I would love to update you on the atrocities of Japanese Christmas lights, but alas, my home Internet doesn't work and I can't upload pictures from work. What good would a Christmas light post be without pictures?
Instead, I'll talk about my meh Wednesday. (In case you didn't know, "meh" is now a word in the dictionary. It has been added with the meaning an expression of boredom.)
At the intersection of 49 and 141 there is a torii on the left side of the road. It stands over a paved footpath leading a set of mossy green, uneven steps. The ancient steps climb up the side of the mountain until the are swallowed by the bamboo and cypress trees. I have always wanted to stop and explore the temple at the top of the stairs. On Wednesday, my afternoon class was canceled, leaving me with ample time on my way home. The weather was brisk and clear; perfect for exploring. I've seen any special temple parking, so I parked the car on the right side of the road in and old lot. In the 3 and half months that I've driven this way, there had never been any cars there.
49 is fairly busy road, so I waited at the light until there were no cars coming from either direction. The stone torii was almost short enough to touch, so the temple must not be the biggest or most important for the area. As I walked up the footpath I saw the most amazing building. It looked abandoned, but that could just be because of the material it was made from. The walls looked like mud and hay, and a dry piece of bamboo was exposed by a crumbling crack. I felt like I was walking back in time. The stairs, marked by another stone torii, lead directly up the mountain to the visibly closed temple doors. I began to climb, mindful of the cracked, narrow steps. I thought the steps might be loose from earthquakes and age, but they were stable and strong the whole way up. The wind swirled around me as I passed the tree line, blowing away the humm and buzz of cars from route 49.
The temple was closed, possibly for construction or renovation. Wishes and prayers written on paper were slowing disintegrating around tree branches they'd been tied to. Broken jars, statues, bells, and toys lay next to an ancient tree. Cobwebs filled the mini shrines that sat behind the temple and under the natural stone all. Another thick tree had pushed its roots through cracks, winding a permanent hold on the rocks. Stone rain gutters shot away from either side of the temple, flowing back down the mountain. I came back to the front at sat on the top step, listening to the breeze that made the bamboo sway. I was only up there 15 minutes, but I could have stayed all day.
I walked back to the modern world of work and zooming cars carrying the tranquility with me. I didn't even notice the other cars parked in the old lot until I crossed the road. The other cars, a white car with a "senior driver " sticker, and 2 white company trucks, were pinning my car. I was blocked in. I tried not to get upset as I copied the Japanese letter and walked to a gas station. After walking around for 10 minutes looking for the nonexistent company, I just broke down and cried. I couldn't understand directions to the company, I couldn't explain my situation, and I was obviously in trouble for parking in the lot. I went back to the car, took out my cell phone, and called the office. I was talking to Kimiko when an old man walked up and started talking in Japanese. For the first time since I arrived, I hoped I looked like a scary stereotypical gaijin. (I probably did, with my messy hair, blood shot eyes, and runny red nose.)
I passed the phone to the old man so Kimiko could talk to him and explain that I was a foreigner and didn't understand anything. After the phone call, the old man began to move the cars. I jumped in my car and sped off as soon as I had an opening. Later, Kimiko told me then man wasn't mad, just surprised since I had parked in his lot.
The event was pretty exciting, making the rest of my day kind of meh.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Teaching in schools
Out of all my class, my favorite place to teach is in the junior high schools. I even like teaching in the elementary schools, and the kindergartens (after I get over my fear). Though I dread teaching the really young kids, I always end up having a good time.
The kindergartens are great because the kids are always genki (have lots of energy). Sometimes they are too genki. I only teach there 2 or 3 times a month, by some of the little ones have gotten the idea that I am a jungle gym. It's challenging to try to keep the kids in line because every time gentle push one to his chair, he thinks it's an invitation to hang from my arms. And yes, it's almost always one of the boys. I also can't wear a skirt because they have a bad habit of playing "What's under there?'' The normal teacher is in the room but unless I ask for help, she doesn't do much. I think it's part due to the fact her attention is split between the monkeys climbing on me, and the ones plotting in the back of the classroom.
