Monday, September 3, 2007
First Day Teaching Elementary
Omg, how adorable are those elementary kids! They were all over me the second I got in the school yard. I just love them already!! First thing was watching the students practice for Sports Day-- they have some intense cheers! lol I will have to video them! I swear the leading kid almost fell over backwards and his voice squeeked everytime he did the cheer! lol too funny. Intros went well today and in some of the classes I think I will be able to have a bit of flexibility in the schedule. All the kids loved the Canada pins too : ) There is only one girl in the grade 1 class and she is absolutely adorable. I think she is my fav so far in the whole school. Kawaii!!! The grade three class was funny because they kept making "big eyes" at me-- pulling their eyes tall (just like we do with squinting Japanese eyes back home.) I tried hard not to laugh. The fifth grade class was a nice change because we got past the "Hello, How are you?" stage. They were lots of fun and their teacher is pretty relaxed. Lunch time was quite the sight with everyone in white coats, hats and masks. The kids all serve themselves/each other lunch and clean up afterthemselves. After lunch it was free time and a cutie in grade 6 toured me around (dragging me I should add) and showed me pictures of when the people from Devon came. It was so neat because they kept pointing to people and asking if i knew them- Chantelle Hawkins and Brittney Ostanal (?) were favorites among the kids. They also pointed to the Discover Devon pamphlet they have hanging in the hall-- and guess who was in it at the swimming pool? Half the guys in my grade from junior high. It was funny seeing Jon and Cassidy, Mike, Keston and a few others! Now I've got an hour break until I take the little ones out to play and then to the bus. I think I am really going to like Tuesdays!
The Week From Hell (Partially Written the Week After So As To Be Not Entirely Pessimistic and Grumpy)--It's a long one!
Monday:
Well today is not a good day. Actually it's really crap. This morning while the other teachers were having a long meeting I decided to go to the library and work on my introduction Canada Powerpoint. I proceeded to plug in a LAN cable into my computer which somehow totally f*d up my computer. Seriously, it's taking my all not to start crying right now (I think I already woke up on the wrong side of the bed). I called Duane and David on my cell phone but both say I may be screwed. I hope I have my Windows CD with me but knowing my rush packing job I am sure I was lucky just to back up some of my files. Therefore I left it in Canada and even if mom and dad could find it= weeks/months to ship.... maybe someone here has the same copy?? I'm so clueless about these things sometimes. I can't even think about how much data I will lose-- since the beginning of August I have been working on lesson plans, presentations, videos and a master game/activitiy database. Think 8hours x 5 days x 3 weeks.... argh.... all gone! Makes me wish I had spent more time on facebook putting up pictures---because those are now all gone too. Ouch. ahh and the videos that I had taken all across Alberta during Wynchemna this summer... it pains me even to think of them all! Grr, okay I guess it is my own fault so I'm going to stop complaining now. Aww I guess I have to cancel my Skype date with Duane too : (
Tuesday: Days of Actually Working During Summer Vacation
Now Japanese people have multiple reasons that they are willing to list as to why teachers work during their summer vacation. (Probably the most reasonable is the claim that they are government employees and no longer have to work on saturdays so have to make up the time). Still..somedays I am skeptical that any work actually gets done. Sometimes (heck a lot of the time) I think that the whole summer system is pointless and backwards (ooh there goes my cultural sensitivity). However, usually those are the days that I am watching the clock and surfing the net. Today however, I am going with the mindset that Canada should incorporate a little more time for teachers to get ready before classes start. I am not actually saying we should cut summer vacation-- but I wonder what would happen with more mandatory prep time? Then again, I have come from a family of teachers who practically live at the school on weekends and evenings anyways at certain times of the year.
So today I made and then mastered my Japanese alphabet flashcards (2 different 46 character phonetic systems). I cannot resist the plug here for Michael Rowley's Kana Pict-o-graphix Mneumonics for Hiragana and Katakana as well as the Australian Hiragana and Katakana in 48 Minutes Sets. Just can't say enough good things about them!! I also got some teaching work done by making more English alphabet flashcards and photocopying out of my ESL books. Quite productive I was-- not in any way am I saying that my laptop crashing on me yesterday was a positivive thing-- but I probably got more work done today than most days.
