Thursday, December 15, 2005
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Picshores
So, I am still too lazy to post pics on my blog, but I updated my (more parent-friendly) pictures site, so you can check it out if you want.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Sayuri
So, last night I went to AEON with Cindy, Ann and Minako for sushi and to see Sayuri (Japanese title for Memoirs of a Geisha). It is cool that all of Japan has a movie that is only on eight screens in the U.S., considering we have to wait ‘til fucking MARCH for Narnia, and other assorted delayed releases.
I was way excited to see the movie before, but got a bit sketched out after I read a few surprisingly-not-amazing reviews and heard from a few people who only said it was “okay.” So, I went in wanting to like it, but scared that I wouldn’t. Overall, it was very disappointing.
Let me say that I did have high expectations, as I loved the book, and figured Rob Marshall would do an amazing job, as I loved Chicago. However, it was SO obviously made by a big group of white people. And this is coming from a white person! First of all, I think the decision to have it be in English was a mistake. It sounded awkward to have it in a million different accents and it would have been more natural in Japanese. It also is weird and annoying (to me) to listen to keigo and stuff translated into English. Like, “You do the me the distinct honor of blah blah blah suck up blah” makes sense in Japanese, but in English is just drawn-out and irritating. No longer it’s such a long movie!
I am also disappointed in Rob Marshall’s directing. I think it should have been made by a Japanese director, as it would have been more of a subtle “ya know, this is Japan” kind of feel rather than Rob Marshall’s (and probably any gaijin director’s) feel of “ooooo, this is Jaaaaaaapaaaaaaaaaan!” Like, it was TOO Japanese, if that makes any sense? I realize the novel is, too, but it works better in the book than on screen. Actually, everything about the book works better on page than screen.
However, having bitched about all of this, it wasn’t an awful movie or anything, it just wasn’t nearly as good as I was expecting it to be. The actress who played Sayuri was impressive, though. Her English was a lot better than I was expecting, and you could tell she was a good actress, as her facial expressions were very powerful.
I would talk about more, but most people haven’t seen it, so I won’t spoil too much. I’m curious to see how it does in America…
I was way excited to see the movie before, but got a bit sketched out after I read a few surprisingly-not-amazing reviews and heard from a few people who only said it was “okay.” So, I went in wanting to like it, but scared that I wouldn’t. Overall, it was very disappointing.
Let me say that I did have high expectations, as I loved the book, and figured Rob Marshall would do an amazing job, as I loved Chicago. However, it was SO obviously made by a big group of white people. And this is coming from a white person! First of all, I think the decision to have it be in English was a mistake. It sounded awkward to have it in a million different accents and it would have been more natural in Japanese. It also is weird and annoying (to me) to listen to keigo and stuff translated into English. Like, “You do the me the distinct honor of blah blah blah suck up blah” makes sense in Japanese, but in English is just drawn-out and irritating. No longer it’s such a long movie!
I am also disappointed in Rob Marshall’s directing. I think it should have been made by a Japanese director, as it would have been more of a subtle “ya know, this is Japan” kind of feel rather than Rob Marshall’s (and probably any gaijin director’s) feel of “ooooo, this is Jaaaaaaapaaaaaaaaaan!” Like, it was TOO Japanese, if that makes any sense? I realize the novel is, too, but it works better in the book than on screen. Actually, everything about the book works better on page than screen.
However, having bitched about all of this, it wasn’t an awful movie or anything, it just wasn’t nearly as good as I was expecting it to be. The actress who played Sayuri was impressive, though. Her English was a lot better than I was expecting, and you could tell she was a good actress, as her facial expressions were very powerful.
I would talk about more, but most people haven’t seen it, so I won’t spoil too much. I’m curious to see how it does in America…
Monday, December 12, 2005
Hello, Work!
Semi-recently in Japan, they have changed the name of the unemployment office to “Haroo waaku” (Hello Work), because it has a more positive connotation than unemployment. I find this amusing in itself.
So, today I found a “Hello Work for 13 year-olds” book in one of my classrooms. Out of curiosity I picked it up and flipped through it, and it is possible careers for kids based on their interests. For example, for those who like movies, you can be a ____, ____, or _____. For those who like math, you can be a blah blah blah. You get the point. While I am not sure if 13 year-olds should really be too worried about their career path, I guess it is sort of helpful.
