Finally back in the writing mode:
Yes, I am back in the mood to write about my life so far here in Japan. Various things have happened and sadly I’m starting to forget certain details…but the main stories will be told.
Now…I think I’ll work backwards: current to past (hopefully connecting to where I last left off…)
So, at this very moment, I’m in on my sofa, listening to Asian Kung-Fu Generation and chilling. Sounds the same, right? But there is something different; I am now on the 3rd floor. :]
Yes, with sooooooooooo much help from my friends and neighbors, I have moved to the 3rd floor of my building.
The reason for all this mayhem is that I never liked being 1st floor. It’s the first time I’m living on my own and so I’m naturally a bit paranoid about certain things. Although I tend to here, “It’s Japan” a whole lot, I still cannot control all of my paranoia. I did grow up in Los Angeles (and not in the nice area and luckily not the bad area but still…) and my father did a good job of driving his paranoia into me. Of course, I doubt he knows the extent to which his paranoia teachings have led me but it has definitely made me paranoid about the world…(and yet I had enough courage to do this…hmm…)
Back to the topic!
Yesterday, Saturday, my stuff was moved, junk was thrown out and (as embarrassing as it was at the moment) I went through and dumped stuff that were on the upper shelves of my closets. So now, I get to have the joy of unpacking everything…yay… At least this time around, I know that all the closets and cupboards are empty. Woot. ^^v (So that you can really understand my joy here, when I first moved into my apartment, there was a bunch of stuff left over. It didn’t even feel like my predecessor had left. More like he left on vacation and I was crashing at his place. Yea, pretty much that bad. And then I had to clean up his mess. I’m not trying to bag on him. He was friendly and gave me good pointers when I first came. But we have very different living styles and very different ideas on what’s “clean.”)
*small note: Because I have moved to the 3rd floor, I no longer have internet…><” I will work on that this week…and then hopefully I’ll be fully connected to the world instead of only during work hours. Haha. :P
Work
Lately, I have been busy at work. I don’t know if I’m as busy as some of my other friends can get but I’m glad to be busy. I feel better when I do many things throughout the day rather than finding things to keep me busy. But I guess I like this busy because it gets me involved in all the grade levels! Hurray! My first and main teachings go to the first years. But I have been asked to help with the speech contest with the 2nd years (my first 1st years) as well as read some of their journal entries. And I’ve also been lucky to help out with some of the 3rd year classes. I was able to help teach 2 classes (both of which had students who were very surprised to see me come in) and weekly weekend assignment to two other 3rd year classes. Sadly though, they’re not always happy to see me since it means work from me…
Golden Week
So, there’s a time in the Japanese calendar when 3 national holidays are back-to-back. Children’s day, constitution day and Greenery day (I don’t remember the order they’re in though…). And so, these days, along with the weekend make for a since long holiday weekend. Most people travel around this time. Which is great since we wouldn’t need to ask for paid leave. But it’s a double-bladed sword because everyone else wants to travel too so there’s huge masses of people (at mainly touristy areas) and if you don’t plan this in advance, traveling can be really expensive.
