna be cooool! Next week is onsen time! That's hot spring. THe next week weekend after the onsen.... is another onsen! How about that!! Lovin it! Soon though I will be able to read all the signs alllll around me. That's gonnna be weeeeiiiird!!!! Have a crazy day. ciao cito
- posted by garyploski @ 6/20/1998 09:39:00 PM 0 comments

 
June 1998 - email5
From: Gary Ploski
6/20/98
Subject: Re: hi.
To: Shinyoda

        Sorry it's been so long. Truly. I've not lost your most recent email with your additional questions; so, no worries. I'll get to them ..... now ---->

...clock radios, blow dryers, etc?  Did you also have to get some converter/adapter?

        Regarding this type of stuff, I would suggest to buy it here so you won't have to worry about power differences. You'll be here for a year, so why pack it to bring FROM the US. Save the space for neeeeeded stuff - clothes, etc.

Did you have to get some sort of converter?

        Converters for things like radios and small electronic equipment. BUT if you want to bring a computer (laptop/desktop) you shouldn't have to worry about power differences. Newer computers have a global adaptor. If you are going to bring a comp., contact the computer's manufacturer. There should be a '800' number in your manual for support. No worries. : )

Wow, do you know that 20 days vacation (that's what we get, right?) is a lot of days off?

        Indeed, we get 20 vacation days here in Asaka. Those days are usable during the school breaks. You can use them for special needs. All you have to do is talk to THE MAN - Watanabe.

you know that video store you pointed out?  do they carry a lot of american movies, and are they in english?  How long does it take currently-showing-in- American theatres-movies to hit Japan?

        This is a case by case answer. There are numerous (american)movies as well as others (british,etc.) in ENLISH and JAPANESE. When you arrive ask for the explanation at the JET Stuff or someone like.... WATANABE! He's THE MAN after all. : )  He loves it, he does! hehehe. Expect movies to get here quickly and slowly. Some, ya just won't see. The big movies will be released in the theaters at about the same time as the states. SOOOOOoo if you wanna spend about 1500 yen to see a flic you can.

        Hey if you don't mind me asking, what are your future plans work/school/career wise once you return to the states? Are you excited about coming home?  Did you return to the U.S. at all during your year sojourn in Japan?

        #1--- honestly, I have noooooo idea. I've been stressed about it because there is little I can do while over here. Oh well. I'll lose that stress when I can get out to the companies, etc etc.

        #2--- OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhh yyyyeeeeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhhh!!! I'm looking forward to smelling the grass and hearing the sounds of which I am so familiar with. Oh yeah, I wanna go to a movie for $3-$4 as well. : )

        #3--- I didn't. I went to Australia for the reason that I don't see myslef ever getting geared up for a 24-27 hour trip from CT to AUS. OUCHERS!!! That doesn't sound like to much fun to me but, 8 hours didn't sound to bad, soooooo off I went.

        Like I said, sorrrrrry about the lonnnng delay in my reply. I've been very slow in my replies recently. So don't worry, your not the only one. I've been ignoring everyone's email. Hope this is a bit of help... If you do have more questions, as you may be thinking of other questions as you get ready for your trip - I will reply much faster. I WILLL!! reallyyyy! Hope things are goin nicely at work. Have you told them your leaving yet? That'll be a surprise, won't it. have a crazy day. ciao cito
- posted by garyploski @ 6/20/1998 09:38:00 PM 0 comments

 
June 1998 - email4
From: Gary Ploski
6/8/98  
Subject: hello me, meet the real me.
To: me

        my icy fingers claw your back... here I come agaaaaaaaaain. Only a few of you will understand that. Fun stuff huh. Had to do it cause I can and also because well, nantonaku. Even less of you will understand that one... hehehe.

        I've been looking at myself recently. As of today it doesn't seem to hold true, but it had for a while before that - so, I'll elaborate. I found myself, to put it bluntly, withdrawn. That's right, I was hiding from the outside world that surrounds me. Why? A thought I dwelt on numerous times. Of course I thought of things and thought I figured it out, but to no avail. The answer seems to be.... time.

        What was I doing? I was trying to avoid people on the streets when I was going somewhere. I would go to and leave from my destinations as fast as possible. I didn't feel like studying Japanese anymore (making class an interesting time). I wanted to leave for my next life back in the states. I wanted to hang out and just chat with people about nothing so that I might be able to elaborate on a thought beyond the context of "fine thank you, and you?" I wanted to be able to understand what was happening alllll around me in everyway shape and form. I wanted to cap off some stuff that I've been waiting to complete. Lots of stuff huh. Well, that's pretty much sitll with me, though I'm feeling much better.