Last night when I was leaving school I found Simon (a 2nd year ALT who lives nearby) waiting outside with his brand new-used scooter. I didn't recognize him at first and was wondering who the heck kept honking at me (1) in Japan people don't use their horns much at all 2) Simon's family is from Asia and with the helmet I couldnt tell he wasn't just a local Japanese man). His scooter is really cute (not the word he likes me describing it as mind you)--but at the same time it sure made me glad that I gave up my original plan of driving a scooter and bought Kaki's old car. His scooter cant go over 40 clicks (km/hour-- apparently only Canadians say clicks) and is only for one person. Since Simon was in an accident and was caught driving without a valid international licence when I first arrived-- he was just happy to have wheels again.
We went down to the river and went swimming and jumping off the rocks until the sun started to set. It sure was nice to cool off and get my mind off of my broken stuff (ooh did I mention when I tried putting in the DVDs last night that I rented, that my DVD player is broken? ah lovely). Anyways we drove to his place (oh so slowly with me following) and then he got in my car and we went for some eats and cruising around the (new to me) city of Ono (closer than Maleria-- yeah!!) We also found a video store selling $1 Video casettes from the 80s so I gave into the temptation and got some interesting classics-- in English! yeah!!!
When I got home I got a call from Duane which totally made my day! It is crazy how fast time flies by when talking internationally!
Tonight I am off to badminton and tomorrow Simon, Narin, Kiri and maybe some other nearby ALTs are going for a meat buffet where you cook things for yoursef in a boilinh pot of oil-- Shabu Shabu (I think it is Korean). Also pumped to try to get my computer working again!! Please! Fingers crossed!
I heard from Camille the other day-- she seems to be having a rough time so far--really hoping it improves for her! Different cultures make the world of difference in your life when choosing a job teaching overseas. She just arrived in Qatar and the culture shock is pretty extreme I think. My friend Matt starts in Vietnam n a few days- wishing him luck too! As of now my plan is still to go home at the end of the year.. but... after talking to Simon I've gotten both inspired to keep doing this ESL thing and seeing the world (he's lived in US, Korea, Africa, Australia, China and Japan) while at the same time I'm learning to really appreciate what a good deal I've got going for me with the whole Jet Organization Setup.. No frets yet people (MOM!) the plan is still Canada (at least for a little while) in August 2008.
Well a 3rd Welcome party has been planned for Monday! And I may go up to the Hida region in Gifu for the weekend with some friends. Everyhing is lookin ok-- kids start monday!
Writing Monday the first day of school
Ok I survived the crazy awful week which was last week. The awful part I am going to try to minimize because I just want to put it behind me. In short, the computer wasn't working no matter what I tried but I found a Jet who is a computer expert-- although lives over 2 hours away. He agreed to meet me in Gifu city if I would drive him home afterwards because the trains don't run much to the country. So I agreed and decided to venture off into the big Gifu city with Narin and Sandra by my side. We were going to meet up with Kevin try the computer thing, and have dinner with a whole bunch of Jets. Plans got sidetracked however when we were just about to the station and I had a minor car accident. No one was hurt and the cars were only scratched-- like very tiny that we didn't even know if we actually touched and had to pull over or not. But... in Japan nothing is that easy! We pulled over and thankfully I had Narin who speaks Japanese with me! The man in the other car was nice but we had a big long procedure to follow. In Japan if there is even the tiniest accident you have to go to the police station. Luckily I had amillion trillion insurance and shaken and international licences with me--- however--- left my passport in Neo (we were told we didn't need to carry them once you have your alien registration). After a big caffuffle at the police staiton questioning my licence, validity of being in Japan, travel dates to Japan, detailing the accident, insurance shaken etc etc they decided they wanted me to drive back to Neo right then to get my licence (an hour an a half away). It was already 8 by this time and I wasn't looking forward to driving all the way back and forth and was so overwhelmed that I started to cry (at least it made them realise I was sorry and really didn't want to drive back.) After callng our supervisor because we couldn't understand and wanted to try to get him to help us sort it out over the phone, the supervisor and his wife drove