Since the previous entry I have had 2 more comical food related conversations with the teachers at school:
The first was with our head teacher, Yamasaki Sensei, as I had to explain to him that I didn't really eat dairy (he noticed my ongoing avoidance of the full fat milk carton in my school lunch). Put on the spot I couldn't remember the word for soy milk...but did approach him 10 minutes after our conversation armed with the phrase 'I drink soy milk' (watashi wa tonyu o nomimasu...for those of you playing at home). A 5 minute explanation on the topic ensued with him wanting to know how to spell and say 'soy milk' in English...he found it quite fascinating that we actually have soy in Australia.
The second incident came after my return from Tokyo this week. Kocho Sensei obviously had our last exchange fresh in his mind and made a comment about the weather being sunny. I replied with a 'yes, it is'. Taking this as encouragement to extract further conversation from me, he asked about my trip to Tokyo...where did I go, what did I do, who did I go with? No problem...check, check, check. I should have known that this was all going too smoothly and that I was going to put my foot in it soon. Kocho Sensei then asked the inevitable...what Japanese food did I eat in Tokyo? Of course on this vital question I froze...what had I eaten over the 5 days that I could say?!
Rather embarrassingly, the first thought that popped into my head was 'Izakaya'. For those of you that don't know, Izakaya is actually more renowned for drinking...the fact that you get food there is more incidental than anything. It was only after the word popped out of my mouth, I realised my error. Once again I was met with chuckles from the nearby teachers and Koguchi Sensei was kind enough to explain to Kocho Sensei that perhaps I prefer drinking to eating?! At this point I am fairly sure I was beetroot red and wondering how best to repair the damage...quickly. BUT Kocho Sensei thought this piece of information was fantastic and then launched into asking if I drink beer! Sadly I had to admit that no I don't, but that I do like Umeshu...Japanese plum wine. This new piece of information was taken well, as the teachers are continually surprised at how much I love Japanese culture, food and now obviously alcohol! As Kocho Sensei wandered back to his office with a smile on his face I felt like my street credit stocks had just gone through the roof.
Bless the Japanese and their acceptance, even when you come across as an alcoholic fool butchering their language...
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Food & Weather
As I write in my 5th week of life in Japan I feel I should touch wood...because despite the odds I appear to have an immune system that could ward off a zombie virus or the like.
Let me explain: it rains in Japan, all the time. Add to this the fact that I have a 5-10 minute bicycle ride to and from school every day. The temperature hasn't hit 20 degrees since I arrived and those few 'warm' days we have had seem to occur when I am not at school (of which I am not complaining about). Japanese schools are simple affairs and as such no heater or cooling devices are present in any of the classrooms (bless the heating in the teachers' room!). The kids are perpetually ill and contrary to popular belief they do not always (if ever) wear a mask when they are sick. So they caringly spread their germs with the general school population on a daily basis. How I have not fallen victim to these unseen infections is beyond me...but I will take it while I can!
The catalyst for this introduction is the fact that my day started with an epic ride through cyclonic weather conditions to get to school. I arrived in the teachers' room looking like a drowned rat and cursing mother nature under my breath, feeling this was going to be a bad day. But I had forgot my latest epiphany (that Japanese people love to talk about the weather and food) so I was treated like a hero by the teachers...apparently cycling in torrential rain gets you brownie points in this country!
I feel the warm welcome at school this morning coincides with my new knowledge on how to connect with Japanese people: talk about the weather and food. They love to talk about these rather mundane, but safe topics...since they are are a population hell bent on accommodating others and never rocking the boat. Needless to say I have brushed up on my food and weather vocab since realising this key fact. This discovery has led me to become somewhat of a comic genius in the Teachers' Room. The teachers love my running food/weather commentary with my new vocab acquisition and while I haven't worked out if they are laughing with me or at me I don't really mind! They are talking to me and that's what counts.
Later the same day after the 'drowned rat' incident I was preparing to leave for my ride home when Kocho Sensei (our principal) approached me. He made a comment about it still raining outside to which I retorted in Japanese 'It is always raining in Japan'. Little did I know that the entire teaching population had been listening into our little exchange and at my comment they all cracked up laughing! Who knew my cynicism would translate into comedy in Japanese?!
