Hello and Happy Easter everyone!!!
Been a while since I've blogged, ne? Because this is a potentially large entry, I'm splitting it up into a few parts.
Spring has come (finally) to Japan. The way the school system works here is the school year goes from the beginning of April until mid March. Which means that the 3rd graders all graduated a few weeks ago. It was a big to-do, the Japanese really love their ceremonies. The children spent forever preparing, including having no classes at all a few days, just spending them doing preparations.
The ceremony itself was rather dull. In the beginning, the 1st and 2nd graders lined up along the middle of the gym and faced the middle. Then the 3rd graders all walked slowly and meaningfully through the lines in pairs. There were a lot of reeeeeally boring speeches, about half a dozen of them each lasting 10 minutes, during which nobody moved. Nobody even sneezed of breathed heavily. No clapping in between, just a solemn bow before and after each person. These kids are really disciplined!!!
There were a lot of songs during the ceremony, including the school son and a few farewell songs. We sang before and after the children got their diplomas. After each person got their diploma, they made a short speech. They started off okay, but by the end, there wasn't a dry eye in the house, and the boys that worked hard to keep their cool and tough looks during the year started bawling. Right afterwards, the 3rd years sang a farewell song, which must have been hard to do with them crying so much. I haven't shed so many tears in quite a while.
After the main ceremony, there was a break for lunch. Us teachers ate pre-made lunches, called bento, in the teachers' room. After lunch, there was a short ceremony for the 4 teachers who were leaving. The children did not know which teachers were leaving and which were staying until this moment, which is the last time they would be able to see them. I think it's kind of a cruel system, not really letting them say goodbye, but the Japanese claim it saves the kids from being too sad. Didn't work this time, as soon as they were announced, everyone started very loud tears in unison. The teachers gave speeches.
The children and teachers lined up in two lines outside and faced into the middle. While they clapped, the 3rd graders gathered up their school things, and walked casually down the middle, a very symbolic last walk home. Of course then everyone whipped out their cameras and took pictures with everyone they could find.
In elementary school and junior high, all the kids grow up together and keep their own friend circles. To get into high school, they have to take entrance exams to get into the school they want. Everyone ends up splitting up and going their own ways. Most of the schools are in Iida City, with about an average commute time of 1.5 hrs one way.
Probably the children with whom I had grown the closest with were the 3rd years. They knew the most English, to be sure, so it was easier to communicate with them. I also had the most classes with them. Also, by the 3rd year, the students really feel comfortable and open up, showing their real personalities instead of being shy and timid like the other grades. I'm going to miss them so much. They will always be "the" 3rd years.
Good luck in the future.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Another Monday
Goooood Monday morning (afternoon) to you all!
I'm almost glad to be back at work, it forces me to actually do stuff. Like answer emails. ^^;
I was searching around the internet, and stumbled across an Animorphs site. This site has Q+A with the authors of the series (apparently there were 2 of them, working under one penname. Huh.). A while ago I d/led the e-books to the series, maaaybe it's time to revisit them ^____^ It's been far too long, and it would be interesting what I got from the series now that I'm not in elementary school anymore. Who here read the series?
An interesting quote from the forum from the authors, on the subject of Animorphs possibly being too dark for its intended audience: "It's bizarre that a parent will blithely tell a four year old a story about children being abandoned in the woods by their parents, entrapped by a gingerbread house, threatened with cannibalism, and top it all off with the triumphant resolution where the children burn a witch alive . . . and be upset when a 12 year old reads ANIMORPHS."
And as a side note, I think I was influenced by Rachel more than I thought...
On a related note, I finished the Lord of the Rings trilogy yesterday. It was a pretty good ending, gives good closure. Too much closure I think though...time to re-watch the 3rd movie?
I'm almost glad to be back at work, it forces me to actually do stuff. Like answer emails. ^^;
I was searching around the internet, and stumbled across an Animorphs site. This site has Q+A with the authors of the series (apparently there were 2 of them, working under one penname. Huh.). A while ago I d/led the e-books to the series, maaaybe it's time to revisit them ^____^ It's been far too long, and it would be interesting what I got from the series now that I'm not in elementary school anymore. Who here read the series?
An interesting quote from the forum from the authors, on the subject of Animorphs possibly being too dark for its intended audience: "It's bizarre that a parent will blithely tell a four year old a story about children being abandoned in the woods by their parents, entrapped by a gingerbread house, threatened with cannibalism, and top it all off with the triumphant resolution where the children burn a witch alive . . . and be upset when a 12 year old reads ANIMORPHS."
