Passport Please

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Konnichi wa!
Well I am here and it is amazing! For those of you who I haven't already bored with the details of my trip, let me give you a quick run-down of what my time in Japan will involve . . .
My aunt and uncle are international teachers at the American School In Japan (ASIJ) and they were able to get me a job working at the summer program that the school puts on for the local kids. It's 4 weeks long and 1500 Japanese kids come through. It all starts this coming Monday. Before that, I've had this first week totally on my own to explore the country. Before leaving home I bought a rail pass that lets me take the famous "Bullet" trains all over the place. Soon I'll write entries about my different trips but let me just say this for now; IT HAS BEEN UNBELIEVABLE!
My cousin Emma and Aunt Jen just got here the other night. They too will be working at ASIJ. All three of us are staying at my aunt and uncle's place since they are in Minnesota for the summer. Needless to say the apartment is less than huge but so far so good.
I've got to run for now but I will be putting a longer entry up on Monday with a bunch of pictures.
Until then,
PEACE

PS
I plan to write a series of tips that will appear at the end of each entry. They are just little pieces of wisdom that I have picked-up since being here. I will call the series, "Travel Tips For The Complete Dumbass." My hope is that they are useful not just for those of you who plan to see Japan but in fact for anyone who plans on leaving the country. Enjoy.

Travel Tip For The Complete Dumbass #1
"If the doorways in a building are all the same height and you are too tall to walk through one, then you are too tall to walk through them ALL . . . EVERY TIME." This fact is actually where the expression 'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 13 times, shame on me' comes from.

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Photos

The Entry Way/Dinning Room/Living Room
This is what you get when you walk in the front (and only) door.

The Kitchen
Where I prepare all my gourmet meals.

My Bedroom
The place I sleep and watch CNN International.

The View From My Room
I live in a very cool neighborhood.

The Other Bedroom
Does it get anymore Japanese?

Low Clearance
Honestly, after smashing my head the first 7 times you would think I'd remember to duck.

Comments

[knockers]

holler
hey matt! it looks like you are having a blast. im jealous. but yah you should seriously watch out for those door frames. . .its gotta hurt. smooches

[hotdog]

dumbass
maybe a little humility could get you to bow your big head! love ya anyways!

[Uncle Patio]

doorway height
Matt, I think that your dad and I may have some Japanese in our genes...we could bounce threw those doorways without coming close to bumping our "dumbass" heads.

[P Diddy]

Sushi Lover
Hey - tall boy in little house - Raw fish is good for you! Just plug your nose and give that spicy eel a try!!!

[Fallon]

Matt that is so cool i so want to do it too. i was thinking about doing something like this my senior year or after school, teaching in another country. i am so Jealous! have fun, i will see you in august.

[Nick]

diarrhea
just incase you are forced to eat "taco" sushi...and run into some shitting problems...this is how you ask..how much does diarrhea medication cost: geri yono kusuri wa ikura desuka? pronounced (gehree yo no ku su ree wa eekura deska) seriously...you might need this. another tip..never eat mcdonalds if you resort to fast food...go to MOSS BURGER and make sure you get mellon soda...mmmm mellon soda

[Jordan]

HEY!
Matthew- Have a great and safe trip. I am now aware I am never travel abroad with my height and forgetfullness.

[Susan]

Pizza
I always found the corn pizza funny. Pizza with pieces of corn--yum! I liked the fact that at 5' 7" I was average height of guys and so could see what was happening even if I was at the back of the crowd. Is it still true. Have a great time teaching. It is so much fun.

[Kevin H]

Japan
Hope you are having a blast, which it sounds like you are. Return the favor, and kiss a japanese girl for me.

[Alyssa]

Colleen would leave that long of a comment
So anyways when are you coming home? I'm sure you love it there but hell, the QC is so great. We have me, Blackhawk, the mall, Whiteys, japanese resturants, and other great things that I will think of later. So please come home, or ship me over there. PS Knock Knock? Whos there? Mop head.. Mop head who? You have a mop head

[Favorite Aunt!]

Hey Dumb(_I_) !
Hi to all........ Matt maybe if you had your dads hair you could make it through the doors!!!! Hope you guys are having a great time Im sooooooooooo jealous!! Casino update....Several losers spotted leaving the Casino last nite and the nite b4 that and the nite b4 that!!! stay tuned for more updates!!! gotta run Im babysitting my beautiful grands!!! love your favorite :-)