Wanderlust

Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Chronicles of Our Beach

Living in a small, simple town by the shore has forever changed my relationship with the beach. Before living here, the beach was always a busy, crowded place that tried to burn my skin, put salt in my mouth and leave sand in my pants. But living at the beach, I've been able to see that the beach has many different moods. The beach, like all things famous, gets stereotyped. And there is certainly a bit of truth to most people's expectations of my beach, but like most stereotypes, there is also so much more.

Welcome to my Beach

The beach, like everywhere, changes drastically with each season. In the summer, great crowds of frolickers come to play in the sand and sun and sea. They bring their umbrellas and their beach towels and they decorate the beach with their excitement and joy. The people find so many things to do on the beach: swim, surf, read, build castles, search for buried treasure, play sports, take naps, I even saw someone film a TV show. It seems everyone loves to do something different at the beach. Quite solitude is very hard to come by during the summer. But it can be found, especially after the sun goes down when, like most of the world, the beach gets much quieter.

The Beach decorated with People

Filming something for HBO

Children Playing

Searching for Treasure

In the fall and spring, the crowds mostly leave and the fishermen come out to play. They are most present during the twilight hours, I think because that's when the fish are hungriest. Some of them have great big poles the size of two men. They throw their lines out beyond the waves, shove their poles into the sand and wait for animals of the sea to bite. Others have simple fishing poles and stand on the edges of piers and jetties dodging waves and searching for fish.

People fishing at daybreak

Giant Poles

Exciting Discovery

Winter is certainly the quietest time at the beach, but people still try to surf in stormy waves or plunge into the freezing water for charity. But mostly people seem to take peaceful walks along the beach during winter, especially with their dogs. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach during summer, I guess because tourists and dog poo don't mix very well. If you want to be alone with the beach, winter is the best time to do it.

Solitude at the Beach

I've seen the beach change more than just moods while I've been here as well. It seems the constant assault of waves is carrying the sand from our beach away to some unknown adventure. To keep the beach from washing away, the government trucks in several tons of sand. But instead of dumping the sand evenly all over the beach, they built a 10 foot mountain of sand. Perhaps it was to help shield the town during the stormy season, but it also makes a great new vista point. I love walking along this new mini-mountain range and soaking in the beautiful view.

Erosion of our Beach

It seems there is always something new at the beach. Nothing ever stays the same, even somewhere as simple and enduring as the beach. I'm so grateful for the chance we were given to spend a year living on this beach. I have learned a lot about the place I once disliked and I have come to love the beach. I never know what I'll see or find next at the beach, which is all I really want from life anyway.

New York City as seen from our Beach

Some Locals at the Beach

My Wife's Footprints

Strange Object Found at the Beach

Monday, April 4, 2011

Two Pieces of Wisdom

Last week I went to a prayer group that my wife organized and for one of the activities we had to draw pictures of whatever images flashed through our minds. The first picture that I drew was actually the second image to whisper through my mind, me and my imaginary future family. I'm not sure why I drew a family, I'm not even certain I want children. I may never be completely certain. But I guess family has been on my mind a lot recently and I felt guilty drawing a future with no kids, so this is what I drew:

I'm pretty sure Misty and I can't conceive black haired Asian, black haired African or blonde haired Caucasian kids, so it looks like we adopted in this imaginary future. I don't think I'd be comfortable choosing a child to adopt (or making any decision) based solely on skin color in the real world*, but when you draw a pretend family on paper you've got to pick. Every crayon is a conscience choice and I'm almost always in favor of more diversity rather than less. Areas where I think diversity is most important: food you try, weather, ideas you listen to, hobbies, who you give love to and the cultures you try to understand.

Would I like to pass my genetic code on to the next generation? Sure, I think most people have a biological and emotional desire to do that, and it's entirely possible that I will do that one day. But I also have a desire not to over-burden our already-low-on-resources world. I think adoption is a wonderful way to help children in need while also passing my wisdom on to the next generation. Currently, I think the two most important pieces of wisdom I've acquired are 1. Love everyone equally (regardless of their religion or what their eye/skin/hair color is... and even if they hate 'Star Trek'.) and 2. Find and then Follow your Bliss/Dreams/Passion. And from my experience if you want your kids to learn something, you have to show it and live it. You can't just talk about it, kids will follow your actions not your words. Which is why my bathroom is so messy? Anyway, what better way to show my children that all people are equally deserving of love than to grow up in a loving household surrounded by brothers and sisters of different ethnicities?

My second picture is much simpler I think. It is the Japanese flag with my heart at the center. This was the first image to flicker through my mind and the second one I drew because I don't want it to look like I've only got one track in my mind, thinking of Japan 24/7.

