I love White Day. It's a brilliant Japanese invention.
Last month, I complained about how Valentine's Day is a money-making holiday intended to give people multiple guilt trips and how White Day will be unfair because guys only give back to the girls they love.
Turns out I was wrong. Today, I was smothered with box after box of chocolates and cookies all packaged really nicely by my male colleagues. I complained about how chocolates given out because of obligation will not taste as good.
I take all that back because I'm enjoying all this sugar overload. SCORE!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Sandwich Man and Cream Stew
Today, celebrities came to our school. A few members of a famous Japanese comedic group called the Sandwich Man visited the junior high school that I teach at. One of the members from the group is supposedly an alumnus of our school. After seeing him, I think this guy was an alumnus from a long time ago.
There was quite a big deal made over him. His arrival was made top secret and was kept from the students until half an hour before his scheduled arrival. When students found out they were coming, all of them started screaming like school girls...which some of them are.
The school counselor asked me if I knew who the Sandwich Man are. I told him no because I rarely watch Japanese TV. He told me that the Sandwich Man are newcomers and that Cream Stew, another comedic group, is a lot more famous.
All I could think of was how much these groups sounded like delicious lunch menu.
There was quite a big deal made over him. His arrival was made top secret and was kept from the students until half an hour before his scheduled arrival. When students found out they were coming, all of them started screaming like school girls...which some of them are.
The school counselor asked me if I knew who the Sandwich Man are. I told him no because I rarely watch Japanese TV. He told me that the Sandwich Man are newcomers and that Cream Stew, another comedic group, is a lot more famous.
All I could think of was how much these groups sounded like delicious lunch menu.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Abandoned
Waah...I feel like an abandoned child!!
Earlier this week, the students had a goodbye party and rehearsal for graduation. When the graduating students marched in for the rehearsal, I couldn't help but feel like a proud momma and tears rolled down my face. Yes, I'm a crybaby, I know. What will happen when the real thing happens on Tuesday?
Maybe it's because I see this group of 3rd graders a lot more often than the others or maybe it's because their English skills are better than the first and second grade students, but I feel like a big part of what I liked about this school or my life in Japan will leave me.
I'm afraid that my remaining time in Japan will be less meaningful.
On top of that, I had another shock today. Today is the day when all staff members meet with the principal to decide their fate for the next school year. In Japan, the school year starts in April, so it doesn't give anyone anytime to do anything.
In this city, there's a policy by the board of education that requires everyone to change schools every-so-often. This includes the principal. I've been told that a regular term is 3 years, but some people in my school have been there for 7 years.
Perhaps, that's why I was so surprised when my school nurse told me that she couldn't stay here for another year. This was her 7th year at our school and I thought she would move on to an 8th.
It's not fair! She's my favorite person in school!! She's my lunch buddy, the first person I went to an onsen with, the person who always offers me rides home, the person who's the most concerned about me when I got sick and so much more. She's like a mom to me when I'm miles away from my own. Simply put, she's one of the reasons why I chose to stay in Japan for another.
Needless to say, I kinda feel like crap now.
Earlier this week, the students had a goodbye party and rehearsal for graduation. When the graduating students marched in for the rehearsal, I couldn't help but feel like a proud momma and tears rolled down my face. Yes, I'm a crybaby, I know. What will happen when the real thing happens on Tuesday?
Maybe it's because I see this group of 3rd graders a lot more often than the others or maybe it's because their English skills are better than the first and second grade students, but I feel like a big part of what I liked about this school or my life in Japan will leave me.
I'm afraid that my remaining time in Japan will be less meaningful.
On top of that, I had another shock today. Today is the day when all staff members meet with the principal to decide their fate for the next school year. In Japan, the school year starts in April, so it doesn't give anyone anytime to do anything.
In this city, there's a policy by the board of education that requires everyone to change schools every-so-often. This includes the principal. I've been told that a regular term is 3 years, but some people in my school have been there for 7 years.
Perhaps, that's why I was so surprised when my school nurse told me that she couldn't stay here for another year. This was her 7th year at our school and I thought she would move on to an 8th.
It's not fair! She's my favorite person in school!! She's my lunch buddy, the first person I went to an onsen with, the person who always offers me rides home, the person who's the most concerned about me when I got sick and so much more. She's like a mom to me when I'm miles away from my own. Simply put, she's one of the reasons why I chose to stay in Japan for another.
Needless to say, I kinda feel like crap now.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Next "Academic" Year
Ok...are you ready for this?
I decided to re-contract with JET for another year!!! This means that I'll be in Japan until (at least) July of 2009. Wow, now that I typed the date, it seems so far away.