to meet us in Gifu (he lives a half hour away). The fun continued from there when it wasn't until 3 hours later that we finally could leave the police station with the promise of coming back the next day so they could make a photocopy of my passport. Just as I was about to pull away however I got phone calls from my 3rd in command at my school, my Japanese English Teacher and messages from my vice principal and principal- geez goodnews travels fast. To make a long story short(er) we met up with some of the Jets at a Mexican (one of the few in the country I think!) joint and then I drove Kevin home and left my computer with him for a few days. I didn't make it home until about 2am and was going to get picked up by my Vice Principal at 8. Ah lovely. First I got a knock on my door by the OTHER vice principal (of the Elementary school this time) coming ot check on me because he had heard the news too. I think they were all trying to be nice and make sure I was ok but it just seemed embarassing and long! So I got passed from my Kyoto sensei to my Supervisor in Motosu city and then taken to the police office again in Gifu city where they wanted not only my current passport but copies of my previous ones too! Took awhile to explain that I had to give my other one to the Canadian Gov't in exchange for the new one. Next we drove back, made some phone calls to insurance and then I crashed on Narin's couch for a few hours (I was not allowed to drive my car and didn't feel like going on 2 hours worth of trains for 2 hours). (Oh yah and did I mention this was the friday that I had booked off for vacation!). Anyways at 4 I met with the supervisor, one of the head guys from the Board of Education and my Principal opf the Elem school (who had to leave his Golf Game early-I was reminded of multiple times). I got a lecture about being more careful and how accidents look bad on me, all JETs, Canadians and all teachers. More lectures pertaining to how a Jet got killed on a bicycle 10 years ago and how there was a teacher in Gifu City that got caught drinking and driving last month and that I would get fired if that ever happened. (Remember mine was just a tiny scratch!). After half an hour of lectures and me apologizing, I got to go with them to buy apology gift cakes and bring them to the office of the man who I was in the accident with in order to apologie to him formally and to his family. pff like I said nothing is small in Japan. I was reminded a million more times of "ahh you are so lucky, you hit the most kind, most gentle and nice man in ALL of Japan! ah yes he is such a gentleman!" True, the man was nice, but he was approached my 4 of us all dressed up in suits offering multiple apologies, cake and my offer to fix all the damages.
After that whole deal I was pretty much ready to go home and so I took the train home, walked in the dark to my apt and was a bum watching VHS for the rest of the night.
Oh yah-- and I got a phone call from Kevin (the computer guy) confirming my computer most definitely was screwed up and that I would lose all my data and would need a new harddrive. ah lovely. Did I tell you my friend Katie decided to pack it in? She leaves JET and Japan tomorrow : ( I guess I'm a survivor!
Monday Night:
Life is finally turning around! : ) I found out that I can get the accident paid for by insurance and my premiums don't go up until next year--- when I will be out of the country! Whooo! Free accident! (Though not necessarily something to brag about!). Sunday was also fun because Rika and her father took me around to temples in our area, out for cheap sushi and then to meet Kevin to fix my laptop. I was pretty proud of myself because after Kevin helped me put in my new harddrive I set up the internet all by myself-- in Japanese! Boo yah! Ooh and Rika and I make some Print Club stickers-- they are so intense here! Like editing and all! Good times. Tonight I just got back from my welcome party with the people of my apartmnet building. There were 8 of us in Kyoto Sensei (Elem)'s apartment downstairs. Although I never understand much when I don't have Murachi sensei or a translator around, these guys were hours of entertainment! It was about a 4.5 hour party and you can imagine how much drinking went on! hehe too fun. Kocho sensei and Kyoto sensei (both Elem) are absolutely hilarious! Too akward and cute and dorky and funny for words! Can't get enough of them when they are drinking especially! What characters! Also tonight Murachi sensei came in his new Spiderman mask from Osaka and was in a fun mood too. We're thinking of having parties once a month in alternating apartmnets! Could be some fun times ahead! Not really sure why we all got drunk on a monday night--- oh well, I am sure I won't be as hung over as the bosses tomorrow!
Oh yah I keep forgetting to write-- I finally saw monkeys! Twice at the side of the road in Neo! Whooo for wild monkeys!
