I mean I don't even know what to say anymore.
I don't even flinch when a 15 year old points at his friend and says "He's a perv" and the like. It's really difficult to describe my life, because it just is how it is- once you get used to something, you don't really know how to talk about it, because everything is so normal. Do you know what I mean?
If particular things happen, I'll try to remember to write on here. But other than that, you'd just get random posts like this. xD
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
3/19/2013
So it's been a while....again. Time most definitely slips through my fingers.
Finally in February I started feeling better and I'm not sick anymore- I don't know what was up with that.
Today was my final day of work for this school year. During the day, we held the graduation ceremony for the 3rd years (9th grade). There was this whole thing with the parents, Board of Education people, the PTA and everyone. I did like that instead of clapping after every name and every student to go up there and receive the diploma, they all bowed instead. Less noisy, saves energy. Like every other ceremony, there really couldn't have been any more bowing than there was. I spent a lot of time sitting there, attempting to figure out what was being said in the speeches, and certainly I got the gist of most of them. There were a couple of student speeches and this one girl couldn't stop crying, it was really sweet and I just wanted to hug the lot of them.
When it was time for the students to go home with their parents, they had us line up in the hallway by the entrance and each kid with parents in tow came by so we could all say something like congratulations or anything. I chatted very briefly with a few of them, and gave them all a wave. I was happy that some of them used a bit of English with me, and some of the parents and I bowed at each other. Down the line was one of the teachers, his name is Kiriyama-sensei. He's bald, and many of the kids took this opportunity to pat his head. The sensei is a really good sport and always brought a bit of energy to the teacher's room. During lunch, a 3rd year girl, Haruna, would come in from another classroom and basically force their excess soup into his bowl all the time. Somehow, that's just something I really don't want to forget.
It turned out, and I just found out today, that 8 of our teachers were either retiring or locating to another school. I found out from Shimomura-sensei, who sits across from me in the teacher's room, told me that in Japan, teachers (not that it's their decision, mind you) get switched around schools all the time- far more frequently than back in the US. There was a little ceremony for that, in which I accidentally got in line with the leaving teachers- because I didn't know that's what this line was, but it wasn't a big goof up. Still, my Japanese is not bad, but there are some procedures (a lot) that I just won't get unless I'm either fluent, or I'm already used to how everything is done since I wasn't around to be a part of this culture growing up- that's how it works. It's weird- you think if you know the language, then everything will be fine because you'll understand- but there are plenty of things that you just need to understand regardless of your language ability...I hope that makes sense.
Honestly, I was really surprised that these teachers were leaving, I had no idea. I had a bond with a lot of them. Let's see- Mochizuki-sensei, Nakamura-sensei, Kiriyama-sensei, Hashizume-sensei, Kawakami-sensei, Takami-sensei, the secretary sensei, and the sensei who came in for the remainder of the year in place of Furikoshi-sensei, who died this summer. Those last two, I could never catch their names- it's hard! Everyone says things really fast.
Anyway, between the ceremony where these teachers said goodbye and leaving the school, myself and all the other teachers went to the music room to practice a song. It was a present for the teachers who were leaving.
This evening was the end-of-the-year/teachers are leaving party at this big place made for this sort of thing. We had a big eastern style room with tables and chairs. I wasn't able to eat everything that they brought out- each dish was small, but somehow it always fills be up so much- I don't know how some of the teachers do it! Even when I'm really hungry, sometimes I can't finish things! And of course, beer after beer was poured. You always pour for other people, or other people pour for you. I wondered what the significance is and it's supposed to be that when you accept someone pouring you a drink, you're accepting the feeling of like...mutual goodwill and camaraderie- things like that. Symbolism, yeah.
There were speeches to and from the leaving senseis, which I couldn't understand most of, but still. Those who are leaving sit up front at the head table, and eating time is also when the rest of us would get up and go talk to them. Well I didn't think it would happen, but I was crying a lot. I talked to Kawakami-sensei- she was the teacher whose desk was next to mine, and one of the English teachers, so I had classes with her and such. We used to talk a lot and laugh. WHen I spoke with her, I basically said thank you for all the help and encouragement and everything. SHe even gave me a hug and said I am a good teacher. She really had the best laugh whenshe thought something was funny- just tended to make me happy. I hope we'll still talk over email. SHe gave me a ride home too, and we were talking and laughing like before. There's no way I'll forget her.
I talked to the sensei who was new- he used to chat with me sometimes in the teachers room, and well, that relaly meant something to me. I talked to Mochizuki-sensei, the librarian. She said she'll be at the towns library, so I should be able to see her again. I remember one time she had dropped something in the hallway outside of the teachers room. Actually it looked like a bill. WHatever it was, I could read her name on it, and I brought it to the library and gave it back. I feel like that meant something to her, I don't know. Still, she would always acknowledge me, and was really kind. I talked to Takami-sensei. He wasn't here the whole year either for whatever reason. He's an older man so I think he's retiring. But he would always try to talk to me and greet me in ENglish, even though he can only remember a small bit of words. This cheered me up all the time. Hashizume-sensei was the nurse lady, and we've had a lot of conversations actually. She helped me and talked with me a lot. It seems her husband is in the guide club, so I'm sure we'll meet again. The secretary lady was crying as badly as I was. we shook had kinda, and I told her how much it meant to me that we would talk a little bit after lunch time and about her setting up my lunch tray a lot and how just some of that kindness meant a lot. I otld them all how happy I was that they talked to me and how muc htheir kindness meant. I'm crying again as I type this, actually. Jeez....
Then we all sang the school song together and then we performed the song for the teachers leaving. I understnad mos to fthe words so that made me cry more. Then we did the banzai thing in a circle. I found out that some of the teachers actually have a second little drinking party, and I was happy to be invited- but I tohught about money and the fact that I didnt want to drink anymore either, and so Kawakami-sensei took me back.
Just remmebering each of their faces when I tlaked to them tonight makes me so sad.YOud think I'm old enough to handle people leavig my life but I guess not. Whenever its my turn to leave, I'm so screwed.
Finally in February I started feeling better and I'm not sick anymore- I don't know what was up with that.
Today was my final day of work for this school year. During the day, we held the graduation ceremony for the 3rd years (9th grade). There was this whole thing with the parents, Board of Education people, the PTA and everyone. I did like that instead of clapping after every name and every student to go up there and receive the diploma, they all bowed instead. Less noisy, saves energy. Like every other ceremony, there really couldn't have been any more bowing than there was. I spent a lot of time sitting there, attempting to figure out what was being said in the speeches, and certainly I got the gist of most of them. There were a couple of student speeches and this one girl couldn't stop crying, it was really sweet and I just wanted to hug the lot of them.
When it was time for the students to go home with their parents, they had us line up in the hallway by the entrance and each kid with parents in tow came by so we could all say something like congratulations or anything. I chatted very briefly with a few of them, and gave them all a wave. I was happy that some of them used a bit of English with me, and some of the parents and I bowed at each other. Down the line was one of the teachers, his name is Kiriyama-sensei. He's bald, and many of the kids took this opportunity to pat his head. The sensei is a really good sport and always brought a bit of energy to the teacher's room. During lunch, a 3rd year girl, Haruna, would come in from another classroom and basically force their excess soup into his bowl all the time. Somehow, that's just something I really don't want to forget.
