Page 2 — Hyogo Times, December 2008 Hyogo Times, December 2008 — Page 3 Contents On the cover... Messages

4...... From the Editor 5...... From the PR Every Month

6-7...... Recipe of the Month: Pock-marked Old Woman Cover art by Chip Boles 8...... Wheel Of Jeopardy! For ALTs, December in Japan means cold. Whether uniforms (girls still insanely in skirts!), with polar huddled before a kerosene heater or under your ko- bears and penguins in attendance for pronunciation 14-15...... Best of the Block tatsu, this is the season for seeing your breath in your practice. 16-17...... Getting to Know Some Random JETs apartment (or my kinda gross favorite: seeing steam However, I simply couldn’t face it. Ladies and gentle- rise from the toilet as you use it...). men, I just had to go to my Happy Place. And this Hap- 18-19...... Better Know a Ken: Yamaguchi In this spirit, I considered an image with a class be- py Place is what I drew. Maybe you’d like to spend the 20-21...... Travel Japan: Overnight Bus Nagano Ski Weekends ing conducted in a frozen wasteland, students in their winter there, too. Plenty of room in the pink castle... 22-23...... Love & Relationships: Christmas Loving

Features Hyogo Times Staff Editor: Ann Chow 9...... Restaurant Review: I Ate Eight — Hakkaku Ramen Design Editor: Jeff Morrice 10...... Lesson Plan of the Month: Alphabend - Forcing Contortion Contributors: Chip Boles, Miyoko Conley, Joy Feddes, Robert Hollands, Brenda McKinney, 11...... Comic: Karaoke with Asimo Dustin North, George Sherriff, Lester Somera, Andrew Tamashiro, Kenroy Taylor, Jeff Weese, 11...... ランドム 日本 Photo of the Month James Williams and Suzie Winterton. 12-13...... A Hyogo Times Exclusive Short Story: The Feast All JETs in Hyogo are encouraged to send in articles, photos, musings, poetry, 24-25...... I Love My Inaka Town prose and any ideas to contribute or improve the Hyogo Times for the betterment of the Hyogo JET community.

Submit by the 15th of each month to: [email protected] Visit us online at: http://hyogoajet.net appreciated

Page 4 — Hyogo Times, December 2008 Hyogo Times, December 2008 — Page 5 From The Editor... And From The PR... rrr... and hello to everyone! Wel- ditional if you ello again all for another shiny month of JET being a white one, which is always a nice touch for those of Bcome to another chilly Decem- ignore all the Hmayhem! It seems that winter has hit us like a us from the southern (and even some parts of the northern) ber where the Christmas decorations Japanese peo- shovel in the face, so I hope you’re all chilling out hemisphere. The snow has other advantages too, includ- have been up since November 1 but ple around you! (haw haw) and, jokes aside, taking care to stay as ing plenty of chances to ski, snowboard, do yuki-gassen or you wonder why the heck there are so Only kidding. warm as you can. There are plenty of bugs and Mr. President, and heaps of other fun activities. many blue-colored lights representing Sort of. It’s the colds floating around so rug up and stay under that Finally, as this is the last edition of this year, I thought Christmas. Are they trying to make us ONE place I’ve kotatsu... as if you could ever get out :D I’d take the opportunity to reflect back over some of the feel S.A.D.? (Seasonal Affective Disor- found candy This edition of the Hyogo Times sees us on the ever- more interesting experiences Japan has offered in the past der, for those of you who don’t know.) canes in this shortening slope down to some chilly weather and, inevita- 12 months. It’s a country where everyone can find some- Hopefully, everyone’s doing okay country even if bly, Christmas. Which is a rather unique experience given thing interesting to do, but I think it really rewards people on that front by going out and social- it’s at 200 yen a that we’re all in Japan, a country that (in theory) doesn’t who are willing to step out of their comfort zone... at least izing a bit, even if you wake up ear- pop! (I haven’t celebrate the holiday. Still, the Christmas lights will be up a little, anyway. Examples that spring (heh ... unintentional lier than the sun does! There was the been to Costco and there will be trees in the department stores, and any- pun WIN!) to mind are onsens (communal nude bathing!), Himeji Thanksgiving event at the end to check, so if one looking for some romantic (or other) times should be Hadaka Matsuri (communal, mostly-nude, running through of last month at Blue Plate, which I you see them sure to head down to Sannomiya to check out the famous freezing cold water and generally fighting other mostly- sorely missed but hope you made it there, let me Luminarie. Christmas in Japan also has a decent chance of nude men), various crazy local festivals (communal nudi to. And also from this year’s Thanks- know!) ... err, I mean things like post-new year fes- giving in Kobe, some of the Kobe JETs I’m sure tivals where people risk their eyebrows to decided to have a Thanksgiving erotic some of you throw New Year decorations on enormous story competition night (“A what?” you will be return- 6-metre-tall bonfires and then dodge blocks say?) and a Mr. Dustin North won the ing home for of mochi thrown by priests!) and all of those competition. Reader beware. It might the holidays so tiny little restaurants and bars (they’re there get (your) juices flowing. let me just say in your town, no matter how small it is!) with Other things to get you feeling hot, happy packing no windows that could be anything from a not the least of which, is a recipe from and have a safe fantastic little ramen shop to a Yakuza-run Bob for spicy mapo tofu that doesn’t trip! For those snack bar. involve a pre-mixed package of mapo of you not going What I’m saying is that there is so much as well as an article on how to impress home but are headed elsewhere for Weese’s advice on heading to Nagano opportunity in Japan to get out there and find members of the opposite (or same) the break, take care not to get into too for some cheap but good, clean, snow- new and amazing things behind every door sex! Just in time for lovey-dovey Christ- much trouble (like, say the current situ- filled fun! and around every street corner. Go and ex- mas in Japan! ation in Thailand). But if you’re “stuck” On that note, I’d like to say a big perience that local festival, walk into that lit- That’s only the beginning! This in good ol’ Nippon for the winter festivi- THANK YOU to Jeff for writing the tle local bar you’ve always been too afraid to month, you probably won’t miss any ties, don’t hesitate to go to your local travel reviews for the Hyogo Times for enter, and plan a trip to somewhere totally off chances to see Christmas lights strung KFC and get some Xmas dinner! Only nearly three years. It’s not difficult to the map. You’ll find things you never thought up here, there — everywhere — along kidding. No, I really am. Please don’t write something short for a publication possible, have experiences you’ll never for- with the cute, yet insufferable couples, go to KFC for dinner. Unless you want once a month but it’s very easy to for- get, and no doubt be enormously satisfied but there are some good displays to to, that is. get or be lazy about it (which I’m sure when your time on JET finally comes to an check out. The biggest one is probably If you are staying here for the holi- the previous editors agree with), so end. And if you haven’t managed to really the annual Luminarie in Kobe, which days but need ideas on what to do, take thank you Jeff! I