Well today is not a good day. Actually it's really crap. This morning while the other teachers were having a long meeting I decided to go to the library and work on my introduction Canada Powerpoint. I proceeded to plug in a LAN cable into my computer which somehow totally f*d up my computer. Seriously, it's taking my all not to start crying right now (I think I already woke up on the wrong side of the bed). I called Duane and David on my cell phone but both say I may be screwed. I hope I have my Windows CD with me but knowing my rush packing job I am sure I was lucky just to back up some of my files. Therefore I left it in Canada and even if mom and dad could find it= weeks/months to ship.... maybe someone here has the same copy?? I'm so clueless about these things sometimes. I can't even think about how much data I will lose-- since the beginning of August I have been working on lesson plans, presentations, videos and a master game/activitiy database. Think 8hours x 5 days x 3 weeks.... argh.... all gone! Makes me wish I had spent more time on facebook putting up pictures---because those are now all gone too. Ouch. ahh and the videos that I had taken all across Alberta during Wynchemna this summer... it pains me even to think of them all! Grr, okay I guess it is my own fault so I'm going to stop complaining now. Aww I guess I have to cancel my Skype date with Duane too : (
Tuesday: Days of Actually Working During Summer Vacation
Now Japanese people have multiple reasons that they are willing to list as to why teachers work during their summer vacation. (Probably the most reasonable is the claim that they are government employees and no longer have to work on saturdays so have to make up the time). Still..somedays I am skeptical that any work actually gets done. Sometimes (heck a lot of the time) I think that the whole summer system is pointless and backwards (ooh there goes my cultural sensitivity). However, usually those are the days that I am watching the clock and surfing the net. Today however, I am going with the mindset that Canada should incorporate a little more time for teachers to get ready before classes start. I am not actually saying we should cut summer vacation-- but I wonder what would happen with more mandatory prep time? Then again, I have come from a family of teachers who practically live at the school on weekends and evenings anyways at certain times of the year.
So today I made and then mastered my Japanese alphabet flashcards (2 different 46 character phonetic systems). I cannot resist the plug here for Michael Rowley's Kana Pict-o-graphix Mneumonics for Hiragana and Katakana as well as the Australian Hiragana and Katakana in 48 Minutes Sets. Just can't say enough good things about them!! I also got some teaching work done by making more English alphabet flashcards and photocopying out of my ESL books. Quite productive I was-- not in any way am I saying that my laptop crashing on me yesterday was a positivive thing-- but I probably got more work done today than most days.
Last night when I was leaving school I found Simon (a 2nd year ALT who lives nearby) waiting outside with his brand new-used scooter. I didn't recognize him at first and was wondering who the heck kept honking at me (1) in Japan people don't use their horns much at all 2) Simon's family is from Asia and with the helmet I couldnt tell he wasn't just a local Japanese man). His scooter is really cute (not the word he likes me describing it as mind you)--but at the same time it sure made me glad that I gave up my original plan of driving a scooter and bought Kaki's old car. His scooter cant go over 40 clicks (km/hour-- apparently only Canadians say clicks) and is only for one person. Since Simon was in an accident and was caught driving without a valid international licence when I first arrived-- he was just happy to have wheels again.
We went down to the river and went swimming and jumping off the rocks until the sun started to set. It sure was nice to cool off and get my mind off of my broken stuff (ooh did I mention when I tried putting in the DVDs last night that I rented, that my DVD player is broken? ah lovely). Anyways we drove to his place (oh so slowly with me following) and then he got in my car and we went for some eats and cruising around the (new to me) city of Ono (closer than Maleria-- yeah!!) We also found a video store selling $1 Video casettes from the 80s so I gave into the temptation and got some interesting classics-- in English! yeah!!!
When I got home I got a call from Duane which totally made my day! It is crazy how fast time flies by when talking internationally!
Tonight I am off to badminton and tomorrow Simon, Narin, Kiri and maybe some other nearby ALTs are going for a meat buffet where you cook things for yoursef in a boilinh pot of oil-- Shabu Shabu (I think it is Korean). Also pumped to try to get my computer working again!! Please! Fingers crossed!
I heard from Camille the other day-- she seems to be having a rough time so far--really hoping it improves for her! Different cultures make the world of difference in your life when choosing a job teaching overseas. She just arrived in Qatar and the culture shock is pretty extreme I think. My friend Matt starts in Vietnam n a few days- wishing him luck too! As of now my plan is still to go home at the end of the year.. but... after talking to Simon I've gotten both inspired to keep doing this ESL thing and seeing the world (he's lived in US, Korea, Africa, Australia, China and Japan) while at the same time I'm learning to really appreciate what a good deal I've got going for me with the whole Jet Organization Setup.. No frets yet people (MOM!) the plan is still Canada (at least for a little while) in August 2008.
Well a 3rd Welcome party has been planned for Monday! And I may go up to the Hida region in Gifu for the weekend with some friends. Everyhing is lookin ok-- kids start monday!