Well, anyway, this time around, one member of the Oxy Ohana came down (yay Steph!) as well as my fellow Kyushu buddies Celeste and Daniel (who oddly enough live closer to me than the Oxy Ohana but I never really met up with until then…). So I had a full house once again. Yay! But it was a bit difficult to plan out the week since everyone had different things they wanted to do. Sadly, the mass e-mails in attempts to plan out the week didn’t really work this time around…FAIL… sadness…But, the important thing was that we had fun. :] We had karaoke fun, restaurant hopping, ramen eating, train hopping (and running to to catch the last train in. haha) and crater watching. :P Oh! And purikura of course! ^^v
Oxy Ohana
So the most recent Oxy Ohana reunion was when we all ventured out to Wakayama-ken to visit Terence for his birthday! We decided to hit up Universal Studios Japan on the Saturday of that weekend. Since I’m the furthest south of all of them (and Terence in Wakayama is the farthest away from me) I decided to come in on Friday night so that I could get some rest before we take on trains to get to Osaka. (haha. So much train hopping that weekend). So, I planned out which trains to take and all that. But the dummy of me still left some packing to do after work. So I rush home, finish packing and jet to the train station to go to the main train station to hop onto the shinkansen. I was going to change my tickets for a reserved seat but I had no time. Luckily, Hakata station (the main one I was talking about) is where the shinkansen going north start from. So I was able to find a seat in the unreserved seating cars. :] But I got a little lost and confused when I got to Shin-Osaka. There were so many different train tracks and with only a little bit of time to read the kanji for the stop I’m looking for to calculate how much to pay and then trying to figure out which train was the one I wrote on my little itinerary I ended up on the wrong track. But luckily I asked to I tried to get to the right track on time but missed it. Asked where the train in front of me was going, not fully understanding I still boarded and listened really hard to the announcer. I ended up getting off at the next stop (Osaka. Haha) and asked the workers there how to get to Tennonji. I finally get onto the right one but because I had missed the other train, my ETA for Terence was off. But eventually I hopped onto the right trains and made it to Wakayama. There, Terence and me had a rather late dinner and then hoped on yet another train to get to his neck of the woods. Blah. We then stayed up a little late chatting and then got up early the next morning to meet the rest of the Oxy Ohana at USJ. After a day of ride hopping and general awesome times, we went back to Terence’s place where we surprised him with a Marvel themed birthday card and presents. And then Steph me and also surprised Kelly with some belated birthday presents. Hehe. Sunday, we had lunch and ate some brownies I made. Then Kelly and Steph. So Terence and me wandered about and ended finding a Japanese band that was playing Green Day songs. It was awesome. I wanted to talk to them but some random older guy was talking to me (and I think kinda scared off the band guys. Boo) And then I traveled back home (this time, taking a Limited Express train from Wakayama to Shin-Osaka to avoid all the crazy transferring…
Oita
So, a friend from Oita invited me to go this hanami party. Hanami is only during the sakura season. Usually, you have a picnic under a sakura tree, eat dango and drink sake. But since it was a bit rainy that day, it was held in the building next to the little park. But that was the hanami with his Japanese teachers. There was also one with the JETs in Oita. That one was definitely more of a “party” than “hanami.” But it was fun. ^^ There was one on Sunday too but I had to get back to my place because I “had” to bake cookies for school.
(I had handed out “free cookie” coupons to all the students that had turned in all their homework. Sadly, many forgot. But I guess that was good for the teachers since they ended up getting them. :P )
…is it connected to when I stopped writing yet???
Thursday, May 28, 2009
hahaha. High school kids
So something funny happened today.
(today = May 21, 2009)
So I was in my team-teaching class. It was the beginning of class when they were having their vocabulary quiz. So it’s really quiet and I heard someone’s cell buzz. I didn’t think too much of it (but I’m not that familiar with school policies and being that I hear the teachers’ phones buzz, I got used to ignoring it). But immediately about 4 or 5 boys started “coughing.” Of course I noticed it and just looked up at them and laughed quietly. One boy, whose phone I’m assuming was buzzing, noticed and just sort of laughed too.
It just happened to pull me back into my high school days. I was quite grateful for this because it always pulls me back to remember what I was like as a high school kid. That way, I can better relate and understand them (and then hopefully am able to create better lessons plans that they’ll be into and actually do).
(today = May 21, 2009)
So I was in my team-teaching class. It was the beginning of class when they were having their vocabulary quiz. So it’s really quiet and I heard someone’s cell buzz. I didn’t think too much of it (but I’m not that familiar with school policies and being that I hear the teachers’ phones buzz, I got used to ignoring it). But immediately about 4 or 5 boys started “coughing.” Of course I noticed it and just looked up at them and laughed quietly. One boy, whose phone I’m assuming was buzzing, noticed and just sort of laughed too.
It just happened to pull me back into my high school days. I was quite grateful for this because it always pulls me back to remember what I was like as a high school kid. That way, I can better relate and understand them (and then hopefully am able to create better lessons plans that they’ll be into and actually do).
Packages!