I recently had a long-time friend ask me about the spark that ignited my love of Japan. Where did it all begin? As long as I can remember, I've been interested in Japan. As a kid I remember watching anime and the Nagano Winter Olympics and wanting to know more about the culture and the place. I think Japan is the first culture I encountered meaningfully other than my own. But my love of Japan really began in college. I had just lost a girl I was madly in love with and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my future. Because of these two things my grades were floundering and I was in a general state of depression. But a new semester was starting regardless of my feelings, so I signed up for Japanese 101 to meet a language requirement.

Studying Japanese carried me far away from my problems to another place, another culture where the language was beautiful and I didn't even know the word for heartbreak, literally. I was a happier Jeff in Japanese class. Japanese gave me a feeling of joy. Maybe it was because I was getting closer to my dreams; dreams that weren't even a thought yet, they were only a feeling. Don't all dreams start with a feeling of joy? There's a song from the movie, 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' called 'The Call' that I feel captures my love of and journey to Japan. In it, Regina Spektor sings, "It started out as a feeling, which then grew into a hope, which then turned into a quiet thought, which then turned into a quiet word. And then that word grew louder and louder, until it was a battle cry!" You should really just listen to it below, it's better that way. Why do we really love the things we love? I don't know, but Japan has always and will always hold a very strong and very special place in my heart. So it's no wonder this image burst into my mind.

The Call by Regina Spektor

Other lyrics I like from this song: "Just because everything's changing doesn't mean it's never been this way before." and "Just because they can't feel it too, doesn't mean that you have to forget. Let your memories grow stronger and stronger until they're before your eyes." Although I wish she would replace 'memories' with 'dreams'.

I think it's interesting that my two pictures relate to the two greatest pieces of wisdom I currently believe to have found, love everyone and follow your heart/dreams/bliss. I didn't even realize this until I finished writing this blog. Until now I had no idea what the title of this post should be, but it seems clear now. If you had to draw a picture of whatever was on your mind, what would you draw right now?

*Is it possible to adopt a child without discussing race? Can you just ask, "Dear Adoption Agency, please send me 1 child between the ages of 0-7 that is most in need of a loving family." or do they show you pictures and profiles and you pick someone that looks like a good fit? And how do you decide on an adoption agency in the first place? Do you pick one from a country where the children are most at risk of turmoil? Do you look at your finances and find one in your budget range? The act of offering a child stability and love seems so life affirming, but the process itself seems very bizarre.

Friday, April 1, 2011

This Week's Bucket List Additions 11

The last three years, which I've spent living on the East Coast of America, have been very exciting. I've been whale watching off the coast of New England, seen nine Broadway plays, danced on stage during Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and rafted down the Delaware river. But there are still several adventures that I'd like to have before we leave the East Coast. This week's bucket list additions are all things I want to do before we leave New Jersey in June.

-Visit Niagara Falls. Difficulty Rating 5 out of 10:
I've been to the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania, but I have yet to see the real thing. I love waterfalls, the dance of water and the chaos of sounds they make soothes me. I hear that at Niagara, there's a boat which takes you so close, you have to wear a rain coat. Also, along the way to Niagara I want to visit Buffalo, NY birthplace of buffalo wings and taste some at the restaurant where they were created.

From a journey to Bushkill Falls, PA for one of our anniversaries

-See New York City from above. Difficulty Rating 3 out of 10:
I've had pretty much all of the classic New York City experiences since we came to New Jersey in 2008. I've been lost on the subways, visited the Statue of Liberty, purchased a fake designer handbag from a locked basement in Chinatown, had a picnic in Central Park, woke up at the crack of dawn to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, and ice skated with my wife at a park. But I've never been to the top of the Empire State Building or any other observation deck. NYC is a city full of beautiful buildings and beautiful parks. It has a great skyline and I'd love to see the city from the top of the Empire State Building or another equally high place, like Top of the Rock.

The Skyline of New York City

-Eat Lobster in Maine. Difficulty Rating 5 out of 10:
We took a trip to New England last year for our third anniversary, but we never made it to Maine because the timing belt in our car broke. We were stranded in Provincetown at the tip of cape cod for a few days, which is not a bad place to be stuck, and we ended up having a very relaxing vacation. But I never got to visit the beautiful coasts of Maine or see if they really do serve lobster rolls at McDonalds in Maine like the rumors I have heard. I hope that I'll have a chance to visit this quiet, pristine state before we depart.

A lobster roll I had in Cape Cod

-Walk along the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. Difficulty Rating 2 out of 10:
If you've ever played monopoly, then you're familiar with Atlantic City's Boardwalk. It's literally a walk made of boards that winds along the beach with a row of shops and fun alongside. Like Park Place, Marvin Gardens and every other property in Monopoly, it's a real place in Atlantic City. Although I do think a handful of the Monopoly places have been demolished over the years to make way for new malls or casinos. I want to stroll along the wooden planks in Atlantic City surrounded by happy people with the beach on one side and salt water taffy vendors on the other and soak up the feeling of summer before I leave the beaches of New Jersey that have been my home for the last year.

