[ June 23, 2005, 06:20 PM: Message edited by: Annie ]
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
W0000000000000000000000000000000000t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*claps* Narnia wins!
Congratulations!!! Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Do you have any idea how tall I am going to be?
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Porter's brother went to Japan (can't remember which mission) and is now married to a Japanese gal. He just recently returned from a little vacation there, in fact.
Porter got to go to the wedding in Japan. I didn't. I'm jealous.
Posted by Dante (Member # 1106) on :
Congratulations, Annie! My little sister just got back from the Fukuoka mission, and I had a good friend who served in Tokyo South (though that was six or seven years ago).
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Porter's brother is not only extremely tall and skinny, he also is blonde and blue-eyed.
He stuck out like a telephone pole amongst the wild grasses.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Between Porter's Aikido and the gifts we've received from Porter's brother and his wife, a lot of people who come to our home assume someone here served a mission in Japan.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*hugs* I'll go find those dress boots - maybe with a flat heel.
Jeez, I want to go on a mission. This is...this is fabulous, Annie. You are going to love it. *runs off to go shoe shopping* Size 10, right?
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
And oddly enough, my little brother in Iraq is being transferred back to Japan in a few months.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Size 10 indeed. Posted by hansenj (Member # 4034) on :
Congratulations, Annie! That is so awesome!
My boyfriend, Paul, went to Tokyo North. He's half-Japanese, and he's there in Japan (near Nagoya) doing an internship at a bank right now.
So much for French or Spanish...
I'm SO happy for you!
Oh, and if you come to Utah a couple days early, we should have a going away gathering for you with all the Utah folk! Yay!
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Wow! How cool!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Congrats! My friend went to Japan. I hope you like seafood! Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I don't! Not at all!
(though I have progressed to being OK with octopus and squid)
Posted by no. 6 (Member # 7753) on :
Wow! What a great experience that's going to be!
Congratulations!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Yeah, you'll come back loving fish. Or at least missing it. Also seaweed, miso, and good rice.
Ashley, the mission-in-Japan friend, seriously has three foods in her cupboard: miso mix, rice, and Japanese snacks. She also has lunch in Little Tokyo every single day that she goes to work. Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I am already a Master of Chopstiks, however.
*brandishes diploma*
Posted by Cashew (Member # 6023) on :
Congratulations Annie. My son served in the Tokyo South Mission, 95 to 97, absolutely loved it. Which of the Tokyo missions are you going to? Whoops, just noticed the link. You've got Mt Fuji in your mission. My son started aout in the countryside, spent time in Tokyo and Yokohama.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
South!
Posted by Cashew (Member # 6023) on :
My son's been back twice. he married a Japanese girl he met at BYU Hawaii about 3 years after his mission. They're in Provo now.
Posted by hansenj (Member # 4034) on :
Just sent a message to my boyfriend in Japan, and he says congrats! He had some experience in part of the northern boundaries of your mission, and he really enjoyed it. Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Don't ride the subway alone.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Is that possible? Usually they're pretty crowded. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Plus, aren't there rules about ditching your companion? Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
Wow! That's awesome!
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Cool .
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Haha. Funny.
I'm serious. Unless you want to be groped or raped, don't ride the subway in Tokyo alone, or even with just one female companion. Make sure a boy comes along. A tall, muscular, intimidating western boy not be a bad idea.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
Hobbes Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Hobbes, you'll be busy. Posted by Liz B (Member # 8238) on :
quote:Unless you want to be groped or raped, don't ride the subway in Tokyo alone, or even with just one female companion. Make sure a boy comes along. A tall, muscular, intimidating western boy not be a bad idea.
Has Tokyo changed that much, or was I just incredibly unattractive?? Or are you kidding? I was never groped, molested, bothered, or even paid much attention to. The trains are so crowded that I don't see how an enterprising sukebe (pervert) could move a hand, let alone grope.
Congratulations, though, Annie -- Japan is a really cool place to live. It was especially good for me as a nice middle-class white girl from small town PA to live for a while as an extremely visible minority about whom lots of incorrect assumptions were made. Not that I liked that part . . . but it was good for me.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
*dances* As katharina so gracefully pointed out....
. . . . I WIN!!! I so totally WIN! I called Asia. I can just imagine looking at photos of you in your all-purpose black skirt next to members, companions, investigators, random postal workers...*sigh* It makes me want to go on a mission. (another thing kat said)
I got your phone message about 15 minutes ago and dashed home to gloat online and say CONGRATS! I need to know what you need so I can rifle through my stuff and see what I have that I can send you. I will also send you the email address of my best friend in the world who is currently living in Japan. She's American and has been there for over 2 years, she can answer lots of your questions.