It turned out, and I just found out today, that 8 of our teachers were either retiring or locating to another school. I found out from Shimomura-sensei, who sits across from me in the teacher's room, told me that in Japan, teachers (not that it's their decision, mind you) get switched around schools all the time- far more frequently than back in the US. There was a little ceremony for that, in which I accidentally got in line with the leaving teachers- because I didn't know that's what this line was, but it wasn't a big goof up. Still, my Japanese is not bad, but there are some procedures (a lot) that I just won't get unless I'm either fluent, or I'm already used to how everything is done since I wasn't around to be a part of this culture growing up- that's how it works. It's weird- you think if you know the language, then everything will be fine because you'll understand- but there are plenty of things that you just need to understand regardless of your language ability...I hope that makes sense.
Honestly, I was really surprised that these teachers were leaving, I had no idea. I had a bond with a lot of them. Let's see- Mochizuki-sensei, Nakamura-sensei, Kiriyama-sensei, Hashizume-sensei, Kawakami-sensei, Takami-sensei, the secretary sensei, and the sensei who came in for the remainder of the year in place of Furikoshi-sensei, who died this summer. Those last two, I could never catch their names- it's hard! Everyone says things really fast.
Anyway, between the ceremony where these teachers said goodbye and leaving the school, myself and all the other teachers went to the music room to practice a song. It was a present for the teachers who were leaving.
This evening was the end-of-the-year/teachers are leaving party at this big place made for this sort of thing. We had a big eastern style room with tables and chairs. I wasn't able to eat everything that they brought out- each dish was small, but somehow it always fills be up so much- I don't know how some of the teachers do it! Even when I'm really hungry, sometimes I can't finish things! And of course, beer after beer was poured. You always pour for other people, or other people pour for you. I wondered what the significance is and it's supposed to be that when you accept someone pouring you a drink, you're accepting the feeling of like...mutual goodwill and camaraderie- things like that. Symbolism, yeah.
There were speeches to and from the leaving senseis, which I couldn't understand most of, but still. Those who are leaving sit up front at the head table, and eating time is also when the rest of us would get up and go talk to them. Well I didn't think it would happen, but I was crying a lot. I talked to Kawakami-sensei- she was the teacher whose desk was next to mine, and one of the English teachers, so I had classes with her and such. We used to talk a lot and laugh. WHen I spoke with her, I basically said thank you for all the help and encouragement and everything. SHe even gave me a hug and said I am a good teacher. She really had the best laugh whenshe thought something was funny- just tended to make me happy. I hope we'll still talk over email. SHe gave me a ride home too, and we were talking and laughing like before. There's no way I'll forget her.
I talked to the sensei who was new- he used to chat with me sometimes in the teachers room, and well, that relaly meant something to me. I talked to Mochizuki-sensei, the librarian. She said she'll be at the towns library, so I should be able to see her again. I remember one time she had dropped something in the hallway outside of the teachers room. Actually it looked like a bill. WHatever it was, I could read her name on it, and I brought it to the library and gave it back. I feel like that meant something to her, I don't know. Still, she would always acknowledge me, and was really kind. I talked to Takami-sensei. He wasn't here the whole year either for whatever reason. He's an older man so I think he's retiring. But he would always try to talk to me and greet me in ENglish, even though he can only remember a small bit of words. This cheered me up all the time. Hashizume-sensei was the nurse lady, and we've had a lot of conversations actually. She helped me and talked with me a lot. It seems her husband is in the guide club, so I'm sure we'll meet again. The secretary lady was crying as badly as I was. we shook had kinda, and I told her how much it meant to me that we would talk a little bit after lunch time and about her setting up my lunch tray a lot and how just some of that kindness meant a lot. I otld them all how happy I was that they talked to me and how muc htheir kindness meant. I'm crying again as I type this, actually. Jeez....
Then we all sang the school song together and then we performed the song for the teachers leaving. I understnad mos to fthe words so that made me cry more. Then we did the banzai thing in a circle. I found out that some of the teachers actually have a second little drinking party, and I was happy to be invited- but I tohught about money and the fact that I didnt want to drink anymore either, and so Kawakami-sensei took me back.
Just remmebering each of their faces when I tlaked to them tonight makes me so sad.YOud think I'm old enough to handle people leavig my life but I guess not. Whenever its my turn to leave, I'm so screwed.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Unko-sama
So....it's been a while. Sorry.
Been getting used to work (I do still like it, though of course there are also things to complain about).
Paying the bills, can;t wait to come visit in the summer!
School year is going to be done in about 2 months.
Been making friends, being with friends and all in all taking it slow and enjoying things.
Not sure what to say or talk about at this point though. Haha, again, sorry!
Um, go ahead and let me know if there's something you want to know about~
("Unko-sama" means "Lord Poop". He's a round, squishy frog stuffed animal that I now use with Nekomaru-san, the kids do love him~).
Been getting used to work (I do still like it, though of course there are also things to complain about).
Paying the bills, can;t wait to come visit in the summer!
School year is going to be done in about 2 months.
Been making friends, being with friends and all in all taking it slow and enjoying things.
Not sure what to say or talk about at this point though. Haha, again, sorry!
Um, go ahead and let me know if there's something you want to know about~
("Unko-sama" means "Lord Poop". He's a round, squishy frog stuffed animal that I now use with Nekomaru-san, the kids do love him~).
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Kumo-san is at it again/Gotta catch 'em all!
Well first of all, I found this and just kept laughing:
facebook version of world history
kumo = spider
Monday was kind of horrible. This is because I had forgotten something at home and felt bad about having to leave during 1st hour to go get it and I felt awkward asking the principal. >>;
Also, it turned out one of my Monday classes was supposed to be the whole 50 minutes but I thought it was just 30 so I really messed up some things for H-sensei and the lesson I had done, I didn't much care for. >>;;
But then in an afternoon class things got funny. T-sensei asked the class to compare the two of us (it was supposed to be that they realized we're both teachers) but instead the immediate response was "MEGANE" (glasses). For some reason, Japan has this huge thing about glasses. Not like in the old days where kids were made fun of, just this...extra attention. I dunno. They proceeded to say we were both wearing pants and that we both had hands. While correct, completely not what we were driving at. xDD
On Tuesday, I just pretty much collapsed and the effects are still skewing me up a bit. Well ok not literally collapsed, but basically I've been sleeping and napping in patterns that make my cycles kind of messed up since then.
Reason being I had 5 out of 5 possible classes that day, 4 full 45 minutes periods of elementary school in a row, a rush to the middle school, food, and then another class. Eventful, a fine day over all just got really tired. And because of all of these classes (I also had several other full 50 minute ones later this week) I was doing a lot of prep work at home. This is part of why my sleeping was off- though its partially due to my being tired, thus putting off prep things xD
Wednesday had another elementary class, using more cut-up-sentences lessons, and the class 7. I made another cut up thing for using the grammar "must". I put this picture on there: Intense!