Friday, March 25, 2011

This Week's Bucket List Additions 10

More stuff I want to do in my life:

-Make really good sushi. Difficulty rating 5 out of 10:
I love cooking. I love sushi. I think sushi is my favorite food ever. It makes me sad that sushi intimidates a lot of people. (not all sushi is raw, in fact MOST American sushi is cooked) Making sushi is more art than it is science. But like almost anything, if you just practice you can get pretty good at it. I need to practice making sushi more often. I guess I should through more sushi parties. Seems like a win/win to me.

Tonight's Dinner

-Own a sword. Difficulty rating 2 out of 10:
I hate real violence, but I can never read enough stories about superheroes or animals with ninja powers. I want to hold a sword and imagine doing impossible feats with it. More importantly I want to cut watermelons and open mail in the most outlandish ways possible. And owning a sword also gives you the perfect excuse to have a sword naming ceremony. Objects of power, like swords, must always have an appropriately awesome name and what better way to celebrate coming up with an awesome name than by having an elaborate naming ceremony and party? My sword of choice? A Katana. Someday I'll have an awesome sword, and I'll never use another knife to cut large fruit again. But until then, I'll have to b content with my plastic sword named Acetaminophen.

-Go bobsledding. Difficulty rating 6 out of 10:
Doesn't bobsledding sound like great fun? There's just something about speeding through a long tube of frozen water at dangerous speeds that I can't imagine it would be boring. I don't think I want to actually compete in any sort of contest with a bobsled, but there are tons of places around the world where you can go bobsledding for fun and I plan to feel that cool bobsledding air flow through my hair sometime in the future.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Learning About New Cultures: North Dakota

Every time I open my mailbox it feels kinda like a mini Christmas morning. I never know what exciting presents and adventures await me. A lot of days I get the equivalent of Christmas socks and underwear*. Yes I'm happy to continue receiving health care, but I can't get overly enthused about letters telling me that. Sometimes I get more exciting things, like offers for enough free flight miles to get my wife a free ticket to Japan just by signing up for a credit card.

But today, I found a completely awesome present waiting for me from my friends from North Dakota. If you've never heard of North Dakota it's technically an American state and it is cold. I don't know much more about North Dakota, but my friends live there and they sent me a present full of items that represent the culture of North Dakota and it's people. The didn't explain any of the items, so I've had to use a little deductive reasoning to understand the meaning of the gifts.

I did a little research about North Dakota and discovered that North Dakota is 90% farm land and has an average of 9 people and 25 cows per square mile**. I didn't find any articles about North Dakota's culture or what kind of currency they use, but based on the three gifts my friends sent me I've learned some other very important things about North Dakota.

North Dakota's National Snack

1. One of the most popular snacks in North Dakota seems to be Hello Panda chocolate filled cookies. I know what you're thinking, I had the same question. How do they fill the cookies with chocolate creme, but still keep them crispy!? I have no idea, but apparently these crafty North Dakotans have discovered the secret and are keeping it all to themselves. No wonder those South Dakotans are so jealous.

A Typical North Dakota Farm Animal

2. Cows there are green. I'm not sure if all cows in North Dakota are green or just certain breeds. But if the stuffed animal my friends sent me is any indication, cows in North Dakota are mostly green and don't have tails. I wonder if they eat a special kind of grass that makes them green or if they just had some kind of strange mutation. Although apparently the hair on their head is immune to whatever causes the rest of their hair to turn green.

Trendy North Dakota Facial Hair

3. Apparently most people/farmers in North Dakota have or want green mustaches. I assume they sent me these mustaches so that when we visit later this summer, we can wear them and look like locals. Are people's mustaches in North Dakota green for the same reason their cows are green? Or do the farmers just paint them green in honor of their great cows? Hopefully I can find some answers to these questions on my journey to the great white north.

North Dakota sounds like an incredibly fascinating culture, full of ancient traditions and delicious foods like Hello Panda cookies and green facial hair. I hope that I can learn more of their traditions and meet lots of kind people and green cows on my road trip there this summer. I can't wait to meet you North Dakota.

P.S. If you're reading this and are my language partner from Japan, this blog is a joke. If you are anyone else, everything I said is absolutely true.

*Even if someone you know has a lot of holes in their underwear/socks, don't get them new ones for Christmas or their Birthday. There is a time and place for boring, utilitarian presents; it's called April Fool's Day.

**This is actually true.

Friday, March 18, 2011

This Week's Bucket List Additions 9

It's Friday again, so here are some more additions to my bucket list.

