Sosi in Sendai

Sifa is here!! He's been amazing, from doing cultural lessons with me in school and my ekaiwa, to helping me clean up, sort out and pack up.

We had an extra day, so we decided to spend it up in Sendai to check out the shopping and pretty lights for the starlight festival.

Next stop, OSAKA!!

tired of being tired

I'm not sleepy yet. I think it's because I don't have enough to do. because when I do more, I can sleep at a more reasonable hour. but when I don't have anything to do, I have to wait until now plus about an hour of tossing and turning to get any sleep.

I'm pretty sure that most people think that I'm nuts for the amount of work that I 'put on myself', for the amount of balls I have up in the air and all of the things that I type up, plan, analyse, research, do. But it's not about actually doing those things. hardly at all. I don't type up countless scores of lessons that quite possibly aren't going to be used again because I want to gain some recognition or something, I don't make up ridiculous amounts of movies and blogs because I want to become famous. I am bored. I am continuously restless and my mind is always searching for something to think about.

In Aotearoa this year, I was juggling a 40 hour a week job, a secondary job running my girls group, going out about 4 times a week (including almost all-nighters) and normally an 'okay' fitness level. Then I could sleep pretty well.

This Japan, I have struggled to be able to find projects to do. I have completed projects that I have been juggling for a long time, I have started and finished other projects that other people might not find the time to do.. because for some really annoying reason, I have programmed my body to think that almost every waking hour must be completely filled with activity, and if it's not, then I won't be tired when it comes to 10pm, 11pm, 12pm, 1am....

I know this isn't normal because people are always telling me to calm down, take things slower, that I'm going hard out or that maybe I should let other people think things through and do it themselves instead of me taking over. So why do I have to be like this. I don't know if I was always like this or if it's something that I've become addicted to overtime - the rush of anxiety levels, the adrenaline my body creates when stress levels are just a bit too high. Or if it's just natural for me to only need to sleep 5 hours a night and never have quiet hands.

I hope, I really hope that when Sifa comes, I might relax. That I might just be able to think ' hey, lets just lax', or that I could fall asleep easily between 9pm and 11pm.

Night.

Tomioka Schools at a glance..

I've kinda realised that I haven't got anything much up about my schools and kids!! This is partly due to my social work thinking that the kids I work with are sacred and shouldn't be exploited on my personal blog (mainly because when I am social working - my kids are normally 'troubled' and so it would be identifying them as such). The other reason is that I don't actually have much to show... but here is a slide show of different photos I've taken of the youth, they are typical Japanese kids and I reckon most of the time fun fun fun!!

The bad kids aren't even bad and are just rebelling enough to find their identity, all of them are sooo good in school and listen to everything in class and try pretty hard.

SNOW!!!

It's cold now, reallllllyyyy cold. and last week, another ALT and I were doing a lesson on Christmas (yaya!! haha) and it started to snow outside!

I couldn't believe it and kept staring out the window .. it's pretty damn amazing aye. love it! hehe.

Star Jumps and farts

Mum reckons that if I do 15-20 starjumps (depending on my 'body type') I'll be warm for an hour.
That's the kind of thought-framework that I come from.
brilliant. thanks mum.

Dad did a fart in Auckland and blamed it on me - I'm in Japan.
That's the kind of reaction-framework that I come from.
choice. onto it dad.

My family sets up a laptop in the kitchen and then walk away when I'm talking to them on skype. they then walk past it several times smiling at me, pretending to walk up and down stairs, falling into holes etc.
That's the kind of humour-framework that I come from.
brilliant. kia ora whanau.

now you know why I am like I am.

knitting is the new tagging

yep mate. bet ya didn't see this one coming. I am the pro-ess of the knitting world this side of the Fukushima coasties ALTS. booya. betta watch out yo.

I've mastered the basic knit, but am now attempting the knit-purl combination. kids, don't try this at home. actually, do. it's the new tagging!! haha.

check out the photos of scarfs I've knitted already and my new adventure into knit-purl video :)

big ups to the aunties - it's harder than it looks when you do it! haha!




My latest works of wonder are below, don't look if you know your getting a scarf from me for xmas...

Resignation

Well, I decided to hand in my notice at work. Gave it to my supervisor today. It's a long story, but here are the bullet points of it...

• I am a tape player or desk minder for 7 hours of my 8-hour working day. Coming from an incredibly fast paced and youth initiative focused job, this was too much to grasp. Call me a lesser-woman for it, but I can't handle a time-wasting job.
  
• I am not given any responsibility nor challenges - as above point reasonings.
• I have not been given any hope for the position to change, even with complaints made, meetings held and on-going discussions - including a fully fledged proposal to develop my role written by myself.
  
• I want to be with my family for some very special occasions coming up (new baby, first marriage).
• I want to be with the boy I've fallen head over heels in love with - in New Zealand.
• I have the opportunity to possibly become a part of a new youth initiative in Auckland that I had my part in developing earlier in the year.
• I have realised my complete passion and devotion to working within the Social Work/ Community Field and can't wait to get back into it!!
  

The reactions that I received from my supervisor and Japanese Teacher were;

• Utter surprise and shock - even though I had been complaining that I was unhappy and telling them that I would leave if it didn't get better.
• Self-defence in checking to make sure that they were not going to be blamed as at fault.
• Reacting as if they could solve the problem I was causing "'so, you hope to hand in resignation?" "no. this IS my resignation" "huh?"

I suppose I should feel relieved; relieved that I now have a much shorter time frame where I will be bored out of my brain doing nothing remotely helpful for anything - during the week atleast. But I mainly feel disappointed. I feel let down. I really feel I have tried here, and even with all of the complications at home, I truly think that if I did love this job, even slightly, then I would have worked it out to remain in Japan. Japan is amazing and such a unique culture, I know I will be back - but not ever as an ALT.

So! the TNT experience has been shortened drastically from 12 months, to 5 months in total. I plan to leave Tomioka on the 22nd of December, bound for cousins over Christmas and New Years and then through Hong Kong - Guangzhou - Naam Ling Tsuen - New Zealand.

Looking forward to my now much lesser 9-10 weeks left over here, and feeling a bit sad at the loss of the possibility.

Mornin Everybody!

A Random Taxi Ride Home

Below is the script and also a commentary video of a real taxi ride home I took a few weekends ago with friends... Sifa and DJ told me that I should be telling my stories, not writing them.. so here goes.. let me know which you prefer.. peace! tj


Random taxi ride from a Tokyo Club back to a friend of a friends home to crash, at 4am, gotta wait 'til 5am for the trains to start back up...




