Christmas Spirit

There is no way there will ever be a White Christmas in Shimizu, but a girl can still dream, ya?

Since the weather around here is still early fall-ish, the "Christmas feeling" hasn't sunk in yet. Yes, a few houses have lights up and Christmas carols play in the supermarket, but I just haven't gotten that bounce in my step.

Well that all changed the other day. At school, some of the third year students in the elective music course gave a performance of White Christmas on hand bells. I couldn't stop smiling throughout their performance as I was thinking of the loved ones who are waiting for me.

These kids are like my babies because we started together, and we'll probably finish together.
Love 'em!

My Own Horn

Toot! Toot!

In the previous post, I mentioned that I attended a seminar. So let me elaborate.

Every year, the JET programme has Mid-Year Seminars (MYS) for all their prefectures. In Shizuoka, all 2nd-year and above JETs are required to present at this seminar. Since I am in my 3rd year now, I had to present. I could choose my own topic, choose to have a partner or fly solo, and debate whether I should risk the success of my presentation on Powerpoint.

I decided to be old-fashioned with a handout, magnets, posters, white board, markers, and a great Vanna White audience assistant. There was some great discussions, helpful participation from the audience (primarily first-year JETs and recently-transferred or appointed JTEs and Supervisors), and a lot of laughs. The 50 minutes alloted for the presentation suddenly seemed as though it wouldn't be enough time! I suppose that's a better "problem" to have than to have 15 minutes remaining and twiddle our thumbs.

During lunch break of the second day, participants in MYS could vote for the best elective workshop/presentation and the winners would be announced in the closing remarks.
Well toot, toot, ta, toot, toot! I got 2nd!

As a teacher, sometimes I feel that my hard work goes unappreciated by those that receive it. It can be a HUGE downer over a long haul (like the current second semester) and kill motivation. So it's nice to have my efforts recognized by others who work just as diligently.

If you'd like to take a peek at my handout, it can be viewed here at Google Documents. The formatting has gone wonky and this may be because the head JET doesn't have the font I used on his computer. Ah well, he was kind enough to upload all the handouts used at MYS so I am grateful because now I have even MORE resources to pull from in the future.... like third semester.

1 week and 6 days until I am home!

Anything you can do, I can do in Japanese

I got this idea from a friend at the seminar last week. Any milestone in a foreign country is still a milestone, however big or small. I may be surprised by all that I -can- do on my own and now think that it is no big deal.

In no specific order or ranking...

1) I can order a pizza over the phone.

2) I can update my bankbook in Japanese (please see previous post about the lack of bank statements in Japan).

3) I can call the delivery man and make an appointment for him/her to pick up/deliver a package.

4) I can use the poster-making machine , copier , and fax machine at work.

5) I can fill out my own business trip form. (If you haven't seen one, they are ridiculously meticulous and complicated)

6) I can call a taxi and give him/her specific directions to my location, where I want to go, and how many people will be riding. Often times, I can even hold a casual conversation with the driver.

7) I can find almost anything at the grocery store. Corn starch still eludes me.

8) I can operate Microsoft Word and Excel in Japanese. Yes, I got skills.

9) I can read and comprehend a bus and train map and correspondingly, how to get around the stations. I have taken the wrong bus/train only ONCE in 2 and a half years.

10) I can make photo prints without assistance from a store clerk.

11) I can use the touch panels at sushi and yakiniku restaurants (pictures are very helpful).

12) I can recharge my commuter's card.

13) I can request out-of-state train tickets for regular trains, bullet trains, other luxury lines , and whether the ticket should be round trip or one-way.

14) I can have 3 drinks and not make a fool of myself. (While this is not a skill, after-work drinking is a bonding custom. To not participate in drinking may be interpreted as an indirect signal that the person does not wish to socialize. Before coming to Japan, I never drank alcohol.)

15) I can order sports tickets (specifically sumo tickets) from the ATM-esque machines at convenient stores.

16) I can tell the doctor my symptoms.

17) I can order contacts and update my prescription.