Anyway, at the end of the book they have a special section for “kids who don’t like anything.” Seeing the title page just promised blog-worthy bits, and it did not disappoint. In this section they had advice for those who “like knives” (knife salesman!), those who like war (the army, etc. (um, WHO likes war?!)), and “those who like to fight.” I shit you not. The page for this section had a drawing of two people fighting. It had a long introduction along the lines of “For strange reasons, there are kids who seem to only be interested in fighting. This isn’t a good thing, but we’ll give them career advice based on fighting anyway!” Those who only like to fight (I sense this is the most-used section at my school) can follow the successful career paths of pro wrestler, stuntman, etc. I definitely need to find a copy of this book and read through it some more….clazy Japanese.
So, today I found a “Hello Work for 13 year-olds” book in one of my classrooms. Out of curiosity I picked it up and flipped through it, and it is possible careers for kids based on their interests. For example, for those who like movies, you can be a ____, ____, or _____. For those who like math, you can be a blah blah blah. You get the point. While I am not sure if 13 year-olds should really be too worried about their career path, I guess it is sort of helpful.
Anyway, at the end of the book they have a special section for “kids who don’t like anything.” Seeing the title page just promised blog-worthy bits, and it did not disappoint. In this section they had advice for those who “like knives” (knife salesman!), those who like war (the army, etc. (um, WHO likes war?!)), and “those who like to fight.” I shit you not. The page for this section had a drawing of two people fighting. It had a long introduction along the lines of “For strange reasons, there are kids who seem to only be interested in fighting. This isn’t a good thing, but we’ll give them career advice based on fighting anyway!” Those who only like to fight (I sense this is the most-used section at my school) can follow the successful career paths of pro wrestler, stuntman, etc. I definitely need to find a copy of this book and read through it some more….clazy Japanese.
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart….
So, I wasn’t previously aware of the huge hard-on Japanese people have for Wham. I mean, I love George Michael as much as the next mo, but I literally heard it in nearly EVERY store I was in yesterday. There is only so much Last Christmas I can take, people! At least put a few more Christmas songs on your CD, people!
Anyway! So the weekend was fun-as but WAY too short, yo. On Saturday I met up with peeps at Takasaki eki and we took what looked kind of like a special ed bus to our ryokan at Lake Haruna. Well, I’m calling it a ryokan ‘cause it isn’t a hotel, but it is big-ass to be a ryokan. Anyway! So, I don’t know if I had said earlier, but me and 12 JETs went to Lake Haruna for a Christmas enkai. An enkai is a Japanese custom of drinking, eating and bonding with your co-workers. Haruna is in northern Gunma, which means it’s prettier and colder than Ota. It is a BEAUTIFUL area with snow, mountains, trees, water….yes, very different than Ota ;) Hehe. It was really great to be out in nature; it was definitely very Oregon-y.
K, my thoughts are all bara bara, I apologize. K, focus. So! Being the cheap-ass bastard that I am, I must say that the place we stayed was the most amazing deal ever. For $85 we got a shuttle to and from Takasaki eki (one hour each way), a night at the ryokan, a huge Japanese dinner, breakfast, two hours of nomihodai (all you can drink), karaoke, and onsen. What the hell?! I think it would be cheaper to live there than in my damn apartment! The first thing I did when I got there was get naked and go in the onsen. It was sooooo nice and relaxing. I mainly stayed in the rotenburo (outside bathtub), which was awesome, as it was snowing outside so there were snowflakes falling on your head while you were hot in the water. Mmmmm, nice.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t had enough water during the day and also stayed in there too long (and got out too fast) and felt like I was going to have a bloody heart attack after I got out. I was so light-headed for like 30 minutes! Bad news! After drinking about 2 gallons of water, I joined everyone downstairs for an enormous Japanese dinner. It was soooo good, yo. I do, however, have to question the Japanese custom of having every little thing on different dishes. While I enjoy the separation, can you imagine doing dishes for a meal like that?! There were literally like ten different kinds of food (and, hence, at least ten dishes) per person! I made a what-I-believe-to-be-funny joke about Eduardo being able to find a job easily in this country, but based on the silence it received, everything thinks I am the biggest racist bitch in Gunma! Come on, people, it was funny ;) Eduardo would have laughed! Hee hee.
