An applicant's review: If you're interested in volunteering for Unite for Sight, please read the following. Their website doesn't tell you everything!
Unite for Sight is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving eye care in developing countries like Ghana and India. They do good work...I have no doubt, but their website is deceptive and they are a business focused on the bottom line--MONEY! And you have to have access to disposable income to apply!
One of the reasons my mom and I applied to Unite for Sight was because we have a family member who had done it, and we have heard positive things about the experience. After visiting the website many times, watching their videos, reading about the volunteer experience, and reading about the program in general, my mom and I decided to fill out the application and get started on the fundraising process. Everything felt very transparent and straightforward-no hidden agenda! I'm always skeptical of volunteer programs that charge applicants an exorbitant fee. I realize there are costs in operating and running an office as well as the programs themselves, but as a non-profit, the fee should be transparent. It should clearly state somewhere where the money goes and what it is used for. Unite for Sight doesn't charge volunteers, but requests that they raise $1375 to cover costs of medical procedures and equipment for the work sites. Sounds fair, but it's not the whole story!
Unite for Sight seems to present an honest clear straightforward application process. It outlines all the steps volunteers need to take and answers many legit and reasonable questions in the FAQ section. But they don't tell you a very crucial point...in order to hold your spot, you have to pay the fund-raising amount of $1375 upfront as a deposit. This is not stated anywhere on the website as of April 2007.
After submitting our applications, my mom and I were sent a form email telling us we had to send in the money within a week!! What?? It came as a big surprise. We applied eight months in advance to give us plenty of time to raise the money required. We just don't have that kind of disposable income. But we fully understand the need to fund-raise and we were willing to do that.
There was no mention of having to pay a deposit, much less within a week of being accepted. If it was a partial deposit, say 10-20%, I wouldn't have batted an eye. But the full amount? That seems excessive and deceptive. And apparently there is no way to hold your spot unless you pay it!
We have been in direct email contact with the president and founder, Jennifer Staple. We sent her a few emails asking about the deposit and suggesting that we were a bit surprised by the $1375 deposit. She is always quick to respond but offers to real explanation about why the deposit is necessary except that if we don't send it in soon our spots may be taken. Maybe this is a highly competitive volunteer program and I have no doubt it looks great on a resume. But seriously, if only people with a disposable income can apply...1) We can't afford to join in and 2) I'm not sure we want to be part of it.
I'm writing about our experience with the application process to try to make the process more transparent for others who are considering applying to this organization. From what I've seen and heard, this organization does great work, but also only wants and accepts volunteers with money. It's ironic that they are trying to help disadvantaged populations, but only wealthy people can volunteer. It's unfortunate.
Friday, April 27, 2007
日光 Nikko
Where did we go? This last weekend, Takae and I, went to Nikko for two days. Nikko is a few hours North of Tokyo. It is famous for it's natural beauty and the temples that blend the Shinto and Buddhist religions.
How did we get there? Takae and I got on highway early Sunday morning and drove 350km (6 hours) to
Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture. We started at sea level, where it was warm and sunny. After we had driven through Niigata and Gunma, we got off the expressway and started gaining altitude. Before we knew it, there was snow on the sides of the road and a ski resort still running its lifts! We went over a pass at about 2,000 meters and then dropped down into the Nikko area past lakes and along rivers on very narrow, very curvy, and very steep roads. The worst area of the road is known as Irohazaka Road, named after the Japanese syllabary, because it has 48 curves. It 
was both breathtaking and stomach churning. Thankfully, Takae loves to drive and has a cute little red sports car that did the job well! We weren't the only ones that had decided to go to Nikko this weekend. A lot of people from Tokyo drive up to Nikko in their fancy sports cars or motorcycles. In fact, I think every motorcycle in Japan was in Nikko for the weekend. Takae and I both oohed and awed and decided we both want to get a motorcycle some day!!
How was the weather?