We had to turn in our decision to re-contract about two weeks ago.
I'm not gonna lie, while I'm super excited to be going through the events of a typical school year in Japan (and finally have some clue as to what's going on this time around), I still feel unsure about whether or not this is the right decision...especially because Hoa, Vince and Wendy may all be in China come this August!
Ahh...I'm so jealous!
Anyway, just wanted to share the news with you. =)
I decided to re-contract with JET for another year!!! This means that I'll be in Japan until (at least) July of 2009. Wow, now that I typed the date, it seems so far away.
We had to turn in our decision to re-contract about two weeks ago.
I'm not gonna lie, while I'm super excited to be going through the events of a typical school year in Japan (and finally have some clue as to what's going on this time around), I still feel unsure about whether or not this is the right decision...especially because Hoa, Vince and Wendy may all be in China come this August!
Ahh...I'm so jealous!
Anyway, just wanted to share the news with you. =)
Elementary Schools
Since last December, I have made weekly visits to the elementary school down the block. I love going to those classes because the students are usually having fun and enjoying English.
However, they are super tiring. For some reason, I feel like I have to be loud and scream in order to convey my excitement of being there. I know it's wrong, but it just happens naturally.
On Valentine's Day, I taught a bunch of 5th grade elementary students. The beginning of my lesson included a brief introduction to Valentine's Day in America. We talked about how girls are usually the recipients of Valentine's candies and that people go to nice restaurants for dinner.
Upon hearing that, one kid said, " is it Global Viking?"
As my mouth kept moving to continue the lesson, my brain started to break down the term "global viking." In Japan, buffets are called "vikings," perhaps because of the way people pillage and plunder in restaurants?! I dunno. So, I take it that the term "global viking" means an international buffet. What a cool name.
At the end of the back to back 5th grade lessons, it was time for me to head back to my junior high school Some students wanted me to sign their English file as though I were a superstar. The English teacher explained that I couldn't stay because I have to go back to the junior high.
A student said, "Eh? Louise-sensei [teacher] is a junior high student?"
Aww...they're so cute!
However, they are super tiring. For some reason, I feel like I have to be loud and scream in order to convey my excitement of being there. I know it's wrong, but it just happens naturally.
On Valentine's Day, I taught a bunch of 5th grade elementary students. The beginning of my lesson included a brief introduction to Valentine's Day in America. We talked about how girls are usually the recipients of Valentine's candies and that people go to nice restaurants for dinner.
Upon hearing that, one kid said, " is it Global Viking?"
As my mouth kept moving to continue the lesson, my brain started to break down the term "global viking." In Japan, buffets are called "vikings," perhaps because of the way people pillage and plunder in restaurants?! I dunno. So, I take it that the term "global viking" means an international buffet. What a cool name.
At the end of the back to back 5th grade lessons, it was time for me to head back to my junior high school Some students wanted me to sign their English file as though I were a superstar. The English teacher explained that I couldn't stay because I have to go back to the junior high.
A student said, "Eh? Louise-sensei [teacher] is a junior high student?"
Aww...they're so cute!
Living in the USA
Before the 3rd grade junior high students graduate in March, I wanted to to do a cross-cultural project where they discover the differences that exist between Japanese and American culture in the most mundane of things (ie how people ride the bus, etc.).
I thought it would be an interesting exercise, but coming up with the activities to demonstrate this point was much harder than expected.
To help me produce ideas, I looked for books about everyday life in America and Japan. My friend pointed me to a used bookstore by the International Center and luckily, I found several useful books. The most interesting of all is this book called "Living in the USA."
Here are a few excerpts.
On Asian Americans:
"Asian-Americans tend to have a single-minded concentration on getting ahead. They are doing notably well academically and are surging into the top universities coast to coast..."
"Most Asians distance themselves from both blacks and Hispanics. They date and mate readily with white however."
On Adult Dating:
"Men and women go out together a great deal, especially in the cities of America; they ski together, work together, and dine together, either at restaurants or in each other's apartments. This does not mean that they are necessarily interested in having sex together, though it may appear so and, of course, with some men and women it is so."
"If you have a wife at home, be sure to let this fact be known to the woman early in your acquaintance. It will not necessarily make any difference, but the woman wants to know the situation."
"A woman will not feel that she owes you sex because you have paid for her dinner." She will feel that her company and her acceptance of you have contributed to a pleasant evening for both, but not that she owes you more."
On Silence
Many Americans find silence uncomfortable. They will babble on to fill any silence if it extends for more than a moment."