I actually teared up when I thought of how awesome your next two years are going to be. I'm jealous (in a good way) and so happy for you!!! Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Wow, just looked at your call. August 31 is SOON. 2 months!! Wow.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Oh, being raped's not likely at all. Groped, extremely likely.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Okay, I used strong verbage on purpose. Rape happens but much, much more rarely than groping. I heard many, many stories about this during my short time as a Japanophile.
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
YES!!! August 31 means I'll be around! Is your mom or someone escorting you? My parents made a tradition of taking my brothers to Sizzler's before dropping them off at the MTC.
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
Congratulations. Posted by Rappin' Ronnie Reagan (Member # 5626) on :
Congrats. Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
That's AWESOME, Annie! I'm so happy for you! You're going to love it! Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Wooohoooo!!!!!!
One more Jatraquero in my part of the world!!!!
Not that I'll likely see you, but that's beside the point!!!!!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
quid, is it cheaper or the same to fly to Japan vs. North America.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
(KQ, the was for the call, not PC's comment)
Hobbes Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
(I know, Hobbesy, but the juxtaposition was just so amusing. )
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
Hobbes Posted by MattB (Member # 1116) on :
Congratulations.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
As they say in these parts, Aniie: Wicked pissah!!
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
kq, it's $1400 US and up to fly from Colombo to Vancouver, Canada, but only $620 US and up to fly from Colombo to Tokyo. Which makes sense since Japan's half the distance away that Canada is.
Hmm. Maybe a trip to Japan is in order . . . Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Well? She's going to be there for 18 months, that should be enough time to save for and arrange a trip, right?
Isn't someone else in Japan sometime this year? TokyoCon! With a trip to Church to see Sister Annie!
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
That's what I'm thinking. Of course, there's the significant other to consider. And convince.
But I still want LankaCon 2006!!!!
Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :
I had a dream about serving in Tokyo...While I was serving in Boise...It was weird. Congratulations!
Posted by JaneX (Member # 2026) on :
わあ、日本。。。すごいなあ！ おめでとう！ Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Well, I WILL be there in the spring. I can come visit Annie!!! I can't wait!
Congrats, Annie!!!
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
quote:Do you speak Japanese?
Not yet.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Ashley was told by her mission president, "People who serve North American missions go back scriptorians. People who serve in Central and South America go back fluent. People who serve in Asia just go back-- if they're lucky. Don't beat yourself up if the going is slower than you'd like."
She came back fluent anyway. I bet you'll do great.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
Congrats Annie! Long live Japan!
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
Congrats! I am very jealous - I am sure you will have an *amazing* experience.
Posted by whiskysunrise (Member # 6819) on :
Congrats!
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
Congratulations! My wife is from Japan and our 11 month old son is half Japanese. I have been there 3 times--I think.
I served in South Korea, but she is from Japan. There is no relation to my mission unless you count that the person who hooked us up on a blind date got our countries mixed.
It is fun there.
quote: Congratulations, Annie! My little sister just got back from the Fukuoka mission
The Fukuoka mission is where my wife was baptized.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Tokyo!
That's super cool!
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
>>"People who serve North American missions go back scriptorians. People who serve in Central and South America go back fluent. People who serve in Asia just go back-- if they're lucky.
Hey, what do those of us who served in Europe go back as?
Oh, right-- apostles. Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I just thought I'd share this because it made me smile:
My little (well, 6' 4") brother is in the Marines and was stationed in Iwakuni, Japan for 2 and a half years. He hasn't been to church in a while and I was worried he'd be a little hostile to the idea of me going on a mission. But here's the email he sent me:
quote:That will be awesome!
You will definitely have to stay in touch…I can help initially with some Japanese before you go. But I am sure that once you are there…with your intellect, and a complete immersion…it’ll be easy!
In all actuality, knowing Spanish or French before hand will help enormously in pronunciation. Somehow, in the weird line of languages, different sounds and pronunciation in Japanese is almost exactly how you would pronounce the word if you were trying to say it in Spanish! So, it will be really easy, and you will probably hear quite a few times from the get-go that your pronunciation is very good…even with simple things…you tell someone Washi Nihon-go shibarenkei…which means “I don’t speak Japanese” (Hiroshima-dialect) and you can pronounce it so well that they all giggle and say…”Oh, you speak Japanese so well”…kinda funny cause you just told them that you don’t!
But if you keep in touch and let me know where you are at…maybe I can take a drive out there one weekend to see ya! Then we can go eat sushi or Yakiniku together! You’ll be in my country!!!