Perfect!! In the mountains it was a bit chilly and had snowed earlier that day. But by the time we got down to Nikko, only at about 700m, it was warm. At the viewpoints
you could see layers and layers of mountains. And the blue sky made the immediate mountains that much more brilliant. It was sunny with not a cloud in sight for two days! Perfect weather!
Where did we stay?
Originally, we had planned to stay in Nikko for 2-3 days. We were going to stay at several different places and do some camping. But work schedules made it impossible. So we opted to go for a quick trip and only stayed one night. We stayed at the Daiyagawa Youth Hostel. It is a little house with several dorm rooms and a common eating area. It is set behind the main street, but really close to the main temple area. And it overlooks the river. The owners are really friendly and very helpful. And the 420Y breakfast was fabulous! The owner likes her guests to get along and make friends, so she seated us with two university boys, Yuuki and Yohei, for breakfast. They weren't particularly talkative, and neither were we. They did ask
if I was German. That seemed to be a common theme throughout the day. Do I look german? Do I wear German shoes? Why German? As we left the hostel they followed us and asked to take a photo with us. Cute!
What did we see?
As soon as we arrived we went directly to the Toshogu Shrine area. It is a huge national park with lots of different shrines, temples, museums and halls. Because it was such a beautiful day and a holiday, it was pretty busy, but not overwhelmingly so. We were able to get into all the buildings without having to wait.
The entire park is so stunning because of the natural landscape as well as the colors
and architecture of the buildings. The temples were some of the most colorful and
brilliant I've seen in Japan. It reminded me of some of the temples I saw in Korea. Touring all the buildings took about 3 hours, and that was without guided tours or stopping to read and study about each structure. After all that walking we were exhausted and needed rest and food.
On day two we left central Nikko and went back up into the mountains and spent the morning at Lake Chuzenji. This lake is pretty touristy and has lots of swan and heli-paddle boats, as well as fishing and sightseeing boats. The road along the lake is lined with gift shops and restaurants. Away from the main road is an older temple that looks out over the lake and towards Mt. Nantai. It's too bad we couldn't stay longer. I would have loved to climb Mt. Nantai. Maybe on my next trip!
The main reason tourists visit the lake is to see Kegon Falls. You can stand above the falls and take pictures. Or for a more stunning view you can pay to take an elevator down to the base. The view of the falls and the surrounding environment is often described as looking like the earth just drops away-kinda true. It does just drop! But coming from a state like Oregon, I was expecting a bigger waterfall. Regardless it was beautiful. And we even spotted a few monkeys hanging around near the viewpoint.
What did we eat?
We were exhausted and starving by the time we started looking for dinner our first night. We had set out to eat at a local foreigners hang out that offers a variety of food, but they were closed. So we went next door and ate a fabulous Korean meal. I don't really like Korean food, but it was absolutely delicious...as testified by all the pictures and comments of their customers (Japanese and foreign) that decorate the walls.
But we couldn't leave Nikko without eating the local specialty, yuba, or tofu skin. We had tried yuba ice cream but we wanted the real thing. So, after viewing the falls, touring another shrine and walking near the lake, we found a little restaurant with a fabulous view of the lake and Mt. Nantai that made fresh soba and served up yuba! Yuba is often served in a roll, similar to the Japanese dish tamagoyaki. But it has a distinctive tofu taste. I really liked it and bought some yuba omiyage for my schools!
Where did we bathe?
On our way out of town, we stopped at Yumoto Onsen. It sits on Yunoko lake, just up the road from Lake Chuzenji and Mt. Nantai. Before bathing in the sulfur rich water, we walked around the lake to Yudaki Falls trying to avoid the snow and mud. We saw lots of beautiful and interesting birds on the lake. The fishing season opens today, so fisherman had been out already to reserve their spot on the lake by marking it with a cooler, or fishing rod holder. We finished our sightseeing day by soaking in a hot bath near the lake. And then we jumped back into the car and drove 5 hours back to Toyama!
Would I go again?