Needless to say, a book like this, being less than 3/4 of an inch thick, has utterly offended me in mere paragraphs. Those lines offended me as an Asian American, as a woman, and sadly, as an American.
I guess it's fair to point out that this book was first published in 1973 (but updated in 1988). I know that's 20+ years ago, but give me a break! That's a bunch of bull.
I can't believe the choice of words the author used in describing certain groups of people. It also made so many assumptions about the background of its readers. "If you have a wife at home, be sure to let that fact be known..."?!? Are you for real?
I also can't believe this book was published to introduce foreigners to American life. While it provided some shocking amusement, I think I can summarize my views of this book in one line. What a waste of paper!
I thought it would be an interesting exercise, but coming up with the activities to demonstrate this point was much harder than expected.
To help me produce ideas, I looked for books about everyday life in America and Japan. My friend pointed me to a used bookstore by the International Center and luckily, I found several useful books. The most interesting of all is this book called "Living in the USA."
Here are a few excerpts.
On Asian Americans:
"Asian-Americans tend to have a single-minded concentration on getting ahead. They are doing notably well academically and are surging into the top universities coast to coast..."
"Most Asians distance themselves from both blacks and Hispanics. They date and mate readily with white however."
On Adult Dating:
"Men and women go out together a great deal, especially in the cities of America; they ski together, work together, and dine together, either at restaurants or in each other's apartments. This does not mean that they are necessarily interested in having sex together, though it may appear so and, of course, with some men and women it is so."
"If you have a wife at home, be sure to let this fact be known to the woman early in your acquaintance. It will not necessarily make any difference, but the woman wants to know the situation."
"A woman will not feel that she owes you sex because you have paid for her dinner." She will feel that her company and her acceptance of you have contributed to a pleasant evening for both, but not that she owes you more."
On Silence
Many Americans find silence uncomfortable. They will babble on to fill any silence if it extends for more than a moment."
Needless to say, a book like this, being less than 3/4 of an inch thick, has utterly offended me in mere paragraphs. Those lines offended me as an Asian American, as a woman, and sadly, as an American.
I guess it's fair to point out that this book was first published in 1973 (but updated in 1988). I know that's 20+ years ago, but give me a break! That's a bunch of bull.
I can't believe the choice of words the author used in describing certain groups of people. It also made so many assumptions about the background of its readers. "If you have a wife at home, be sure to let that fact be known..."?!? Are you for real?
I also can't believe this book was published to introduce foreigners to American life. While it provided some shocking amusement, I think I can summarize my views of this book in one line. What a waste of paper!
Typical Lunchtime Conversations in the Staffroom
1.)
accountant: Hitomi-san, did you know there's a snail in the kitchen sink?
tea lady: Ehh?! What?
handyman: Yea, I saw it in the sink this morning.
tealady: What? Why didn't you take care of it?
* handyman shrugs nonchalantly
2.)
1st grade history teacher: Where's Louise?
(*note: I was sitting right in front of him in the same seat as every other day. It is probably also important to note that there are only 6 seats at the lunch table.)
English teacher & handyman [pointing to me]: She's right here.
1st grade history teacher [giggles like a school girl]: Oh, I didn't see her because of the black clothing.
(*note 2: My surroundings were neither dark nor black, so I didn't really blend into anything.)
3.) School lunch item of the day: weird-looking potatoes
handyman: The potatoes are sweet.
tealady [in exaggerated anime-like tone after taking a bite]: Sweet!
nurse: It's sweet, isn't it?
English teacher: It's sweet.
Ah...the joys of understanding a little bit of Japanese! =)
accountant: Hitomi-san, did you know there's a snail in the kitchen sink?
tea lady: Ehh?! What?
handyman: Yea, I saw it in the sink this morning.
tealady: What? Why didn't you take care of it?
* handyman shrugs nonchalantly
2.)
1st grade history teacher: Where's Louise?
(*note: I was sitting right in front of him in the same seat as every other day. It is probably also important to note that there are only 6 seats at the lunch table.)
English teacher & handyman [pointing to me]: She's right here.
1st grade history teacher [giggles like a school girl]: Oh, I didn't see her because of the black clothing.
(*note 2: My surroundings were neither dark nor black, so I didn't really blend into anything.)
3.) School lunch item of the day: weird-looking potatoes
handyman: The potatoes are sweet.
tealady [in exaggerated anime-like tone after taking a bite]: Sweet!
nurse: It's sweet, isn't it?
English teacher: It's sweet.
Ah...the joys of understanding a little bit of Japanese! =)
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