Let me explain: it rains in Japan, all the time. Add to this the fact that I have a 5-10 minute bicycle ride to and from school every day. The temperature hasn't hit 20 degrees since I arrived and those few 'warm' days we have had seem to occur when I am not at school (of which I am not complaining about). Japanese schools are simple affairs and as such no heater or cooling devices are present in any of the classrooms (bless the heating in the teachers' room!). The kids are perpetually ill and contrary to popular belief they do not always (if ever) wear a mask when they are sick. So they caringly spread their germs with the general school population on a daily basis. How I have not fallen victim to these unseen infections is beyond me...but I will take it while I can!
The catalyst for this introduction is the fact that my day started with an epic ride through cyclonic weather conditions to get to school. I arrived in the teachers' room looking like a drowned rat and cursing mother nature under my breath, feeling this was going to be a bad day. But I had forgot my latest epiphany (that Japanese people love to talk about the weather and food) so I was treated like a hero by the teachers...apparently cycling in torrential rain gets you brownie points in this country!
I feel the warm welcome at school this morning coincides with my new knowledge on how to connect with Japanese people: talk about the weather and food. They love to talk about these rather mundane, but safe topics...since they are are a population hell bent on accommodating others and never rocking the boat. Needless to say I have brushed up on my food and weather vocab since realising this key fact. This discovery has led me to become somewhat of a comic genius in the Teachers' Room. The teachers love my running food/weather commentary with my new vocab acquisition and while I haven't worked out if they are laughing with me or at me I don't really mind! They are talking to me and that's what counts.
Later the same day after the 'drowned rat' incident I was preparing to leave for my ride home when Kocho Sensei (our principal) approached me. He made a comment about it still raining outside to which I retorted in Japanese 'It is always raining in Japan'. Little did I know that the entire teaching population had been listening into our little exchange and at my comment they all cracked up laughing! Who knew my cynicism would translate into comedy in Japanese?!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tennis Mafia & Taiko
That's right OC followers...it has almost been a month since I left the safety of Australia to embark on this Japanese life...and let me tell you, the last week has been very eventful! From my induction into 'Tennis Club Mafia' to my first Japanese Karaoke experience, every day has been an adventure...
Things started quietly on Monday with a normal school day and ongoing introduction lessons as I continue to plough my way through the first 14 classes. In an effort to stave off boredom in the teachers' room and show the kids I have an active interest in them I also made the somewhat rash decision to make name tags for the students...all 400 of them. My 4 JTE's (Japanese Teacher of English) were fairly surprised and pleased to discover I could read Hiragana (one of the Japanese alphabets) and that I was willing to translate into English for the kids! A week later I have finished 1st and 2nd years...hmm.
In a bid to win over my main JTE, Masuda Sensei and some of the kids I signed up to join in with tennis club on Tuesday afternoon (as Masuda Sensei is the male tennis club coach). Again, not really thinking things through, I forgot that the boys and girls are separated and that in fact I wouldn't get to talk to Masuda Sensei at all! Despite that it was a gorgeous day and I had a blast. I haven't played tennis in SO long though and I have certainly never played 'soft' tennis on a dirt court, so it was a very new experience.
The girls seemed to enjoy having me there (they particularly liked my praise...'great smash') but my biggest fan was Isono Sensei...the female tennis club coach. She thinks I am a star on court and as such I somehow agreed to buy a racquet and play against her on a regular basis at the local tennis club!!! She is a pretty cool teacher...I reckon if I was 15 years older and Japanese I would be a lot like her :) I think she suffers from my competitive streak so the games could get interesting. So yes, I am now a member of the 'Tennis Club Mafia'. Hopefully this wont dent my plans to get to some other clubs like Kendo, art, volleyball and table tennis in the near future!
The rest of the school week was spent befriending the teachers as classes were light on due to exams. I think the teachers are realising one by one that I have an honest love of Japanese culture and that I am willing to embrace it and try everything at least once! I had a conversation with Shiba Sensei and I told him I was wanting to sit the Japanese proficiency exam...the next day he came in bearing a gift of Japanese sweet biscuits for me! My street cred also improves every day that I eat the school lunch too...with chopsticks! The teachers have developed a keen sense of respect for me as I scoff down everything served up to me...when half the time they don't even know what it is we are eating!!!
Friday night brought with it a chance to let off some steam and try my hand at Taiko...Japanese drumming. Those that know me well know that I can't play any musical instrument to save my life. So understandably I went into the class with some trepidation...trying to channel some Dave Grohl circa Nirvana days. Much to my surprise and delight I have more rhythm than I give myself credit for and had great fun thumping the life out of the big drums with the other ALT's in the area.