hope you do well with get out there yet, don’t worry! Take my ad- commemorates the victims of the 1995 a look at Brenda’s Best of the Block for your new project! Our new travel writer vice — it’s worth doing, and there’s plenty Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. It isn’t re- Xmas/New Year’s, which is a bit Kyoto- will be Clay Eaton, currently in Kasai. of time left in the New Year for all kinds of ally up for Christmas but since it is centric this month but still worth check- That’s it for now. As we say in New adventures. around for the time of Christmas, you ing out. I did hatsumode last year and York, Happy Chrismakwanukkah! Have And with that, I wish everyone who cel- should check it out. you won’t believe the amount of people a great holiday doing whatever you’re ebrates it a very happy and safe Christmas, There’s also the German Christ- who make their shrine visits at 4 a.m. doing, and I hope you have a merry, and to everyone, a wonderful and exciting mas market in Osaka at the Umeda on New Year’s Day! And if you are itch- wonderful New Year! See you in ’09! New Year. See you in 2009 ... peace! Sky Building. It’s one of my personal ing to go somewhere a bit further (up favorites because it really seems tra- north maybe?), you should take Jeff — Ann Chow — Daniel Carter Page 6 — Hyogo Times, December 2008 Hyogo Times, December 2008 — Page 7 Recipe of the Month: nese TV cooking show Ryouri no Tetsujin. The Iron meat and savory sauce. It’s a tofu dish for people Chef regularly prepared mapo tofu on the program, who hate tofu. which only served to increase the dish’s already One quick note on cornstarch: cornstarch is broad appeal. commonly used to thicken Asian dishes. However, Pock-marked Old Woman! I chose this month’s recipe because not only is unlike flour or other starches, cornstarch will break By Robert it extremely easy to prepare, but it keeps well and down at high temperatures. For full thickening pow- Hollands tastes just as good the next day. Like many other er, allow the dish to cool for about 10 minutes be- Szechwan dishes, mapo tofu relies heavily on fer- fore adding the cornstarch paste. If you’re like me, De- mented black bean paste and red chili paste, two cember finds you with ingredients you probably don’t already have but no a schedule packed with discerning foodie’s kitchen should be without. Christmas parties and You can get a lot of mileage out of just one jar of bonenkai — basically, ex- each, depending on how spicy you like your food. cuses to drink yourselves Also, even if you’re not normally a fan of tofu, I think silly and practice English you’ll find the silky smooth texture and subtle taste with teachers who usu- of the bean curd perfectly complements the firm ally ignore you in the staf- froom. But if you’re lucky, Mapo Tofu you`ll also try expensive Ingredients: and unique dishes you’d •• water for boiling tofu never have the opportu- •• 1 block soft tofu, cut into 1 cm cubes nity to try otherwise. (My •• 100g ground beef or pork last year’s bonenkai was •• 2 handfuls of chopped negi (the thickest kind) at a restaurant specializ- •• 50-75 mL water or any kind of broth ing in tongue.) •• 2-3 Tbsp oil for stir-frying Of course, there are some downsides to the This dish, a staple in seemingly every Chinese •• 2 Tbsp rice wine end-of-year festivities: first, these parties can get restaurant in Japan, has an interesting history. The •• 2 Tbsp soy sauce (use light or shiroi soy sauce pricey, especially if you have multiple schools. Sec- dish’s name comes from a word that translates for a less salty flavour) ond, eating out frequently means you’re spending roughly as “pock-marked old woman.” Legend has •• 1 Tbsp Chinese red chili paste less time in your own kitchen (for shame!), which it that a poor old widow in Chengdu created this •• 1 Tbsp chinese black bean paste also means fewer leftovers to take to school the recipe to feed some travelers who happened by, •• 1 Tbsp cornstarch paste (mix equal parts next day. using a few simple ingredients from her scant pan- cornstarch and cold water. Don’t worry; help is on the way — in the form try. Directions: of a popular Szechwan (Sichuan) dish known as Whether she was pock-marked or not is the sub- •• Bring water to a rolling boil in a wok or pot. Boil mapo tofu. ject of (admittedly, not heated) debate, but suppos- tofu cubes for 3 minutes. Drain in a colander and edly word of this bold new culinary creation spread set tofu aside. through the province and beyond, and soon people •• Heat oil in a wok or pan. Stir-fry green onions were coming from all over the kingdom to have a (negi) and meat until the meat begins to brown. taste. •• Add the black bean paste and continue stirring Fast forward to 1952, when a middle-aged man until the meat has completely browned. from Szechwan Province named Chen Kenmin im- •• Add the tofu, rice wine, soy sauce and red chili migrated to Japan with the dream of starting up a paste, stirring carefully to avoid breaking the tofu. restaurant there. His restaurant Shisen Hanten, in •• Add the water or broth and boil the whole thing addition to being a successful business, was ulti- for about 3 minutes, or until you start to see pools of mately responsible for introducing Szechwan cui- red oil from the chili paste forming on top. sine — including this month’s recipe — to the Japa- •• Remove from heat, and let cool for about 5 nese. minutes. Add the cornstarch paste and stir in to Chen became known as the “Father of Szech- thicken. wan Cooking” in Japan, but he was also the father •• Serve atop steamed white rice. of another famous chef, Chen Kenichi — better known as “Iron Chef Chinese” on the popular Japa- Page 8 — Hyogo Times, December 2008 Hyogo Times, December 2008 — Page 9 A Hyogo Times Restaurant Review: Wheel Of Jeopardy! I Ate Eight —Hakkaku Ramen Time for the H.T. Quiz­: Broken Macbook edition! By Joy Feddes By Andrew Tamashiro The X in Xmas Hakkaku Ramen 1.indicates: 251-9 Ueharada, Hanada a) Kiss! Xmas is a dating holi- Himeji City day in Japan. 兵庫県姫路市花田町上原田２ b) It’s re-reclaiming of a pagan ５１－９ holiday. c) It’s old-school slang for On my recent trek down to Hime- Christ — gotcha! ji Port to get my re-entry permit, I stopped by Hakkaku (Octagon) Ra- 2. Holiday plans? men, a self-proclaimed “umai” (deli- a) I’ve got a couple of hot dates cious) ramen-ya just a few minutes lined up with my kotatsu. drive from the River City Shopping b) Brushing up on my Eigo Complex. The flapping banners and skills in the motherland. huge sign got my attention, as did the c) Drunk on a beach, please! fairly packed parking lot. It’s always All I want for Christ- nice to see a bunch of middle-aged 3.mas: guys in a ramen joint, because I as- a) Is youuuuuuuuu, baby! sociate that with a no-nonsense atti- b) Peace on earth, natch! tude and good value. I enjoyed the noodles, but felt the They have a lunch menu full of c) A computer that promises I ordered the Hakkaku Teishoku entire bowl lacked any real depth. The 700 yen set meals, like ramen and never to die on you or lose its leave me? Why?). they existed? Delish!) Hope your holi- A, which consisted of ramen, ya- soup was a bit too light, even with a chashu bowl, or ramen, rice and memory Have you backed up all days are sweeter than a class full of kimeshi (fried rice) and gyoza. Of the small bits of fat floating about, and the karaage, or ramen, gyoza and rice. How often do you update 7.your files upon hearing 6-year-olds who shout out your name four levels