-Go scuba diving. Difficulty Rating 5 out of 10:
It's often difficult for me to find inner calm. I have a very busy mind and I'm easily distracted. But sometime during my childhood I discovered that sinking to the bottom of a pool seals off the outside world and forces my mind into a state of calm appreciation. I didn't have regular access to a pool until high school, so I would often replicate this effect by sinking to the bottom of my bathtub. I can't be alone in this, perhaps floating in water reminds us of the comfort of the womb. For whatever reason, I love the peace and calm that being underwater brings me. One of my fondest vacation memories is snorkeling off the coast of Jamaica years ago. Surrounded not only by the peaceful embrace of water but also by breathtaking scenes of ocean wildlife and strange underwater landscapes has left me longing for more.

I'd love to be able to stay underwater for longer periods without being forced to return to the surface for air, and scuba diving seems like the perfect way to do this. I look forward to the day that I can dive into the sea, pretend to be Captain Nemo's son and head into the ocean depths in search of peace and adventure.

Ready for action at an Arizona wave pool

-Take a trip on a motorcycle. Difficulty Rating 6 out of 10:
Why are motorcycles so appealing and romantic? Maybe it's the chance to speed through this world unprotected by a cage of steel and glass. Maybe enough rebels and outlaws have been seen on them that we imagine some of their reputation will rub off if we ride one. Whatever it is, I too feel the call of the open road and want to travel it with a bike beneath me. Although I might feel safer on a three wheeled bike like the can-am, and I'll probably start with a weekend trip.

-Take pictures of my wife in her wedding dress. Difficulty Rating 5 out of 10:
Two things I love, taking pictures and my wife all dressed up. She looked amazing in her wedding dress, but I didn't ever get to take any pictures, I was too busy getting married and having fun with loved ones to take any pictures that day. And I think it's ashame that a piece of clothing that makes my wife look so beautiful is destined to spend the rest of it's life imprisoned in a box somewhere. So I'd love to get it out and take some pictures of her on the beach in that dress, or riding a horse or a hot air balloon. There are all kinds of great photo opportunities where her wedding dress could really make the photos pop. Although I probably need to start small, like getting my wife to do a photo shoot in a normal dress first.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Murder at Mardi Gras (A murder mystery party with friends)

Conversation I recently had with one of my language partners from Japan:

Onnasan: What changed for you this week?
Jeff: hmm, well I had a party. For Mardi Gras. That's an American Holiday.
Onnasan: I see, is it a Christian Holiday?
Jeff: Umm, well it started out that way, but it's not anymore.
Onnasan: Yes, ok. So what did you do at the party?
Jeff: *pause* We solved a, uhhh, a murder.
Onnasan: A murder!? *pause* That does not sound fun, it seems very serious.
Jeff: No, it was fun. We got to dress up and everybody had clues and secrets, and we all had to guess who the killer was... (to myself: I guess it does sound a bit grim)
Onnasan: Ah... Well, Japanese people are very serious. I do not think we would enjoy a party about Murder.
Jeff: Haha, yes but it really is better than it sounds.

Trying to explain a murder mystery party in another language is not easy. And now that I think about it, it does seem like a strange way to spend an evening. But Americans love solving mysteries, why else do we watch so much 'Scooby-Doo' and 'Law and Order'. And who doesn't love to dress up? I pretended to be a Cajun gator wrestler/aspiring lawyer and my wife was a classic French maid. To get into character my wife scoured youtube for videos on how to fake a French accent. It was terribly fun. And I was very proud of my friends, as they all did a great job dressing up and acting like their characters. The story was full of outrageous plot twists and greatly added to the evenings silliness. In fact, our murder mystery party was about as far away from serious as one can get.

Bonjour!

Magnolia Beauty Queen / young heiress who my character was engaged to

An occult novelist who lives next door

A gold-digging wife from Vegas and Jazz Musician

The family cook who was secretly dating the French maid!

Mardi Gras Tie

My catchphrase for the night: (in a cajun accent) I gaur-ON-TEE, it was not ME

Happy Mardi Gras!

Since the party and mystery were both Mardi Gras themed, we cooked up some amazing Mardi Gras food. Cooking in the kitchen surrounded by friends also working on culinary creations is itself great fun. I've never been in a band, but I imagine this is what it feels like. Working in the same space with others, everybody doing their own thing but all working towards the same goal, a delicious meal.

Jazz Musician Chad takes time away from music to work in another medium, Flavor.

French Maid Misty helps prepare dinner for the guests

Finished Product: jambalaya, collard greens and bourbon mashed sweet potatoes

We also cooked Cajun food the night before

Crawfish, fried okra and taters

I spent my summers growing up in Baton Rouge, so talking with a cajun accent and eating crawfish and jambalaya was a comforting reminder of home. I had a fantastic time and I can't wait to solve another murder mystery soon. Maybe I'll even write my own one day, that sounds fun. And in case your were interested *Spoiler Alert* it was the victim's best friend/lawyer who did it.