And as a side note, I think I was influenced by Rachel more than I thought...
On a related note, I finished the Lord of the Rings trilogy yesterday. It was a pretty good ending, gives good closure. Too much closure I think though...time to re-watch the 3rd movie?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
plants, chrono trigger, kanji
Stopped at the store yesterday, bought a large window planter and some potting soil, then planted some coriander! The plan is to let it grow up big and strong so I can make Mexican salsa, yummmmmmm. I only planted half though, and left the other half for whatever. I don't really use that much spices with my food. The cashier recommended lemon balm, but as I told her, I wouldn't know what to do with it! I'm currently looking for a nice flower perhaps that will grow well out on my deck but not overtake the cilantro, and still looks pretty. Any suggestions?
The parsley and basil plants are poking through! I planted waaay too many of each of them because I wasn't sure they would grow, but now I have about a thousand of each. I'm so incredibly happy that it worked though. They started growing right after we stopped getting frost during the night, makes sense. I soaked half the basil seeds in warm water before planting, and half I didn't, as an experiment. There doesn't seem to be much of a difference as of yet, but they're still pretty puny.
Started up the Chrono Trigger game the other night. Surprisingly, when I turned it on, everything was in English! Since I bought this game at a secondhand store, there were also saved games in each of the save slots, all done to the end. Chrono Trigger is the type of game that you have to play about 8 times through to see all the different endings of the game. I'll prob. keep one or two of the save slots at the end just to mess around :P In the menu, there is an option to toggle between Japanese and English, so if I wanted, I could talk to a person in Japanese (in-game, of course), try and translate, and then switch to English to see how close I got. This is an added bonus! The only problem is the amount of kanji, I still can't read that very well....
Benn focusing of studying kanji for the moment. I'm getting tired of knowing what something means, but not being able to read it. Very frustrating.
Time to clean the school!
The parsley and basil plants are poking through! I planted waaay too many of each of them because I wasn't sure they would grow, but now I have about a thousand of each. I'm so incredibly happy that it worked though. They started growing right after we stopped getting frost during the night, makes sense. I soaked half the basil seeds in warm water before planting, and half I didn't, as an experiment. There doesn't seem to be much of a difference as of yet, but they're still pretty puny.
Started up the Chrono Trigger game the other night. Surprisingly, when I turned it on, everything was in English! Since I bought this game at a secondhand store, there were also saved games in each of the save slots, all done to the end. Chrono Trigger is the type of game that you have to play about 8 times through to see all the different endings of the game. I'll prob. keep one or two of the save slots at the end just to mess around :P In the menu, there is an option to toggle between Japanese and English, so if I wanted, I could talk to a person in Japanese (in-game, of course), try and translate, and then switch to English to see how close I got. This is an added bonus! The only problem is the amount of kanji, I still can't read that very well....
Benn focusing of studying kanji for the moment. I'm getting tired of knowing what something means, but not being able to read it. Very frustrating.
Time to clean the school!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Peanut Butter.
Okay, I said only yesterday that I would not listen to any vocaloid songs. I changed my mind 5 minutes ago. Apparently Jouji Nakata is doing the newest voice. He has possibly the most awesome Japanese voice I have ever heard, speaking wise. *heart* I'm actually looking forward to it!!
And as I just commented on Facebook (oh great and powerful Facebook), X Japan is now moving to California....as in relocating the whole band there. And they are playing a concert in Chicago. DAAAAARN YOOOOOOU fate!!!!
On another note, I'm at nichu today (the more lax school), so I spent maybe an hour looking up "rebus". They're word plays, like
stand
I
means "I understand."
After all that research, we decided that the ones I found were a bit difficult for the 1st graders, so we're going with some that I thought of. Glee.
Need to finish my curry tonight, maybe I'll buy some bread and call it a stew.
One class I actually have to show up for today, then a period of maybe studying, then playing with the chillins at basketball (I'll try not to run into people his time, honest!), then home a bit early! This school is too cool.
To end, peanut butter is wonderful.
And as I just commented on Facebook (oh great and powerful Facebook), X Japan is now moving to California....as in relocating the whole band there. And they are playing a concert in Chicago. DAAAAARN YOOOOOOU fate!!!!
On another note, I'm at nichu today (the more lax school), so I spent maybe an hour looking up "rebus". They're word plays, like
stand
I
means "I understand."
After all that research, we decided that the ones I found were a bit difficult for the 1st graders, so we're going with some that I thought of. Glee.
