Sunday, February 27, 2005
safety first
I will admit, this journal can be described as "safe". I don't really reveal a whole bunch about my deep inner thoughts or ideas running through my head. But today, I felt inspired to write about something that I probably wouldn't normally write about(I think). But anyway, first of all, I am really not feeling these earthquakes that have been happening recently. There is supposed to be a BIG one coming soon. Not too sure about the scientific facts behind that but it doesn't really matter. Quite frankly, I am not trying to have any more days of sitting here at my laptop, then having to move dash over to my doorway in hopes that the trembling will stop soon...naw, in hopes that they would stop now. I know earthquakes can happen in most places, but it is also known that they happen in more specific places. I am not really afraid, I just don't want to be around for them anymore...oh well.
So onto the real reason why I decided to post today. I felt "some type of way" yesterday during my school's yousenkai [farewell assembly for graduating seniors].
They had a farewell video where they interviewed the teachers who have taught the 3rd year students. They even interviewed the school janitor-ish people, the man who turns the heaters off/on and the lady who prunes(sp?) the flowers. I think they didn't interview a few other miscellaneous people...but I KNOW they didn't interview me :( I think I initally took it personally and I am over that. But then I also think, who is the person out of everyone at the school (besides the Principal and VP, of course) who has 35 hours of free time at school? ME! The Principal, VP and I could have produced our own telebi dorama [TV drama/soaps] with all of our free time. I guess, teaching the students for 2 years doesn't qualify.
In more exciting news though....I am going to Australia! YAY! I am super excited about my trip! I just hope that I hope I don't have to wrestle any crocodiles...JUST joking...seriously!
So onto the real reason why I decided to post today. I felt "some type of way" yesterday during my school's yousenkai [farewell assembly for graduating seniors].
They had a farewell video where they interviewed the teachers who have taught the 3rd year students. They even interviewed the school janitor-ish people, the man who turns the heaters off/on and the lady who prunes(sp?) the flowers. I think they didn't interview a few other miscellaneous people...but I KNOW they didn't interview me :( I think I initally took it personally and I am over that. But then I also think, who is the person out of everyone at the school (besides the Principal and VP, of course) who has 35 hours of free time at school? ME! The Principal, VP and I could have produced our own telebi dorama [TV drama/soaps] with all of our free time. I guess, teaching the students for 2 years doesn't qualify.
In more exciting news though....I am going to Australia! YAY! I am super excited about my trip! I just hope that I hope I don't have to wrestle any crocodiles...JUST joking...seriously!
Friday, February 25, 2005
Aussie phrases
I graded 71 papers today. Not so bad. But after reading 33 versions of the Urashima Taro folktale, listening to 33 versions of "what kind of job I would liek to have", 38 dictations, 38 versions of "why movies are so popular in the world" on top of the tests for all 71 students, I am glad that it's Friday. The other highlight about being at the end of the 3rd semester is that I no longer have to stand in front of a room full of 1st year students and say:
I have nothing on
That phrase comes from Lesson 14 of my 1st year student's oral communications textbook. According to our text and the lesson on "Visiting the Theater", in Australia when making arrangements with someone, people either say I'm free or I've got nothing on . The students know the former phrase which leaves the latter phrase as one that I have introduce and review with the students while we do the lesson.
Thank goodness, I will be leaving before we even get close to the lesson again. Two years is enough for that phrase.
I am going to Aussie soon, so at least I can use that phrase when I go out. I am sure I will get a lot of feedback from that one ;)
That phrase comes from Lesson 14 of my 1st year student's oral communications textbook. According to our text and the lesson on "Visiting the Theater", in Australia when making arrangements with someone, people either say I'm free or I've got nothing on . The students know the former phrase which leaves the latter phrase as one that I have introduce and review with the students while we do the lesson.
QT: Okay, the next phrase is "I've got nothing on"
Class: I've got nothing on
QT: *chuckle* I've got nothing on *chickle*
Class: I've got nothing on *looking at QT-sensei with a strange look, wondering why she is smiling*
Thank goodness, I will be leaving before we even get close to the lesson again. Two years is enough for that phrase.