About a week or so ago, I was getting a package about every week. And they were all from home! ^^
I got a package from each sister. Each with a person note/letter from them that just made me wish they were here with me. And then an awesome surprise package from my papa. It’s a little ridiculously early but he sent me 2lbs of See’s Chocolates for my birthday. Yay!!! And of course, a card where he writes all over the inside of it. Hahaha. :]
I got a package from each sister. Each with a person note/letter from them that just made me wish they were here with me. And then an awesome surprise package from my papa. It’s a little ridiculously early but he sent me 2lbs of See’s Chocolates for my birthday. Yay!!! And of course, a card where he writes all over the inside of it. Hahaha. :]
Old updates...
More updates (from April! Ah!)
So of course various tings have been happening. But some things have been happening rather fast that I forget to keep this thing updated.
Gomen ne!
Hokay so…the last thing I wrote about was being on TV.
So…let’s see…since graduation…I’ve gone through White Day, Weekend trip with the ichinensei teachers, gamed with other JETs at Round 1, went to a Hinamatsuri party, learned a Hinamatsuri song, received books, went to a BBQ/hanami party, met a new buddy of a buddy, found a pair of jeans that fit, bought shoes, went to 2 enkais (one that made my day/week), found out some teachers are leaving, found out who I’ll be team-teaching with next year, had 2 long dinners with a buddy (one that was extended into karaoke), dyed my hair and I’m going to bake around 170 cookies for Monday.
I bet most of you have no idea what I’m talking about…
Let me explain:
White Day: In Japan, Valentine’s day is celebrated a little differently. For Valentine’s day, February 14th, the girls/women usually hand out the chocolate/goodies. It can be girl to girl or girl to boy. Whichever is ok. I like to bake goodies during holidays so I baked a carrot cake (the other round pan having gone to the people at the Kawashoku) and 2 square pans of brownies (one with walnuts). So one month later, March 14th, the guys return the favor. In other words, the guys give the girls/women who had previously given them chocolates, sweets! Of course, both of these days happened to have landed on a Saturday so my school celebrated each on Friday.
So I went to work and was surprised but happy to have received a box of pecan cookies from the ichinensei teachers (later it dawned on me it was from all the male teachers. Just like we had done for them for Valentine’s day). So anyway, I didn’t think too much about it since I do randomly come to work only to find someone has left some sort of treat on my desk. But when the kouchou-sensei gave me a box of chocolate marshmellows and said it was a return favor for the Valentine’s treat I had given him, I fully understood what was going on. I also got sweets from my Kyoto-sensei, host mom grandkids, Onitsuka-san from the Kawashoku, jimuchou (although it came quite later), English department and from the guys that work in the main office. Oh! Also from some students. ^^v
Weekend trip:
So some teachers that teach the first years planned out a trip. I said early on that I’d participate (because I figured it’s great to get to know your co-workers in a more casual setting and because I’m trying to be part of the group. But I will not lose myself on the way! ;P ) Anyhoo, we went to Nagasaki and overall had a great time! We saw a neat little shop that’s known for it’s tea (bought lots of it and it’s all in my cubbard now), ate yummy shabu shabu, took some pictures and went to an onsen. The only down side is that I got a little sick in the beginning… I’m not sure if it was because it was a bit of a long drive or because I had oysters for the first time. Although it was fun cooking them and they were rather tasty, they just didn’t sit well with me. Needless to say, a handful of my co-workers saw me throw-up. -_-;
Round 1:
This is a place with lots of games and sports and other awesome things! It’s basically a big arcade. But if you go to the top and pay a fee for about 3 hours of play, everything those levels are pretty free and fare game! There are batting cages, archery corners, tennis courts, volleyball courts, roller skating rink, ping-pong tables, arcade games (where I totally pwnd a friend at Tekken 5!!!) and much much more!
Hinamatsuri:
This is basically known as “Girl’s Day” in English. During this time, a girl princess, prince, 5 musicians, princess’ court, peach tree and other things are set up on display! And there’s a traditional Japanese song that is sung during this time. When I was invited to go celebrate Hinamatsuri by Shibata-san (first host-mom), Yamaguchi-san (second host-mom) taught me the song while we walked to Shibata-san’s house (which is really really close to the school. Read “michi wo mayorimashita” to understand).
