First of all, I am SO EXCITED to be coming home in August!!! Unfortunately I'll only be in MN for 6 days so if I don't end up seeing you please know that I certainly wish I could see everyone! This trip is going to be quite the whirlwind but also a lot of fun! I can't wait!!!
That being said I have a little piece of writing here that's about how much I love Ujitawara (despite it's far-away-ness)
I love this town. It can get a bit claustrophobic at times but I really like seeing my students all around town. There are kids I play taiko with on Fridays that I also teach at the middle school. I get to see my preschool students in the grocery store (so cute!) And the longer I stay here the more I realize that I'm in some way connected to almost everyone in this town. Just tonight I was riding my bike past what looked like a huge event. There were cars parked on every street (granted, there's not that much 'street' in this town) but there were people lined out the door of this big traditional building (though not a temple). I happened to run into someone who I had met before at the town office and she told me that it was a funeral for the mother of one of the nursery school teachers whose big, welcoming smile always makes me feel at home when I arrive to work in the morning. It was so interesting. If I hadn't talked with that woman it would have been just another event that I passed thinking, "wow," but all of a sudden I was (however minimally) peripherally involved. I've been thinking a lot lately about how many students and adults I know in this town. I've even wondered if the old men who I see on my morning walks have grandchildren that I teach in elementary or middle school. Whenever I hear the ambulance going through town I wonder if it's someone I know or a student's grandparent. Living here, and also experiencing the way teachers work in Japan (it's insanely involved- don't get me started) has really added to and expanded my ideas about community and education... and that's why you should admit me to your graduate program (haha, grad school personal statement on the brain...)
Anyway, I enjoy every day!!! (That's some Japan-glish for you)
Seriously it's great here... but I can't wait to be home ;)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Turning Japanese, I Really Think So
Have I been in Japan too long? Here are a few things that I would never do in Minnesota:
1. I bought a parasol. I know, it seems so... Puff Daddy? Michael Jackson? 19th century? but the fact of the matter is that Kyoto summers are HOT and a parasol actually keeps you comparatively cool. Also, it's light blue with a white, lacy pattern around the edges... who could resist?
2. I've had fish and rice for breakfast twice this week- and yes, I cooked it myself. Turns out fish is really easy to make!
3. I bought a sweater with sparkly bows for pockets...
But don't worry guys, I still hate nato (fermented bean paste) so I'm not a total goner. Also, I don't actually enjoy teaching English, I would much rather be an actual elementary school teacher so... I'm coming home.
Speaking of which, I'll be home in late August! If you're around, look me up!!!
1. I bought a parasol. I know, it seems so... Puff Daddy? Michael Jackson? 19th century? but the fact of the matter is that Kyoto summers are HOT and a parasol actually keeps you comparatively cool. Also, it's light blue with a white, lacy pattern around the edges... who could resist?
2. I've had fish and rice for breakfast twice this week- and yes, I cooked it myself. Turns out fish is really easy to make!
3. I bought a sweater with sparkly bows for pockets...
But don't worry guys, I still hate nato (fermented bean paste) so I'm not a total goner. Also, I don't actually enjoy teaching English, I would much rather be an actual elementary school teacher so... I'm coming home.
Speaking of which, I'll be home in late August! If you're around, look me up!!!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Commuting: Inaka-style
Saru. Monkey. Monkeys. Three words, two languages and it all adds up to confusion when you tell someone that there’s “saru” up ahead. For example, today on my morning walk I was told to “watch out for saru-san,” and I expected that there was a rambunctious, furry fellow up ahead and that I should be careful not to get in Mr. Saru’s way. I did not expect his immediate family and extended relatives.
Truth be told, on the way up I didn’t see another living creature besides myself and the man walking ahead of me. All I could hear was the incredibly genki music accompanied by various Japanese commentators’ expressions of surprise and delight, “ehhh?!?!” “naruhodo…” “sugo~i!!!” rattling out from his headphones.
