So if I understood correctly...

So if I understood correctly...yesterday (Monday), one of my students told me her dad died on Friday morning, something about a gun. What I don't understand...on Friday we had ball games (a time for the students to relax after exams and for teachers to grade) and I was chatting with that exact student. If her dad died, wouldn't she have been pulled out of school? I asked her yesterday why she was in school and she said she didn't come to school on Sunday (because students sometimes come on Sunday). I understand having to move on and everything but being in school on the dad your dad died and coming back 3 days later seems a little extreme to me.

On a lighter note...(I haven't had regular classes for awhile, just lessons on Christmas but I forgot to write about this). At the beginning of the term I had students make notecards with information about themselves. Then, I can use these cards to call on students throughout the semester (so I don't call on the same kid all the time). Anyways, so I was just going about my usual routine and called on "Ayumi Hamasaki". Everyone just bursts out laughing and wouldn't stop. Then I realized that Ayumi Hamasaki is a Japanese famous singer... not one of my students. The student had put Ayumi's name in the place where her name was supposed to go and put her name where her favorite singer was supposed to go. It was pretty funny. http://avexnet.or.jp/ayu/index.html

Other than that...just waiting til Winter Break. We have our closing ceremony on the 22nd, the same day that Maya comes!

Thoughts about the search for my dad...

I am always intrigued by the unique reasons we JET’s all come to Japan. I have heard many…from wanting a change to being intrigued by Japanese culture and language to well, you name it! For me, this trip was for selfish reasons, I must say. It was a personal journey that I have waited for years to fulfill. Since I was a child I always wanted to come to Japan and see how life was like, how the people are, how the language sounds…in other words, how my life would have been like. How my life would have been like if my parents had stayed together and stayed in Japan, that is. See, my mom met my dad when she was a missionary in Kumamoto (Kyushu). Long story short they got married and decided to move to the US. Another long story short they got divorced and one day my dad mysteriously disappeared. He left his work, his life and his family with no word, no warning. He eventually sent us letters from all the places he was (California, Hawaii, Australia, Philippines and finally Japan) and called a few times but we haven’t heard from him since, and that was 13 or so years ago. So now, here I am living in Japan, with my brother…and our sister will be coming for the winter break.

When I arrived in Japan as a fresh faced JET I went to the FIA to ask Benjamin and the very very helpful staff there for help in locating my dad. Two weeks later I had a copy of his koseki (family registry) which contained his address. Last Friday, a few months after I obtained his address, I sat down and wrote my dad a letter. I had been procrastinating to write it. Why would I procrastinate on the very reason I came to Japan? Why would I wait to reconnect with my birth father? Well, I think out of fear of the unknown, fear of rejection, fear of disappointment, and so on (in the words of my students). I don’t know who the man who brought me onto this earth is…I don’t know what he does for a living…I don’t know what he likes to do…I don’t know anything. And I want to know, or do I really? I mean, I have lived 13 years without him, without the love and care that a father is supposed to provide. (The absent father is a common story these days, sad, but true.) My mother has provided all the love and support that my siblings and I needed and her side of the family has provided the same. So it’s not that I feel something has been missing…or that I regret anything. If my dad had stayed I would be a completely different person now. Maybe I am searching for closure, maybe I am searching for the father I never had, maybe I am searching for a connection that will be hard to well, reconnect. There are so many unknowns. Right now I am just going through the motions. Maybe when I will leave Japan I will be reconnected to my roots and feel united with my Japanese family. But more likely, I will leave Japan with more questions than when I came, whether or not my dad responds…so many unknowns.

Just when I was getting bored...

So the second semester of the school year is coming to a close... just when I was getting bored...of reading some of the 325 essays I have to read...here are some that kept me interested.

"First, if we wear a school uniform, we will awake to our position. That’s because a school uniform has a mysterious power, it makes us serious." (I should wear a uniform then).

"I want to study English very hard from now on. So I think that Japanese people should learn English." (This is very common...do we say study English very hard? I don't even know what is correct English anymore and they always validate everything with So...)

"I may open a field of world vision." (regarding conducting business in English...that sounds cool)

"When the children grow up, they will become a person to be considerate of others and a motorcycle gang, because of being given mother’s love." (What?)

"For example Chinese is similar to English how sentences is look like English." (Chinese doesn't look or sound anything like English to me but I guess to a Japanese person they both sound foreign).

"Second, a school uniform is not comfortable. It is stiff and it is not easy to run and sports and so on. More over it is become feels heavy when I have eaten so much, Especially, skirt become too tight." (some things are just universal).