And described: "You didn't do anything at home all day so now your Mother is mad! Let's find out what she wants you to do!"
(Shout out to you, Mom~! <3)
Sentences included: You must do the laundry, you must clean your room, you must get a job, you must get married soon, and many others. xD
In class 7 (a special class), one of the girls has behavior problems. Another teacher eventually took her out of the room but not before she went around saying "Shut Up" and messing with stuff. I was impressed that she knew that term, but still. Aside from that, we played the memory game with food terms, and they really enjoyed it. The girl student and K-sensei were "big sis and little sis" xD At the end, we see what cards we have and list off the foods, saying that would be our lunch for today, and then saying "you should eat healthier" or "thats too much" or"thats so well-rounded!" xD Also, I can't remmeber which calss this was, but I had to sneeze, and did so while things were rather quiet. Quite suddenly, there were a few agreements of my sneeze being "cute". I know I'm soooo adorable, right? RIGHT??? Right. xD
On Thursday, I was originally scheduled to have 6 classes. Yeah, wow. I'd have one with M-sensei, 3 elementary classes, lunch, a class with K-sensei (me doing the whole of it) and then another class with M-sensei.
Next week is the exams for the kids so I was taking on several full classes this week (the teachers wanted class-long activities for review for them). But as it turned out, I olny had 3 classes- the elementary school classes. This is because M-sensei (and T-sensei) had to attend a conference, so I didn't have those 2 classes with M-sensei.
Then, because of whatever reason, the days schedule (everyone's classes) got moved around so the original 5th hour got movef to 4th hour. 5th hour was supposed to be K-sensei's class, but it got put to 4th hour. However, 2nd-4th was my elementary time. So, I left her my notes on the game/word search activity I had planned, and she was able to use it while I was away. So less stress that day for me, but still....
Also it seems that them smiling, waving, and then saying "Hello" to me, and then me responding the same way is -still- worthy of giggles. I still am not sure why it's still funny. Also, I wore my blue shirt that day. In the hall at elementary school, a sensei (who I never work with or see, so she didn't remember my name) tried to get a little kid to at least wave at me, and she called me "Ao-chan". (Ao means blue). I thought it was really cute, and it did get the kid to wave. xD Yay, now I'm Ao-chan!!
On Friday, there was a spider on the floor in the teacher's office. I decided it would not be cool if it crept into someone's basket or bag and so I tried scooping it up with paper. The nurse-sensei noticed, I got it up and got it outside from the window. I mention this because of this running joke I have with K-sensei. I showed her the big spider picture and now when things are inconvenient or go wrong or something weird happens, we say it's the spider plotting. xD
For the upcoming exams, we recorded some dialogue for the listening tests. We went to the english-sensei room for quiet to record. Right when we turned on the recorder, a machine from the nearby construction area started up. We blamed the spider. xD'
For a full 50 minute class with H-sensei, I found this great game. I took dialogues from the book and wrote them out on paper. I split them into teams of pairs- H-sensei had to participate. I'd post a paper outside the room. One person would be the reader, the other would be the writer. I was able to reinforce the "-er" thing since they had just learned "baseball playER", so then they understood that the -er is indicative of person who does something. They did janken (rock-paper-scissors decides EVERYTHING in this country xD). The reader would run out as many times as they want to read the dialogue and report it to the writer. They had to get punctuation and everything right! And then show it to me when they finish. I showed corrections too. Then the next paper would be up outside and the pairs switched roles. H-sensei started "complaining", I announced loudly that no complaining would be tolerated. xD
But yeah, I really enjoyed that game and I was really happy with it.
Now about their exams- they may be next week, but my vacation doesn't start util almost the end of the month. Reason being that although teachers use this time for grading, classes and everything still happen. I knew about this before, but I still just don't quite understand why. :/ Oh well.
In other news, I have collected 3/6 of those McDonalds cups. I'm thrilled--neeeeed allllll xD
facebook version of world history
kumo = spider
Monday was kind of horrible. This is because I had forgotten something at home and felt bad about having to leave during 1st hour to go get it and I felt awkward asking the principal. >>;
Also, it turned out one of my Monday classes was supposed to be the whole 50 minutes but I thought it was just 30 so I really messed up some things for H-sensei and the lesson I had done, I didn't much care for. >>;;
But then in an afternoon class things got funny. T-sensei asked the class to compare the two of us (it was supposed to be that they realized we're both teachers) but instead the immediate response was "MEGANE" (glasses). For some reason, Japan has this huge thing about glasses. Not like in the old days where kids were made fun of, just this...extra attention. I dunno. They proceeded to say we were both wearing pants and that we both had hands. While correct, completely not what we were driving at. xDD
On Tuesday, I just pretty much collapsed and the effects are still skewing me up a bit. Well ok not literally collapsed, but basically I've been sleeping and napping in patterns that make my cycles kind of messed up since then.
Reason being I had 5 out of 5 possible classes that day, 4 full 45 minutes periods of elementary school in a row, a rush to the middle school, food, and then another class. Eventful, a fine day over all just got really tired. And because of all of these classes (I also had several other full 50 minute ones later this week) I was doing a lot of prep work at home. This is part of why my sleeping was off- though its partially due to my being tired, thus putting off prep things xD
Wednesday had another elementary class, using more cut-up-sentences lessons, and the class 7. I made another cut up thing for using the grammar "must". I put this picture on there: Intense!
And described: "You didn't do anything at home all day so now your Mother is mad! Let's find out what she wants you to do!"
(Shout out to you, Mom~! <3)
Sentences included: You must do the laundry, you must clean your room, you must get a job, you must get married soon, and many others. xD
In class 7 (a special class), one of the girls has behavior problems. Another teacher eventually took her out of the room but not before she went around saying "Shut Up" and messing with stuff. I was impressed that she knew that term, but still. Aside from that, we played the memory game with food terms, and they really enjoyed it. The girl student and K-sensei were "big sis and little sis" xD At the end, we see what cards we have and list off the foods, saying that would be our lunch for today, and then saying "you should eat healthier" or "thats too much" or"thats so well-rounded!" xD Also, I can't remmeber which calss this was, but I had to sneeze, and did so while things were rather quiet. Quite suddenly, there were a few agreements of my sneeze being "cute". I know I'm soooo adorable, right? RIGHT??? Right. xD
On Thursday, I was originally scheduled to have 6 classes. Yeah, wow. I'd have one with M-sensei, 3 elementary classes, lunch, a class with K-sensei (me doing the whole of it) and then another class with M-sensei.
Next week is the exams for the kids so I was taking on several full classes this week (the teachers wanted class-long activities for review for them). But as it turned out, I olny had 3 classes- the elementary school classes. This is because M-sensei (and T-sensei) had to attend a conference, so I didn't have those 2 classes with M-sensei.