I am going to Aussie soon, so at least I can use that phrase when I go out. I am sure I will get a lot of feedback from that one ;)
Matsuri
Thursday, February 24, 2005
a.wake...
I went to a wake about a week ago. I didn't know the person who passed, but his daughter is one of my favorite students. The death was unexpected and (I am sure) a shock to family and friends. I was absent from school when she was called away, but I was really suprised ths past Monady. My student was back at school...5 days later. I am not in a position to say if that is too soon or not. I know that sometimes younger people tend to go back to "how things were before" and that is part of the grieving process. It has to be tough though, to experience the death of a parent at a young age.
Monday, February 21, 2005
I am Malcolm X!
"I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don't believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn't want brotherhood with me. I believe in treating people right, but I'm not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody right who doesn't know how to return the treatment."
- Speech, 12 December 1964, New York City.
In honor of Brother Malcolm X.
I am Malcolm X!
I am Malcolm X!
I am Malcolm X!
I am Malcolm X!
I am Malcolm X!
I am Malcolm X!
I am Malcolm X!
Saturday, February 19, 2005
newspapers calling
I just wanted to take this time to record the fact that I just received my first telemarketing call since I've been here. The thing is, although I only caught some of what he was saying, he had the same fast talking, get-all-of-the-info-out-before-she-hangs-up tone. All I kept saying was wakaranai [I don't understand] in hopes that he would hang up. Then he started asking if there was someone who was 18 years of age or older around. Then he resorted to asking me if there was a Japanese speaking person there. After a couple dekinai [can't do it], I said sayonara THEN he said, eigo wakarimasuka [do you understand english?]. Then he started giving his talk in English...after all of that time, he FINALLY broke out the English. People really try not to use English as much as possible...even the telemarketers...funny (*O*)/
Friday, February 18, 2005
passion
Somehow I forgot that I don't speak "Amaraic" or "street latin" when I rented this movie. Ok...I am usually not squeamish(sp?) but the whipping scenes were a bit much for me. So there were Japanese subtitles and I could actually read a lot of them...but the movie also didn't have much dialogue and there were a lot of ...um...visuals.
please sir, I want some more...
I mean, can the ladies get a taste? a sample? a crumble? I don't watch TV much, but sometimes I catch a show that involves cooking/food (like most shows on TV). This particular show has a male and female host. Whenever they have a guest chef (female), the female hosts stand by and give commentary. Although they both don't do much cooking, the female host wears an apron. Then after they make the food, the only person who gets to eat it is the host...the male one. e-v-e-r-y time. I watched it today just to see what would happen. Just as expected, the dish was made, a table was set where the male host sat, and then the chef and female host watched the male host eating. There's nothing wrond with being a domestic lady or man...it's great. I actually enjoy cooking, but I just wonder if some days the female host feels like eating the delicious treats.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Playing musical tag...
I got e-tagged by Empress with the music questionnaire:
1. Total amount of music files on your computer.
Err...um... wakaranai [don't know] Maybe 50.
2. The last CD you bought.
Jill Scott's Experience: Jill Scott 826+
3. The last song you listened to before reading this message.
Does the J.Lo song in my local craft store count?! If not, then enka [Japanese folk music] would be the answer.
4. Name 5 songs you listen to often or that mean a lot to you.
Jill Scott :: Golden
India.Arie :: Strength, Courage and Wisdom
Louie Vega :: Cerca De Mi
Nina Simone :: Four Women
Buena Vista Social Club :: Chan Chan
5. Who will you pass this stick to (3 people) and why?
3 :: may actually complete this and possibly make it more difficult that it is :)
LE :: Answers may not be typical
JP :: I am sure this will annoy him
1. Total amount of music files on your computer.
Err...um... wakaranai [don't know] Maybe 50.
2. The last CD you bought.
Jill Scott's Experience: Jill Scott 826+
3. The last song you listened to before reading this message.
Does the J.Lo song in my local craft store count?! If not, then enka [Japanese folk music] would be the answer.
