Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Travelling...
In Thailand right now (Phuket to be specific), about to head up to Bangkok...been to Singapore and through Malaysia. Will definitely post when I get some good internet access. It's cheap here but not worth it b/c it's dial-up and extremely slow. I am safe and having a good time...a few good stories and commentaries to record, so I am looking forward to some real blogging time..
Sunday, December 21, 2003
I'm Packed!
Yatta! Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand, here I COME! The Black Cat/Yubin Courier/luggage pick up service just came to take my bags to the airport for me. That service is so convenient and I heard it is THE way to travel in J. Why carry your bags when you can have someone take it to the airport for you?! This will be especially convenient b/c when I get to Tokyo, I will be looking around and shopping for the day, then heading to my friend's house for the night.
In two days, I'll be in Tokyo and in 3 days, I'll be on my way to Singapore. I will attempt to keep a travel journal and I will be blogging as well. All of my accomodations have internet access. I have not been much of a writer, I always use to find oit difficult to journal events. I can blog...but pen and paper...ehhh...I have a hard time. When I was in Ghana, my "journalling everyday day" thing ended up being a thing that I had to be honest and try to do once a week. I like photigraphs...they tell the story. I usually write down comments/captions for photographs. Speaking of which, I still haven't bought a digital camera. I guess I'll buy it when I get to Tokyo. I decided to go with my SLR, I want to take my regular 35mm too, but 3 cameras may be a bit much...I'll see how I feel about it in a day when I have to carry them with me.
Monday is the last day of this school semster....already! It seems and feels like I just got here, but in actuality, it's been almost 5 months. One of my students e-mailed me and asked if I would take purikura with them after school tomorrow. So on top of all the rrands that I will try to do while at work tomorrow, I am taking pictures after school with my students. It will be fun! PLus I get to add more stickers to my seal books. Tomorrow will definitely be eventful. We have our school Bonenkai [end of the year party] tomorrow. YES! Another day too see some co-workers (enebriated) not stressed. Of course, I will get another chance to "discover" which teachers speak English, b/c this is the time when they come out and speak to me. It will be fun. It is really interesting how people's personalities seem so different from whne they are working. I even noticed it on Friday, when I decided to try "Let's Bowling!" (again!) [I wanted to go out and do something, so when they asked me, I said yes...and i WAS again, the person w/ the lowest score...but only by a couple points this time] Anyway, people were coming over giving me high-fives and talking and stuff. To my self, I think these are the same people who barely say anything except "Ohayo Gozaimasu" everyday.
I have one teacher who is probably the closest non-gaijin friend that I have. So we were talking about a lesson that she wanted me to join in with her to help teach (about Nelson Mandel and Long Walk to Freedom). We usually chat for a while at school, so after talking, she says "Takeyah sensei, there's something I want to ask you." I had no idea what it was, but I was like, "Sure". She says, "Tell me about your experience in America, have you experienced discrimination?" I said, "Yes." I found out that she was very nervous about it and didn't know how to ask me. She said, she knew that there was discrimination in the US, but I always seemed genki and okay and not sad, so she thought maybe I never experienced discrimination. She said she didn't know if I would be offended that she asked me about it. I smiled and told her that it was okay and I didn't mind talking about it. I told her that a lot of people have to deal with (institutional) racism/discrimination everyday, so it's something that they have had to deal with on a regular basis... So we couldn't talk all day, but she said that she thinks that I should share my experiences with other people. I like her, b/c she is one of the teachers that values my experience(s) and think that people should learn about it. Like the Halloween stuff, she felt that instead of just by-passing what I had to say, the otehr JTEs should make THAT difference a learning experience for the students as opposed to handling it the way they did. But anyway...today is a new day...