Absolutely!! I would go back to Nikko any day, but next time I want to stay longer and explore more! My recommendation, if you come to Japan, or have a few extra days, visit Nikko! It's best with a car, but the bus system seems pretty good...if you don't mind buses on really curvy roads!
And that my friends, was probably my last trip in and around Japan! It's time to pack. It's time to plan the next adventure! It's time to say good-bye to Japan!
How did we get there? Takae and I got on highway early Sunday morning and drove 350km (6 hours) to
Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture. We started at sea level, where it was warm and sunny. After we had driven through Niigata and Gunma, we got off the expressway and started gaining altitude. Before we knew it, there was snow on the sides of the road and a ski resort still running its lifts! We went over a pass at about 2,000 meters and then dropped down into the Nikko area past lakes and along rivers on very narrow, very curvy, and very steep roads. The worst area of the road is known as Irohazaka Road, named after the Japanese syllabary, because it has 48 curves. It 
was both breathtaking and stomach churning. Thankfully, Takae loves to drive and has a cute little red sports car that did the job well! We weren't the only ones that had decided to go to Nikko this weekend. A lot of people from Tokyo drive up to Nikko in their fancy sports cars or motorcycles. In fact, I think every motorcycle in Japan was in Nikko for the weekend. Takae and I both oohed and awed and decided we both want to get a motorcycle some day!!
How was the weather?
Perfect!! In the mountains it was a bit chilly and had snowed earlier that day. But by the time we got down to Nikko, only at about 700m, it was warm. At the viewpoints
you could see layers and layers of mountains. And the blue sky made the immediate mountains that much more brilliant. It was sunny with not a cloud in sight for two days! Perfect weather!
Where did we stay?
Originally, we had planned to stay in Nikko for 2-3 days. We were going to stay at several different places and do some camping. But work schedules made it impossible. So we opted to go for a quick trip and only stayed one night. We stayed at the Daiyagawa Youth Hostel. It is a little house with several dorm rooms and a common eating area. It is set behind the main street, but really close to the main temple area. And it overlooks the river. The owners are really friendly and very helpful. And the 420Y breakfast was fabulous! The owner likes her guests to get along and make friends, so she seated us with two university boys, Yuuki and Yohei, for breakfast. They weren't particularly talkative, and neither were we. They did ask
if I was German. That seemed to be a common theme throughout the day. Do I look german? Do I wear German shoes? Why German? As we left the hostel they followed us and asked to take a photo with us. Cute!
What did we see?As soon as we arrived we went directly to the Toshogu Shrine area. It is a huge national park with lots of different shrines, temples, museums and halls. Because it was such a beautiful day and a holiday, it was pretty busy, but not overwhelmingly so. We were able to get into all the buildings without having to wait.
The entire park is so stunning because of the natural landscape as well as the colors
and architecture of the buildings. The temples were some of the most colorful andbrilliant I've seen in Japan. It reminded me of some of the temples I saw in Korea. Touring all the buildings took about 3 hours, and that was without guided tours or stopping to read and study about each structure. After all that walking we were exhausted and needed rest and food.
On day two we left central Nikko and went back up into the mountains and spent the morning at Lake Chuzenji. This lake is pretty touristy and has lots of swan and heli-paddle boats, as well as fishing and sightseeing boats. The road along the lake is lined with gift shops and restaurants. Away from the main road is an older temple that looks out over the lake and towards Mt. Nantai. It's too bad we couldn't stay longer. I would have loved to climb Mt. Nantai. Maybe on my next trip!
The main reason tourists visit the lake is to see Kegon Falls. You can stand above the falls and take pictures. Or for a more stunning view you can pay to take an elevator down to the base. The view of the falls and the surrounding environment is often described as looking like the earth just drops away-kinda true. It does just drop! But coming from a state like Oregon, I was expecting a bigger waterfall. Regardless it was beautiful. And we even spotted a few monkeys hanging around near the viewpoint.
What did we eat?We were exhausted and starving by the time we started looking for dinner our first night. We had set out to eat at a local foreigners hang out that offers a variety of food, but they were closed. So we went next door and ate a fabulous Korean meal. I don't really like Korean food, but it was absolutely delicious...as testified by all the pictures and comments of their customers (Japanese and foreign) that decorate the walls.