"You know an alchol is magical drinks…I wish I could drink alchol at a picnic under the cherry blossoms." (a budding poet)

Hope you have enjoyed these excerpts from my student writing. Not too much is new here...although this past weekend, in the period of 2 hours it snowed, rained, hailed and was sunny. And sometimes when snow falls, it thunderstorms as well! One new thing: Maya is coming for Winter Break! I am excited. Oh, and I wrote my dad a letter and sent it. And I cut my hair!

Winter is coming...

So...since the last time I posted...

I visited an elementary school which was a nice change from the high school setting. The kids were so cute and helpful. I shared information about myself and my country and they showed me how to paint flowers in the traditional Japanese style (the picture is not my artwork).

I went to Kobe to visit one of my supervising teachers from student teaching who was in Japan on a delegation from St. Paul to Nagasaki (sister cities). It was awesome to see her and meet her friend. Her friend was very generous and treated us to a night stay in hotel with an onsen (hot springs) and a huge traditional Japanese full course meal. We were stuffed and had a relaxing time.

Our prefecture had our Midyear Conference. It was two exhausting days but packed with good information. Five of the teachers that I collaborate with attended so I think that it opened up communication between us. I also led a workshop. It was very hot in the room so it was difficult to present but all-in-all I think it went well.

Last week, it snowed for the first time. Supposedly it is rare to snow here this early...since then it has hailed twice and rained all week. Maybe it won't snow again for awhile but the snow on top of the mountains is pretty from afar. Up close...well let's just say it is difficult to bike in the snow. They don't plow the streets here...instead they have sprinklers in the streets that squirt out water to melt the snow.

This past Friday night...we went out for pizza. We got the terikyaki chicken pizza which had chicken, artichokes, corn and some other toppings I forgot. There were some interesting pizzas on the menu...some with squid and octopus...things that I don't know if I will try...

School is going fine but I have been sick this week which sucks. They have decided to turn on the heaters a week early since it has gotten colder earlier than usual. This means the classrooms and teachers rooms are warm but the hallways are as cold as it is outside. It is hard to constantly adjust to the temperature changes. And the heaters smelled heavily of gas...so you open the windows but the smell made me get a headache.

Not much of an update...

Not much of an update. We (Yuki and I) are settled in here and have a routine.

This past weekend

We went to another reggae party. It was fun but it was so smoky! A lot of people smoking is a small space = hard to breathe and sore eyes. Japanese people seem to be so healthy, but so many of them smoke. I don't get it.

I met with some other ALT's and went out to the gardens by Maruoka Castle (didn't go inside, will save that for later)...I wanted to see some pretty leaves changing before they all fall off.

We also went to the grounds of Eiheiji temple (didn't go inside, will save that for later). It was very beautiful with the tall trees, changing leaves, waterfall, architecture, ancient burial grounds, etc. I hope to go back and spend the night there one day...to live like a monk for one night.

School

Some classes have really gotten on my nerves. I constantly have to tell them to stop talking. Hmm...

Anyways, I attended tea ceremony club for the first time this week. I participated as a guest and I hope to go back regularly and learn how to prepare the tea for the tea ceremony. It is very formalized, structured and there are so many steps. I really admire their attention to detail.

The schedule is so irregular so some days I have 5 classes and some days I have 1. So I am really tired some days, and bored other days. I have been trying to studying Japanese in my free time at school (because Yuki turns on Grey's Anatomy at home so I can't concentrate). It has been working out pretty well and two of my students volunteered to help me study. Today was a beautiful sunny day so I actually went outside for lunch and to study Japanese. I want to enjoy the nice days while they are left.

The World for Obama

So yesterday I wore my Obama shirt (that I bought when I went to Obama, Fukui, Japan). Even though I had already put in my vote (via absentee ballot) and even though Japanese people here can't vote I just wanted to raise awareness of the US Election. It turns out another ALT was wearing the same shirt. Then I aired it out and wore it to school today. I have only gotten positive reactions.

Today I only had one class so I watched about 2 1/2 hour of videos on CNN. It was interesting and very inspirational...especially all the videos of first time voters. I almost wished that I could have waited in line for hours to be a part of it all (I have always voted absentee). I also watched many videos about people's reactions and opinions from around the world and how important this election is to many people around the world. I was keeping close tabs on the"History as it happens" section on the CNN website where they post the state by state results and was worried about being overly confident. I went to lunch and talked with a student about the election. They said they liked Obama and I asked why. They said, "black, white...he is fair" and "I like his thinking". I said, "me too".

One thing I got annoyed with was that in almost every article in the newspaper I read here it mentioned that Obama will be the first black president. I was always thinking, well duh can we just get to the issues? But now I realize how significant it really is, how far our country has come. And I can relate to him as a biracial person and realize how he can bring people together regardless of factors such as race.