Need to finish my curry tonight, maybe I'll buy some bread and call it a stew.
One class I actually have to show up for today, then a period of maybe studying, then playing with the chillins at basketball (I'll try not to run into people his time, honest!), then home a bit early! This school is too cool.
To end, peanut butter is wonderful.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Spring cleaning!
Another fine day in Japanland! I opened all my doors and windows to get some air, and cleaned the whole place top to bottom. This includes going through old papers, making an actually systematic way of organizing all these wonderful bills I've been collecting, recording my receipts and such, blah blah. Gawd I love being an independent adult *gag*
Yesterday I made some aaaaawesome curry. The ingredients were potatoes, carrots, an onion, peas and some chopped up fried chicken I had lying around. It turned into somewhat more of a stew by day 2, but was still delish.
Got out my new hot water steamer thingamabobber. Instant tea and boiling water for soup! A good investment I think. Also makes good instant hot cocoa ^_^ Heats water a whole lot faster than my woooonderful electric stove (sarcasm).
On a sidenote, last week in school Sobakasu was played over the loudspeaker as the lunchtime song. (Sobakasu was an opening song to the anime Kenshin, sung by Judy + Mary.) Only thing was, it was the vocaloid Hatsune Miku version?! The kids knew it was weird but also didnt know what vocaloid is. My guess is one of the kids in 2nd year spends too much time on the internet.... Here's the voclaoid version of the song. For the record, I an NOT a fan of robotic sounding music like this. The program gives you great artistic license, but I wouldn't want to really listen to the music itself. (dodges rotten tomatoes from vocaloid fans)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEIfM-sVOvU
Looking forward to trying out my new Japanese version of Chrono Trigger for the DS I found at 2nd street (a store) last week. Should prove interesting. If Adam could play Pokemon before he could read well, I can play Chrono Trigger now.....maybe ^^;
Yesterday I made some aaaaawesome curry. The ingredients were potatoes, carrots, an onion, peas and some chopped up fried chicken I had lying around. It turned into somewhat more of a stew by day 2, but was still delish.
Got out my new hot water steamer thingamabobber. Instant tea and boiling water for soup! A good investment I think. Also makes good instant hot cocoa ^_^ Heats water a whole lot faster than my woooonderful electric stove (sarcasm).
On a sidenote, last week in school Sobakasu was played over the loudspeaker as the lunchtime song. (Sobakasu was an opening song to the anime Kenshin, sung by Judy + Mary.) Only thing was, it was the vocaloid Hatsune Miku version?! The kids knew it was weird but also didnt know what vocaloid is. My guess is one of the kids in 2nd year spends too much time on the internet.... Here's the voclaoid version of the song. For the record, I an NOT a fan of robotic sounding music like this. The program gives you great artistic license, but I wouldn't want to really listen to the music itself. (dodges rotten tomatoes from vocaloid fans)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEIfM-sVOvU
Looking forward to trying out my new Japanese version of Chrono Trigger for the DS I found at 2nd street (a store) last week. Should prove interesting. If Adam could play Pokemon before he could read well, I can play Chrono Trigger now.....maybe ^^;
Friday, February 26, 2010
Long time no post
Okay, so it's been forever and a few days since I last posted something, ごめん ね。So....I'll just ignore it and pretend this huge gap isn't here ^^;
Funky tidbit of the day (anime related)
Comic Imitation?
"The American company Radical Publishing has announced that it halted the production and distribution of Nick Simmons' Incarnate comic book series on Wednesday evening, amid allegations that the comic plagiarized Tite Kubo's Bleach manga."
(Taken from AnimeNewsNetwork)
Basically an American comic maker drew pretty much the same thing as was in the popular Japanese manga Bleach. The original author, Kubo Tite, didn't seem too concerned. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, ne? It seriously looks like just about the same thing. Of course that they had to pick Kenpachi to copy, which in itself is awesome :)
Ice skating related!
South Korea's Kim Yu-Na kicked ass, heads and tails over anyone else performance-wise. That is all.
Funky tidbit of the day (anime related)
Comic Imitation?
"The American company Radical Publishing has announced that it halted the production and distribution of Nick Simmons' Incarnate comic book series on Wednesday evening, amid allegations that the comic plagiarized Tite Kubo's Bleach manga."
(Taken from AnimeNewsNetwork)
Basically an American comic maker drew pretty much the same thing as was in the popular Japanese manga Bleach. The original author, Kubo Tite, didn't seem too concerned. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, ne? It seriously looks like just about the same thing. Of course that they had to pick Kenpachi to copy, which in itself is awesome :)
Ice skating related!