During the course of the nomihodai we literally ordered probably 40-50 huge bottles of beer, at least, and I definitely got way drunker than I expected. Bad news! I hope I didn’t talk about embarrassing things. I fear I may have. Hmm. Well, at least most people were equally as drunk. Cindy and Ann are the ones to fear; I am sure they have blackmail-worthy gossip on all of us now!
According to pictures we sang lots of karaoke, but I don’t really recall all of that. Um, yeah. SO! The next morning ;) I got up at 8something and was disturbingly genki and awake for being up that early on a Sunday after drinking. After having some breakfast and taking pictures of Haruna we all got on the special ed bus with a big group of old Japanese people and went back to Takasaki. Bahia, Ann and Shinders and I shopped around Takasaki for a while, and spent what felt like about six hours in the cold looking for a restaurant. Apparently people in Takasaki don’t need to eat? Once we found an Italian restaurant and sat down, we got a dirty look from a Mom, who promptly took her child and moved to a different table. Fucking xenophobic ho needs to fucking get over her issues, that shit pisses me off. But I digress…
K, I refuse to end my post on that bitter comment, so I will talk about Monday at work! I am so proud of my 3nensei, I had my favorite 3nensei class today and I played Jeopardy with them, and their listening has improved SOOOOOOOO much since September, it is awesome. I love my 3nensei, I don’t want them to graduate!
I also am apparently a real teacher, as my 1nensei JTE was gone today (sick kana?) and they either forgot to or didn’t want to send a substitute my way, so I taught two classes by myself. I really didn’t mind, and they went fine, but technically that is illegal, since I don’t have a teacher’s certificate. Oooo, I can blackmail my school now! But yeah, it was actually good.
K, I promise my long-delayed pics will be posted this week some time….this blog is looking very color-less these days…
Anyway! So the weekend was fun-as but WAY too short, yo. On Saturday I met up with peeps at Takasaki eki and we took what looked kind of like a special ed bus to our ryokan at Lake Haruna. Well, I’m calling it a ryokan ‘cause it isn’t a hotel, but it is big-ass to be a ryokan. Anyway! So, I don’t know if I had said earlier, but me and 12 JETs went to Lake Haruna for a Christmas enkai. An enkai is a Japanese custom of drinking, eating and bonding with your co-workers. Haruna is in northern Gunma, which means it’s prettier and colder than Ota. It is a BEAUTIFUL area with snow, mountains, trees, water….yes, very different than Ota ;) Hehe. It was really great to be out in nature; it was definitely very Oregon-y.
K, my thoughts are all bara bara, I apologize. K, focus. So! Being the cheap-ass bastard that I am, I must say that the place we stayed was the most amazing deal ever. For $85 we got a shuttle to and from Takasaki eki (one hour each way), a night at the ryokan, a huge Japanese dinner, breakfast, two hours of nomihodai (all you can drink), karaoke, and onsen. What the hell?! I think it would be cheaper to live there than in my damn apartment! The first thing I did when I got there was get naked and go in the onsen. It was sooooo nice and relaxing. I mainly stayed in the rotenburo (outside bathtub), which was awesome, as it was snowing outside so there were snowflakes falling on your head while you were hot in the water. Mmmmm, nice.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t had enough water during the day and also stayed in there too long (and got out too fast) and felt like I was going to have a bloody heart attack after I got out. I was so light-headed for like 30 minutes! Bad news! After drinking about 2 gallons of water, I joined everyone downstairs for an enormous Japanese dinner. It was soooo good, yo. I do, however, have to question the Japanese custom of having every little thing on different dishes. While I enjoy the separation, can you imagine doing dishes for a meal like that?! There were literally like ten different kinds of food (and, hence, at least ten dishes) per person! I made a what-I-believe-to-be-funny joke about Eduardo being able to find a job easily in this country, but based on the silence it received, everything thinks I am the biggest racist bitch in Gunma! Come on, people, it was funny ;) Eduardo would have laughed! Hee hee.
