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:
Monday, February 23, 2009
Another thing I wanted to mention
So, I've been meaning to write about this experience but I've been so busy, I kept forgetting to.
So, there's a dry cleaners right across from where I live. I love how convinient it is and more at how fast they get stuff done (next day service. Woo~!)
So I usually talk to the lady that I think owns the place. She's really nice. Anyhoo, so one of my blazers, didn't have a button on one of the sleaves. It took me a while to notice this (since it's on a side I can't normally see and the color of the button really hides into the sleave). I've gone to this place many-a-times before but about twice she noticed that I was missing a button. And everytime I was like, "Oh yea, I should get on that" but always forgot (I have the button, I just don't remember to sew it on).
So some weeks ago, I was putting my blazer away at night when I randomly remembered about the button. And then I notice that both sleaves had a button. It then dawned on me that the last night I took it to the cleaners, the lady must have sewed on a button for me. And at no extra charge!
I don't know if they do this because Japanese people are just this friendly with one another or because they feel like helping me out since I'm the foreigner living alone.
That was so sweet of her. I want to bake her goodies now. :P
So, there's a dry cleaners right across from where I live. I love how convinient it is and more at how fast they get stuff done (next day service. Woo~!)
So I usually talk to the lady that I think owns the place. She's really nice. Anyhoo, so one of my blazers, didn't have a button on one of the sleaves. It took me a while to notice this (since it's on a side I can't normally see and the color of the button really hides into the sleave). I've gone to this place many-a-times before but about twice she noticed that I was missing a button. And everytime I was like, "Oh yea, I should get on that" but always forgot (I have the button, I just don't remember to sew it on).
So some weeks ago, I was putting my blazer away at night when I randomly remembered about the button. And then I notice that both sleaves had a button. It then dawned on me that the last night I took it to the cleaners, the lady must have sewed on a button for me. And at no extra charge!
I don't know if they do this because Japanese people are just this friendly with one another or because they feel like helping me out since I'm the foreigner living alone.
That was so sweet of her. I want to bake her goodies now. :P
The gifts just keep rolling in...
So about a week ago, I went to an enkai with the first-year teachers and the PTA (not sure if it was all of them or just some of the members...). At the enkai, I found out it was one of the teacher's birthday. Since they're all so nice to me, I told him I'd make him a cake! And since he really liked the carrot cake, I told him I'd make him that one again. But that I'd take it to work on Wednesday.
After the enkai, I went to an after party with some of the teachers. Not having anymore JTE's around me, I tried my best at Japanese (with my dictionary at hand, of course). But...sadly forgot my dictionary at the place! ><"
But, the teacher in charge of the first years was nice enough to call and luckily found my dictionary.
Oh, Konishi-sensei (the one I made the cake for) took one of the cakes home to eat with his family. The other one was shared with the other teachers. The next day, there was a bag with the cake pans in it but with other stuff too! I got nori, chocolate cookie things and bread! I was so surprised. I mean, I made a birthday cake, I absolutely didn't expect anything back! And just yesterday, I got more bread from him! It's so crazy!!!
And then one of my students, Ayana, gave my JTE and some chocolate (dark chocolate too. yum) and then another day gave the same JTE, Andachi-sensei, a heart-shaped bread thing. It was hilarious how she did it though. Andachi-sensei was talking to the other girls about preparing for the eiken test and Ayana just puts the bag in front of Andachi's face! hahaha. And then she said something like, "This is not an obligation. It looks pretty but it doesn't taste good." It did though, have a funny smell...Andachi-sensei gave me half and said, "I don't want to die alone." bahahahaha. I love how we joke around. :]
Oh! And Shingo-kun, one of my lunch buddies from 3-8, brought me omiyage from Kyoto. He went up to take his entrance exam for a college there and brought me some "Chocolate stick cake." It's basically a long piece of chocolate cake. Really yummy chocolate cake. ^^
Man...I wonder if White Day is going to be this crazy...
(White day is similar to Valentine's Day. Here in Japan, the women usually give out chocolates on Valentine's Day and the boy usually return the favor on White Day. White Day is March 13, one month after Valentine's Day.)
*Oh yea, my host mom's daughter, Aya, made me some cookies too. ^^
After the enkai, I went to an after party with some of the teachers. Not having anymore JTE's around me, I tried my best at Japanese (with my dictionary at hand, of course). But...sadly forgot my dictionary at the place! ><"
But, the teacher in charge of the first years was nice enough to call and luckily found my dictionary.
Oh, Konishi-sensei (the one I made the cake for) took one of the cakes home to eat with his family. The other one was shared with the other teachers. The next day, there was a bag with the cake pans in it but with other stuff too! I got nori, chocolate cookie things and bread! I was so surprised. I mean, I made a birthday cake, I absolutely didn't expect anything back! And just yesterday, I got more bread from him! It's so crazy!!!