So back to today...I really don't like when people assume that I won't understand what they are saying. When the yubin courier guy came to pick up my bag, after I opened the door, I gave him my bag, then he said (in Japanese) "wait I am going to make a phonecall". I didn't know their procedures, so I was like "Hai." So 5 or 10 minutes later, he comes back and asks me where I want the bag taken (in Japanese). I say "Narita airport" (in Japanese), then he goes back to his car as him phone rings. Come to find out, he called my supervisor (who made the arrangements for me). When he came back, he said, "I spoke to Tsushima-san" (in Japanese) I said, "Do I pay now? How much is it?" (in Japanese), he came back with the price and I paid him. So now I'm thinking, this process could have been a bit shorter if you had just communicated with em first as opposed to calling my supervisor and waiting for him to call back. Had he given me the chance, I would have told him Nihongo daijobudesu. Nihongo o wakaru.. Instead I got the Chris Tucker "do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth" look! But it's cool though b/c I am going to SINGAPORE-MALAYSIA-THAILAND and I am going to have a great time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In two days, I'll be in Tokyo and in 3 days, I'll be on my way to Singapore. I will attempt to keep a travel journal and I will be blogging as well. All of my accomodations have internet access. I have not been much of a writer, I always use to find oit difficult to journal events. I can blog...but pen and paper...ehhh...I have a hard time. When I was in Ghana, my "journalling everyday day" thing ended up being a thing that I had to be honest and try to do once a week. I like photigraphs...they tell the story. I usually write down comments/captions for photographs. Speaking of which, I still haven't bought a digital camera. I guess I'll buy it when I get to Tokyo. I decided to go with my SLR, I want to take my regular 35mm too, but 3 cameras may be a bit much...I'll see how I feel about it in a day when I have to carry them with me.
Monday is the last day of this school semster....already! It seems and feels like I just got here, but in actuality, it's been almost 5 months. One of my students e-mailed me and asked if I would take purikura with them after school tomorrow. So on top of all the rrands that I will try to do while at work tomorrow, I am taking pictures after school with my students. It will be fun! PLus I get to add more stickers to my seal books. Tomorrow will definitely be eventful. We have our school Bonenkai [end of the year party] tomorrow. YES! Another day too see some co-workers (enebriated) not stressed. Of course, I will get another chance to "discover" which teachers speak English, b/c this is the time when they come out and speak to me. It will be fun. It is really interesting how people's personalities seem so different from whne they are working. I even noticed it on Friday, when I decided to try "Let's Bowling!" (again!) [I wanted to go out and do something, so when they asked me, I said yes...and i WAS again, the person w/ the lowest score...but only by a couple points this time] Anyway, people were coming over giving me high-fives and talking and stuff. To my self, I think these are the same people who barely say anything except "Ohayo Gozaimasu" everyday.
I have one teacher who is probably the closest non-gaijin friend that I have. So we were talking about a lesson that she wanted me to join in with her to help teach (about Nelson Mandel and Long Walk to Freedom). We usually chat for a while at school, so after talking, she says "Takeyah sensei, there's something I want to ask you." I had no idea what it was, but I was like, "Sure". She says, "Tell me about your experience in America, have you experienced discrimination?" I said, "Yes." I found out that she was very nervous about it and didn't know how to ask me. She said, she knew that there was discrimination in the US, but I always seemed genki and okay and not sad, so she thought maybe I never experienced discrimination. She said she didn't know if I would be offended that she asked me about it. I smiled and told her that it was okay and I didn't mind talking about it. I told her that a lot of people have to deal with (institutional) racism/discrimination everyday, so it's something that they have had to deal with on a regular basis... So we couldn't talk all day, but she said that she thinks that I should share my experiences with other people. I like her, b/c she is one of the teachers that values my experience(s) and think that people should learn about it. Like the Halloween stuff, she felt that instead of just by-passing what I had to say, the otehr JTEs should make THAT difference a learning experience for the students as opposed to handling it the way they did. But anyway...today is a new day...
So back to today...I really don't like when people assume that I won't understand what they are saying. When the yubin courier guy came to pick up my bag, after I opened the door, I gave him my bag, then he said (in Japanese) "wait I am going to make a phonecall". I didn't know their procedures, so I was like "Hai." So 5 or 10 minutes later, he comes back and asks me where I want the bag taken (in Japanese). I say "Narita airport" (in Japanese), then he goes back to his car as him phone rings. Come to find out, he called my supervisor (who made the arrangements for me). When he came back, he said, "I spoke to Tsushima-san" (in Japanese) I said, "Do I pay now? How much is it?" (in Japanese), he came back with the price and I paid him. So now I'm thinking, this process could have been a bit shorter if you had just communicated with em first as opposed to calling my supervisor and waiting for him to call back. Had he given me the chance, I would have told him Nihongo daijobudesu. Nihongo o wakaru.. Instead I got the Chris Tucker "do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth" look! But it's cool though b/c I am going to SINGAPORE-MALAYSIA-THAILAND and I am going to have a great time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
A long name...