Then, because of whatever reason, the days schedule (everyone's classes) got moved around so the original 5th hour got movef to 4th hour. 5th hour was supposed to be K-sensei's class, but it got put to 4th hour. However, 2nd-4th was my elementary time. So, I left her my notes on the game/word search activity I had planned, and she was able to use it while I was away. So less stress that day for me, but still....
Also it seems that them smiling, waving, and then saying "Hello" to me, and then me responding the same way is -still- worthy of giggles. I still am not sure why it's still funny. Also, I wore my blue shirt that day. In the hall at elementary school, a sensei (who I never work with or see, so she didn't remember my name) tried to get a little kid to at least wave at me, and she called me "Ao-chan". (Ao means blue). I thought it was really cute, and it did get the kid to wave. xD Yay, now I'm Ao-chan!!
On Friday, there was a spider on the floor in the teacher's office. I decided it would not be cool if it crept into someone's basket or bag and so I tried scooping it up with paper. The nurse-sensei noticed, I got it up and got it outside from the window. I mention this because of this running joke I have with K-sensei. I showed her the big spider picture and now when things are inconvenient or go wrong or something weird happens, we say it's the spider plotting. xD
For the upcoming exams, we recorded some dialogue for the listening tests. We went to the english-sensei room for quiet to record. Right when we turned on the recorder, a machine from the nearby construction area started up. We blamed the spider. xD'
For a full 50 minute class with H-sensei, I found this great game. I took dialogues from the book and wrote them out on paper. I split them into teams of pairs- H-sensei had to participate. I'd post a paper outside the room. One person would be the reader, the other would be the writer. I was able to reinforce the "-er" thing since they had just learned "baseball playER", so then they understood that the -er is indicative of person who does something. They did janken (rock-paper-scissors decides EVERYTHING in this country xD). The reader would run out as many times as they want to read the dialogue and report it to the writer. They had to get punctuation and everything right! And then show it to me when they finish. I showed corrections too. Then the next paper would be up outside and the pairs switched roles. H-sensei started "complaining", I announced loudly that no complaining would be tolerated. xD
But yeah, I really enjoyed that game and I was really happy with it.
Now about their exams- they may be next week, but my vacation doesn't start util almost the end of the month. Reason being that although teachers use this time for grading, classes and everything still happen. I knew about this before, but I still just don't quite understand why. :/ Oh well.
In other news, I have collected 3/6 of those McDonalds cups. I'm thrilled--neeeeed allllll xD
Sunday, June 24, 2012
It's A Surprise!
But in the end, it wasn't. A surprise, I mean.
What I mean is-- I was observed by my company on Friday.
But before I get into that, I wanna give a shout out to Josh, the JET who I interned under last summer. Watching his high school lessons, I used one of his on my 3rd years (9th grade).
The activity I was to make for them was to cover a couple of grammars for review- "I have/have never, I just___, I have been___" and such.
Josh's original lesson was a comparison of Japanese vs. American high school. He made sentences, cut up the words individually, and would put each cut up sentence in an envelope. The kids would get into small groups, and figure out how to put the sentence in the right order together, then write it down on another piece of paper. Each envelope was marked with a letter 'A', 'B', etc, and they would write the sentence next to the letter on the worksheet. Once they had gotten all of the sentences, they had to arrange the sentences in the right order as well. This could be done by looking at the beginnings- like "First, Second, Lastly, And then, However" etc.
Those kids had a great time with it and were enthused. For mine, I left out the arranging sentences part, since I knew the first part would take long enough and I wasn't sure if they've learned connector words like that.
So I made several sentences about a popular idol here, who is a part of a huge, huge musical group, AKB48 Takamina. She's the leader of Group A, and the leader of the whole group overall. I don't really care for the music, but I knew everyone would know who this is. I put things like 'I have been to America once." and such. It went over pretty well. I had each group write one of the sentences on the board, then we'd go over it. My teacher T-sensei liked it and she said it was good so I'll be doing it again tomorrow with another class.
Now at the end of this class, one of the girls came up and mentioned one of the other English sensei's, M-sensei. She said he really likes AKB48 and particularly one of the group members that he "loves". T-sensei and I were surprised, we had no idea. M-sensei is 42 and married, mind you. Yet at the same time, I thought like it's normal, probably should've known. xD
Now on Friday after my observed class (I'll get to it!), I had a class with M-sensei. We were working on he vs. she-- something Japanese does not tend to often use, so you have to make sure the kids get it right in English. xD He pulled out a picture of the AKB48 group member, and indeed, said he "loves" her. I couldn't help but laugh. I'm still not sure weather he does this for laughs or if he's serious. xD Still, one student asked "but sensei, what about your wife?" to which he said "Well my wife loves the Arashi guys". (Arashi is a really famous group and has been for quite a few years).
I may have to cogitate this further. And share with T-sensei. xD
Now as for my observation, it was supposed to be a secret from me.
Back in April, when I went to Sayaka's house for a BBQ with her family, she did me the favor of telling me that I was to be observed in June. Now we are all told from the beginning that we "may be recorded for future use and reference," but it really doesn't hit you right of the go like that. Others from other branches have been talking recently about how they've been observed and gotten good/bad feedback. I've been nervous about it, of course.
I don't know why they told this to Sayaka, she has nothing to do with my schools. She is an employee under them but still. Since then it had always been at the back of my mind but I never actually thought that the day would arrive- it just seemed like a story as opposed to real life somehow.
Also this is totally out of nowhere-- but I've decided that next winter or summer or sometime-- it would be after next Spring-- if I can save the money, I wanna come back home to visit!!! So y'all better get ready for it (even though you have at least a year xDD). I've got a year or so to save the money for a round-trip plane! YOOOOSSSHH.
Anyway, T-sensei dropped the bomb on me on Thursday. She said as we were headed to a class that tomorrow someone was going to come and record me. Now she wasn't supposed to tell me-- it was to be a secret. However, she said she thought it was too mean for me to be ambushed like that. Really I can't thank her enough, I'm really glad she told me.
So what I did was make a fortune teller activity. The grammar to practice was "will". Not "will be," just "will". So I got a worksheet...that I think I'll just upload-- way fast than explaining. I can't actually upload it, so follow the link and then open the attachment.
Clicky!
So I tweaked a few things on that sheet, like making it 20th birthday instead, but it's pretty straight forward what the activity is. It's self-explanatory for us, but I used myself and T-sensei as role models for the activity for the kids. I got colored paper, printed out a bunch of answers for each fortune, and glued them to the corresponding colored paper. The kids lined up and went to both of us for the fortunes, and got normal and/or funny answers. xD Once they were all done, they were to use English to collect their classmates' answers.
My mistake here was getting so nervous that I forgot that unlike an elementary school class, I can write on the board in English and the kids can read it. I had the chalk in my hand and everything, but I didn't go through with it. I should have written the questions and responses for them to use when asking each other their fortunes. Instead, T-sensei went ahead and did it, and then I had them repeat it. I felt really dumb, but you must know I was very nervous:
Not only was I being recorded, but because the principal was there too. Even worse, he used to be an English teacher. So I was being watched by my boss at my company (basically, via camera) as well as the boss of my school who's English is really, really, really good and used to do my job.
