誕生日おめでとう！ Happy Birthday!

Yip yip yeah! I’m 26, fools! I am solidly in my twenties now with the years refining my dreams, looks, and dance moves (at least 2 of those). I’m taking this opportunity to reflect on some of my past, memorable birthday experiences…

1. February 2006: Heroes, Demons, and Deities Costume Birthday Party Extravaganza! This is the night I dressed as Baldur from Nordic Mythology and 50 drunken friends invaded my rural apartment in Ajimu. Twas truly epic (and took me days to recover in body and home).

2. February 2005: Anything Asian Costume Birthday Party! Looking back on it, the theme seems kind of racist, but at the time it was totally appropriate as my departure for Japan was neigh! It was the first night I ever had Japanese sake…and also the first time I ever wielded a samurai sword.

3. February 2004: Superhero Costume Birthday Party! Thanks to my dear friend, Caroline, I was able to have my first costume party ever. This was a night everyone became heroes and a cat jumped into a batch of radioactive punch. I also danced with a crazy woman who lived in the apartment downstairs.

4. February 2001: Chucky Cheese Birthday Party! Yes, I was 19 years old for this one…but my friends were the ones treating me. Plus ball pits are awesome!

5. February 1999: Surprise Party! My parents totally fooled me and invited all my friends over for a grand surprise party. It was just like you see on TV…I tried to plan something fun with all my friends, they were all busy, I got depressed, lonely, and then BOOM! I find all my chums in the kitchen with Pepsi and cake. My friend Ben Howell managed to spill an entire 3-liter on himself and the floor…and my best friend Baker couldn’t make it because of a cello concert (yes, Baker, I still remember!). Still a good time.

6. February at some point in the 1980’s: McDonald’s Birthday Party! A must-have event for kids in the 80’s. I most remember the cake covered in McDonald’s characters made entirely of sugar. I wanted to eat The Hamburgerler, but my mom said it was too much sugar (yes, mom, I still remember!)

And now we come to February 2008…muhahahahahaha! This year I’ll be celebrating in Tokyo with some friends…and I expect to have a good time. I’ll be sure to put up some pictures and tales when I get back.

Valentine’s Day, A recap

Cheery cheery cupids, tis our most beloved holiday, Balentine’s Day (the Japanese pronounce it with more of a ‘b’ than a ‘v’ sound). This greeting card/chocolate truffle company-spawned celebration of affection has made its way all the way over to Japan where, in typical Japanesey fashion, the western traditions have been altered a bit to the amusement of everyone.

In Japan, Valentine’s Day is all about giving chocolate. No cards, no flowers or diamond rings, just chocolate. Not so unusual, you westerns might say…well just wait…cause here in Japan it’s only the girls who have the responsibility/obligation to give the chocolate. Boys get a completely free day where they wait for friends, admirers, and co-workers to shower them with sweets. This practice is so well inscribed into the holiday tradition that the Japanese have terms both “friend” chocolate (for when you willingly, happily give it) and “obligation” chocolate (for when you buy large amounts to give out to all your male coworkers down at the Sony office so you will maintain good standing with everyone).

Of course I’m a boy, so I love this holiday ;)

This year I did get some lovely treats including beer from my friend, Kate, who decided to branch out from the typical chocolate. While back home in the South, beer for Valentine’s Day would be trashy/completely appropriate, here in Japan it’s just cute (look at the pink box!).


I also scored a little cake from a Japanese friend, Kaba-chan (see cake photo above), and some other assorted sweets from my students. All in all, I feel assured and loved and will continue to think fondly of all who complied with the Balentine’s tradition.

Transient Living

I just said good bye to a group of close friends…again…for the third time since I arrived in Japan. It sucks.

Living aboard has innumerable wonders that inspire, enlighten, and entertain on a daily basis…but there are also some really hard, heart-breaking trials to deal with too. Saying good bye to close friends is one the toughest.

Being a foreigner in a foreign land usually means you get to meet all kinds of other foreigners around you. And living in Beppu—the city with highest number of foreigners per capita after Tokyo—I’ve met a lot of people from all around the world. It’s not unusual to be in a group of a dozen or so folks and have a dozen or so countries represented…our house parties are like mini UN socials with accents, slang, and laughter roaring together in an international mix. BUT, these people you meet…these friends you make…are almost always destined to leave Japan after a finite amount of time. Whether it’s weeks, months of even blessed years, the bounds you form must be made to stretch across the oceans of the world because so many people have to leave and go back home.

Since I’ve been in Japan for 2 years, 4 months, and 2 days, I’ve seen a lot of people go. And it’s hard to keep going through this process. I’m writing today as a way to deal with the sadness in me…funnel it out and make use of the emotion…turning tears into rivers that will serve to carry my creativity in little ships of memories to the ocean that’s the Web.

Haha, I hope Baker reads that and groans ;)

See, I’m feeling better already.

I heard someone once call Beppu a transient town…a port so many people travel through on their journey. The rhythm of life here is constantly in a state of renewal and change…which means things can’t ever get dull as long as I’m living too. I guess I just have to learn to flow with the cycle of new arrivals and tearful departures…and then hold on to the friendships that are stable around me.

To those who have left, I wish you a safe journey home…may we meet again one day. And to those who will arrive soon, welcome to Beppu…I hope you brought your party hat.

じゃ　またね！