Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Cheap thrills

This year I spent $0 (or rather 0yen) on my Halloween costume, and I've got to say it was probably my favourite.

Although it wasn't just the costume, it was also the whole effect that I enjoyed. I had managed to get into the school without being noticed by any of the students. Since they had no idea that I had planned on coming, I decided to make it a surprise and stayed out of sight until the trick or treating. (I hid in the women's staff change room between classes and during cleaning time.)

The room I was in has two entrances, one with a single door (on the right) and one with double doors (on the left). There's a sink near the double doors and next to the sink is a bit of a column so you can't actually see the door on the right without going further into the room and then looking back. So anyway, I closed the curtains and locked up the single door and put newspapers up over the window. I put the candy on a back shelf--clearly visible from the double doors, which I left open. Then I hid in the little alcove by the single door.

At first I was worried that students wouldn't come in--a couple did pass by when they didn't immediately see a teacher, even though the candy was visible and the door was open!--but eventually a couple of boys came in and started heading towards the candy. And that's when...

Sadako came up from behind making moaning noises!!

The best reaction I got was from a third year boy. He had heard that I was in the room, but he didn't know where. Near the open doors there was a broom closet (to the left--so the opposite direction from where I was hiding). He was clearly all psyched up and expecting to see me pop out from there when he threw open the door. Consequently, he was totally unprepared to have me come up from behind him. He literally jumped and screamed! Totally hilarious. I really wish I had a video of that moment!

Even after students knew it was me, they still cringed back when I came at them with my Sadako pose (as pictured above). =P It was great.

Although I gave up watching the mask contest to keep the element of surprise, it was totally worth it. Probably my most fun Halloween at Kirita ever!

I only wish the event had taken place a little later so it would've been darker...Although I guess students might not have dared come into the classroom if it had been too dark, so it was probably for the best.

Bonus: Photos from the previous night's Sadako practice session!

Monday, October 29, 2012

Nameko's Adventures in Miyagi!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Nameko's first visit to Miyagi Prefecture!

Riding the new E5 series Shinkansen (bullet train) from Shichinohe-Towada to Sendai Station.


  

 Waiting in Sendai station for the express train to Matsushima Kaigan Station.

Welcome to Matsushima!-considered one of the three most scenic sites in Japan.

Aboard the Nioumaru on a 50-min. boat tour around Matsuhima Bay. (Tons of seagulls follow the tour boats hoping for food for visitors, who usually oblige them. You can even get them to take food from from your hand as fellow passengers demonstrated. @_@)


 
 

Enjoying an oyster burger and zunda (mashed edamame (soy beans)--a local Miyagi specialty) croquette.


Trying on a kabuto (samurai helmet)--actually the entrance-way to the Date (pronounced "dah-tei") Cafe. (Date Masamune was a prominent daimyo (feudal lord) during the Sengoku period and the founder of Sendai.)

Enjoying a "Masamune Parfait" (only 780 yen!) at the Date Cafe.

Headed to Godaido, a small Buddhist temple hall in Matsushima.

Taking a walk along the bridge from Matsushima to Fukuura Island, a small island designated as a sort of natural botanical garden/park. (There's a 200yen toll to cross the bridge.)

A view from Fukuura Island.


Snacking on zunda melon pan (a type of sweet bread with a cookie-like crust on top) from a local bakery.


Enjoying gyu-tan (beef tongue) teishoku (set meal) at Sendai Station before catching the Shinkansen back to home. Gyu-tan is a local specialty (albeit with a relatively recent history) in Sendai/Miyagi.


Omake (oh-mah-keh - bonus)

Enjoying zunda mochi (pounded glutinous rice cake) and Matsushima Beer at home after the trip.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Towada Koma (Horse) Festa 2012 十和田駒フェスタ

Towada Koma Festa 2012 第19回十和田駒フェスタ
Website* (Japanese*) | Flyer (Japanese) 
(*Website doesn't appear to have been updated since last year's event...)
Date: October 13-14, 2012
Time: 10:00-15:00
Location: Towada Chuo Koen (Central Park)
(十和田市中央公園緑地)
Admission: Free
Events & Activities: yabusame (horseback archery) competition; show jumping competition; children's horseback performances; horse-drawn cart rides; horseback riding experiences; leather craft making, etc.