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Days til Tri is in Japan: 9
Days til Brandon & Thuy are in Japan: 30
Days til Don & Jookie are in Japan: 228
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Woke up at: 8:00
Mood: Exhausted
Listening to: Perseus by Shimatani Hitomi
Weather Report: Man...there was horizontal rain today. It rained almost all day long! Now it's just sugoi kaze (Crazy wind!)
Japanese Food: Niku Jaga = Japanese beef stew
Japanese Word/Phrase of the Day: Heko "Hut"...only you volleyball players will understand this. But for those who don't, it's a quick outside set the left side attacker. Semi "1"...thought that I'd add another volleyball term. It's a quick set to the middle attacker. For some reason I hit these the best...don't ask me how...cuz I can't explain why a short person like myself hits sets that are made for tall people
Japan News: Today is the 58th Anniversary of the Atomic Bomb that was dropped in Nagasaki. There was a one minute moment of silence as a bell tolled. For those of you who don't know much about the result of the a-bomb: about 74,000 people were killed and a similar number were injured when the United States dropped a 19-kiloton plutonium bomb on the city August 9, 1945. Six days later, Japan surrendered.
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Fantasy Baseball Update (as of 08.08.03):
Only had 39 pts today...not too good...but still am in 1st place by about 200 pts!
| Rank | Manager | Season | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanshin Tigers | 1596 | 39 |
| 2 | Dodger Dogs | 1399 | 30 |
| 3 | Jookies | 1378 | 76 |
| 4 | Fleas & Ninjas | 1360 | 93 |
| 5 | Border Jumpers | 1289 | 53 |
Dentist & Volleyball
Went to my dentist this morning. Didn't realize that he did that much work. I'm bling blingin' now...hehe. Got some 20k white gold on my 2 back molars. Still kinda hurts to drink tsumetai ka atsui no nomimono (cold or hot drinks). After the procedure was completed...I chit-chatted with the dentist and his wife. We talked for about a half hour. I then get a call from Ami, seeing if I was busy today. She invited me to come play volleyball with her team. Since the sunset cruise was cancelled and I had nothing better to do...I hurried home, pack my bag, and hopped on the train to Makuhari.
Upon arriving...Ami made lunch for Sho and I. Napoli spaghetti, Japanese style. It was grubbin'. We then headed back to the station to pick up Maki and then proceeded to the gym. Met up with the rest of the team. Found out that one girl played college vball in Illinois. Her english was aite. When we went into the gym, I saw about 25 "mature" women playin' 9-man volleyball. I was shocked to see that these were not only mothers...but maybe grandmothers that were playing. They were totally "scrappy" and really into the game. They played about 5 games! Boy was I impressed.
As Sho and I were peppering...I dove for this one ball...and kinda tweaked my bad shoulder. I sat out for a little bit...but it didn't feel that bad. So I continued to play. We did all kinds of drills...which brought back memories of my club days. This women's team would easily beat the boys team at my school. These women surprised the heck out of me. They're super scrappy. Sho and I were pounding balls but somehow these girls were able to get a hand on it. I was having some major problems receiving the float serve. But everything else seemed to be going fine. The thing that bothered me most was hot frickin' hot it was in the gym. Coupled with the 100% humidity, I was sweating like a pig! I went through 2 shirts and 2 towels. The highlight of the day was probably when I set Sho a perfect semi. Unfortunately Ami somehow got a hand on it by soft blocking. Bikuri shita! (I was shocked).
After the 4 hour practice...yes I said 4 HOURS! We headed back to Ami & Sho's and I took a shower. We then headed to Ami's parent's house for dinner. Muraguchi-san always makes me grubbin' food. Today we had: edamame, tofu, niku jaga, sushi, negi toro & ishimochi. Mama's niku jaga was one of the best that I've ever had. During dinner, Ami called her brother Hide and we talked for a little bit. I asked him how was Nebuta Matsuri was. Nebuta Matsuri is in Aomori. One of the biggest and best matsuris in Japan. From seeing it on TV, I can't imagine what it will be like in person. Hopefully next year I'll be able to go. By the end of the night, Ami had her normal 7 beers and Mama had her 5 or 6. Papa had his "water" (sho chu & a little bit of water on da rocks) which he kept offering me when I asked for just water. Sho passed out early on the couch and Ami even lapsed a couple of times in her chair while mama laughed and I took pictures with my keitai. Coming to America was on. The Japanese title is: "Star Prince goes to New York" ...I was like WTF!!! They really messed it up!
On my way back home, Takeuchi sensei texted me that he'll be picking me up @ 8am on Monday! Man, that's hella early!! But I guess it's understandable cuz it's goin' to take at least 6 hours by car to get there!
Well...that was my day...thank god this darn typhoon is over and done with. I'm callin' it a night! Gonna be hella sore tomorrow!
Kaz out...
This entry was posted by kaz, on
日曜日, 8月 10, 2003.
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