Giacomo: What do you think Eldred - this road or that road?
Des: Oh that is it. We're getting a taxi - Sumimasen!
Giacomo: Ohhh, I wanted to go for a stroll...
Des: Nope, I wanna go home to bed. You two give directions.
Eldred: Ahhhh, I don't know where we are...
TJ: oh man, good call Des.
Giacomo: Okay, okay. But I want my maaaassskkkk.
Driver: Hai. なに　なに　にほんご (asking what I assume "where are ya headed?)
Giacomo: ないない　ないない　にほんご (Answering where I assume we're going)
Des: argh... I am so tirrrreeeddd...
Giacomo: Ohhhh..... my maassssskkkk...
Eldred: awww.... harden up! haha.
Driver to Eldred: なに　なに　にほんご　(asking what I can't even guess)
Eldred: ahhh... (no comment)
Giacomo: aaaaaahhh... haha.
Des: Oh my god. we were going to walk this?
TJ: I actually am pretty sure we just went in a circle guys.
Des: I can't BELIEVE we were going to walk this!
TJ: D, we just went in a circle.
Des: Oh, what ever.
Giacomo: なに　なに　(gesturing left and then straight and then furiously pointing right, as if the driver is nuts).
Driver to Eldred: なに　なに　(talking more insistently to Eldred)
Eldred: ummm....
Des: He thinks your Japanese aye.
Eldred: yeeeppp..
Des and TJ: haha!!
Giacomo: なに　なに　(what I'm guessing as "go right, right, RIGHT!")
Driver: なに　なに　(what I'm guessing to be "I can't! It's illegal!)
Giacomo: なに　なに　(oh right, straight, straight, straight)
Des: I'm sooo tirrrrreeeeddd.... isn't that the 7/11?
TJ: Ahhhh... you guys are all funny.... hahahahahaha
Giacomo: Okay, right soon, no! soon! now! right! right!
Des: I can't BELIEVE we were going to walk this!
Giacomo: Were' close now, that school is by our place
Eldred: ohhh.. yea???
Driver to Eldred: なに　なに　
Eldred: aaa ha ha ha.. (nervous)
Giacomo: Lets just go for a drive round
Des: That's it. I'm not paying.
TJ: haha!
Giacomo: なに　なに　(left, straight, right, oh... um.. ahh..)
Des: I think that was the 7/11 before...
TJ: haha! you all sooo funny!
Giacomo: Damn Jap girls! Stole my mask!
Des: And my hat and cape.
Giacomo: LEFT! no no no! Right! ごめん！！　
Driver shaking head, still talking to Eldred: なに　なに
Des: This is taking forever! We're miles from that school now!
Eldred: I still have no idea where we are. (We're going to his house)
TJ: ahahaha! We're going to your house!
Des: Ohhhh.... I know where we are.... oh, fuck, no I don't.
TJ: ahahahahahahaha!!! (Hysterical now)
Giacomo: Go left, no, no... do a U-turn...
Eldred: Oh yea... I know where we are...
Giacomo: Stop soon... no, no.. keep going (gesturing furiously now)
Des: ohhh yeeeaaa.... I know now... god I'm tired..
Giacomo: Here! Stop! Stop!
TJ: yaaayyy!!!
Giacomo: Ohhh... my mask... never trust Jap Girls!
Des: Thank god.

How do you spell 11??

I just did a class with a group of 9 year olds and we were looking at "what time is it?"

I drew a clock up on the board showing 11 O'clock and the kids had to come up and write in numbers and words;

11:00
Eleven O'clock

One kid did the 11:00 - easy enough, and then a brave soul tried to write it - he wrote it wrong, but then I couldn't figure out how to write it properly! haha! poor kid was confused and started crying because he really wanted the point for his group and all I could say was "no, that's wrong" and I couldn't show him the right way!!

SHAME!

And I'm an English Teacher, I had to spell check this blog to see how you did spell it. What the heck am I doing teaching!? lol.

Hikin ' in Namie

Ever been hikin'? my bet is if you're from Aotearoa, you would've done a few good walks - if not for your own enjoyment, because you were forced by friends, family or school trips... WELL! Have you ever been hikin' with BEARS!!??? muahaha!!

I went with a group of mates up Mount Hi (or at least that's what the map called it - great name aye). It's a baby compared to others, but it was perfect for us. Here's an exaggerated story of what happened - in true Antonievich Style.

HIKE

I jumped on the bike at about quarter to 10, for ma 10 o'clock train, wearing thermal leggings to try and keep my shins from exploding in pain and and a pack with a load of Mandarins and water. Pedaled like a bat outta hell to the station, jumped on and proceeded to French plait my hair. Nope. The leggings weren't enough attention, I needed to make sure that EVERY Japanese person was staring at me! I even managed to get an applause when I finished the second plait. Excellent. Des jumps on, with a pack herself - talking about grabbing Cheese and Bread for lunch.

We were intending on hikin' today up Mount Hi in Namie.

Jumped off at Namie and met up with Skye in her ever so chiq outfit - looking cool even in hiking gear! Bex comes whizzin' round the corner in her Blue beast and we're a off! Mount Hi watch out!

After a stop at these gardens on the way, cracking up at the pissing statue, critically analysing the molded plants, taking timed pictures and admiring the beautiful "Autumn Foliage", we crossed the road, said "hey, wha's up" to the locals and some of Bex's students and were back in the cars! Des had her Cheese and Bread, and I was AMPING to get on the track!

Now, when I say track, one must be aware of cultural differences to the meaning of that word. Upon finding the carpark for the first track we were to do, we couldn't quite find the actual track but for the forest, bush and weeds. Thinking better of risking it, we back "tracked" (haha, I'm so funny - I used 'track') to another path we could walk.

This one proved to be a mission to find, but with the help of some nearby farmers, we found the entrance; what we could only assume to be the carpark, and a more substantial path - at least for the first 500 metres of so... Once in the damn forest, Japanese don't seem to feel they require a path, excellent for appearances, not so, for guidance. No. we didn't get lost. BUT STILL!!!

Along the way, we saw signs that looked like quite friendly bears I thought. But I was quickly reassured that they were not and we needed to watch out for the blighters. Again, excellent.

...I was already stomping quite hard in case any snakes (who are officially the scariest things ever) thought they'd like to take a little swipe, and waving my hands to dislodge any spider thread that might be in front of my face (because if the thread happens to be lodged in a world-renowned-ginormous-spider-officially-the-second-most-scariest-thing-ever, I might die of a heart attack). Now, Des informs me on the rules about bears.

• Make a lot of noise - scare them away before they attack
  
• If you happen to see one, make yourself big - they are scared of bigger things
  
• If they do attack, roll yourself up in a ball - they'll play basketball with you for a bit then just leave you alone.

Oh right, well then. What the heck am I worried about?! Piece of piss. I'm now not only stomping and swinging my arms, but also TALKING REALLY LOUD TO PEOPLE THAT ARE REALLY CLOSE TO ME SO THAT IT SCARES THE BEARS AWAY - because I'm now convinced this forest must be FILL of them, and prepared to whip my jumper off and shake it in one hand and my bag in the other to look like a great big person.

I can just imagine a bear coming upon my stomping, arm swinging self...

