Wednesday, June 30, 2004
kappu saizu
yesterday I was asked the ultimate female gaijin question:
Sensei, kappu saizu wa nandesuka
[Teacher, what is your bra cup size?]
I was surprised b/c up until now, I have managed to NOT get asked that question. 11 months down the road, and I get asked "the" question. just chuckled and told the students that it was a private question and I wouldn't answer it. {I was doing two-on-one interviews and they were supposed to have questions for me so I guess, to them, that fit right in...} Earlier in the day, I was walking to my class and some students said "hello", then after they walk by all i could hear [loud and clear] is "nice body, nice body..."
To be so "modest" J folx are quite bold when it comes to foreigners. People even have the nerve to get a chotto [little] attitude when I tell them they can't touch my hair. I mean, what if I went around touching random J people...in the stores, at the public baths, on the train, etc. People would look at me like "there goes that crazy gaijin !" But somehow, they feel that their behavior is appropraite b/c I'M the different one.
Sensei, kappu saizu wa nandesuka
[Teacher, what is your bra cup size?]
I was surprised b/c up until now, I have managed to NOT get asked that question. 11 months down the road, and I get asked "the" question. just chuckled and told the students that it was a private question and I wouldn't answer it. {I was doing two-on-one interviews and they were supposed to have questions for me so I guess, to them, that fit right in...} Earlier in the day, I was walking to my class and some students said "hello", then after they walk by all i could hear [loud and clear] is "nice body, nice body..."
To be so "modest" J folx are quite bold when it comes to foreigners. People even have the nerve to get a chotto [little] attitude when I tell them they can't touch my hair. I mean, what if I went around touching random J people...in the stores, at the public baths, on the train, etc. People would look at me like "there goes that crazy gaijin !" But somehow, they feel that their behavior is appropraite b/c I'M the different one.
3:17am grading...
After reading the dictation part of these exams, I am positive that some of my students do not have ears [or maybe they removed them for the exam]. THAT is the only way that some of them could have written these words on their papers...
Monday, June 28, 2004
Getting Traditional...
i had an excellent time this weekend. i left Tokyo and headed down to Kyoto. I met up with GA and LC for dinner. Although I initially planned on meeting up with them at 5ish, I actually didn't make it down to Kyoto until 8ish :( We walked around in Gion, then went to dinner at a great Indonesian Restaurant. By the time we ate dinner, it was time to head back. GA and I missed the last train to her apt., so we ended up staying at LC's house. That actually worked out well, b/c on Staurday we got up and headed to all of the sites in Kyoto. I got a lot of really great photos of all of the major sites (Kinkakuji Temple, Kiyomizudera, Ryoanji Temple, ?? Shrine) Kiyomizudera was THE most beautiful temple I have been to in Japan. The color were so vivid and the view was great.
Kinkakuji (Temple of the Golden Pavillion) :: Kyoto Geisha :: Kiyomizudera :: Shrine Latterns :: Monkey dolls (hanging) with wishes written on them
I was finally able to purchase a couple of scented fans and a kawaii new case for my hanko. A large part of the day was gettng from one place to the other (though timely, the buses take FOREVER to get from one place to the other). After a long day in Kyoto, we headed in for the night at GA's place in Nara.
In Nara City on Sunday, we walked through the deer park and viewed Todaiji. Todaiji is the largest wooden structure in the world and it also holds the largest Buddha in J. Although this Buddha was large and the nicest one I have seen in J, the daibutsu [big Buddha] in Aomori, doesn't seem to be very different in size.
Nara City Deer Park :: Daibutsu [Big Buddha] at Todaiji Temple :: On the bridge in Shinsaibashi, Osaka
After Nara City, we took the train to Osaka (to put my luggae in a locker) then over to Kobe. We didn't see any "sites" but we did take the people mover/train over a little bit of the water. It was nice walking around and people watching. GA and I did puri kura in true J style.
