 I was going to try to get a haircut at a Japanese salon today but I totally chickened out. I envisioned coming out of the salon with a ridiculous hair bow or a blonde pixie cut because of miscommunication. I will get a professional cut when my Japanese has improved.
My bangs have grown so fast and they are driving me bonkers because I can't see a thing. Haircuts are pretty expensive here so instead of paying $50+ for a trim I bought a hair razor for $1 at the 100 Yen shop and decided to cut my own bangs. Was this a better idea? Chances are I will need to pay $50 anyways to fix what I do. Desperate times...
Update**
Success! I can see again and it doesn't look half bad. :)
 I watch Japanese ads on YouTube.
Instead of skipping over them like I usually do at home, I try to figure out what the ad is all about (usually unsuccessfully). At the very least I can enjoy how cute everything is in Japan.
 I am awake bright and early to head out to Nagaoka which is about an hour and a half away from Niigata city. I will be participating as an English coach for over 200+ students for the next couple of days at an English summer camp.
It will my first chance to interact with large crowds of Japanese students and test out my self-introduction lesson. Fun times!
 I made a book filled with pictures of myself...see, narcissism pays off sometimes.
I also threw in some pictures of my friends, family, and home. The whole process made me really homesick but it also made me incredibly grateful to have a life so full of love. I hope the kids like it because I sure had fun making it.
 In an attempt to eat healthy and reduce waste by making my lunches I bought a bento box. There were so many to choose from but I decided on a cute bento bowl with little ebi (shrimp) on it.
I hope to cook more instead of relying on convenient supermarket sushi and ready made meals.
I wish fruit weren't so expensive though...grapes are almost $12! Veggies are not too bad and the sushi is better than some restaurants at home so I can't really complain.
I eat a lot less here so this little bento is perfect!
 I finally had sushi in a restaurant today! My supervisor took me for lunch and I requested sushi, which surprised and delighted her.
The entire meal including tea and ice cream was only $4.00! I love Japan for its cheap scrumptious sushi. It was the perfect light, refreshing and healthy meal that I thought I would be eating daily here.
I know I write about food a lot but delicious Japanese fare is still exciting to me.
 At the front there was a place to lock up your shoes.
 My friend came to visit me from the boonies of her rural town and was in dire need of some retail therapy. Since I had been around Niigata city a couple of times I decided to take her to some of the vintage shops in the Bandai area that I found. She was in heaven and made a hefty dent in her wallet but felt satisfied by her purchases. The thing I love about Japanese street style is the classic-modern mash up that is both conservative yet feminine. The fashion embodies the dichotomous culture of Japan where new and old coexist to create somthing that is uniqely Japanese. If any of their wicked sense of style rubs off on me I will consider my trip a success.
We also had a super delicious meal at a seafood restaurant, I would say it was the best meal I've eaten since being here. Whenever Sabina and I go out for supper we always find a place to eat by following our noses. Wherever smells the best is where we usually end up. At this particular restaurant you could grill seafood at your table. We ordered a bunch of shrimp, fish, and a refreshing salad. Since being here I have had a lot of rice and noodles which are very filling and too hot in this weather. I often cannot finish my meal and feel bloated from the expanding rice and noodles. This one was rice and noodle free, simple and easy to eat, and very flavorful. I hope to eat more meals like that one. Once I learn how to use the fish grill in my house I will be set.
Sometimes it feels like I have been here for longer than I actually have and that I should be more settled and know how to do more things. But then I remember that I've only been here for two weeks and I've done some sort of exploring or nesting almost everyday. Some days it still doesn't seem real that I am living in Japan, like it's a trip that will end soon. My homesickness is kept at bay by keeping myself busy and distracted but it's always lurkingly present. Luckily I can enjoy the company of new friends, indulge in some retail therapy, and enjoy fantastic fresh seafood meals any time!
 It was over 30 degrees inside my office this morning and it only got hotter as the day went on. This is one of the cooler days I've had.
That is all. I will leave you to imagine the sweatiness of the situation.
 Haha ok that was a really lame title but you will forgive me once you read how awesome my weekend trip to Sado Island was.
This was my first taste of traveling around Japan and I had to coordinate bus, train, and ferry schedules and learn how to ask for or read directions in Japanese.