South Korea's Kim Yu-Na kicked ass, heads and tails over anyone else performance-wise. That is all.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Alfred, yakiniku
So those of you from the Alfred community already know this, but there was a big fire in the town of my old University. As far as I know, a wooden building burned down, surrounding structure had water damage but no structural damage, and about a dozen people as well as a few businesses are without an apartment, everything gone.
Unfortunately, Nick's girlfriend Hannah was one of those people displaced by the fire. The day we heard about it he was taken to the Board of Education, where they offered to let him go home to help her out without having to request vacation time. He took them up on their offer, and is now stateside. Because of this abrupt change of plan, I'm staying at Ichu a week longer than normal. As of yet, I haven't heard from Nick at all, so I'm not totally sure when he's coming back, but I'm sure he'll show up someday :P .
The other night I was invited out to yakiniku with some of the people from the board of education. They ordered many plates of meat, including pig heart and liver, pig head, and adult and baby sheep. Every once in a while we requested some cabbage or onions for a change of pace. It was really nice to get out in a comfortable atmosphere and just chat for a bit. Also, it was really good practice for my Japanese conversational skills.
Tuesday I went to Tomikusa Elementary School. I really feel welcome there, and always love a visit. After classes, the 5th and 6th graders ran a few kilometers near the school to practice for the upcoming "marathon." I stayed behind at the track and chatted with the 5th grade teacher about differences in U.S. and Japanese units of measure, shoe sizes, etc. The first kid was done in 18 minutes.
After that, I went back to Ichu, ate lunch, and went outside to watch the mini field day the 1st and 2nd graders were participating in. The traditional Japanese field sports are interesting to a foreigner, especially the horse battles (which would NEVER be allowed stateside due to safety issues). However, watching all the other teachers participate with their respective classes, and only being able to root them on, was kind of saddening. Then after that, I realized I'd lost my car keys. And it was raining. And I was homesick. And without a close friend for thousands of miles. That was probably the lowest point of my stay here in Japan, but after a cheerful adult English class and a good nights sleep, I felt alot better the next day thankfully ^_^ Car keys were also found, and I'm in a really good mood today. Chocolate is a very good thing.
Gotta go, school's ended. I might post more later if I feel like it :P
Unfortunately, Nick's girlfriend Hannah was one of those people displaced by the fire. The day we heard about it he was taken to the Board of Education, where they offered to let him go home to help her out without having to request vacation time. He took them up on their offer, and is now stateside. Because of this abrupt change of plan, I'm staying at Ichu a week longer than normal. As of yet, I haven't heard from Nick at all, so I'm not totally sure when he's coming back, but I'm sure he'll show up someday :P .
The other night I was invited out to yakiniku with some of the people from the board of education. They ordered many plates of meat, including pig heart and liver, pig head, and adult and baby sheep. Every once in a while we requested some cabbage or onions for a change of pace. It was really nice to get out in a comfortable atmosphere and just chat for a bit. Also, it was really good practice for my Japanese conversational skills.
Tuesday I went to Tomikusa Elementary School. I really feel welcome there, and always love a visit. After classes, the 5th and 6th graders ran a few kilometers near the school to practice for the upcoming "marathon." I stayed behind at the track and chatted with the 5th grade teacher about differences in U.S. and Japanese units of measure, shoe sizes, etc. The first kid was done in 18 minutes.
After that, I went back to Ichu, ate lunch, and went outside to watch the mini field day the 1st and 2nd graders were participating in. The traditional Japanese field sports are interesting to a foreigner, especially the horse battles (which would NEVER be allowed stateside due to safety issues). However, watching all the other teachers participate with their respective classes, and only being able to root them on, was kind of saddening. Then after that, I realized I'd lost my car keys. And it was raining. And I was homesick. And without a close friend for thousands of miles. That was probably the lowest point of my stay here in Japan, but after a cheerful adult English class and a good nights sleep, I felt alot better the next day thankfully ^_^ Car keys were also found, and I'm in a really good mood today. Chocolate is a very good thing.
Gotta go, school's ended. I might post more later if I feel like it :P
Persimmons!