4. Name 5 songs you listen to often or that mean a lot to you.
Jill Scott :: Golden
India.Arie :: Strength, Courage and Wisdom
Louie Vega :: Cerca De Mi
Nina Simone :: Four Women
Buena Vista Social Club :: Chan Chan
5. Who will you pass this stick to (3 people) and why?
3 :: may actually complete this and possibly make it more difficult that it is :)
LE :: Answers may not be typical
JP :: I am sure this will annoy him
\ (^o^) /
it's still my day+ of celebration (in the US). as it draws to a close, I'll say that 27 was great and i KNOW that 28 has a lot more to offer.
i had a pretty relaxed evening. i spent the evening working on a paper for my online class, chatted online, then went to bed.
i had a pretty relaxed evening. i spent the evening working on a paper for my online class, chatted online, then went to bed.
Monday, February 14, 2005
happy bEARTHday to ME!
There were/are many good thing about turning 28 in Japan!
:: Sign made by my students at 7AM! They were at school before I even woke up ::
1. I get to be thankful for yet another day in this universe!
2. I get to celebrate my birthday for 36 hours [12 in Japan + 12 in US & Japan + 12 in the US]...how GREAT is that?!!
3. I get the chance to take it back to the ol' school and have a party at school minus the cupcakes
:: People, food, fun, birthday hats, and music! ::
4. I get to hear from my mother at 7:01AM telling me that I should already be up..LOL... and giving me my first birthday greetings of the day.
5. I get to look at the lovely cards that people have sent to me and feel all warm inside
:: "May life's most fantastic things always come your way"...from ES ::
5. I get to remember that no matter how much I complain about not having young friends here, the people that I do have here are so wonderful and ALWAYS look out for me!
6. I get to have even more lovely memories to keep in my heart and mind about my time here.
7. I get to say "Thank you" to everyone who has/will sent love and light in the past, present, over the next year, and infuture
:: Sign made by my students at 7AM! They were at school before I even woke up ::
1. I get to be thankful for yet another day in this universe!
2. I get to celebrate my birthday for 36 hours [12 in Japan + 12 in US & Japan + 12 in the US]...how GREAT is that?!!
3. I get the chance to take it back to the ol' school and have a party at school minus the cupcakes
:: People, food, fun, birthday hats, and music! ::
4. I get to hear from my mother at 7:01AM telling me that I should already be up..LOL... and giving me my first birthday greetings of the day.
5. I get to look at the lovely cards that people have sent to me and feel all warm inside
:: "May life's most fantastic things always come your way"...from ES ::
5. I get to remember that no matter how much I complain about not having young friends here, the people that I do have here are so wonderful and ALWAYS look out for me!
6. I get to have even more lovely memories to keep in my heart and mind about my time here.
7. I get to say "Thank you" to everyone who has/will sent love and light in the past, present, over the next year, and infuture
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
looks like a doll
I got to play dress-up again today.
One of the kimono is about 100 years old and was in GREAT condition. By the time it was time for me to go, I was leaving with 4 dolls, 3 kimono, and a birthday lunch next weekend ;)
One of the kimono is about 100 years old and was in GREAT condition. By the time it was time for me to go, I was leaving with 4 dolls, 3 kimono, and a birthday lunch next weekend ;)
Sunday, February 06, 2005
let the festivities begin
Although there are many places that have a LOT more snow than Aomori, I felt the need to share this here. Look at how high that snow is...
I also went to a sake brewery in Itayanagi. This brewery has been around for 345 years. It was pretty cool to visit this place. The father (16th generation) and son (17th generation) explained the brewing process to us. It actually takes a much longer time than I expected. We helped to make the koji , which is the steamed rice with mold spores cultivated onto them. I am looking forward to going back and seeing how things turned out with the batches that we helped with.
:: Millions of grains of rice ::
TB had some bEARTHday festivities in my honor. It was good to be around some people wih good vibes. They started the week long celebration of ending my 27th year. YAY!