        I've been at my 3rd school for a full week now and the atmosphere is sinking in. THANK WHATEVER BEING YOU LOOK TO!!! YIPPIIEE!! I have no idea how it happens, nor do I have ANY idea why it happens. BUT, it happens. I wonder if someone is reading this and has been plotting out my homesickness/moods/etc. for a use somwhere. Hmmm, how's this help? Things is.... well, gewddddd --- now.

        Strange as it is, I thought about this stuff while it was toward it's end. It began last week, though today I write about it -- when I feel I'm through it. Weird. I have no answers, but I've got lots of questions. I feel as if I've gone through a mood overhaul. Today at school was great, iaido was cool (a bit slow, but it can't be great alll the time). I'm into the language again, trying out new methods of study. It's allll good -- for now.

        I near the 6 week stretch. As of this Thursday(6/11), I will be at the 6 week mark. That means I've got stufffff to do, and with my back holding in alllllll the stress from the past few weeks, it should be interesting. My back is REDICULOUSLY KNOTTED!!! MAD TENSION!!! CRAZY MAD TENSION. I no like cause it hurts. Oh well, such is the way. It'll be interesting to go through all the stuff I've bought while here in JPN; as well as look at all the stuff I've done along the way. "We live in interesting times."

        I've found that I've gone through this stuff numerous times since I arrived here. Whether it be homesickness or something else I don't know. I just know how it feels. It's something that has been happening to me and I believe it to have happened to many other people, though I can not speak for them. What is to happen next? I don't know. Can it get anyworse, of course it can; though I think it to have reached it's low point already. My back has never felt this bad, and the best part is that it feels like it's getting better. YEAH!!!! I don't hurt when I sit anymore! "Boooyaahhh!!" to quote Venom. : )

        I think things are only gonna get better, a true feeling within me at the moment. When I look at my schedule for the upcoming month and a half, I see good things and more good things. I'm pretty excited about that time AND the time afterword. Upon completion I'll get to see my fam and friends again. How cool! with all that said, I leave you with a wotd of advise from the Tick -- "Spoooooon!" ciao cito
- posted by garyploski @ 6/08/1998 09:37:00 PM 0 comments

 
June 1998 - email3
Subject: Strange stuff... nah, of course not.
6/7/98

        It's as if things could only get worse. Then, it's as if things could only get better. Sound familiar? That's the kind of stuff we seem to go through during that daily existence thing. Kinda a bummer huh. Such is the way. I am glad to report that I am not going to go into this anymore. end.

        Yes things over here have been more than normal. I've been having some interesting experiences though. I've wanted to leave, then wanted to go to class, then wanted to study, then wanted to go outside and play some sort of sport with the kids, etc... Ut has been a blast/tragedy all roled into one. What a cool thing. I'll be livin this up later on. I think. Indeed I've gone way down, and way up - it's the only way to travel. : )  I've recently been doing both in moderate durations - kinda wild.

        Something that is fun is the fact that there are only... how many... 6 weeks till I depart. Is that right? (counting) Yeah, that's right. WOW! It seems to go by without anythought. What a world. I've been thinking about my attitude recently and can't pinpoint where it is. I feel free as the infamous bird we always refer to, but restricted at the same time. I feel, that's all -- I feel. Such is the way, I've said that toooo many times.

        I like Japan. Thought I'd state that because I don't think I have as of yet. I had a thought, but can't seem to find it. Argh! How about a story? Now if I could only read your mind and offer it to you if you thought yes.... Maybe that's the next thing to hit the 'net'. Hey, it could happen. What's next? I wish I could remember. I'll leave it be for a little while. Bye.

        (Time passes for me, not you. LUCKY PEOPLES!!!) A day has passed since I last typed and I now remember what I wanted to write about -- desks and black boards.

        Don't sit on the desk because it's not very strong.

        Please write that prettier please. oh yeah... you can buy one egg at the local convienience store. I bid you to read the subject title again....

        Since I arrived in Asaka I've been doing little things that would show the differences in my home country (the US) and this country - especially in the classroom. I've done things that some teachers are quite surprised by -- nothing shocking to people that have attended schools in the states though. The most recent that took me by surprise was by a teacher that told me to get off of a desk.

        I was sitting on the desk waiting for him to finish his explaination of the new material and upon completion he came over to me and told me to "get off the desk. It's rude to sit on a desk..." I had no idea how to react to this for the reason that I've been doing this particular act since I arrived in JPN/Asaka/the classroom last year (97).