I learned that the Thai name for "Bangkok" is the longest in the world. I was browsing yet another site to see if I would find new info and I did:
Full Name of Bangkok
Krungthepmahanakhon Amornrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharat Ratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit
which translates into english as
The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city (of Ayutthaya) of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated God, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.
from here
Speaking of LONG! I had a long day today! I was on the move from the moment I stepped into school today. Then after school, they did a "mock English club" for some students who they are trying to get to come to my high school. I was just tired at that point, but I was/am thankful that I was not the one incharge of that activity. Once I left school at 5:20PM, I headed straight to the kominkan [community center] to teach my eikaiwa [English conversation] class. I left my lesson info fo today at home, which was okay b/c at this point I can teach classes w/o lesson plans. So last week I mentioned that I went salsa dancing when I went to Sendai City. Everyone was very interested in it, so I said I would bring a CD so we can listen to one song in class. WELL, today it ended up turning into our own 30-minute salsa class taught by ME! I thought that was funny. It was fun! As soon as I put the music on, they cleared the tables and chairs out of the way and asked me to demonstrate. At that point, I didn't want to dance for the class by myself, so I told some folxs to get up. Then everyone got up and danced. It was really nice. So now we are in ssearch for a salsa class or teacher who will teach at the kominkan. I already told them that I couldn't teach (just to get the record straight from the beginning!). So here are some flicks that one of my students sent to me (thank you, Sachiko!):
Showing a student how to follow the lead in salsa!
A group picture at the end of class!
So I decided to teach the eikaiwa again in January until March 2004. I wasn't sure about it, but I know my students enjoy it and now that I know yoga is on Thursdays, I have know I can do both. I will most likely do pottery next year too, maybe on Wednesdays, after teaching the eikaiwa.
Full Name of Bangkok
Krungthepmahanakhon Amornrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharat Ratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit
which translates into english as
The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city (of Ayutthaya) of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated God, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.
from here
Speaking of LONG! I had a long day today! I was on the move from the moment I stepped into school today. Then after school, they did a "mock English club" for some students who they are trying to get to come to my high school. I was just tired at that point, but I was/am thankful that I was not the one incharge of that activity. Once I left school at 5:20PM, I headed straight to the kominkan [community center] to teach my eikaiwa [English conversation] class. I left my lesson info fo today at home, which was okay b/c at this point I can teach classes w/o lesson plans. So last week I mentioned that I went salsa dancing when I went to Sendai City. Everyone was very interested in it, so I said I would bring a CD so we can listen to one song in class. WELL, today it ended up turning into our own 30-minute salsa class taught by ME! I thought that was funny. It was fun! As soon as I put the music on, they cleared the tables and chairs out of the way and asked me to demonstrate. At that point, I didn't want to dance for the class by myself, so I told some folxs to get up. Then everyone got up and danced. It was really nice. So now we are in ssearch for a salsa class or teacher who will teach at the kominkan. I already told them that I couldn't teach (just to get the record straight from the beginning!). So here are some flicks that one of my students sent to me (thank you, Sachiko!):
Showing a student how to follow the lead in salsa!
A group picture at the end of class!
So I decided to teach the eikaiwa again in January until March 2004. I wasn't sure about it, but I know my students enjoy it and now that I know yoga is on Thursdays, I have know I can do both. I will most likely do pottery next year too, maybe on Wednesdays, after teaching the eikaiwa.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
so I'M not the only one...
So after one of my classes with JTE2 today, JTE1 said to me That class sounds very different from your usual classes. He said that he observed that I was the only one speaking English and that it must be very difficult to have an English class with the JTE and the students speaking Japanes. I said yes and then we continued to talk about it for a good half an hour. The JTE1 is in charge of all of the English teachers and I think that he was disappointed that I have to teach classes in that situation.
It is interesting, b/c in my first month or so, I don't remember JTE2 conducting class that way. I guess the current status is how things "usually" go with him. I can understand wanting to use your native language, however since it IS an English Intensive Course, I think it is in the best interest of the students, for the JTE to use English. I have definitely exercised patience with the JTE2 class (ni nen-sei). In some classes, I just stand around while he says who knows what in Japanese. At the times when I give instruction (and he volunteers to say EVERYthing I just said in Japanese) I ask the students if they understand or not. THAT determines the need for re-explanation in English and in rare cases, Japanese.