But after that, things went alright. I also got really awkward at the end, but I had been shaking almost the whole time and my brain was losing it so I think that shouldn't be all too surprising. The class I was observed in was actually the same one I had been eating lunch with that week too. One girl said she could really tell my nervousness, and I told her why the camera person was there- that I was basically getting graded and so I was scared. xD But also thanked her and whoever else was listening for being an energetic and good class (as they usually are, but still) because that only ever helps a lot. ^^
So you can see on the WS that there are spaces for 10 friends' info-- I told those who could get all 10, would get a stamp from me--I've never actually issued my own stamps or stickers before in any class, so I was satisfied that it would draw an appropriate amount of motivation. Overall, I was shaky and nervous and my brain was messed up for the rest of the day, but it was still fun. xD I liked telling the kids that they would one day drive a tank. Plus, now they know what "sensha" is in English. See, they learned even more! xD
So the camera lady was just there to record me- but I do wonder if I'll get a call one of these days about it. :/ Anyway, my principal talked to me about it. Overall, he seemed please but told me to work on my realia- (props, materials)- he was talking about when I forgot that the kids didn't know the English to ask each other.... ^^;;;; I told some friends about this, they said they've all done that too. Somehow, even though it's imperative, it's easy to forget. u.u;
But he also mentioned that I worked very well with T-sensei, and he was impressed by the students and how much they like me. He said that one of them came up to him, thinking he would be part of the activity. Knowing the principal was passed his 20th birthday, the kid adjusted the words "What DID you get for your 20th birthday?" Many children often just repeat things, not really grasping the usage or meaning. But it's clear that this kid did. So, the principal said "I got a cake from my girlfriend." I was happy to hear about this, and thought it was really cute. ^^
So now, before this I had a class with H-sensei. He's been sharing his classes with the trainee, Kojima-sensei lately. As I may have mentioned, she's just in college, and this is her training time for a few weeks. Sadly this week was her last which I'm bummed about because she was nice. Though she did say she might visit for when the culture festival happens~ Anyway, it was her class that day, and H-sensei was in the back, working on stuff. Today's lesson was an activity for writing, and it was on Japanese culture. With me there, she had them get into groups and write about Japanese culture. Then they were to come up and present to me on it. (Even though everything they said-- I already know about it xD).
One group of girls came up and told me about penmanship (so using the brushes to write kanji and such- traditional way of writing), as well tea ceremony. Which is, as they said, fairly difficult. There are many specific ways of doing every single thing. From the tea itself, to how it is consumed, to the position one is on the floor, to how they move, to timing all of that as well. It's very proper and traditional. You have bitter green tea, but sweet bean sweets to counter it. When it's good, proper sweets and tea matches, its really quite good even if you don't like those things separately. Oh, these kids- they have no idea what I know. xD They even still get surprised at my Japanese.
Another group of girls told me about onsen- hot springs. Now hot springs are really awesome- but it's not somewhere I want to go by myself. You go to your gender's locker room, but your stuff away. Then you get to the bath area, wash yourself and get in. And um, you're naked, and you gotta pin up your hair. No one wears anything, and no one cares. Genders either have separate hot springs, or they change the hours available to each. I've only been once- it was last summer with some of the other girls in the group when I did the internship (yes, I was the only intern, but there were other programs happening too). At first we were kinda awkward but then we were like- whatever. You can't stay in too long, because the heat will get to you-- though there was also an outdoor one I tried--really really nice.
After, there's all kinds of grooming products you can use. Massaging stuff, everything~ super luxury ^^
I'm never going alone though. I'm far too awkward for that. I need one other person at least. xD
Another group told me about natto--this is fermented soybeans I've mentioned. Just look it up. Some people love it, many hate it. I cannot even smell it or eat just a nibble. They also talked about sumo. And described it as "fat people fight". While...accurate, it's also hilarious.
The last group, all boys, just brought their paper to me, and waited. I didn't make them say it out loud. It was about H-sensei (who was in the room). It looked like this:
H = Japan culture
H = OTAKU
H = yakuza マフィア (mafia)
H > Ki (sensei)
Otaku basically just means nerd. xD I told them that I am one also, and they were really perplexed. xD (Well I mean, I am) and I also said it's a secret-- they seemed quite intrigued. xD
yakuza is, the Japanese mafia. Now I highly doubt H-sensei is in the yakuza, but it was relaly funny nonetheless. "Ki" is just other sensei, who apparently they don't think as much of in comparison to H-sensei.
All in all, I was quite amused~
Also, real quick, on Tuesday I taught a class entirely by myself at the elementary school- the teacher wasn't there and everything. I dunno where she was, but...well, it wasn't there. But the kids were good, mostly behaved and when it was time for me to go, they were good kids and properly began preparing for their lunch time in an organized fashion as if the teacher was there. Man, Japan- US kids would be going crazy. xD
So aside from all of that, I went to a friend's place as we often do every two weeks or so to watch movies and chat.
As for the rest of the weekend, I've been doing cleaning, and other necessary boring junk. Though I've finally put together my kotatsu~:
Click!
Of course I don't use the heating function right now-- just the table part until it gets cold again.
And that's about it for me~!!
Til next time, I'm on a mission to attain free plastic coke glass from the local McDonalds! (I've always wanted @3@).
What I mean is-- I was observed by my company on Friday.
But before I get into that, I wanna give a shout out to Josh, the JET who I interned under last summer. Watching his high school lessons, I used one of his on my 3rd years (9th grade).
The activity I was to make for them was to cover a couple of grammars for review- "I have/have never, I just___, I have been___" and such.
Josh's original lesson was a comparison of Japanese vs. American high school. He made sentences, cut up the words individually, and would put each cut up sentence in an envelope. The kids would get into small groups, and figure out how to put the sentence in the right order together, then write it down on another piece of paper. Each envelope was marked with a letter 'A', 'B', etc, and they would write the sentence next to the letter on the worksheet. Once they had gotten all of the sentences, they had to arrange the sentences in the right order as well. This could be done by looking at the beginnings- like "First, Second, Lastly, And then, However" etc.
Those kids had a great time with it and were enthused. For mine, I left out the arranging sentences part, since I knew the first part would take long enough and I wasn't sure if they've learned connector words like that.
So I made several sentences about a popular idol here, who is a part of a huge, huge musical group, AKB48 Takamina. She's the leader of Group A, and the leader of the whole group overall. I don't really care for the music, but I knew everyone would know who this is. I put things like 'I have been to America once." and such. It went over pretty well. I had each group write one of the sentences on the board, then we'd go over it. My teacher T-sensei liked it and she said it was good so I'll be doing it again tomorrow with another class.
