Saturday, 31 July 2004

"Are you trying to learn Japanese?"

Well I had a great experience on the train this morning on the way to work! I was studying my Katakana and thinking how noone on the train is looking me in the eye, let alone talking to me, when the woman sitting next to me (who I had assumed was scared of me because of the way she was sitting) asked me in ENGLISH "Are you trying to learn Japanese?". I answered "Yes... you speak English?", showed her my flash cards (how I'm learning Katakana) and had a great conversation until she had to get off at her station (3 minutes later).

I was really buzzed after this. It's pretty much an "event" having a converstion in Japan. Actually I referenced this story later today in a Voice lesson when asked if I thought Japan was racist. I answered truthfully that almost every non-Japanese person in Japan experiences racism on a day to day basis, especially on the trains when noone will site within a 1 metre radius of you or even get up and move when you sit down.

It always amazes me how suprised the Japanese are when told that people think Japan is racist especially when they are all aware of the way they treat foreigners (most think it's common sense and not racism). One of the girls mentioned that some Japanese feel bad around foreigners because they don't know English. My rebutal was "noone ever even thinks to try JAPANESE". Most of the people in the room agreed with me on this point.

Something of interest today was the Asakusa fireworks..... but I didn't feel like going. I was told be a few people that it's REALLY crouded and not very enjoyable if you're not into fireworks. Don't get me wrong, I like fireworks but it's kind of like the temples and shrines, after the first few hundred the novelty starts to wear off (even though this would have been my first Japanese fireworks. I'm also really tired this afternoon so decided to head home after work (which took longer than I thought).

However when I got to Takesato (my home station if you're just joining me) I saw that tonight was the Takesato festival! Much smaller than the Sengendai one but there was some very interesting traditional performances going on which I filmed on my mobile phone and will upload to the site later.

While looking at the festival, I noticed that hundreds of birds were flying over the town! It looks like the come via Takesato before they land in Sengendai!

WTF?!?

I'll never stop being amazed at what they advertise at 7:30am on Saturday mornings during kids shows. If it's not wonder bras, it's the latest Pachinco machine.

NB: Pachinco is basically slots and is insanely popular in Japan. It's also advertised to the extreme and is thought of, not as an addiction but as a past time. Often in class when I ask as student what their hobbies are, they'll answer "Pachinco". People of all ages say this. Drives me up the wall. How is that a "hobby".

Mind you a lot of people's hobbies also includes "sleeping". (no kidding)

Sunday, 25 July 2004

Bikes

I was walking around Takesato this afternoon, doing some shopping when I heard the sound of a bike falling over. I turned around and saw that a car had almost backed over one as it was pulling out. Instead of stopping to fix the bike up though, the car sped up and drove away!

About half an hour later on my walk back to my apartement there was a woman riding her bike in front of me and suddenly a car swerved and hit the woman (on the bike) in the side and dragged her for a few metres before she could turn away and get off the side of the car. The car didn't stop at all, but kept driving! I walked past the woman to check if she was okay and she was dabbing her arm with her hankechief. She was bleeding!!!

Thursday, 22 July 2004

Moving Birds!

Took a video of the insane birds I mentioned last week! You actually can't see them all in this video but you sure as Hell can hear them! Check out the phone lines!

Click HERE for Movie!

You'll need Windows Media Player to play the file.

Cry Little Sister

I made my first student not only cry today but become so traumatised that I don't think she'll want to come to NOVA ever again! :D

We were playing a "snap" like game where I called out an English word and we both race to hit the card with the picture with a fly swat. We were playing fine for about 4 minutes but then I swung my swat down fast and it made a loud noise. She froze and after a few seconds started crying hysterically. I took her to her mother who was watching from outside the classroom. I joked "Is teacher scary?" in Japanese to the girl and she replied "SCARY TEACHER!!! SCARY TEACHER!!!" (in Japanese). Kind of dunny and cute, but she just didn't stop crying for the next 40 minutes AT ALL. She was still crying when she left!

Different teachers tried to calm her down but she was not petrified of ALL teachers! She must be something in a thunderstorm!

Sunday, 18 July 2004

ZZz....