I'm sleepy and tired......
It is interesting, b/c in my first month or so, I don't remember JTE2 conducting class that way. I guess the current status is how things "usually" go with him. I can understand wanting to use your native language, however since it IS an English Intensive Course, I think it is in the best interest of the students, for the JTE to use English. I have definitely exercised patience with the JTE2 class (ni nen-sei). In some classes, I just stand around while he says who knows what in Japanese. At the times when I give instruction (and he volunteers to say EVERYthing I just said in Japanese) I ask the students if they understand or not. THAT determines the need for re-explanation in English and in rare cases, Japanese.
I'm sleepy and tired......
Monday, December 15, 2003
A Travellin' I will GO!!!
I canNOT believe that I will be on my way to Singapore (Malaysia and Thailand) next week! I am SOOOOOOOOOO excited. YATTA! I was sitting here trying to make plans for my Birthday Fare in February. The main domestic airlines give you special travels fares around your birthday (whether you are living in J or visiting). While looking at the calendar, I glanced at this month's calendar and saw that the 24th is NEXT week! I haven't even written down my things to do. I have thought about (buy a digi cam, find/pack warm weather clothes, make hostel reservations, etc.) but some of the items are complete yet.
I think that this travel is going to be the starting point for all of my other travels. I have done really good b/c I haven't taken nenkyu (paid vacation) at all since being here. I am trying to decide if I will take 3 more days in February for my EARTHday...who knows...I will call the airlines tomorrow to see what they say about the legs of my trip(s). I want to take advantage of the fares now, since it is soooo expensive to travel otherwise. Hopefully, the nenkyu won't be a problem for my job... we'll see!
On Saturday, I went to Bennetton to return the boots that I bought. They were just too expensive to get soaked in rain and snow. So I went to the store and the cashier told me that I couldn't return the items. Now...it was only two weeks since I bought the items. They were still in the box taped up and everything. So I asked her why. She said the time had passed by. I guess two weeks is pass the "return period". So then she asks me why I don't want them. I told her that I decided not too keep them and that they were narrow (a major problem for gaijin with shoes). She says that I could buy something else in the store. Then I say, Hemppin o shitaidesu [I want to return.] She says no, then I say (in Japanese), I live in Mutsu {which is two hours away} and I went to the Mutsu City Bennetton, but they told me I had to come back to Aomori. I didn't know that the time period passed. When I bought the boots, I wasn't told that I couldn't return them. So after that, she lets me return them. I was so happy. I didn't know that I could return them, so it made me happy to be able to get my money back.
So NOW, I definitely will make sure that I want something when I buy it. I bought the boots b/c I knew it would snow soon. But once I saw the snow, I realized that I it is a LOT of snow and I couldn't bring myself to go there with the takai butsu [expensive boots]. Anyway, things are fine now...
I went to the library last week and borrowed another Ezra Keats book Pi-ta- no kuchibue [Peter's Whistle]. Let's see if I can read it.
I think that this travel is going to be the starting point for all of my other travels. I have done really good b/c I haven't taken nenkyu (paid vacation) at all since being here. I am trying to decide if I will take 3 more days in February for my EARTHday...who knows...I will call the airlines tomorrow to see what they say about the legs of my trip(s). I want to take advantage of the fares now, since it is soooo expensive to travel otherwise. Hopefully, the nenkyu won't be a problem for my job... we'll see!
On Saturday, I went to Bennetton to return the boots that I bought. They were just too expensive to get soaked in rain and snow. So I went to the store and the cashier told me that I couldn't return the items. Now...it was only two weeks since I bought the items. They were still in the box taped up and everything. So I asked her why. She said the time had passed by. I guess two weeks is pass the "return period". So then she asks me why I don't want them. I told her that I decided not too keep them and that they were narrow (a major problem for gaijin with shoes). She says that I could buy something else in the store. Then I say, Hemppin o shitaidesu [I want to return.] She says no, then I say (in Japanese), I live in Mutsu {which is two hours away} and I went to the Mutsu City Bennetton, but they told me I had to come back to Aomori. I didn't know that the time period passed. When I bought the boots, I wasn't told that I couldn't return them. So after that, she lets me return them. I was so happy. I didn't know that I could return them, so it made me happy to be able to get my money back.