Now at the end of this class, one of the girls came up and mentioned one of the other English sensei's, M-sensei. She said he really likes AKB48 and particularly one of the group members that he "loves". T-sensei and I were surprised, we had no idea. M-sensei is 42 and married, mind you. Yet at the same time, I thought like it's normal, probably should've known. xD
Now on Friday after my observed class (I'll get to it!), I had a class with M-sensei. We were working on he vs. she-- something Japanese does not tend to often use, so you have to make sure the kids get it right in English. xD He pulled out a picture of the AKB48 group member, and indeed, said he "loves" her. I couldn't help but laugh. I'm still not sure weather he does this for laughs or if he's serious. xD Still, one student asked "but sensei, what about your wife?" to which he said "Well my wife loves the Arashi guys". (Arashi is a really famous group and has been for quite a few years).
I may have to cogitate this further. And share with T-sensei. xD
Now as for my observation, it was supposed to be a secret from me.
Back in April, when I went to Sayaka's house for a BBQ with her family, she did me the favor of telling me that I was to be observed in June. Now we are all told from the beginning that we "may be recorded for future use and reference," but it really doesn't hit you right of the go like that. Others from other branches have been talking recently about how they've been observed and gotten good/bad feedback. I've been nervous about it, of course.
I don't know why they told this to Sayaka, she has nothing to do with my schools. She is an employee under them but still. Since then it had always been at the back of my mind but I never actually thought that the day would arrive- it just seemed like a story as opposed to real life somehow.
Also this is totally out of nowhere-- but I've decided that next winter or summer or sometime-- it would be after next Spring-- if I can save the money, I wanna come back home to visit!!! So y'all better get ready for it (even though you have at least a year xDD). I've got a year or so to save the money for a round-trip plane! YOOOOSSSHH.
Anyway, T-sensei dropped the bomb on me on Thursday. She said as we were headed to a class that tomorrow someone was going to come and record me. Now she wasn't supposed to tell me-- it was to be a secret. However, she said she thought it was too mean for me to be ambushed like that. Really I can't thank her enough, I'm really glad she told me.
So what I did was make a fortune teller activity. The grammar to practice was "will". Not "will be," just "will". So I got a worksheet...that I think I'll just upload-- way fast than explaining. I can't actually upload it, so follow the link and then open the attachment.
Clicky!
So I tweaked a few things on that sheet, like making it 20th birthday instead, but it's pretty straight forward what the activity is. It's self-explanatory for us, but I used myself and T-sensei as role models for the activity for the kids. I got colored paper, printed out a bunch of answers for each fortune, and glued them to the corresponding colored paper. The kids lined up and went to both of us for the fortunes, and got normal and/or funny answers. xD Once they were all done, they were to use English to collect their classmates' answers.
My mistake here was getting so nervous that I forgot that unlike an elementary school class, I can write on the board in English and the kids can read it. I had the chalk in my hand and everything, but I didn't go through with it. I should have written the questions and responses for them to use when asking each other their fortunes. Instead, T-sensei went ahead and did it, and then I had them repeat it. I felt really dumb, but you must know I was very nervous:
Not only was I being recorded, but because the principal was there too. Even worse, he used to be an English teacher. So I was being watched by my boss at my company (basically, via camera) as well as the boss of my school who's English is really, really, really good and used to do my job.
But after that, things went alright. I also got really awkward at the end, but I had been shaking almost the whole time and my brain was losing it so I think that shouldn't be all too surprising. The class I was observed in was actually the same one I had been eating lunch with that week too. One girl said she could really tell my nervousness, and I told her why the camera person was there- that I was basically getting graded and so I was scared. xD But also thanked her and whoever else was listening for being an energetic and good class (as they usually are, but still) because that only ever helps a lot. ^^
So you can see on the WS that there are spaces for 10 friends' info-- I told those who could get all 10, would get a stamp from me--I've never actually issued my own stamps or stickers before in any class, so I was satisfied that it would draw an appropriate amount of motivation. Overall, I was shaky and nervous and my brain was messed up for the rest of the day, but it was still fun. xD I liked telling the kids that they would one day drive a tank. Plus, now they know what "sensha" is in English. See, they learned even more! xD
So the camera lady was just there to record me- but I do wonder if I'll get a call one of these days about it. :/ Anyway, my principal talked to me about it. Overall, he seemed please but told me to work on my realia- (props, materials)- he was talking about when I forgot that the kids didn't know the English to ask each other.... ^^;;;; I told some friends about this, they said they've all done that too. Somehow, even though it's imperative, it's easy to forget. u.u;
But he also mentioned that I worked very well with T-sensei, and he was impressed by the students and how much they like me. He said that one of them came up to him, thinking he would be part of the activity. Knowing the principal was passed his 20th birthday, the kid adjusted the words "What DID you get for your 20th birthday?" Many children often just repeat things, not really grasping the usage or meaning. But it's clear that this kid did. So, the principal said "I got a cake from my girlfriend." I was happy to hear about this, and thought it was really cute. ^^
So now, before this I had a class with H-sensei. He's been sharing his classes with the trainee, Kojima-sensei lately. As I may have mentioned, she's just in college, and this is her training time for a few weeks. Sadly this week was her last which I'm bummed about because she was nice. Though she did say she might visit for when the culture festival happens~ Anyway, it was her class that day, and H-sensei was in the back, working on stuff. Today's lesson was an activity for writing, and it was on Japanese culture. With me there, she had them get into groups and write about Japanese culture. Then they were to come up and present to me on it. (Even though everything they said-- I already know about it xD).
One group of girls came up and told me about penmanship (so using the brushes to write kanji and such- traditional way of writing), as well tea ceremony. Which is, as they said, fairly difficult. There are many specific ways of doing every single thing. From the tea itself, to how it is consumed, to the position one is on the floor, to how they move, to timing all of that as well. It's very proper and traditional. You have bitter green tea, but sweet bean sweets to counter it. When it's good, proper sweets and tea matches, its really quite good even if you don't like those things separately. Oh, these kids- they have no idea what I know. xD They even still get surprised at my Japanese.
Another group of girls told me about onsen- hot springs. Now hot springs are really awesome- but it's not somewhere I want to go by myself. You go to your gender's locker room, but your stuff away. Then you get to the bath area, wash yourself and get in. And um, you're naked, and you gotta pin up your hair. No one wears anything, and no one cares. Genders either have separate hot springs, or they change the hours available to each. I've only been once- it was last summer with some of the other girls in the group when I did the internship (yes, I was the only intern, but there were other programs happening too). At first we were kinda awkward but then we were like- whatever. You can't stay in too long, because the heat will get to you-- though there was also an outdoor one I tried--really really nice.
After, there's all kinds of grooming products you can use. Massaging stuff, everything~ super luxury ^^
I'm never going alone though. I'm far too awkward for that. I need one other person at least. xD
Another group told me about natto--this is fermented soybeans I've mentioned. Just look it up. Some people love it, many hate it. I cannot even smell it or eat just a nibble. They also talked about sumo. And described it as "fat people fight". While...accurate, it's also hilarious.
The last group, all boys, just brought their paper to me, and waited. I didn't make them say it out loud. It was about H-sensei (who was in the room). It looked like this:
H = Japan culture
H = OTAKU
H = yakuza マフィア (mafia)
H > Ki (sensei)
Otaku basically just means nerd. xD I told them that I am one also, and they were really perplexed. xD (Well I mean, I am) and I also said it's a secret-- they seemed quite intrigued. xD
yakuza is, the Japanese mafia. Now I highly doubt H-sensei is in the yakuza, but it was relaly funny nonetheless. "Ki" is just other sensei, who apparently they don't think as much of in comparison to H-sensei.