Half-way up the mountain we were warned by a fellow early morning walker to watch out for “saru-san.” I stayed close to the man with the headphones, who also had a hefty umbrella. ‘Good thing it’s a cloudy day,’ I thought.
We walked on, all the way to the top without a glimpse of Mr. Saru’s tail. I was glad- I certainly did not need a mauling right before school- and after resting for a minute or two, I figured I’d just trot right back down the mountain. No need to bother the old man with the music, who was now washing his face and taking a drink at the village well.
Unfortunately, as I walked back- exactly the way I had come- I turned a corner and there in front of me, where not three minutes ago one could see only a mountain road, some sakura and bamboo, were nearly twenty monkeys. Many were swinging from trees, I saw one little baby run across the grass and across the road. There were monkeys hanging from the net-like retaining wall, and two giant monkeys sitting in the road eating massive bamboo shoots and looking like nothing short of a bulldozer could get them away from their breakfast.
I shot a glance over my shoulder. My protector was no where in sight. Awkward as it is to walk next to an old Japanese guy in silence, I did not want to go it alone; and after a few minutes of waiting I had to make a decision. Should I walk through a pack of monkeys or be late for work? This was not the sort of dilemma I was used to. Bears I had dealt with. Moose and deer I had dealt with. But when those things happened I was dealing with wild animals in the wilderness. This was Wilderness on the Way to Work. Like some terrible game show. Ack, Japan. I decided to go for it.
The only thing that could give me an advantage was a tool. That’s what separates us from the apes, right? I did have an umbrella that day, but it was a retractable one. Too short to give a monkey a proper smack in the head without getting too close- but lo and behold, it made a terrific sound when struck against the guard rail of this lovely mountain road. Even better, this seemed to scare off at least the babies and smaller monkeys as I approached.
Ten meters ahead of me, the monkeys were clearing out- well most of them. As I walked along, banging my umbrella against the rail and probably waking everyone in the tiny mountain village above, monkeys were running left and right, jumping into trees and disappearing into the underbrush. Unfortunately there were still the daddies: two giant monkeys sitting in the middle of the road, completely undisturbed.
Three meters away they still weren’t moving. I was terrified that they would lash out and grab me with their long hairy arms. People have gotten their faces torn off by chimps, who knows what the saru equivalent might me? Luckily, though, I remembered the advice given in the Arashiyama monkey park pamphlet: “Do not stare the monkeys in the eye”. Note taken. I walked within a meter of both giant monkeys, keeping my eyes on the ground and my steps as quiet as possible. I couldn’t tell if they were watching me or not but out of the corner of my eye I could see their long scraggly hair. I could have touched both of them as I passed.
In the end, I guess “not staring them in the eye” was a pretty good idea. I was allowed to pass through their family reunion unharmed, face in tact.
A few minutes later I ran into one of the other old men who often walks that mountain. He told me, “The monkeys are especially scary when you run,” at least, that’s all I could catch from what he was saying. Then he pointed to his umbrella, “that’s why I always bring this.”
A modern, Japanese Roosevelt. Turns out the trick to getting to work on time in rural Japan is simply to speak softly and carry a big stick.
Truth be told, on the way up I didn’t see another living creature besides myself and the man walking ahead of me. All I could hear was the incredibly genki music accompanied by various Japanese commentators’ expressions of surprise and delight, “ehhh?!?!” “naruhodo…” “sugo~i!!!” rattling out from his headphones.
Half-way up the mountain we were warned by a fellow early morning walker to watch out for “saru-san.” I stayed close to the man with the headphones, who also had a hefty umbrella. ‘Good thing it’s a cloudy day,’ I thought.
We walked on, all the way to the top without a glimpse of Mr. Saru’s tail. I was glad- I certainly did not need a mauling right before school- and after resting for a minute or two, I figured I’d just trot right back down the mountain. No need to bother the old man with the music, who was now washing his face and taking a drink at the village well.