So NOW, I definitely will make sure that I want something when I buy it. I bought the boots b/c I knew it would snow soon. But once I saw the snow, I realized that I it is a LOT of snow and I couldn't bring myself to go there with the takai butsu [expensive boots]. Anyway, things are fine now...
I went to the library last week and borrowed another Ezra Keats book Pi-ta- no kuchibue [Peter's Whistle]. Let's see if I can read it.
Friday, December 12, 2003
Temperature's fallin'
It's 0 degrees...so I know it's cold..and it will get colder. But for now, I am enjoying the wonderful kerosene-filled-toastyness of my tatami mat room. *sniff* aaahhhhh. It's grand.
Let's Yoga!
I went to my first yoga class tonight. I was entirely in Japanese. It was great. Yoga wa tanoshikattadesu. I felt really good afterwards...just like before..yatta! Of course I received the usual comments about my body. Japanese people (well..only the women/girls comment) like my size. Honestly, when they think of gaijin, they think fat! But I help to balance that stereotype with my slender self. [One stereotype down, many more to go]. I am the youngest person in my class. Everyone is 50+ years old. I always wondered why people seemed so surprised when I said I practiced yoga. I found out tonight that most people who practice yoga in J are older. Eeeeeeehhhhhhhh! [that's me] The teacer gave me a little book from the Tokyo Yoga College (all in Japanese), but b/c a lot of stuff is translated from Sanskrit in Katakana, I can read it, but not thoroughly understand it. I got a chance to use some Japanese, which was great. The teacher doesn't want me to pay, instead she want me to speak English and Japanese when I come to class (so she and the other students can learn some English)...no fee. It wasn't what I expected, but I know she won't take my money.
Tomorrow is Friday...yeah! I am looking forward to the weekend. I don't have anything planned, but I think I may head to Aomori to take back the (expensive Bennetton) boots and by some inexpensive ones. This past week gave me a snippet of the type and amount of snow I will be dealing with. I'll just say that I wouldn't want to spend an arm and a leg on boots to have them submerged in water on the daily. This, J boots for me.
Tomorrow is Friday...yeah! I am looking forward to the weekend. I don't have anything planned, but I think I may head to Aomori to take back the (expensive Bennetton) boots and by some inexpensive ones. This past week gave me a snippet of the type and amount of snow I will be dealing with. I'll just say that I wouldn't want to spend an arm and a leg on boots to have them submerged in water on the daily. This, J boots for me.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Tis the season...
'Tis the season...to set folks straight...fa la la la la- la la la la... tis the same issue as Halloween Day...fa la la la la- la la la la. Not much expansion needed. I found out from one my friends at the school (a fellow JTE) that they were all assigned to do "Christmas Lessons" with me. THAT was news to me. So, I am trying to decide if I should spend my breathe and words on sitting down with a few of the JTEs to talk about holidays and sharing of culture; and why their overall approach has been/is bothersome for me. I'll think about it.
Tomorrow, I will make an attempt to go to yoga again. When I got back to Mutsu on Sunday the lady from the post office parking lot was there waiting for her daughter. We agreed to meet at 7:30PM at the post office, so she could show me where it is.
I may be on my way to a CRAFTogether: Japan Extension...ha!...well a few of the teachers at the school want me to teach them how to crochet. We'll see how it goes. Maybe it will help them relax, since they really do not get enough sleep b/c they don't leave school until 9 or 10 PM. It will be fun! Ya-ta!
Tomorrow, I will make an attempt to go to yoga again. When I got back to Mutsu on Sunday the lady from the post office parking lot was there waiting for her daughter. We agreed to meet at 7:30PM at the post office, so she could show me where it is.
I may be on my way to a CRAFTogether: Japan Extension...ha!...well a few of the teachers at the school want me to teach them how to crochet. We'll see how it goes. Maybe it will help them relax, since they really do not get enough sleep b/c they don't leave school until 9 or 10 PM. It will be fun! Ya-ta!
Monday, December 08, 2003
All Aboard!
I went to Sendai City this weekend. I didn't go to hang. I took the Japanese Language Proficiency Exam on Sunday. I took the second level....it was alright. I am happy that I tool the test just to gauge myself. I would be surprised if I passed it. But it was good, b/c I know I could pass the first level. So intend on taking level 3 again next December. Who knows why I never found out about this test when I got my minor. I would have been able to pass the highest level back then. Now, five non-speaking years later, I am relearning everything that I studied back then.
