Since I was in Yokohama, I thought I’d check out the biggest Chinatown in Asia! Now I’ve been to all three Chinatowns in Japan; Yokohama, Kobe, and Nagasaki. I just walked around and took a few pictures. This is the temple gate from the inside of Ma Zhu Miao (”Masobyo” in Japanese) to the Goddess of the Sea.
I found the Japanese Overseas Migration Museum online and knew I HAD to go next time I was in Kanto! It’s all about the history and experience of Japanese people leaving Japan to start lives in other countries, which is part of my family history, as well as my academic interests. I have studied a lot about the Japanese American experience, so I knew much of the information in the museum, but the change in perspective, “going” instead of “coming,” was really interesting and I learned more about Japanese people in Brazil and Peru. Perfect for a rainy afternoon in Yokohama!
This is a display of suitcase and crates full of belongings that were taken on the long boat trip across the ocean to new homes.
I love festivals! With my friends B & J both of whom I hadn’t seen in the years that elapsed since we all graduated college with spent the day viewing the Cherry Blossoms. (I also had to guilt them into coming to this once in a lifetime event. Can you believe they actually wanted to go SHOPPING and see a movie!) Anyways, we had a great time, took tons of pictures (thanks to J) and actually made it to the swing out at Lucky Strike in time for some bowling and cocktails with a few other college pals and friends of pals. Please forgive me for having ZERO, Zilch, NO pictures of the Cherry Blossoms…..I’m not sure what I was thinking.
There’s a new vegan cafe in Kyoto called Proverbs 15:17 that I’ve been to a few times and really enjoyed, so I thought I’d check out the owners’ original restaurant in Tokyo. At Kick Back Cafe, I was greeted by some of the same people who had been working at Proverbs, and they remembered me! They were really surprised and excited that I came, so my friends and I got the full star treatment with free drinks, no cover charge for the live music, waiters and cooks coming over to meet us and even face time with the owners!
The entertainment that night was Molly Jenson, a singer from the US who came to Japan just for a few days. She was great and I bought her CD!
For spring break I went to Tokyo to visit friends and catch up on interesting outings! This is Chiharu and Mio who took me to the East Garden at the Imperial Palace for some “hanami,” or flower viewing. The “sakura,” or cherry blossoms, were is full bloom and they were amazing!
I know you can’t see much, but this is the best of all the pictures I tried to take! I went to Omizutori in Nara with my fellow Joyo AETs (Assistant English Teachers) and two of our favorite JTEs (Japanese Teachers of English). Watching balls of fire fly across the balcony was great, I had never seen anything like it, but the crowd was kinda frustrating. It was so tight we couldn’t move and could barely see over the heads of the people in front of us! Festivals in Japan often come along with the feeling that you are packed in a confined space with a milion people, even if they are outside, like this one. For me it diminishes the beauty of whatever is being celebrated.
Whenever, I’m anywhere there is an UNCF office I will volunteer. Many of you may know UNCF from their infamous slogan “A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste“…indeed it is. Thanks to UNCF, UNCF affiliated institutions, and UNCF Special Programs I have been able to attend college and continue with my educational pursuits without financial hardship. However the disclaimer: I am a hard worker, earned good grades and actively pursued opportunities that were important to me. Additionally, all of the scholarships/opportunities I received were based on my academic performance/merit. (I came from the class of people who make too much money for need-based grants and not enough money to pay for college). I donate my time because I believe in the mission of UNCF and will donate (more) money as I progress in my financial status so that I may help fund the educational pursuits and good works of UNCF.
The picture above is from 2007 when I volunteered as the Silent Auction Manager for the Seattle UNCF Gala featuring Jazz artist Eric Darius. Unfortunately, I’m still waiting on my friend to send me pictures from the B’ham Gala 2008 event (featuring Midnight Star). While you wait just imagine me looking just as beautiful as the previous year (minus the frohawk).
A fellow JET invited me to a piano concert in the home/studio of Junko Kasahara (a pianist and piano teacher) and her husband Lucas Lorenzi (a flutist and teacher of the Alexander Technique). They host a concert every month and invite students and others as guest performers. The room was full with about 60 people in attendance and the music was beautiful.
It all started at the Wine Loft downtown B’ham where we received VIP treatment (free drinks and food) as friends of one of the Sponsors. Upgrade Magazine hosted a fashion show featuring really HOT dresses from designer Maurice Brown …..I would have LOVED to leave the wine loft with that form fitting, backless, all white number perfect for Brazil….too bad I was unemployed at the time. We met some new friends and drifted off to do Karaoke. (You couldn’t pay me to do Karaoke in Tokyo…but alas I get suckered into it in B’ham…and it was <sigh> fun.)
In Seattle I lived in Chinatown and enjoyed hearing the firecrackers and drums and seeing the dragon dances for Lunar New Year, so I really wanted to find somewhere to celebrate this year. I got online and found out that there is a Chinatown in Kobe that was having a 5-day festival! The New Year actually started on February 7th but I had to work, so I went on the following Sunday. It was really crowded but I enjoyed the energy!
