Welcome to my journal. There is probably no need for introduction because if you've stumbled here, you most likely already know who I am and too much about me. If you really are a stranger, I'm wondering how you happened to tumble into this rabbit hole. In any case, you're free to wander about as well.

• If you're curious about how my life in Matsue is faring, please make your way to my Japan entries.
• A food connoisseur? I wouldn't advise you click the following link. My commentary is almost not very descriptive...nor really existent, actually. So for random pictures of food I've consumed, continue on this way to Jess' food adventures.
• I can't imagine anyone wanting to looking anywhere else, but for any of my random entires or writing, my tags list has it all.

Currently Reading:

• Questionable Content
• Girls with Slingshots
• Octopus Pie
• Dr. McNinja

Anything else I should be taking a peek at?  I enjoy something a little snarky and witty.

We're nearing the end of June now and depsite it being the "rainy season", it has only rained a couple of times.  Today is cloudy though, I have to admit.

But for the most part, the weather has been HOT and HOT.  I sweat when taking only a short trip to the bank or supermarket.  I've now changed my routine to shower at night because I get so sweaty during the day.  (Although I might as well shower in the morning too, because it's just as hot at night and I sweat equally as much...) 

June was a busy and exciting month!  About 2 weeks ago, I finally made my first trip to Izumo Taisha.  Just to fill you in, this is one of the oldest and prominent shrines in all of Japan.  And it just happens to be in the prefecture I'm living in.  Why it took me 8 months to finally visit it?  I have no clue.  Kumiko-san was kind enough to take me there and show me around.  We also made a trip to Hinomisaki afterwards to visit the lighthouse.

Please look up Izumo Taisha and take a few moments to read about this amazing historical momument!
Alright, on to some photos.

Warning:  I look like a country bumpkin.

The entrance to Izumo Taisha.


This is Izumo Taisha's Kaguraden.  It has the largest shimenawa in Japan!  (That's the large twisted rope thing.)  (Also, apologies for the crooked pictures.)


And of course no entry is complete without food.  This is the lunch I enjoyed at Hinomisaki.



Although I may be across the world living in another country, I have not forgotten about my homeland, Canada!  And of course on July 1st, it's going to be none other than Canada Day.  An exciting day.  Or well, a stat holiday to enjoy 1.5 times pay and lots of partying.  So my fellow Canadian friend here in Matsue also thought it would be a good excuse to gather some friends and have some fun.

We ended up renting a cabin over in Tagi (About an hour and 20 minutes from Matsue) to enjoy ourselves.  It was amazing, the weather was great...and we went swimming.  So I have now swum in Japan's waters!  Good times and I want to do it all over again in the near future.  Shall we celebrate BC day next?

Kendra, Yasuko and I goofing around on the beach in Tagi.


Back at the beach at night to set off some fireworks.  (Love this picture!)


A group picture minus Jun.



And that's about it for today.  I'm tired from yesterday and am going to relax or maybe take another nap.

Until next time.

IT'S HOT.  HOTHOTHOT.  I sweat just from walking outside.  I bake sitting inside my apartment doing nothing but cruise the internet.  It's hoooot.

I don't think I'm going to last summer one bit.  I'm just going to be a pool of Jess-sweat come August.

Aside from the heat it's been busy and eventful since Osaka.

Starting from Horan Enya, a very cool boat festival that takes place in Matsue once every twelve years.  A little history for you all: About 360 years ago, Matsue was having some serious problems and people weren't able to produce good crops. There was famine and all was not well. So the Feudal lord at the time, Matsudaira Naomasa, decided to pray by moving the God of Harvest in a portable shrine from one shrine to another by boat. (Why God has to move, I have no idea). Anyways, everything turned out for the good because of his praying.
So...now there's a festival to celebrate the return of all that is good.

Below is what took place between two bridges in Matsue along a long river leading to Lake Shinji.  There were a LOT more boats than this, but they aren't pictured.
Horan Enya


And then here is Kendra (a fellow Canadian) and I posing with our new friends.



Anything else NEW and EXCITING in my life?  Well, I've been--get this--trying to cook more lately.  There was a takoyaki lesson night (from Toshi-sensei), thai curry night with salad rolls, I tried making chicken katsu one time... Kumiko--san also showed me how to make gyoza!  I unfortunately only took pictures on two of the many occasions.