of broth thickness (assari, chashu was tough despite being fatty. There’s also an ongoing promotion 4.your Facebook status? about my loss yet? with glee when they see you! hankote, kotteri, kote kote), I went Though the ramen wasn’t as of gyoza on days ending in 8 (the 8th, a) Daily, I like to keep people in- a) Just after I update my Facebook with the slightly light hankote since I good as quite a number of other plac- 18th, and 28th): 88 yen for an order of formed. status. Mostly Bs: What will you get for Christ- knew I had an hour drive ahead of me es, I felt like the fried rice was some gyoza. I’m assuming this is because b) Never, I like to keep things mys- b) Frig Joy, not everything is mas (or Hanukkah?). I hope it will be and it wouldn’t do to fall asleep on the of the best I’ve had in a while. The red of the use of the kanji for 8 in the terious. about you! students that learn with sheer delight, Bantan Expressway. The shoyu broth pickled ginger was crunchy and pun- name Hakkaku. For whatever reason, c) I scorn Facebook. c) Yes, I have. Thank you for a heated apartment and a Japanese smelled and tasted faintly of chicken. gently refreshing when bitten into, it’s a ridiculous deal for 6 gyoza, and Hahaha, like you’re not on teaching me such an important baby to call your own. If you get none It was topped with bean sprouts, and the rice had large chunks of pork I can’t help but wonder how popular 5.Facebook! lesson. of those things, it must suck to be you. green onions, chashu, and nori. and egg. It lacked the overbearing oil the place is on those days. a) My requirement for a social life re- Your favourite holi- Although, wait a minute. I have none taste that of- I also can’t help but wonder if, by quires me to have Facebook. 8.day tradition: of those things, and I can assure you, ten accom- straying from my typical affection for b) ... Sorry, my heart stopped for a a) Drinking eggnog. I know I shouldn’t, it usually doesn’t suck to be me, so panies hast- thicker soup, I may have given Hak- moment while considering someone but I can’t help but love it! there is hope for you yet! Just back up ily prepared kaku the short end of the reviewing wasn’t on Facebook. b) is it wrong for me to say the gifts? your files and you will be ok. yakimeshi. stick. However, judging by the rather c) I get off on resisting social I mean, giving them, of course. The ordinary combination of toppings trends. c) Who sings “Love Me Tender” and Mostly Cs: The answer is, of gyoza were (even though the nori was good), Your most meaningful makes Christmas toys? course, Santa’s little Elvis. I met Elvis above aver- I feel like changing just the soup 6.relationship in Japan: on the train platform the other day. He age, very wouldn’t have done much. a) is with your JTE. You really bond What your answers mean: does live, disguised as a high school crispy and of- I would almost certainly return for over the teaching English experi- Mostly As: I’m not sure if we are Japanese boy. Very clever Elvis, fered a pleas- a gyoza discount day, and would or- ence. friends Mostly As. You seem to be very clever. For Christmas, let’s hope ant textural der the fried rice again. Unfortunately, b) is with a source of heat. fickle, but I know you have good taste Santa puts Facebook in your stocking departure without a solid ramen, I’d rather try c) is with your computer. (Oh Vin- in Christmas beverages (Did you get because you know you want it, and I from the rice something new if I’m driving an hour cente de Macbook! Why did you a Starbucks Gingerbread Latte while want you to have it. and ramen. south from the countryside of Tajima. Page 10 — Hyogo Times, December 2008 Hyogo Times, December 2008 — Page 11 Lesson Plan of the Month: Alphabend - Forcing Contortion ランドム 日本 By Lester Somera

Forcing Contortion (5th/6th grade level) This lesson is designed to reinforce the alphabet and teach kids the difference between the particle “a,” as in ‘a donkey,’ and the particle “an,” as in ‘an elephant.’ (Yes, I’m still in that election mindset. Deal.) It is incredibly annoying to hear one of my teachers omit a particle and say “This is copier,” or whatever, but I learned re- cently that there is no articulated difference in Japanese between vowels and conso- nants, since the kana alphabets consist almost entirely of [consonant + vowel] syl- lables, with the exception of “n/nn.” Most kids learn how to use romaji early, but they won’t learn the English al- phabet until the fifth grade or so, which means that they don’t learn how to make individual consonant sounds for years and it screws them over later when they talk entirely in katakana English. You’ll A Comic by James Williams see this fact for yourself if you do this les- son, and then you will weep for the state of English education in this country. In any case! third and fourth persons are Shapers, and A or AN (vowels are ‘boin’ and consonants You’ll need to make some flash cards get to move the Object to resemble the let- are ‘shiin’), test them on the concept by for this lesson. Write the alphabet on 26 ter. The Answerer has to guess which let- writing various words. cards. You probably have flash cards for ter their teammate is being contorted into. Have everyone stand up and show other lessons laying about somewhere — Once successful, everyone moves them the flash cards. Whenever you gather up about 30. They don’t need to be up a spot in the line and the Answerer show them a card that starts with a con- related in any way, they just need to vary goes to the back. Try to pair the letters in sonant, they have to put their hands on between words that start with vowels and terms of levels of difficulty, because kids their head. If the card starts with a vowel, words that don’t (arm, bear, egg, hospital, will complain if they get G and the other they have to put their hands on their hips. etc.). Write A and AN on the board. team gets Y or something like that. Every On the first run-through, flip each card af- For the first half, split the class into time a letter appears, put it on the board ter you say what’s on it so that they can two groups, then line them up. The first under either A or AN. The best way to do see the letter it starts with. After that, they two people in each line come up to the this, population permitting, is to make it have to rely on their hearing. If they screw front, turn around, and face the back of into a guys-versus-girls deal, because up, they have to sit down. the room. They are not allowed to look at younger kids are all about the cooties and This has worked very well in even my the blackboard. get embarrassed when asked to touch a grumpy morning classes, but the first half Place two letter cards on the board. member of the opposite sex. of the lesson takes a lot of time to explain The first person in each line will be the An- The second half of the lesson uses to a JTE and will also probably require swerer; the second person will be the Ob- your other flash cards. After explaining that you diagram it, so plan accordingly ject and cannot move his or her body. The that the letters in each column use either for time constraints. Page 12 — Hyogo Times, December 2008 Hyogo Times, December 2008 — Page 13 realize that standing merely feet away felt a fire kin- A Hyogo Times Exclusive Short Story: was the porcelain beauty, Helen. Trevor dling deep in her had thought himself alone in the pen, the turkey breast. last of his kind, alone in his sorrow. This His proximity vision of loveliness tugged at