Would you be allowed to visit with me? Are there rules against that?
Let me know! I really think you’ll love it! It’s a great country and the people are SO hospitable…even if you’re acting like a jerk. Not that I would know that first hand…
…talk to Matt Yaskus though…if he’s still around. He went to Japan for his mission too.
Ha! My sister is going to be Nihonjin!
Makusa!
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Annie! That's Wonderful!
I'm so happy for you!
FG
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
quote:Would you be allowed to visit with me? Are there rules against that?
Hee Hee! Tell him you can visit him if he is an investigator.....
FG
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
Tokyo sounds awesome, I'm sure you will have fun...
I actually heard ont the radio the other day that Tokyo was just rated the most expensive city on earth!
Will you be okay financially? Where do missionaries live when on a mission?
Posted by His Savageness (Member # 7428) on :
Congratulations!! Get ready for a wonderful experience! But first get ready for three long months in the MTC... Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Xav... actually, the church changed policy a few years back (in the 90s?) so that rather than each missionary paying for his or her lodging and food at local rates, the costs would be evened out and everyone pay the same. So basically, I'll be paying the same $400 a month that all the other missionaries are paying, but those who are paying that much to live in, say, Guatemala, will be supplimenting the cost of the missionaries in, say, Tokyo.
And actually, I won't even be paying $400 a month. I've spent the last 6 months working to pay off my debts, and my family is in some rather dire financial straits, so the cost of my entire mission is being paid by three families I know, two in my local congregation and one that I know from my college town. When I think of their generosity and willingness to help (all of them approached me and offered support) I am totally humbled and amazed at human generosity. Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:Somehow, in the weird line of languages, different sounds and pronunciation in Japanese is almost exactly how you would pronounce the word if you were trying to say it in Spanish!
I have experienced the exact same thing, but with Portugese instead.
Annie -- I don't remember. Is your brother LDS?
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Well, technically yes. He hasn't been active in about 5 years.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Ok. Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
Congratulations Annie!!! I'm so excited for you! The next year and a half will be an amazing experience for you! Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
quote: >>"People who serve North American missions go back scriptorians. People who serve in Central and South America go back fluent. People who serve in Asia just go back-- if they're lucky.
The variant in my Korean mission was:
"People who serve North American missions go back scriptorians. People who serve in Central and South America go back fluent. People who serve in Korea come back with a leather jacket."
True to form, I got the nicest green leather jacket over there. Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I some how missed this thread Annie.
Congratulations!!
I could give you all kinds of advice based on my mission experience, but in the end it would make no difference. You must find the path God has for you on your mission alone. Trust Him, seek to serve Him.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Thanks, Rabbit. I don't remember, though - where did you serve?
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
quote:Somehow, in the weird line of languages, different sounds and pronunciation in Japanese is almost exactly how you would pronounce the word if you were trying to say it in Spanish!
Well, that's just because certain sounds are very common across all languages. The bulk of languages have five basic vowels and most of the same consonants.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
Nerd.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
That cut me deep, Scott.
Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :
Da da DAH da-HEY-da dah da dah
Sorry, that was on the radio yesterday.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
What fantastic news -- congratulations!
And (and I know you will) make sure you drag your companion to all sorts of cultural activities on your one day off a week.
I have no idea what it's exactly called but anything that has to do with the Japan Traditional Craft Arts Exhibition would be very cool. My grandparents get the catalog of winners every year -- some amazing works. I especially like the pottery and textiles.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I served in the Vienna Austria Mission. Back in the dark ages.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Vienna in the Dark Ages? Sweet! How did feudalism affect the church organization?
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
*covet* Because I want to go to Japan... You could get... dir en grey things and konnyaku...
Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
Hey, I was just in the process of moving when this thread got posted, and I barely got internet access--dial-up for now. But even thought I'm late, I didn't want to be left out of the congratulating. Way to go. Not that I didn't love my mission in Portland (it was the greatest), but I'm jealous. Japan is going to be sweet. Have a great time.
Oh, and as long as Syn brought it up, I may have to get in on the list of people you have to import some stuff for. I'll make it worth your while. Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Ah Portland. It really is the greatest city, I love it. Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
すごい！
That's so awesome. If my plans work out as, well, planned, then I too will be in Japan in a bit less than a year's time.
That would be so funky walking into a sacrament meeting and seeing Sister Majors... or would it be Sister メージャス(Me-jyasu)?
Enjoy learning 日本語! ひらがな(Hiragana) and カタカナ(Katakana) are so simple and so much fun to learn.
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
Congratulations, Annie! May your mission be everything that you want it to be.