Today after I came back from lunch some new results were posted (on the West Coast) and now Obama has 306 electoral votes, 36 more than he needs to win the Presidential election. I am trying to hold back tears. I am so proud of our country, proud at this moment to be an American. Before I came to Japan I always hesitated to call myself an American. Now that I have been here awhile people always ask what country I am from so I say America (that is what they call it here) or the US and so I have accepted the label of American. But today I can actually say I am proud to be an American... we are looking towards change in the US, we are hopeful. Voter turnouts broke records this election. It is so exciting. And can I just say that Lucas County voted 70% Obama and 29% McCain...so great job to all the organizers out in Toledo!

おひさしぶりですね (long time, no see)

So time flies and it has already been two weeks since my last post. This blog is my only form of writing out my thoughts while I am here so I want to make sure that I am consistently writing. Since the last time I wrote...I think I am pretty much settled in to life here. So maybe I have felt that I don't have much to write that is new but there are still things all the time that are different, shocking, exciting, etc.

Last Weekend

Last weekend in Fukui were the Halloween celebrations planned by the local International Club. It happened a week earlier than I am used to Halloween being, so I was not in the Halloween mood but I did go to the local mall to see a bunch of cute kids dressed up. We also had the international festival at the local international association. Yuki and I stayed all day, first volunteering to monitor kid games and face paint and then enjoyed food from around the world and all kinds of performances (dance, singing, capoeira, etc.) It seems like I always see Japanese people around so it was nice to see some of the foreigners in Fukui come together. I still get surprised when I see a non-Japanese person. Japan is a homogenous country, and there are more and more foreigners coming into Japan but it still throws me off.

School

Ichi-nenseiis are doing show and tell presentations. I have been getting very angry with students who talk during other students presentations. It is not really my job to discipline but some classes probably think I am mean because I have gotten really stern with them. With the ni-nenseiis I am still trying to figure out how to teach Writing. I just feel bad that they are my guinea pigs.

I helped a JTE out with one of his classes where he would be evaluated by other teachers and a member of the Board of Education. He was so nervous which made me nervous but it made me remember when my supervisors would come into watch me student teach. I told him that he is a great teacher and they just want to help him improve.

I have been going to cooking club and am going to start going to Tea Ceremony Club and hopefully Japanese Music Ensemble club.

This weekend

This weekend was so great because May (and her friend Holly) and Kelina came to Fukui. It made it feel more like home. So now I am less homesick. We did a lot, so we are exhausted today. On Saturday we went to Katsuyama where some other JET's drove us around. We went to the dinosaur museum (many dinosaur remains have been found in Fukui), the Big Buddha (supposedly the biggest in Japan, was built only 20 years ago so doesn't have much historical significance or get much recognition) and Heisenji (a beautiful nature walk with fresh air and like "natural refrigerator" because the air was so cool). Yesterday we went to Takefu to the Crysanthemum Dolls which depicted the story of the Tale of Genji (which I don't know) and to Tojimbo cliffs (the place I went before when Yuki first arrived, it is known for it's beauty but it is infamous for many suicides).

In general

It is getting colder...and with no central heating I am not looking forward to the winter. In school the hallways are as cold as outside so I will probably dread leaving the teachers room.

Yuki got the job at McDonald's but first has to go through the Japanese paperwork process. He needs a postal bank account (Japanese post offices do much more than mail), but before that he needs a certain type of Japanese identification, before that he needs a copy of his koseki (family registry) and also his hanko (personal seal). So hopefully it won't take too long.

I am procrastinating on writing our dad a letter. Maya wants Yuki to take care of it and Yuki doesn't know what to write so I think I will write him an impersonal letter asking him to meet with us and see if he responds.

せんしゅのしゅまつ (this past weekend)

Friday

I went with two classes of ichi-nenseii students on their school (day) trip. We went to Mikuni (about an hour bus ride from Fukui City) and enjoyed the coast, a great BBQ (I was so full) and afterwards went bowling. I was SO exhausted, especially because on Fridays I usually get off at 1:00 (half day) but we got back to school at 5:00 p.m. At the coast, some of the students had caught all these creatures of the sea (I can't think of what they are called) but we later found out it was illegal so they put them back.

Mami's goodbye party was very chill and a lot of fun. It was a taco potluck. Some ingredients you would usually put in a taco are hard to find here...like cheddar cheese, or sour cream. You have to go on a special outing to get tortilla chips, I guess. Mami will be back in about a month but I realized that I just got to know her a few months ago but I still consider her a close friend. I think people make friends fast here...out of necessity for a sense of belonging and to have a support system. I am glad that I have made friends that I can trust and enjoy spending time with.

Saturday/Sunday

A group of us from Fukui headed down to Osaka. We met up with May and Kelina. It was a rushed weekend but fun. Osaka is a big city full of shopping. When we were packed into the train I realized I am not a big city girl. But I do like to visit big cities. Kelina had a very nice apartment on the 19th floor of her building so we got a great view. We had okonomiyaki which is a food famous in Osaka.

