Oct 18th, 19th, & 20th

October 18^th, 2006:

• Toyotamatchi CI: We learn about how Toyota keeps it’s production lines running efficiently. It’s all about synchronicity and fixing mistakes immediately.
• I watch “The Mandolin” with Shinichi

October 19^th, 2006:

• Audience with Dr. Toyota
• Coolest (or Scariest) Robot ever
• Miso Soup Factory Visit
• Goodbye to JC: Thanks for coming to visit us out here. You gave us the boost we needed. We wish you safe travels and look out for those sharks.
  

October 20^th, 2006: Personal Day

• Michico helps me to send another package back home. I think my suitcase is down to below 20 kilos….I pray.
• Denny’s with Tina: So I think the only thing here that I could possible order back in the states would be pancakes and coffee.
• Erik gets his hair did. Thanks, Sho. So that’s what my hair would look like if it were all one color! So Mom & Dad, is this what my hair looked like when you used to call me “Ready-Watt”?

October 16th & 17th. Sad to say goodbye to the Touges. Toyota!

October 16^th, 2006:

• Sad goodbyes to the Touge family.
• Travel day to Toyota City, with a stop at the Ninja Museum of Igaryu
• Meet the Tanakas and their Corgi
• I’m in a bed! I’ve been on futons in tatami rooms for the past 3 weeks. I almost forgot what a bed felt like.

October 17^th, 2006:

• Discussions on Religion and Spirituality
• Lecture on foreign residents. If we think that we have an acculturation problem here in the States, it appears that Japan has it worse. Unlike the U.S., Japan is not founded on the principal of being a melting pot. Here, harmony and order are more strongly valued. As you can imagine, foreigners living here have much to contend with as they are expected to comply with local traditions and ways of life. That’s all fine and well unless you are from a culture that is completely different from the Japanese culture. Apparently, there are strong representations from Brazil, Peru, and China here and there has been some tension between the cultures. The Toyota government has assigned a small task force (?) to help guide foreigners through the Japanese culture and system. My question to our presenters was, basically, “If you have resources to teach foreigners how to understand the Japanese culture, do you have resources going the other way. Meaning, are the Japanese people being educated about the Brazilian, Peruvian, and Chinese cultures?” The response in basic. They have a small education program. This harkens to me the necessity of programs like Up With People. I agree that if you decide to live in a foreign country, that you should learn to abide by that country’s rules. However, I don’t think that someone should lose their own culture in order to be able to live in a foreign country. If there is education and understanding on both sides, then frictions are bound to be lessened. That’s where we come into play. We put “foreigners” into people’s houses and put “locals” into a position where they need to understand their guests. I can’t think of a better way to facilitate communication and understanding. But is our time here enough?
• Jeremy shares his poetry for the Open Briefcase series
  
• Surreal moments: Playing Capture the Flag and Freezetag at Toyota Stadium (which looks like something from out of a futuristic anime show) in Toyota Japan.

Watching Billy Elliot (movie, not the roomie) with Michico

October 14th & 15th: Show time and day with the Touge family

October 14^th, 2006

• Show time
• Small stage and mics cutting out. Considering all the factors working against them; great job Gabby and Ben.
  
• Power with and Seishun go well!
• Chihiro very impressed.
• Chiemi and son come to visit from Suita!!!
• The tatami master delivers small tatami mats for Mr Touge and I....and some Sake. Now that's networking.
  

October 15^th, 2006

• Autumn Festival with Chihiro, Rina, Takashi,
• Kanako shares her artwork with me and gives me beautiful samples.
• Dinner with Chihiro, Rina, Takashi, & Kanako
• Lost of sake and laughs with Takashi!
• Sake and Gundam back home.
• Takashi’s magic show. Thank you for the Gundam gifts.

October 12th & 13th: Temples, Meditation, Deer, and Rent

October 12^th, 2006: A Grounding Day

• Mr. Touge’s dream: Chihiro explained last night to me. Having 3 daughters, his dream has been for a while to go out drinking with a son. To him, last night was a chance to do that with me. That really touches me and I’m so glad that I was able to act as his son, even if only for a few hours. I’ll remember that night forever.
• Hike to Murou-Ji Temple. Bob, are you sure that was the “easy hike”….we were boiling! Go Gaying Mantises!
• Meditation back at the center.

October 13^th, 2006: Personal Day

• Seeing the “Big Budha” in Nara with Nicolina, Madoka, and their host parents
• Jekyl and Hyde deer: You’d think that walking around a temple with deer all around you would be spiritual and serene. Yes….until you bring out the food. Then it’s RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!
• Watching “Rent” with host sisters.