"Oh, 'ello there, I live in 'ere. Nice day aye, wha' ya up to?"
(bear has an English Accent for some reason, even though I'm in Japan)

"Oh fuck a bear!"
(Struggling with taking my jumper off quickly while forgetting to take my pack off first, jumping up and down, because my jumper is now blinding me and I'm sure a snake, spider or bear is going to attack any second)

"O, wa' ever, a'ight. juss sayin' 'ello"
(Bear walks off in a huff convinced that all Gaijin are nuts)

ahahahaha!! I'm cracking up at the thought of it!!

SO! we're on this hike right....

...I'm a little.. well... jumpy... and we're walking through a snake, spider and bear infested Forest. I'm at the front... and all of a sudden... I hear... this noise....

Hrrrrrr..........hrrrrrrrrrr.........hrrrrrrrrrr.......


I pause, turning to gesture for the others to be quiet.

Kiwi Voice - Tara: "Do... do... do you guys hear that?"
American voice - Des immediately responds: "oh what ever Tara!"
Kiwi Voice - Tara: "There! Do you hear it?"
American Voice - Des: "No! Don't be stupid"
Britsh Voice - Bex: "Hahaha..."
Aussie Voice - Skye: "I just heard it too..."
British Voice - Bex: "Are you serious?"
Aussie Voice - Skye: "Definitely"
Kiwi Voice - Tara: "Oh crap, lets get out of here - go back down!"
American Voice - Des: "No way! Come on, if it's actually anything, we shouldn't be standing where we can hear it"
Kiwi Voice - Tara: "Right"

And with that, I proceed to run back, down and off that damn infested scary mountain, and then realise that Des, Bex and Skye are running UP! CRAP!! with a quick double turn and a little piss in my pants, I sprint up to the back of the line and almost take out Skye to get infront of her!

10 minutes later...

...We're still alive. phew! haha.

The rest of the hike was pretty hard but heaps of fun and relatively uneventful. The view was amazing and the walk back down was fun and completely bear-free.

Note to future hikers: be aware, not fearful.

Train Staring

I'm sitting on the train with quite a few Japanese surrounding me.
I can see the reflection of my face in the window opposite me.
But my eyes are too dark to see.

Everyone else is trying not to look at me.
They completely avoid me at all costs -
no eye contact -
won't sit beside me -
walk the furtherest they can around me.
but every time I look their way, our eyes happen to meet.
They happen to be looking at me exactly when I look at them - funny that.
Quick glances away to avoid embarrassment.

My reflection however, looks straight back at me.
She holds my gaze for as long as I do.
A relief in this watching but not looking world.

Missy Elliot blasting through my ear phones and staring at myself in the glass.
To avoid the non-stares.

Lucky the trains are fast.

Ever Been Jealous of a CD Player?

I have to say, never thought that this would be one of my experiences in Japan. Experiencing for the first time the feeling of jealousy against a mechanical object sounds like something from a science fiction movie about the future - where all of our jobs are taken over by machines and we become null-avoid within a mechanically run world.

But it's way more simple and in the present tense kind of way. My main job at the Junior High School is stated in this simple line;

"Repeat after Miss Tara"

ahhh, the sound of those four words and I awaken from a somber silent state on the side of the classroom. I jump into action and perform the one task that I am deemed capable of performing (in monkey dancing style). All of the students repeat after me words or phrases that their Japanese Teacher produce and hold up for me to state and them to read.

"Get On"
"Get On"

"Get Off"
"Get Off"

"The bus for Odawara"
"Za bas phor Odawara"

"The train for Utsunomia"
"Za train phor Utsunomia"

"How much is the fare?"
"How much is za pphhare?"

Now it's not that I particularly enjoy this, but it's the only thing I've got right. It's my task.

Well! not so! I find out this week. They actually have CD players and CD tracks of every single lesson and word use that they could possibly need! In one of the lessons last week (and lessons following during this week), my one task has been replaced with a CD player and CD.

In that first lesson, I felt an overwhelming desire to pick the CD player up and throw it out the window for it to crash to smitherines two stories down! Or, what might even have been more direct, stand in front of the machine and start talking louder and purposefully over the American voice.

Never had I felt such jealously, and I found it difficult to keep a straight face for the rest of the lesson. My job has caused me to become jealous of a machine!!

Excellent experience. Here's a pic of my most common pose at work. yeeaa baby.

Crazy Japanese People.. or Crazy me...

I don't know who is insane here - but one of us is definitely a little nuts. Either I am weird thinking that everyone around me is weird, or everyone else around me is weird.

Just now, one of the teachers came running through the teachers room, closed the door to the principals room and made a very quick whispering phone call to someone else.. NOW, all of the teachers are coming back into the room, and they're all whispering and laughing - joke of the century apparently! No idea what it is...

... the other week I was told that all lessons were cancelled for the day and the students would be making fires outside to cook lunch on - that would be all that would be happening that day. I was perplexed why it would take so long, or why they were doing it in the first place until they started. None of the students knew how to make a fire let alone cook on it - it was nuts! Some students were trying to make fires out of paper, others dropped their food into the fires, others decided to try and make different little fires to cook different pots of things on and were perplexed when the fires kept going out after all of the wood had burned. I couldn't believe it. These 12 to 14 year olds didn't know how to build and sustain a fire! They all were reasonable good cooks, but did not know how to cook outside! coming from the land of campfires, damper making and 'going bush', I was opening cans of food with knives for kids that didn't know how, introducing wood to the paper fires and larger areas for baby fires to be built up on.. these kids thought I was amazingly skilled when I was showing them things that I had learnt in Girl Guides (or before) just mucking about.... Afterwards, the kids came up and gave their samples of goodness that they had managed to actually cook or prepare and gave it to their favourite teacher (or actually most of it went to one teacher that seemed to be the most 'respected' or 'feared' in the school)....

... We went on a trip last week to Fukushima City for the finals of the English Speech Contest that one of my students managed to get into. On the way there, it was an unwritten rule that no-one speak in the car. I didn't know this and broke the rule several times before I realised. Then, it became apparent that we had a time limit to get there and no way were we to waste any time on the way - that resulted in some pretty scary and intense driving along the windiest road in all of Fukushima District. I requested to go to the toilet if at all possible, this was met with "It is a while longer" "oh, could we stop soon at one of the conbini's?" "ahh.. It is a while longer" "ohh..." then, my student started to feel a little sick, then a lot sick, then very sick. It wasn't until she actually vomited in a plastic bag when our driver decided that we would take a very short stop at a conbini (convenience store)...

If think that these people are crazy... but it might be that I am slowly going insane and 'normal' things seem to be quite strange to me now...

Wow, what a weekend!

This weekend, Part Two.

We were invited along to the Bunkasai (Japanese Cultural Day) at Tomioka High School.. It was my first experience of Tomioka High School and of a Japanese school that was interested in their ALTS taking an active part in lessons, cultural exploration and being involved in the school environment.. I loved it!

A past exchange student who went to Penrose High School for a little visit had made an Auckland Stand and I was asked to help her with it - so I dressed up as a Ma-o-ri and swung the poi about for half a day :) hehe.

Here's another video clip on the day's events... Mike and Desiree are Americans and they set up a face painting stall, Scott and Catherine are French and they set up an International Post Office... Pretty amazing to be in Japan and be closest to non-japanese! lol.