Unfortunately, as I walked back- exactly the way I had come- I turned a corner and there in front of me, where not three minutes ago one could see only a mountain road, some sakura and bamboo, were nearly twenty monkeys. Many were swinging from trees, I saw one little baby run across the grass and across the road. There were monkeys hanging from the net-like retaining wall, and two giant monkeys sitting in the road eating massive bamboo shoots and looking like nothing short of a bulldozer could get them away from their breakfast.
I shot a glance over my shoulder. My protector was no where in sight. Awkward as it is to walk next to an old Japanese guy in silence, I did not want to go it alone; and after a few minutes of waiting I had to make a decision. Should I walk through a pack of monkeys or be late for work? This was not the sort of dilemma I was used to. Bears I had dealt with. Moose and deer I had dealt with. But when those things happened I was dealing with wild animals in the wilderness. This was Wilderness on the Way to Work. Like some terrible game show. Ack, Japan. I decided to go for it.
The only thing that could give me an advantage was a tool. That’s what separates us from the apes, right? I did have an umbrella that day, but it was a retractable one. Too short to give a monkey a proper smack in the head without getting too close- but lo and behold, it made a terrific sound when struck against the guard rail of this lovely mountain road. Even better, this seemed to scare off at least the babies and smaller monkeys as I approached.
Ten meters ahead of me, the monkeys were clearing out- well most of them. As I walked along, banging my umbrella against the rail and probably waking everyone in the tiny mountain village above, monkeys were running left and right, jumping into trees and disappearing into the underbrush. Unfortunately there were still the daddies: two giant monkeys sitting in the middle of the road, completely undisturbed.
Three meters away they still weren’t moving. I was terrified that they would lash out and grab me with their long hairy arms. People have gotten their faces torn off by chimps, who knows what the saru equivalent might me? Luckily, though, I remembered the advice given in the Arashiyama monkey park pamphlet: “Do not stare the monkeys in the eye”. Note taken. I walked within a meter of both giant monkeys, keeping my eyes on the ground and my steps as quiet as possible. I couldn’t tell if they were watching me or not but out of the corner of my eye I could see their long scraggly hair. I could have touched both of them as I passed.
In the end, I guess “not staring them in the eye” was a pretty good idea. I was allowed to pass through their family reunion unharmed, face in tact.
A few minutes later I ran into one of the other old men who often walks that mountain. He told me, “The monkeys are especially scary when you run,” at least, that’s all I could catch from what he was saying. Then he pointed to his umbrella, “that’s why I always bring this.”
A modern, Japanese Roosevelt. Turns out the trick to getting to work on time in rural Japan is simply to speak softly and carry a big stick.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Poetry at the Jr. High: Exerpts
My cats
small. cute. hot.
It is popularer than my dog.
I like cats the best.
My cats.
Bard
small, cute, kokekokko!!!!
bards are prettier than dogs,
I like bards the best
Bards
*birds
*kokekokko is the Japanese "cockadoodledoo"
small. cute. hot.
It is popularer than my dog.
I like cats the best.
My cats.
Bard
small, cute, kokekokko!!!!
bards are prettier than dogs,
I like bards the best
Bards
*birds
*kokekokko is the Japanese "cockadoodledoo"
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Just another day in Japan
Today was a lot of fun. I went to one Kenji's house- Kenji is a nursery school teacher. I got to hang out with him, his wife, Emi, and their new baby, Anju! Anju is three months old and she's adorable! We also spent some time walking around the neighborhood and got a chance to play with some of the neighborhood kids. One of them asked me if I was studying English. They all thought since I kind of understood what they were saying that I spoke Japanese and not English. They were very cute but they tired us out! First we played on scooters, racing each other down a small hill and then we just ended up running up and down the hill for I don't know how long. That's one of the great thing about kids, though. They don't get tired of doing the same thing over and over, it's always exciting to them.
After our playtime with the girls we went inside and had an amazing lunch with Kenji's parents. Today was the 100th day of Anju's life so she got to "eat" a special meal- but really her grandfather just held up different kinds of food to her mouth so that Emi could take pictures. I don't think Anju ate the rice or the fish. She's still so tiny! But it was all pretty fancy. Oh, and Kenji's dad made meatloaf! I don't think that's a traditional part of this meal (haha) but it was amazing! I can't say it was like having mom's meatloaf, but it was pretty darn good.