Writing Monday the first day of school
Ok I survived the crazy awful week which was last week. The awful part I am going to try to minimize because I just want to put it behind me. In short, the computer wasn't working no matter what I tried but I found a Jet who is a computer expert-- although lives over 2 hours away. He agreed to meet me in Gifu city if I would drive him home afterwards because the trains don't run much to the country. So I agreed and decided to venture off into the big Gifu city with Narin and Sandra by my side. We were going to meet up with Kevin try the computer thing, and have dinner with a whole bunch of Jets. Plans got sidetracked however when we were just about to the station and I had a minor car accident. No one was hurt and the cars were only scratched-- like very tiny that we didn't even know if we actually touched and had to pull over or not. But... in Japan nothing is that easy! We pulled over and thankfully I had Narin who speaks Japanese with me! The man in the other car was nice but we had a big long procedure to follow. In Japan if there is even the tiniest accident you have to go to the police station. Luckily I had amillion trillion insurance and shaken and international licences with me--- however--- left my passport in Neo (we were told we didn't need to carry them once you have your alien registration). After a big caffuffle at the police staiton questioning my licence, validity of being in Japan, travel dates to Japan, detailing the accident, insurance shaken etc etc they decided they wanted me to drive back to Neo right then to get my licence (an hour an a half away). It was already 8 by this time and I wasn't looking forward to driving all the way back and forth and was so overwhelmed that I started to cry (at least it made them realise I was sorry and really didn't want to drive back.) After callng our supervisor because we couldn't understand and wanted to try to get him to help us sort it out over the phone, the supervisor and his wife drove to meet us in Gifu (he lives a half hour away). The fun continued from there when it wasn't until 3 hours later that we finally could leave the police station with the promise of coming back the next day so they could make a photocopy of my passport. Just as I was about to pull away however I got phone calls from my 3rd in command at my school, my Japanese English Teacher and messages from my vice principal and principal- geez goodnews travels fast. To make a long story short(er) we met up with some of the Jets at a Mexican (one of the few in the country I think!) joint and then I drove Kevin home and left my computer with him for a few days. I didn't make it home until about 2am and was going to get picked up by my Vice Principal at 8. Ah lovely. First I got a knock on my door by the OTHER vice principal (of the Elementary school this time) coming ot check on me because he had heard the news too. I think they were all trying to be nice and make sure I was ok but it just seemed embarassing and long! So I got passed from my Kyoto sensei to my Supervisor in Motosu city and then taken to the police office again in Gifu city where they wanted not only my current passport but copies of my previous ones too! Took awhile to explain that I had to give my other one to the Canadian Gov't in exchange for the new one. Next we drove back, made some phone calls to insurance and then I crashed on Narin's couch for a few hours (I was not allowed to drive my car and didn't feel like going on 2 hours worth of trains for 2 hours). (Oh yah and did I mention this was the friday that I had booked off for vacation!). Anyways at 4 I met with the supervisor, one of the head guys from the Board of Education and my Principal opf the Elem school (who had to leave his Golf Game early-I was reminded of multiple times). I got a lecture about being more careful and how accidents look bad on me, all JETs, Canadians and all teachers. More lectures pertaining to how a Jet got killed on a bicycle 10 years ago and how there was a teacher in Gifu City that got caught drinking and driving last month and that I would get fired if that ever happened. (Remember mine was just a tiny scratch!). After half an hour of lectures and me apologizing, I got to go with them to buy apology gift cakes and bring them to the office of the man who I was in the accident with in order to apologie to him formally and to his family. pff like I said nothing is small in Japan. I was reminded a million more times of "ahh you are so lucky, you hit the most kind, most gentle and nice man in ALL of Japan! ah yes he is such a gentleman!" True, the man was nice, but he was approached my 4 of us all dressed up in suits offering multiple apologies, cake and my offer to fix all the damages.
After that whole deal I was pretty much ready to go home and so I took the train home, walked in the dark to my apt and was a bum watching VHS for the rest of the night.
Oh yah-- and I got a phone call from Kevin (the computer guy) confirming my computer most definitely was screwed up and that I would lose all my data and would need a new harddrive. ah lovely. Did I tell you my friend Katie decided to pack it in? She leaves JET and Japan tomorrow : ( I guess I'm a survivor!