Monday

My school had the day off so Yuki and I did errands. He went to a clinic where the doctor spoke English and charged a reasonable price. So we were happy. We went to look for jobs but I got frustrated because I couldn't speak Japanese or understand. But he has an interview tomorrow...so our fingers are crossed.

School

In ichi-nenseii classes we are preparing for the oral presentations they will give (show and tell). So there is a lot of editing, rewriting, rephrasing, etc. It is difficult at times because of the language barrier but when we figure it out it is so exciting. In ni nenseii classes at the beginning of the class we do a warm up activity. The students come up with pizza toppings and Japanese pizza toppings are much different than American...squid, corn, tuna, fish, etc. Sounds...interesting. During class we have been brainstorming and writing essays and it is very difficult for most of the students. I don't know how to motivate the ones who just sit there or don't respond to my questions. I don't know if I should keep trying or put my focus on students who seem to care at least a little.

Random

So it's not looking good to visit Morocco so I have been sad this week...and getting homesick...but I hope it will pass. I am trying to keep things planned for my weekends (to look forward to) and stay busy with after shool activities so it doesn't get worse...

Toyohashi
This weekend was so much fun. Yuki, our friend Natasha and I went to visit some friends in Toyohashi in Aichi prefecture (that we had met over 5 years ago when they came to Toledo through a Sister Cities Program). When we arrived we headed straight to the onsen, or public bath. It was very relaxing. I don't think those would ever fly in the US just because people are so self conscious of their bodies so I will enjoy them while I am in Japan. They have different kind of tubs (jets, salts, etc.) with different temperatures.

The next day we went to a big shopping center and the fish market. We tried a lot of new food. I want to be open minded but I still have trouble eating really slimy things. But I didn't feel bad cuz the vendor told me she didn't like what I said I didn't like either. We went back to our friends house where her mom cooked a HUGE meal with sashimi and oden. There is a picture posted of the food. She went all out. I call her Super Woman now ;-)

We went to the local festival where they were shooting off fireworks but people were holding them and then lit them off...very dangerous...but exciting. The next day we went to another local festival and had a delicious lunch and afterwards carried a mikoshi (portable shrine). It was very heavy. We said Washoi (spelling?) which means lift Japan. We carried the portable shrine to the "non-portable" shrine where the festivities continued. We then went to another area where they throw mochi off of a platform and everyone scrambles to pick up as much as they can. Kind of reminded me of a pinata. We did so much and I was exhausted but it was worth it.

Reggae
On the bus on the way to Toyohashi was one of the local reggae artists we saw perform at the Irie 365 concert that I raved about before. He invited us to a concert on Monday (national holiday - Health and Sports Day). It was in a town about an hour away and we had a great time listening to reggae music and afterwards went to a restaurant/bar to eat fancy oishii (delcious) food, eat espresso ice cream and play simulation golf. We learned some Fukui-ben (the local dialect perceived by other parts of Japan as country talk). My favorite is Hoya Hoya which means Yeah Yeah and danne which means no problem. Yet another great weekend.

School
This week is midterm examinations so I have no classes. But I do have a lot of grading! I am grading scripts that ichi-nenseii (first year students) wrote for their upcoming oral presentations. It is difficult cuz there are 346 of them and they start to all sound the same. Some of the same errors are occuring so I will try to address these in class. The ninenseii students are in Okinawa, which I call the Hawaii of Japan. I wish I could be there too.

Yuki
Yuki is still a little sick...I hope we don't have to take him to the doctor again. Other than that he is very active - doing aikido, Japanese lessons and hip hop class. We will soon start looking for a job but it is a little more difficult that we would have thought because he doesn't have a college diploma AND he doesn't speak Japanese (but he is learning fast). If it was just one of those it might be easier...hmm.

What I am looking forward to:

• Our friend Mami's going away party. I met Mami here in Japan and she is moving to Canada. I am sad, but glad friends can get together before she leaves
• This weekend we will visit Osaka and will see May and Kelina (I knew them before I came to Japan from UESS in MN) and Masa (our brother who we hosted when he came to Toledo through Sister Cities)
• Morocco - it is looking good to visit Rachid there in December so I am very excited!!!

A trip to the hospital

This past weekend...

Movies
Yuki and I went with two friends to see Wanted this past Friday. in Japan, if the theater is full you choose your seat when you buy your ticket (on a screen at the ticket counter). That is different than first come, first serve in the US. For the English movies you can also choose if you want subtitles or voice overs.