        After class he told me that the desk was "not strong" so I should be careful sitting on the desk. I let him finish and explained why I was doing it and he didn't like my answer saying "This is Japan, so you shouldn't sit on the desk." I explained a little more of how I was trying to show the students that things are different in different parts of the world, but he wasn't havin' it.

        By the way, this desk that is "not strong" is the same desk that the teachers use to pile books upon piles of books upon. These desks are quite strong. Being made of metal helps a bit. In my opinion he was reaching realllly far to say something politely to me, but it only confused me more.

        I told him that I wouldn't sit on the desk in his class, and only his class for the reason that no other teachers have made a deal about it. Some teachers hide in the back of the room allowing the students to watch and see everything I do... sit on the desk, bring a student up to the front to help me - only to leave them all alone in the front to do the activity, leave the classroom for a few minutes when a student says something like "go away", or "good bye."  I want them to see that there is something different. If I have to bend for one teacher, so be it -- though it confuses me a bit when my job is not what it's supposed to be..... strange....   next.

        This goes along the line of the previous story. I wrote something on the blackboard in class one day. NOTE: my penmanship isn't the neatest in the world. Probably not in kindergarten class, but whose keeping score?  : )

        I wrote some stuff on the board and wrote a 'u' without the tail on it.  I also wrote a "y" with a loop underneath. Lastly within this grouping of words was a "g", also with a loop underneath. The teacher asked me afterclass if I could write neater next time. I asked to what he was refering to and he pointed out the 'u'.  He said "Last year when I corrected the students papers I would circle the u's without the tail on it, meaning it was wrong." I said ok, and...  His reply was "I also marked the 'y' wrong if it wasn't written with straight lines."

        I was at a loss for words for about..... how longs a nanosecond? It wasn't that long. I said to him that I know my penmanship is not great, but the students need to be exposed to various different forms of written English. Everbody writes in a different way. Everbody doesn't have the same penmanship, they need to expereience it. If they have a question, we can only hope that the students will ask. They need to ask if they don't understand. He agreed with that point.

        His basic comparision of the 'y' and 'g' was to the loop on the bottom. After we talked about it he agreed that the students should see the difference -- a happy ending. I did take in to consideration the request to write 'prettier'. I didn't change my penmanship, but I did write a little slower so it was a little neater. This was a good thing. A true working relationship. How about that. He wanted the students to see something different. How about that.... yeah.

        A strange thing it is to be brought to a country to teach your countries culture, lifestyle, etc... only to have it stopped so you conform to what is being done... Strange stuff. I hope that this kind of thig is the exception and not the norm for other AET's, but who knows what's really happening. It all up to us to say something, so speak up to somebody, anybody and get the word moving along vs. stuck bouncing around in your head.

        If you have already, nicely done! Let's keep improving this program so that the beneficiaries include everyone. From students, to teachers, to the people in our communities, to us, etc. Let's do it up.

        The egg thing is just a good laugh. I was in "Sunevery", a convienience store near the station in Asaka, and looked up to see eggs. The only difference that these particular eggs had with the 'normal' egss that I've seen was that they were individually packaged! There they lay in wait, two eggs hopeing to be bought asap. How touching, together they lay in wait. What would happen when one was taken away? Would one become take the 'Humpty Dumpty' route? Or would it wait, perfectly still until moved by some unsuspecting customer came along and brightened up it's day. Would it happen? Could it happen? Only time will tell, for this reporter won't be back to visit that same store in time to see them off. I only hope they are happy, wherever they are. A moment of silence for the pair of eggs in Sunevery.     --a moment--      -- thank you-- have a crazy day. ciao cito
- posted by garyploski @ 6/07/1998 09:35:00 PM 0 comments

 
June 1998 - email2
From: Gary Ploski
6/2/98
Subject: Top a da mornin to ya.
To: shinyoda

        Just to make sure I get to all of your questoins I'm gonna do this.... Boommbb --- I've now pasted alll of your thoughts. Does that make me a plagarist? Hope not. Hmm, who'da thunk it...

*****All values are put in via a $1 to 100 yen ratio utilities are separate, right?  ...on average per month?

        Yes and let's see... gas(50), water(bimonthly 25), rent (365), electricity(40).  How's that for info huh. Hehehehe. I went into my books and pulled out all the fake numbers just for you. : )  Yeah! Hope that's helpful.  Hehehe.

i get the impression that it gets very extreme weather-wise.  do the ac and heating work satisfactorily?  or are you only really warm under that heated table in the winter time?  that frightens me.  i hate being bitterly cold within my own home.