I believe I've already blogged about the trip to Niigata and the eating of crabs. The person that took Nick and I is Watari-san (female). The reason that she took us free of charge is mostly because we'd agreed to help her this year with the picking of her persimmons. She and her husband (also called Watari-san, because of Japanese naming) own some persimmon trees, and being quite advanced in age, can't easily keep up with the harvesting once they become ripe. Before this I don't think I have ever touched a persimmon or known what it was, let alone eaten one or know how to pick them. By the way, the Japanese word for persimmon is kaki (pronounced kah-kee).
Nick and I showed up at the house in some clothes that were okay to get dirty. We slung some baskets around our necks, climbed some ladders, and started picking! The first day this only lasted a few hours. Afterwords, Watari-san prepared a nice dinner for us and some treats her neighbor brought home from Vietnam for us to take with us. I agreed to help again the next morning at 7:30 after I drop Nick off at the bus station in Iida, en route to America. The reason I will talk about later.
That Sunday I helped peel the persimmons (there were 2 ifferent machines that had to be used) and hang them to be smoked lightly and dried. Watari-san's sister was there to help as well, and it was quite enjoyable.
That Tuesday was a national holiday and everyone had off of school. I went to Iida again, but this time we went to their plot of farmland, about 3/4 of an acre about 20 minutes away. We climbed the ladders and picked many bushels full. After this, I helped Watari-san prepare dinner and the couple and I sat underneath the kotatsu (heated Japanese table) and enjoyed a nice filling dinner. Kind of fitting that the holiday is "Bunka no hi" or "Culture day," and there I was learning about Japanese farming.
That's the last I've heard of them to date, and I think the season is about over. Now I know more than what's probably needed about persimmons.
Nick and I showed up at the house in some clothes that were okay to get dirty. We slung some baskets around our necks, climbed some ladders, and started picking! The first day this only lasted a few hours. Afterwords, Watari-san prepared a nice dinner for us and some treats her neighbor brought home from Vietnam for us to take with us. I agreed to help again the next morning at 7:30 after I drop Nick off at the bus station in Iida, en route to America. The reason I will talk about later.
That Sunday I helped peel the persimmons (there were 2 ifferent machines that had to be used) and hang them to be smoked lightly and dried. Watari-san's sister was there to help as well, and it was quite enjoyable.
That Tuesday was a national holiday and everyone had off of school. I went to Iida again, but this time we went to their plot of farmland, about 3/4 of an acre about 20 minutes away. We climbed the ladders and picked many bushels full. After this, I helped Watari-san prepare dinner and the couple and I sat underneath the kotatsu (heated Japanese table) and enjoyed a nice filling dinner. Kind of fitting that the holiday is "Bunka no hi" or "Culture day," and there I was learning about Japanese farming.
That's the last I've heard of them to date, and I think the season is about over. Now I know more than what's probably needed about persimmons.
Halloween in Japan
Psrt 2 of my catch-up-to-the-present posts. Halloween has come and gone in Japan. Thank goodness I packed a cosplay shirt from "Prince of Tennis" (an anime) into my suitcase at the last moment. O the Tuesday and Wednesday leading up to Halloween, I was luckily in 2 of the elementary schools. There, we talked about the origins of Halloween and what Americans do on that night.
I made some worksheets, one for everyone that says "my costume" and has an area to draw. One, for the older kids, is a simple dialogue of "*knock knock* Trick or treat!" etc. In each class, the kids got to draw their own costumes. Some were pretty imaginative, some were the classic vampire and such. After that, I taught the kids "Trick or treat" and gave them candy for saying that line and showing me their costumes. This was in varying degrees, with just "trick or treat" and "thank-you" for 1st graders, and acting out the whole dialogue for the 5th and 6th graders. The children enjoyed the candy, I think. It was sooo expensive though! Maybe $3.50 for 20 pieces, unless you get the really cruddy stuff that noone wants in their Halloween bag. Times that by about 20 kids per class, 2 schools, and it added up real quick.
Then I told the children that on Halloween night, I will be walking around the town of Anan with candy, and if they come up to me saying "trick or treat," they will get candy. Saturday came. Because of my schedule, I only had about 45 minutes to walk around town, between about 5:30 and 6:15. At first I was just feeling odd walking around doing nothing, then a little at a time, children with their parents came up to me saying the famous phrase. The children were so shy and clinging to the parents, who had to urge them repeatedly to even look at me. In the end though, the want for candy won. One little boy, perhaps a preschooler, even came in costume!!! He was a person from Kamen Rider, I believe, if that means anything to anyone. One group of children was passing by in a car and rolled down the window at a red light to say hi. I half dropped, half chucked a handful into the car right before it left to the major enjoyment of the kids. During my pacing I also visited the local gas station and handed some out to the staff and random people getting gas. I also visited some local businesses that were still open and chatted with the owners of the local cornerstore (who speak in somewhat simple, but very fast Japanese). I even received some candy that night!