Sadly my school week extended to Saturday as it was parent's day at Omiya JH. I should have seen it as an omen when I awoke to snow outside...this was not going to be a good day! Silvy (my trusty steed) and I trudged off to school in the snow and after feeling returned to my extremities I was informed that I would be participating in a demonstration English class for the parents. Now this in itself was a terrifying thought only 2 weeks into this teaching gig. Now add to the equation that the lesson was to be with the 1st year students who can barely speak any English. Compounded with the fact that the 1st year JTE is fresh out of university and is even more scared of being up in front of those kids than what I am, it was bound to be an ordeal.
I was told by Kurosawa Sensei 5 minutes before the lesson that we would be teaching phonics of the alphabet (a-a-ant, b-b-ball for those of you playing at home). Not too much of a scary thought...until you find yourself trying to describe the sound for 'x' with 'box' as your sample word...in front of 34 terrified children and the watchful eyes of their parents at the back of the classroom!!! Kurosawa Sensei and I battled through and I made a mad dash for the teachers' room as soon as class was over to hang my head in shame. From now on I am reading the textbooks at least 5 lessons in advance...just in case.
After the torment of PTA day I got to relish in social activities with my favourite English speaking ALT counterparts. First up was dinner and karaoke in Mito to celebrate Sam's birthday...oh what fun! Considering before I moved here I abhorred the thought of Kareoke, my first Japanese experience of the sport (yes, after Saturday night, I consider it a sport) was unreal! Perhaps it was the awesomely bad film clips that accompany the tunes or the freedom of belting out tacky 80's numbers at the top of your lungs in a small smokey room with 11 others? Whatever the reason, we left Mito in the wee hours of the morning with sore throats but feeling very satisfied indeed.
Last night was a little more sedate as past and present Hitachiomiya ALT's gathered to farewell one of it's own...Lisa...who is off on another adventure in China. Another trip to Mito for Izakaya (all you can eat/drink) but thankfully an early night after the Karaoke antics on Saturday!
I wrapped up my weekend today by road tripping with JJ to a nearby shrine and scoping out the local gym. I use the term 'gym' loosely here as it is probably twice the size of my shoebox (apartment) and feels more like somebody's home set up in their garage. To counteract the claustrophobia I felt afterwards I went for a run out of town amongst the rice paddies...
Things started quietly on Monday with a normal school day and ongoing introduction lessons as I continue to plough my way through the first 14 classes. In an effort to stave off boredom in the teachers' room and show the kids I have an active interest in them I also made the somewhat rash decision to make name tags for the students...all 400 of them. My 4 JTE's (Japanese Teacher of English) were fairly surprised and pleased to discover I could read Hiragana (one of the Japanese alphabets) and that I was willing to translate into English for the kids! A week later I have finished 1st and 2nd years...hmm.
In a bid to win over my main JTE, Masuda Sensei and some of the kids I signed up to join in with tennis club on Tuesday afternoon (as Masuda Sensei is the male tennis club coach). Again, not really thinking things through, I forgot that the boys and girls are separated and that in fact I wouldn't get to talk to Masuda Sensei at all! Despite that it was a gorgeous day and I had a blast. I haven't played tennis in SO long though and I have certainly never played 'soft' tennis on a dirt court, so it was a very new experience.
The girls seemed to enjoy having me there (they particularly liked my praise...'great smash') but my biggest fan was Isono Sensei...the female tennis club coach. She thinks I am a star on court and as such I somehow agreed to buy a racquet and play against her on a regular basis at the local tennis club!!! She is a pretty cool teacher...I reckon if I was 15 years older and Japanese I would be a lot like her :) I think she suffers from my competitive streak so the games could get interesting. So yes, I am now a member of the 'Tennis Club Mafia'. Hopefully this wont dent my plans to get to some other clubs like Kendo, art, volleyball and table tennis in the near future!
The rest of the school week was spent befriending the teachers as classes were light on due to exams. I think the teachers are realising one by one that I have an honest love of Japanese culture and that I am willing to embrace it and try everything at least once! I had a conversation with Shiba Sensei and I told him I was wanting to sit the Japanese proficiency exam...the next day he came in bearing a gift of Japanese sweet biscuits for me! My street cred also improves every day that I eat the school lunch too...with chopsticks! The teachers have developed a keen sense of respect for me as I scoff down everything served up to me...when half the time they don't even know what it is we are eating!!!
