Just when I was thinking "man, first graders are kind of out of control and don't want to sit still for 5 minutes," I get news that made me worry even more: I'm teaching pre-school twice a month.
Pre-school kids. Learning English. They probably can barely write their own names in their native language, and I'm going to be teaching them how to introduce themselves to a foreigner. Weird right?
I started my first pre-school class with some simple color cards, thinking it'd take the whole period for them to learn 7 or 8 basic colors, and be able to say and recognize them. Imagine my surprise when they stood up and said "hello, my name is riku/momo/ryosuke/whatever." They knew every color I had without so much as me having to prompt them with the first letter, something that about half of the first graders I've had so far haven't been able to do. Hell, I'm using the same games with second graders at one of my schools.
Anyway, I ran a few games with them and by the end, pretty much all of them knew when I was trying to trick them (say by holding up a yellow card and shouting out black) and they self-governed themselves during the game. The only thing that separated them from first and second graders was their propensity to get even louder, especially when doing jan ken (paper, rock, scissors) when there was a tie. Plus, I swear the cuteness levels here could kill a lesser person.
The only thing that threw me today in that class was when a little girl starting pointing at my crotch and saying the Japanese equivalent of wee wee (chin-chin)...that was a bit odd.
September 30, 2008
September 29, 2008
Cold
Good lord, it only took a week for the temperature to fall from about 24 to about 17 C, or from about 75 to just over 60. I actually have to wear pants to bed and use my blankets for once. I`m happy to have the humidity gone, but I haven`t seen the sun in a couple of days and it`s a bit odd to see your breath in September...to me anyways. This SoCal kid is going to have an interesting winter.
In other news, me and a couple of American friends spent a night in the mountains bbq`ing, drinking and goofing around with about 45 Japanese kids, all connected by this guy in my taiko group. We played cards (friend taught them Kings, a drinking game), talked, ate (not enough, for me anyways), and just generally goofed off until about 4 in the morning. My buddy was a big hit with the ladies, and I managed to get a few laughs out of people, which always makes me happy. I`m hoping the longer I`m here, the more I get to do random stuff like this with people around my age. It`s nice to just talk to young people, especially girls, since the other JETs are mainly guys and I don`t see most of them much.
I also received my self-sent care package, full of jackets, books, shoes and Tapatio. The tapatio didn`t go over too well with the Japanese folks at the BBQ, but I know I was happy to see it. The jackets are coming in handy, but my big overcoat might not get used too much. This is more of a layers country, with temperature varying wildly between rooms and floors in my school, let alone buildings and inside vs. outside.
In other news, me and a couple of American friends spent a night in the mountains bbq`ing, drinking and goofing around with about 45 Japanese kids, all connected by this guy in my taiko group. We played cards (friend taught them Kings, a drinking game), talked, ate (not enough, for me anyways), and just generally goofed off until about 4 in the morning. My buddy was a big hit with the ladies, and I managed to get a few laughs out of people, which always makes me happy. I`m hoping the longer I`m here, the more I get to do random stuff like this with people around my age. It`s nice to just talk to young people, especially girls, since the other JETs are mainly guys and I don`t see most of them much.
I also received my self-sent care package, full of jackets, books, shoes and Tapatio. The tapatio didn`t go over too well with the Japanese folks at the BBQ, but I know I was happy to see it. The jackets are coming in handy, but my big overcoat might not get used too much. This is more of a layers country, with temperature varying wildly between rooms and floors in my school, let alone buildings and inside vs. outside.
September 18, 2008
A-noid
It's funny how your life can change when you don't have internet at home. I've found myself spending a hell of a lot more money outside the house, doing things like shopping or eating out almost every single day. I've also been working out a lot more, playing basketball like 4 times a week, and traveling whenever I don't have work. The apartment is cleaner than my one in LA ever was, and I do things like hang up clothes right after I get back from the laundromat.
On a related note, here's a list of things that have been annoying me lately:
1) No internet at home. Obviously I like to be able to respond to email in a timely manner, but the biggest thing has been my inability to share pictures...at all. No uploading to websites, no attaching to email, nothing. At work, every site I use is blocked, even when I bring in my own laptop. I have this expensive camera and have taken over 2000 photos already (record is 888 in one day), and no way of showing them to anyone unless they're near my laptop.
2) Spiderwebs. I walk into a spider web at least once a day, often in the same place...my stairwell. It baffles me how a place where people walk every day has spider webs that span the width of the walkway...those are some quick-workin spiders.
