Back at the Internet Cafe

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Maybe next time I'm here, I'll think to remember my USB drive and post all my back logs (about three or four since the last time) but this was an unscheduled stop as I ended up having extra time in the city.

So, yesterday I saw Wakako compete in a special Kendo competition. Her family is very big into Kendo. I know that her father was a big Kendo champion and so is Sou. Wakako is just following in the footsteps of her family. (not sure about the two older boys). Unfortunately, she lost three matches. Poor Wakako.

After that we all went back to Oodochi and I stayed the night there. Usually I stay on Sunday nights but I don't have school on Monday (at Oodochi, instead I'm going to Tosayamada) so we changed plans. Last week, the schedule was also strange and I wasn't going to Oodochi Monday so I didn't stay at Kae's. I think that was a big mistake as I didn't realize how much it helped my sanity to go there and be apart of a family (kinda).

This is the beginning of my poor stomachs woes.

For lunch earlier yesterday, I didn't feel like cooking anything so I had some instant ramen. Not bad but by far not good for me or my stomach. Later, before we leave for Kae's place, I snuck a few snacks which ended up mixing poorly and also upset my stomach a little. Shinji (dad) was driving home and that man loves to speed up and slam on the brakes! So by the time we got home my stomach was not doing well.

For dinner, Kae was tired so she made some very easy Okonomiyaki. Now, there is something about the Okonomiyaki sauce that just doesn't agree with me. I don't know what it is. I ate some of that and had half of a chu-hi (really sweet wine cooler)

Before I knew it, I was whisked away to a party at a friends house where it felt like the entire city was gathered. It was a rather large apartment (for Japanese standards). I sat at the adult table were a very drunk man decided I wasn't eating enough so he gave me a tiny place piled with lots of food. I love eating, especially Japanese food so I couldn't very well refuse regardless of how badly my stomach was feeling. They then gave me another Chu-hi because Kae has this idea that I really prefer it to beer. I then see that the drunken man is drinking some sake. Now my interest is peeked. I am always looking for new sake and it's much easier to try someone else’s then to buy some of my own and find out I don't like it (the stuff is not cheap).

I then down the rest of my chu-hi and ask to try the Sake. The guy is ecstatic at the idea that someone else wants to drink his Sake. Which btw is in a nice big carton, I would say a gallons worth. He then busts out two different sake sets and proceeds to heat it up on the stove. I try it, and it's pretty good. I unfortunately didn't realize how much alcohol it had.

Hey! You can't blame me for getting sloshed all the time! I can't gauge how much I've had with the tiny glasses and the constant refills!!!

So, he pours me a small cups worth and then keeps pouring and pouring. He then tried to hempai me (drinking game) and I always refused because, like I said before, I enjoy sake and there's no reason to drink it fast when you want to savor it. When I got up to go to the bathroom close to the end of the night, it finally hit me just how much I had to drink. I came back, finished my tiny glass and turned it upside down. No more, thank you.

Unfortunately, it was too little too late. I laid down on the floor, next to another woman who had fallen asleep earlier in the night (It's only about 11 btw) and I try to sleep myself. Unfortunately, every time I close my eyes, I feel like I'm going to vomit. It got really bad too.

I walked myself to the car and once back at home, I went straight to bed. I was surprised that I actually changed my clothes before I got into bed. I didn't wash my face, I didn't brush my teeth!!! Now, for anyone who knows me, they will understand that that is a big sign that I wasn't doing well.

I woke up this morning still feeling sick. I cleaned up, took a shower, had the best hang over breakfast Kae always makes after a night like that. Miso soup with lots of rice in it so it's more like a miso stew than soup.

Unfortunately, it wasn't good enough to fix my stomach problems.

By 10am, Kae, Wakako and I hopped in the car and we were off for the day. The driving didn't improve my sick feeling and so we stopped at McDonalds to eat lunch (ugh)

Afterwards, we went to see Finding Nemo on Ice where we ate lot's of tasty caramel popcorn! (ugh again)

On a different note, apparently one Kae's friends had three tickets to Finding Nemo but had to cancel so she got them. NICE! They ended up spending almost $50 on souvenirs though. That crap was crazy overpriced!!! $18 for a snow cone in a commemorative cup!!!!

Anyway, we got lost on the way back and that really really didn't improve my stomach.

And here I am now, at the internet cafe where I really just want to sleep but I have plans with Sayuri to "cook Japanese food" at 6.

Tomorrow, there are no classes and I'm looking forward to preplanning my next few lessons.

Speaking of which, you know, I don't think a single week has gone by when I actually teach for everyday of it. There's always one day when I am doing something special and I don't teach. This week, there are major midterms going on so I won't be teaching until Thursday and Friday. I need the extra time too.

1 shared their love:

Anonymous said...

Your story is impossible, how can YOU not brush your teeth? I don't believe any of it.

 
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