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...