Speech Contest
I was one of the (volunteer) judges for the Fukui Prefecture High School English Oratorical Speech Contest on Saturday. There were three sections: technical/vocational school, general/academic school and impromptu speeches. I, along with another ALT, and two Japanese judges judged the 2nd section. In section 2, there were a little over 20 students who gave speeches on numerous topics. I thought they were all so brave to give a speech in English. They all really did a great job...it was hard to give numerical values to their speeches based on content, English and delivery (the categories we rated them in) and to pick the 3 prize winners and honorable mentions. Some were more standout in a particular category and some were more well rounded. The top two winners will go on to the regional competition and maybe even national. The winner we chose wrote about how she is the natto ambassador. I have mentioned natto (fermented soy beans) before...one of those acquired tastes. I like it but many people don't. Her topic choice was unique and very good delivery (she showed her passion for this topic, even if a bit silly).

Hospital
Yuki came down with something like strep. It was getting worse so we decided to go to the hospital. It could have been a very frustrating experience but luckily one of our friends was there and translated for us. It was still frustrating not being able to understand what the doctor was saying and not be able to answer questions. The emergency room was very busy when we arrived but they cleared it out fast...another example of Japan's efficiency. I was very frustrated with trying to get medicine. I went three places before I could find a place that could fill the prescription. I guess even some pharmacies are closed on Sundays. I guess you just can't get sick on Sundays!

School
Today I arrived at school and the schedule changed (this is not unusual). I still don't really get why it changes so often. I had four classes in a row so I am beat. On a random note, aside from the Oral Communication and Writing classes I teach the students have English reading and English grammar courses. I am also helping a girl prepare for her college (English) interview. I am not sure exactly what questions to ask...

Yuki is here!

Yuki's arrival

Yuki's arrival went very smoothly. His plane was even 20 minutes early and it took him only 30 minutes from the time the plane landed, to get through customs, get bags and meet me. Japan is so efficient. We were hungry when we got back to Fukui (maybe 9 a.m. Toledo time/11:00 p.m. Fukui time) and went to this portable ramen shop that is sometimes set up near the station. We took a taxi home. Yuki seems to be adjusting to the time difference very well because he kept up and stayed awake for the busy weekend.

Tojimbo Cliffs

On Saturday I met with one of my JTE's and one of his friends who wanted to "meet foreigners" at Starbucks (I think it is the only one in Fukui). I tried a matcha (green tea) frappacino. Good stuff. The girl ended up being really kewl, my age and we plan to hang out again. I was asking them places they would recommend that we visit and it ended up in actually going to one of them that day. We visited Tojimbo Cliffs...cliffs overlooking the ocean...and we went during the sunset. A must see in Fukui. Fukui is underrated. Many Japanese have never been here and many foreigners don't plan to visit here... but there is so much to see!

Host Family

We met with our host family again on Saturday at a local festival. Our host mother took us back to her house...3 stories I might add (this is HUGE for a Japanese house). With buttons in the bathroom that you can use to control the toilet cover! And we took a ride in their Mercedes Benz van to visit some local popular places...waterfalls and a reconstructed samurai village. The family is banking...but they are still very modest, humble and so welcoming. I still haven't met the father...I think he works a lot. The kids are a lot of fun. The girl is willing to try out English and teach Japanese. The 3 year old boy is tons of energy.

School

Yuki has come to school yesterday and today with me and helped me with classes, met students, etc. It has been great to have him here and I think many of the girls are quite taken with him. Yuki is very observant...and makes me think about differences that to me now seem like normal. For example, their school lunch here is better than Japanese food back home! I am getting in the swing of how to teach English classes here and adjusting to working with 10 different teachers. The first class sometimes goes crazy but I always have 8 more tries. It is interesting that each class has different characteristics based on how the teacher runs and interacts with the class. I am excited because I found out now that I have 10 minutes of each class to play a game or activity...instead of only teaching from the textbook. I am trying to start learning Japanese by listening to the translations the teacher gives and asking students how to say our vocabulary in Japanese.

Outside of school

Yuki and I went on a price comparison shopping trip yesterday...and found out produce is expensive everywhere! For example, we saw two pears for 398 yen. Tonight I have Japanese class and haven't studied in two weeks...whoops. Yuki will start aikido tonight.

Getting into the swing of things...

This past weekend...
was so much fun. It started out with a JET P themed party where you wear something that starts with the letter P and bring something that starts with the letter P. I wore pajamas and brought these pea snacks (that I have to find once I get back to the States). ;-) On Saturday a group of us went to an event called Irie 365 - Reggae Bash. It was all these Japanese people representing Jamaica...very interesting but fun. My favorite artist was Sing J Roy who sings this song "Jamaica is island..." Us English teachers had to discuss that the article was omitted in that sentence...but it is a good song and we met him informally afterwards. There was a lot of interesting outfits at the bash. Anyways, afterwards a few of us went to a salsa dance (at the same place I take hip hop)...there was a lot of Japanese men moving their hips. And to think someone once told me that Japanese people can't dance! It was a lot of fun. They mostly played salsa, but a little bachata and merengue too. And on Sunday I met my host mom and her children. She was a very not stereotypical Japanese lady. She came up to me, was very excited and even gave me a hug! Her kids are 3 and 9 and have lots of energy so this should be fun!