18) I can wire money home or to another account, but I have to brave the severe post office lady who raises her voice at me when I ask her to speak more clearly. I didn't say speak louder.

19) I can tell off my students for bad behavior. They seem stunned that I am capable of raising my voice since I am usually so bubbly.

20) I can write a New Years greeting card.

21) I can write a few kanji characters with a calligraphy brush. Of course, this is after practicing 12-20 times.

22) I can write my address in Japanese by hand. It takes 100-105 strokes of the pen depending on how clearly I write.

23) I can ask people to hand me items that are out of reach and to help me make change from a 500 yen coin or 1,000 yen bill.

24) I can order anything at Starbucks (and I guess any other coffee shop).

25) I can request permission to try on clothes or shoes.

26) I can use, read, and comprehend my TV's internal TV-guide.

27) I can hook up most electronics. Laptop to projector can still be a hassle.

28) I can operate a karaoke machine , find the song I want to sing , and input it into the machine.

Wow! I can do a lot! Before I came to Japan, I could not do ANY of these things. So maybe I won't pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test in December, but at least I know that what I couldn't do before, I can now do. HA!

Super Mario Bros.

As most of you know, I am a video game nerd.
Zelda, Ocarina of Time for 64 redefined gaming for me. That and multi-player Tetris.

Here is an excerpt from one of my student's journals.

"Now, Mario celebrates 25 year. But I have big shock. Mario is sink man! Cool hat man I was thinking. Overalls is stylish recently, so Mario have nice sense I was thinking. Before, what I thought is now a lie! I am in a shock."

Translation:
Super Mario Bros is celebrating their 25th anniversary. But I am in shock: Mario is a plumber! I thought he [just] wore a cool hat. Recently, overalls are in style, so Mario has good fashion sense. But, now I realize that what I thought before is wrong! I am so shocked."

I had a good laugh over this.

Ugh. Ths blog stuff is not going over well, is it?

I am going rafting on Saturday (assuming I kick this cold before then) so I should have something to post.

I am so stressed at work. I am exhausted. I need more sleep.

A Good Week

I am trying to stay positive.

Last week (September 13 - 17) had its extremes ups and downs. I went to work Monday and managed to put on "the mask of duty". But really, I was panicking inside. Thank goodness my first period class was taken over by the other teacher, Ms. Kobayashi. Tuesday was exhausting because I had 4 classes and couldn't focus my head to really teach the classes all that well. I went home feeling defeated. Wednesday was much better. I had two enthusiastic first-year classes and they really boosted my spirits. Thursday and Friday almost felt normal.

I haven't told my students why I missed the first week and a half of the second semester. I feel as though I will lose my composure if I do tell them. Also, for some reason, I feel like I should be inpenetrable when I am in front of them. Since being a teacher in Japan, I have only cried twice in a pity-party sort of way due to the stresses of work, an unmanagable class, or something like that. Both times were in the seclusion of my classroom on the 4th floor of the 2nd building so I highly doubt anyone else at school was aware.
As a high school student, I can only recall one time when a teacher cried in front of the students due to her own struggle with a chronic illness. I was floored. Then again, I could fully understand everything she said to me and that wouldn't be the case with my students, especially since my English while crying isn't all that clear.

This week was even better. Monday was a holiday so I spent the 3-day weekend at my aunt and uncle's place in Kamakura. I love going there because it is so relaxing. Sure, it was busy around the station and beach, but I spent most of the time with my aunt and uncle, reading manga, listening to the birds, and watching the sumo tournament on TV.

After the 3-day weekend, I came back to a 3-class work week. This is almost unheard of for me since I have a 17-class work week. Insane. Monday was a national holiday (Respect for the Aged Day), Tuesday was morning classes only in order to prepare for..., Wednesday: the school's Field Day. I didn't take any pictures this year, but if you would like to look at previous years' picture, they can be seen here and here. Thursday was ALSO a national holiday (Autumn Equinox) and it rained all day. But with the rain came Autumn. The temperature FINALLY went below 30 C and today is very cool as well. Since there wasn't much chance of getting out, I cleaned the apartment which has desperately been needing my attention. And today, I had 3 second-year classes and we talked/wrote about movies, books, comics, and TV shows. I had a lot of fun and the students took up the writing assignment enthusiastically. Sometimes students can really surprise you!