3) Tiny bugs. Small enough to fit through the mesh screen that goes over my windows. I'm afraid I'm going to inhale one. Or that I already have.
4) Driving 30 minutes to the gym. I still go at least 2 or 3 times a week, but it's annoying. The gym closes at 9, so last entrance is 8:15. They're closed on Mondays. I was spoiled by the 24 hour fitness 2 minutes from my parents' house or 10 minutes from my apartment.
5) Not being able to find clothes. It's not that I can't find proper sizes...there's actually a fair amount of large clothing in my area...it's that the stuff is just silly looking. I like an Engrish shirt as much as the next guy, but I'm not paying 20 bucks for it.
6) ATM fees. Imagine going to your OWN bank at 4:30pm and having to pay $1 to pull money out of an ATM. Imagine having to pay those fees at any time on the weekend. Imagine a country that still rarely uses credit cards. Imagine your bank being open from 9-3 on weekdays, and not opening on weekends. Awesome.
That's all. It's said that every JET loves a good whining session. My life here is actually pretty good, but it's when things are mainly going well that you notice the bad more easily. I've been eating better, getting tons of exercise, getting good lessons in taiko, traveling a bit, and saving money. I just need to find something to do in town on a weekend night besides play darts and meet more young Japanese folks, and I'll be set.
On a related note, here's a list of things that have been annoying me lately:
1) No internet at home. Obviously I like to be able to respond to email in a timely manner, but the biggest thing has been my inability to share pictures...at all. No uploading to websites, no attaching to email, nothing. At work, every site I use is blocked, even when I bring in my own laptop. I have this expensive camera and have taken over 2000 photos already (record is 888 in one day), and no way of showing them to anyone unless they're near my laptop.
2) Spiderwebs. I walk into a spider web at least once a day, often in the same place...my stairwell. It baffles me how a place where people walk every day has spider webs that span the width of the walkway...those are some quick-workin spiders.
3) Tiny bugs. Small enough to fit through the mesh screen that goes over my windows. I'm afraid I'm going to inhale one. Or that I already have.
4) Driving 30 minutes to the gym. I still go at least 2 or 3 times a week, but it's annoying. The gym closes at 9, so last entrance is 8:15. They're closed on Mondays. I was spoiled by the 24 hour fitness 2 minutes from my parents' house or 10 minutes from my apartment.
5) Not being able to find clothes. It's not that I can't find proper sizes...there's actually a fair amount of large clothing in my area...it's that the stuff is just silly looking. I like an Engrish shirt as much as the next guy, but I'm not paying 20 bucks for it.
6) ATM fees. Imagine going to your OWN bank at 4:30pm and having to pay $1 to pull money out of an ATM. Imagine having to pay those fees at any time on the weekend. Imagine a country that still rarely uses credit cards. Imagine your bank being open from 9-3 on weekdays, and not opening on weekends. Awesome.
That's all. It's said that every JET loves a good whining session. My life here is actually pretty good, but it's when things are mainly going well that you notice the bad more easily. I've been eating better, getting tons of exercise, getting good lessons in taiko, traveling a bit, and saving money. I just need to find something to do in town on a weekend night besides play darts and meet more young Japanese folks, and I'll be set.
September 2, 2008
Dangers of Elementary School: Kancho
I assume this will be the first in a series of posts about the pitfalls of teaching young Japanese kids. The rumors I`ve heard have varied from hilarious to slightly gross, and I`m going through my days with my head on a swivel.
For those who have never heard of kancho, here`s your info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kancho
Anyone who`s been in Japan for a little while has either seen or experienced this first hand. It`s annoying, but certainly less painful than a ball tap.
Today was my first day playing with the kids, and I got one within about 5 minutes of stepping onto the field. A group of 5 boys surrounded me, asking me questions and telling me to play soccer when BAM, one slipped past my novice-level guard. I scolded him, but I doubt these kids will ever heed my reprimands.
On another note, it`s a good thing I started working out again. 15 minutes of soccer, then 10 minutes of a school dance had me sweating something fierce, and the school year is just starting. I`m sure it`ll be different when it cools down, but now I see why the younger teachers wear those dri-fit clothes that whisk moisture away from your body when exercising.
For those who have never heard of kancho, here`s your info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kancho
Anyone who`s been in Japan for a little while has either seen or experienced this first hand. It`s annoying, but certainly less painful than a ball tap.
Today was my first day playing with the kids, and I got one within about 5 minutes of stepping onto the field. A group of 5 boys surrounded me, asking me questions and telling me to play soccer when BAM, one slipped past my novice-level guard. I scolded him, but I doubt these kids will ever heed my reprimands.