School
So we are in the 4th official week of school and 3rd week of classes. I am getting in the swing of the schedule. The schedule that I am given changes often so for my sanity I am glad I am flexible. I have been lucky because each week we've had some sort of holiday or day off and so I am getting used to four day weeks...but need to prepare for five day weeks coming up...with days with four classes in a row. It will be exhausting. I am a little frustrated because we are so tied to lesson planning from the textbook and sometimes I feel like a human tape recorder. I am trying to find ways/activities that could be interesting to the students but that also fulfill the objectives that the teachers want (to prepare students for the college examination tests). This experience is making me really look forward to having my own classroom where I could adapt the content to student interests.

Autumnal Equinox Day
So, one of our holidays was yesterday...randomly in the middle of the week. It was nice to catch up on sleep and visit some friends in the southern towns of Sabae and Takefu. They took me to Tom's toast...this awesome restaurant with huge bread! (I had red bean paste and ice cream) and we also went to the coast. The weather is getting cooler...so I am glad we made it out there before it gets too cold.

Yuki's arrival
Yuki comes tomorrow and I am so excited. I will have to hold back my excitement of wanting to show him everything so he can rest/sleep from the jet lag. It will be nice to share this experience with him and even nicer when Maya comes and we are all together. My mom will come later in the year which I am looking forward to!

Using Japanese

my new candy supply a view from Itagaki bridge

In General: I am still settling in and getting into the routine.

Speaking Japanese with non-native speakers: In my Japanese class it is interesting because there are people from all around the world who speak many different languages... all there to learn Japanese. So, unlike my Olaf Japanese classes where I could rely on English to communicate with my classmates or clarify a concept, English doesn't always help. This week I was sitting by Chinese speakers so we were able to communicate a little...if we want to communicate, it sure forces us to speak Japanese. I have, however, befriended two people from the Phillippines who I can speak English with if need be. By the way, I bought a notebook from the dollar store (hyaku yen) store for my Japanese studies and on the front says: "many happy returns...Themselves happy, they made the others, too" and on the inside it says on every page..."happy as a pig in shit.." with hearts and a bow. Got to love Engrish!

Using Japanese everyday: I have found that now, instead of going into stores/places and immediately saying "Nihongo ga hanasemasen" (I don't speak Japanese)...I go in and try to speak Japanese and if I don't understand what they say I say, "Sukoshi Nihongo ga wakarimasu" (I understand a little bit of Japanese). I think that this is a little more positive way to look at it then how I was doing it before. This week I used Japanese at the post office...it is strange...sometimes it is cheaper AND faster to send a package under a certain category (small package, for example) than other methods...hmm. I also used a little Japanese to get a points card at the local grocery store, Hearts (with the help of a teacher at school who filled out the application for me).

Japanese TV: I know this is a small world view but I am always surprised when there is a non-Japanese person on tv speaking fluent Japanese. This usually happens with artists on the music channel...and espcially these VJ's on Space Shower TV. I know people can speak many languages and grow up anywhere...but for some reason it surprises me every time. In any other country I don't think that this would suprise me but maybe it is because I had always heard that Japan is so homogenous. http://www.spaceshowertv.com/transporter/vj.html

School: Yay! I am half way through my self introductions! Only 9 more to go! I really have to figure out how to adapt the presentation so I don't lose interest myself ;-) I am getting tired of hearing myself talk about myself. Each class has their own personality and response to my presentation. This week I taught ni-nenseii's (second years - equivalent of Juniors/11th grade in the States) for the first time. I tried to adapt to their level by providing a harder worksheet and speaking a little faster. I had to refill my candy supply (I brought some from the states and it is all gone). 9 lessons of the same lesson (9 per grade) will really let me figure out what works and what doesn't and to improve each time (hopefully).

Getting connected: A girl I met told me about Vonage, a digital phone service where I can have a US number and pay a set fee every month. It requires an internet connection...which I am trying to set up. There are English languages services...but I still don't understand b/c of the technical lingo. I don't know what I would do if it was all in Japanese!