Wow, what a weekend!!

This Weekend, Part One!

I headed with my mates to a friends place to catch up, drink and 'lax, but also to check out a festival that was happening near by.. It was soooo Sugoi!!!! I loved it!! we pulled the Gaijin card and jumped up and down with the crowds that follow the Lantern 'floats' who were mainly very Genki teenagers - with a few "Hello"s thrown at us when we were listening :)

All of the lanterns have little candles in them, lit up the whole float, filled with men who were playing music on flutes and drums and other instruments and then crazy mo fo's pulling and pushing the huge floats down the street - blundy amazing!!

Here's the vid...

Music is done by Ellegarden - Song is モンスター if ya interested :)

Little Homage to the 21st Girl

So, I couldn't be at Rennies 21st :( was a real shame and I'm sad about it... but I managed to do a couple of things...

* I wrote and videoed a speech for her along with a photo slide of a WHOLE lot of photos of her...

* I wrote a rap for her that I rap'd to her in the afternoon of her party and then mum performed it at the party!

* My Friends and I celebrated in a way on the night of the party - by randomly attempting to collect things that started with R - we didn't do so well, but the intention was there!! hehe.

So, Here are two videos - the first one of the rap and a collection of my mates with their 'R products and me n Ren, and then the second video is the speech.

Yay for the internet and general technology!

Utsunomiya Trip

Went down to Utsunomiya a couple of weekends ago - Unc. Pat n Aunty Puea came to see me in little 'ole Tomioka and then in that weekend, I went down to meet up with them again :) Was choice!! highlights...

* Bought me a baby guitar
*Bought me a kiddy Planner - best thing since sliced bread
*WHANAU!!! yay for whanau!
*Getting outta Tomioka
*Harajuku in Tokyo!! It is a little nuts but a lot of fun too ;)
* Whanau!!
*Shopping
*Rugby (Well, actually, I fell asleep in it. haha)
*Karaoke
*Getting Aunty to do Purikura with me and Brad - hehe.

BubbleShare: Share photos - Share your baby pictures

Journal Entry

Oh My God.

I am sooo going to do a journal entry right now.

I AM SICK OF THE BUGS THAT WANT TO BE IN MY APARTMENT!!!!

I hate to kill them but have no blundy choice!! I can't bear to pick them up!! stuff that!! they are damn fast and HUGE!!!

Japan have the scariest looking spiders, hugest cockroaches, SNAKES!!!

I don't have one part of my body that isn't scratchy and itchy and flitching!!

If someone gave me a flight ticket to anywhere with smaller bugs right now. I'd take and be running to the airport!!!!!!!!!!!!


ARRRGGHHH!!!!! Go Away Bugs!!

phew. feel a little better. thanks for listening.

A Fukushima Weekend

This weekend was a little while ago, but I've only just learnt iMovies properly to get it all together onto a lil youtube clip - so here ya go. xox.

NEXT CLIP! I'll do my own music on my little guitar!! hehe.

Nomikai - Monkey Dancing & Sake Drinking

Oh, what do we have here, a little fun fun fun!
Three new words for you to learn learn learn!
All of these things have a bit of a twist twist twist!
I wonder if you know what they are....

Nomikai is Japanese for "lets have a drink drink drink!"
Normally to celebrate something at work work work!
It is with colleagues and they act a little bit weird weird weird!
And people all get really excited about it....

Monkey dancing is a special role performed by me me me!
I jump up and down and speak Japanese-nese-nese!
My colleagues think that it is really funny funny!
And I have to do it quite regularly....

Sake Drinking seems to be the liquid of choice choice choice!
They drink it straight sometimes with a bit of ice ice ice!
I like the taste really too much much much!
And people normally fall asleep after a while...

I said a speech in English and no one got it, got it!
They wanted me to also say some phrases I've learnt, I've learnt!
So I uttered the placing of some objects objects!
And everybody clapped and cheered....

I tried to go home after the party party!
But they didn't like me leaving everyone then then then!
I had to venture with them to another bar bar bar!
For more Sushumi, Sake and monkey dancing...

I'm glad that I got to see them all drunk drunk drunk!
But I don't think I'd like to do it every day day day!
I get tired of acting like a monkey monkey!
And sake drinking isn't too good in the morning....

Make Some Noise

Run run run

Went for a run last night, was proud of myself until I mapped it on www.mapmyrun.com and realised how slow I was going for such a short run! haha. typical.

So developed a new run that almost hits 6 k's and plan on being able to do it in a few weeks.

Here's my map.

School - 26th September

Not much to talk about for school. Today, I was in 1/2 a class talking about rules in High Schools in New Zealand.

"You Must Not wear jewellery" "You Must wear a uniform"

type talk. We're learning Must and Must Not at the moment. Only thing is, that they can't really understand me anyway, so I say it and then my JTE translates it.

That's how it normally goes. I would like to challenge the way they teach here, but don't think it would go down very well and nothing would change so there doesn't seem to be much point. This lesson was quite good when it comes to the English Lessons anyway, normally it's straight from the textbook with me reading out the stories line-by-line for the kids to repeat, memorise and say back to me; then reviewing the new words they have learnt. At least this one they needed to think about the meanings of the words Must and Must Not. Apart from this 30 minutes, I have only got one other lesson at the primary school across the road - the lesson today is on "What is this, What is that?" and "What do you like?" which is a bit more fun. They think I'm a clown that comes in and entertains them for an hour - so I act like one, jumping up and down and getting them to as well - reckon more English seeps into them that way anyway!

So considering that I only have 1 1/2 hours of actual class time, and then factoring about 1 hour of preparation time, I have about 5 1/2 hours of doing nothing that is related to teaching children English. Hence my blog entry.

This is me working at Tomioka Schools - 26th September 2007.

The War of the Bugs

Calmness. Slight Breeze coming through the window on my right and completely relaxed on my single bed, lying spread out with a lavalava on and flicking through the books I brought over and have acquired since being here.

The sun is beginning to set, so I reach up to flick on my bed light. I hear a slight noise and look up to see a gigantic insect - a cross between a cricket and a cockroach walking down my wall towards me. It's at least 5 cm's long and that same length away from my nose.

For a split second, I just stare at it, my skin goose bumps and I hold my breath.
Eyes lock between the two enemies, wind blows hair across their faces and a hay bail blows across the path between the two fearless warriors. Arms poised on shot guns attached to waists.

With a scream, I leap up and in the same instant, the crick-roach runs like a bat outta hell under the bed. I start shaking my head, arms, legs and whole body about - like a crazy dance - rubbing away any thought of the creature possibly landing on me.

Welcome to my war.

It's a war with creatures that I have trouble maintaining sanity around and is completely one sided. It's not that I think they are ugly, or particularly dangerous. It's an irrational reaction of my senses and every time I freak out I think;

Breathe deep. Calm down. It's just an insect. It won't harm you.

The C.B.T. doesn't work though and every time something larger than my big toe gets within 1/2 metre of me, the freakin' out begins.