But we couldn't leave Nikko without eating the local specialty, yuba, or tofu skin. We had tried yuba ice cream but we wanted the real thing. So, after viewing the falls, touring another shrine and walking near the lake, we found a little restaurant with a fabulous view of the lake and Mt. Nantai that made fresh soba and served up yuba! Yuba is often served in a roll, similar to the Japanese dish tamagoyaki. But it has a distinctive tofu taste. I really liked it and bought some yuba omiyage for my schools!
Where did we bathe?On our way out of town, we stopped at Yumoto Onsen. It sits on Yunoko lake, just up the road from Lake Chuzenji and Mt. Nantai. Before bathing in the sulfur rich water, we walked around the lake to Yudaki Falls trying to avoid the snow and mud. We saw lots of beautiful and interesting birds on the lake. The fishing season opens today, so fisherman had been out already to reserve their spot on the lake by marking it with a cooler, or fishing rod holder. We finished our sightseeing day by soaking in a hot bath near the lake. And then we jumped back into the car and drove 5 hours back to Toyama!
Would I go again?
Absolutely!! I would go back to Nikko any day, but next time I want to stay longer and explore more! My recommendation, if you come to Japan, or have a few extra days, visit Nikko! It's best with a car, but the bus system seems pretty good...if you don't mind buses on really curvy roads!
And that my friends, was probably my last trip in and around Japan! It's time to pack. It's time to plan the next adventure! It's time to say good-bye to Japan!
滑川のほたるいか Namerikawa's Hotaruika
For those of you who don't live in Toyama, and weren't with me at an ungodly hour early Wednesday morning-- any guesses as to what that iridescent blue is in the above pictures? I'll give you a few hints:
It required getting up at 1am, driving an hour, putting on life-jackets, and getting on-board a boat. It wasn't nearly as cold as it looks, but we were prepared for anything!
And it involved fishing boats but we were on a sight-seeing boat. Our boat pulled up next to these guys and when they turned off all the lights, we got the blue show as seen above. Any ideas what makes that brilliant iridescent blue in the middle of the night that draws tourists from all over the world?
Firefly Squid--known in Japan as hotaruika! But listed on wikipedia as Sparkling Enope Squid.Toyama's deep bay provides a perfect environment for these little squid. The females are harvested between March-June after they have come to the surface to lay their eggs. We were told during the tour that they only live a year, so no harm in catching them before they die anyway, right?
Maybe some of you are asking...why catch them?
Duh...Japanese people love to eat them! They are a delicacy! Boil them up, add a little sweet mustard for dipping, and they are a real treat for some people. I've eaten them, but only to be polite. But in reality, this is how I really feel about them...
A Wedding in Kanazawa
Last weekend I attended my first Japanese wedding-well, kind of! Actually, we were invited to the pre-reception party/bride & groom viewing and the post-reception party. The wedding ceremony was only for family. And the reception was for close friends. The bride, also from Nyuzen, was very generous and hired a bus to take us to Kanazawa, where the wedding was held. We arrived to see the bride and groom after the traditional Japanese wedding ceremony. After lots of pictures and a few other wedding traditions, the bride and groom left to change. The other guests were seated in the reception hall. We waited outside and got a private viewing of her 2nd wedding dress--a traditional white Western dress. After more pictures with the bride and groom we found an empty Mexican restaurant, got some lunch and margaritas and then walked to the post-party for more food, alcohol and lots of games and prizes! After wishing the bride and groom well, we all got back on the bus and played games on the way back to our respective villages. It was a long but fun-filled day with friends! And I'm so thankful she thought to include and invite all of us. It was really wonderful to celebrate this day with her!
The lovely ladies all dolled up!
Who are these classy looking guys??
Congratulations!!!
The beautiful beautiful bride!
The Princess Bride and friends!
The lovely ladies all dolled up!