Rewinding back to Friday. I took my first shinkansen (bullet train) ride into Sendai. It was nice...It was fast...It was smooth. I felt like a person who lived in the country, going to the big city. The station was so high tech and efficient. I took a picture right before I boarded the train from Hachinohe to Sendai. Even Hach's station is very nice!
I didn't get to Sendai until about 10:40PM, so my friend met me at the station and we headed to a salsa club...duffle bag in hand and all. I had a great time. I haven't really danced much since I been in Japan, so it was nice to be able to move. There were a good number of folks there that could dance too (there was also the bunch that knew the basic concept of salsa, but could not...i repeat...could not grasp the concept that puts music/rhythm and movement together in one composition). This dude who was from Cuba thought I was Cuban. There are mad gaijin in Sendai. More than I am accustomed too...everywhere you go...there were gaijin...so that added (another element) to the experience too. On Saturday, I just walked around. I didn't go to any sites b/c my friend hadn't really been around enough to let me know about what was where, plus it was raining, so we ended up staying indoors until the afternoon, then headed back in a bit before midnite (so I could take the exam in the AM).
I got a ride back up to Misawa right after the exam, so I only had to catch the regular train back up my way, and I was able to save a few YEN. I was happy to return to a significantly smaller amount of snow than I expected.....
................fast forward to today............
I woke up and there was snow everywhere. It wasn't really bad, but by the time I left for school, it was coming down. They don't use salt on (most of) the roads, so I drove about 10 km/h to school. The six minute ride took me about 15 minutes. But I made it there safely. Let the record reflect that, if we were in the US, today would have been a snow day.
It basically snowed all day, and is still snowing now. I don't really know howmuch, but we got at least a foot today, if not more. While in English Club today, we had a jishin (earthquake) again. Not too bad. I am actually getting accustomed to having them...a ver different response from my first one. But even that one, I have been told is the worst that a lot of people here had ever experienced.
Rewinding back to Friday. I took my first shinkansen (bullet train) ride into Sendai. It was nice...It was fast...It was smooth. I felt like a person who lived in the country, going to the big city. The station was so high tech and efficient. I took a picture right before I boarded the train from Hachinohe to Sendai. Even Hach's station is very nice!
I didn't get to Sendai until about 10:40PM, so my friend met me at the station and we headed to a salsa club...duffle bag in hand and all. I had a great time. I haven't really danced much since I been in Japan, so it was nice to be able to move. There were a good number of folks there that could dance too (there was also the bunch that knew the basic concept of salsa, but could not...i repeat...could not grasp the concept that puts music/rhythm and movement together in one composition). This dude who was from Cuba thought I was Cuban. There are mad gaijin in Sendai. More than I am accustomed too...everywhere you go...there were gaijin...so that added (another element) to the experience too. On Saturday, I just walked around. I didn't go to any sites b/c my friend hadn't really been around enough to let me know about what was where, plus it was raining, so we ended up staying indoors until the afternoon, then headed back in a bit before midnite (so I could take the exam in the AM).
I got a ride back up to Misawa right after the exam, so I only had to catch the regular train back up my way, and I was able to save a few YEN. I was happy to return to a significantly smaller amount of snow than I expected.....
................fast forward to today............
I woke up and there was snow everywhere. It wasn't really bad, but by the time I left for school, it was coming down. They don't use salt on (most of) the roads, so I drove about 10 km/h to school. The six minute ride took me about 15 minutes. But I made it there safely. Let the record reflect that, if we were in the US, today would have been a snow day.
It basically snowed all day, and is still snowing now. I don't really know howmuch, but we got at least a foot today, if not more. While in English Club today, we had a jishin (earthquake) again. Not too bad. I am actually getting accustomed to having them...a ver different response from my first one. But even that one, I have been told is the worst that a lot of people here had ever experienced.
High School Drama...
One thing I am happy to say is that I never had drama surrounding me when I was in HS. It just didn't happen. And I am happy about it. So on Thursday, one of the JTEs that I do not teach with says to me,
So Takeyah-sensei, are you doing something new with the ichi-nensei
No, like what?!
