it's not life that matters but the journey...

Does this or does this not look like a hand, shaped in a fist, coming from the tree?  I saw this when I was walking and took a photo.  Unfortunately, I couldn't get closer since this is next to a road that goes under a tunnel.  Strange . . .

I've added more photos to my photoalbum online at http://photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/

You can see a larger version of the "hand" that I have posted on my journal.  Its kind of creepy, I think!

Well, I had another extremely busy Sunday - that seems to be the day that everyone has time to get together!  First I had plans to go with some former students to the school festival at the high school where I used to teach.  It turned out to be a really hot day, but luckily they had a bus that took us to and from the school, which otherwise would have been a 30 minute walk.  Masahiko took me all the way from home to the station in Kambara, where I met my former students Aiko and Saori around 10:30.  Kambara is also a very small town, and very "inaka" (rural), but just before I moved from Japan in 2000, they built this gigantic strip mall across from the train station with a giant grocery store, a big store resembling K-Mart, a "keiten sushi" restaurant (one of those with the revolving counters where you choose your own prepared sushi), a chinese restaurant with cheap, yummy food and lots of other stores like a 100 yen store, a hairdresser, etc.  its nicer than any of the shopping areas in Fuji near where we live.
I had picked up something for lunch and then met the girls and we took the bus to the school.  Along the way I noticed how much the town has changed in the five years since I left - lots of new apartment buildings.  but they still put the ALTs (the foreign teachers) in the extremely old building with ancient plumbing.  Its not right.  Anyway, I didn't take any pictures since we didn't walk, but perhaps I will go back to Kambara sometime and walk around.  I like that town.  We got to the school, and had fun walking through where I saw lots of students who I had taught - they were back either doing student teaching or visiting.  I also saw some teachers I knew, but only two English teachers.  I met the girl from Seattle who is now teaching there and living in the apartment that I once lived in.  She is so positive and cheerful - just like I am sure I was when I first got to Japan!  I should have exchanged phone numbers with her, but didn't think of it.  She is busy, I am sure, with all the JET things - get togethers with other foreigners, drinking parties, the life of a single, foreign teacher in Japan.  The festival wasn't really too exciting - the students just decorate their home room classrooms, and in the gym there are some skits and performances.  But just being there was fun, and very "natsukashii" (nostalgic).
After the festival, we hung around and talked to some teachers and then took the bus back to the station.  Then we ate something at the Chinese restaurant and I took the train back to meet Masahiko for a barbeque party with his friends.  I did take pictures with the students I saw - Aiko was actually living in Stockton for three years after she graduated, and she came to Chicago to meet me and Masahiko when we were there.  Here's one of the photos of us from yesterday: http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/iharagirls2.jpg

Masahiko jammed with his friends yesterday afternoon while i was at the festival, and then we went to his friends' house (Fujiwara, who I mentioned before, and his girlfriend Bobbie who was visiting from Tokyo again).  They had chicken and hamburgers on the bbq, and lots of other food and beer.  We watched old blues performances on DVDs that his friend, the drummer, Ito-san brought.  Ito-san is a dentist and gave us all sample toothbrushes as a party gift!  I talked a lot with Bobbie, who is still encouraging me about finding work here.  She is a good resource!  I took pictures of our party and the group:  http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/grouppic.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/grouppic2.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/bbqparty.jpg

After I got home, I was so ready for a shower, and then I just got caught up on my private journal which I hadn't touched for two weeks!  Now I need to get back to my novel again, which is sadly not getting finished!

I have applied for a part time job at some school in Fuji, but I don't know where it is - the listing was with some company that recruits teachers out of Tokyo.  they called me last week, and they wanted a photo. I think its kind of insulting that in Japan they always request a photo, as well as your age, when you apply for a teaching position.  But its the way it is here.  In the states, I am sure that it would be considered discrimination to ask for a photo unless you are trying to be a model or actor!
We'll see if I am too old, or not the right look for them. 

Meanwhile its getting hotter and summer is definitely right around the corner - time to get out of the area and go to the ocean or the mountains!

I just got this link from a friend, iilii

http://www.passthepotato.com/passedpotato.php?potatoid=050602222858-130078 

keep it going!