During the course of the nomihodai we literally ordered probably 40-50 huge bottles of beer, at least, and I definitely got way drunker than I expected. Bad news! I hope I didn’t talk about embarrassing things. I fear I may have. Hmm. Well, at least most people were equally as drunk. Cindy and Ann are the ones to fear; I am sure they have blackmail-worthy gossip on all of us now!
According to pictures we sang lots of karaoke, but I don’t really recall all of that. Um, yeah. SO! The next morning ;) I got up at 8something and was disturbingly genki and awake for being up that early on a Sunday after drinking. After having some breakfast and taking pictures of Haruna we all got on the special ed bus with a big group of old Japanese people and went back to Takasaki. Bahia, Ann and Shinders and I shopped around Takasaki for a while, and spent what felt like about six hours in the cold looking for a restaurant. Apparently people in Takasaki don’t need to eat? Once we found an Italian restaurant and sat down, we got a dirty look from a Mom, who promptly took her child and moved to a different table. Fucking xenophobic ho needs to fucking get over her issues, that shit pisses me off. But I digress…
K, I refuse to end my post on that bitter comment, so I will talk about Monday at work! I am so proud of my 3nensei, I had my favorite 3nensei class today and I played Jeopardy with them, and their listening has improved SOOOOOOOO much since September, it is awesome. I love my 3nensei, I don’t want them to graduate!
I also am apparently a real teacher, as my 1nensei JTE was gone today (sick kana?) and they either forgot to or didn’t want to send a substitute my way, so I taught two classes by myself. I really didn’t mind, and they went fine, but technically that is illegal, since I don’t have a teacher’s certificate. Oooo, I can blackmail my school now! But yeah, it was actually good.
K, I promise my long-delayed pics will be posted this week some time….this blog is looking very color-less these days…
Friday, December 09, 2005
Dirrty and Hilarious
Brokeback Mountain is out in the States! How jealous am I? I was reading stuff online and came across this:
"My friend and I were discussing the movie and she said 'Do you think they'll mind if I just bring my vibrator with me into the theater?'
Made me laugh... and sort of consider it myself."
I think that quote is a far better review than any critic can write.
"My friend and I were discussing the movie and she said 'Do you think they'll mind if I just bring my vibrator with me into the theater?'
Made me laugh... and sort of consider it myself."
I think that quote is a far better review than any critic can write.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Catching Up
So once again I been a bad blogger. Work has been crazy lately, it seems, so I haven’t had any time to write while I’m here. Today isn’t so bad, so I will summarize the last week or so….
Friday night was nice and relaxing…I went to Nacchan’s for a yummy-as-usual dinner, then went home to watch RENT THE MOVIE, yo. Got a little help from Myra-chan in order to do so, sankyuu! Anyway, some wine, white chocolate, and Rent? How could a Friday night be any better?
I still don’t know how I feel about the movie. It is good because it is Rent, but I don’t think it is necessarily a good movie? Columbus is just a bad director, he has no sense of what works on film. He also cut parts that were important, and changed things that shouldn’t have been changed. But the cast was really good (except for Adam who doesn’t know how to act), and some songs were really good. I liked it, but didn’t love it or anything. I need to watch again with lower expectations and see how I feel. We’ll shee.
On Saturday I met up with Veronica at AEON and saw Harry Potter again. Fuck, that movie is damn good! I am on a HP high right now, so I bought my THIRD copies of HP 3 and 4. I bought them in the US, then bought them here when I wanted to read them in 2000, but all of those copies are in the States, so I bought ‘em while I was at AEON. I have quite the HP collection going on, apparently. Saturday night, I didn’t do much, since I had to wake up at bloody 4:50 the next morning!!!!
Stupid Japanese proficiency test! Woke up bloody early, took the 5:51 train from Yabbers, met up with Emily (thanks for keeping me awake! I fear I may have missed a transfer or two without her) and ended up at Saitama University with plenty of time. The first two parts of the test (vocab/kanji and listening) made me unexpectedly confident (did I mention I didn’t study AT ALL?), but then it all went downhill during reading/grammar. There was fucking FUCKED UP grammar on that shit, yo. Who knows what the hell that shit was. So, yeah, there is NO way I passed that test. It was all Scantron, but for some reason everyone has to wait 2 1/2 months for the results? Only in Japan.