Monday Night:
Life is finally turning around! : ) I found out that I can get the accident paid for by insurance and my premiums don't go up until next year--- when I will be out of the country! Whooo! Free accident! (Though not necessarily something to brag about!). Sunday was also fun because Rika and her father took me around to temples in our area, out for cheap sushi and then to meet Kevin to fix my laptop. I was pretty proud of myself because after Kevin helped me put in my new harddrive I set up the internet all by myself-- in Japanese! Boo yah! Ooh and Rika and I make some Print Club stickers-- they are so intense here! Like editing and all! Good times. Tonight I just got back from my welcome party with the people of my apartmnet building. There were 8 of us in Kyoto Sensei (Elem)'s apartment downstairs. Although I never understand much when I don't have Murachi sensei or a translator around, these guys were hours of entertainment! It was about a 4.5 hour party and you can imagine how much drinking went on! hehe too fun. Kocho sensei and Kyoto sensei (both Elem) are absolutely hilarious! Too akward and cute and dorky and funny for words! Can't get enough of them when they are drinking especially! What characters! Also tonight Murachi sensei came in his new Spiderman mask from Osaka and was in a fun mood too. We're thinking of having parties once a month in alternating apartmnets! Could be some fun times ahead! Not really sure why we all got drunk on a monday night--- oh well, I am sure I won't be as hung over as the bosses tomorrow!
Oh yah I keep forgetting to write-- I finally saw monkeys! Twice at the side of the road in Neo! Whooo for wild monkeys!
Saturday August 25 Day 1 Osaka: Go Hard or Go Home
I came to Japan due to perhaps a different motive than most of the JETs in Japan. I knew that when I graduated from Uni I wanted to get out and go. See more of the world. Travel. Period. When the Jet Programme presented itself I am going to be honest-- I was clueless about Japan-- and still was pretty uniformed even until the day I stepped foor on this island. It's now been one month since I've arrived in Japan and already I've learned so much! The culture and attitudes surprise me everyday. I decided from day one to have an open mind and try everything at least once "when in Rome (Japan!)" as they say!
This weekend I went to Osaka with the Neo JHS teachers. There were 11 of us on the trip and even by the first evening I knew I made a wise choice by coming. It's so nice to see everyone relaxed and out of the school environment. Good bonding time for sure to break the ice! We took the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Gifu Hashima (which reminds me to mention that train stations and malls often have vending machines at the restaurants that you pay for and choose the item then give a ticket to a cashier) and after a series of JR train transfers (I'm very thankful for all my Japanese navigators! ooh and they have women only carriages on the trains in Osaka!) we arrived ta our lunch destination. We made Okonomiyaki-- which is like a cabbage, egg, pork, squid, shrimp pizza/pancake type thing with bbq sauce, mayo, mustard and of course fish flakes (shudder*) on top. We also drank lots of beer and had yakisoba, sides of raw squid, scallops, and soime funky (in this case quite not my thing) soybean powder jelly like substance of a Japanese desert.It was an experience and I'm glad I tried it all once....
Next we headed to the aquarium and saw a massive Whale Shark, some otters, turtles, penguins and sting rays. Think of North American Japanese tourist stereotypes and crowds and times it by 100. Ridiculous lines and slow moving but very enjoyable all the same. (Although looking at the big aquarium from all angles I couldn't help thinking back to Sydney aquarium with Kristen, Adam, Todd, Stian and Jeremy. ahh good memories! )
After that we had some Japanese version of snow cones and then headed onto one of the "World's Largest Big Wheel". It was a massive Ferry wheel that took about 15 minutes to go around once and was 115m high. After that we headed to see the lights of downtown. It was just wicked! Reminded me of Vegas or Tokyo and was very exciting. Since it was during the World Track and Field Championships the streets were so packed and the whole city was filled with life! We stopped off for some carnival version of Takoyaki (Octopus balls). I wasn't a huge fan but gave them a shot again 10 minutes later when we went to a famous restaurant in Osaka where we met up with the whole group fo teachers again and had dinner. The meal was huge and went on for a few hours! Food just kept coming (like it often seems to in Japan!) We had crab, octopus, miso, pickled raspberries, pickled seaweed, incredible cook in front of you in a pot rice, fish flakes everywhere, raw beef salad, sashimi, more squid, and a large fish head which I could hardly handle. I am fine with the Aiyu (small fish) that I have had many times where sometimes you eat the bones and the whole tail and head and all but this fish head was the size of a cereal bown. The eyes were still in it and everything and my teachers kept pointing out parts-- ooh yes eat the cheek bone, mm i like the mouth (complete with teeth mind you). It was not quite enough to turn me into a vegetarian but *shudder even remembering it. Desert was also good and after our pictures we had more cocktails and hot saki (with a plumb in it?) and green tea.