Sitting at the Train Station...
...waiting for my next adventure to begin in a larger town when I contemplate visiting the bathroom before the journey - walk briskly to the building, turn in the same motion and walk briskly away. There's a damn HUGE grasshopper sitting smack bang in the middle of the door way. no WAY I can get past it without breaching the 1/2 metre restriction of having to freak.

Open the bathroom cupboard...
... reaching in to search for a new box of laundry powder. One of those crick-roaches gets disturbed and wanders out of it's dark corner. I quickly slam shut the cupboard doors, run out of the bathroom, shut that door as well just in case. And then ponder how I'm going to do my washing now.

Just about to jump on my bike...
... when I notice a stick creature as big as my palm hangin' out on my handle bars. I'm trapped. I need to go, I must go on my bike, but I can't get any closer to this creature without having a mild panic attack. I'm locked. my muscles are so tense my arms are shaking and goose bumps have arisen all over. Deep breaths, gritted teeth and sheer determination force me to take out my book and with a swipe and a little 'shake my body' dance, the evil force is a safe distance away from my body and bike.

Back in the bedroom...
... the crick-roach is under the bed and I'm standing locked in the doorway unsure of my next move. Book still clutched in my hand. The insect scurried out from the bed - sensing the anxious-fulled-air no doubt and I see what it sees - a gap under the wardrobe. ahhh... plenty more space to breed more crick-roaches to feed my phobia and where no one can reach. All of a sudden, I'm all action - the insect is heading full-tit towards the dark comfort of under the wardrobe, but I'm quick and I slam the book I'm holding right on him. I feel his body under the book and I do the only think I can think of, I stand on it - feeling his hard shell crack under 60+kg's of weight. I say a silent prayer asking the spirit of all living things to forgive my selfishness of killing a living thing that dared to step into my space. I twist the book and hear another crack, making sure it's dead. Then start to breath again.

Monkey Dancing

Ever heard the quote "dance monkey dance!" ? come on. you know it. when someone is taking the miki out of someone. When a person is forced to behave in a certain manner to appease others entertainment needs. Well, luckily enough for me, a part of my role here in Japan is too perform monkey dancing - fun fun.

Got a message from my supervisor on Friday
"Hello Tara,
There is the meeting of the member of the Board of Education next Monday. (another formation). The superintendent of education seems to want to introduce Tara to the person of the committee. Please Self Introduction?
Ok?"

He actually meant this Tuesday - as in today - and called me this morning to organise picking me up. We went to the Board of Education Office in Tomioka Community Centre and I entered a room fill of seemingly important people all sitting around discussing what appeared to be important 'Board of Education type discussions'. I was asked to stand in the middle of the room and then my supervisor nodded at me to start my 'Self Introduction'.

Now, my 'Self Introduction' wasn't actually written by me and is a little bit contradicting - it doesn't introduce me at all - it's about appeasing the formalities of me being the 'polite Aucklander' proving all of Auckland is dedicated to learning more about Japan and Tomioka. It goes like this:

Hajimemashite
(How do you do)
Watashi no namae wa Tara desu
(my name is Tara)
Watashi wa nujiirando no Okurando kara ikimashita
(I came from New Zealand, Auckland)
Watashi wa nujiirando do Community Worker o shite imashita
(I was a community worker in New Zealand)
Nihon nu ikitaito Zuto o mote imashita
(Something like: I wanted to come to Japan)
Watashi wa nihon no bunka ya Nihon no kodomotachi ni benkyoo oshieru koto ni kyomiga arimasu
(Something like: I want to study Japanese culture and working with children)
Koregara Nihon go taksan benkyoo shite ikitai desu
(Something like: I will be studying)
Ishyo ken mei gan bari masu
(I will try my best)
Doozo Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu
(Thank you, and please do well by me)

So, I say my little 'Self Introduction', and the important people all laugh and clap their hands, I shake all of their hands and then they say 'thank you' and lead me out. I was the entertainment of the meeting to break the formalities - they wanted to take pictures of me, but no one had brought a camera.

This is what I signed up for?

I'm having a love affair with Purikura...

Ten Year Plans, New Cameras and Other Such Nonsense..

Some Random thoughts.

If I pause too long, would I blend? Wondering if I should be jumping up and down a bit more to make sure that people remember that we're different to each other.

Hair being too long and all, contemplating shaving it. Tired of the bother of hair.

Hate the pain of arms. would much prefer the pain to be concentrated into a little shoe that I could give to a dog to bury. Considering the amount of pain I have experienced over the years in different ways. Would be interesting to have a pain meter.

Tired. Always tired.

Desire to be Angry. Love to Hate.

Querying the future paths that lay ahead. Insecurity developed through opportunities.

Wondering how long it would be to learn a new skill - say for example cartwheels, or electric guitar. Maybe even break dancing.

There is a lot of development, like ten year plans, the buying of new cameras and the like, but am still stuck in the same place - even if it is different. Forgot about changing the places within.

Met a guy this weekend who works as an Assistant Language Teacher by day and then has an alter ego of alcoholic/ White Rapper/ Crazy Gaijin/ Canadian by any other time. He was definitely different, and as different he was to me and the other friends around me, I couldn't help but see within him the similarities within all of us.

He desires to fit.
He chooses to stand out.
He plays an act in the big show of life.
He claims a passion that we all desire to a skill unattainable to many.
He appears to enjoy.
He appears to desire.
He appears.

Maybe the thought I should challenge myself isn't how different this person is, rather how similar this person is.

I'm almost done claiming and ready to move onto the next phase of my eternal cycle. I forget what that next phase is. I always do. But it will come.

Purikura/ Sticker Photos rule my world.

Another Cultural Difference Update...

Here are some Cultural Difference Definitions and explanations...

The Japanese Shuffle:
People attempting to look busy, when they are not at all. This includes walking around the office/ staff room with pieces of paper, talking to colleagues, shuffling paper from one side of their desk to the other and then back again, wiping the same shelves down that they just did before, re-writing documents or just sitting at their desk staring at paper with no objective.

Shy = Incompetent:
When a student is too shy to complete a task, another student close by is able to complete the task for him/her - thus never putting someone out or slowing a process down. Of course, this also means that the shy person learns that they don't have to complete tasks - or worse, that they are unable.

Difficult = Unable To:
When a student who is difficult to include either due to behaviour or slow learning ability, is ignored, sent to the back of the room, and by-passed at every opportunity to contribute to the class. These are the ones that are 'too cool' for everyone because they have trouble with the subject matter, just don't want to be a part of the class or to learn and would prefer to sleep, or take too much time up in figuring out what to contribute. These students inabilities are not a recognition of lack of teaching skills, rather a lack of intelligence on behalf of the students and therefore pointless to teach.

Student Versus Teacher Space:
Or lack there of. Students remain in the same class for the whole day except for in Electives (such as cooking or P.E.). Teachers' base is in the Staffroom and move from class to class for each assigned lesson. Students enter the staff room at any time (upon announcing themselves) and in particular come before every lesson to their assigned teacher to help take notes for the class or other resources to their classroom. Students own the class room essentially, not teachers.