After the test I was exhausted and braindead, but excited because I got to meet up with Natsumi and Adam! Natsumi was one of my RAs at Senshu last year, and she is muy cool, yo. Adam is her boyfriend who is teaching English in Saitama. I met up with them and had my second gingerbread latte of the day (SO happy they have them here) and did a bit of Uniqlo shopping. It was really fun to see them, but we will def. have to do it again when I’m not exhausted.
Sunday night I slept harder than I have in MONTHS. I was like dead pretty much.
Work has been crazy this week. Tuesday I had five classes AND had to help students with speech contest stuff. Yesterday I had five classes at shou and had to come back on my one period off to help students. Today is my first non-busy day, yay.
Apparently Yabuzuka is becoming aware that they have a Japanese-speaking ALT, which I am not amused about! I have to do a 90-minute presentation about America in Japanese in January. I don’t care about the fact that it’s in Japanese, but I don’t know what to talk about for 90 minutes in ENGLISH. What the hell?! So, er, if anyone has any bright ideas for that, let me know. I get to use pictures and stuff, but I don’t have THAT many pictures from home that aren’t “Here is Jeff drunk! Here is Jeff drunk and giving someone a lap dance! Here is Jeff getting a lap dance from a drunk friend!”
Embarrassing gaijin monkey story of the week: I have to be Santa Claus at the Public Hall (I don’t know how to translate that word) next week! Cindy, I hope it is better than the scary Santa suit we saw in Maebashi. God it is going to be embarrassing. I’m sure it will end up being fun, tho, as I get to give 3 year-olds presents. I will be sure to have someone take pictures. Ugh.
K, this post is long enough, and now I am all caught up! I still have to post a shitload of pictures, but that will happen after the trip to Lake Haruna
this weekend.
Friday night was nice and relaxing…I went to Nacchan’s for a yummy-as-usual dinner, then went home to watch RENT THE MOVIE, yo. Got a little help from Myra-chan in order to do so, sankyuu! Anyway, some wine, white chocolate, and Rent? How could a Friday night be any better?
I still don’t know how I feel about the movie. It is good because it is Rent, but I don’t think it is necessarily a good movie? Columbus is just a bad director, he has no sense of what works on film. He also cut parts that were important, and changed things that shouldn’t have been changed. But the cast was really good (except for Adam who doesn’t know how to act), and some songs were really good. I liked it, but didn’t love it or anything. I need to watch again with lower expectations and see how I feel. We’ll shee.
On Saturday I met up with Veronica at AEON and saw Harry Potter again. Fuck, that movie is damn good! I am on a HP high right now, so I bought my THIRD copies of HP 3 and 4. I bought them in the US, then bought them here when I wanted to read them in 2000, but all of those copies are in the States, so I bought ‘em while I was at AEON. I have quite the HP collection going on, apparently. Saturday night, I didn’t do much, since I had to wake up at bloody 4:50 the next morning!!!!
Stupid Japanese proficiency test! Woke up bloody early, took the 5:51 train from Yabbers, met up with Emily (thanks for keeping me awake! I fear I may have missed a transfer or two without her) and ended up at Saitama University with plenty of time. The first two parts of the test (vocab/kanji and listening) made me unexpectedly confident (did I mention I didn’t study AT ALL?), but then it all went downhill during reading/grammar. There was fucking FUCKED UP grammar on that shit, yo. Who knows what the hell that shit was. So, yeah, there is NO way I passed that test. It was all Scantron, but for some reason everyone has to wait 2 1/2 months for the results? Only in Japan.
After the test I was exhausted and braindead, but excited because I got to meet up with Natsumi and Adam! Natsumi was one of my RAs at Senshu last year, and she is muy cool, yo. Adam is her boyfriend who is teaching English in Saitama. I met up with them and had my second gingerbread latte of the day (SO happy they have them here) and did a bit of Uniqlo shopping. It was really fun to see them, but we will def. have to do it again when I’m not exhausted.
Sunday night I slept harder than I have in MONTHS. I was like dead pretty much.
