This week I have been working on a self-introduction power point presentation to present to my students on the first days of classes. I included some pictures and information about my life/interests/family, etc. and the US. The main point I want to make is that the US is a land of differences because of the large land space (i.e. different climates, landscapes, etc.) and the different groups of people (different languages, cultures, etc.) Besides that I have to prepare a short speech to introduce myself to the teachers next Tuesday and the whole school next Sunday.
On Wednesday of this week we went on a tour of the kencho (prefectural government building). We saw the place where the state assembly meets, governers office (I kept accidentally sitting at the guest of honors chair in the meeting rooms) and emergency call center (satellite and antenna response to emergencies). It was interesting to see what happens in this building...I might try to attend one of the assemblies of the representatives (there are 118 seats for visitors) but I wouldn't understand what they were saying...
It's a little frustrating not to be able to read things...I made curry and it came out all watery because I couldn't read the instructions. I guess I will just learn these things by trial and error...and I guess that is a motivating factor to learn to read.
Everywhere I go (especially stores) there is English music playing. If it is not English music it is Japanese music with some English (like one of my favorite new songs "Love This Music (Pushim feat. Jing Teng"). If I watch TV I always watch the music channel to check out what's popular here. There is this one song/video I don't get at all?! This guy is dancing crazy...maybe check if it is on youtube?? I think the name is Sakerock.
As environmentally friendly and eco thoughtful Japan is, they wrap everything! I still can't figure out the exact system to recycle but I have the basics for trash days down. That's because I missed the last time and I have a whole bag full of non-burnables that have been in my house for a week and a half.
Yesterday we had the contract signing ceremony. It was very formal, but oddly enough we didn't sign anything?! We didn't even put our hanko (seal that everyone has in place of a signature). We did a lot of standing up, bowing, sitting down, saying "Hai" when our name was called. It was very short. We had a reception afterwards and I was placed at the table with the superintendent of the Fukui prefectural Board of Education but he kept walking away from the table...so I didn't try my Japanese out on him.
I just went to the Fukui International Association building to meet with legal consultants to help me with the process to find papa. It is a free service they offer every so often. I arrived right on time but didn't know exactly where to go so for 50 minutes I waited for them as they were waiting for me! Anyways it worked out and one of the ladies is going to try to obtain a copy of my father's koseki (family registry) so we can get more information (since I am not giving them very much to work from).
Right now I am in AOSSA...a building centrally located in downtown. It is one of my favorite places to go. First floor has shops (I just gave in and bought a pair of crocs for indoor school shoes - I think they are sort of ugly but they are comfortable), 2nd floor hair salon/baby shops, 3rd food court, 4th library and who knows up above. It just seems like a community place. This is also where I am using the free internet!!
Tomorrow I am going to try to attend a lantern lighting festival (I haven't been to any festivals yet)...and Monday we have a day full of workshops on team teaching.
I have been trying to post pictures but I can't find a computer to upload them on except the one at school where I would have to upload one by one. I will try to post a blog atleast once every Saturday from now on...(Friday night in the States).
On Wednesday of this week we went on a tour of the kencho (prefectural government building). We saw the place where the state assembly meets, governers office (I kept accidentally sitting at the guest of honors chair in the meeting rooms) and emergency call center (satellite and antenna response to emergencies). It was interesting to see what happens in this building...I might try to attend one of the assemblies of the representatives (there are 118 seats for visitors) but I wouldn't understand what they were saying...
It's a little frustrating not to be able to read things...I made curry and it came out all watery because I couldn't read the instructions. I guess I will just learn these things by trial and error...and I guess that is a motivating factor to learn to read.
Everywhere I go (especially stores) there is English music playing. If it is not English music it is Japanese music with some English (like one of my favorite new songs "Love This Music (Pushim feat. Jing Teng"). If I watch TV I always watch the music channel to check out what's popular here. There is this one song/video I don't get at all?! This guy is dancing crazy...maybe check if it is on youtube?? I think the name is Sakerock.
As environmentally friendly and eco thoughtful Japan is, they wrap everything! I still can't figure out the exact system to recycle but I have the basics for trash days down. That's because I missed the last time and I have a whole bag full of non-burnables that have been in my house for a week and a half.
Yesterday we had the contract signing ceremony. It was very formal, but oddly enough we didn't sign anything?! We didn't even put our hanko (seal that everyone has in place of a signature). We did a lot of standing up, bowing, sitting down, saying "Hai" when our name was called. It was very short. We had a reception afterwards and I was placed at the table with the superintendent of the Fukui prefectural Board of Education but he kept walking away from the table...so I didn't try my Japanese out on him.
I just went to the Fukui International Association building to meet with legal consultants to help me with the process to find papa. It is a free service they offer every so often. I arrived right on time but didn't know exactly where to go so for 50 minutes I waited for them as they were waiting for me! Anyways it worked out and one of the ladies is going to try to obtain a copy of my father's koseki (family registry) so we can get more information (since I am not giving them very much to work from).
Right now I am in AOSSA...a building centrally located in downtown. It is one of my favorite places to go. First floor has shops (I just gave in and bought a pair of crocs for indoor school shoes - I think they are sort of ugly but they are comfortable), 2nd floor hair salon/baby shops, 3rd food court, 4th library and who knows up above. It just seems like a community place. This is also where I am using the free internet!!
Tomorrow I am going to try to attend a lantern lighting festival (I haven't been to any festivals yet)...and Monday we have a day full of workshops on team teaching.
I have been trying to post pictures but I can't find a computer to upload them on except the one at school where I would have to upload one by one. I will try to post a blog atleast once every Saturday from now on...(Friday night in the States).
No comments:
Post a Comment