        Liz delt with the winter in an interesting way.... in layers. I loved it, Philip was wise and covered himself up with a nice warm jacket. It gets cold, but you've experienced a winter that's considereabley colder living in the Tri-State area. It does get cold and yes the heater-A/C works well. The beauty of it is that you can close off all the rooms so one room gets really cold/hot, whatever you want. No worries. Took that one from the AUS AET's. Hehe. Fun stuff.

are the winters very wet-- slushy snowstorms for example?  do you recall any average temps?  did you find yourself having to wear an immensely heavy coat in the winter? did you get to schools on your bikes even in the wintertime?

        Indeed that's a yes. Though I did walk a few times cause it was a very strange winter here in Asaka this past winter. There was so much SNOW!!!! I loved it! Snow Angels! Made a few, : )   It's not a slushy place. Wonder how that reads from someone elses point of view. Anyway....

i know you guys said that the telephone is expensive, but how expensive are we talking here?  like what is the basic monthly fee, average amount of local calls and let's say a half an hour call home to the states once a week... a roundabout figure is fine.  are you talking like $400 a month or something for monthly phone?  cuz if that's so, that frightens me too.

        Your local bill (NTT-JPN's phone provider) will run between 50 and 100 depending on what you do with your bill. I have a service that lets me stay online for as much time as I like from 11pm-8am so I have an extra charge of about $36 added onto my bill every month. All up to you. No worry about installing a phone -- it's in and ready to use. My internationl bill is between 90-150 a month. I use AT&T. Here's the home page if you wanna get info about it. It's CHEAP for an international call. Check it... http://www.attnet.or.jp/indexe.html

and is there a initial telephone hook-up cost to be paid to have it installed or...?

        Got ya above.... ew... nice view up there. : )

how often do you and the other AETs go to obligatory city hall dinners or functions?  do you hang out with them (other teachers, town officials) much?

        At first you'll meet lots of ppl and get thrown into the "Hi. I'm number 498234j-od-weoiw-e0w. Nice to meet you." faze. Don't worry, we all go through it. During the normal schedule we don't go out with ppl from the city hall on that regular a basis. It's not gonna drain your pocket. No worries. There I go again. Gessh, what's happenin to me. Bloody ... A-re! Now I've switched to British and Japanese. Ahh!!!!! HELP!   and finally, thanks so much for sending over the currency exchange info. i've been keeping my eye on that for the last couple of years in anticipation of this program and unfortunately, i have chosen the economically worst time to be participating.  it would have been really great in the booming times of just a few years ago.  anyway, what is the general attitude of the japanese people and AETs about the japanese economy?  are a lot of AETs not renewing b/c of japan's uncertain economic future?

        It is a bummer about the money thang. I don't think ppl are leaving for the sole reason that the currency is doing poorly, but it is something to think about. Something that kinda helped me a little, not my sole reason, though something I did think about. The ppl here don't do much differently because it's not affecting them really. It's kinda like the currency is doing poorly overseas, but domestically it's not hurting at all. No worries that I've seen. I'm not an economic major though, so don't take my word on it if you know what's good for your money. I just like spendin it. Heheheheh, fun to spend. Let's go to karaoke! YEAH!!! Seriously though, things are going ok domestically. You shouldn't have any problems with the money stuff.

thanks for answering my questions, gar.  hope to hear from you soon. tell phil and liz i said hello.  hey, have you heard from ken yet?

        I'll do that. Actually, I'll print this up for them to read. Ken has contacted me. maybe I should give you each others email addresses so you can chat with each other about preperations. Think I'll do that. have a crazy day. ciao cito
- posted by garyploski @ 6/02/1998 09:34:00 PM 0 comments

 
June 1998 - email1
To: garyp@tkb.att.ne.jp
From: Shinyoda
6/1/98 16:05
Subject: Re: It's gone. hi gary!!!

hope all is well with you:)

I got your video-- it must have been Saturday...  I got back really late from my friend's wedding in North Jersey (I was the maid of honor!  I can't believe my friends are getting married-- crazy how time flies...) I got back at 4 am and was absolutely ecstatic to see your video sitting on my kitchen table. Sleepy, aching and horrendously blistered feet and all, I made my way toward the vcr with your asaka video in hand...

i eagerly thrust the video tape in and despite your warnings early on in the video, sat down to enjoy.  Within five minutes, i was sleeping like a baby.