Who are these classy looking guys??
Congratulations!!!
The beautiful beautiful bride!
The Princess Bride and friends!Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Updated To Do List
Well, since the decision has been made, the countdown is on. I have 3 months left in Japan. I still have a few things on my list. And hopefully they can be completed this spring/summer! I'm sure I'll be adding more things as time gets shorter!!
Places I want to Visit:
Places I want to Visit:
- Kamakura completed Dec. 30th, 2005
- Nikko completed April 29/30th, 2007
- Nara
- Yokohama completed May 3rd, 2006
- Hiroshima & Miyajima completed May 10-11th, 2006
- Kobe
- Himeji Castle
- Tokyo Disneyland completed Jan. 2nd, 2006
- Camping trip to Hokkaido via Ferry completed July 25th-August 1st, 2006
- Yudanaka in the spring
- Kanazawa (Art Museum & Gardens)
- Hotaruika Museum completed April 25th, 2007 (well, I was IN the museum, but I saw the squid from the boat)
- Big Buddha in Takaoka completed April 9th, 2006
- Tokyo Disney Sea completed July 15th, 2006
Things I want to do:
- Record another single with SOS and Dr. D completed July 2006
- Go Fishing in Toyama Bay completed April 25th, 2007--does the hotaruika sightseeing boat count??
- Go Rafting completed August 2006 in Hokkaido
- Go Snowboarding almost every weekend this winter completed 2005-06
- Celebrate Japanese New Year's with a Japanese Family completed Dec 28th-Jan 3rd, 2006
- Pass 4-kyu completed December 2005
- Climb Haku-san completed September 18th, 2006
- Climb Fuji-san completed August 27th, 2006
- Eat Fugu Sashimi completed November 6th, 2005
- Stay in a Love Hotel completed March 9th, 2007
- Hitchhike Somewhere
- Experience a Sumo Tournament.completed July 16th, 2006 & October 2006
I'm open to suggestions! Please send them my way!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
A Cultural Explanation
RSZ recently introduced me to Beyond Culture by Edward Hall, an anthropologist. The book was published in 1976, and is obviously a bit dated in its sensitivity to issues of race and gender, but many of his cross-cultural observations, analysis and comparisons are timeless. Many of his insights about culture very useful and eye-opening, especially given my own life abroad. The following passage is particularly pertinent given the experience of many English teachers in Japan and frustrations they face when they are asked to move schools:Yes, the whole matter of being moved like a piece of derelict luggage puzzled me. In the United States, the person who gets moved is often the lowest-ranking individual. This principle applies to all organizations, including the Army. Whether you can be moved or not is a function of your status, your performance, and your value to the organization. To move someone without telling him is almost worse than an insult, because it means he is below the point at which feelings matter. In these circumstances, moves can be unsettling and damaging to the ego. In addition, moves themselves are often accompanied by great anxiety, whether an entire organization or a small part of an organization moves (Hall 1976: 61).Hall's own cultural enlightenment on this issue came years after multiple experiences staying in Japanese hotels and being moved into another room without prior notice! He eventually came to expect it when traveling in Japan until one day he found all his belongings had been moved to another hotel in another neighborhood. This threw him for a loop. Even as a cultural anthropologist, trained to be expect and be aware of cultural differences, he had a difficult time interpreting this situation because it was not part of his own 'cultural mold'.
In Japan, one has to 'belong' or he has no identity. When a man joins a company. he does just that - joins himself to the corporate body - and there is even a ceremony marking the occasion. ... It was my lack of understanding of the full impact of what it means to belong to a high-context culture that caused me to misread hotel behavior at Hakone. ... As soon as you register at the desk, you are no longer an outsider; instead for the duration of your stay you are a member of a large, mobile family. You belong. ... This is a very highly prized state in Japan, which offsets the official properness that is so common in public. ... Americans don't like to be moved around; it makes them anxious. Therefore, the Japanese in these establishments have learned not to treat them as family members (Hall 1976: 63-65).