Something to do with e-mail and the computer?
No, not really...oh...oh...some of the students e-mail me, but that's not really anything new
Really?! Messages in Japanese?
Yes, they e-mail me message, but not in Japanese, in English. Then I send them back messages
During school?
No, usually during the weekend. Why?
Oh nothing (with a strange tone)
Ok (then I just say my usual "Osaki ni shitsureshimasu" and go home)
Somehow though, I feel like there was something more that I wasn't being told. And in general, it isn't surprising, considering that you never get a direct question or answer from people (and I understand that). So the next day, I ask about it again.
So [JTE], remember what you were asking me about yesterday? I wanted to talk to you more about it b/c I was confused a bit
OKay
So what is it that you were asking me?
Oh, some of the first-year teachers found their students e-mailing or sending messages to this website about teachers.
Oh...and my name was on it?
No, they were saying bad things about the teachers at Tanabu HS
Really!? Hmmmm. That's not good. So what does that have to do with me.
Well when the first-year teachers asked the students about it, they said something about you being involved in it or they got the site from you
Me...oh no, that"s not true. I don't even know what you're speaking about. Plus, I don't think I can run a Japanese website
The first-year teachers and I were disappointed, but then when I asked you, I figured that you didn't know about it
No, I don't know anything about that and I am not invloved in that. And actually, I don't even care to know the details of what it is about or who said what. It might have been easier to find out information, if someone had appraoched me and asked directly. I would like you to make sure that you clarify that with the teachers.
Okay. I will
Alright then.
Imagine that! Something goes on...the teachers are thinking who knows what... and I have no idea of what's going on. HS drama for ya mama...anyway...forward...
So Takeyah-sensei, are you doing something new with the ichi-nensei
No, like what?!
Something to do with e-mail and the computer?
No, not really...oh...oh...some of the students e-mail me, but that's not really anything new
Really?! Messages in Japanese?
Yes, they e-mail me message, but not in Japanese, in English. Then I send them back messages
During school?
No, usually during the weekend. Why?
Oh nothing (with a strange tone)
Ok (then I just say my usual "Osaki ni shitsureshimasu" and go home)
Somehow though, I feel like there was something more that I wasn't being told. And in general, it isn't surprising, considering that you never get a direct question or answer from people (and I understand that). So the next day, I ask about it again.
So [JTE], remember what you were asking me about yesterday? I wanted to talk to you more about it b/c I was confused a bit
OKay
So what is it that you were asking me?
Oh, some of the first-year teachers found their students e-mailing or sending messages to this website about teachers.
Oh...and my name was on it?
No, they were saying bad things about the teachers at Tanabu HS
Really!? Hmmmm. That's not good. So what does that have to do with me.
Well when the first-year teachers asked the students about it, they said something about you being involved in it or they got the site from you
Me...oh no, that"s not true. I don't even know what you're speaking about. Plus, I don't think I can run a Japanese website
The first-year teachers and I were disappointed, but then when I asked you, I figured that you didn't know about it
No, I don't know anything about that and I am not invloved in that. And actually, I don't even care to know the details of what it is about or who said what. It might have been easier to find out information, if someone had appraoched me and asked directly. I would like you to make sure that you clarify that with the teachers.
Okay. I will
Alright then.
Imagine that! Something goes on...the teachers are thinking who knows what... and I have no idea of what's going on. HS drama for ya mama...anyway...forward...
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Yoga...
I got an update (last week) about my student who was hit by a car and was in a coma. Well the same day that she was hit she was sent to Aomori City. She had hemorhaging(sp?) in her brain, so they weren't sure if it was going to stop. The hospital in Mutsu didn't have the facilities to do that type of surgery, if it became necessary. She didn't have any broken bones or anything, just head/brain trauma. So as of a few days ago, she was responding slightly, but (based on what the JTE told me) she has some brain damage. I found out that the person who hit her (right outside the school gates) is the older brotehr of a ni nen-sei at my school. So that is also another issue that they're dealing with. As far as I was told, the students are okay though.