So, I think I'm going to sign off. My apartment is in need of a serious vacuuming and then I might head to the library to say hello to Mamiko and the other library workers and maybe I'll work at getting through all the amazing books I got for Christmas. Sayonara!
xoxo
After our playtime with the girls we went inside and had an amazing lunch with Kenji's parents. Today was the 100th day of Anju's life so she got to "eat" a special meal- but really her grandfather just held up different kinds of food to her mouth so that Emi could take pictures. I don't think Anju ate the rice or the fish. She's still so tiny! But it was all pretty fancy. Oh, and Kenji's dad made meatloaf! I don't think that's a traditional part of this meal (haha) but it was amazing! I can't say it was like having mom's meatloaf, but it was pretty darn good.
So, I think I'm going to sign off. My apartment is in need of a serious vacuuming and then I might head to the library to say hello to Mamiko and the other library workers and maybe I'll work at getting through all the amazing books I got for Christmas. Sayonara!
xoxo
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Jumping for Joy
I went to the nursery school today and the kids were playing telephone in English. There were two rows of five year-olds “competing” against each other, but it was not a race, you just had to get the correct word. Sometime in the middle of our game the word “cherry” was chosen and whispered in the ear of the first person in their respective row. Once “cherry” had made its way to the end of the first line the little boy at the very end jumped up and yelled “YAY!!!” He was just so excited that he got the word. He didn’t even know if it was correct because he still had to wait for the other line to finish, and the game wasn’t timed so he hadn’t won first place or anything. But he was literally jumping for joy. So cute.
Friday, January 8, 2010
How, in Japan, I Began 2010
1.“くつを忘れた” (I forgot my shoes!)
Said to me by a five year-old boy who forgot his shoes at the entrance to the school. I walked with him downstairs to get his shoes. I don’t know why but this struck me as particularly cute.
2. Ending telephone conversations with, “Hello!”
One of the five year-old girls at the nursery school and I were playing house and calling each other on the “telephone” (two pieces of cardboard). In Japanese getting off of the phone is like a competition to see who can make the most noise before the receiver clicks. You say something like, “hai~ wakarimashita~, sayonara~, hai~” and continue to hold the last syllable until the other person has hung up. It’s polite...? Anyway, this little girl decided to end her conversation with, “hai wakarimashita, Hello~”. I may not understand Japanese telephone etiquette, but I know that was adorable.
3.Christmas #2!
Since I surprised my parents for Christmas, all of my presents were shipped to Japan. This means that they are currently sitting on my sofa, waiting to be opened. Tomorrow, I’m calling my parents and opening the presents over Skype. First of all: the times we live in: wow. Secondly: it’s like Christmas Eve all over again!!! I can’t wait for second Christmas!!! :)
Said to me by a five year-old boy who forgot his shoes at the entrance to the school. I walked with him downstairs to get his shoes. I don’t know why but this struck me as particularly cute.
2. Ending telephone conversations with, “Hello!”
One of the five year-old girls at the nursery school and I were playing house and calling each other on the “telephone” (two pieces of cardboard). In Japanese getting off of the phone is like a competition to see who can make the most noise before the receiver clicks. You say something like, “hai~ wakarimashita~, sayonara~, hai~” and continue to hold the last syllable until the other person has hung up. It’s polite...? Anyway, this little girl decided to end her conversation with, “hai wakarimashita, Hello~”. I may not understand Japanese telephone etiquette, but I know that was adorable.
3.Christmas #2!
Since I surprised my parents for Christmas, all of my presents were shipped to Japan. This means that they are currently sitting on my sofa, waiting to be opened. Tomorrow, I’m calling my parents and opening the presents over Skype. First of all: the times we live in: wow. Secondly: it’s like Christmas Eve all over again!!! I can’t wait for second Christmas!!! :)
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