Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Running Log: Week 8


Week of Sept. 20 - Sept. 26
9/21: 5k, 29:31
9/22: 10k, 1:01:07
9/23: 5k, 28:10
9/25: 21k, 2:23:01

Total: 41k, 4:21:49
Average Pace: 06:23

I ran 41k last week faster than I ran 39k the week before that, which is kinda cool. Also, Saturday's long run was roughly a half marathon, which is the longest distance I have ever run. This week's long run will take a step back, but starting next week, I will be going into unknown territory. Right now, the idea of running double what I did on Saturday is a bit...intimidating.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Running Log: Week 7


Week of Sept. 13 - Sept. 19
9/14: 5k, 28:30
9/15: 10k, 1:07:19
9/16: 5k, 28:43
9/18: 19k, 2:21:07

Total: 39k, 4:25:39
Average Pace: 06:48

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Running Log: Week 6

Week of Sept. 6 - Sept. 12
9/7: 5k, 28:09
9/8: 8k, 48:44
9/9: 5k, 29:36
9/11: 11k, 1:21:25

Total: 29k, 3:07:54
Average Pace: 06:28

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Third Time's the Charm

I came home yesterday to find the results of the JLPT (a Japanese proficiency test) that I took back in July in the mail. I am pleased to say that I have, finally, passed.

My stats:
Vocabulary/Grammar: 36/60
Reading: 34/60
Listening: 42/60

Total Score: 112/180 (62%)

I needed 60%, so I just barely passed. But I don't need to tell a future employer that if I choose a career where putting this on my resume would be useful.

I am most pleased with my Listening score, as that is what caused me to fail the test my first two times. Also, I realized yesterday that I first started studying for this test the day after taking Level 3, back in December 2007. So it has taken me two and a half years to do this.

Back in February 2009, I wrote the following:

I've spent the past month trying to figure out what I want to achieve in Japan. I'm not too motivated so the list is short:

-pass Level 1 JLPT
-run a half-marathon (maybe a full)
With N2 out of the way, I will now focus on taking N1 next July. I would take it this December, but I have a full marathon to run that day...

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Running Log: Week 5

Week of Aug. 30 - Sept. 5
8/31: 5k, 29:17
9/01: 8k, 50:01
9/02: 5k, 27:35
9/04: 16k, 1:50:33

Total: 34k, 3:37:26
Average Pace: 06:23

Friday, September 03, 2010

Typhoon #7

Just like Florida has its hurricane season, Okinawa has its typhoon season. For the past three years, many typhoons have skirted around the island, but I had yet to experience a direct hit...until last Tuesday.

There were actually three typhoons in the area. Typhoons are known by their numbers and the one that hit Okinawa was Typhoon #7. The internet is calling it Typhoon Kompasu, so I guess typhoons have other names outside of Japan. Typhoon #8 is called Typhoon Lionrock. That's sure is a lot cooler than, say, Hurricane Earl.

Anyway, news reports said the storm would hit at around 160 kph, or 100 mph, and judging from all the damage in the area, I would say they were correct. I've experienced many storms in Florida, but there was a big difference this time...my housing.

Prior to the storm, I was reassured my building would be okay because, 'Okinawa buildings are made from concrete.' Great, but I soon learned that my doors were not exactly sealed for typhoon conditions. I had water leaking in and debris flying through my fan that let's out smoke when I cook, but the worst problem for me was the noise. With all my doors and windows rattling for about 4 hours, I couldn't focus on anything and just laid on my futon.

Oh, and I lost power for about 30 hours.

Here are some pictures I took the following Wednesday morning:

Some guy's destroyed office.

I helped some old men flip this back over.

How NOT to prepare your yard for a storm.

There was lots of this.

And of course, Wednesday was the first day of school. After a brief 1st period assembly, the kids spent the rest of their morning doing yard work. I made myself useful by taking pictures, of course.






Wednesday, September 01, 2010

I'm Debt Free!

Last week after payday, I sent some money to my American bank account and payed off my student loan.

When I came to Japan three years ago, I had a student loan and debt on three credit cards. I budgeted that I could pay if all off in one year if I 'tried really hard'. But 'trying really hard' turned out to be, well, hard, and I had the temptations of traveling and motorcycles telling me to spend.

But now, for the first time since high school, I owe no money. It was somewhat anti-climatic as I didn't receive a "CONGRATULATIONS" e-mail from the bank or a phone call from the president telling me to keep on saving. In fact, I'm a little apprehensive that I owe someone somewhere something...

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Running Log: Week 4

Week of Aug. 23 - Aug. 29
8/23: 5k, 29:31
8/25: 6k, 36:41
8/26: 5k, 29:19
8/28: 14k, 1:42:20

Total: 30k, 3:17:51
Average Pace: 06:35