After handing out some candy to kids on the street (oh my gosh, stranger danger!!!) I got a quick ride to the Anan Kendo, which I hadn't gone to in maybe a month or so. The kids there are always sooooo cute! After practice I gave them candy too, for being so darn cute.
Some of the elementary classes I didn't get to do Halloween till the next week, when I still did the drawing and candy bit, but also added in (thanks to my JET friend Ben) making mummies out of some kids in class. The kids loooved this, and the teachers thought it was really interesting.
In the junior high, the Friday before Halloween, Mr. Kojima and I taught the kids quite in depth about the origins of Halloween and the Day of the Dead, and of course, handed out candy.
There are Halloween decorations in every dollar store here and some grocery stores, and although people know it exists, they don't celebrate it or know what it means really. My mission this year was to educate a little. And of course show people that American holidays rock.
So that's Halloween in Japan-land, up next: persimmons!
I made some worksheets, one for everyone that says "my costume" and has an area to draw. One, for the older kids, is a simple dialogue of "*knock knock* Trick or treat!" etc. In each class, the kids got to draw their own costumes. Some were pretty imaginative, some were the classic vampire and such. After that, I taught the kids "Trick or treat" and gave them candy for saying that line and showing me their costumes. This was in varying degrees, with just "trick or treat" and "thank-you" for 1st graders, and acting out the whole dialogue for the 5th and 6th graders. The children enjoyed the candy, I think. It was sooo expensive though! Maybe $3.50 for 20 pieces, unless you get the really cruddy stuff that noone wants in their Halloween bag. Times that by about 20 kids per class, 2 schools, and it added up real quick.
Then I told the children that on Halloween night, I will be walking around the town of Anan with candy, and if they come up to me saying "trick or treat," they will get candy. Saturday came. Because of my schedule, I only had about 45 minutes to walk around town, between about 5:30 and 6:15. At first I was just feeling odd walking around doing nothing, then a little at a time, children with their parents came up to me saying the famous phrase. The children were so shy and clinging to the parents, who had to urge them repeatedly to even look at me. In the end though, the want for candy won. One little boy, perhaps a preschooler, even came in costume!!! He was a person from Kamen Rider, I believe, if that means anything to anyone. One group of children was passing by in a car and rolled down the window at a red light to say hi. I half dropped, half chucked a handful into the car right before it left to the major enjoyment of the kids. During my pacing I also visited the local gas station and handed some out to the staff and random people getting gas. I also visited some local businesses that were still open and chatted with the owners of the local cornerstore (who speak in somewhat simple, but very fast Japanese). I even received some candy that night!
After handing out some candy to kids on the street (oh my gosh, stranger danger!!!) I got a quick ride to the Anan Kendo, which I hadn't gone to in maybe a month or so. The kids there are always sooooo cute! After practice I gave them candy too, for being so darn cute.
Some of the elementary classes I didn't get to do Halloween till the next week, when I still did the drawing and candy bit, but also added in (thanks to my JET friend Ben) making mummies out of some kids in class. The kids loooved this, and the teachers thought it was really interesting.
In the junior high, the Friday before Halloween, Mr. Kojima and I taught the kids quite in depth about the origins of Halloween and the Day of the Dead, and of course, handed out candy.
There are Halloween decorations in every dollar store here and some grocery stores, and although people know it exists, they don't celebrate it or know what it means really. My mission this year was to educate a little. And of course show people that American holidays rock.
So that's Halloween in Japan-land, up next: persimmons!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Tokyo trip!
Alright, so I haven't blogged in...forever. On the agenda: Tokyo Trip, Halloween, Farming, etc. Let's see how much I can write before next class.
So I went to Tokyo a few weekends ago to see the J-Rock visual kei concert. I got into the hostel (same one I used before) a little after 10. It was a little late cause I worked a full day Friday. Most of the staff there are nice and polite and such, but the girl that was there Friday night you could tell hated the job, wasn't very nice, etc. and I was slightly annoyed. Ah well.
Saturday morning, I got up super early to shower and start the hour long trip to the concert area. However, I got a bad leg cramp right when I awoke, which made me walk funny for the next few days ;.; Anyways, the last train I got on for the concert hall (called the Makuhari Messe btw) had 2 main types of people: families and couples bound for Tokyo Disneyland; and young people bound for the concert. You could easily tell who was who.