All in all, I was quite amused~
Also, real quick, on Tuesday I taught a class entirely by myself at the elementary school- the teacher wasn't there and everything. I dunno where she was, but...well, it wasn't there. But the kids were good, mostly behaved and when it was time for me to go, they were good kids and properly began preparing for their lunch time in an organized fashion as if the teacher was there. Man, Japan- US kids would be going crazy. xD
So aside from all of that, I went to a friend's place as we often do every two weeks or so to watch movies and chat.
As for the rest of the weekend, I've been doing cleaning, and other necessary boring junk. Though I've finally put together my kotatsu~:
Click!
Of course I don't use the heating function right now-- just the table part until it gets cold again.
And that's about it for me~!!
Til next time, I'm on a mission to attain free plastic coke glass from the local McDonalds! (I've always wanted @3@).
Monday, June 18, 2012
Uso Darou!
uso = lie, darou = must be
So this is what I made for dinner on Thursday:
I put oil in the pan with broccoli, salmon, orange and
yellow peppers, and quail eggs. This would probably be put on rice or maybe
even noodles most of the time but I have rice at lunch every day and it’s getting
really tiring, plus I’m usually lazy to make noodles so I just eat it like it
is. I was surprised, but it’s actually really quite good! (Quail eggs taste
exactly as a soft-boiled chicken egg does—the difference is that it’s really
small, no need to cut it or anything).
I drink orange juice all the time, that’s where I get my
fruit mostly. It’s mainly because fruit here is quite pricey. There is a shop
that sells produce a bit cheaper, but it’s quite out of the way and half the
time I end up forgetting about it. Plus where I normally go sells veggies for a
fine price- it’s the fruit that’s pricey. Even so, I’ll head out there
eventually.
On Friday, I headed to work and had preparation time for 1st
hour which I was glad for, it helped settle me down. This is because I was to
go to the close elementary school and teach the same lesson 3 times in a row. I
had never done the lesson before. It was an introduction lesson for can/can’t
for the 6th graders. The first class took to it well enough, it was
fine. The second class was pretty enthused on it overall. Then the third class
were much less energetic, but I did hold their attention. There had been two
kids in there that caught my attention. One was sleeping for part of the
lesson, and the other looked angry/sad like he would cry. The actual sensei
went over to them to try to fix it. In any case, by the ending activity where
each kid gets involved in competition, in round 2, the both of them went up
against each other and they had become energetic enough and happy looking.
Probably most of that is thanks to themselves, but I hope I might’ve had
something to do with it too. J
From work I headed to the doctors to get my prescription
again. The doctor prescribed me a Japanese inhaler (for some reason no matter
what I said, he had it in his head that I used mine everyday and that I’d need
another---really I just use it if I need to, my asthma is mild. Oh well, it’s
fine).
I drove straight from there to a fellow ALT’s apartment-
Maya. She lives close to the train station and even better, there are spots at
her place that aren’t assigned so virtually anyone can park there for a while.
I parked, walked to the station with my bag, and started my train journey to
Tokyo.
To be honest, I had made a friend who is from a neighboring
prefecture, Yamanashi. She’s from England, and is also a hetalia fan. xD If you
don’t know what that is, here’s a run-down. It’s an animated show about
countries. Each character represents a country, and the show is about their
history and cultural quirks and stereotypes. It’s a lot of fun. America yells
about being a hero, Russia is large and scary, people forget about the
soft-spoken Canada, etc.
Basically, I was meeting this friend, Robin, in Tokyo that
night so we could stay at a hostel and wake up at 5AM. This is because a retail
chain store, Animate (what they do is sell everything there is from comics,
shows, goods, etc. about all of the popular animated shows) runs a cafe. Every
month, they change the theme of the cafe and this month is hetalia. Robin had
been once already and from her and the internet, I learned that it was rather
epic.
That night we went and found a TGI Friday’s. And actually, it felt just like being in America! I mean the atmosphere, the amount of (excellent) English used, the food, everything. We sat at the counter, and the guys behind the bar were really nice. They put on a show that involved a lot of juggling, basically. Everyone was cheering and one of the guys had a big Styrofoam hat thing that he put on my head. xD I then put it on Robin’s head. There were these two customers sitting at the bar. These guys were hilarious because they seemed like they were American with how they were acting—everytime the bar guys did tricks, they did that “WHHHOOOOOOOOAAA OOOOOOOOOOOOH” thing that American college guys tend to do..like “OOOOH BALLLLEEEERR” xDD it was really funny.
So what did we do? Like true nerds, we got up at 5AM to be the first ones
in line for the 11AM opening. Yes actually, it was necessary. See, there were
no reservations for the cafe, although having to reserve is standard for
special cafes like that (i.e. maid cafes, butler cafes…look it up). But in this
case, it was get in line early enough to receive a spot. Cafe’s times were from
11am to 8pm. But it’s so incredibly popular, that you can’t just show up at
10:30 or something. No no, arriving at 6, we were first in line. By the time it
was 9, a really long line had formed from the 3rd floor of that
building and down all the stairs. They began with us, confirming our group name
and number of people and that we would be one of the first groups inside. Those
who had gotten in line by 9:15 (mind you, still 2 hours before the opening)
were able to get spots for the cafe that day. That’s right, those who were the
last to be accepted in line got their spots for the evening just before
closing. This all happened before opening at 11. That’s how epic it was. (And
you get nerdy bragging rights for being first, for sure xD). And people who came like at 9:30 and later, would read the signs an employee had posted that says: "We're very sorry, we have been booked through the entire day and we no longer have any room available." And they'd all go "uso darou" (bascially: "seriously? no way!").
Basically there’s merchandise, collectables, the show
playing, a waitress dressed up as a character, and decorations everywhere. The
food was a drink with small pastry that differed by country. For example, you
could get a coke with cookies- America. I got coffee with a small chocolate
cake with a jelly spread- apparently Austria. For the main dish I got little
bits of pork and mashed potatoes with a sauce- apparently this is German. There
was a sweet bread that was offered representing “big brother France”, and a
dessert that was tomato-flavored soft serve. Never heard of it before and yes,
it tasted like vanilla soft serve with…amazingly…actual tomato in there,
somehow. I’m still not sure how I feel about it, but it was apparently an Italy
and Spain theme dessert.
I’m not sure if I can accurately explain why this sort of
thing is so awesome to me, but well—everyone needs hobbies. This is mine. xD
We met with Robin’s friend, India, from Alabama. She’s going
home next month, but I looks forward to seeing them both again if possible. It
was India’s birthday and they all went to a Butler cafe and Hooters. xD I
didn’t go, because I needed to get home for Sunday but I’m totally checking
that out one day.