Great company. Delicious food. Random pictures. Good times. ^^b
Books:
I ordered some books from Amazon for my school. Months ago, we were asked to recommend some books to the students (every teacher can if they choose to). Well, the librarian had some trouble finding the books I suggested. So she asked me to buy them and that I would be reimbursed by the school later (which did happen). But it was rather fun to receive packages then think about reading all those books again…
BBQ/Hanami:
Hanami = flower viewing. Bascially, come have a picnic under a beautiful sakura tree, eat bentos with dango and drink sake.
So because there was a 3-day weekend, a friend decided to host a BBQ (which turned into a BBQ/hanami party). So much fun. And I got to meet Takayuki! But he told me to call him Taka. Taka studied in Taipei around the same time my awesome buddy Julia was studying there (she still is actually…HI JULIA!!!). Well anyway, it was fun and it was nice to meet someone new. :]
Jeans: I went to Marinoa City with a buddy and found a store with lots of jeans. I asked for what their biggest size was it turned out that it did fit me big!!! :-o
Surprising, ne? So I bought a pair of slightly expensive jeans which were hemmed right then in there!!! I only had to wait about 20 minutes!!! Iina~!
Speaking of shopping. I bought some shoes. I got some for running and some really cute polka-dotty ones. I miss my polka-dot Vanz that I left at home and really miss having shoes I can just slip on and off. So I got those. Different than the other pair but I think my other pair was more comfy in the sense that there’s not a lot of stitching around the toes.
2 Enkai:
So an “enkai” is an office party. They’re usually around the beginning of a year and the end of a year (actual year and scholastic year). So I went to 2. One was a retirement party for the office manager and a science teacher and other enkai was with my
Up next: going to Oita-ken for another Hanami thing and then going to meet up with my Oxy Ohana. Either in Wakayama-ken or Osaka. Plans are still being made.
...
I dunno...I had to go somewhere and never finished writing...oops... ><"
So of course various tings have been happening. But some things have been happening rather fast that I forget to keep this thing updated.
Gomen ne!
Hokay so…the last thing I wrote about was being on TV.
So…let’s see…since graduation…I’ve gone through White Day, Weekend trip with the ichinensei teachers, gamed with other JETs at Round 1, went to a Hinamatsuri party, learned a Hinamatsuri song, received books, went to a BBQ/hanami party, met a new buddy of a buddy, found a pair of jeans that fit, bought shoes, went to 2 enkais (one that made my day/week), found out some teachers are leaving, found out who I’ll be team-teaching with next year, had 2 long dinners with a buddy (one that was extended into karaoke), dyed my hair and I’m going to bake around 170 cookies for Monday.
I bet most of you have no idea what I’m talking about…
Let me explain:
White Day: In Japan, Valentine’s day is celebrated a little differently. For Valentine’s day, February 14th, the girls/women usually hand out the chocolate/goodies. It can be girl to girl or girl to boy. Whichever is ok. I like to bake goodies during holidays so I baked a carrot cake (the other round pan having gone to the people at the Kawashoku) and 2 square pans of brownies (one with walnuts). So one month later, March 14th, the guys return the favor. In other words, the guys give the girls/women who had previously given them chocolates, sweets! Of course, both of these days happened to have landed on a Saturday so my school celebrated each on Friday.