Luckily I had friends to meet up with and we combined forces and our limited abilities to read and speak Japanese and we found our way without any trouble. I don't mind that I need to rely on people to help me get around Japan because I like traveling with others. It is way better to share experiences and make memories with people that will be reminisced about at a later date. Even the mishaps make for entertaining tales of adventure when you have someone else to look back on them with. Also, if you can find friends that you enjoy traveling with then I think you are more likely to stay friends with them because you have unique experiences that bond you together, and they have likely seen you at your worst (or at least your most stressed) and they still choose to hang out with you which is a good sign for a long lasting friendship. In this case, I feel that my travel companions depend on me just as much as I do on them and this reciprocal relationship helps to keep everyone humble and agreeable.
Stepping onto Sado land was like entering another realm filled with lush tropical foliage, breathtaking mountainous ocean views, gigantic insects, and empty beaches lined with crystal clear calm coastal waters. During the bus ride from the main port to the Earth Celebration grounds we drove past rolling rice fields and quaint houses that portrayed the quiet yet strong ancient beauty of historical Japanese architecture. The roads were narrow and winding, they zigged around mountains and zagged around fields of green. It seemed like the roads came after the shrines and houses were built, they would curve and swerve to avoid doorsteps and temple gates ever so slightly. I can't believe how stunning the island is, it is such a different landscape compared to the industrial backdrop of Niigata city. Instead of man and industry, nature rules and flourishes on Sado. Houses are overtaken by uninterrupted climbing vines, roads part way for forests and mountains, and the Sea of Japan is a barrier that protects the island from being overrun by man-made modernity.
When we arrived in Ogi where the Earth Celebration events were happening we were met by swarms of people all there to enoy the renowned performances of traditional Taiko drumming. There was a huge field set up to view the outdoor concert and it was completely full by the time we got there. You could feel the excitement and positive energy of the festival. The show started just as the sun began to set. The music seemed to complement the natural ambience. A hush came over the crowd as the drummers played softly to put the sun and the cicadas to sleep. Nature seemed harmonious as the haze of twilight fell upon us. Dusk ushered in darkness and the mood shifted from one of peaceful whispers to primal deep rhythms that sounded like they were culminating towards something primordial. In the thundering pulse of the powerful drums you could imagine the warlike past of Japan and hear a history of tradition that still beats on today. The taiko drummers were truly fantastic, they played with all of the passion they could muster and were both artful and formidably talented. As the height of the performance was building it was as if the gods could hear the furious song of the drums and an impressive lightning storm cut through the starlit sky. When the drums beat faster the lightning bolted across the sky more fervently and the thunder fought for attention overtop of the boisterous rhythm. At first I thought it was a light show behind the stage but then quickly realized that the lightning was real as it struck above our heads. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and it didn't rain a drop but the air was full of friction and sound that created the perfect condition for lightning. I was so enthralled I almost forgot to take pictures! We weren't allowed to take pictures during the show anyways, maybe they wanted people to be in the moment to enjoy the show rather than snap photos. I love outdoor music shows because of the energy of the crowds, the beauty of a natural backdrop, and the pure enjoyment of listening to live music underneath the stars.
After the show we perused the shop stalls with kitschy hand made trinkets, hippy tie die apparel, and beautiful traditional decor and attire. We ate BBQ'd meat on skewers and cooled down with shaved ice treats. We then took a bus to Sobama Beach and set up camp for the night. There was a bonfire blazing within minutes and the night gave way to camaraderie, night swimming, and a terribly hot and uncomfortable sleep on the lumpy sand. As soon as the sun came up it became unbearably hot to sleep in the tent so most people were awake quite early. The sun glistened on the clear blue waters but without anything to shade us, the rays mercilessly beat down on our backs until we conceded defeat. Feeling useless in the heat we decided to leave on the early ferry back to Niigata.
It seemed to be a lot more difficult to get off the island than it was to get there. A few of us were traveling together and we had to navigate the local bus routes, waited in the middle of nowhere for a bus to stop, matched up Kanji characters to make sure we got off at the right stop, and hustled to make it for the midday ferry. Once we got on the ferry we all collapsed in exhaustion and much of the two and a half hour ride was spent sleeping on the floor. Of course it was 33+ degrees outside with thick humidity, we were all super sticky, tired, and in need of a shower. I was lucky because once we were in Niigata I could go home. The others that I was traveling with still had a couple of hours of train in their journey home. I was definitely grateful in that moment to live in the city. I got home and had the best, longest, and coldest shower of my life, and proceeded to take another nap but this time in the comfort of my futon and air conditioning.