his fierce was beginning heart. He saw something compelling to make her in the beauty’s eyes, and he thought it shake, feeling The Feast might be redemption. almost bone- By Dustin North Helen continued to coo, gobbling less. Tensing as softly as the wild turkey stared back at she sensed his her enraptured. She swayed her graceful advance from In the distance, harsh magenta creatures, but he knew, deep down, that All of her life Helen’s beauty had been a white neck this way and that, the way a behind, Helen painted the horizon as the sun slowly accosting field mice would never bring curse to her. She was constantly followed proud mare might. cooed softly sank on what was sure to be the last back his beautiful Celeste. by polite, but arrogant, young cocks, sure Sensing some primal clue, Trevor again into the night of his life. Tufts of clouds, white and After months of anger, the emo- that they could have their way with her began his low coo as well. Slowly, ever cool night air. reflecting strange blue hues painted the tions slowly seeped into a hollow lone- as if she were some common hen. She so slowly, he raised his wings and in- Slowly ad- sky like wildflowers in the fields Trevor liness. One fateful day in early October never understood the allure, the desire haled her scent. She smelled of grain, vancing and remembered from his home far away. So he heard the distant and welcome sound that they felt. Helen had never seen the sunshine, and something more. His retreating, his clearly he could recall his beautiful fields of gobbling. He stalked the sound to the face of love until she had seen… him. His mighty turkey chest swelled slowly and feathers whis- and streams. It was paradise, where a edge of Highway 72, where he beheld cockscomb blood-red and his waddle the his feathers began to rise as his contin- pered softly man could be free, where a man could a turkeys’ paradise, or so he thought at same blue as Farmer Tucker’s best plaid ued to inhale. Wild and uninhibited colors against her be wild. The women were wild as well, the time. “Farmer Tucker’s Family Tur- work shirt. He was so dark, so wild, so sparkled from his glossy, dark plumage plumage once, he recalled with a faint warmth rising key Roundup” was the redemption he dangerous. Trevor had come to the farm beneath the unforgiving flood lights as he and then once deep beneath his glossy plumage. Life was looking for; he was sure of it. Acre and quickly made a name for himself by began to circle the snowy creature. more. How had this dazzling creature tiable lust, and her own. had been cruel since then. upon acre of turkey homes filled with a bullying the other cocks. How quickly her Helen followed the beast with her seduced him so? Always before she had Trevor’s eyes also rolled skyward. There had been a rainstorm in April. seemingly endless supply of grain, but sisters had been willing to lay aside their eyes alone. She continued to face for- seemed so cold, so formal… as chilly as He was cooing and gobbling in rhythm to His young wife Celeste had been enrap- even more intriguing were the inhabit- chastity to be with this brooding stranger. ward, slowly swaying from side to side. her snowy exterior. But tonight, tonight their frantic bucking. He felt a molten hot tured with the storm, and had drowned ants themselves. Never had he seen He had turned all of them away though, Her own plumage expanded as well, was different. Her white feathers glowed pressure building in his turkey baster as while forgetting to close her beautiful such beautiful specimens of turkey flesh, one by one. He enjoyed their company, looking like some majestic white angel like a too-hot fire. He could feel heat radi- he mercilessly stuffed his lover. His firm beak while staring at the sky. All through each one of them a curvy, albino fantasy. but never the spoils that could so eas- beneath the too-bright lights. Though she ating off of her. His need was real, grow- turkey balls felt as if they were melting the spring and summer months Trevor Talk about breasts… ily have been his. His eyes were dark, seemed composed, Helen was terrified. ing, and hard - a wishboner like none he like mini-marshmallows upon burning had mourned her. He was a torn and As the twilight deepened, Helen shiv- haunted. How she had wanted to heal Was this right? Was this the answer to had ever felt before. He began his final yams. tormented turkey. He eschewed his own ered beneath her radiant, white feathers. him. It seemed absurd, even yester- her chaste life? Could she save herself advance. All too soon the moment of divine ec- kind as they reminded him too much of Too much time had passed. Tonight, day when dozens of other turkeys still and this dark stranger as well? As Trevor Helen cooed louder as she felt him stasy was upon them both. Shrill gobbles what he had lost, who he had been. He they would follow all of the others to the roamed the pen, but not tonight. Tonight began his third rotation around her, she swoop in upon her. He was a predator, cutting through the night air like comets wandered endlessly, constantly seeking chopping block. How had she wasted so was different entirely. Helen and Trevor but they were both prey to this burning were prelude to their climax… and re- danger, seeking some sort of revenge. much time guarding what she didn’t want were the only turkeys left in the world, or lust. Her glassy black eyes rolled heav- demption. Helen felt she might swoon as He would pick fights with small woodland to guard? Her virtue sat inside her like an so it seemed. She would sacrifice herself enward and her thighs began to feel in- he tenderized her into frenzied orgasm. icy stone. An egg to save his soul if she must. credibly moist as she felt his proud turkey Her juices flowed freely, marinating her she could never As darkness spilled across the farm, cock pushing with velvety force against lover. Trevor’s breath halted as he began lay. Would she floodlights flared to life, illuminating her fowl mystery meat. It took but a mo- to spread his gravy deep within her. They go to her grave a Trevor as stalked up and down the pen ment, a sharp, painful, pleasurable, un- both shuddered there a moment in per- virgin, untrained angrily like the caged beast that he was. imaginable moment for him to pierce fect union before collapsing to the cool- in the ways of How absurd that it would end like this? her maidenly defenses. White meat and ing earth, still connected by turkey cock love, her turkey Dinner for a family of strangers, and for dark meat mingled upon the platter of ec- and mystery meat. Tremors ran through maidenhead in- what? He hadn’t brought Celeste back, stasy. She gobbled uncontrollably before their bodies as they exalted in the after- tact? Weeks ago, nor banished her memory from his mind. regaining control, and coaxing the rogue math of their passion. They lay together when Thanks- Trevor was drawn from his reverie by a deeper inside herself. She gasped as until Farmer Tucker pulled them apart, giving seemed light cooing sound, soft and unexpect- she realized how deep she wished he hauling Helen to her inevitable end. She a forever away, ed. Something glimmered in the corner was buried within her feathered treasure, would be the most succulent and tender the others had of his eye and urged him to cease his deeper than any chicken or duck within a turkey he ever tasted. As the night deep- teased her so. tormented pacing. He was shocked to turducken. She bucked against his insa- ened, Trevor was