We headed back to the hotel soon after (nice and again really fun poppable pillows) and I got to experience my second public bath experience. This time even wearing only a yukata (bath robe) to the bath. They make it seem so natural to bath naked together and they were constantly asking me questions to as why we don't do that in Canada-- "not even with your brothers and sisters?" I told them that we did when we were little perhaps but they couldn't understand why not now. Cultural differences I suppose. I have to say, the water is incredible though and I'm kinda excited to try the Onsen in Neo!
Day 2 of Osaka
Get up insanely early for breakfast- Japanese/Western Style-- Rice, Miso soup, fish, yaki soba, salad of course, but they had toast, mini sausage things and canned fruit- whooo!!!
Tsuchi (Dietician), Sugiyama (Counsellor), Murachi (English Teacher) and I went to Universal Studios Japan! It was so cool! I really enjoyed myself! My favorite ride was the brand new Hollywood Dream Roller Coaster-- you could even choose your own music during the ride! A close second was the Spidermna ride-- although it had a line which ended up lasting over an hour-- ouch! We also toured the Backdraft set and saw how they film fire scenes--as if it needed to get any hotter that day! More attractions included Jurasic Park Water Ride and Jaws-- both helped us cool off a bit-- along with frozen pineapples on a stick. One of my other definite highlights was seeing *Wicked!* If you asked anyone back home before I left what my new broadway obsession has been this past year-- they all would say Wicked. I absolutely loved it live in Japan although it was half in Japanese but I am still dreaming about the day I can see the New York version with Kristen Chenowith and Idina Menzel!
After buying heaps of souvenirs and eating some good ole Moss Burger (Japanese fast food chain) we left the grounds and went for more souvenir shopping! LOL. Everyone seems to think I should buy so much halloween stuff for teaching but it's crazy expensive and hard to find-- so I will just get Duane to bring some from Mom and Dad when he comes : ) I love visitors!!! I did give in and get some Hello Kitty stuff-- including the optimal Osaka Japan souvenir-- a Takoyaki (octopus) Hello Kitty Cell Phone Charm! What a find! Also bought some Spider Man trivial Pringles chips-- what will they think of next?
We met up with the rest of the group. Most went to the World Track and Field (reminded me of Edmonton 2001 and performing in the opening ceremonies-- ahh the memories) and others went on a bus tour and to Osaka Castle (I will definitely think about that for next time I go to Osaka!).Wte took the Shinkansen (bullet train) back home, stopped at Maleria for supper, picked up some groceries, garbage bags and then had yet another detour when two of the teachers decided it was time I got a video rental card. I found some cheap ones but man were they old! It takes forever for movies to come out on DVD here! I couldn't stop laughing when I was at the till paying because the man obviously knew that the others filled out my form and I couldn't speak Japanese, and they had both just rented their own movies, but he still gave a five minute speech on all the rules of the video store-- just a formality but he looked at me every 20 seconds for my "Hai" (yes). I couldn't hold it in, perhaps I was just giddy.
The way home we talked about me doing some English tutoring and conversation groups so perhaps that will keep me busy in the months ahead once we get into the swing of things in September.
This weekend I went to Osaka with the Neo JHS teachers. There were 11 of us on the trip and even by the first evening I knew I made a wise choice by coming. It's so nice to see everyone relaxed and out of the school environment. Good bonding time for sure to break the ice! We took the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Gifu Hashima (which reminds me to mention that train stations and malls often have vending machines at the restaurants that you pay for and choose the item then give a ticket to a cashier) and after a series of JR train transfers (I'm very thankful for all my Japanese navigators! ooh and they have women only carriages on the trains in Osaka!) we arrived ta our lunch destination. We made Okonomiyaki-- which is like a cabbage, egg, pork, squid, shrimp pizza/pancake type thing with bbq sauce, mayo, mustard and of course fish flakes (shudder*) on top. We also drank lots of beer and had yakisoba, sides of raw squid, scallops, and soime funky (in this case quite not my thing) soybean powder jelly like substance of a Japanese desert.It was an experience and I'm glad I tried it all once....