And then one of my students, Ayana, gave my JTE and some chocolate (dark chocolate too. yum) and then another day gave the same JTE, Andachi-sensei, a heart-shaped bread thing. It was hilarious how she did it though. Andachi-sensei was talking to the other girls about preparing for the eiken test and Ayana just puts the bag in front of Andachi's face! hahaha. And then she said something like, "This is not an obligation. It looks pretty but it doesn't taste good." It did though, have a funny smell...Andachi-sensei gave me half and said, "I don't want to die alone." bahahahaha. I love how we joke around. :]
Oh! And Shingo-kun, one of my lunch buddies from 3-8, brought me omiyage from Kyoto. He went up to take his entrance exam for a college there and brought me some "Chocolate stick cake." It's basically a long piece of chocolate cake. Really yummy chocolate cake. ^^
Man...I wonder if White Day is going to be this crazy...
(White day is similar to Valentine's Day. Here in Japan, the women usually give out chocolates on Valentine's Day and the boy usually return the favor on White Day. White Day is March 13, one month after Valentine's Day.)
*Oh yea, my host mom's daughter, Aya, made me some cookies too. ^^
Valentine's Day & Mexican Fiesta
So about 2 weekends ago, it was Valentine's Day. Being the baker that I am (which makes me consider opening a bakery...) I baked goodies for work.
I decided to make the carrot cake first for 2 reasons: 1-it takes an hour to bake. I can do the cookie preping while it bakes; and 2-I wanted to take one to my buddies at the Kawashoku.
As I'm prepping the ingrediants for the carrot cake, my friend Yamato e-mails me (on the keitai) and asked me to help her bake some cookies. This was her first time and I possibly have the second oven in all of the Jutkau... So she comes over and as I'm mixing my cake batter she's mixing her oatmeal cookie batter and then I get invited by some buddies to eat out for dinner. I decided to go since I wasn't sure I'd eat anything while I bake. And it worked out better since Yamato first had to bake her cookies (Well, I decided to let her do hers first since cookies only take about 10 - 15 minutes intervals and constant opening and closing of the door is not good for cakes). So I felt a little guilty for leaving her but I was glad I was able to help her. :]
After I got back, I found the carrot cake was put into the oven and since it was getting late, decided to make brownies instead of cookies for work. I felt it also fit better since chocolate is usually given for Valentine's Day.
Oh...but I believe I took one of the carrot cakes to my friends before I made the brownies... But yea, I walked over and handed them a slightly hot cake (wrapped in a kitchen towel) and told them that it's best if they let it cool off first. Otherwise it'll taste of egg). And since I had 2 little star shaped cake pans, I decided to make those for Kocho and Kyoto sensei (Principal and Vice-Principal).
The next day, I brought it all to work and the carrot cake was devoured in maybe an hour (I believe it took a bit of a while since there were classes going on and so only during the breaks did the teachers get to sample the cake.
Anyhoo, they all seemed to like the cakes. And then I had some left over hard-candy that comes in the shape of a heart (Elo sent me a bunch) so I gave more to my students (I put it into their class boxes), 3 to my host-mom's grandkids, some to the students in class 3-8 (who, although I don't teach, befriended me and ate lunch with me) and one to a second year, Hitomi, that I'm pretty close with. She was really happy to receive the box of candy (because she apparently really likes candy). She then said that she'll make some candy over the weekend and that she was going to bring me some next week (yay!).
And yes, she made some really yummy chocolate cookies. MMmmMMmm
So Friday night, Lupita and me baked like crazy. Pretty much, we had a jolly good time (and had so much to bake) and I didn't notice it was already midnight!!! We baked carrot cake (because it's been so popular), brownies with walnuts, empanadas (sadly, they kept exploding) and heart-shaped sugar cookies! Of course, it didn't go all that smoothly. It was a little emabarrasing to have gone to the Kawashoku about 3 times that night...out of miscommunication and forgetfulness. hahaha *><*
Saturday morning, I packed up whatever of my stuff Lupita couldn't take into 2 bags. I must have looked ridiculous with my teal carry on bag too (I stayed the night at Lupita's).
Once I got to Lupita's, the stress of party planning started. Somehow, her range (stove top) was not working. And being that hers is totally different to mine...I had to be a monkey and just sort of poke around/push things...yea... But, we eventually figured out what was wrong and immediately started cooking. I was hand-shreading chicken for what seemed like 2 and half hours (would have continued but I got fed up with looking at the chicken and then ran out of space to the chicken...)Lupita was working on papas fritas for about the same time as I took with the chicken and she too was getting fed up with looking at one thing... Long cooking story short: We prepped and cooked from ~11am - 6:30pm.