SIDE NOTE: So one of the machines had the words "pri cra" written on the outside. At first I couldn't figure out what it was supposed to mean...then...i got it...this particular company took it far. In Japan, many people [particulary young ones] take photos in booths. Once the pictures are taken, you can add designs words, etc. The machine prints them out as stickers and people exchange them a lot. They are called "print club" pictures. Japan usually takes foreign words and uses katakana [Japanese alphabet for foreign words] to say these words. In this case, katakana is used and the word is changed and shortened ::: print club = puri-nto kura-bu = puri kura . It is known as puri kura that many people don't even know where the words come from...so back to "pri cra"... is this the company's attempt to convert it back to an English-esque word? hmmmm.... omoshiroii [interesting]...
After a late lunch in Kobe, we went to Osaka and walked around and saw a bit of the night life. It wasn't as fiesty as Tokyo (yet!) b/c it was early, but it was usual type of thing (salary men in black suits, white shirts, black ties with brief cases, women dressed up to go to snack bars, other miscellaneous men trying to convince people to go to their bars/clubs). I saw Kotonbori and Shinsaibashi. All of the walking around we did all day began to wind down when it was time for me to leave. I decided to take the overnght bus back to Tokyo then take the shinkansen [bullet train] from Tokyo back home.
I left Osaka at 10pm on Sunday night. I didn't get back to Mutsu until 2pm on Monday. It would have been a much shorter journey if I didn't take the overnight bus from Osaka to Tokyo AND if once I go to Noheji at almost 11 this morning, I didn't have to wait more than 2 HOURS for the next train going north. After a speedy ride and planning my day in my head, I got to Noheji to find out that between 7ish and 1ish they do not have any trains going to Shimokita Train Station . . . on top of that, once the train finally left, we had about 100 people on the train that seats about 50. Speaking of standing up, earlier this morning I arrive at Tokyo Station after 6:30a and decided to catch the next train back north. It wasn't until I looked at my ticket again did I realize that I didn't have a seat number...oh okay...no problem...wrong...after observing that I had to keep movng seats b/c I was sitting in other people's reserved seats, I broke out the dictionary. The sentence on teh bottom of my tcket translated to " Because you have a standing seat, you will not be able to sit down"...WHAT?! The man gave me a ticket for standing up at the end of the car...BOOO....so I had to stand for almost 3 hours [leavng from Tokyo], then another hour [leaving from Hachinohe], then another hour [heading back towards Mutsu]....I was NOT ready to do all of that after a weekend filled of walking up hills, around temples and up and down tran platforms.
In the end, the trip was great. I was finally able to see another part of Japan...a more "traditional" Japan....
Kinkakuji (Temple of the Golden Pavillion) :: Kyoto Geisha :: Kiyomizudera :: Shrine Latterns :: Monkey dolls (hanging) with wishes written on them
I was finally able to purchase a couple of scented fans and a kawaii new case for my hanko. A large part of the day was gettng from one place to the other (though timely, the buses take FOREVER to get from one place to the other). After a long day in Kyoto, we headed in for the night at GA's place in Nara.
In Nara City on Sunday, we walked through the deer park and viewed Todaiji. Todaiji is the largest wooden structure in the world and it also holds the largest Buddha in J. Although this Buddha was large and the nicest one I have seen in J, the daibutsu [big Buddha] in Aomori, doesn't seem to be very different in size.
Nara City Deer Park :: Daibutsu [Big Buddha] at Todaiji Temple :: On the bridge in Shinsaibashi, Osaka
After Nara City, we took the train to Osaka (to put my luggae in a locker) then over to Kobe. We didn't see any "sites" but we did take the people mover/train over a little bit of the water. It was nice walking around and people watching. GA and I did puri kura in true J style.
SIDE NOTE: So one of the machines had the words "pri cra" written on the outside. At first I couldn't figure out what it was supposed to mean...then...i got it...this particular company took it far. In Japan, many people [particulary young ones] take photos in booths. Once the pictures are taken, you can add designs words, etc. The machine prints them out as stickers and people exchange them a lot. They are called "print club" pictures. Japan usually takes foreign words and uses katakana [Japanese alphabet for foreign words] to say these words. In this case, katakana is used and the word is changed and shortened ::: print club = puri-nto kura-bu = puri kura . It is known as puri kura that many people don't even know where the words come from...so back to "pri cra"... is this the company's attempt to convert it back to an English-esque word? hmmmm.... omoshiroii [interesting]...
