The Guch and too much Hooch

I have Tuesdays off, as do my roommates Masako and Tetsu, so we decided to have dinner at the Guch (our house) last Tuesday. Wanting to introduce me to a new Japanese dish, they cooked suki-yaki, which is beef slices simmered in soy sauce, sake, and sugar, along with other vegetables and tofu. Whisked raw egg is used as a dipping sauce for the meat and vegetables. Masako and Tetsu provided the delicious meal, while I provided the alcohol. We started off slow, just a few beers, but once our roommate Judy got home from work, we opened a couple of bottles of wine. And then our roommate Cat came home, and we broke out the rum. At one point in the night Cat, Judy, and I all put on Halloween costumes, and then somehow Judy convinced us it would be a good idea to put a mustache on Cat and a full beard on me (using eyeshadow). I looked like Yitzhak from "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." Judy just pretty much had eyeshadow all over her entire face. I'm certain pictures were taken and I have no doubt they'll resurface in some form of blackmail later in life. Regardless, it was a fun night and a rare moment for us residents of the Guch, as we rarely get a chance to hang out together due to our conflicting work schedules.

The Guch (my house)

The house I'm living in is affectionately known as The 'Guch because of its location in Moriguchi and because it's a funny name. It's legendary in that many ECC teachers have lived here at some point, or at least attended one of the many parties thrown here over the years.

It's actually two three-story houses connected, and is truly massive. It took me nearly a month to find the second kitchen as it's a bit of a maze, with doors that lead to nothing and staircases that lead to yet more staircases. I feel like I'm living in the Winchester House. There are nine bedrooms, but only five are occupied: me, Judy from Baltimore, Cat from England, Michael from New Zealand, and Masako and Tetsuru from Japan. We're all ECC teachers (except for Masako and Tetsuru) and get along quite well.

The house is not without its disadvantages, however. Japan has a cockroach problem but our house seems to be a resort for the loathsome things. No matter how clean we keep the place, these prolific little buggers keep appearing in drains or scurrying passed as a light gets flicked on.