It is obvious to me that there is a serious lack of cultural awareness and understanding among both the organizations in Japan that host English teachers and the English teachers themselves! It's disturbing to think of all the complaining, bitching, arguments, fights, and bad relationships that are caused by this lack of understanding. Especially when the goal of the program is to promote cross-cultural understanding! Why aren't both parties a bit better prepared to handle each other, especially after 20+ years of the JET Programme. Unfortunately, it seems like cultural awareness training usually consists of: don't stick your chopsticks in a bowl of rice, take off your shoes when you enter someone's home, bow a lot, and don't blow your nose in public. And in reverse: they like to eat fast food everyday, they can't and have never used chopsticks, they only eat bread, and they all own guns. Wow...enlightening! And totally wrong and not useful! Of course these are wide generalizations, but they are true to some degree.
Maybe I'm biased caused I studied cultural anthropology as an undergrad, but I really don't think most people give enough credit to how critical culture is to every interaction and every relationship. It's books like Beyond Culture that help identify the cultural underpinnings to everyday life.
Just a few random thoughts after reading a good book!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Disco 2007
Last night marked another Colare Disco party. Pre-party preparations included comments like:
Needless to say, the excitement was running high. Luckily, the Nyuzen crew was able to put together some classy costumes...maybe some of the best of the night: go-go girl, shoulder-pad happy cowgirl, and stuck in the 70s old fogy man. After hearing RSZ's fab tunes we got our groove on and hit the dance floor. It felt kinda like a high school dance. The real adults were standing behind tables serving pizza and drinks and staring in awe at the young generation shakin' their booty. But there were only about 10 people shakin' at any given time. Several groups of people came in and then left again...seeing the lack of disco enthusiasm. But those of us who stayed all knew each other and the disco fever lasted a good 30 minutes after 'closing' time. A fun alcohol-free family disco evening. And...we were home by 11pm!
"I'm brining a book"
"I'll stand by the door and take tickets all night"
"I'm glad you two are coming, I won't know anyone else."
"I'll stand by the door and take tickets all night"
"I'm glad you two are coming, I won't know anyone else."
Needless to say, the excitement was running high. Luckily, the Nyuzen crew was able to put together some classy costumes...maybe some of the best of the night: go-go girl, shoulder-pad happy cowgirl, and stuck in the 70s old fogy man. After hearing RSZ's fab tunes we got our groove on and hit the dance floor. It felt kinda like a high school dance. The real adults were standing behind tables serving pizza and drinks and staring in awe at the young generation shakin' their booty. But there were only about 10 people shakin' at any given time. Several groups of people came in and then left again...seeing the lack of disco enthusiasm. But those of us who stayed all knew each other and the disco fever lasted a good 30 minutes after 'closing' time. A fun alcohol-free family disco evening. And...we were home by 11pm!
Friday, April 13, 2007
さくら さくら
The sakura, or cherry blossoms, have come and gone already. I visited a few of my favorites spots for viewing and took a few photos cause that's what I do. But not many turned out very well, but I like the contrast of the bright orange train against the pale pink of the blooms and buds.Sunday, April 08, 2007
Playing Catch-up
The last few months have been busy and I haven't posted much. Besides finishing up my paper and being sick, I've been busy attending graduation ceremonies, entrance ceremonies, enkais (teacher parties to celebrate all the ceremonies), an English game camp, an pizza party with my students, spending time with friends I've neglected the last few months and finally getting back to the pool. I spend a lot of time writing and posting about things I do with other foreigners in the area....and while those times are important, it's the moments at school, with teachers and students that make up the core of my 'Japan experience'. Here are some pictures!
I'm really really going to miss the recent graduates. I first met them when they were in 1st grade (US 7th grade). They were great kids and we had a lot of fun together! I hope that I'll meet a few of them again in the future.
Most of my favorite teachers were moved to other schools this month. I'm really going to miss them as well. They have done so much for me, I feel really lucky to have worked with such great people!