I got off the train and realized that I hadn't eaten breakfast, or anything, yet (this is at 10am and I woke up at around 7) so I found a bakery in the station and wolfed down a sandwitch. While I was eating, there was a foreigner fixing her makeup across from me. Of course, I walked up to her and asked if she spoke English, and we sat and chatted about the upcoming concert. Turns out she has lived in Japan for a few years now and knows sooooo much more about the visual kei music than I do, along with seeing many concerts. Her friend from Hong Kong (I think) came over and we walked to the hall.
Anyone that enjoys the lolita, goth lolita, punk, or any funky style imaginable found in Harajuku or anywhere in Tokyo would have been in heaven. Especially on Staurday, the lolitas and goth lolitas were out en masse. cameras were strictly a no-no, so I couldn't take pictures, thoguh even if they were allowed, I think it would have been reeeally uncoool to do so that weekend.
The first bands were already playing when we walked in, and I was immediately blown away. I had expected to hear a few really good ones, mostly only decent music. But of the bands that I hadn't heard up till then, most were amaaazing! The artists were also dressed up for the most part, which was cool. There were 4 venues in 2 gigantic rooms. 2 bands were playing at any given time, and the next act was being set up while they were playing. So sometimes I missed a few good bands, but eh, what can you do.
The Japanese at concerts (at least this kind of concert) are a little odd. For every song, there is a set of hand motions that go with every part. Everyone in the audience does the hand motions and headbanging completely on cue, so if you mess up or don't know the songs at all (me) you stick out. I quickly learned the usual motions and spent half my time trying to sync with everyone lol. Even the girls in their perfectly curled hair and expensive pink cute dresses headbang like there's no tomorrow (but only on cue!). There are also 2 types of headbanging: the front to back that I'm familiar with, and the "lean forward and shake your head side to side as violently as possible so you look like a caged lion with lice." I didn't participate in this kind since it gave me a headache >.< Messed up my back too from the other kind so standing for 2 whole days was pretty painful, but well worth it!
One of the acts that I didn't get to see that I wish I had was Moi Dix Mois. For those of you who don't know, it's Malice Mizer's Mana's new band, and mana is the person who basically started the goth loli style. During this time I was waiting for a good place in the crowd for Abington Boys' School (T.M.Revolution) who were btw, amazing.
For many of the acts, I got really close to the bands. One of them I was so close that if he reached out his hand and I mine, we could have touched. And of course, being a giant foreigner with blonde hair, I stick out alot, so the artists alot of the time stop their eyes on me for a split second. >.< Also! The poor tiny Japanese girls in their platform shoes come up to my shoulders at best, so there was always a gap behind me so they could see from behind >.< Gomen ne!
I barely ate anything or slept those 2 days, but didn't really notice that much. Staurday night, my new foreigner friends and I went out for dinner and to get out pictures taken at a photo booth. At one point, I was waiting outside a Mr. Donught for them to come back from the hotel, and totally felt like a goth hooker. Many African American men stopped next to me and said anything between "Hi, I'm Mr. Smith, nice to meet you" to "You're a fine looking lady." After about the 5th time I went inside the store to wait.
The Monday after the concert I took off so I could get my re-entry permit. It's a little thing in my passport that says if I leave the country I can come back. I took about 3 trains, and then a bus, and got to the Tokyo Immigration office. While walking up the stairs, I ran into another African-American who mumbled something to me I won't repeat. I came to the conclusion that people are cool in the U.S. but if I am alone in Tokyo it's generally a good idea to stay away from people of African decent (I know this sounds reeeeally racist and I hate racism, but I've had nothing but bad experiences while here >.< ) So anyways, I got the little stamp thing, paid for some overpriced curry since I realized that I missed breakfast again (amazing how easy that is to to in Tokyo), and caught my bus home.
That's it for now cause I have class soon and my hands feel like ice after typing so much. I reeeeally wish the Japanese would realize that central heat is not evil. They just set up the furnace in the teachers' room today, but the classrooms have nothing but body heat yet. I'm in thick pants, a shirt and a hoodie, sometimes scarf.
There's the bell, later!
So I went to Tokyo a few weekends ago to see the J-Rock visual kei concert. I got into the hostel (same one I used before) a little after 10. It was a little late cause I worked a full day Friday. Most of the staff there are nice and polite and such, but the girl that was there Friday night you could tell hated the job, wasn't very nice, etc. and I was slightly annoyed. Ah well.