So I went to work and was surprised but happy to have received a box of pecan cookies from the ichinensei teachers (later it dawned on me it was from all the male teachers. Just like we had done for them for Valentine’s day). So anyway, I didn’t think too much about it since I do randomly come to work only to find someone has left some sort of treat on my desk. But when the kouchou-sensei gave me a box of chocolate marshmellows and said it was a return favor for the Valentine’s treat I had given him, I fully understood what was going on. I also got sweets from my Kyoto-sensei, host mom grandkids, Onitsuka-san from the Kawashoku, jimuchou (although it came quite later), English department and from the guys that work in the main office. Oh! Also from some students. ^^v
Weekend trip:
So some teachers that teach the first years planned out a trip. I said early on that I’d participate (because I figured it’s great to get to know your co-workers in a more casual setting and because I’m trying to be part of the group. But I will not lose myself on the way! ;P ) Anyhoo, we went to Nagasaki and overall had a great time! We saw a neat little shop that’s known for it’s tea (bought lots of it and it’s all in my cubbard now), ate yummy shabu shabu, took some pictures and went to an onsen. The only down side is that I got a little sick in the beginning… I’m not sure if it was because it was a bit of a long drive or because I had oysters for the first time. Although it was fun cooking them and they were rather tasty, they just didn’t sit well with me. Needless to say, a handful of my co-workers saw me throw-up. -_-;
Round 1:
This is a place with lots of games and sports and other awesome things! It’s basically a big arcade. But if you go to the top and pay a fee for about 3 hours of play, everything those levels are pretty free and fare game! There are batting cages, archery corners, tennis courts, volleyball courts, roller skating rink, ping-pong tables, arcade games (where I totally pwnd a friend at Tekken 5!!!) and much much more!
Hinamatsuri:
This is basically known as “Girl’s Day” in English. During this time, a girl princess, prince, 5 musicians, princess’ court, peach tree and other things are set up on display! And there’s a traditional Japanese song that is sung during this time. When I was invited to go celebrate Hinamatsuri by Shibata-san (first host-mom), Yamaguchi-san (second host-mom) taught me the song while we walked to Shibata-san’s house (which is really really close to the school. Read “michi wo mayorimashita” to understand).
Great company. Delicious food. Random pictures. Good times. ^^b
Books:
I ordered some books from Amazon for my school. Months ago, we were asked to recommend some books to the students (every teacher can if they choose to). Well, the librarian had some trouble finding the books I suggested. So she asked me to buy them and that I would be reimbursed by the school later (which did happen). But it was rather fun to receive packages then think about reading all those books again…
BBQ/Hanami:
Hanami = flower viewing. Bascially, come have a picnic under a beautiful sakura tree, eat bentos with dango and drink sake.
So because there was a 3-day weekend, a friend decided to host a BBQ (which turned into a BBQ/hanami party). So much fun. And I got to meet Takayuki! But he told me to call him Taka. Taka studied in Taipei around the same time my awesome buddy Julia was studying there (she still is actually…HI JULIA!!!). Well anyway, it was fun and it was nice to meet someone new. :]
Jeans: I went to Marinoa City with a buddy and found a store with lots of jeans. I asked for what their biggest size was it turned out that it did fit me big!!! :-o
Surprising, ne? So I bought a pair of slightly expensive jeans which were hemmed right then in there!!! I only had to wait about 20 minutes!!! Iina~!
Speaking of shopping. I bought some shoes. I got some for running and some really cute polka-dotty ones. I miss my polka-dot Vanz that I left at home and really miss having shoes I can just slip on and off. So I got those. Different than the other pair but I think my other pair was more comfy in the sense that there’s not a lot of stitching around the toes.
2 Enkai:
So an “enkai” is an office party. They’re usually around the beginning of a year and the end of a year (actual year and scholastic year). So I went to 2. One was a retirement party for the office manager and a science teacher and other enkai was with my
Up next: going to Oita-ken for another Hanami thing and then going to meet up with my Oxy Ohana. Either in Wakayama-ken or Osaka. Plans are still being made.
...
I dunno...I had to go somewhere and never finished writing...oops... ><"
Thursday, May 21, 2009
I'm alive~!
Hey hey!
Yea, I know a looooooooooooooooooooong delay. I started a post but never finished. Then as usual I got busy and therefore could not post. blah!
So "sorry!" and here's a quick-y!
*I'm alive and I'm not sick. Yes, the swine flu has hit Japan but I am not that near the Kansai area (where Osaka is). So, for the time being, I'm safe from it.
I was going to buy some masks just in case it comes down to Kyushu but the day I went all the masks were sold out! Crazy, huh? So...I'll try again later...