Next we headed to the aquarium and saw a massive Whale Shark, some otters, turtles, penguins and sting rays. Think of North American Japanese tourist stereotypes and crowds and times it by 100. Ridiculous lines and slow moving but very enjoyable all the same. (Although looking at the big aquarium from all angles I couldn't help thinking back to Sydney aquarium with Kristen, Adam, Todd, Stian and Jeremy. ahh good memories! )
After that we had some Japanese version of snow cones and then headed onto one of the "World's Largest Big Wheel". It was a massive Ferry wheel that took about 15 minutes to go around once and was 115m high. After that we headed to see the lights of downtown. It was just wicked! Reminded me of Vegas or Tokyo and was very exciting. Since it was during the World Track and Field Championships the streets were so packed and the whole city was filled with life! We stopped off for some carnival version of Takoyaki (Octopus balls). I wasn't a huge fan but gave them a shot again 10 minutes later when we went to a famous restaurant in Osaka where we met up with the whole group fo teachers again and had dinner. The meal was huge and went on for a few hours! Food just kept coming (like it often seems to in Japan!) We had crab, octopus, miso, pickled raspberries, pickled seaweed, incredible cook in front of you in a pot rice, fish flakes everywhere, raw beef salad, sashimi, more squid, and a large fish head which I could hardly handle. I am fine with the Aiyu (small fish) that I have had many times where sometimes you eat the bones and the whole tail and head and all but this fish head was the size of a cereal bown. The eyes were still in it and everything and my teachers kept pointing out parts-- ooh yes eat the cheek bone, mm i like the mouth (complete with teeth mind you). It was not quite enough to turn me into a vegetarian but *shudder even remembering it. Desert was also good and after our pictures we had more cocktails and hot saki (with a plumb in it?) and green tea.
We headed back to the hotel soon after (nice and again really fun poppable pillows) and I got to experience my second public bath experience. This time even wearing only a yukata (bath robe) to the bath. They make it seem so natural to bath naked together and they were constantly asking me questions to as why we don't do that in Canada-- "not even with your brothers and sisters?" I told them that we did when we were little perhaps but they couldn't understand why not now. Cultural differences I suppose. I have to say, the water is incredible though and I'm kinda excited to try the Onsen in Neo!
Day 2 of Osaka
Get up insanely early for breakfast- Japanese/Western Style-- Rice, Miso soup, fish, yaki soba, salad of course, but they had toast, mini sausage things and canned fruit- whooo!!!
Tsuchi (Dietician), Sugiyama (Counsellor), Murachi (English Teacher) and I went to Universal Studios Japan! It was so cool! I really enjoyed myself! My favorite ride was the brand new Hollywood Dream Roller Coaster-- you could even choose your own music during the ride! A close second was the Spidermna ride-- although it had a line which ended up lasting over an hour-- ouch! We also toured the Backdraft set and saw how they film fire scenes--as if it needed to get any hotter that day! More attractions included Jurasic Park Water Ride and Jaws-- both helped us cool off a bit-- along with frozen pineapples on a stick. One of my other definite highlights was seeing *Wicked!* If you asked anyone back home before I left what my new broadway obsession has been this past year-- they all would say Wicked. I absolutely loved it live in Japan although it was half in Japanese but I am still dreaming about the day I can see the New York version with Kristen Chenowith and Idina Menzel!
After buying heaps of souvenirs and eating some good ole Moss Burger (Japanese fast food chain) we left the grounds and went for more souvenir shopping! LOL. Everyone seems to think I should buy so much halloween stuff for teaching but it's crazy expensive and hard to find-- so I will just get Duane to bring some from Mom and Dad when he comes : ) I love visitors!!! I did give in and get some Hello Kitty stuff-- including the optimal Osaka Japan souvenir-- a Takoyaki (octopus) Hello Kitty Cell Phone Charm! What a find! Also bought some Spider Man trivial Pringles chips-- what will they think of next?
We met up with the rest of the group. Most went to the World Track and Field (reminded me of Edmonton 2001 and performing in the opening ceremonies-- ahh the memories) and others went on a bus tour and to Osaka Castle (I will definitely think about that for next time I go to Osaka!).Wte took the Shinkansen (bullet train) back home, stopped at Maleria for supper, picked up some groceries, garbage bags and then had yet another detour when two of the teachers decided it was time I got a video rental card. I found some cheap ones but man were they old! It takes forever for movies to come out on DVD here! I couldn't stop laughing when I was at the till paying because the man obviously knew that the others filled out my form and I couldn't speak Japanese, and they had both just rented their own movies, but he still gave a five minute speech on all the rules of the video store-- just a formality but he looked at me every 20 seconds for my "Hai" (yes). I couldn't hold it in, perhaps I was just giddy.
The way home we talked about me doing some English tutoring and conversation groups so perhaps that will keep me busy in the months ahead once we get into the swing of things in September.
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