After a late lunch in Kobe, we went to Osaka and walked around and saw a bit of the night life. It wasn't as fiesty as Tokyo (yet!) b/c it was early, but it was usual type of thing (salary men in black suits, white shirts, black ties with brief cases, women dressed up to go to snack bars, other miscellaneous men trying to convince people to go to their bars/clubs). I saw Kotonbori and Shinsaibashi. All of the walking around we did all day began to wind down when it was time for me to leave. I decided to take the overnght bus back to Tokyo then take the shinkansen [bullet train] from Tokyo back home.
I left Osaka at 10pm on Sunday night. I didn't get back to Mutsu until 2pm on Monday. It would have been a much shorter journey if I didn't take the overnight bus from Osaka to Tokyo AND if once I go to Noheji at almost 11 this morning, I didn't have to wait more than 2 HOURS for the next train going north. After a speedy ride and planning my day in my head, I got to Noheji to find out that between 7ish and 1ish they do not have any trains going to Shimokita Train Station . . . on top of that, once the train finally left, we had about 100 people on the train that seats about 50. Speaking of standing up, earlier this morning I arrive at Tokyo Station after 6:30a and decided to catch the next train back north. It wasn't until I looked at my ticket again did I realize that I didn't have a seat number...oh okay...no problem...wrong...after observing that I had to keep movng seats b/c I was sitting in other people's reserved seats, I broke out the dictionary. The sentence on teh bottom of my tcket translated to " Because you have a standing seat, you will not be able to sit down"...WHAT?! The man gave me a ticket for standing up at the end of the car...BOOO....so I had to stand for almost 3 hours [leavng from Tokyo], then another hour [leaving from Hachinohe], then another hour [heading back towards Mutsu]....I was NOT ready to do all of that after a weekend filled of walking up hills, around temples and up and down tran platforms.
In the end, the trip was great. I was finally able to see another part of Japan...a more "traditional" Japan....
Sunday, June 27, 2004
getting my share....
I went to Tokyo for (the planning meeting of)the new JET Tokyo Orientation. i am really excited about being selected to help with the new JET Orientation. It means a good number of things...I am doing a good job with things here, I have things to contribute to the program in other ways, and I have been here for almost a year...time has flown by...seriously fast.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
sniffle sniffle
adding one more thing to my "Japan Firsts" list...Dr. Takeyah was correct. I have chronic sinusitis. It can be caused by several things, but these are the things that I beleive created a problem here for me: mold, humidity, smoking (2nd hand), and cold air. So now, I have to take medication over a lengthy period of time and go to the hospital/doctor every week. The goldenseal helped however my description of my sympyoms (pre-goldenseal) and an X-ray confirmed everything :( I am blessed to not have pain right now. I pray that I don't begin to feel the way I felt last week. I am on a factfinding mission about these meds that they gave me...so far they don't seem too bad...
Monday, June 21, 2004
on my way to PhD
I have an upper respiratory tract infection...that's my self-diagnosis. Being the info junkie, Dr. Takeyah looked up some things. What I have going on seems to match the description. I hope that I am incorrect and that I have just a long and drawn out cold. I am going to the hospital tomorrow. Hopefully my supervisor from my regular school can go to the hospital/doctor with me. I will call her tonight. I was going to wait until Monday, but that may be waiting too long :(
Sunday, June 20, 2004
acronym
normally "yucky" wouldn't describe me, but in the past week I have come down with a cold-maybe-it's-a-new-allergy type of thing. ME...out of all people....boo....
get your own fromhere
| T | Tasty |
| A | Accurate |
| K | Keen |
| E | Earthy |
| Y | Yucky |
| A | Altruistic |
| H | Healthy |
get your own fromhere
do you swim?
DM just gave a speech at her community center about African American culture. It was very good, they were very interested and asked us some good questions. One unexpected question that the translator said was "Why don't you swim?" [you=African Americans]. At first, a question like that would seem odd but from listening to the man's question in Japanese he referred to the Olympics and sports shows. From being in Japan this length of time I can actually understand why he might think that. He/they probably saw TV shows and never saw any "browner" folx and figured "Oh! They just don't swim..." I have been herelong enough not to even blink when I hear things like that. They don't see it, so the "natural" thought is "Oh...it doesn't exist."
the disappointing thing of the day is that I fnally found a red toilet seat cover and it DOESN'T fit my warmlet...oh nooey :(
the disappointing thing of the day is that I fnally found a red toilet seat cover and it DOESN'T fit my warmlet...oh nooey :(
Thursday, June 17, 2004
travels...