Homemade Takoyaki


Before and After pictures of my Gyoza escapades



Andddd, during Horan Enya (the Boat Festival), I ended up making a new friend who turned out to be a photographer.  Long story short, he took my photo and here's how one of them turned out.  Check out Nobu-san's blog if you're interested in photography (there's lots of photos of Matsue too!).



Just a few things that I've been up to in the past while...

Honestly I can't believe so much time has already passed.  Feels like I just arrived in Matsue, when really, I've been here for a lot longer than I want to admit.  When I think about the time I've spent here in Japan so far, I've accomplished so much more than I would have ever in 7 months in Canada.  Still, I feel like I should have done so much more.

Golden week came and went.  Osaka is an amazing city and I'd love to go back.  The crowds were insane during the 4 days I was in the Kansai area and I was standing in more lines than I ever have before (that was usually when we were waiting for food).  Walking around the Dotonbori district in Namba, I was shoulder to shoulder with strangers all around me.  I ate infamous takoyaki from a food stall.  Met up with friends and enjoyed new sights--a great way to spend my vacation.

A few highlights?
Going to Todaiji Temple in Nara and seeing the largest Buddha statue in the world.  We also climbed through a hole the size of Buddha's nostril...and lived to tell the tale!  It was scary but quite the experience.


Being stupidly goofy with a friend without a care.


Walking anonymously in a crowd.


Checking out all the marine life residing in the Osaka Aquarium.



THAT was Golden Week.  It's been a few weeks since then and I've been keeping busy.  I've taken a trip to Matsue Vogal Park (awesome) and stood in the rain for a couple hours to watch Horan Enya (a festival that occurs only once every twelve years!). 
Lots has been going on and keeps my mind off of the inevitable departure in just a few short months...  :(

So this is how I spent my GW (Golden Week). Filling out pointless surveys. It's the same one I took a while ago. Just thought I'd compare answers from now and then. Not as interesting as I thought it would be.

( Cut for pointless babbling )

And March has taken off!  I honestly can't believe how fast time is flying by.  It really does seem like only moments ago I arrived in Matsue.  I still feel so new here in this city and can only imagine that I'll feel like it's my second home when I leave.  The pace of life here has really gotten to me and I'm starting to feel comfortable in this laid-back, friendly city.  While lots has happened lately, I'll save all of that for another entry.  For now, my stomach will do all the reporting.

I'll start off with my trip to Coco's.  It's a nice family restaurant with an awesome selection of tea.
First, please note Coco's mascot:  the one and only, Doraemon!  (And Coco's "Special Sauce".  Yes, I AM aware of how immature I can be.)


This is Coco's Macha Parfait.


Next is MY attempt at cooking making food.  I think my family might be proud to know that I tried to make something Vietnamese.  Although, I'd like to note that I'm NOT vegetarian.  I just cook/use a lot less meat now that I'm on my own.  So I usually substitute tofu because it's cheap!  Oh, and by the way, it wasn't bad.  The dipping sauce I used was a spicy chilli sauce.


This is a roll that was being served at the St. Patrick's Day festivities.  It wasn't mine so I didn't taste it.  I'm sure it was delicious though.


The following pictures are of yakiniku.  Very delicious :D  (It's all beef, I might add.)




By the way, this last picture is of intestine ;)

ASLDKJFOASDKFJASJDFK.  Animal lovers need to go here.  ASAP.
(I'm not particularly a huge animal fan but my heart does reach out to cats and kittens <3)

Got a slight cold right now, so I've been hermit-ing all day at home.  All I can say is:  AHAHAHAHAHA.  Thank you for all the laughs.


And I thought it'd be fun to document my first trip to Mos Burger.



Here's what I ordered.  A Mos Cheeseburger, fries and corn soup.


Comparing with a Rice Burger.



And this is the dessert I enjoyed later at Port Below.

Because I like to torture myself with lack of sleep, I've decided to upload pictures of food.  Yay!

All these pictures were taken in Matsue.

This is the Okonomiyaki I had at the Dan Dan Food Festival.  Good stuff!


The making of sakura mochi.


Macha Latte.  It was sweet with a slight tangy bitterness.  Great for a cold day.


This is Shoyu based ramen.


What I had was tonkotsu based ramen.  Delicious stuff.


Last, but not least, Curry Pasta.  I really enjoyed this as well, although I could have gone for a spicier version.


And that`s it for the first installment for Jess` food adventures!