During spring break eight students came to the international room everyday for about an hour and we played games. Last year the VP found money for me and I bought a lot of games, but there is rarely time for the kids to actually use the room because of all the other activities and meetings they have all the time. So this was the perfect chance for them to get to know the resources available to them.
I'm not sure how much English was actually 'acquired' or 'learned' during games camp. But a few of the students borrowed English movies during the week, and one student read an entire Harry Potter book...one of the super long ones! What???? Whoa...that was shocking! She had already read it in Japanese, but just getting through that many pages in your native language takes a long time! I was impressed!!
Last year I started a project with my classes. If they completed English/international activities/tasks outside of class and school they could get points. The students with the highest points at the end of a year got prizes. The top prize was a pizza party in Kurobe. Six students were invited, but due to family obligations and influenza, only three came! It was fun to introduce them to the best American pizza in the the area and chat with them outside school. Two of the three will start high school next week.
Last week was 入学式 , or entrance ceremonies, all over Japan! I went to two of these ceremonies in one day. In the morning I went to one of my elementary schools and watched new 1st grade students be welcomed to the school. Before the ceremony, all the mothers, dressed in kimonos with their hair all done up, met in the cafeteria and listened to information from teachers about school supplies, rules, money, etc.
I didn't get any pictures of the cute cute cute little new 1st graders, but I was sitting to the new 2nd graders, and they were less than interested in the ceremony! The poor kids have to sit in a cold gym for an hour listening to old guys making speeches. I was bored! I can't imagine how they managed!
Okay, so if you've actually made it this far and are still reading, you might be asking..."Why did she post a blurry picture?" I know, I know...you can't see who it is, but you can see they are in costumes, and that's all I want you to see! This picture was taken at one of my teacher drinking parties after an entrance ceremony! Strictly speaking, taking photos or even retelling enkai stories is pretty faux pas in Japan!! I would hate to expose my teachers identity publicly, but I do think it's important to expose how crazy Japanese teachers can be!! I mean, just look at that blurry picture. There is a guy in a white satin suit with a blonde afro wig and a guy in a tiger suite. And that was just the first party. There were also cross-dressers, wearing JHS uniforms nonetheless, water guns with beer, a teacher dressed as a man from Zaire with a very very large third leg, and minnie mouse! After that mild party there was karaoke and lots of men undressing each other at the second party. The third party involved more food and teachers both passing out and puking! And then, with the help of my good gaijin mondaiji partner in crime...there was a fourth party at our favorite bar! Luckily for my own reputation there was no dancing on tables and no other mondaiji behavior. But we did manage to bring six of my teachers with us and we closed down the bar at 3am! It was a fun and very wild night!
And just last night, we had a cross-cultural internationalization evening of
hanami (sitting under the cherry blossoms), easter egg dying, onsen and tea ceremony! We started our picnic/bbq as the sun was going down at a park in town along a river. The cherry blossoms haven't opened fully yet, but it was perfect because we had the place to ourselves most of the night! Well, until it started to rain...then we quickly packed up and headed to the onsen.
Going to public places has become a game for me. Can I leave my house and go to public place where I'm not meeting someone intentionally, and not meet someone I know! At the onsen, I lost count, but I saw at least three students and their families! This is slightly awkward because walking around nude in front of my students is not something I'm used to. But because public bathing is the norm in Japan, after the initial shock of seeing your gaijin teacher nude, most students don't seem to care! Not sure if any of them have seen the tattoo or not!! That could be scandalous!
After the bath we headed to a friend's apartment for food and conversation! And easter egg dying!! For several people it was their first time to dye eggs. At first they made fun of the activity but as soon as they were given their own egg, the creative juices started flowing! And then we had matcha, traditional Japanese green tea! Yum, a delicious relaxed evening with friends--two Canadians, two Japanese, a Brit and me! Fun times!
I'm really really going to miss the recent graduates. I first met them when they were in 1st grade (US 7th grade). They were great kids and we had a lot of fun together! I hope that I'll meet a few of them again in the future.