Posted by skillery (Member # 6209) on :
omedetou gozaimasu
Be sure to take a breatheable, Teflon-laminate rain jacket. The rainwear you buy over there is sweaty inside...like a ZipLock bag.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Yes, Japanese is easier than you think, except for if you say I am giving something to someone. That is rather difficult. I really must go over my Japanese. Reading HP in Japanese will help. You'd have melty kisses to look forward to in the winter time. A fine confection. Mail us chocolate fans a ton of them and we'll give you flowers Posted by Miriya (Member # 7822) on :
Good luck! I'm sure you'll have a great experience.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Choko on the way!
Thanks for all the good wishes, especially from those of you who know somewhat of what I'm up against. So far, I can say Neko wa doko desu ka and Aisu kuriimo o kudasai. I think that pretty much covers all my basic needs.
quote:That would be so funky walking into a sacrament meeting and seeing Sister Majors... or would it be Sister メージャス(Me-jyasu)?
I know nothing of the conventions of transliterating English names, but I practised writing mine just for fun, and I decided to go with Me-i-jo-ru-su because that sounded the closest. (I'll have to figure out how you guys are typing in kana) So I'll be Meijorusu Shimai, or something close to that.
Where are you going to be, Taal? That sounds like awesome fun.
By the way, have I mentioned that I'm excited?
Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
Congratulations, Annie! I hope you have a very fulfilling and fun time.
I missed this thread first time 'round.
So, is the country assigned to you by LDS elders? Why not send you to a country that speaks French since you speak that well?
Or did they figure you were good at languages so you would have a better shot at learning Japanese than others?
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
The elders of the church (usually includes at least one apostle, I believe) assign missionaries to the missions throughout the world. They base the decision on what missions are in need at a certain time, but also take into consideration the applicant's qualifications. Mostly importantly, we believe that they are inspired by God in the choices they make.
There are all kinds of apocryphal speculations about why people go the places they do, and a couple of my priesthood leaders have speculated that my history of language study made me a good candidate to learn a harder language. But, most prevalent is the notion that you always end up being surprised in what God thinks is good for you, and I must admit that surprised I was. Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Oh, and another factor they use in making the decision is family ancestry. (they ask you on your application form) One of the new elders in my mission, who will be going at the same time as me, emailed me and apparently just abuot everyone in his family (he's a 2nd or 3rd generation Nisei) including his dad, three uncles, two aunts and some cousins, have gone on missions to Japan. He doesn't speak any Japanese but still wasn't surprised to find himself assigned there.
And then there are weird quirks. I've known at least four missionaries come to Montana from Mongolia. I don't know if it's the climate or what, but for some reason our weird little backwater mission is full of Mongolians.
Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
quote: Where are you going to be, Taal? That sounds like awesome fun.
That's a good question. The even bigger question is if it will happen at all. I'm going to be applying to the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) for the 2006-2007 cycle.
So wish me luck Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I applied there 2 times. Didn't get in. Good luck to you. *flowers* I want to go to Japan in November.
Posted by skillery (Member # 6209) on :
Oh, and don't let your companion fool you into brushing your teeth with wasabi (which comes in a tube like toothpaste).
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
I fully expect you to come back well versed in the Japanese culinary arts, Annie. And then Jon Boy and I can invite you and Hobbes over sometime and we can have Japanese food and deep-fried chocolate cake for dinner.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Mmm. . . wasabi. . . I love wasabi . . .
Deep fried chocolate cake? Do you have a recipe for that? Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Do you need a recipe? You just deep-fat-fry a chocolate cake.
I'm still trying to work out the physics of it, is all. Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
I'm thinking you should bake the chocolate cake first. Then put it on some sort of metal pan approximately the diameter of the pot with the oil in it. Put the cake in the pot. Pour hot oil over everything.
Now, getting the cake out could be the hard part.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I imagine that it would fall apart in a mess of crispy fried goooooodness.
I'd still eat that.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
I'm just worried that it'd fall apart in a mess of soggy, oily grossness.
I'd still eat that.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I wouldn't. Wouldn't a nice slathering of butter and cream cheese frosting work much better?
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Maybe we could deep-fry it in butter and cream cheese.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
*vomits*
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Butter and cream cheese? Good idea! That is almost as fabulous as deep-fat-frying in pure manteca. (which I've done!)
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Dare I ask what manteca is?
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Manteca is apparently a town in California. Sick!
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
*snort* *wipes tears* Man, you guys are hilarious! Thanks!
I think I'll deep-fry me some chocolate cake, already iced, and see what happens. And then make Fahim eat it for his birthday.
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I'm jealous.
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