Last trip to Nagoya (for a while), "American Diner" and Research Paper

On the left if Valeriya (Ukraine) and on the right is Felippe (Brazil)

Once again I returned to Nagoya to visit friends, but this is probably the last time for a while. My travel funds are running a little low at the moment. When I save up a little more, I will continue the travel. Anyways, this time we had a going away party for Felippe (Brazil) and Valeriya (Ukraine). The are leaving Japan on the 3rd of June. First, they will be going to Brazil for a month and then to the Ukraine for a month and then back to Brazil (forever?). I have to wish them luck and thank them for making my time in Japan better. However, I don't envy the plane ride that they will have to take. They will travel for a total of 40 hours straight. I would definitely die before I got there unless I was able to stop for a day and continue the travel the next day. But, I hope they make the trip safely and I wish y'all the best.

The next day I slept in until 10am because I didn't actually start attempting to sleep until about 2:45am. Paul (Ecuador), Fausto (Brazil), Lucas (Brazil) and myself (TEXAS) decided to go to a bar after we got back from the going away party...although none of us drank alcoholic drinks.


Above is at the "American Diner" in Nagoya. Marni is 'Enjoying' his Fish Burger.
I met with my language exchange friend from 1:00 to 2:15 and the headed to Osu Kannon. I've talked about Osu Kannon before. It has a large temple and a large shopping center...that is basically behind the temple. There are a lot of Brazillian places there. However, the reason we went there was to go to a "American Diner." The hamburgers looked normal in the pictures. Actually, there were just a little off. Of course, as expected, the size was a bit smaller than usual. I ordered the BBQ burger...Big mistake. I think they consider demiglass sauce BBQ sauce in Japan (not sure about that). Paul was running a little late (partially my fault for contacting him a little late, partially his fault for getting on the wrong train, partially Marni's fault because I need to blame someone other than myself and Paul), so I took the liberty of ordering him a plain hamburger (which is the safest choice). Marni ordered a CHEESE BURGER. I know Marni ordered a cheese burger because (1) he told me what he was going to order and because (2) I listed to him make the order and the girl repeat the order. Later, the cook came out of the back room and asked us if we wanted mayo on our hamburgers. Actually, when I say us, I only mean Marni...but he asked Marni about all 3 hamburgers. I replied and Marni replied to the cook, we don't want Mayo. The cook said okay and left. I made a comment to Marni about how nice it was that he came and asked us if we wanted Mayo. Then, about 5 minutes later, the cook returned with the same question to Marni. I was a littler perplexed because in some alternate universe I think I had already answered that question. Now, I should explain that the cook only talked to Marni (Philippines) and not myself. However, Marni's Japanese is much worste than mine (no offense Marni...your Japanese has improved a lot though). Once again, Marni said, "No Mayo." The cook explained to Marni that there were 3 hamburgers. I told the cook, we don't want Mayo an any of the hamburgers. Now, you have probably already guessed what has happened by the way I have kept writing about this. When we got the "hamburgers" Marni's hamburger had Mayo all over it. But, not only was it covered in Mayo, it was not a hamburger. It was a fish burger. Now in Japanese fish and cheese are kind of close, but I'm sure I heard the lady repeat Marni's order as a cheese burger. I would have said something if I heard it differently! Owell...things rarely go completely correct.

Anyways, I'm working on my first publishing. I'm not sure when I will have the data to finish it for publishing. I have to rely on another doctoral student at UNT to run my samples (which I don't like). Hopefully it will be accepted for publishing by the end of June. Of course, when I succeed I have to write about it here.

Not sure what comes next??? Oh yeah, the 2 researchers from the University of Noth Texas will be here on June the 10th. I think I will be showing them around. They will be here for about 2 months. At least I will have more company.
Well, thanks for reading.
Adios for now.
-Ben