Big Buddha (Aomori City)
Temples in Nikko, Nikko Pagoda, Naka Omise Dori in Asakusa
At a waterfall heading down to Lake Towada (taken by AB)
Tokyo...Asakusa...Shinjuku..
I had a great time in Tokyo this past weekend. After my business trip/meeting on Friday, AB and I hung around Aomori City then took the overnight bus to Tokyo. I like the overnight bus. It's cheaper and pretty comfortable, plus you don"t have to pay for a hotel. I ddn't sleep the whole way like I usually do though...but I was well rested. We decided to fresstyle the weekend and take a day trip to Nikko (about 2 hours north of Tokyo). It is sssooooooo beautiful there. Mountains. Trees. Waterfalls. Monkeys (although we didn't see any, except the carved wooden ones!). Nikko is very prepared for tourists. Their information booth was probably the most thorough one that I have been to in terms of tourist destinations. There were a lot of other tourists there as well...of course, mostly older people. Nikko has a lot of temples founded in 766 around the Nara Period. The Rin-no-ji Temple is the religious center of the Tendai Sect of Buddhism.
We headed back to Tokyo on Sunday and hung around in Asakusa. By the time we got to Asakusa, we were templed out, so we just walked around. We walked through Naka Omise Dori which has a lot of shops. Great for gifts and things generally "Japanese". I had another business trip in Shinjuku on Mon, Tues, and Wed, so I checked into my hotel. Later on in the evening we just walked around Shinjuku for a few hours, then turned in for the evening.
The JET Re-contracting Conference was pretty productive for me. Most of the workshops didn't jump out at me, but the ones that I attended were pretty good. A large part of my satisfaction with the conference was beng able to talk with people who have similar situations. Of course, there must be balance, I was dissatisfied with the food arrangements, b/c I was played out when it came to meals. At this point, I don't even feel like getting into the details (reading past "GRANOLA MONOLOGUES" should give a basic run-down of how things went). Overall, I had a great time. I finally had the chance to "hang" in Tokyo. On Tuesday night, ES and I went to a charity event at a restaurant/bar that served vegetarian friendly dishes! A highlight of the evening was being able to eat a veggie burger, fries and a salad. After that we met up with some other sistahs and stopped at another bar. We left there and went out dancing until 4:30a. I was BEAT by the time we got back in, but it was worth it.
While in Tokyo, I was feeling a little something coming on (immune system-wise). I didn't have any goldenseal with me, so I was hoping that it would just stay as a "litle something" until I got home, but that didn"t happen. By the time I boarded the shinkansen to head home yesterday, I was at the sick level. I am still not sure what it is, but it's cold-esque. I felt so terrible last night, so I went to bed early. I woke up today not feeling so good, but I decided to go to school and teach my 1st period class (the only class I have today), then head home.
Heading home proved to be more difficult than I thought...actually, it really wasn't difficult, however the folx at my school tried to make it bigger than it was. They tried to tell me that inorder for me to go home (b/c I was sick) s to take a vacation day. That is NOT true...it all boils down to them not knowing the details and polices that go along with being my supervisor(s). I was told that (to avoid paperwork) Japanese teachers [at least at my school] just take a vacation day instead of a sick day...HA! not the kid though...I will use my sick days b/c unlike the Japanese teachers, I don"t have days upon days piled up b/c I never take vacation. At the end of the mini-clariying-discussion, it was decided that I could go home w/o using a vacation day...so that's where I am now....home, on a sick day...
We headed back to Tokyo on Sunday and hung around in Asakusa. By the time we got to Asakusa, we were templed out, so we just walked around. We walked through Naka Omise Dori which has a lot of shops. Great for gifts and things generally "Japanese". I had another business trip in Shinjuku on Mon, Tues, and Wed, so I checked into my hotel. Later on in the evening we just walked around Shinjuku for a few hours, then turned in for the evening.