Stayed up last night and did some surfing on the net for working in Peru. I've been planning a trip there for years now, and right now I'm financially able to, but I got thinking that I might as well do a teach in Peru program and get paid for being there (it's working out so well so far in Japan!). I found a few interesting options, most however are volunteer work options in schools (not getting paid) or saving the rainforest. I don't hate the idea of the volunteering. Could be a great experience. But pay is always good and I found a few teaching programs that I'll share later after I've looked more carefully at them.

I was up until 2am searching through this stuff so I had a pretty late night. I was woken up by Tim and Erika (his girlfriend) getting back at 3am and then the heat kind of kept me awake for the rest of the night.

Being tired is bad, especially when you're so out of it that you think you have to be at work an hour before you have to. I had done some time swapping and thought I had to start at 10:40am.... I showered and got ready within 10mins and ran to the station (slept in) only to be told by James at work that I was over an hour early!!!

Got some shopping done before I really had to be at work though. ;)

Saturday, 17 July 2004

It's FestiVAL!

The Japanese festivals are in full swing now that we're in summer so, after hearing from a student that the Sengendai festival was on tonight, I headed straight over after work!

When I got there, I ran into AJ who was waiting for Kat so, once Kat arrived we three hung out, had dinner in the same Japanese restaurant we ate in a week ago for that farewell party (the pizza place they wanted had actually been DEMOLISHED) and then checked out the festival which was covering the entire main street!

It was really an amazing cultural experience! This is the Japan I wanted to see when I first got here! Little girls were dressed up in Kimonos and Yukatas, the streets were decked in red paper lanterns, traditional dancing and music was happening and Japanese food was everywhere! We had to try a chocolate covered Bannana and I had always wanted to try that fishing game where you fish with a paper tennis racket and try to scoop as many fish as you can into your bowl before the paper brakes.

I only managed to capture one fish, but the man felt sorry and gave me a second. I actually gave these to a mother and her son as I don't feel like leaving orphan fish on every continent around the world. (p.s. I hear Pam is looking after my guppies and catfish back in Oz alright. Thanks Pam!).

On another note, we had a HUGE earthquake today! That's number 3! I was in a voice class and the whole building started swaying! Really cool!!!

Friday, 16 July 2004

Damn Post!

ARGH!!! Went to pick up my international back card today from the Kasukabe post office (apparently they can send something all the way across the country but only as far as 2 train stations from your town which has a post office!) only to find that I had waited too long to pick it up and it had been returned to the bank! I didn't have time to pick it up! I was working!!! >: Not happy JAN!

Went shopping with Tim beforehand and bought a Broadband Router so we can both surf the net at the same time. Saves a lot of stress! :D

Thursday, 15 July 2004

The Crane

Saw my first Japanese crane this morning! Could have been a stalk but it doesn't matter. I just thought it was great to see some wildlife here (next to none in Japan).

Also, today was... PAY DAY!!!

Saturday, 10 July 2004

The Raven

Crazy day at work today when a HUGE raven magically appeared in the Nova building and made it's home above the classroom doorway, terrorising teachers and students alike with it's unblinking staring. After hours of failed attempts to scare it down the 4 flights of stairs to street level, it decided to jump off it's ledge as people were entering the room, consequently sending those of us still outside the classroom running back down the stairs to the classroom. Kat screaming "There's no fucking way I'm going up there!" pretty much summed up the situation. After locking ourselves behind a glass door, the raven jumped down the flights of stairs and out on to the street (being chased by one or two students).

Earthquake!!!

Seconds ago, as I was surfing the net, the whole appartement building started to SHAKE and SWAY back and forth! This lasted for about 2 minutes! This is the 2nd and largest earthquake I've felt since I've been here!

The Truth About Cats and Dogs

Well I saw a cute homeless cat outside the station a few minutes ago so bent down to pat it. Very cute and it was very happy to see me. I think it was after water as it's so humid right now in Tokyo, you can almost swim to work in the morning!