At 6:30, I quickly did my hair and make-up and then took off to pick up some friends at the station. Once we got back (after some trouble on helping Mike get a cab to get to Lupita's), I quickly changed then the party started. I believe everyone had a good time and we stuffed everyone silly (which was our goal). Woo~
[I'll add pictures later]
On Sunday morning, Lupita invited Carl, Grace and Emmett over to eat some left overs. We ate and watched "The Departed" at the same time. It was one of those great lazy Sundays that's just spent well with great company and a movie. :]
That Sunday, I went back to the Kawashoku and receivced hand-made cookies from the girls. I was so moved. And they were sooooooo good!!! I guess they like me too. ^^
I decided to make the carrot cake first for 2 reasons: 1-it takes an hour to bake. I can do the cookie preping while it bakes; and 2-I wanted to take one to my buddies at the Kawashoku.
As I'm prepping the ingrediants for the carrot cake, my friend Yamato e-mails me (on the keitai) and asked me to help her bake some cookies. This was her first time and I possibly have the second oven in all of the Jutkau... So she comes over and as I'm mixing my cake batter she's mixing her oatmeal cookie batter and then I get invited by some buddies to eat out for dinner. I decided to go since I wasn't sure I'd eat anything while I bake. And it worked out better since Yamato first had to bake her cookies (Well, I decided to let her do hers first since cookies only take about 10 - 15 minutes intervals and constant opening and closing of the door is not good for cakes). So I felt a little guilty for leaving her but I was glad I was able to help her. :]
After I got back, I found the carrot cake was put into the oven and since it was getting late, decided to make brownies instead of cookies for work. I felt it also fit better since chocolate is usually given for Valentine's Day.
Oh...but I believe I took one of the carrot cakes to my friends before I made the brownies... But yea, I walked over and handed them a slightly hot cake (wrapped in a kitchen towel) and told them that it's best if they let it cool off first. Otherwise it'll taste of egg). And since I had 2 little star shaped cake pans, I decided to make those for Kocho and Kyoto sensei (Principal and Vice-Principal).
The next day, I brought it all to work and the carrot cake was devoured in maybe an hour (I believe it took a bit of a while since there were classes going on and so only during the breaks did the teachers get to sample the cake.
Anyhoo, they all seemed to like the cakes. And then I had some left over hard-candy that comes in the shape of a heart (Elo sent me a bunch) so I gave more to my students (I put it into their class boxes), 3 to my host-mom's grandkids, some to the students in class 3-8 (who, although I don't teach, befriended me and ate lunch with me) and one to a second year, Hitomi, that I'm pretty close with. She was really happy to receive the box of candy (because she apparently really likes candy). She then said that she'll make some candy over the weekend and that she was going to bring me some next week (yay!).
And yes, she made some really yummy chocolate cookies. MMmmMMmm
So Friday night, Lupita and me baked like crazy. Pretty much, we had a jolly good time (and had so much to bake) and I didn't notice it was already midnight!!! We baked carrot cake (because it's been so popular), brownies with walnuts, empanadas (sadly, they kept exploding) and heart-shaped sugar cookies! Of course, it didn't go all that smoothly. It was a little emabarrasing to have gone to the Kawashoku about 3 times that night...out of miscommunication and forgetfulness. hahaha *><*
Saturday morning, I packed up whatever of my stuff Lupita couldn't take into 2 bags. I must have looked ridiculous with my teal carry on bag too (I stayed the night at Lupita's).
Once I got to Lupita's, the stress of party planning started. Somehow, her range (stove top) was not working. And being that hers is totally different to mine...I had to be a monkey and just sort of poke around/push things...yea... But, we eventually figured out what was wrong and immediately started cooking. I was hand-shreading chicken for what seemed like 2 and half hours (would have continued but I got fed up with looking at the chicken and then ran out of space to the chicken...)Lupita was working on papas fritas for about the same time as I took with the chicken and she too was getting fed up with looking at one thing... Long cooking story short: We prepped and cooked from ~11am - 6:30pm.
At 6:30, I quickly did my hair and make-up and then took off to pick up some friends at the station. Once we got back (after some trouble on helping Mike get a cab to get to Lupita's), I quickly changed then the party started. I believe everyone had a good time and we stuffed everyone silly (which was our goal). Woo~
[I'll add pictures later]
On Sunday morning, Lupita invited Carl, Grace and Emmett over to eat some left overs. We ate and watched "The Departed" at the same time. It was one of those great lazy Sundays that's just spent well with great company and a movie. :]
That Sunday, I went back to the Kawashoku and receivced hand-made cookies from the girls. I was so moved. And they were sooooooo good!!! I guess they like me too. ^^
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