*I'm starting to feel a little homesick again. And just a week or so ago I figured out why: this will be the first time I won't be home for my birthday. No crazy family. No yummy mom's-home-made-vanilla-cake with rainbow frosting. (Although, I am going to try to make it...). But basically I'm missing my family and how I can be silly with them. It's not that I hide my sillyness here...I just tone it down a bit. Simply put: I miss being my sisters' "mini-me" and being a monkey with them...and doing random silly things and taking photos to laugh about it later. hahaha.
*Since the new school year started, I've been doing more teaching! Woot! At the moment, I'm making up assignments for the 2 3rd-year classes (so I'm kinda teaching them...but not really), teaching my 9 classes of 1st years and doing the occasional appearance in some 2nd-year classes. ^^
This week and next week, I'm in charge of half of each 2nd-year class (yes, I am in total control of them. I am a step closer to taking over the worl--I mean...yea...). They are preparing for their speech contest during the Culture Fesitval in June. There are 2 preliminary sections and it's the first one at the moment.
*The raining season is coming. blah. Sad that is has to be rainy for my birthday...but maybe luck will be with me and it won't rain that day...
*I got an electric guitar. And when I say "got" I mean I "received." A friend of mine that did not re-contract on JET is going home in July and so she just gave it to. It rather fast too...
So now I'm going to look for a guitar school and start learning how to play the guitar. Alright! Another hobby. :P
(Who knows...maybe I'll find some band buddies and start up something similar to that band Terence mentioned...the one that's made up of former ALT's and their friends...what was that name again...)
*I'm happy to be back with my addictions: caffeine and manga. Ah~
Now I just need to find an "art hour" and all will be fine with the world. ^^
I did start drawing again. But I've been out of practice for a bit that it's taking me longer than I remember...just gotta add some shadowing and I'll be done! yea!
...I don't know what else to write about...
...hopefully I'll find time again to give ya' a real update...
Yea, I know a looooooooooooooooooooong delay. I started a post but never finished. Then as usual I got busy and therefore could not post. blah!
So "sorry!" and here's a quick-y!
*I'm alive and I'm not sick. Yes, the swine flu has hit Japan but I am not that near the Kansai area (where Osaka is). So, for the time being, I'm safe from it.
I was going to buy some masks just in case it comes down to Kyushu but the day I went all the masks were sold out! Crazy, huh? So...I'll try again later...
*I'm starting to feel a little homesick again. And just a week or so ago I figured out why: this will be the first time I won't be home for my birthday. No crazy family. No yummy mom's-home-made-vanilla-cake with rainbow frosting. (Although, I am going to try to make it...). But basically I'm missing my family and how I can be silly with them. It's not that I hide my sillyness here...I just tone it down a bit. Simply put: I miss being my sisters' "mini-me" and being a monkey with them...and doing random silly things and taking photos to laugh about it later. hahaha.
*Since the new school year started, I've been doing more teaching! Woot! At the moment, I'm making up assignments for the 2 3rd-year classes (so I'm kinda teaching them...but not really), teaching my 9 classes of 1st years and doing the occasional appearance in some 2nd-year classes. ^^
This week and next week, I'm in charge of half of each 2nd-year class (yes, I am in total control of them. I am a step closer to taking over the worl--I mean...yea...). They are preparing for their speech contest during the Culture Fesitval in June. There are 2 preliminary sections and it's the first one at the moment.
*The raining season is coming. blah. Sad that is has to be rainy for my birthday...but maybe luck will be with me and it won't rain that day...
*I got an electric guitar. And when I say "got" I mean I "received." A friend of mine that did not re-contract on JET is going home in July and so she just gave it to. It rather fast too...
So now I'm going to look for a guitar school and start learning how to play the guitar. Alright! Another hobby. :P
(Who knows...maybe I'll find some band buddies and start up something similar to that band Terence mentioned...the one that's made up of former ALT's and their friends...what was that name again...)
*I'm happy to be back with my addictions: caffeine and manga. Ah~
Now I just need to find an "art hour" and all will be fine with the world. ^^
I did start drawing again. But I've been out of practice for a bit that it's taking me longer than I remember...just gotta add some shadowing and I'll be done! yea!
...I don't know what else to write about...
...hopefully I'll find time again to give ya' a real update...
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