Most of my favorite teachers were moved to other schools this month. I'm really going to miss them as well. They have done so much for me, I feel really lucky to have worked with such great people!
During spring break eight students came to the international room everyday for about an hour and we played games. Last year the VP found money for me and I bought a lot of games, but there is rarely time for the kids to actually use the room because of all the other activities and meetings they have all the time. So this was the perfect chance for them to get to know the resources available to them.
I'm not sure how much English was actually 'acquired' or 'learned' during games camp. But a few of the students borrowed English movies during the week, and one student read an entire Harry Potter book...one of the super long ones! What???? Whoa...that was shocking! She had already read it in Japanese, but just getting through that many pages in your native language takes a long time! I was impressed!!
Last year I started a project with my classes. If they completed English/international activities/tasks outside of class and school they could get points. The students with the highest points at the end of a year got prizes. The top prize was a pizza party in Kurobe. Six students were invited, but due to family obligations and influenza, only three came! It was fun to introduce them to the best American pizza in the the area and chat with them outside school. Two of the three will start high school next week.
Last week was 入学式 , or entrance ceremonies, all over Japan! I went to two of these ceremonies in one day. In the morning I went to one of my elementary schools and watched new 1st grade students be welcomed to the school. Before the ceremony, all the mothers, dressed in kimonos with their hair all done up, met in the cafeteria and listened to information from teachers about school supplies, rules, money, etc.
I didn't get any pictures of the cute cute cute little new 1st graders, but I was sitting to the new 2nd graders, and they were less than interested in the ceremony! The poor kids have to sit in a cold gym for an hour listening to old guys making speeches. I was bored! I can't imagine how they managed!
Okay, so if you've actually made it this far and are still reading, you might be asking..."Why did she post a blurry picture?" I know, I know...you can't see who it is, but you can see they are in costumes, and that's all I want you to see! This picture was taken at one of my teacher drinking parties after an entrance ceremony! Strictly speaking, taking photos or even retelling enkai stories is pretty faux pas in Japan!! I would hate to expose my teachers identity publicly, but I do think it's important to expose how crazy Japanese teachers can be!! I mean, just look at that blurry picture. There is a guy in a white satin suit with a blonde afro wig and a guy in a tiger suite. And that was just the first party. There were also cross-dressers, wearing JHS uniforms nonetheless, water guns with beer, a teacher dressed as a man from Zaire with a very very large third leg, and minnie mouse! After that mild party there was karaoke and lots of men undressing each other at the second party. The third party involved more food and teachers both passing out and puking! And then, with the help of my good gaijin mondaiji partner in crime...there was a fourth party at our favorite bar! Luckily for my own reputation there was no dancing on tables and no other mondaiji behavior. But we did manage to bring six of my teachers with us and we closed down the bar at 3am! It was a fun and very wild night!
And just last night, we had a cross-cultural internationalization evening of
hanami (sitting under the cherry blossoms), easter egg dying, onsen and tea ceremony! We started our picnic/bbq as the sun was going down at a park in town along a river. The cherry blossoms haven't opened fully yet, but it was perfect because we had the place to ourselves most of the night! Well, until it started to rain...then we quickly packed up and headed to the onsen.Going to public places has become a game for me. Can I leave my house and go to public place where I'm not meeting someone intentionally, and not meet someone I know! At the onsen, I lost count, but I saw at least three students and their families! This is slightly awkward because walking around nude in front of my students is not something I'm used to. But because public bathing is the norm in Japan, after the initial shock of seeing your gaijin teacher nude, most students don't seem to care! Not sure if any of them have seen the tattoo or not!! That could be scandalous!
After the bath we headed to a friend's apartment for food and conversation! And easter egg dying!! For several people it was their first time to dye eggs. At first they made fun of the activity but as soon as they were given their own egg, the creative juices started flowing! And then we had matcha, traditional Japanese green tea! Yum, a delicious relaxed evening with friends--two Canadians, two Japanese, a Brit and me! Fun times!Happy Easter from Asia!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