left alone again. Page 14 — Hyogo Times, December 2008 Hyogo Times, December 2008 — Page 15 New Year’s Eve going to be in the country and free cooked pumpkin is limited to in Kyoto don’t already have New Year’s the first 1,000 people. To get to The Best of the Block Have you ever been to a tem- plans, I’d consider this a must- Yata Temple, take the Tozai Line ple and noticed a large, metal see. to Shiyakusho-mae. By Brenda McKinney stand out against the night sky. hosted by the Shiga Intercul- bell hanging in the corner? Well, I don’t think transportation will Kakure Nenbutsu It’s a memorial event for tural Association for o-shogatsu (New Year’s) – a fam- be going all night, so hopefully Buddhist Sutra Chanting Hello again and happy the lives lost in the Globalization (SIA) ily holiday in Japan and the most the temple guide on this page will When Kyoto was struck by a packing for all of you jetting Great Hanshin-Awaji and they are look- important holiday of the year – is help you plan out where you want serious plague in 951, the Bud- off for the holidays this winter Earthquake.” It’s ing for ALTS to the one day when literally ev- to go. dhist monk Kuya started a danc- season (score on the 19 days of been rumored that volunteer to ery temple in Kyoto will ring that Pumpkin Memorial Service ing and sutra-chanting ritual to vacation for 6 days of nenkyu, this will be the last help with the cool, huge bell (joya no kane) 108 at Yata-dera stop it. Hyogo-ken!). Even if you’re not year you’ll be event. Shiga JET times. Why? Because there are Like free food? Why not head Come watch monks at the heading for sunnier pastures able to check out is involved and 108 humanly desires and the bell- over to the Kabocha (pumpkin) Rokuhara Mitsu-ji perform this this winter break, living in Japan this free event (a this event includes ringing can sweep them away. Memorial Service at Yata-dera on historical tradition (now an “in- gives you the unique opportunity 5-minute walk from games, music and I’ve been told most temples Tuesday, December 23rd? I can’t tangible important folk cultural to experience Hatsumode, the JR Motomatchi or San- there will be a chance stay open all night for New Year’s promise that this will be like a reg- property”), called the nenbutsu traditional first visit to a temple or nomiya Stations – follow the to try on kimonos and folk and give away free sake, so why ular memorial service in Japan (a odori dance. The dance will start shrine on New Year’s Day, with crowds towards the water!), so costumes from around the world not try out a new kind of all-night- pumpkin is set in front of the main around 16:00 on Saturday, De- the rest of the country – possibly add it to your itinerary (December for free (great for taking holiday er and celebrate this holiday the hall and people can ward off ill- cember 13th and will take place even in historic Kyoto! 4th – 15th)! Also, from personal card pictures!). If you like work- Japanese way in Kyoto? Temple- ness by touching it), but the pump- each day until Tuesday, Decem- And for those of you experience, make sure you make ing with kids and this sounds in- hopping is where it’s at! If you’re kin service starts at 10:00am and ber 30th. wondering about the outcome it through by 10pm, because they teresting to you, you can sign up of the National AJET December aren’t kidding when they say the through the SIA at 077-526-0931 Opinion Exchange with CLAIR music and lights will go off at that or email [email protected] for Shiga Temple Guide and the ministries, it was a suc- time! AJET contact info. Rakuchu (Central Area of Kyoto) cess! This year’s reports (on If You’re Hanging Around Shiga Ultimate Frisbee Myoren-ji Temple (Tel: 075-451-3527; Kyoto City Bus, Horikawa Teranouchi Stop) Team-Teaching, JET Alumni, Is the Taj Ulimate tournie just Ho-on-in Temple (Tel: 075-414-1550; Kyoto City Bus, Horikawa Kamidachiuri Stop) Community Involvement, Shiga Prefecture a little too far away for your liking Seigan-ji Temple (Tel: 075-221-0958; Kyoto City Bus, Kawaramachi Sanjo Stop) Handover Procedures & Pre- Live Jazz in Kampokan and you can’t make it to Himeji for Mibu-dera Temple (Tel: 075-841-3381; Kyoto City Bus, Mibudera-michi Stop) Departure Study Materials) Get to know both the JET and the next Hyogo practice? Why Rakuhoku (Northern Area) offered some great suggestions JapIf you’re looking for a good not make some new friends and Jorenge-in Temple (Tel: 075-744-2408; Kyoto Bus, Ohara Stop) and prompted some really great jazz scene, join some folks maybe learn some Ultimate tricks Shorin-in Temple (Tel: 075-744-2409; Kyoto Bus, Ohara Stop) discussions, the product of which from Shiga at this “lavish” mu- from the Shiga Ultimate Frisbee Enryaku-ji Temple Eastern Pagoda (Tel: 077-578-0001; Keihan Bus, you will hopefully see in the seum in Gokasho Town on Sun- team at their tournie, held this Enryakuji Bus Center Stop / 1,000 yen; with amulet) upcoming year. day November 30th from 2-5pm. month on Saturday, December Rakunan (Southern Area) So without further ado, here’s Gokasho Town is said to be very 20th (starting at 10am) and Sun- Zuiko-ji Temple (Tel: 075-641-1704; JR Inari Sta.) to a rocking season of kotatsu pretty and is historically famous day, December 21st at Yasu Park. Rakusai (Western Area) (heated coffee tables), kerosene as the one-time home of the Omi Ultimate is fantastic exercise and Daikaku-ji Temple (Tel: 075-871-0071; Kyoto Bus, Daikakuji Stop) stoves, and newfound expertise Merchants, so it might be worth a great fun, so check out the post Nison-in Temple (Tel: 075-861-0687; Kyoto City Bus, Saga Shakado-mae Stop) in layering clothing for work. Let’s day trip just to see the town. The from the “Flying Disc Associa- Jojakko-ji Temple (Tel: 075-861-0435; Kyoto City Bus, Saga Shogakko-mae Stop) make the most of it and happy cost of the jazz event is ￥500 in tion” on Shiga’s ESLwell page (or Inku-ji Temple (Tel: 075-872-4625; Kyoto City Bus, Yamagoe Stop) holidays! advance / ￥800 at the door and email [email protected]) for direc- Rakuto (Eastern Area) What’s Happening Around more information can be found at tions/more info. Other teams also Konkai Komyo-ji Temple (Tel: 075-771-2204; Kyoto City Bus, Okazakimichi Stop) www.kampokan.com (tel: 074-848- welcome to join the cup! Shinnyo-do Temple (Tel: 075-771-0915; Kyoto City Bus, Shinnyodo-mae Stop) Hyogo Prefecture 4141). For further (Shiga) contact For more information on Shi- Hyakumanben Chion-ji (Tel: 075-781-9171; Kyoto City Bus, Hyakumanben Stop Kobe Luminarie details on this event, please email ga-ken events, please see their Eikan-do Temple (Tel: 075-761-0007; Kyoto City Bus, Nanzenji Eikando-mae Stop) This is the event-of-all-events [email protected]. online forum (which also includes Shoren-in Temple (Tel: 075-561-2345; Kyoto City Bus, Jingu-michi Stop) for Kobe residents and one of Childrens Multicultural anncouncements & stuff for sale) Choraku-ji Temple (Tel: 075-561-0589; Kyoto City Bus, Gion Stop) the reasons Kobe is known as Square at http://shigajets.eslwell.com** Kennin-ji Temple (Tel: 075-561-0190; Kyoto City Bus, Higashiyama Yasui Stop) the “romantic city” throughout On Sunday, December 7, Over in Tofuku-ji Temple (Tel: 075-561-0087; JR Tofukuji Sta.) Japan. As the city website puts from 10:30 – 15:30, there will be Bishamon-do Temple (Tel: 075-581-0328; JR Yamashina Sta.) it, “dreamlike sculptures of light a children’s event at Piazza Omi Kyoto Prefecture Page 16 — Hyogo Times, December 2008 Hyogo Times, December 