Students involvement/ownership of school:

• One student said to me "School comes first, then me". Which is classic Japanese. This student won first place in the English Speech Contest and handed her trophy over to the teachers instead of taking it home - she didn't take anything home to show her mother that she had won.
• Every student is allocated a space within the school to clean every afternoon after lessons are finished.
• Every student belongs to at least one club and is involved in club activities every afternoon and most Saturdays.
• Students are so proud of their schools, they wear their uniform even on holidays and weekends.
  

General:

• Every one wakes early and sleeps early
• Every one takes off shoes when entering most buildings to put on other shoes
• Every one always says when they are leaving work; "Sorry to be leaving before you", which is responded by "good job/well done". Even if it's been a shit day and nothing but Japanese Shuffling has been achieved.

Loving it. I said to someone today that life isn't the same when nothings the same - and that is true. It's choice being intrigued by things that everyone around you find normal and common. I've forgotten this feeling and can only get it when being immersed in another culture.

Sendai Jazz Festival

The Sendai Jazz Fest Rocked!! I was a little more focused on us letting go rather than catching the tunes which was a little off the target and the music was also a little un-jazz like at times, but all-n-all a good time :)


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Woohoo! It's the weekend! I thought on Friday night. It was a hard week full of speech competitions, lessons where I didn't know what was going on, and late nights playing with my new Mac; so I had been yearning for a much needed rest and a little bit of an escape.

What the heck have I gotten myself into. It's only been two weeks, and I dunno if I like this 'teaching English' buzz at all. I stripped off my work clothes which were sticky from the sweat and humidity of the day. The school isn't air-conditioned and the Teachers Room in particular feels like a great big glass house without any breeze. After 10 lessons over the week of not being able to understand what myself and my co-teacher were actually teaching, I felt exhausted mentally and didn't even want to move my mind any further than I had to. Now wrapped in my lavalava and air-con blasting, I made my way into the kitchen to throw a few vegetables into the fry pan and wash the few dishes I have to eat off. Plans began to run through my head. Train leaves at 8.29am, so I want to leave the apartment at 8am just in case. I'll need clothes to wear tomorrow during the day, tomorrow night when we go out clubbing and then on Sunday. Big pack or little pack? Have to see how many things I need to take. Wonder if I need a towel.. might just take a little one..

Tomorrow was The Sendai Jazz Festival and I would be meeting other ALT's from Fukushima on the train to spend the weekend escaping all of our tiny towns. Jazz would be playing along some of the main streets of Sendai, stalls of food and souveniors, and ofcourse, drinking. I couldn't think of anything better to get over the disapointment of realising that I was being created into a real life tape recorder at the school I was teaching at. After eating my stirfry vege's and chatting to Sifa online, I played on some of my net pages and then hit the sack, feeling as if I wouldn't be able to lift my head if my life depended on it.

'swish, swish.' 'swish, swish.' 'bluh bluh bluh.' 'swish, swish'.

ugh, shhhhhhhh. toooooo tirrrreeeddd... It's about 5am. I know this because it happens every morning. The sun starts to rise and the old lady next door is up and rearing to go. Moving around on the gravel outside my bedroom and fulling her water containers up for watering her plants. Soon, she'll start on the plastic bags and then there'll be no point in me pretending that I will be able to sleep in a little more. With a sigh, I pull myself up and drag my feet to the shower, only to stand there under the water for a little longer washing away the early morning rise. For the umpteenth time I curse myself for staying up late and vow to go to sleep earlier next week - after this weekend.

Toothbrush, toothpaste, make up, moisteriser, camera, cellphone, wallet, dictionary.... Checking and re-checking what I am taking and what time I am leaving. It's gonna be a good weekend.

It takes about 2 1/2 hours on the train with one change over on the way to get to Sendai and at several stops, one of us jumps out to call out to another ALT that have just joined us from their towns. These are the Fukushima Coast ALTS and JETS. Lively bunch of young adults who, from all walks of life have found their path leading them here to settle for a year or two or four. They're Australian, American, Canadian, Hawaiian, British.. all of them focussed on the same goal of living - indeed experiencing, and working in Japan.

From the air-con of the train to the heat and humidity of Sendai was a blast in the face and sweat already began to bead on my forehead. I could feel my body immediately beginning to stick to my clothes. Sooo should have chosen that skirt instead of these 3/4 pants. The train station was packed, so we ditched our bags in a locker and got out as fast as possible - meeting up with other ALTS on the way.

We walked along the streets of Sendai towards the festival. People were every where and there are so many shops and malls and tall buildings along every street. The last time I was here, there were streams and streams of decorations throughout the high ceilings of the malls for the Tanabata Festival, but they had long been taken down and now the area above gave a feeling of too much space in comparison. There seemed to be a lot of people heading in the same direction as us, so we just merged with the crowd and slipped along, waiting in atnicipation for the sound of instruments beating and voices singing.

ugh, I need a drink. Too many people and too much anxiety. Not knowing where I was nor where we were going, I was beginning to tire of walking but said nothing of it - knowing that it wouldn't be too far. Sure enough, crossing through a few open malls and crossroads, we came to a street that was barriered off from vehicles today. Trees grew in the middle of the road on a long island the length of a block and a path separated the trees in the middle. Bands were playing so loud that although we were beside one band, we could hear the other bands that were down the road further. Large crowds of Japanese had already been drawn to the music and were standing or sitting around most of the bands. yeeya, an advantage to being a gaijn! I can see! hehe... Most people could only glimpse at the musicians - an advantage to being taller than the average Japanese - although you stand out, you also can see.

Musicians were playing Japanese style instruments as well as the classic jazz guitar, saxaphone, trumpet, cello and piano. Some were singing in Japanese, others in English. Most of them had a great beat and rhythm to their music - even though half of it didn't really seem very Jazz-like.

Hey, hang on. This is weird. How come there's no noise. Where is the cheering, the whistling, the clapping to the rhythm and talking to each other over the music? Why isn't any one dancing? People are hardly moving to the music!! As we looked around, I realised that there were no one 'misbehaving' at all. There didn't even seem to be much enjoyment in the crowds. People were watching silently to the music and then clapping in a polite slow clap. What a stink! What happens when they like the music? How is the musician feeding off a crowd like this? Questions began to build up in my head about the differences between our cultures and what I was meant to do if I liked the music. Oh, man. I'm gonna have to refrain huh. so much for letting go!

But as the day wore on and the drinks continued to be poured, it didn't seem to matter that much if we were the only ones cheering at the back or talking over the music. Races over the pedestrian crossing were challenged and taken up, favourite drinking stalls chosen and even a little bit of dancing. We drank and listened to the music, ate from the stalls and talked to strange old Japanese men who took a liking to our difference. Attempting to avoid the sorching sun over the day meant shading it up when we could, most of the bands were singing in the sun and the crowd endured the heat to gather around them, but we hung back, closer to the shade of trees or buildings. The day moved through to the night and bringing with it a very laid-back dinner in a pasta restuarant with seven tired patrons seeking energy for the night events to come. On and on we pushed, pausing to shower, change clothes and grab energy drinks. 10pm turned into 3am and with sore feet and closing eyelids, a taxi was sought for solice on the tatami mats in our youth hostel.

