What's new with you?

Well it has been a while. I hope that you all can forgive me. A lot has been happening; I have gotten a better idea of what I want to pursue after I finish over here. Nothin for sure but I am planning on applying for a scholarship to study at a Japanese graduate school. I will need a lot of help and a great many prayers, so if you can...assist with both 'eh. Enough about me...or actually why not more about me?
So you may be thinking, "what's going on in Japan right about now?" Well my friend, I can answer your inquires.
At the beginning of last month interport was held. Now for those of you that know me, you know that I have been playing a bit of rugby over here (see past posts about falling on deaf kids, scrapped up knees due to insufficient grass in Japan, or any other post for that matter). From my third day in the country until today I have been associated with the KR&AC, the club I play for. Now this here club has a bit of a history, about 135 years to be exact. It was one of two clubs, the other being the YC&AC (in Yokohama, Japan...the port outside Tokyo), that played the first ever organized sporting event in Japan...I believe that it was a soccer match, however that is not important. So anyway, the two clubs have gotten together just about every year since then to play their sports. This occurance actually happens twice a year, winter and spring, and it a hell of a lot of fun. Each gathering consists of three days of sports separated by a night of feasting and drinking...it was all started by sailors, and we all know how those fellas liked to drink. So yeah...this year's theme was "maritime" in honor of those before us that used to take the long trip between the two ports by boat...imagine that...about a two day boat ride just to play a bit of sport...dedication, of the likes I don't think I have...although it could have been a bit of fun...regardless this is going on too long, so screw the story and on with the pictures...first off, appropriately enough, we have my first mate and fellow prop "sensei"...

And then of course it wouldn't quite be a maritime party without a little wildlife...for that we went a little arctic, now I know that she can be a bit frigid, but even this hand made costume warmed my heart...

While we are usually a peaceful bunch many of the men thought that they would go the violent side...or maybe they were just inspired by the popularity of Johnny Depp and his own pirate side...either way, there was a massive amount of pirates, but only one really pulled it off with his rough yet suave demeanor...

Overall the party was a blast...wish I could say the same for the game itself...but sadly enough we were kicked in the stomachs...and various other parts...and subsequently were defeated 90-0. Oh well...honestly though...those guys were really good. Their team was made up of semi-professional and professional folks...or so we tell ourselves...either way it as a good game and all enjoyed the festivities.

Now on to the big boys...
The month of March also marks the return of sumo wrestling to the Kansai area (where I live). The Bashyo (two week tournament) came and went without too much of a fuss. No big upsets, the Mongolian Asashoryu (spelling could be way off...if you care look it up...sure wikipedia has something for ya) walked away with yet another tournament win...go him! The only big difference this year was that I attended. Now it's not too often that these things get the prescense of someone like me...at least on the spectator side that is. It was a lot of fun; not too much to say, you all are about as familiar with sumo as I am...maybe you know a little more or a little less, either way it's just a little. However I do want to comment that public events like this still blow my mind in Japan...only because you are allowed to go in with any food/drink that you want. Don't have to hide it or pay extra or anything...just walk in with your groccery bag and chilly bin and you're good to go. It's amazing...I only have a couple shots from the tourny...we had to sit pretty far away...but they aren't all that bad...
よし！



So yeah...that's about what I've been up to within the last month...it's been a lot of fun. I also took a really nice little day trip last weekend...and I do have a lot of pictures to share with you, but for now I am feeling a little tuckered out and think that I'll wait until next time to share all that with you. If I told you about it now it'd just be too much to write, too much for you to read, and then I wouldn't have anything to tell you about for the next month...so I'll see you soon and I hope that all is well...take care and much love!