i fought it, gar, I really did.  but my slumber was not brought on by your video at all.  I was just so very, very tired from all the preparations for my friend's wedding and had been up for a long while and had not slept much at all in weeks.  So enthusiastic as I was, i couldn't muster enough energy to see much more than up to phillip's apartment.  then I woke up late the next morning and watched the whole thing.

but in all seriousness, thank you so much for thinking of, planning and taking time out of your busy schedule to prepare the video-  I really do appreciate it.  It's so nice to know what my living space and environment for the next year is going to be like... thanks.

and as well, it's so nice to know the faces with whom I correspond.  what a wonderful treat the asaka people had in both you and phillip.  you guys must have gotten so many stares and been treated like celebrities for the foreign- ness (is that a word?) and easy-going attitudes and fun personalities you both exuded.  especially with both of you being so, so, much taller than the average japanese person.  and with your long hair too, gary.  aye.  so much character you have.  if anything, i just hope you guys didn't get too many bumps on your heads from crouching down from the doorways:)

i'm afraid they'll be a little disappointed b/c I am your average height-- 5'4" asian girl who can pass for japanese, chinese, korean (which i am ethnically) or whatever.  oh well-- they'll have to make do with a somewhat hyper personality and american attitude...

anyway, you guys answered many questions but I am afraid I have more... if you could respond to any unanswered questions from my first e-mail in addition to the following that would be great...  

utilities are separate, right?  how much do they run on average per month?

i get the impression that it gets very extreme weather-wise.  do the ac and heating work satisfactorily?  or are you only really warm under that heated table in the winter time?  that frightens me.  i hate being bitterly cold within my own home.

are the winters very wet-- slushy snowstorms for example?  do you recall any average temps?  did you find yourself having to wear an immensely heavy coat in the winter?  and did you get to schools on your bikes even in the wintertime?

i know you guys said that the telephone is expensive, but how expensive are we talking here?  like what is the basic monthly fee, average amount of local calls and let's say a half an hour call home to the states once a week... a roundabout figure is fine.  are you talking like $400 a month or something for monthly phone?  cuz if that's so, that frightens me too.

and is there a initial telephone hook-up cost to be paid to have it installed or...?

how often do you and the other AETs go to obligatory city hall dinners or functions?  do you hang out with them (other teachers, town officials) much?   and finally, thanks so much for sending over the currency exchange info.  i've been keeping my eye on that for the last couple of years in anticipation of this program and unfortunately, i have chosen the economically worst time to be participating.  it would have been really great in the booming times of just a few years ago.  anyway, what is the general attitude of the japanese people and AETs about the japanese economy?  are a lot of AETs not renewing b/c of japan's uncertain economic future?

thanks for answering my questions, gar.  hope to hear from you soon.  tell phil and liz i said hello.  hey, have you heard from ken yet?

sandy:)
- posted by garyploski @ 6/01/1998 09:32:00 PM 0 comments

 
June 1998

June 1998

WHooooaaa!!! Look at that! It's the month of June! THat means there is only one month left! Well, one month left in Japan. I've got to do this thing after I get home to focus on the reverse culture shock. That is gonna prove to be very interesting. Hmmmmm, what's that gonna be like? No need to think about that now, so I'll try not to

Below you will find a link to various emails with the happenings during the month of June.  Enjoy.....

1 Email-  Sandy wanted to know some stuff...	2 Email -  So I thought I'd try to answer as best I could...
3 Email-  Don't sit on that STEEL DESK... it's not strong.... "AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"oh yes... and more!	4 Email - Megadeth.... hehehehe. Problems? Answers? Super duper loopers? Couldbe...
5 Email-  Sandy... again!!?? yup. More stuff to answer. WHat a great thing..email that is.	6 Email -  HOW OLD???? 85!!! He's taken how many heads? WHO'S head? Mac's?O-my!!! O-no!
7 Email- I've been to Kashima. I've been to the budou god's temple. I've beento school. I've been to the deepest parts of my mind. What do all these have in common? ANSWER---	8 Email - TPU'ers!!! GET READY!!!!
9 Email-  Nori?!! yup.  KAZ? come on, of course. We ewnt golfin' andwell, Nori got beat up on the last hole. Some dude came outta nowhere andMAN-O-MAN did he have a big ol ... that would be rude. Better not say it.	10 Email- Short, simple. To the point... What was I saying?

- posted by garyploski @ 6/01/1998 09:31:00 PM 0 comments