Woo hoo: I am super excited...Yuki is coming next week!!!

a busy weekend...from enkais to obama

After school on Friday (I have a half day, I get off at one) I went shopping at UNIQLO. Other JETs have told me that is a store for "big girls"... in other words they have western sized clothes. I have done a lot of window shopping since I have been here and some of the boutiques/shops have nothing that would fit me. So I was very excited. I went a little crazy and spent 10000 Yen...let's just say around 100 USD. But I got 9 shirts and 5 pairs of pants so I was also excited because not only could I fit the clothes but could afford them as well ;-)

Friday night was our enkai or teacher/staff party. We had it in a fancy European style room in a local hotel. It started out very formal with some speeches (including a brief one in Japanese by me) and then the kampai (cheers) to me ;-), the new ALT. Then many dishes were brought out...some new but all delicious. I had to ask how to eat some of the things correctly, like shrimp and oysters with chopsticks. Many of the teachers and staff came and talked to me which was nice because usually in school we don't have time for that. People would go around (this was the more informal part) and if someone even took one sip of beer, or whatever they happened to be drinking (I was drinking tea), they would refill their cup so in actuality I think no one had any idea how much they were drinking. So after the food and drink and socializing there were another round of speeches... it was pretty funny (even though I don't know what they were saying in their speeches) because even though I couldn't understand what they were saying they were fumbling over their words, had red faces and glazed over eyes. It was nice to see these teachers/staff can have fun after all their hard work.

After, a few people decided to continue the evenings festivities so I decided against being antisocial and went along. I said that I would like to sing karaoke sometime so they said we would go that night. So we walked in to this small bar which sits probably around 16 people. It didn't look like the karaoke rooms that I had been to my last time in Japan. Some girls came to sit with us so I just assumed that they were girlfriends/wives of the male teachers. They weren't introduced to me which I thought was a little strange. When other men entered the bar, however, the women got up to serve them so then I figured that this was one of the hostess bars that I had heard about. The customers pay for the woman to sit with them, entertain them and serve them (fill their cup, wipe off the water droplets on their cup, sing karaoke with them, conversate, etc.). To me, it seemed like modern day geishas. It was definitely an experience, but I wouldn't go back. We did end up singing some karaoke...I sang a bunch of my favorite songs in English.

Saturday morning I went on a mini BEE ride. There are a group of former JETs who are biking the whole length of Japan! So a few of us local Fukui people biked with them for about 15 kilometers to a local park. It was nice but I was out of shape and my bike had one gear. They were patient with me and slowed down for me.

I went to the local international center where a very kind woman has been helping me in the search for Papa. She gave me a copy of my koseki (family registry) and his koseki which has his most current listed address. Also, there are no other kids listed. So from what I can tell he now lives near Tokyo and has no other children. The lady said those papers were very important because it proves we are the legal heirs if something happens to him and she suggested we visit his family in Kagawa ken. I will wait til Yuki gets here to decide the next step. (Yuki should arrive in two weeks! Yay!)

That afternoon my friend Natasha and I jumped on a train to Obama City (southern part of Fukui) to go to their annual Hoze festival. In a description on-line it said it comes from the Hojoe ceremony at Yawata shrine. "The main purpose of the ‘Hojoe’ ceremony is to earn merits by freeing captured animals and to preach against the destroying of life, in accordance with ancient Chinese manuscripts." http://www.fuku-e.com/lang/english/en/en_festival1.html

There were many portable shrines being marched down the streets of Obama with people playing instruments and people pulling them. It is quite amazing because they are huge and so heavy with all the people on them! There was a lot of activity going on at the shrine. I believe people were paying their respects. There were performances...one in particular where it told of an epic battle between two guys for a woman. They did a dance/drum type performance with and it was with their faces covered! Also the people providing the musical accompaniment had their faces covered too...they were playing flutes. I wouldn't have known the background of the performance but I asked a local woman who explained to us (in English). Japanese people seem to be very proud of their culture and willing to share.

There was tons of good food. I don't even know what some of it was but I tried tako yaki...these fried octopus things and the crepes were awesome! (creme, fruit, chocolate and ice cream). And these one things on a stick (the outside was like a crepe, had vegetables inside, and sauce and bonito (dried fish flakes) on the outside)...very good, very Japanese. I know I said this before, but the MN State Fair needs to get hip to all this Japanese food on a stick.

Obama is on the Sea of Japan so it was quite beautiful as well...lots of mountains and water. So sometimes we would leave the festival to check out the great view. There was even some random Japanese guys on jet skis so one of my friends took a ride. Every day is an adventure!

Obama City has pics of Obama (Barack Obama) all over their city...with banners and signs. There is even a group called Obama for Obama that supports Barack Obama as the presidential candidate for the U.S. It is so random but so awesome. I had to buy a shirt... and a head band.

Today is Respect for the Aged Day... a national holiday. I am not sure what happens on this day but I do have work off. Some other teachers are here again on a day off!

the first days of classes...

These are posters that students in the ESS club made. Also, the classroom where I teach oral communication and the view from one of the windows in that room.


So...the main purpose of me to be in Japan and on the JET Program is not to travel around Japan, get involved in after school activities, learn Japanese and have exciting adventures (although that definitely is part of it which I enjoy very much) but to teach English and get students excited about English. So this week I got to start that ;-) Or attempt to at least.