Work has been crazy this week. Tuesday I had five classes AND had to help students with speech contest stuff. Yesterday I had five classes at shou and had to come back on my one period off to help students. Today is my first non-busy day, yay.
Apparently Yabuzuka is becoming aware that they have a Japanese-speaking ALT, which I am not amused about! I have to do a 90-minute presentation about America in Japanese in January. I don’t care about the fact that it’s in Japanese, but I don’t know what to talk about for 90 minutes in ENGLISH. What the hell?! So, er, if anyone has any bright ideas for that, let me know. I get to use pictures and stuff, but I don’t have THAT many pictures from home that aren’t “Here is Jeff drunk! Here is Jeff drunk and giving someone a lap dance! Here is Jeff getting a lap dance from a drunk friend!”
Embarrassing gaijin monkey story of the week: I have to be Santa Claus at the Public Hall (I don’t know how to translate that word) next week! Cindy, I hope it is better than the scary Santa suit we saw in Maebashi. God it is going to be embarrassing. I’m sure it will end up being fun, tho, as I get to give 3 year-olds presents. I will be sure to have someone take pictures. Ugh.
K, this post is long enough, and now I am all caught up! I still have to post a shitload of pictures, but that will happen after the trip to Lake Haruna
this weekend.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Wet Wednesday
K, it has not been a "wet Wednesday" (whatever that means) in any way, but I wanted a title with alliteration.
Today I went to Minami Shougakkou for a day of being a lazy-as ALT! It seems to be the theme of the last few weeks at shougakkou, but as long as the kids have fun I figure it's okay. I have discovered the excellence of art projects: keep the kids busy, let them have fun, and just watch them do stuff rather than running around! Now that I am done with the culture board, the art project this week was making Christmas cards. In my defense, I was told my lesson would be called "It's Christmas time!" and I didn't want them to have to learn stupid words such as "reindeer," "stocking," etc. So, Christmas cards, it is! The kids actually ended up really enjoying it, so it was fun. I also made a CD of a bunch of Christmas songs I found off Limewire, and it sadly made me a bit homesick! I love the holidays! And, somehow, the songs didn't drive me crazy? I expected them to release some sort of pent-up post-traumatic stress disorder memories of working three holidays at Barnes and Noble, but I actually enjoyed the songs. Very scary. Holly, I'm sure you're shuddering at the thought of CHOOSING to listen to this music.
While we're on the subject of Christmas music, I have decided that I absolutely despise "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." There is really nothing good about the song. It is annoying and also a bit inappropriate. The kid's mom is a total slut. I am not positive if his mother is married, but still, kissing Santa Claus? That's just skanky. Plus, I don't like to think that Santa goes around pimpin' on kids' moms on Christmas Eve. That's just nasty. He's about giving, not about making out with sluts!
Also, I have a confession to make...I sadly enjoyed Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas" WAY too much today. I heard it in four classes and rocked out each time. That song fucking rocks. I am not the only one who likes it, tho, as the scary 4nensei teacher who usually seems to hate life was even tapping his feet to the magic of Mariah's Christmas caroling.
I had lunch with my 3nensei today, which was fun for the most part. They asked me what time it was in America, and when I said that it was last night's 9:00, one of them asked "Are you sleepy?" I stared for a second, then informed her that I live in Japan :) Apparently I fly into Narita every other Wednesday to teach shougakkou! Hehe. By the end of the lunch I was a bit tired of being the gaijin monkey, tho. They would literally comment on EVERYTHING I was doing. "Look, he has his hand in his pockets! Look, he is touching his leg!" I am not kidding. It was a bit scary, as half of them were just staring at me while they brushed their teeth. Crazy Nihonjin.
I made up for being a lazy ALT by going to chuugakkou on my one period off to help two 2nensei with their speeches...no breaks today, sad! I am evil and kind of hope they get knocked out in the preliminary speech contest this Saturday so I don't have to practice with them anymore ;) God I am the worst ALT ever!
Anyway, tonight consists of watching lots of TV and never moving. Will hopefully blog tomorrow to summarize last week, as I have been too busy to blog lately.