I also went to a sake brewery in Itayanagi. This brewery has been around for 345 years. It was pretty cool to visit this place. The father (16th generation) and son (17th generation) explained the brewing process to us. It actually takes a much longer time than I expected. We helped to make the koji , which is the steamed rice with mold spores cultivated onto them. I am looking forward to going back and seeing how things turned out with the batches that we helped with.
:: Millions of grains of rice ::
TB had some bEARTHday festivities in my honor. It was good to be around some people wih good vibes. They started the week long celebration of ending my 27th year. YAY!
Friday, February 04, 2005
diagnosis # 2
I feel much better today. Thanks to talking with RO, I think I figured out what was going on with me this past weekend and this week. MIGRAINES! 偏頭痛 [へんずつう; へんとうつう :: henzutsuu; hentoutsuu ] I still have a lingering symptoms, but I feel a whole lot better than I did on Tuesday. Yokatta!
Thursday, February 03, 2005
gakusei
I really like my students. I honestly wish that I could teach more classes, thus creating more job satisfaction. I am down to teaching 4 classes this semester. My tech HS said they 'couldn't arrange oral communication classes this semester' [-3 classes/week] then my 3rd year students do not have classes b/c they are preparing for college entrance exams, graduation, etc. [-2 classes/week]. My original 9 was not that much to begin with but it did take up some time to plan and execute classes and projects. I feel like I have exhausted my reserve of 'let's create a project so I can feel/be productive' energy. It actually works in my benefit though b/c I can use the time at schol to work on homework for my online class. The only thing is that I have a hrad time reading or concentraing at school. That's something I have to work on.
..back to why I like my students...well, my English club girls have so much energy and we actually have conversations. Aside from my older friends here and one of my JTEs, they actually can engage in 'real' dialogue and discussion about topics better than other (grown) folx at the school. Then after school as I was leaving, one of my boy students came over to help me clean off my car. So sweet. The students are the real reminder and indication of my contributions here :)
..back to why I like my students...well, my English club girls have so much energy and we actually have conversations. Aside from my older friends here and one of my JTEs, they actually can engage in 'real' dialogue and discussion about topics better than other (grown) folx at the school. Then after school as I was leaving, one of my boy students came over to help me clean off my car. So sweet. The students are the real reminder and indication of my contributions here :)
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Japanese-Brazilians
before coming to japan, I knew that there was a large south american population here. one of my co-workers (in my job b4 J) was peruvian, an i found it odd that he was fluent in japanese and that english was his third language. so he explained the whole south american connection.
I always had an interest in this connection. I guess what prompted me to read a slew of information yesterday was this article that talks about the preservation of sumo in Brazil. Japanese-brazilians are the second largest group of foreigners in Japan. In he early twentieth century, there was a wave a Japanese immigration to Brazil. Most people went to work in coffee plantations, b/c J encourage emmigtation or b/c of the US exclusion of immigration at that time. The Japanese population in Brazil increased drastically over the years. In the 80s the situation changed and many Japanese Brazilians moved back to Japan. Some people planned to go back to Brazil and left, but many stayed.
I came across a few titles (* and *) and articles (*, * and *) that gave me bit more background on it. I know that a friend of mine lives in a Brazilian community here in J, but I haven't been there or met any Japanese-Brazilians since I have been here. It would be interesting to hear about someone's experience first hand.
Also: I have also come across some public health and nutrition studies that look at diet and nutrition among Japanese Brazilians. One article takes the Japanese diet into account while looking at abdominal obesity among Japanse Brazilians.... omoshiroii
I always had an interest in this connection. I guess what prompted me to read a slew of information yesterday was this article that talks about the preservation of sumo in Brazil. Japanese-brazilians are the second largest group of foreigners in Japan. In he early twentieth century, there was a wave a Japanese immigration to Brazil. Most people went to work in coffee plantations, b/c J encourage emmigtation or b/c of the US exclusion of immigration at that time. The Japanese population in Brazil increased drastically over the years. In the 80s the situation changed and many Japanese Brazilians moved back to Japan. Some people planned to go back to Brazil and left, but many stayed.