On another note, it`s a good thing I started working out again. 15 minutes of soccer, then 10 minutes of a school dance had me sweating something fierce, and the school year is just starting. I`m sure it`ll be different when it cools down, but now I see why the younger teachers wear those dri-fit clothes that whisk moisture away from your body when exercising.
August 29, 2008
Ramentary: Dosanko Ramen
When it comes to lunch, I`ve had 2 distinct "routines." One is when about 5 or 6 teachers all head out together and invite me along. The other is when I`m facebooking, turn around, and the room is empty except for people who brought lunch. On those days where I`m running solo, I end up trying the random restaurants around town. There`s actually quite a few in some areas, but like any city, quality is going to vary.
I stopped by Dosanko (there`s 2 dosanko on the same street, but they use different characters to spell their names...go figure) the other day, furthering my quest to try all the ramen spots in the city in the first few months. It`s a tiny joint, seating maybe 20 tops, with a sole woman running the place. I sat at the counter in the mostly empty restaurant (never a good sign at 12:15) and ordered a ramen gyoza "teishoku" (set lunch). Considering it was only 800 yen, I hoped I`d get a great deal. How wrong I was.
It started with a mostly mayo salad, with bits of cabbage, cold clear noodles, and what looked like a slice of nectarine. Ugh. I was then served a bowl of rice, 5 overcooked gyoza that had burst sometime between fry pan and plate, deep fried veggies (these were actually good), pickles and kimchi, and a bowl of uninspired miso ramen. It`s got to be pretty mediocre for me not to finish a bowl of ramen, and that`s what happened here. Didn`t finish the salad or rice either. It was definitely a quantity over quality place, and while I commend the proprietress for pushing out 6 separate dishes in about 6 minutes, I actually only enjoyed 2 of them (rice, deep fried veggies).
I stopped by Dosanko (there`s 2 dosanko on the same street, but they use different characters to spell their names...go figure) the other day, furthering my quest to try all the ramen spots in the city in the first few months. It`s a tiny joint, seating maybe 20 tops, with a sole woman running the place. I sat at the counter in the mostly empty restaurant (never a good sign at 12:15) and ordered a ramen gyoza "teishoku" (set lunch). Considering it was only 800 yen, I hoped I`d get a great deal. How wrong I was.
It started with a mostly mayo salad, with bits of cabbage, cold clear noodles, and what looked like a slice of nectarine. Ugh. I was then served a bowl of rice, 5 overcooked gyoza that had burst sometime between fry pan and plate, deep fried veggies (these were actually good), pickles and kimchi, and a bowl of uninspired miso ramen. It`s got to be pretty mediocre for me not to finish a bowl of ramen, and that`s what happened here. Didn`t finish the salad or rice either. It was definitely a quantity over quality place, and while I commend the proprietress for pushing out 6 separate dishes in about 6 minutes, I actually only enjoyed 2 of them (rice, deep fried veggies).
I feel like a champ
Why? I just handled my business in one of these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilets_in_Japan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilets_in_Japan
With legs tired from my first consecutive hard cardio workouts (stairclimber/treadmill + basketball), in slippers designed for someone with size 8.5 feet (mine are 11), without any clothes touching the floor. I`ve done it before, but I don`t know if I was sober enough to really enjoy conquering another aspect of the culture. Props to me, and sorry mom for the crude post, but you know how I am.
2 of my schools ONLY HAVE THESE. It`s been a concern of mine since I started going to work, but up until today I was able to avoid them. They also tend to be the only option in places like train stations, bars, and some restaurants. The plus side of the availability of places like McDonald`s is that they almost always have western toilets, and no one seems to care if you come in, use it, and leave. It seems apathy exists in fast food workers the world over, no matter how polite they might sound.
August 25, 2008
Internet Woes
Despite my best hopes that I would be able to, at this point in my time here, surf the internet in my underwear, covered in bits of forgotten rice, lips stained with soy sauce and hair unkempt, alas, twas not to be. My home internet situation has not improved since day 1, though I do have a different user name and password that don`t work.
All those promises of pictures must wait, as there`s no way I can get them online from school (despite attempts at using proxy servers). My predecessor had to wait 4 MONTHS to get internet at home, so all I can do is hope and pray that it doesn`t reach that point.
On the positive side, I`m now reachable by phone or email via my cell. Feel free to shoot me an email at japan.droo@ezweb.ne.jp. I`ll probably be busy playing with the GPS navigation or downloading songs onto my micro SD card...I love Japanese cell phones.
