So the day after graduation (Monday) I got off (as substitute for having to come to work on a Sunday, when graduation was held). On my day off, I decided to head into the city to check out the stores without the hussel and bussel that goes on on the weekends (it's not that bad. But one store I wanted to check out in particular tends to have a long line for trying on clothes on the weekends. Sadly though. this particular store is closed at the moment because they are moving to another floor).
Anyway, so after the store disappointment and another on finding a hair clip (see previoous blog to understand) I decided to stay in the city for a bit to make good use of the money (not much, but still) that I had spent to get to the city. I went into incube, bought some postcards and then headed out to some other interesting little stores.
As I'm just walking along, I notice a guy in a blue jacket sort of jogging up next to me. I look at him, slightly smile, he says..."こんにちわ” I think (hahaha. All this craziness happened so fast, the details are a little blurry). But the point is, he convinces me to do a short interview.
As fast, interesting, amusing and embarrasing it was, I was only able to remember that the show was going to be aired on Thursday.
Here's the real interesting thing: My buddy Mike was interviewed by the same dude!!!
I didn't knwo this until today when I saw his posted video clips of his interview. And once I recognized Chinnen-san (the interviewer), I was going a bit (more) insane at the craziness of the coincidence!!!
Luckily, Mike's friend that recorded the show for him, sent him a copy of my interview. I'm just relieved they didn't put the last of my interview.
(long story short: It got a bit awkward when he asked if I had a boyfriend and upon hearing my say "no" he asks me out. On TV. And then he asked for a kiss. And yea...that part got quite embarassing. *><*
Now...I wonder what my friends, family, co-workers and students will say about it...
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Gradumacation
So as mentioned before, graduation has passed. It was on Sunday, May 1st. The whole thing was somewhere between an hour and half to two hours long (short, right?). And compared to my graduation, it was rather quite and serious. But there was a time where one of the second years read an essay to the third years. I didn't really undestand it all but apparently it was great. And then right after that, a third year read an essay (response is what they called it) to the underclassmen. That one, I heard, was written really well. I...yea...didn't really get it or remember it too well.
The thing I found most interesting was that they did not walk across the stage to get a diploma. Actually, I'm not sure if they get a diploma...but I imagine they get something of the sort.
After graduation, the third years had their final homeroom with their homeroom teachers and then the picture taking began (or continued really since some came into the teachers' room before graduation).
Here’s the real interesting thing: It’s past graduation day, and some of the 3rd years are still coming to school-to study!!!
o_O;
But it has to do with when their college entrance exams are. They get separated into groups and so although some of them took the exam the week before graduation (and are currently awaiting the results) there is another group that has yet to take the test. Also, the students who have taken the test and are awaiting the results, are also studying too! (But it’s a pre-cautionary measure incase they don’t pass and need to take the written exam on the 12th). So yea…they’re “卒業生” now…but they’re still studying…
[that word is “so-tsu-gyou-sei” = “graduated students”]
More things from graduation day:
*2 female homeroom teachers wore kimonos! They looked so pretty! ^^ (Later, on the way to the graduation enkai, one of my JTE’s said that I should try wearing one sometime. Possibly for opening ceremony. Hahaha)
*There is a lot of standing, bowing and sitting.
*校長先生(Principal) wore a kimono too
*I think only the parents came to the ceremony. Maybe a few younger siblings…
*The PTA also had an essay/letter to the graduation class. And the speaker wore a kimono too.
*There is a graduation song. The most repeated lyric being, “Now is the time to say good-bye.”
*All the second years were there and only the class representatives for each first year class attended (So most of the first year did not attend 卒業式(graduation ceremony).
*I got a special bento lunch
After this, I basically just hung out at work. Some students came to take a picture with me (and since I had my camera, I also took some with them. hehe).
Afterwards, most of the teachers went to the graduation enkai. (enkais are like business dinner parties). One of my JTE’s was nice enough to pick me up and help me to the place. ^^ Although I personally feel there wasn’t enough food, it was alright. I took many pictures this time. Well, I did take many pictures at last year’s 忘年会(end-of-year enkai) but this time I took many with me in the picture as well. Hahaha.
And thus concludes my graduation day.
Oh, on a sad note: on a fairly recent trip to Beppu, I had bought some hair pins. One of them being really pretty and sparkly and I had planned to wear it with my yukata in the summer. I decided to wear it for this occasion but sadly lost it sometime on my way back home after the enkai. T_T
Saaaaaaaaad…
The thing I found most interesting was that they did not walk across the stage to get a diploma. Actually, I'm not sure if they get a diploma...but I imagine they get something of the sort.
After graduation, the third years had their final homeroom with their homeroom teachers and then the picture taking began (or continued really since some came into the teachers' room before graduation).
Here’s the real interesting thing: It’s past graduation day, and some of the 3rd years are still coming to school-to study!!!
o_O;
But it has to do with when their college entrance exams are. They get separated into groups and so although some of them took the exam the week before graduation (and are currently awaiting the results) there is another group that has yet to take the test. Also, the students who have taken the test and are awaiting the results, are also studying too! (But it’s a pre-cautionary measure incase they don’t pass and need to take the written exam on the 12th). So yea…they’re “卒業生” now…but they’re still studying…
[that word is “so-tsu-gyou-sei” = “graduated students”]
More things from graduation day:
*2 female homeroom teachers wore kimonos! They looked so pretty! ^^ (Later, on the way to the graduation enkai, one of my JTE’s said that I should try wearing one sometime. Possibly for opening ceremony. Hahaha)
*There is a lot of standing, bowing and sitting.
