CULTURE DAY IN AOMORI

6th Oct 2006

We were back in Aomori! This time it was only a 1 day seminar on Japan's culture. All the ALTs (seniors included) and the CIRs had to attend. Russell & I took Q's car there. Q arranged to meet at Kathryn's house so that she can follow Joel's car because we were all unsure of the directions there. Half-way through, we lost sight of Joel's car so we went on our own on Route 40. Q has never taken this route before but we just followed the road signs, hoping they are correct... We travelled on many small roads that went through hills... but there wasn't many signs to assure us that we were on the right track. But the scenery was so good! It was misty & cold but we saw many beautiful trees that had red/orange leaves, flowing streams & fields... It was such a scenic route that we didn't mind missing the toll road. In the end, we reached just minutes after Joel & company! It was worth it after all!

The whole seminar started at 1pm, with my first seminar being "Surviving Winter". Boy do I need this course man! It's been raining quite heavily lately... Very soon it will be my very first winter in Japan! Got some useful tips from the presenter & headed off to the next workshop of Taiko (Japanese drums). Taiko was so fun! The teachers taught us a 4 beat sequence from their performance & let all of us have a go at the drums. I can still remember the sequence now! Next was Kogin embroidery. It was interesting but I got more & more confused when i try to copy the pattern on the paper while sewing. The last workshop was Aikido. It was really enjoyable! I partnered Veronica & we ended up executing the movements like dance moves! The old teacher was very helpful in correcting us. Later I was even chosen to be his "victim" to show what we should do when someone grabs your hand. I learnt a few cool moves! Haha, maybe I can try it on someone one day!

After the seminars ended, we hopped into Q's car again & went to the foreign food store & had dinner at a Vietnamese-Thai restaurant in town. The food and comapny was great!