Friday night brought with it a chance to let off some steam and try my hand at Taiko...Japanese drumming. Those that know me well know that I can't play any musical instrument to save my life. So understandably I went into the class with some trepidation...trying to channel some Dave Grohl circa Nirvana days. Much to my surprise and delight I have more rhythm than I give myself credit for and had great fun thumping the life out of the big drums with the other ALT's in the area.
Sadly my school week extended to Saturday as it was parent's day at Omiya JH. I should have seen it as an omen when I awoke to snow outside...this was not going to be a good day! Silvy (my trusty steed) and I trudged off to school in the snow and after feeling returned to my extremities I was informed that I would be participating in a demonstration English class for the parents. Now this in itself was a terrifying thought only 2 weeks into this teaching gig. Now add to the equation that the lesson was to be with the 1st year students who can barely speak any English. Compounded with the fact that the 1st year JTE is fresh out of university and is even more scared of being up in front of those kids than what I am, it was bound to be an ordeal.
I was told by Kurosawa Sensei 5 minutes before the lesson that we would be teaching phonics of the alphabet (a-a-ant, b-b-ball for those of you playing at home). Not too much of a scary thought...until you find yourself trying to describe the sound for 'x' with 'box' as your sample word...in front of 34 terrified children and the watchful eyes of their parents at the back of the classroom!!! Kurosawa Sensei and I battled through and I made a mad dash for the teachers' room as soon as class was over to hang my head in shame. From now on I am reading the textbooks at least 5 lessons in advance...just in case.
After the torment of PTA day I got to relish in social activities with my favourite English speaking ALT counterparts. First up was dinner and karaoke in Mito to celebrate Sam's birthday...oh what fun! Considering before I moved here I abhorred the thought of Kareoke, my first Japanese experience of the sport (yes, after Saturday night, I consider it a sport) was unreal! Perhaps it was the awesomely bad film clips that accompany the tunes or the freedom of belting out tacky 80's numbers at the top of your lungs in a small smokey room with 11 others? Whatever the reason, we left Mito in the wee hours of the morning with sore throats but feeling very satisfied indeed.
Last night was a little more sedate as past and present Hitachiomiya ALT's gathered to farewell one of it's own...Lisa...who is off on another adventure in China. Another trip to Mito for Izakaya (all you can eat/drink) but thankfully an early night after the Karaoke antics on Saturday!
I wrapped up my weekend today by road tripping with JJ to a nearby shrine and scoping out the local gym. I use the term 'gym' loosely here as it is probably twice the size of my shoebox (apartment) and feels more like somebody's home set up in their garage. To counteract the claustrophobia I felt afterwards I went for a run out of town amongst the rice paddies...
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Teaching Time
As I sit here drinking my first green tea of the day (there will be many more to follow), I find it hard to believe I have been living in Japan a mere 3 weeks. As predicted, I love living here already and feel like I have been here forever!
This week saw my introduction into the world of being an Assistant Language Teacher at Omiya Junior High. Prior to my arrival at school on Tuesday, I had been informed that OJH is in fact the largest school in the area (400 students) and has the highest ranking too...no pressure Kara Sensei!! Anxious to make a good first impression, I was marched with 7 other new teachers onto stage in front of the 2nd and 3rd year students (1st years started Wednesday) for a self introduction. Following the lead of the others, I bowed a few hundred times (I have discovered this gesture can save you in any situation) and managed to get through my 5 line introduction in Japanese, phew!
Little did I know this wouldn't be the most daunting part of my day...then came the teachers' room! Yet another self introduction and the prospect of having to learn 30 Japanese teacher's names, gulp. Thankfully my incessant smiling and clumsy attempts at speaking Japanese/playing charades seem to bode well with these wonderfully patient people. I am very fortunate to have Koguki Sensei and Takada Sensei as my nearest neighbours (perhaps planned that way?!) as they both speak enough English to get us through the day.
Lunches with the teachers are a little challenging, but entertaining too as I try and figure out what is being said in conversation! Yesterday I picked up on the school nurse and Shiba Sensei laughing about a boy who hurt his leg (apparently there was blood everywhere)...obviously I missed the joke...but was pretty proud of myself for at least figuring out the gist of the story!
