6th day of Christmas

6th day of Christmas
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

On the Sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...Six cars A-Stacking.

Fifth Day of Christmas

Fifth Day of Christmas
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me....a five tiered pagoda.

Fourth Day of Christmas

Fourth Day of Christmas
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

On the Fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me.....four footy friends.

Third Day of Christmas

Third Day of Christmas
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

On the Third day of Christmas my true love gave to me.....a three pointed odd shaped building.

Today i went to Kobe. It was amazing. This is the city that in 1995 was completely destroyed. I went to the Kobe Earthquake museum and they kept a section of the road/sidewalk and buidlings that had been destroyed so you can see the exact damage done in the blink of an eye. It was the first time i have seen real damage from an earthquake...and i as lucky enough not to experience it!

As for my Christmas holiday. Christmas Eve i went over to a friends house. We had people from all over...each bringing their style of celebrating Christmas. Some brits made Fruit cake (and i know its a joke food to Americans, apparently its a pretty big deal there.) It takes a month to make and each day more and more bourbon is poured over it. It was good. The japanese brought Japanese food. And i made home made Egg Nog! It was great. 30ml of Brandy, 15ml of Rum, an Egg, Tsp of Sugar, 1 Tbls of creme and a cup of milk topped with cinnamon served cold. (thats for one drink) It was the highlight of the party!

Then for Christmas I first went to an Australian restuarant to have a Christmas dinner with my Footy team. Then i went out for Karoke bar. It was a good time. We even got snow a few days ago, so almost a White Christmas!

Second Day of Christmas

Uga and Agu
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

One the Second day of Christmas my true love gave to me....two Newts name Uga and Agu.

First Day of Christmas

First Day of Christmas
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

Here i will be doing the Japanese version of the 12 Days of Christmas;

One the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me....a Tiny Japanese Mrs. Claus.

Holiday Lights

Holiday Lights
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

The other day I went to Kobe to look at their Light Festival. This was set up after the Kobe earthquake of 1995. It is to celebrate the city's rebirth (along with what they stole of other countries' cultural holiday...Aka Christmas). It was a remarkable display of lights.

Speaking Christmas here, you wouldnt know it was Christmas unless you walked into a Shopping Mall. It did snow the other day so that was kinda cool. As for me, i am going to a family cooked dinner with my Australian Football team then out for the night. I will keep you posted as to what happens.

I have gotten one present so far and that was from a 65 year old lady from Tokyo who was my student for one lesson (over the internet/tv!) She sent me a book of her water color paintings. What a sweet little old lady.

Merry Christmas (a few days early) to All (especially my WHOLE family).

Camera Battery

So i bought a new camera and i decided to buy a back-up battery. I went to the largest electronics store in Osaka (the same store i bought my camera at) and i walked ino the store carrying the first battery. I showed it to the staff and asked for a second one (in Japanese). He informed me that he didnt have any in stock, but he could order one. Ok. So first i asked how much it would cost. He let me know that he couldnt tell me the price unless i ordered one. What? Is it some secret? I asked if they would get any batteries in stock soon. He wasnt sure. So i asked when the last time he had the batter in stock. "Last week we had some". Well smarty pants, how much were they last week? He couldnt tell me unless i ordered one. WHAT? So then i started to raise a fuss and tell him how absolutely backwards his or his company's logic was. After creating a stir and speaking ill of their company in Japanese, they decide to tell me it would cost $42. There, that wasnt so hard now was it? I then walked out without placing an order.

Improv Troupe

Well, after a few meetings to get to know the new members of my improv comedy troupe, we had our first official practice! It was light years ahead of what i expected. Everyone was relaxed and willing to try new games and work on skills. We are bonding really well and i am excited about this group! I will keep you posted!

Tacos

Today i saw a Japanese lady eating a taco with chopsticks. She was holding the hard shell taco in one hand and using chopsticks with the other to pick out the lettuce and meat. And the best part was that she didnt even eat the shell! I was dumbfounded.

Last weeks Footy game!

Sunday November 27th

Final
Osaka Kangaroos 8 goals 6 points 54 points
Kyoto Kockatwos 11 goals 7 points 73 points

Goal Kickers

Osaka Kangaroos

Tony Walsh 4, Tsubasa 1, Masa 2, Daigo 1

Kyoto Kockatwos

Matt Martinovic 6, Chris 3, Tsuda 1, Mike Staffa 1


Best Players

Matt Martinovic, Chris Horgan, Mike Staffa, Tony Walsh

This was the AFLKJ's first game on grass and it turned out to be a great day for all concerned. The first half hour was spent giving a training clinic to 45 eight to ten year olds from the a number of rugby clubs from Osaka. This clinic was conducted by all the senior AFLKJ members. Mike Staffa being
particularly popular with the young stars of the future.

The weather was cool but fine- perfect conditions for Aussie rules footy. Although the now famous Maishima breeze was blowing and and perhaps helped the strong finish of the Kockatwos. The first quarter saw the experience of the Kangaroos result early goals through some strong marking in the forward line by Tony Walsh. However once the Kockatwos settled through goals to Matt and Tsuda from the Elephant rugby club, the trend of the game developed into the close tussle it would be all day. The Kockatwos managed to take a five point advantage at the first break. Chris was particularly dominant for the Kockatwos gaining many balls in the center bounces and driving.

Although the Kangaroos were down by only 11 points at the final break, the Kockatwos held an advantage as they had the wind to come home with. And as is often the case with the Maishima ground the breeze became stronger later in the afternoon. The Kockatwos defended hard with great work by Mike Staffa at full back who managed to hold a taller opponent Tony Walsh to only one goal in the last quarter.

Postcards Galore

Postcards Galore
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

Today (for me at least) is Saturday and its 6:15pm. I just got home from work. I heard from my footy friend and regular poster (!!) Rhyno that he sent a postcard. I got his email on Dec 1st. The Postage is marked Nov 28th. Thats 5 days. Pretty fast if you ask me! Thanks to all for the postcards.

The score so far:

Minnesota - 6
Wisconsin - 4
Florida - 1
Liechtenstein - 1
Austria - 1