I came across a few titles (* and *) and articles (*, * and *) that gave me bit more background on it. I know that a friend of mine lives in a Brazilian community here in J, but I haven't been there or met any Japanese-Brazilians since I have been here. It would be interesting to hear about someone's experience first hand.
Also: I have also come across some public health and nutrition studies that look at diet and nutrition among Japanese Brazilians. One article takes the Japanese diet into account while looking at abdominal obesity among Japanse Brazilians.... omoshiroii
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Medical Observations...
I am sure the entire town will know that I got a blood test today. I went to talk with the doctor and at least 6 other nurses decided that they needed to know what was going on with me. So I asked the Dr. can we speak in private, then he took me to a file room. Yes, a file room. Then after I talked with him, he basically went out and gave them a break-down of what I said. That is wild...one can't even go to the doctor and have a private convo with out all your business being announced to the staff and other patients.
Another wild thing....they didn't use gloves. Even in the room with everyone sitting there giving blood. Not a single person with gloves on...with all that blood around.
On the not so wild side, but interesting: I did not see any young people at the hospital. The only person that I saw who was younger than me, was a HS student. Only one. Everyone else would be considered a senior citizen. Maybe there is a pediatric hospital elsewhere...but if a random non-Mutsu/non-Japan type person were to go into the hospital the scene would definitely solidify that J is an ageing society.
Another wild thing....they didn't use gloves. Even in the room with everyone sitting there giving blood. Not a single person with gloves on...with all that blood around.
On the not so wild side, but interesting: I did not see any young people at the hospital. The only person that I saw who was younger than me, was a HS student. Only one. Everyone else would be considered a senior citizen. Maybe there is a pediatric hospital elsewhere...but if a random non-Mutsu/non-Japan type person were to go into the hospital the scene would definitely solidify that J is an ageing society.
CO CO COLD
I haven't gone quite this far with my grand thoughts (otherwise described as paranoia) but I am sure the doctor thinks so. Since I have been in J, especially this past winter, I have had a few ailments. Just to make sure, I went to the doctor to get a blood test today. We have ruled out most things, including CO poisoning and anemia. Basically, my bill of health is good...although he missed my sinusitis, but hey, that's not his specialty.
There are varying opinions:
Doctor: culture shock
* But his doesn't really count b/c as soon as I walked in the door he said nothing was wrong with me and I was just having culture shock. He said all of this before he realized that I have been living here for a year and half AND I have sinusitis.
DMB: Stress
* She thinks that my headaches, fatigue, loss of voice, etc. are due to stress.
Me: C-O-L-D
* I think this cold weather is getting to me. As a result, I am having dis-ease issues. Although I did think that I had CO poisoning.
I didn't go into work today b/c I didn't feel well. I had no intention of going to the English teacher's enkai tonight, but my supervisor called me and said that the organizer was hoping that I would still come :O eh?! nani? so after some guilt trippin' b/c the organizer "made special arrangements for my dinner and now, he will have to cancel"...so I'm going. Now, here we go...I am not sure why he arranged food for me, when I told them that I would order when I got there. They are acting like my food requires special ingredients. I'll see how things go...well at least I don't have to cook tonight :)
There are varying opinions:
Doctor: culture shock
* But his doesn't really count b/c as soon as I walked in the door he said nothing was wrong with me and I was just having culture shock. He said all of this before he realized that I have been living here for a year and half AND I have sinusitis.
DMB: Stress
* She thinks that my headaches, fatigue, loss of voice, etc. are due to stress.
Me: C-O-L-D
* I think this cold weather is getting to me. As a result, I am having dis-ease issues. Although I did think that I had CO poisoning.
I didn't go into work today b/c I didn't feel well. I had no intention of going to the English teacher's enkai tonight, but my supervisor called me and said that the organizer was hoping that I would still come :O eh?! nani? so after some guilt trippin' b/c the organizer "made special arrangements for my dinner and now, he will have to cancel"...so I'm going. Now, here we go...I am not sure why he arranged food for me, when I told them that I would order when I got there. They are acting like my food requires special ingredients. I'll see how things go...well at least I don't have to cook tonight :)