All those promises of pictures must wait, as there`s no way I can get them online from school (despite attempts at using proxy servers). My predecessor had to wait 4 MONTHS to get internet at home, so all I can do is hope and pray that it doesn`t reach that point.
On the positive side, I`m now reachable by phone or email via my cell. Feel free to shoot me an email at japan.droo@ezweb.ne.jp. I`ll probably be busy playing with the GPS navigation or downloading songs onto my micro SD card...I love Japanese cell phones.
August 18, 2008
Short update
I`ve been holding off posting because I`m supposed to be getting broadband at home, allowing me to post pictures in these far too wordy posts...I`m a visual guy, I get it. Sometimes folks want to SEE the ramen instead of hear about how good I thought it was.
I`m also still without a foreigner registration card (necessary for ALL non-Japanese citizens...for those who are unfamiliar, we`ll later get into what makes you a Japanese citizen), and thus, without cell phone (though many have gotten around this). Both of these situations are scheduled to be remedied this week, and I`ll be getting my first paycheck as well.
What I`ve been up to: not much. Hit Himeji Castle on Friday, found a cool bar, got really drunk for the first time this trip in Toyooka, got the splint off my finger, and have been meeting cool folks. On the sched for this week: Kobe orientation Wednesday, fireworks festival tonight, prefectural beer garden Saturday, Clint visiting Fri-Sun. Should be good, hope to have pics up by Thursday.
I`m also still without a foreigner registration card (necessary for ALL non-Japanese citizens...for those who are unfamiliar, we`ll later get into what makes you a Japanese citizen), and thus, without cell phone (though many have gotten around this). Both of these situations are scheduled to be remedied this week, and I`ll be getting my first paycheck as well.
What I`ve been up to: not much. Hit Himeji Castle on Friday, found a cool bar, got really drunk for the first time this trip in Toyooka, got the splint off my finger, and have been meeting cool folks. On the sched for this week: Kobe orientation Wednesday, fireworks festival tonight, prefectural beer garden Saturday, Clint visiting Fri-Sun. Should be good, hope to have pics up by Thursday.
August 12, 2008
Kossetsu
Is the Japanese word for fracture. Which is what is currently plauging the first joint on my left hand`s middle finger. It`s taped to an aluminum splint, which was wrapped in an Ace bandage like gauze-ish material and taped again. It`s not particularly painful now, but when it happened...woo...
Some of you may remember when I broke the knuckle-joint of my right index finger by opening a door wrong and my finger getting caught in the handle...yes, not a sexy or even interesting story. I had a cast halfway down my forearm and with that being my strong arm, certain things were difficult. Imagine the helplessness I felt the first time I went to the bathroom or tried to open a jar. That being my first real bone break (other than a jaw injury when I was a wee lad) it really made me look at folks with disabilities differently. Hell, taking a shower was annoying as all get out.
Well, this time it`s on my left hand, and the splint only comes down to the knuckle. It`s significantly easier to do things like type or cook or shower, and I even managed to play a little taiko. Basketball practice on Thursday will be interesting, but I`m going to try to gut it out.
Ah yes, how it happened. Basically I was cherry-picking on a play (not getting back on defense and more or less waiting at half court for the other team to score so I could get an easy layup), and had a high, fast pass coming to me. I reached my hand up in a manner to allow me to bring the ball down quickly, with my wrist at a 90 degree angle and my hand set to cup the top of the ball. A defender tipped the ball, causing it to rise slightly, and it struck my middle finger at a good speed when the joints were locked in position. I immediately grabbed my finger and called for a sub. I figured it wasn`t that bad, and played the next game. I iced it that night, and though it hurt, I didn`t think much of it. The next day it was dark red at the joint, and started turning blue in mid-morning.
The hospital part can wait for later...
Some of you may remember when I broke the knuckle-joint of my right index finger by opening a door wrong and my finger getting caught in the handle...yes, not a sexy or even interesting story. I had a cast halfway down my forearm and with that being my strong arm, certain things were difficult. Imagine the helplessness I felt the first time I went to the bathroom or tried to open a jar. That being my first real bone break (other than a jaw injury when I was a wee lad) it really made me look at folks with disabilities differently. Hell, taking a shower was annoying as all get out.
Well, this time it`s on my left hand, and the splint only comes down to the knuckle. It`s significantly easier to do things like type or cook or shower, and I even managed to play a little taiko. Basketball practice on Thursday will be interesting, but I`m going to try to gut it out.