2008 — Page 17 about myself). v Name: Andrew Tamashiro. v Hobbies: Taiko drumming, v Motto to live by: Don`t be a Getting to Know v Please call me: Andrew is fine. basketball, food culture and jerk. I’m not one of these people with drinking, dancing and singing all v I remember when... the Pow- some random name by which I’d at once. er Glove looked cool and I wore Some Random JETs rather go by. v Staying another year? Yeah, shoes with different coloured lac- France, Portu- far? The kids. v School and Location in probably. es like Punky Brewster. gal, America, v If it was my last day on Hyogo: Asago in Tajima, Youdo, v Favorites: v What are you drinking? Free New Zealand, earth I would: fly home and Ookura and Yanase elementary Food: Mom’s mac ’n cheese, coffee from school... mmm free... Malaysia. make everyone in the family schools, plus Yanase kindergar- Italian, Mexican, Japanese. v Who would you like to meet? v Hobbies: get plastered on the basis that ten. Sports: Basketball, though My grandparents. manga, books, if a passing spaceship picks v How we know you: I write the recently I’ve rediscovered the v Why should we elect you cooking. us up it will cushion the shock, ramen reviews that no one reads love of dodgeball and ultimate President of the World? You v Staying an- and if not — well, it can’t hurt. and used to have a bit of an afro. frisbee. shouldn`t unless you want to hear other year? v Interesting fact about me: v Birthday: June 14. Music: From Tribe Called Under the Sea sung every morn- Probably not. As long as I can keep making v Born and raised: LA side of Quest to Johnny Cash to B’z. ing in school classrooms. v Favorites: wry comments I’m fine. the LA/OC border, home of sub- Shop: 100 yen shops, and our v Best thing about Japan so Food: chocolate, v My top tip for teaching: al- urbs and tons of white and Asian town revolves around Jusco far? Free veggies from vice-prin- cheese. ways remember that the most kids. so... that. cipal and the weirdness of the Sports: uh, next attitude-laden nine-year-old v Family: Older brother, younger TV Show: Bakushou Red Car- countryside. question! has a Spongebob pencil case. sis and the retired parentals. pet, Curb Your Enthusiasm, v If it was my last day on earth Music: rock, v When the class is TOO v University and Degree: Uni- Married with Children. I would: drink a Guinness and punk, anythin QUIET I… would shed tears of versity of Southern California, Movie: Team America, Or- eat a steak. catchy that isn’t joy. Seriously, I’ve never had business/marketing. gazmo. v Interesting fact about me: I in high C. that “problem.” v Other jobs you have had: v Most Proud Achievement: take pictures of my food and up- Shop: book- v Bribery for students…YAY Office bitch, door-to-door credit Hmmm... building a house in load it to the internet... maybe stores? or NAY? Hell YAY! card sales, accounting. Mexico? that`s not so much interesting as TV Show: The vFunniest story involving v Travels: Other than the States, v Best life experience: Tie be- just weird. Big Bang Theo- a student: Um, okay, this is Italy, Netherlands, Mexico and tween studying abroad in college v My top tip for teaching: Be ry. the only one I remember right this is my fourth time to Japan. and working sales (I learned a lot loud. I`m loud as hell. My friend Movie: Second- now. Maeda-sensei and I have who works across the v Name: Suzie Winterton. hand Lions. a kid called Yuuki in one of the street claims she hears v Please call me: Suzie. v Most Proud Achievement: 2-nensei classes who says me in my third-floor v School and Location in getting into JET. that he can’t concentrate when classroom. Hyogo: Okawachi Junior High v Best life experience: Uh, he sits down. It’s a claim he’s v When the class is School, 4 elementaries. Kami- coming here, probably. been making since about May TOO QUIET I… get them kawa-cho. v Motto to live by: Shit hap- this year. on their feet. I work at el- v How we know you: you pens. When Maeda-sensei first no- ementary, so this doesn`t probably don’t. v I remember when... I ticed she said, in English, “Mr. happen too often, but it v Birthday: 3 December. climbed to the top of Mt. Fuji Yuuki, what are you doing? Sit does depending on the v Born and raised: Man- and the first thing I thought down!” homeroom teacher. durah, Western Australia. was, “Right. Done it. Hah. Can Whereupon Mr. Yuuki replied v Bribery for stu- v Family: I have them, yes. I go home now?” in Japanese, “I don’t get it.” dents…YAY or NAY? v University and Degree: v What are you drinking? Maeda-sensei rolled her eyes Hell yes. Stickers are the Curtin University. I’ve forgotten Now? Tea. and Yuuki leant forward and best thing since thickly what my degree was called, so v Who would you like to down to ask the boy in front of sliced shokupan. it probably wasn’t that impres- meet? Terry Pratchett. him what she’d said. Shouta vFunniest story in- sive. v Why should we elect you turned around, held Yuuki’s volving a student: May- v Other jobs you have had: President of the World? Be- eyes and said in Japanese, be the time one student secretary, filing clerk, waitress, cause I really don’t want the “She said ‘Yuuki, what tha hell called me “Kintamashiro- grape-picker. job ya doin’?! Hurry up an’ sid- sensei.” Kintama means v Travels: England, Ireland, v Best thing about Japan so down, moron!’ ” testicles. Page 18 — Hyogo Times, December 2008 Hyogo Times, December 2008 — Page 19 educational systems, producing Better Know a Ken: people who played an important role in the Meiji Restoration. His- Story and photos torically, many famous politicians by Miyoko Conley have come from Yamaguchi. Fun- Yamaguchi nily enough, it is the smallest pre- Part 13 in our ongoing 47-part series highlighting the lives of JETs living in other prefectures. Yes, we blatantly stole the idea from Stephen Colbert’s fectural capital in Japan. 434-part Better Know a District. If you know someone living in another ken, have them send in their story and pics to [email protected]. If you Google-search Yamagu- When I first arrived in chi-ken, one of the first things you Japan, my prefectural advi- will read is that it is famous for its sor told our group that we fugu (blowfish). People who live were very lucky, because here pronounce it “fuku,” which in Yamaguchi-ken the food is the same as the character for was delicious and the peo- fortune and wealth or good luck. ple were nice, though it was Specifically, the port city of Shi- a little inaka (country). Hav- monoseki is known for its fugu. ing been in Yamaguchi-ken There are also many sites to for a few months now, I can visit in Yamaguchi-ken. In Hofu, say that is most definitely there is the Hofu Tenmangu true. Shrine, which is one of the three pan come to the shrine to pray Yuda Onsen. The train station I live in Hofu, which major Tenmangu Shrines in Ja- for good scores on their exams. is marked by a giant statue of is near the capital city of pan and is also the oldest. It was If you come to Hofu on the a white fox because during the Yamaguchi. The way I de- built in 905 A.D. for Lord Sug- fourth Saturday in November, Muromachi period, it is said that scribe my city is “conve- awara Michizane, who has been you can witness the Hofu Naked a white fox bathed its wounds in nient” because I am near deified as the “god of study.” Man Festival, boasted as one of the hot springs there. And if you four shopping centers, Many students from all over Ja- the liveliest festivals in Japan. ever get tired of Japan, you