I was on my way to the post office when a woman stopped and asked me (if Japanese was okay) and wasn't I "interested in yoga at the Shimokita Bunkakaiken". I said yes, but "I cannot go b/c it is in the morning, and I have work". Now, I have never met this woman before, but here I am giving her all kinds of info about me and she is talking to me telling me all kinds of info. We we drew the conversation to a close by her saying that the teacher has lessons at her house at 7:30 PM on Thursdays and that I should go. I said I would... Which leads me to right now. Today is Thursday, I drove to the area where the woman said the classes would be, but I didn't see anything but some houses, so I am not going. All I know is the teacher's name . I don't have and address and it woudln't help either. The addresses aren't street addresses. They tell you a building number and section numebr and a town area (they're in a random order)....so...now I get to stay home and crochet..ya-ta!
I was on my way to the post office when a woman stopped and asked me (if Japanese was okay) and wasn't I "interested in yoga at the Shimokita Bunkakaiken". I said yes, but "I cannot go b/c it is in the morning, and I have work". Now, I have never met this woman before, but here I am giving her all kinds of info about me and she is talking to me telling me all kinds of info. We we drew the conversation to a close by her saying that the teacher has lessons at her house at 7:30 PM on Thursdays and that I should go. I said I would... Which leads me to right now. Today is Thursday, I drove to the area where the woman said the classes would be, but I didn't see anything but some houses, so I am not going. All I know is the teacher's name . I don't have and address and it woudln't help either. The addresses aren't street addresses. They tell you a building number and section numebr and a town area (they're in a random order)....so...now I get to stay home and crochet..ya-ta!
Yuki....
It's snowing and it will not stop! WAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! It's 1:30 AM now, it's been snowing since 5:00PM. I guess it's here to stay.
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Right here...
So check me out. I was being all good this morning. I said, " I am going to go to work EARLY today". So I go outside and see that all of the others teachers cars are gone, which only means one thing...it's around 8AM. When I wke up I look at me cell phone to check the time, but while I am getting ready, I use a battery operated clock. Bad business! The clock said 7:50AM when I walked out of the house. Oh and it's 9:31PM now and the clock still says 7:50AM...boo...I wasn't late for work, but I could have been. So, no more relying on the house clock, only the cellphone.
I watched the movies "The Hours", (based on the book byVirginia Wolff Michael Cunningham). It was very, very good. I enjoyed it a lot. Since I got my memebership to Heiando, I have been on a movie thing. After Japanese class tonight, I went backk to the store to get another movie. Since they didn't have anything else on the "recent release" wall, I ventured to other parts of the store. It took me about 20 minutes to figure out how it was categorized. So they have the usual sections (Drama, Comedy, New Releases, etc.) But within the drama section, the movies are categorized by the known actor that's in the movie. So of course, I have no idea of who most actors are, so it took me a while to find any movie that I wanted to see. It didn't help that the movies were spined, so I couldn't see the front. In the meantime though, I was able to startle a young Mutsu Aomori-can (maybe about 2 years old) in the aisle of the store :) quite funny!
On the way to the store, why were they playing the SWV/Michael Jackson mix Instrumental for "Right Here" and Rafuri-eru Sadi-ku (Raphael Saadiq)'s "Still a Man" on the radio. I had to go into the store, but when I came out something else was on. Japan always has something for me. Speaking of which. Why did one of my friends fall in a ditch. Japan always got something for the sistahs. She called me and said, "I have swomething that will beat your getting hit by a car story....why did I fall in a ditch..." I couldn't believe it. She's okay, however, it is really amazing. On the sides of the roads they have the big gutters. Some of them are coverd, but some aren't. She said she was going to her car and just fell in about 4 feet down. I is amazing that she didn't really hurt herself...The Creator is really looking out for the only two sistahs in Aomori..okay!
I watched the movies "The Hours", (based on the book by
On the way to the store, why were they playing the SWV/Michael Jackson mix Instrumental for "Right Here" and Rafuri-eru Sadi-ku (Raphael Saadiq)'s "Still a Man" on the radio. I had to go into the store, but when I came out something else was on. Japan always has something for me. Speaking of which. Why did one of my friends fall in a ditch. Japan always got something for the sistahs. She called me and said, "I have swomething that will beat your getting hit by a car story....why did I fall in a ditch..." I couldn't believe it. She's okay, however, it is really amazing. On the sides of the roads they have the big gutters. Some of them are coverd, but some aren't. She said she was going to her car and just fell in about 4 feet down. I is amazing that she didn't really hurt herself...The Creator is really looking out for the only two sistahs in Aomori..okay!