The elementary schools are lots of fun. There is a set lesson plan, the teachers are helpful even when we are speaking through gestures, and the kids are attentive as they wait for the game of the day. There are some cute teachers in the elementary schools as well ;)
Junior high is where the kids start learning grammar. These classes are much more co-teacher, whereas the other ones I am mostly teaching. I can start to see the declining interest, but usually the kids are all pretty good. We do more repetition and dialog practice. If we have time we'll play a game like ''Heads up 7 up" or ''Switch''. The students are also starting to form simple sentences and ask questions. I often get "where are you from?'', "how old are you?'' and ''do you have a boyfriend?'' The girls always say "kawai'', which means cute but I think it a more general meaning of attractive. I don't know why though, I don't try to look especially nice when I go to the schools. Junior high is about the time when kids realize they are becoming men and women. I think this is a universal truth.
On Tuesday I went to Izumi JH and helped in a 3rd year class, one I haven't done before. The students at Izumi are usually great, but this class was really genki and attentive, especially the boys (most of whom were taller than me!!). We did the regular practice and read, and during the pair practice there was a group of students that totally went off topic. They were actually trying to communicate in English, versus just get the lesson correct, but of course it was the boyfriend question. When I say I don't have a boyfriend sometime I get asked if I like men. This always confuses me because I don't see why not having a boyfriend means I might not like men. But this group was able to explain that the wanted to know what type of men I liked. The teacher jumped in and apologized and said I didn't have to answer, but I thought it was all pretty amusing.
After I said I like 'cool' guys (how do you explain great personality in Japanese?), they asked what age range! The was one boy who looked disappointed after I said 25-35. The teacher chuckled and said something in Japanese to the boy. Then to me, she said "His love is lost. It is lost love because he is too young." The whole situation just made me smile and think back to times when I had crushes on substitute teachers and older guys. As I left, the boy built up some courage and yelled out "I love you." Lol, what a cute kid. I never could have done that when I was 14! The teacher was amused as she told me that he is usually the worst one in the class. But that day he was actually focusing and trying to speak English.
The kindergartens are great because the kids are always genki (have lots of energy). Sometimes they are too genki. I only teach there 2 or 3 times a month, by some of the little ones have gotten the idea that I am a jungle gym. It's challenging to try to keep the kids in line because every time gentle push one to his chair, he thinks it's an invitation to hang from my arms. And yes, it's almost always one of the boys. I also can't wear a skirt because they have a bad habit of playing "What's under there?'' The normal teacher is in the room but unless I ask for help, she doesn't do much. I think it's part due to the fact her attention is split between the monkeys climbing on me, and the ones plotting in the back of the classroom.
The elementary schools are lots of fun. There is a set lesson plan, the teachers are helpful even when we are speaking through gestures, and the kids are attentive as they wait for the game of the day. There are some cute teachers in the elementary schools as well ;)
Junior high is where the kids start learning grammar. These classes are much more co-teacher, whereas the other ones I am mostly teaching. I can start to see the declining interest, but usually the kids are all pretty good. We do more repetition and dialog practice. If we have time we'll play a game like ''Heads up 7 up" or ''Switch''. The students are also starting to form simple sentences and ask questions. I often get "where are you from?'', "how old are you?'' and ''do you have a boyfriend?'' The girls always say "kawai'', which means cute but I think it a more general meaning of attractive. I don't know why though, I don't try to look especially nice when I go to the schools. Junior high is about the time when kids realize they are becoming men and women. I think this is a universal truth.
On Tuesday I went to Izumi JH and helped in a 3rd year class, one I haven't done before. The students at Izumi are usually great, but this class was really genki and attentive, especially the boys (most of whom were taller than me!!). We did the regular practice and read, and during the pair practice there was a group of students that totally went off topic. They were actually trying to communicate in English, versus just get the lesson correct, but of course it was the boyfriend question. When I say I don't have a boyfriend sometime I get asked if I like men. This always confuses me because I don't see why not having a boyfriend means I might not like men. But this group was able to explain that the wanted to know what type of men I liked. The teacher jumped in and apologized and said I didn't have to answer, but I thought it was all pretty amusing.
After I said I like 'cool' guys (how do you explain great personality in Japanese?), they asked what age range! The was one boy who looked disappointed after I said 25-35. The teacher chuckled and said something in Japanese to the boy. Then to me, she said "His love is lost. It is lost love because he is too young." The whole situation just made me smile and think back to times when I had crushes on substitute teachers and older guys. As I left, the boy built up some courage and yelled out "I love you." Lol, what a cute kid. I never could have done that when I was 14! The teacher was amused as she told me that he is usually the worst one in the class. But that day he was actually focusing and trying to speak English.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Elections
Being election day back home in the ol' good US of A, I thought I should comment.