MY kind gesture to the poor kitty backfired as I continued walking home and passed a woman walking her dog. She was bending down, away from me picking up her dog's droppings (good for her!) completely unaware that her dog was staring straight at me, teeth showing, eyes wide, in stealth attack mode, ready to pounce at me. I froze and stood still until the woman got up and saw me there. She pulled her dog back (he was on a leash) and let me walk past (appologising all the time) but the dog went crazy and tried to rip my hand off! I made a run for it, and left the woman wondering why her dog had been acting so crazy. It occurred to me seconds later that I would still have the cat's sent on me.

Friday, 9 July 2004

Japanese Education

I've really been missing Sydney these last few days. What I would give for some parks, humidityless sunshine and general courtesy on the streets.

Anyway, in a high level class today, we got talking about the education system in Japan. He's (the student) a high school teacher, and sometimes with high level students they would rather practice their English in a conversation than use the text book. Needless to say, I'm always more than happy to do this!

Anyway, we got talking about the Japanese education system, which I already had my doubts about due to teacher/student violence (teachers are the ones commiting the violence) and it seems that about 17% of Japanese students don't want to study (in class and at home) but instead of the teachers disiplining them, they simply move them to a "low level" school where they don't have to do that much work. This just seems crazy, though I also found out that a lot of the students give up and don't see a point for studying to get into University as it's so expensive and not a lot of Japanese people can afford it so confine their future to working in part time jobs.

I've actually found ambition running very low in Japan. A lot of teenage students don't know what they want to do or name a career simply because it will make them money, not because they want to do it.

On another note, plans started today for a trip to Mt Fuji! (about time!)

Thursday, 8 July 2004

Lanterns

After finishing work at Sengendai tonight at 9pm I was suprised to see the entire street decorated with red lanturns! A very cultural experience. Pics coming soon!

Wednesday, 7 July 2004

Oh, Takoyaki!

Just surfing the web tonight and found that it's spelt "takoyaki"!

Here's some info: http://www.asianewsnet.net/template.php?No=26336&logo_name=Lifestyle&SectionID=9&backissue= & http://www.bob-an.com/recipe/dailyjc/ref/tako/tako.html & http://web-japan.org/nipponia/nipponia14/whata02.html

Takoyake Making!

In "Voice" today I was asked what Japanese food I liked, I mentioned that I tried Takoyake and loved it! I made sure to ask how to make them and they said I needed to buy a special machine (like a waffle iron) which can be expensive. I'm going to see what I can do! ;)

Sunday, 4 July 2004

Pics Are Online!

Here's the first batch of pics! Enjoy!

Me and AstroBoy in Kyoto

Very cool remote control ships at Disney Sea!

Roger & Chip

Chip & Chip (my nickname)

Me and Roger at the entrance to Disney Sea

Me and the Disney Globe

Me and 8pm at the Disney Globe

Look, an ancient, mystical temple!

Great shot of the Indiana Jones ride at Disney Sea!

This is the host of the Saturday Disney show in Japan! Seen it twice and this is her!

Saturday, 3 July 2004

Takoyakeeee!!!

Went out in Sengendai for a farewell party for one of the staff members tonight and finally tried TAKOYAKE!!! (think I spelt it wrong). I'd seen a little cartoon short with two characters raving about how amazing it tastes so I've kind of been interested ever since! And it tastes great! It's basically balls of pancake batter baked with a bit of octopus in the middle. The octy meat is so small though that I had to really search for it when eating the second one.

I was told they originated from Osaka (which I kind of guessed, as one of the cartoon characters was from Osaka) and there are many types to try. I think I'll teach myself how to make them!!!

Thursday, 1 July 2004

Birds

Me and Tim worked a whole day together at the same branch for the first time today and it went pretty well with everyone in a good mood. Of course the roster giving everyone about 3 free lessons isn't a spirit dampener. ;)

Something I noticed yesterday but forgot to mention is that the birds have started to migrate back to Japan after winter. At 6pm yesterday and again, tonight at the same time thousands (literally) of birds flew into Sengendai, gliding on the winds from all directions and landed in the two big trees in front of the train station. It was amazing! I spent most of my lunch break watching them. This spectacle lasted over an hour. These birds just kept coming and coming! Needless to say the station was a noisy place to be after work at 9pm!