The next day brought with it further Jazz events, shopping and more drinking. We were all very tired by the time we caught the 6.30pm train home, laden with new purchases and happy souls. All of us had to work tomorrow, of which none of us were keen on. Our connecting train never met us so frantic phone calls to friends were made and we were rescued by a fellow ALT. I got home at 10.30pm and crashed - great weekend.

'swish, swish.' 'swish, swish.' 'bluh bluh bluh.' 'swish, swish'. It's 5am already? Damn you old lady, gimme 5 more minutes..

University Learnings Creeping in...

I'm in another culture, and all these differences are bringing little phrases from my Undergrad. years in Anthropology and Sociology back to me about the creation of culture and society.

How this society has developed through their peoples varying interactions.

The systems that are created within groupings of people and the different roles and structures in place and reasoning behind them.

The classic Anthropological view of participant-observant and insider/outsider status.

The analysis of cross-cultural observation and varying cultural relativity versus cultural criticism.

But it is so much more basic than any terms or models I learnt at Uni. It is difference. So here is one difference - How Lunch plays out at school; quirky, unusual, weird and strange. No theories or reasonings attached, just observations...

Lunch Time

The food is interesting in itself. We get served a 'school lunch' which we pay for at a set price at a set time of the month or week. It comes in big pots and trays and then is dished out by who my predecessor called 'the lunch lady' - others call her 'the tea lady' or 'school mum' - of which all roles are fulfilled by her. There are these trays that come on the lunch trolley and they are what the food are dished onto. The trays are mustard yellow are are quite ugly-looking really. They have different sections where different types of food are placed.

Types of food are;
*A staple diet portion - i.e. Rice, Noodles or Bread.
*Some vegetables of sort
*Some 'meat of the day'
*Dessert

The 'different' thing is, the combinations you can get. For example, yesterday, we had a bread bun, a sachet of raspberry jam, Miso Soup and your classic Japanese gerkin, onion, carrot, and cucumber salad with mayonnaise.

The other day we had a cold American Hotdog but on a stick with batter, some rice, the classic Japanese salad again and a sweet pumpkin dessert that had the texture of mousse.

I'm not saying it's bad - infact, it's all pretty good! But I would not normally eat these different things together...

The culture of eating seems to be quite different as well. The 'lunch/tea/school mum-lady' serves it out - two different places, one for the men and one for the ladies. The tray needs to be put quite square and even with the bowls of soup or rice or what ever on the right hand side - even with the tray. Milk is drunk by everyone (except me who can't quite stomach the full - and I mean full cream - milk with rice or miso soup) and that is placed above the tray on the right hand side. This setting up seems to be quite important, and when helping out once, I put out the women's servings first and got some curious looks and was told to place the mens first next time.

After that, we don't eat. We all hang around and wait, pretending to be busy and avoiding looking at the food (I should also say that we don't have morning tea/interval here, so we're all starving by lunch time!). Then, one of the more superior women breaks this 'busy-ness' and sits down, which seems to give everyone else the right to sit down then too. We wait a little longer until one of the more superior women pauses in her chatting to say "itadakimasu" and we all repeat and then we begin to eat.

We only ever get one eating utensil (or a pair of chopsticks obviously), so if it's a spoon, we spread the jam on the bun with it, lick it and then use it to eat the soup or the salad.

During the eating time, people then listen attentively to the superior women talk and laugh/make approving noises when appropriate. Hardly any one else speaks.

We have a "Lunch time" and a "Break time" - each respectively for as their names suggest. A bell signals the change of time and we stop eating (this is a bit hard if I'm enjoying the meal or we had to wait quite a while pretending to be busy and not eaten enough) and clean up together and move onto break time (which as far as I can see is when everyone goes back to working at their desks).

Next time, I'll tell you about the Japanese Shuffle - which is the "we are busy, even though we have nothing to do" dance. It's quite funny, but also a little annoying because they expect me to do it too and I'm not used to pretending to do something when there is nothing to do. Or maybe I'll tell you about the students who need help or are different and how they receive support - or don't receive it.

Catch the "Tara's Life" Show

Previously on "Tara's Life"...

I came from a place where it was important to really love your job.

I came from a place where I learnt that I could do anything I wanted to do as a job and do it well; where I could choose the direction of my career path as my passions grew within me. That's how I love to work and because of that, I thrive and enjoy every minute of my work and life.

I've had jobs in the past that haven't been very rewarding, working at the dairy was quite a pain in the neck, and although the bakery was more fun, it was still relatively basic and similar menial tasks. I've had jobs that I have only done for the money - to get through university or save up enough money to buy a car, clothes, presents or food. But I have never disliked working in those jobs.

Since I decided to lead my career path into working with youth and their struggles, I have adored the challenges and passion that lie along that path. I thrive on giving opportunities to the kids and their families and helping them learn as they grow into young people with perspective as opposed to juveniles with doubt.

On "Tara's Life" Today...

But now, I find myself in a routine of work that I have not experienced. I have always heard from friends and sometimes family how they dislike going to/ being at/ doing/ thinking of their work. But I have never thought about it much. I never thought that people actually DISLIKED their work, otherwise why would they continue to do it?

At the moment, I'm working in a position that I have so far only felt as fulfilling a tokenistic role. It's only been two weeks of working in the normal schooling system; so I hope that it will be changing - but my first impressions of systems, procedures and roles aren't normally wrong.

When deciding to come to Japan; I was nervous about leaving my amazing network of friends, family and work colleagues, I didn't know if I wanted to leave behind all that was going on in Aotearoa in exchange for an adventure overseas. But I held onto the belief that I would be entering into a new system of working with children in schools - working within a team of teachers and other school personalities that would be encouraging and supportive of me learning my role and contributing to the childrens lives. This hasn't exactly happened - and I refuse to think that it is cultural.

Japanese may be strong on their cultural norms, they may be rigid in their roles, norms, systems and procedures; but I do not beleive that this would hinder team work or the development of roles within teams. In fact, I would think that it would be the opposite! The Japanese 'way' would encourage people to develop their niche within a group and learn their role.

Therefore, I'm left with the thought of my struggle being with the culture of this particular school - my workplace - and what role expectations they have of the ALT that graces their presence.

I don't prepare classes. I hardly even know what the Japanese Teacher is going to do when we enter a classroom. I read out-loud words they are rope-learning and stories they are memorising. I hand out stickers to the ones that spell words right and call out words for Bingo.

I say "Hello" to students in the corridors and help others that want to say more. I put up interesting themes on the English Board for the children to read and learn from, and I write small words of encouragement on the childrens sheets when they are handed to me.