I did not vote, though being overseas this would probably have been the easiest place to vote. While CNN is showing lines that wide around blocks, all I had to do was get an absentee ballot and send it home. Part of the reason I didn't vote is pure lazy apathy in requesting the proper forms. Another part (which you may call lazy) is that I just plain don't like politics. Listening to debates doesn't motivate me, it just makes me feel confused. I'm a strong person, but easily swayed by a good sounding argument. I don't want to be an issue voter, but weeding through all the statements looking for the truth and trying to understand exactly what was said just makes me frustrated. I have a low attention span as well. If you want to be upset that I am not voting, just chalk it up to one less for your team's opponent.
You are probably wondering what the opinions are of the international population. Everyone is really interested to see what will happen. Many students want to talk about it in class. From all the students I have taught, including Japanese students here and other nationalities from ELS, Obama is the popular candidate. I work with 2 American teachers, both of whom have voted for Obama. Many of the other English teachers have said that if they could vote, they'd be casting ballots for Obama. I am thinking really hard, but I no one comes to mind for McCain.
It'll be really interesting to see what happens, but more so to see the response. At times like these, I always remember my Honors American History teacher in high school, Mr. Saunders. he always said to pay attention because we are making history right now. I wonder if my grandkids will be interviewing me for history reports in 50 years.
Good luck voters!
I did not vote, though being overseas this would probably have been the easiest place to vote. While CNN is showing lines that wide around blocks, all I had to do was get an absentee ballot and send it home. Part of the reason I didn't vote is pure lazy apathy in requesting the proper forms. Another part (which you may call lazy) is that I just plain don't like politics. Listening to debates doesn't motivate me, it just makes me feel confused. I'm a strong person, but easily swayed by a good sounding argument. I don't want to be an issue voter, but weeding through all the statements looking for the truth and trying to understand exactly what was said just makes me frustrated. I have a low attention span as well. If you want to be upset that I am not voting, just chalk it up to one less for your team's opponent.
You are probably wondering what the opinions are of the international population. Everyone is really interested to see what will happen. Many students want to talk about it in class. From all the students I have taught, including Japanese students here and other nationalities from ELS, Obama is the popular candidate. I work with 2 American teachers, both of whom have voted for Obama. Many of the other English teachers have said that if they could vote, they'd be casting ballots for Obama. I am thinking really hard, but I no one comes to mind for McCain.
It'll be really interesting to see what happens, but more so to see the response. At times like these, I always remember my Honors American History teacher in high school, Mr. Saunders. he always said to pay attention because we are making history right now. I wonder if my grandkids will be interviewing me for history reports in 50 years.
Good luck voters!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Diagnosis
I went to the hospital on Friday because I still couldn't walk on it. In Japan, you don't really go to the doctor's office. Everyone goes to the hospital, even for a minor cold. Kimiko, our new office assistant, went with me to translate. She said it usually takes a few hours of waiting, but I guess we were lucky because we saw a doctor in 20 minutes. Talking with a translator was really interesting. If anything, living in Japan gives me an understanding of what immigrants in America must go through, except it must be so much more difficult in our society. I am extremely fortunate because even though I am dependant, I am surrounded by people who want to help me and see me succeed.
The doc took 4 xrays, but nothing showed up broken. He said I must just have a bad sprain in the ligaments of the small foot bones, right where the long foot bones start to stretch out. He wrapped my foot, prescribed some pain relievers, and loaned me crutches, and said keep the foot elevated and iced. He wants to see me again in a couple weeks just to make sure the ligaments is the only problem.
Besides the doctor being so efficient and friendly, the bill really surprised me. Including the first time fee, and medicine, I only paid about 3,500 Yen, which is $35!!
I've been favoring my foot, but I still went out last night. I feel ok today. I'll probably try walking around some more just so it doesn't get weak.
The doc took 4 xrays, but nothing showed up broken. He said I must just have a bad sprain in the ligaments of the small foot bones, right where the long foot bones start to stretch out. He wrapped my foot, prescribed some pain relievers, and loaned me crutches, and said keep the foot elevated and iced. He wants to see me again in a couple weeks just to make sure the ligaments is the only problem.
Besides the doctor being so efficient and friendly, the bill really surprised me. Including the first time fee, and medicine, I only paid about 3,500 Yen, which is $35!!
I've been favoring my foot, but I still went out last night. I feel ok today. I'll probably try walking around some more just so it doesn't get weak.
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