The JET Re-contracting Conference was pretty productive for me. Most of the workshops didn't jump out at me, but the ones that I attended were pretty good. A large part of my satisfaction with the conference was beng able to talk with people who have similar situations. Of course, there must be balance, I was dissatisfied with the food arrangements, b/c I was played out when it came to meals. At this point, I don't even feel like getting into the details (reading past "GRANOLA MONOLOGUES" should give a basic run-down of how things went). Overall, I had a great time. I finally had the chance to "hang" in Tokyo. On Tuesday night, ES and I went to a charity event at a restaurant/bar that served vegetarian friendly dishes! A highlight of the evening was being able to eat a veggie burger, fries and a salad. After that we met up with some other sistahs and stopped at another bar. We left there and went out dancing until 4:30a. I was BEAT by the time we got back in, but it was worth it.
While in Tokyo, I was feeling a little something coming on (immune system-wise). I didn't have any goldenseal with me, so I was hoping that it would just stay as a "litle something" until I got home, but that didn"t happen. By the time I boarded the shinkansen to head home yesterday, I was at the sick level. I am still not sure what it is, but it's cold-esque. I felt so terrible last night, so I went to bed early. I woke up today not feeling so good, but I decided to go to school and teach my 1st period class (the only class I have today), then head home.
Heading home proved to be more difficult than I thought...actually, it really wasn't difficult, however the folx at my school tried to make it bigger than it was. They tried to tell me that inorder for me to go home (b/c I was sick) s to take a vacation day. That is NOT true...it all boils down to them not knowing the details and polices that go along with being my supervisor(s). I was told that (to avoid paperwork) Japanese teachers [at least at my school] just take a vacation day instead of a sick day...HA! not the kid though...I will use my sick days b/c unlike the Japanese teachers, I don"t have days upon days piled up b/c I never take vacation. At the end of the mini-clariying-discussion, it was decided that I could go home w/o using a vacation day...so that's where I am now....home, on a sick day...
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Karaoke Time!
as with any visiting guest, AB came to my school to do lessons with my students. They turned out pretty good. The students were very genki and responsive. (SIDE NOTE: I feel a mini-'some type of way' about their response compared to their responses to RO and TW...could it be the gender!?) At the end of the day things were pretty good...the students got a chance to interact with AB and it was a good day for me.
We went to my Eikaiwa Karaoke yesterday! It was a lot of fun. Surprisingly, people sang less songs than they did the last time. This time people were really into the food aspect of things and tehy just encouraged me to sing. Of course, I didn't mind ;)
We went to my Eikaiwa Karaoke yesterday! It was a lot of fun. Surprisingly, people sang less songs than they did the last time. This time people were really into the food aspect of things and tehy just encouraged me to sing. Of course, I didn't mind ;)
Monday, June 07, 2004
Let's Aomori FUN!
On Friday we woke up and got a sort of early start on the day. We decided to head down to Lake Towada then head back north to Aomori City. The drive was longer than I thought it would be, but it was worth it. Aomori is ssssssssssoooooooooo beautiful. Since we had all day, we stopped along the way at different viewing points and waterfalls. Once we finally made it down to the lake, we got out and walked around. I bought two kokeshi dolls... kawaii! I haven't really seen that many stores that had them, so I figured that I might as well buy them. We travelled along the eastern side of the lake then headed back to Aomori on the western side. I think the eastern side is more scenic and they have a really nice trail that you can walk (it eventually takes you down to the lake).
We ended up going to a bbq at a friend's house and eventually hooked up w/ DM. By the end of the night, we decided to spend the night in Aomori City. We woke up the next morning and went to see the big Buddha. It was...pretty big. Of course, the grounds were beautiful and they even offer you ocha [green tea] at the end of the tour. One really interesting thing about the site is the English language pamphlet that they gave us. It had all kinds of political messages in it about war, prochoice/prolife, etc.
After the two-hours drive back to good old Mutsu, we ended the day with a stop by Osorezan , then headed home for dinner. On Sunday, we got a really good start on the day. AB and I went up to the onsen at Yagen. It was beautiful as expected. They are charging 200YEN to use it now (which is still extremely cheap...although they use to be free). We thought that he might have to get out and push the car on the way back home b/c we thought we didn't have enough gas....BUT, we made it to a gas station and mae it back in time to do my weekend pasttime ...rent movies...
