As of August 2nd, I will have been living in Japan for 6 years. I'm very much looking forward to year number 7-already there are some big things planned, and I think year 7 will be a year to remember...

but first, a look back at some of the highlights of the first 6 years (in no particular order)

1. The Erekocha festival in Miyazaki

Held every year in downtown Miyazaki, this festival is basically a big dance/taiko competition. Groups from all over come to compete, and it's worth checking out just for the costumes alone, which are very elaborate. So there is a taiko competition as well, which features a guest performance by the taiko group Hibikiza. I don't think they are allowed to compete though-they're just too good Yeah, so I highly recommend you check this movie out-might be a bit slow, but worth it. Eventually around the 0:45 mark. Did I mention I go drinking with that guy from time to time?
What was I talking about again? Oh right, Erekocha...so my first year in Miyazaki Wes and I somehow got recruited to "judge" the dance performances. We had to rate each group based on how well they worked together, how nice their costumes were, how well they represented Miyazaki, and...some other stuff that we couldn't figure out because we couldn't read the Japanese. Oops! Ah...good times.

2. Going to Yatogi Falls

Yatogi Falls is a 73m high waterfall, located about 45 min from where I lived. I went there many times, and it never failed to impress me. There's a good swimming hole around there too...

3. Adventures in Thailand

I went there for xmas my first year with Joe and some other coolie. We saw the royal palace and wat pho, including the gold buddha that's the size of a school bus in Bangkok, then headed south to Ko Samui, where we relaxed on the beach
. Highlights of the trip include: the foam party, the three of us performing an imprompteau karaoke version of "Baby's Got Back" in the back of a taxi, MBK, and...need I even say it? Shaking railings...

4. U.S. Vs. Portugal, 2002 World Cup

The World cup was being hosted by both Japan and Korea-the U.S. team was playing only in Korea, so Wes, Claire, and I went to Korea to watch it. The U.S. was up 3-0 only 30 minutes into the 1st half, and hung on to win 3-2. It was a pretty intense game-I can remember glancing nervously at the clock like once every 5 seconds after Portugal scored their 2nd goal, hoping the U.S. could weather the storm-and they did! Which set the stage for much celebration/consumption of jinro

5. Becoming friends/family with Mariko

Ah...Mariko...my host mom, basically-though we never lived under the same roof. I spent countless hours at her cosmetics store just talking to her/customers who happened to be there. I don't think I would have made it this far without her *sniff*
random pictures of Mariko

6. Other Cool People

I've met a ton of interesting/wacky people in Japan-like the trombone playing Buddhist monk, the oil painter who happened to be yakuza, a guy who, the night before a soccer game, decided to eat an entire block of cheese, knowing fully that he was lactose intolerant (he missed the game), and a whole mess of other crazies. Gotta give a shout out to Joe, Wes, and Swatch/Tomomi

7. My Main Squeeze

Yeah.


That's about all I can think of off the top of my head...