can but then again, I also live Hop over catch a ferry to South Korea or across the street from a to Yamaguchi China from Shimonoseki. rice field. Yamaguchi-ken is City and you Each city in Yamaguchi has an interesting blend of con- “Kyoto of the West.” This is be- a place that has old-fashioned can walk along its own unique sites to see, but temporary and traditional Japan, cause during the Muromachi Peri- streets and houses from the Edo Park Road to there are too many to list here. with beautiful mountains and not- od, the ruling Ouchi Clan mimicked period. The Mori Clan also sought see the five- Just come on down and see it so-beautiful industry. the city planning of Kyoto, and a to strengthen their economic and story pagoda for yourself. However, I would Located in the very southwest rich culture blos- at Rurikoji recommend visiting Yamaguchi- of Honshu in the Chugoku region, somed. Temple, or ken when the weather is nice, as Yamaguchi has been called the The next ma- go northwest many of the sites are natural or jor ruling clan was to the largest are shrines. the Mori Clan, who karst plateau Though I have not been in the ruled during the in all of Japan, prefecture that long, I have thor- Sengoku period. Af- Akiyoshidai. oughly enjoyed my time here, as ter a major defeat by Another some of the people here are the the Tokugawa Sho- popular spot is nicest I have ever met. gunate (who started the Kintaikyo I’ll leave you with a few words the Edo Period), the Bridge, a five- of Santoka, the famous haiku Mori were forced to arched wood- poet who was born in Hofu and give up all their land en bridge over known for his free style: except in Hagi. the Nishiki Riv- The color of sunset is very beautiful It was in Hagi er in Iwakuni. I have just spent modestly my City where they built There are also times of today. a castle, which you many onsens For me, this exemplifies the can visit today at his- in Yamaguchi- easy-going way life seems to torical “Castle Town,” ken, including amble along in Yamaguchi-ken. Page 20 — Hyogo Times, December 2008 Hyogo Times, December 2008 — Page 21 you will need to partake in to feel as fresh as possible for work the next day. With omiyage bought and paid Travel Japan for, soon enough it will be time to board the same luxury liner back to Hyogo Prefecture. Squeeze yourself Overnight Bus Nagano Ski Weekends into your spacious seat and hope- By Jeff Weese fully sleep all the way back home to arrive between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m. Strapped for cash AND nenkyu? Monday morning! Perfect timing to I think that might be the consensus limp back to school, achy muscles of ALTs around this time of year as and all, to sneak into the shokuin- everyone returns from exotic holi- shitsu just in time for the morning days abroad or wholesome holidays meeting! An afternoon nap in the back home. But don’t let that be the library or English office will prob- reason for sitting on your tatami ably be necessary, but it will all have mats for the rest of the winter! been worth it! There are plenty of amazing Some of these packages you weekend winter packages to Na- can build yourself and some come gano that do not require any nenkyu as a bundle already, but usually you (maybe a half-day for Taj people) or can score transport, ryokan, meals many of your yennies! Not that there’s anything wrong with that. at the ryokan, lift pass and rentals You can spend anywhere be- you up, chuck your stuff at the lodge ents what time dinner is served. for between 20,000 and 25,000yen! tween 15,000 and 35,000 yen for and head to the lifts for the first run After dinner, if you can stay Awesome price for an entire week- all-inclusive weekend packages, of the early morning! All day Satur- awake, spend a few minutes wander- end of fun! but what your package is inclu- day you can ski or ride your heart ing through the ski village, as there The top three ranked areas in sive of determines what end of the out through the trees, in the bowls, are usually pretty interesting onsens, Nagano are Hakuba, Nozawa On- price spectrum you will be paying. in search of the untouched fluffy omiyage shops and tucked-away sen, and Shiga Kogen. The ski and All packages will include bus trans- white, or on the green cruisers. bars. Sunday is more of the same on snowboard pamphlets on display portation and lodging as a basic, Back at your accommodation, the mountain and you should push it outside travel agencies are a little but adding on lift tickets, meals and they will prepare a full-on meal of lo- hard this day so you’ll be passed out difficult to sort out, so I recommend rentals really do not kick up the price Best Ski School quote? “It’s not how far you go, it’s how go you far.” cal specialties for dinner and break- for the bus ride home. stopping in and having a chat with a that much more. driver, but because you will want to your bladder and fill up on decent fast (usually included in the price), There will surely be an onsen lovely agent about your next excit- So starting with the bus, most of make up for the extreme discomfort rest area food. The stops are wel- so be sure to ask your ryokan par- or bath in town or at the ryokan that ing weekend holiday! them leave from Osaka’s Banpaku of the seats! They are definitely not comed the first two times but by the Koen (Hakuba buses are available made for the Western-built body! third and fourth stops occurring at 3 from Himeji/Sannomiya) on Friday Off you go by about 10:30 pm, a.m. you are thinking to yourself, “I evening. This should leave you due to arrive at your destination don’t need to pee and I don’t need Discount plenty of time to run home after work usually between 5:30 a.m. and 8 anymore yakisoba!” and grab your stuff. You’ll also want a.m., depending on where you are Back to the ski trip, when you ar- Snowboards to be wearing something comfort- going. The bus will stop every two rive at the break of dawn (literally), able, not for sexy time with the bus hours or so to let you off to unload you should grab a coffee to wake Discount Snowboards offers all JETS a 10% discount for all orders until the end of January, 2009. Order online using the following discount code: To my loyal travel review readers: I have truly enjoyed writing the travel review for the Hyogo Times for the last three years. I know that many of DSBJET08 you have explored places I have recommended and I hope that many more of you have the chance to continue The best prices for top-end gear... delivered to your door. exploring. As my life heads in new directions, I am stepping away from writing the travel review but I hope that someone with enthusiasm for travel wants to take the reigns. Thank you all for reading and enjoy where your travels take you. www.discountsnowboards.com.au — Jeff Weese Page 22 — Hyogo Times, December 2008 Hyogo Times, December 2008 — Page 23 Love and Relationships: to buy presents for loved ones (or rations from the 100yen shop (re- watch you is NOT a fun present!) yourself ), nothing says, “I love ( use next year!). It will be nice to Buy a white mug from the Christmas Loving ラブラブ) you” more than making have your own little Christmas 100yen shop and paint it your- By Lub and Lub something with your own hands. Day... Santa hat is optional, but self. It means you actually got off your preferred. Plan a fantastic day out So I woke up the other morn- bum and planned ahead, and BAKE (or attempt to) Surprise them by not telling ing... and it was freezing!  