Saturday morning, I got up super early to shower and start the hour long trip to the concert area. However, I got a bad leg cramp right when I awoke, which made me walk funny for the next few days ;.; Anyways, the last train I got on for the concert hall (called the Makuhari Messe btw) had 2 main types of people: families and couples bound for Tokyo Disneyland; and young people bound for the concert. You could easily tell who was who.
I got off the train and realized that I hadn't eaten breakfast, or anything, yet (this is at 10am and I woke up at around 7) so I found a bakery in the station and wolfed down a sandwitch. While I was eating, there was a foreigner fixing her makeup across from me. Of course, I walked up to her and asked if she spoke English, and we sat and chatted about the upcoming concert. Turns out she has lived in Japan for a few years now and knows sooooo much more about the visual kei music than I do, along with seeing many concerts. Her friend from Hong Kong (I think) came over and we walked to the hall.
Anyone that enjoys the lolita, goth lolita, punk, or any funky style imaginable found in Harajuku or anywhere in Tokyo would have been in heaven. Especially on Staurday, the lolitas and goth lolitas were out en masse. cameras were strictly a no-no, so I couldn't take pictures, thoguh even if they were allowed, I think it would have been reeeally uncoool to do so that weekend.
The first bands were already playing when we walked in, and I was immediately blown away. I had expected to hear a few really good ones, mostly only decent music. But of the bands that I hadn't heard up till then, most were amaaazing! The artists were also dressed up for the most part, which was cool. There were 4 venues in 2 gigantic rooms. 2 bands were playing at any given time, and the next act was being set up while they were playing. So sometimes I missed a few good bands, but eh, what can you do.
The Japanese at concerts (at least this kind of concert) are a little odd. For every song, there is a set of hand motions that go with every part. Everyone in the audience does the hand motions and headbanging completely on cue, so if you mess up or don't know the songs at all (me) you stick out. I quickly learned the usual motions and spent half my time trying to sync with everyone lol. Even the girls in their perfectly curled hair and expensive pink cute dresses headbang like there's no tomorrow (but only on cue!). There are also 2 types of headbanging: the front to back that I'm familiar with, and the "lean forward and shake your head side to side as violently as possible so you look like a caged lion with lice." I didn't participate in this kind since it gave me a headache >.< Messed up my back too from the other kind so standing for 2 whole days was pretty painful, but well worth it!
One of the acts that I didn't get to see that I wish I had was Moi Dix Mois. For those of you who don't know, it's Malice Mizer's Mana's new band, and mana is the person who basically started the goth loli style. During this time I was waiting for a good place in the crowd for Abington Boys' School (T.M.Revolution) who were btw, amazing.
For many of the acts, I got really close to the bands. One of them I was so close that if he reached out his hand and I mine, we could have touched. And of course, being a giant foreigner with blonde hair, I stick out alot, so the artists alot of the time stop their eyes on me for a split second. >.< Also! The poor tiny Japanese girls in their platform shoes come up to my shoulders at best, so there was always a gap behind me so they could see from behind >.< Gomen ne!
I barely ate anything or slept those 2 days, but didn't really notice that much. Staurday night, my new foreigner friends and I went out for dinner and to get out pictures taken at a photo booth. At one point, I was waiting outside a Mr. Donught for them to come back from the hotel, and totally felt like a goth hooker. Many African American men stopped next to me and said anything between "Hi, I'm Mr. Smith, nice to meet you" to "You're a fine looking lady." After about the 5th time I went inside the store to wait.
The Monday after the concert I took off so I could get my re-entry permit. It's a little thing in my passport that says if I leave the country I can come back. I took about 3 trains, and then a bus, and got to the Tokyo Immigration office. While walking up the stairs, I ran into another African-American who mumbled something to me I won't repeat. I came to the conclusion that people are cool in the U.S. but if I am alone in Tokyo it's generally a good idea to stay away from people of African decent (I know this sounds reeeeally racist and I hate racism, but I've had nothing but bad experiences while here >.< ) So anyways, I got the little stamp thing, paid for some overpriced curry since I realized that I missed breakfast again (amazing how easy that is to to in Tokyo), and caught my bus home.
That's it for now cause I have class soon and my hands feel like ice after typing so much. I reeeeally wish the Japanese would realize that central heat is not evil. They just set up the furnace in the teachers' room today, but the classrooms have nothing but body heat yet. I'm in thick pants, a shirt and a hoodie, sometimes scarf.
There's the bell, later!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)