Posted by: elephantdreams on: October 12, 2009
This weekend, Ada and I went down to a giant recycle shop in Anan. Actually, to tell the truth, it’s more of a jumble shop than a recycle shop — or maybe, a crazy bazaar. Every kind of Japanese culture or paraphernalia that you could want is in this shop. Katanas, tea sets, crazy masks, [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: October 2, 2009
Today is the first non-rainy day this week! (what the heck am I doing online?!)
Oh yeah, I’m listening to Mumford and Sons!!!
(contains a four-letter word, you are warned, darlings)
“Little Lion Man”
“White Blank Page” (Live)
Oh my goodness yes!!
Anyway…
Last week was Silver Week, a big chunk of holidays, all [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: September 15, 2009
Today at Rogakko, I taught the students the story of Dreamcatchers, and we did arts and crafts. Later, we had a Ballet workshop with the entire school.
Lieutenant, please file today under “Super Special Awesome”.
Other great stuff:
I climbed the Bizan in the dark, and was not eaten by wild dogs.
I learned how to play a song [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: August 10, 2009
Oh my God oh my Gawwwwwwd, Awa Odori starts this Wednesday!! I’m so nervous!!!
o________O;;;;;
Our last practice was tonight.
I’ve been practicing really really hard!
So hard, that I pulled something… my right leg is all screwed up, as is my lower back. I have to stretch really well every day just to be able to do normal [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: July 19, 2009
I am, indeed a dancing fool.
It’s ok. I can live with that!
So, as I said, I went to Komatsushima Matsuri. At first I was in a bit of a mood because it was very hot, and humid, and the people I was to meet didn’t show for an hour. I don’t like being made to [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: July 15, 2009
Tonight at Awa Odori practice, I wore my geta for the first time.
Remember when you buy a new pair or a poorly made pair of sandals, and the bit that goes between your big and second toe chafes from here to Dixie?
Yes, well it’s like that, except you are putting all our weight on [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: July 6, 2009
As I may or may not have mentioned to various folks, I joined Awa Odori!
More specifically, I joined a ren, Kabuki ren, and practice three nights a week in the park. It’s freaky to think that Awa Odori is only a month and a week away.
For your enjoyment, here are some nice A.O. clips:
This [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: June 2, 2009
My body is all out of whack lately… it comes from sitting around at a desk all day, and not having the gumption to go outside and run miles.
But that will all change, because now I am a yoga lady.
That’s right! Yoga!
Last night my friend The Kiwi took me to a Buddhist temple [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: May 1, 2009
As you may or may not know, I am leaving Tokushima today. I’m off to Kyushu! For hitchhiking!!
Yes, that is right. Hitchhiking Kyushu Adventure starts TODAY. Even though today I will only get as far as Matsuyama, which is still on Shikoku Island. So in reality, it starts TOMORROW. I have a grand old list [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: April 25, 2009
This weekend, come hell or high water (or in Tokushima’s case, wind and rain) we have Hana Haru Festa. It’s a matsuri, with a grade of a C or a B- in my book. It’s got all the things, such as singing and dancing and takoyaki, but there is a lack of festival spirit and [...]