But I don't seem to be a part of this group of people - and I'm not really. I am here for one year, I am the "walking tape recorder". The role that they seem to have assigned to me, is not me at all. I feel like they are obliged to allow me to be here, and reluctantly accept me into their system - creating a space for me that does not impinge on anything the school already has systems developed for. Hence, leaving me somewhat role-less, or at the most, with a very small role, of "tape player".

This conflicts with me, because I do not just partake. I never have. I contribute to development. I create. I mould. I'm a part of everything I do, and in the past, I'm used to being a relatively large part - co-leader, leader, co-facilitator, one of four, one of seven, organiser... So now, I don't really know what to do. Where does this leave me?

My saving grace is that I venture to another school in the afternoons where I do one lesson every day. These teachers are lovely and try very hard to give me independence to teach English to their students with their support. I'm living for the afternoons. But I don't want to be unhappy about my mornings every weekday for a whole year.

I hope this show has a twist soon; because if it doesn't, it will sure as heck be a bit of a boring series...

Memoirs of a Weekend

Anticipation & Nervousness, Relief & Jumpy..

Meeting & Greeting, Watching & Playing..

Acting & Observing, Laughing & Lounging..

New People, Old Faces; Fresh Starts, Familiar Scenes.

 

Salads, Green Peppers, Mushroom Rice & Homemade Bites..

Lounge versus Living Room, Chatting versus Watching..

Soup & Snacks, Tobacco getting Flack.

 

Learning Poker with Old Souls, Magic Tricks for the Newbys..

Dark Ale, Light Juice, Jimmy, Jack & Gilbeys..

Late Train & Autumn Change..

Breeze of the day released.

 

Tiredness & Curiosity, Blended with Anxiety..

Adventures with new friends to find places yet unknown..

Laughter & Car Ditching, Buddhist Temples & Child Following..

Drunken Penis mixed with Rituals, Sword displays & Community Togetherness.

 

'Gaijin Card Special' awarding Special Treatment to all..

The Affections of Drunk Locals & Fat Sashimi force fed..

Whanaungatanga & Maori info, a breath of fresh air..

Knowing that everywhere we live, as does who we are.

 

Sukiya Togetherness, Button Pressing and All...

Curry Sets, Beef delights; English Menus & Ginger Talk..

 

Big Towers in Bushes, The City of Spiders..

Covers of English Songs & Group Dancing Lesson One..

Taps instead of Drinking Fountains, Beer instead of Juice..

Watching the Crowd Moving, the Musicians &-or Muse.

 

Snake Rolling Slide! Sore Bums & Re-dos..

Log-Moving Jumping & Rope-Twisting 'n Turns..

Races up Stairs & Silly Talk Chats..

Donuts & Walking, Photo Search on..

Treasure Chest Hunting – Make up. Shoes. Food.

 

Hot Indian Burning, Secrets Revealed..

Delicious Untouchables with Big Naan Bread Served..

Kindness of Strangers yet again does emerge..

New Meaning to Cultural Food & Letting Old Feelings Lie.

 

Freshness & Tiredness, Excitement Exhausted..

Weekend Ecstatic – Heart Still Racing..

Tiredness Creeping, Short Ride Goodbyes..

Bicycle Safety & Bed nearby.

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Tomioka google map

Some one said that I didn't have any pics of me and I wanted to show you my apartment so....... From my front door to the view of me watching tv to my bathroom mirror (and underwear hanging in the background!! haha) to my new mac and the kitchen sink! here is my space.

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The Kindness of Strangers

Went to the greatest city in Japan (reputedly) in the weekend J it was awesome. Not so much the city, but the company – didn't actually get to see much of the city! That'll be the next trip…

But, at the beginning, it was a little stressful. Public Transport in Japan is meant to be one of the best in the world I think, and it seems to be. There are trains and buses and planes all over the place easily - accessible and running most if not all days of the year. Only thing is that I am still grasping this language and tackling a little bit of shyness to speak it even when I can. There are three options to get to Tokyo – by train the whole way; by train and then switching to a cheaper bus, or bus by the whole way. The cheaper way is by far the bus and if I take the train a little further down, I could get the bus later on in the day… So that's what I choose! Getting onto the train was no problem – but the getting off bit freaked me out a tad. I couldn't figure out when I was meant to get off; whether the stop had past or whether it was still coming – talk about on the edge of my seat! I was almost jumping off the train at every stop! I didn't though, and when we pulled into the last stop; every single soul got off the train, so I guessed I would get off and thankfully I was in Iwaki (first note to self: check out the train timetables for names of stops and learn them in Kanji).

Sweet! In Iwaki – not exactly Tokyo, but I kinda felt that I had gotten SOMEWHERE! Hehe. Next, I had to find the bus that was going to Tokyo… I pulled out my trusty Japanese Phrase Book and found a phrase that would help:

"Which Bus/Boat/Plane/Train goes to _ _ _ _ (add City)?"

Perfect! Ahh, I'm invincible, this is gonna be a synch! I got rushed out of Iwaki train station with everyone else – quite a whirlwind that – and spotted a bus depot and a crap load of different bus stops. So I walked in, waited in line and said my awesome little phrase books phrase:

"Konnichi wa… oh (realized I didn't have to say that..) ah… Sumimasen (trying to get attention when the lady at the counter is already sitting in front of me and looking directly at me)… um… Tokyo yuki no bas wa dore desu ka?"

~~ This is when the lady at the counter breaks into full blown Japanese accompanied by hand directions out to the bus stops, pointing at me and her computer (second note to self: never think things will be easy and plan a few steps after the first one)~~

Having no idea what she was on about and realizing that I hadn't even THOUGHT about how I was going to translate anything anyone answered me with; I tried to just say "Arigato Gozaimasu" and sneak away. But low and behold, there was no way she was going to let me do that and continued to talk faster and louder in Japanese – so I just smiled at her and try not to laugh! The poor lady was getting more and more agitated so I decided to show her my ticket in my wallet and she calmed right down; she put me in a seat at the depot and told me a whole lot more Japanese – which seemed to have worked before on me, so, you know, justifiable, and gestured what I was imagining as "Stay, stay, staaaaay…." Haha.

10 minutes before the bus was due to depart, I was kinda getting a bit concerned – I had to figure out what to do to find my bus stop and my Bus! Just then, another person came out and said to me "Tokyo!?", which I completely understood and replied with a "Hai!" and a leap up out of my seat (glancing back at the other lady to see if she was going to start her little "staaaay" dance again). I was taken to a bus and put on it – the driver was spoken to quietly (because, better not let me overhear some more Japanese) and with a 'aahh, so desu neee" from the driver, some nods and bows, I was off onto Tokyo!

Needless to say that when I arrived in Ayase where my cousin lives, we went off to dinner followed by bars and karaoke with a good amount of alcohol to ease me right (third note to self: Beer and Gin don't mix, but Brad and Karaoke do!!). I had a ball the whole weekend and really relaxed, was so awesome to catch up with my cousin and escape from my small town for a bit. The trip back was a lot less action packed, but still had some help from strangers that saw a lost foreigner at the train tracks and directed her to the right train and which station to get off at.

Gotta love the kindness of strangers.

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