Ah yes, how it happened. Basically I was cherry-picking on a play (not getting back on defense and more or less waiting at half court for the other team to score so I could get an easy layup), and had a high, fast pass coming to me. I reached my hand up in a manner to allow me to bring the ball down quickly, with my wrist at a 90 degree angle and my hand set to cup the top of the ball. A defender tipped the ball, causing it to rise slightly, and it struck my middle finger at a good speed when the joints were locked in position. I immediately grabbed my finger and called for a sub. I figured it wasn`t that bad, and played the next game. I iced it that night, and though it hurt, I didn`t think much of it. The next day it was dark red at the joint, and started turning blue in mid-morning.
The hospital part can wait for later...
August 11, 2008
Tokyo Orientation
After about 3 hours at the airport, 12 hours on a plane on which I wasted my time watching Big Bang Theory (terrible), the Office (great), Be Kind Rewind (also great) and Hitch (better than expected....maybe it`s just Eva Mendes) and playing backgammon, I landed in Tokyo. As soon as I hit the airplane dor, the humidity hit me like a ton of wet, sticky bricks. In all my wisdom, I was wearing black pants and a grey button down, ensuring that not only would I be sweaty, but that people would likely be able to see it from miles away.
Customs, immigration, and all that jazz were pretty easy, with almost no questions of any kind. Taking the advice of previous JET friends, I basically spent the whole time talking to anyone and everyone in hopes of not only making friends but ensuring a spot to crash if I end up traveling the length of Japan eating ramen...which if you know me, is obviously my main goal. Some cool folks, some anime freaks, some japan-o-philes, but mostly just people also looking to meet as many people as possible.
Orientation itself was kind of a drag. Lengthy lectures held in overpacked rooms with insufficient A/C and amazingly uncomfortable chairs led to a whole lot of bitching and ditching. The speakers were mostly entertaining, however, and at times the meetings would fly by. Among the more useless workshops I attended were about saving money (common sense tactics), food (I eat it all the time, and there wasnt much cooking advice), and independent Japanese study (for beginners). Since I`ll be driving here, though, that workshop was helpful, as was the one on travel. The threw us in rooms with 3 beds basically side by side in an otherwise fairly swanky hotel and provided us with vegetarian lunches consisting of bread, rice, and a soy meat substitute.
Nighttime is the right time...to party, as they say. Lots of drinking with folks that I just met led to some fairly entertaining moments, like me passing out on the ground or folks being surprised by the button used to summon a waitress. Beer, chu-hai, and lots of food.
At different points in the 3 days, we ended up eating Tenkaippin (a ramen chain) at 2 am, hitting Tokyo Tower, getting caught in crazy rain, drinking at a bar in Roppongi, wandering around Shinjuku with 40 people, looking for a bar to accomodate us, and drinking on the sidewalk, talking to every person who walked by. Good times, and a great way to jump off what promises to be an interesting year.
Customs, immigration, and all that jazz were pretty easy, with almost no questions of any kind. Taking the advice of previous JET friends, I basically spent the whole time talking to anyone and everyone in hopes of not only making friends but ensuring a spot to crash if I end up traveling the length of Japan eating ramen...which if you know me, is obviously my main goal. Some cool folks, some anime freaks, some japan-o-philes, but mostly just people also looking to meet as many people as possible.
Orientation itself was kind of a drag. Lengthy lectures held in overpacked rooms with insufficient A/C and amazingly uncomfortable chairs led to a whole lot of bitching and ditching. The speakers were mostly entertaining, however, and at times the meetings would fly by. Among the more useless workshops I attended were about saving money (common sense tactics), food (I eat it all the time, and there wasnt much cooking advice), and independent Japanese study (for beginners). Since I`ll be driving here, though, that workshop was helpful, as was the one on travel. The threw us in rooms with 3 beds basically side by side in an otherwise fairly swanky hotel and provided us with vegetarian lunches consisting of bread, rice, and a soy meat substitute.
Nighttime is the right time...to party, as they say. Lots of drinking with folks that I just met led to some fairly entertaining moments, like me passing out on the ground or folks being surprised by the button used to summon a waitress. Beer, chu-hai, and lots of food.
At different points in the 3 days, we ended up eating Tenkaippin (a ramen chain) at 2 am, hitting Tokyo Tower, getting caught in crazy rain, drinking at a bar in Roppongi, wandering around Shinjuku with 40 people, looking for a bar to accomodate us, and drinking on the sidewalk, talking to every person who walked by. Good times, and a great way to jump off what promises to be an interesting year.
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