The first thing I discovered about teaching this week is that a 50 minute lesson goes a whole lot faster than it did when I was the one sitting at the desk learning! I had 3 lessons with 2nd year students, teaching with Omori Sensei who is adorable! She has been so sweet and patient with me and very encouraging with my self introduction. Since there are 5 x 2nd year classes we now have the routine down to a fine art. The kids are pretty friendly and I have already learnt that there are at least 2 naughty(aka hilarious!) boys in each class who want to know if I have a boyfriend and tell me that they love me. The girls are a little more timid but quite happily tell me outside of class that they think I am kawai (cute!).
Aside from all things school related, I have decided to sit the Japanese proficiency exam at the end of the year. I of course want to learn Japanese anyway, so this gives me something to work towards. As to whether I will go for Level 5 or 4, I am not sure as yet...once I sort through the jumbled Japanese words/phrases constantly swimming in my head I will decide!
I also made an important purchase last weekend...a lovely little bicycle to help me get around Hitachiomiya! She is everything I need in a bike and gives me the freedom to explore my new home easily. Her name is Silvy (Silver Bullet) and is my new best friend!
Travel plans are also forming and with Golden Week approaching at the start of May a 5 day trip to Tokyo is in order! Around 5 or so of my fellow ALT's and I will venture to the big smoke to take in the sites of the big city on our first break from teaching. I can't wait...I need a new project to focus on!
JJ, Nick and I are off to Mito today...the Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) are in bloom and we want to see them before they all fly away in a week!
This week saw my introduction into the world of being an Assistant Language Teacher at Omiya Junior High. Prior to my arrival at school on Tuesday, I had been informed that OJH is in fact the largest school in the area (400 students) and has the highest ranking too...no pressure Kara Sensei!! Anxious to make a good first impression, I was marched with 7 other new teachers onto stage in front of the 2nd and 3rd year students (1st years started Wednesday) for a self introduction. Following the lead of the others, I bowed a few hundred times (I have discovered this gesture can save you in any situation) and managed to get through my 5 line introduction in Japanese, phew!
Little did I know this wouldn't be the most daunting part of my day...then came the teachers' room! Yet another self introduction and the prospect of having to learn 30 Japanese teacher's names, gulp. Thankfully my incessant smiling and clumsy attempts at speaking Japanese/playing charades seem to bode well with these wonderfully patient people. I am very fortunate to have Koguki Sensei and Takada Sensei as my nearest neighbours (perhaps planned that way?!) as they both speak enough English to get us through the day.
Lunches with the teachers are a little challenging, but entertaining too as I try and figure out what is being said in conversation! Yesterday I picked up on the school nurse and Shiba Sensei laughing about a boy who hurt his leg (apparently there was blood everywhere)...obviously I missed the joke...but was pretty proud of myself for at least figuring out the gist of the story!
The first thing I discovered about teaching this week is that a 50 minute lesson goes a whole lot faster than it did when I was the one sitting at the desk learning! I had 3 lessons with 2nd year students, teaching with Omori Sensei who is adorable! She has been so sweet and patient with me and very encouraging with my self introduction. Since there are 5 x 2nd year classes we now have the routine down to a fine art. The kids are pretty friendly and I have already learnt that there are at least 2 naughty(aka hilarious!) boys in each class who want to know if I have a boyfriend and tell me that they love me. The girls are a little more timid but quite happily tell me outside of class that they think I am kawai (cute!).
Aside from all things school related, I have decided to sit the Japanese proficiency exam at the end of the year. I of course want to learn Japanese anyway, so this gives me something to work towards. As to whether I will go for Level 5 or 4, I am not sure as yet...once I sort through the jumbled Japanese words/phrases constantly swimming in my head I will decide!
I also made an important purchase last weekend...a lovely little bicycle to help me get around Hitachiomiya! She is everything I need in a bike and gives me the freedom to explore my new home easily. Her name is Silvy (Silver Bullet) and is my new best friend!
Travel plans are also forming and with Golden Week approaching at the start of May a 5 day trip to Tokyo is in order! Around 5 or so of my fellow ALT's and I will venture to the big smoke to take in the sites of the big city on our first break from teaching. I can't wait...I need a new project to focus on!
JJ, Nick and I are off to Mito today...the Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) are in bloom and we want to see them before they all fly away in a week!
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