If it is Tuesday...

hello, friends,

there was, for tuesday, every intention of getting out and exploring the city. i woke up when rob did (he is in the middle of a conference for japanese teachers of english and is working from 9-5 this week) and he gave me the keys, some directions and some words. as i mentioned, i did a little tidying, but then went back to the futon, thinking i'd sleep for just a wee bit.

when rob came home at 5PM, i was still dozing. however, i am now COMPLETELY rested and on the japanese time zone.

i took a shower, rob made some yummy rice (on which i put some sesame oil) and a delicious little salad of tomato and pepper, with japanese mayo and wasabi. i am in HEAVEN with the food here. it also earned me some points, i think, with dr. morita, who we met up with around 7PM.

in addition to rob's teaching job, he has some private students. dr. morita is a cardiologist and has three cuter than cute children, ages 6, 3 and 18months. they share the patti children's enthusiasm for life (subtext: lots of energy!) and are just as cute. rob teaches the 6 year-old for about 40 minutes (or until the child loses interest and then dr. morita.

i suspected that rob would be a good teacher (all volansky's are...), but i was most impressed by his ability to gently correct both father and son in a way that was subtle yet direct. ben and kipper are really missing out by not having uncle rob around to play with and learn from, as he is a natural with the little ones (one might argue that it is because he maintains a childish/like personality but that would be a bit reductive).

mrs. morita brought us iced green tea (which is available for the low low price of 150 yen on nearly every corner and is delicious) and some sweets (including sweet rice with sweet soy on top...try it, it sticks to your ribs for DAYS...) and was kind enough to put a fan in front of me.

a word on the temperature: i was led to believe that hokkaido is a cool and temperate place, much cooler than the sweltering tokyo. this is a GIANT myth, set forward by the tourism board to get people here. it is beautiful, but no cooler than philly. i anxiously await a cool-down, as here, like in philly, i sweat like andre agassi.

rob, dr. morita and i sat in a little office for about 45 minutes, talking english. dr. morita's specialty is the catheter (i bet i spelled that wrong...), so a good portion of the conversation was about his work and daily life. the talk turned to sushi and i tossed out what little japanese i know: toro, nigri, hamachi, nori, tempura, unagi. the good doctor seemed impressed and then offered some tips on places where we might go to eat. he' s really a kind kind man with a beautiful family. it was great to spend some time in an actual japanese home with some regular folks. i have a feeling i'll be spending time with a lot of ex-pats from other countries, so this was a real treat.

at one point in the conversation, there was a massive thunderstorm, which apparently doesn't happen here much (aren't i lucky to be here for the hottest of days and the only thunderstorm???). the little one cried and cried, while the 3-year old came up to tell us all about it. dr. morita said that it was raining "cats and dogs" which cracked us the heck up. nice use of an english slang, term, right? i taught him the phrase "hands full," which he responded to, as well. rob is a terrific teacher to him -- and i suspect is learning a bit himself in the process.

we then went to a place called "brian's brew" where rob's girlfriend works (her name is aika, but i am not sure on the spelling). she is BEAUTIFUL, with long long hair. she is, like many of rob's lady-friends YOUNG. i'll probably discuss this later, but for the moment, that's all i'll say.

(now the music sounds like early elvis costello, only in japanese...curious...)

there was another round of farewells (this time to tim and laura, who are heading back to tim's hometown of taho (monday night it was irish miles and british naomi going to ireland, i think), but rob was fighting a cold (sidebar: rob and i have both been smoking on and off for a while and were working on the assumption that the other had quit and that, in turn, upon my arrival, we could quit because there would be no bad influence. unfortunate nonsense). however, rob's headcold seems to brought all of our smoking to a crashing end, as we both had one last night and we vowed it would be our collective last. i'll keep you posted.

and so here it wednesday and i am toodling around. i hope i am not boring the 100 or so of you (wow, that is AWESOME!) who have read along. if i am, don't be shy and say so. i think i am among friends, right? there are TONS of little goodies to be bought here, so let me know if you want something in particular. rosie asked for some toppo, and i will happily oblige all other requests. i am coming home with one of rob's suitcases full of trinkets.

i miss the girl like crazy, but again, she seems to be in good hands with the rental units and with ms. jessica. so, em and pee, please give her kisses for me and tell her i'll be home soon. there are, fortunately, dogs here in sapporo, so i've been able to get my canine fix.

much love to you all -- and thanks for being there.

peacelovegodbless,
volansake