Yesterday I had two classes and today I had one (so far they were all first year classes - the U.S. equivalent of sophomores). Next week I will start seeing the second years or ni-nenseii's. For the first lesson I do a self-introduction lesson. I have a powerpoint presentation with LOTS of pics and information about me, the US and family. The students fill in a worksheet to check their comprehension. Then they fill in a notecard to give me information about themselves. Little do they know that those will be used throughout the year to call on students randomly (equal opportunity... he he).

The room where I present is the LL room and very hot! Before the first class I was nervous so I was sweaty anyway and add the heat of the room and it was torture. After the class I realized the front window wasn't open...each class gets better though and I learn better ways to do things. I guess that is what good teaching is about...trial and error and always improving. For example, when I gave the notecard assignment the first time I discussed it briefly and many students completed the task differently than I had envisioned. Well the projector wasn't working today so I decided to go over the assignment as a class and that way made a lot more sense. Another good trait to have as a teacher...flexibility. Because the lesson will probably never go exactly as planned. Although the activities in the lesson have been going relatively smoothly and fit into the alloted class time.

I gave out stickers to students who answered questions to encourage them to raise their hand and answer a question in English (they aren't as shy as we were told but they are sure shyer in English class than they were on sports day and at the school festival). I think they thought the stickers were a little stupid (they were these small smiley face ones) but little did they know that at the end of class however many stickers they had would equal how many pieces of candy they would get...American candy. But I am running out so I think I need to buy some Japanese candy.
I try to say hello to all the students when they walk in the room and connect with them but I think learning names is going to be nearly impossible. At Jackson (where I student taught) Ms. Thomas and I had 19 classes and at one point I think I knew all 500 or so kids names but here the names get confusing to me. I don't know sometimes whether they are telling me their first or last name first (here, typically you say your family name first). And I don't know if they are boys or girls names sometimes. The least I can do is try, I guess. The JTE's (Japanese Teachers of English) help me by giving me suggestions to improve (which I greatly appreciate) and the most common one is to SLOW DOWN by how fast I am speaking. I don't think I talk to fast but I guess I have to look at it from their point of view. Could I really sit through someones self intro in Japanese for a whole 50 minutes? There were a couple of students sleeping in class. That could be for a variety of factors. I gently tapped them on the shoulder and asked them to wake up. I asked my JTE about this and she said it was up to me as to how I will deal with that. I mean, I want to hold students accountable and let them know I care that they are awake in English class. But I know they are under a lot of pressure and tired! So after that class with the sleeping students I tried to make a joke at the beginning of class just saying...I know you are tired/hot/hungry, etc. but please don't sleep in my class. But I think because I am not speaking Japanese...well English for them is easier to tune out and thus, sleepiness comes. I just hope I am not that boring.

Yay! I only have 15 more self intros to give...I need to get energy from somewhere. Luckily I am starting out with few classes to build up the occasional 4 or 5 a day (which is still not that bad...I am just not used to the schedule). And also luckily this week (substitute), next week (Respect for the Aged) and the next (Autumnal Equinox) all have one holiday so there are three 4 day work weeks in a row!

Yesterday was the first day of ESS (English Speaking Society) club. About 7 girls showed up. They spoke a lot in Japanese so I missed some things but they tried to ask me many questions (some personal) in English so that's good (that they are trying to use English). These girls choose to be there and want to learn English. They said they usually watch English movies (I recommeded Hitch...and I think somehow I agreed to bring it next week even though I don't have it??) and have discussions, they have a journal where we write back and forth, prepare for English essays/tests/speech competitions, etc., have holiday parties, etc. I gave the idea to set up a pen pal exchange with high school students in the US and maybe when family and friends come to visit Fukui I can ask them to come to ESS so the students have more exposure to English speakers. This will be something I can look forward to every week, a place where I can really get to know this group of students, and have more flexibility for activities (instead of following a curriculum).

Yesterday I went to Taiko (big Japanese drum) for the first time. It was all JET's and the Japanese teachers...it was very fun. And a good workout. I am glad I took a percussion class at Olaf because some of the techniques transfer...this is something I am going to stick with. The teacher speaks mostly Japanese, uses a few words in English. But then it is like a free Japanese lesson...it's the same with hip hop and calligraphy. The classes are very cheap...I think many of the teachers volunteer their time and want to share Japanese culture which I really appreciate and enjoy.

Now, I just have to figure out how to fill the next three hours at my desk at work (no more classes today)...

Useful Japanese phrases:


Do shitara ii desu ka. This translates to How do I do this? Very helpful...


and Nihongo de nan to iimasuka. How do you say this in Japanese/What do you call this in Japanese?