Also that morning on our way to the cafe, there were
definitely still people outside at that hour partying (waiting for the trains
to run again I guess). There was stuff all out on the street and there was even
one guy passed out on the ground on a corner by a convenience store!! It kinda
freaked me out and I was sorta worried. But later on when we passed by again (and
it was raining too!) he wasn’t there anymore.
Also that morning on the way to the cafe I made the mistake
of making eye contact with some dude who was standing around. He started
walking with us and used some English asking if we wanted to get a drink. Robin
had ignored him the whole time, which I should’ve done, but nooooo. >>;;
Okay dude, it’s 6AM for one thing, for another, I don’t know you, and finally,
I know what you mean by “get a drink”- I've been lectured on this. You mean that as well as.....other things.
Uhhh no. Luckily he was really easy to make him go away and not persistent, so
there was that. But I’m so not used to being approached by people like that! So
I never even think it might happen.
I made it back sorta late because I messed up on getting right
train at the final transfer so I had to wait like an extra hour. But anyway, I
was really happy that I got to go to the cafe and meet friends and chat with
them and stuff~ it was cool.
Yesterday, (Sunday) I went with the city’s English club on a
tour in a nearby city Komagane. (AND I’M SO PISSED I FORGOT MY CAMERA!! I woke
up late so I dashed out without thinking about it, grrr. It’s ok though, others
got some pictures so I can attain some).
I drove to city hall to meet everyone. I only knew a couple
of them previously. One was Maya, the ALT who’s parking lot we all use xD and
her father was visiting from America at the time too~ another was another ALT,
Lauren, who I do ahng out with now and again with our friend Elizabeth- they
work in Minowa (north of my town, which
is South Minowa) and we watch movies together sometimes, they’re cool. The last
was Mrs. Kono, my Doctor’s wife. Her English is quite good, and she’s been very
kind to me and just really nice. She says she has kids my age and sympathizes about
us ALT ladies and being away from our country and home. So she’s invited us
into her house before, and has given me things when I was sick, like bread and
such, like my friend Sayaka did.
I met more Japanese people and other ALT’s on the tour. I
met Ayaka and Misato, and Chieko. I saw this ALT Molly (who leaves soon) that I
had gone to that NagaYES even I posted on a while ago—she’s really nice, it’s
sad she’s going. And I met this guy Rex whos funny. I’m glad to get to know
more people and make friends.
We first went to Kouzen temple. Basically, it has really
tall cedar trees, 3 of them are 700 years old. Also, in the cracks between
rocks, you can see glowing moss. There’s really good water, and an old style
home you can go in—it’s super peaceful. The tale of the temple is basically
that there was a dog who lived there called Hayatarou who defeated a horrible
monster and saved villagers. His grave is there at the temple~
Also, there were wild monkeys in the surrounding forest!
They were cute~ everything was nice and green and just sweet~
(I'm actually in that middle picture~)
Then we went to this brewery for lunch. When it's a big
group meal like that, you just order a bunch of dishes and just take from them.
There was pizza, some fish, salads, veggie dishes, and then famous beer. I
tried this apple type one which didn’t taste like apple but it was strong yet
sweet. I generally can’t stand beer and if even I was able to handle that one,
I guess it’s pretty good. We were able to try cherries downstairs—about $8.50
for a pack (this is standard) but actually, if cherries tasted like that all
the time, then I’d actually like them. It wasn’t sour or tart at all~
We walked over to this bridge over a wide, fast, river. This
is also where I wish I had my camera- the scenery was gorgeous. I hope to be
going back next month and get wonderful pictures then. Also, I’m going to check
facebook and see if there’ve been pictures put up by other people as well.
After that, we drove to this nearby pond/reservoir. There
were a few people fishing, though I don’t know why. I wouldn’t expect fish to
be in a reservoir, but whatever. For the
most part we were just looking at the water and one of the ladies had made rice
krispie treats- but with rice puffs and less on the sticky marshmallow so it
was like a milder form of the stuff you can get at the store, it was really
good.
We headed back to city hall and most of us said goodbye.
Myself, I followed Misato back to her home- she had invited a few of us over
for tea. She lives pretty close to me. She’s a housewife with a rock climbing
wall by the entrance of her house. By entrance, I mean the indoor entrance.
Yes, there’s a rock climbing wall in her house. Awesome. xD For a while it was
just myself and her- the others got lost. But then Ayaka and Lauren showed up.
We chatted a lot and had coffee, tea, banana bread, and green tea biscuits.
There was black tea, and a Chinese tea made from mushrooms. @3@ It was all
pretty good~ Ayaka works at the central
hospital nearby- the big one near my house. She’s a mid-wife there, and she’s
getting married at the end of summer. Everyone is really nice, I was so glad I
went out yesterday~~
Also, there’s a new convenience store that opened up close
to my house. Well, the chain isn’t new, but it’s a new location. The mascot is
a raccoon and there was a big life-size guy in a costume of it. It was cute,
and the place was packed. I dropped in to get a salad and juice, but wound up
with a free bread dessert thing, and a free cup of popcorn. Hooray for sweet
promotions! The popcorn seemed to be just for kids, but I had chatted a little
with one of the workers, and when I came back outside she said there was too
much and gave me some. Plus this one is not only in walking distance, but I
don’t have to cross the road to get to it~ (unlike the nearby 7/11).
The store is called "Lawson". The pronunciation in Japanese is "Ro-sone". I was actually called Lawson-sensei by a student a few days ago- I was thrilled. xD The other Lauren I mentioned gets called Romen-sensei (which is a dish specially originated from this area of the prefecture), so that's kind of our nicknames. xD
On Wednesday, Maya’s Dad is going back to America (and Maya
is moving to Nagano City in August…we’re all sad because it’s kinda far). So
Chieko-san organized a karaoke event with them tonight. I’ll be attending as
well, I’m not sure who else is going though.
Karaoke here is not like at home. You always get a private
room for yourself and your own group. Price goes by the hour and often includes
a drink bar (not all alcoholic) some food is extra but it’s not too bad.
It should be fun, I’ll write about it later if anything
particularly interesting happens. xD
Thursday, June 14, 2012
How About A Nice Nightmare~?
SO this was posted onto facebook by a fellow ALT. He and the the other ALT's whose house this was in live about 3 hours away by car or so, maybe farther. Even my Japanese co-workers haven't seen anything like it around here, so don't freak. But I thought it was interesting.
Besides, if I have to have nightmares about this, then so do YOU.
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Besides, if I have to have nightmares about this, then so do YOU.
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Caption: "It very well may have been hissing".
So it would seem the story goes like this: ALT named Ashley found this at her place right up by the door while she was inside. She freaks out, and is screaming for a while. She calls another ALT, Pete- who is the one to post this picture, for help. He gets there, but she won't go near the locked door, since, well...yeah. So after about 10 minutes of her panicking and him not knowing what to do, he climbs over the balcony to get in. He sees it, and then it's the both of them that are screaming, cursing, and freaking out. xD
They killed it eventually. I don't know what I would've done.
If it was me, I'd be moving.
If it was me, I'd be moving.
SWEET DREAMS.
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