Tonight, I will have dinner with a good friend, Joe, and then spend some time at home tomorrow Skyping and relaxing and getting back to studying for another JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) in December.

By the way, I failed the July test, but only the grammar section. I am not too surprised since I didn't feel all that confident after the test. This year, the examinee must pass all three sections of the test. I passed kanji reading/vocabulary usage and listening, but my grammar was dismal at only 30%. So I guess I know what I need to work on.

Grief still comes suddenly. Before this post, I was looking through pictures of my nephews and nieces and thought just how precious family truly is. I am so glad I will be coming home for Christmas time for almost 3 weeks. Don't be surprised if I only stick around with them. If you want to see me, you may have to come see me on my turf at 1111. I love that address...

Loss, Shock, Grief, and more

As some of my readers already know, my family has had a sudden loss.

Words seem really pointless to try to process my feelings and my grief, especially to do so on a public forum.

Now I am back in Japan, back to work, and don't feel like myself.

Deep breaths.

Still Around

My apologies to my dedicated readers.

There's no excuse for my lack of posts except for the blatant admission of laziness. This summer is the 3rd summer I've experienced in Japan and it also happens to be the hottest of the 3. Naturally, such circumstances do not foster motivation for anything other than loafing around the house where there's A/C. Why I don't post pictures in the meantime? Perhaps I consider that "work" and since I am technically on summer vacation (though still required to go to school and explaining that system requires a separate blog post), I'd rather use my vacation for just that... a vacation.

But I am here, alive and well, and smothering in the heat.

4 Years from Now

Wow. It just hit me.

The World Cup Soccer (Football) Tournament is this year. Do you know what this means?!

I am officially a has-been.

...

How did I come to that conclusion?

4 years ago, during the time of the previous World Cup, I was touring Europe with the HU Chorus. There were weeks of rain, international singing festival in Poland, the beauty of Dresden Germany, reuniting with college friends in Vicenza Italy, crepes in Lyon France, and a super long bus ride from Calais to Bristol.
My fleece pullover became my best friend because, unlike Arkansas, most of Europe is still pretty chilly in May and June. Close runner-ups were my Febreze fabric deodorizor and Shout Wipes. Remember those hideous asparagus outfits? Yikes...
Most memorable are the other members of the Chorus and the generous people who hosted us on our tour. In Germany, I seemed to bump into a lot of people who knew me as a child or knew my family. In Croatia, I learned a valuable lesson in friendship. In France, I fell in love with white peaches.

That was 4 years ago.

Now, I am teaching English at a high school in Japan.

I have been so blessed and priveleged to have so many experiences young in life. I hope that 4 years from now, I am still as adventurous and appreciative of the world and the people who make my life amazing.

Where will I be 4 years from now?

Long time, No Blog!

*wipes the dust from her keyboard and screen*

Hisashiburi, y'all! Wow. It has been awhile since I have posted here!

Since Korea, a new school year has kicked off. I have 241 new students and this batch seems a lot more eager and confident to volunteer in class. This makes it a lot easier on me especially since OC is all about communicating!

But the first semester is a bit odd. I can never get into a groove. School starts but I didn't see the first year students for a week. Then two weeks later, we had a week's-worth of holidays so I missed a class here and another one there. Next week, we'll have midterms and 3 weeks after that is our school culture festival. With so many hiccups, it's a bit difficult to settle into a routine. Also, since all my classes are on different lesson plans, I am having difficulty making a midterm that is challenging enough for the students who are ahead without being impossible for the students who are behind.

For general grown-up talk, I finished my taxes last night. HALLEJUAH! I am glad I get a 2 month auto-extension since I live overseas because all those calculations of deductions from yen-dollars was a pain.