I think this weekend, I drove about 350+ kilometers...I had a really great time...yeah!!!!!
We ended up going to a bbq at a friend's house and eventually hooked up w/ DM. By the end of the night, we decided to spend the night in Aomori City. We woke up the next morning and went to see the big Buddha. It was...pretty big. Of course, the grounds were beautiful and they even offer you ocha [green tea] at the end of the tour. One really interesting thing about the site is the English language pamphlet that they gave us. It had all kinds of political messages in it about war, prochoice/prolife, etc.
After the two-hours drive back to good old Mutsu, we ended the day with a stop by Osorezan , then headed home for dinner. On Sunday, we got a really good start on the day. AB and I went up to the onsen at Yagen. It was beautiful as expected. They are charging 200YEN to use it now (which is still extremely cheap...although they use to be free). We thought that he might have to get out and push the car on the way back home b/c we thought we didn't have enough gas....BUT, we made it to a gas station and mae it back in time to do my weekend pasttime ...rent movies...
I think this weekend, I drove about 350+ kilometers...I had a really great time...yeah!!!!!
Thursday, June 03, 2004
beautiful day in the neighborhood...
it is a BEAUTIFUL day outside! So beautiful that I found myself awake at 5:28 this morning. I think the sunlight woke me up. At 5:00ish in teh morning, it looks like it is is about 10:00ish. I decided to take advantage of being awake by cleaning up and doing some things around the apato . Although it was great to be awake that early, I am struggling now trying to stay awake at work...and it's only 11AM.
AB is coming to visit! I am excited....it should be fun. I think tomorrow will be a 'Let's Aomori Fun!' day. Not sure what the weekend will be like, but DM is also coming up this way and we may try to head up to Hakodate for the day.
AB is coming to visit! I am excited....it should be fun. I think tomorrow will be a 'Let's Aomori Fun!' day. Not sure what the weekend will be like, but DM is also coming up this way and we may try to head up to Hakodate for the day.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
domestic enhancement...
i now have in my possession one thing that every Japanese woman, young and old, owns...i have never had it before now....today...now, I own an apron. It's so cute! One of my Eikaiwa students gave it to me. It's black with cream flowers on it and the funky part is that it has like a lace-esque slip over the top of it! KAWAIIIIIIIIII! All I did was give her a compliment and she took it off and gave it to me...isn't that sweet. I now have a party apron. Now all I need is the company and space to entertain....LOL
in the cards...
every now and then I look at my card reading. I looked at mine today and this is what it said:
My card for today is the Eight of Spades
The Eight of Spades is the most powerful card of physical and will power. When this card is present, you will find yourself experiencing more power over your health and work matters. Success is indicated by this card, along with the ability to overcome any obstacles that may appear in your way. Power comes from a focusing of our will, a narrowing down of the areas of our interest. Because of this, we often lose focus in less important areas while we gather force in one. (copywritten)
hmmmm....
My card for today is the Eight of Spades
The Eight of Spades is the most powerful card of physical and will power. When this card is present, you will find yourself experiencing more power over your health and work matters. Success is indicated by this card, along with the ability to overcome any obstacles that may appear in your way. Power comes from a focusing of our will, a narrowing down of the areas of our interest. Because of this, we often lose focus in less important areas while we gather force in one. (copywritten)
hmmmm....
oh nooey....
This really bothers me. Babies are killing babies...
In 'school news' my tech HS actually let me go home an hour early yesterday. I taught all of my classes and they had 40-min periods yesterday, so 6th period was over by 2:25p. By 2:58p Takeyah-sensei was on the road! To top it off, I just found out that I don't have to work on Friday (I have to come in and stamp my personal seal)! The classes are cancelled b/c many of our students are going to participate in club activities on Friday....how about that?!
In 'school news' my tech HS actually let me go home an hour early yesterday. I taught all of my classes and they had 40-min periods yesterday, so 6th period was over by 2:25p. By 2:58p Takeyah-sensei was on the road! To top it off, I just found out that I don't have to work on Friday (I have to come in and stamp my personal seal)! The classes are cancelled b/c many of our students are going to participate in club activities on Friday....how about that?!