It’s shows you were really thinking Japan has loads of those cute them where you’re going. Make times like that I wish it was the of them (kawaii ne!). However if little gift bags and ties — baking sure you dress VERY warmly! weekend and I could spend the you’re useless like me here are is a thoughtful gift that looks pret- (Hint for anyone wanting to take whole day in bed with someone some easy ideas: ty. If you don’t have an oven, at- me out! I want a winter picnic on I cared about. COOK tempt a trial and error recipe with the mountain and to go to USJ!). Out on the streets of Japan (or attempt to) your toaster oven! If you are a bit skint (ie. broke), I’ve noticed a massive increase Both guys and gals love some- Use your hobby make coupons (IOU= Wash the in couples everywhere, looking one cooking them a lovely meal. It Draw or paint a picture, knit a dishes, go shopping with you, all gooey-eyed and happy. While doesn’t have to be complicated — scarf, write a poem or story, do a massage, cuddle, kiss, etc.) or I walk along, freezing cold, trying try to find out what their favourite collage of a load of photos (steal make a winter survival pack with to avoid these people who seem food is, or just do a simple mac from facebook), collect quotes hot chocoloate powder, heat to have no concept of others try- and cheese. Buy a nice bottle of that remind you of them, or de- packs, chapstick, etc. ing to walk past, they crawl along wine, some candles, something sign your own lovey dovey Christ- I hope you all have a loved- at snail’s pace. It makes me sick! yummy for dessert… you know mas card. (Note: if your hobby is up Christmas with your family, (ahh, how my inner green-eyed the rest. Buy some cheap deco- a sport, making them come and friends or any loved ones! xxx monster surfaces at Christmas time...) In Japan, Christmas is purely a time for couples (and KFC). We are here for cultural exchange (blah blah), but it doesn’t mean you have to become completely Japanese and conform to every- thing. It’s an exchange! You may be in Japan, but don’t forget your own Christmas values. In my home country, it is all about seeing my family and spending the days in a nice warm house, opening Santa’s presents with many drunken Design editor’s XXXmas loving suggestion — Hotel Christmas love hotel in Osaka. relatives. There is no reason why you can’t try to recreate this will understand and sympathise Get excited about making plans with your new friends in Japan. with you. They may realise how for Xmas, stock up on those lit- Organise your own Christmas special Christmas is to you, and tle pocket heaters and soup, and Day, have people to sleep over, you might even get an invite to stick bubble wrap on your win- buy little presents for each oth- their home. dows. er, and if you’re lucky enough to During the winter months, it If all your friends are going home have an oven, attempt to cook a is very easy to feel alone and for Christmas, and you are worried traditional meal (if not, then im- depressed. This is normal. You about being alone, then I suggest provise!). are exposed to less sunlight and going and exploring Japan, or if you I find if you educate Japa- will spend more nights at home have the money, go abroad. It’s a nese people about how our alone (sleeping under your ko- great time to take a little nenkyu but Christmas Day and their New tatsu). Be proactive now before get loads of time off! Year’s Day are very similar, they you become too down or frozen. Now for those of you needing It’s said that it takes all kinds of people — I don’t want to meet the folks that need this to get turned on! Page 24 — Hyogo Times, December 2008 Hyogo Times, December 2008 — Page 25

I remembered the kocho-sen- I Love My Inaka Town sei saying “Ken, I have found a Japanese girl for you; she is one By Kenroy Taylor of your fans.” My JTEs teased me so much over the next few days Hi, I am Kenroy Denzil Taylor, saying I should ask her out. So a hyperactive ALT at Yumesaki now I meet with her at my school High School in Yumesaki-cho, and after each meeting everyone Himeji-shi. At first, I saw myself looks at me with the, “How was as Tarzan in my own jungle. I it?” look on their faces. saw a strange and boring town (My deepest fear is that I might surrounded by mountains, rice actually ask her out. She is very fields, and people who only beautiful and her English is com- speak Japanese. I complained, ing along great but then again my envied the city JETS, and the school knows too much already. closest JETs to me are in Fu- Also, I do not think that my kocho- kusaki, a thirty-minute bike ride sensei’s words were to be taken away. literally. What do you think?) As the weeks passed, I be- So I won’t complain. Even gan to take a closer look and The Yumesaki River is the channel. She showed me some and Onsen are about five minutes through December. So I am on though there are no trains to my what really unfolded before my nucleus of the town. I often go strange-looking fish and a beau- from my house. If anyone ever TV and the good thing about this town and the last bus to Himeji- eyes was my very own paradise hiking up the river. On one of tiful flock of birds nesting in a needs to just thaw out during the type of community outreach is shi is at 7 p.m. Yumesaki is very in the bush. The vast land of rice my hiking trips upstream, I met nearby tree. winter, just catch the number 51 that people actually use the one- cold because of the many moun- fields is actually a spectacular a lady and she said something There is a spot in the river bus at Himeji bus station in the point phrases when they see me. tains but I am actually having a view as I ride my bicycle around in Japanese but all I could make which is very deep and the fish Sanyo Building and get off at Yu- In fact, a lady came by my school great time. I am Jamaican so I the big town. Farming is the live- out was “National Geographic.” are as big as my arm. Seriously, menoi bus stop just a few blocks in early November wanting me to have never experienced such lihood of most of the people, so I had my camera and my pants I am afraid to swim in that spot from Lawson’s convenient store. teach her English. The little free freezing weather and I heard that sunshine or rain you can see rolled-up like one of those explor- because I can’t see the bottom I think I have been blessed time I had is now gone but it is for the worst is yet to come, but with people in their fields. ers on the National Geographic and I might have watched too to be working at Yumesaki High a great cause so I do not mind. enough gaman, I will survive. many horror flicks, but school. I love my I don’t know what is school. There is nev- down there and I don’t er a day that I don’t want to be the curious laugh. My JTEs are imbecile in the movie genuinely friendly and who gets killed first! easy to work with. The I really want to truth is we do not al- learn Japanese so I ways agree, but usual- can talk to the people ly our final consensus in my community. Ev- puts the students first. eryone wants to teach Each lesson is like an something and they act. Even though it is are so friendly. Some the same lesson, the people even helped audience is different me sort out my gar- so the act is modified. bage, as I had every- One of my JTEs thing mixed up at first. and I do a monthly Yumesaki is fa- one-point lesson for mous for the many the local cable tele- onsens because it is vision. It is aired on in the Shiota area. In Sundays. So far we fact, Yumenoi Hotel have done August