In family news, my parents arrive in Japan tomorrow! My dad retired from teaching business/commercial law, international relations, and some economics courses so now both parents have the time for an extended visit. They will be in Japan until late June, but only with me for maybe 2 weeks of the time. This weekend, we will be attending the May Sumo Tournament and next week, we will travel to the Northern Coast of Japan to Kanazawa. Of course, they will stopover at my place for a few nights and meet Kiyomi. We're set to go out to my favorite yakitori shop.

A short jaunt to South Korea

Now that schools are on spring holiday, I can travel too!

YES! Sensei is allowed to take time off! About time!!!

For 3 nights and 4 days, I explored Seoul with Kiyomi.

We ate, we shopped, we ate, we saw shows, and just to shake things up a bit, we ate some more.

You can view my Facebook album, Anyohaseyo, to view my adventures there.

By the way, Anyohaseyo means "hello" in Korean.

Kam-sa-ham-ni-dah!

Pork Style Korean BBQ

View of Downtown Seoul from our hotel

Starting to Hate the System

He's been hacking for two days. And he won't go home.

Well, he could go home, but he'd have to take paid leave.

But he's obviously very sick. And staying here at work, in the staff room, means that he's just spreading his yuck with every coughing fit.

Spring vacation officially starts Friday night. I don't want to get sick before my trip to Korea, but I am already feeling the yuck attack my throat and creep into my sinuses.

So, Mr. Hack-Up-My-Lungs-Sensei, please go home.

Faculty Trip to Nara and Kyoto

This is mostly what I saw of Nara.

Stairs... upon stairs... and more stairs... oh! and in the rain too.

Hase-dera, the temple of stairs.
Park the bus in China, walk back to Japan, then climb a bajillion stairs to get to the temple.

In Nara, we didn't go to any of the famous places, such as the largest/oldest wooden building in Japan, the Giant Buddha of Nara, or the park with all the deer.
So I will have to go back again on my own dime.

In Kyoto, Kinkakuji!!!! A World Cultural Heritage Place.

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

For more photos, please visit my Facebook album

Olympic Party

Before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics, my friend Jessie hosted a slumber party!
And of course, what would be the appropriate Wii game to play?
Sonic vs Mario Olympic Games, of course!


Jennifer and Sally playing Table Tennis.

Jeff, Ben, and Jennifer getting pretty serious...

... about rowing!
The combination of button-pressing must be correct AND at the same time that the controller and nunchuck are pulled towards the body.

Yay for a slumber party!

Unfortunately, my battery died soon after this so I do not have photos (yet) of the delicious breakfast of pancakes and Opening Ceremony footage.

Daniel's Visit

Yay for friends that come to visit!
Masamichi (Masa), Daniel, and I met in college. Since my mom is Japanese, my family often takes Japanese students under our wing to help them get settled and adjusted. Also, it never hurts to have a meal from the homeland.
So Masa and others often came over for a meal and as Daniel was Masa's suitemate, Daniel got to come along too! Post-graduation, Masa went to cram school for medical school, Daniel is teaching English in China at a university in Hangzhou, and I am teaching English in Japan at a high school.

However, these boys really don't like to pose for pictures so I had to be sneaky.

On the riverboat in Yokohama.

On the subway to Shinjuku.

On the train to Akihabara.

In Asakasa. Actually, this is me.

Thanks for coming to visit, Daniel! Please come again. =)

Yuki Matsuri 2010: Snow Sculptures

On Saturday, I went around to see the snow sculptures in Odori Park.


The 7th block of the Odori Park is always dedicated to some international display.
This year's highlight comes from Dresden, Germany, the Frauenkirche Church.
The church did not survive the bombings during WWII, but as far as possible, the church has been rebuilt using the original stones.

The Baekje Royal Palace of South Korea
This model is taken after the Empress' Palace.

My nephew, Kale, loves trains of all sorts so this made me think of him.

Chibi Maruko-chan and Friends
Chibi Maruko-chan is a TV show.
2 things are super cool about this show.
1) It takes place in Shimizu, the city where I live.
2) The creator, Sakura Momoko, graduated from the high school where I teach: Shimizu West!