Thus ended my first travel excursion in Japan. I loved the natural splendour of Sado, the fun festival energy, and the incredible taiko drummers. I could have done without the gigantic head sized spiders (I could see their eyeballs and the hair on their legs!) and the sweltering claustrophobia of sleeping in a tent in the middle of a Japanese summer. Having completed this small trip has given me so much more confidence to travel further and farther until I have seen everything that Japan has to offer me. With the help and wonderful company of friends I am excited to explore!
Here are a few photos from the trip :)
 I wasn't planning on posting anything until I got home on Sunday but I have to tell you what I did today. I found a Cat Cafe or a Neko Kissaten!!! The concept became extremely popular in Tokyo and now they are quite common throughout Japan. A lot of people don't own pets in Japan so they have these cafes where you can have a drink and pet some cats. I love Japan and kittens!!!!!!
Check out some of the cute kittens that I saw today. This is their website: http://www.nekocolle.info/niigata/staff.html
I was telling someone about how I missed cuddling furry felines from back home and they told me about these random cafes. I was determined to find one in Niigata and when I went for lunch with one of the teachers she said that her daughter always wanted to go to one so she would take me. I really like her, she told me I am like her daughter, and I am pretty sure her daughter loves me. I kind of wish I was teaching elementary so I could teach kids as cute as her.
It was a bit weird to be surrounded by cats and I felt a bit like I was intruding in their space but then they warmed up to us and it was a cat love fest! It had the opposite effect I thought it would, it made me miss my furry friends in Calgary so much more. But it was something I am glad I discovered because it is super strange. There is something very calming about being in the company of cats and although it does not compare to the cuddles from back home, it was the next best thing.
Then we went to an Indian restaurant that had arguably the best chicken curry I've tasted in a long time.
When I got back to the school a bunch of my students were waiting at the office to chat with me. They were so excited to see me and their English is quite good so the conversation was interesting. So far all of the students that have come to meet me are the absolute sweetest high school kids that I've ever met. Every time I meet a new student I get more and more amped to start teaching. One of the students has come to office to talk to me three times already, she loves practicing her English! I never thought high school kids could be so adorable.
This turned out to be an unexpectedly awesome day, with the exception of the heat. I feel like I am moving in slow motion, there is no air to breathe, only heat. When I rode home it felt like there was a thick wall of humidity that I had to push through, like a sticky jello consistency that you could bite if you didn't have to breathe so badly. I know I will wish for this heat when winter rears its brittle cold head but the heat today is extreme, so allow me a moment to whine. But all in all, this was one of the best days I've had so far. I really couldn't ask for more than cats, delicious Indian food, and energetic sweet students in one day!
 This weekend I am heading out on my first travel excursion in Japan! I'm off to Sado Island for the renowned Earth Celebration. A large group of us are going to camp overnight on the beach to watch the fireworks at the end of the night. I am excited to see traditional taiko drumming, amazing dancing, a must-see concert, and just an all around fun time. Sado is only a hop, step, and a ferry ride away so it should be a quick but adventure filled weekend. I'll be sure to post pictures when I get back on Sunday!
One of the things that I have come to love about living in a foreign country is that people seem to always be willing to help me in my time of need. I am constantly prevailing upon the kindness of strangers. For example, I needed a tent but they are super expensive here and I was hesitant to buy one. I met a friend of a friend the other night and he offered to lend me his tent and all of the other gear I would need, after meeting me for 10 minutes! Everyone is so willing to give advice and help out, its awesome and helps keep me positive. Come to think of it though I always met the nicest people in Calgary who were super generous as well. I guess kindness to strangers isn't exclusive to living abroad but it has been great to experience it here already.
I went to the main station to pick up the tent and gear from my new friend tonight. He brought a friend who is a rock/pop star who tours with her band around Japan. I wanted to check out some of the shopping that Niigata has to offer and she was the perfect person to show me the ropes. She took me to a bunch of amazing vintage clothing stores. Niigatians love vintage clothes and the fashion styles are wicked, I am sure hipsters would love it here. She showed me a bunch of places that had great deals and really unique finds. Some are stand alone stores with limited selections others are in department stores and are huge, they can be hard to find but worth the effort. I was lugging around a tent and sleeping bag so I didn't feel like trying on clothes but I will definitely come back on a free weekend. I love meeting new people and shopping!
I will be gone for the next couple of days but look for the Sado Adventure update soon!
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