*校長先生(Principal) wore a kimono too
*I think only the parents came to the ceremony. Maybe a few younger siblings…
*The PTA also had an essay/letter to the graduation class. And the speaker wore a kimono too.
*There is a graduation song. The most repeated lyric being, “Now is the time to say good-bye.”
*All the second years were there and only the class representatives for each first year class attended (So most of the first year did not attend 卒業式(graduation ceremony).
*I got a special bento lunch
After this, I basically just hung out at work. Some students came to take a picture with me (and since I had my camera, I also took some with them. hehe).
Afterwards, most of the teachers went to the graduation enkai. (enkais are like business dinner parties). One of my JTE’s was nice enough to pick me up and help me to the place. ^^ Although I personally feel there wasn’t enough food, it was alright. I took many pictures this time. Well, I did take many pictures at last year’s 忘年会(end-of-year enkai) but this time I took many with me in the picture as well. Hahaha.
And thus concludes my graduation day.
Oh, on a sad note: on a fairly recent trip to Beppu, I had bought some hair pins. One of them being really pretty and sparkly and I had planned to wear it with my yukata in the summer. I decided to wear it for this occasion but sadly lost it sometime on my way back home after the enkai. T_T
Saaaaaaaaad…
Son House
So last week Saturday, I went to the 5th year anniversary part for the burger place near my home. This place is awesome because the hamburgers are American-style (not like the "hamburger" other places give. It's really just the meat patty. No buns. Nothing really of what we see when we think of "hamburger." It's good but yea, sometimes you really just want a burger).
Anyhoo, so my friends and me RSVP'd and went and had a jolly good time. There was music (which is always good at this place), food, drinks and a hamburger eating contest. It wasn't all you can eat. No no. It was 早い食べる. Or so "fast eating." It was race to see who can eat a burger the fastest. There were 9 rounds I believe. The fastest guy (who happened to be from the first round) took 1:30 to eat the whole thing. With some fries on the side. It was crazy!!!
Yes, even I tried. ehehe ^^;; The way I saw it: I get a free burger! hahaha.
And the owner of the place had his wife and daughter over. His daughter was so cute! Especially when, during one of the burger eating contests, she was clearly rooting for one of the guys. And he did win. ^^
The sad thing was that I couldn't stay too long because I had to get up early to go to work the next day (which was graduation for my school). But, it was still a great time...aside from the smoke... And I got to know the workers better. ^^
And now some pics...
Upon request: More photos!!!
Anyhoo, so my friends and me RSVP'd and went and had a jolly good time. There was music (which is always good at this place), food, drinks and a hamburger eating contest. It wasn't all you can eat. No no. It was 早い食べる. Or so "fast eating." It was race to see who can eat a burger the fastest. There were 9 rounds I believe. The fastest guy (who happened to be from the first round) took 1:30 to eat the whole thing. With some fries on the side. It was crazy!!!
Yes, even I tried. ehehe ^^;; The way I saw it: I get a free burger! hahaha.
And the owner of the place had his wife and daughter over. His daughter was so cute! Especially when, during one of the burger eating contests, she was clearly rooting for one of the guys. And he did win. ^^
The sad thing was that I couldn't stay too long because I had to get up early to go to work the next day (which was graduation for my school). But, it was still a great time...aside from the smoke... And I got to know the workers better. ^^
And now some pics...
Upon request: More photos!!!
Banana
So about 2 days ago, I was having lunch with some of the students from 3-8. Although they've graduated, they're still coming to school to study because some of them still have college entrance exams to take.
Anyway, so I'm having lunch with them and there's half a banana on my tray (when I order the set meal for lunch, there's usually some fruit. That day happened to be "half banana" day).
So, I always eat the fruit last. And as everyone else was finishing up their lunch, one student, Kenta-kun, says, "Banana" and points to the banana on my tray.
"Yea. It's a banana."
"I want to eat"
LOL!
I thought it was so random and funny, that I let him have my banana.
I guess since I never had the opportunity to teach the upperclassmen, they view me more as their foreigner friend and not so much a teacher. That or students and teachers here are close that students will ask their teachers for their banana. hahaha.
Oh, when he was done eating the banana, he put the peel on another students tray. hahahaha.
This is Kenta-kun:
Anyway, so I'm having lunch with them and there's half a banana on my tray (when I order the set meal for lunch, there's usually some fruit. That day happened to be "half banana" day).
So, I always eat the fruit last. And as everyone else was finishing up their lunch, one student, Kenta-kun, says, "Banana" and points to the banana on my tray.
"Yea. It's a banana."
"I want to eat"
LOL!
I thought it was so random and funny, that I let him have my banana.
I guess since I never had the opportunity to teach the upperclassmen, they view me more as their foreigner friend and not so much a teacher. That or students and teachers here are close that students will ask their teachers for their banana. hahaha.
Oh, when he was done eating the banana, he put the peel on another students tray. hahahaha.
This is Kenta-kun:
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