Yuki Matsuri 2010: Sapporo Beer Garten

32 Shizuoka ALTs (and friends!) went to the Snow Festival in Sapporo, Hokkaido from February 5-8th.

First Night of the Snow Festival was spent at the Sapporo Brewery having all you can eat lamb and beer for 2 hours.


Shinsuke (Shin-chan), me, and Kat.

Nick and Michael posing with their EIGHTH plate of lamb. EIGHT PLATES OF LAMB!

Adam and Ben also helped with the 8 plates. Amazing.

Long after everyone had finished eating, Neil was still going strong. Epic.

Thank you, Nicole, for making the reservations!

Pictures to Come

There is so much to put up here that I haven't had a chance to do it until this weekend! Starting tonight, and after I watch my tape of Olympic figure skating, I PROMISE to put up pictures!

The end of the school year is nigh.... thus, I am completely swamped at work. Cheers.

January Photos

For most of the pictures, please check Facebook
The Nagano Ski trip didn't make it to the Facebook album so those will be included here.

Starting off at the Bunny Slope

Brian, my ski-buddy!

Yes. With my short legs, my skiis stuck straight up when I sat on the lift. Fun times... fun times...

FRIENDS!!! Andrew, Brian, and Jaime!

Goings On: Too Much

Perhaps I bit off more than I can chew.

There has been so much on my plate that since arriving back from Christmas vacation, I have had little time to sit down and type out anything unrelated to work, Shizuoka AJET, or sumo.

This past weekend, I thought to take a time out for myself and go skiing in Nagano. It was an eventful trip with many "memory moments" when you have to be optimistic and just chill, reminding yourself "We'll get home, when we get home". After a small accident, lots of snow on the roads, many missed turns and detours, and a dead car battery, I finally got home at 1:30 am this morning.

Recently, I have stepped in as an officer for Shizuoka AJET, an organization that plans events for all the JETs (and any accompanying friends) in Shizuoka. My job has been to finalize all Sapporo Snow Festival payments, rooming, the charter bus, and money. I've already dealt with people who are making changes to their plans, want refunds, drop-outs, a hotel change, charter bus meeting points and leaders and overall BAAAAAAHHHH!!!
On Friday, I am meeting with our travel agent to make the final payment for everything. I am counting on everyone to send in their money to the joint AJET account so that I can pay the travel agent. I hope people do not procrastinate too long. The actual trip is February 5-8.

This Saturday, I am going to the sumo tournament with 4 friends, 3 of whom need to pay me back for the tickets that I bought for everyone. Usually, I am not a stickler on payback times, but as I see these friends rarely, I'd rather get that money back sooner rather than later. And since I hold all the tickets, I hope they show up on time at the designated place so that we do not miss any of the action.

An elementary school sent letters from the students to answer questions about Japan. While there hasn't been a deadline mentioned, I have become stressed that I need to get this done in a timely manner. Preferably, I'd like to wait until March to send my replies, but as a fellow teacher, I know what it is like waiting and depending upon someone else.

Class starts in 10 minutes. Maybe I won't lose my head.

Food in Hawaii

Southern Style Breakfast! - Buttered Toast, REAL bacon, Scrambled Eggs seasoned with Tony's Creole Seasoning, and Match-stick style hashbrowns. I love the South!

Gelato Ice Cream - Pineapple and Hawaiian Ice Mix.

Christmas Dinner - Honey Baked Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Caesar Salad,
Brown Sugar/Bacon Green Beans, Green Chile Corn, and Cranberry Fluff (not-pictured).

TEX-MEX! - Enchiladas (and excessive cilantro. Never was a fan), Refried Beans, Spanish Rice, Chips, and Watermelon.

MORE Hawaii Pictures

Mom and I at Sunset

Sunset on the Beach

Boys Boogie-Boarding on the North Shore

Serious Waves.

More Hawaii Pictures

Fishing at Sunrise

Stand-up Surfing with Paddles.
I really wanted to try that. It looks like it would take a lot of balance and muscle control.

Hanauma Bay - Snorkeling Point.

A-MA-ZING!