Today I went to Minami Shougakkou for a day of being a lazy-as ALT! It seems to be the theme of the last few weeks at shougakkou, but as long as the kids have fun I figure it's okay. I have discovered the excellence of art projects: keep the kids busy, let them have fun, and just watch them do stuff rather than running around! Now that I am done with the culture board, the art project this week was making Christmas cards. In my defense, I was told my lesson would be called "It's Christmas time!" and I didn't want them to have to learn stupid words such as "reindeer," "stocking," etc. So, Christmas cards, it is! The kids actually ended up really enjoying it, so it was fun. I also made a CD of a bunch of Christmas songs I found off Limewire, and it sadly made me a bit homesick! I love the holidays! And, somehow, the songs didn't drive me crazy? I expected them to release some sort of pent-up post-traumatic stress disorder memories of working three holidays at Barnes and Noble, but I actually enjoyed the songs. Very scary. Holly, I'm sure you're shuddering at the thought of CHOOSING to listen to this music.
While we're on the subject of Christmas music, I have decided that I absolutely despise "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." There is really nothing good about the song. It is annoying and also a bit inappropriate. The kid's mom is a total slut. I am not positive if his mother is married, but still, kissing Santa Claus? That's just skanky. Plus, I don't like to think that Santa goes around pimpin' on kids' moms on Christmas Eve. That's just nasty. He's about giving, not about making out with sluts!
Also, I have a confession to make...I sadly enjoyed Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas" WAY too much today. I heard it in four classes and rocked out each time. That song fucking rocks. I am not the only one who likes it, tho, as the scary 4nensei teacher who usually seems to hate life was even tapping his feet to the magic of Mariah's Christmas caroling.
I had lunch with my 3nensei today, which was fun for the most part. They asked me what time it was in America, and when I said that it was last night's 9:00, one of them asked "Are you sleepy?" I stared for a second, then informed her that I live in Japan :) Apparently I fly into Narita every other Wednesday to teach shougakkou! Hehe. By the end of the lunch I was a bit tired of being the gaijin monkey, tho. They would literally comment on EVERYTHING I was doing. "Look, he has his hand in his pockets! Look, he is touching his leg!" I am not kidding. It was a bit scary, as half of them were just staring at me while they brushed their teeth. Crazy Nihonjin.
I made up for being a lazy ALT by going to chuugakkou on my one period off to help two 2nensei with their speeches...no breaks today, sad! I am evil and kind of hope they get knocked out in the preliminary speech contest this Saturday so I don't have to practice with them anymore ;) God I am the worst ALT ever!
Anyway, tonight consists of watching lots of TV and never moving. Will hopefully blog tomorrow to summarize last week, as I have been too busy to blog lately.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Globalization in the Classroom
This week I have been using pictionary as a warm-up for my 2nensei classes, as it’s easy, fun, and gets them moving. I use a lot of basic words for pictionary (car, bicycle, fruits, drinks, etc etc), as I can’t exactly have them drawing pictures of “compare” and shit like that. I always throw in a couple of random things to surprise them, including one country name. This is mainly just because I am curious to see what they think of when they hear a country.
This week I used Canada, and most classes drew the Canadian flag. However, one class was having issues with Canada in general. For one, I got the most…er….”interesting” map of North and South America I have ever seen. After a few failed guesses, one stidemt attempted to draw the flag, I guess, but only drew a maple leaf, with no border around it or anything. Upon seeing this, one of the sorta-troublemaker kids (who was enjoying pictionary very much and was actually participating) was like “Oh! Marijuana!” with a completely straight face. I do have to admit that the maple leaf looked like a pot leaf, but does he actually think I would give that to the students as something to draw?! I literally couldn’t stop laughing for two minutes. However, upon further analysis, marijuana is kind of a synonym for Canada anyway, so I should have given him the point.
This week I used Canada, and most classes drew the Canadian flag. However, one class was having issues with Canada in general. For one, I got the most…er….”interesting” map of North and South America I have ever seen. After a few failed guesses, one stidemt attempted to draw the flag, I guess, but only drew a maple leaf, with no border around it or anything. Upon seeing this, one of the sorta-troublemaker kids (who was enjoying pictionary very much and was actually participating) was like “Oh! Marijuana!” with a completely straight face. I do have to admit that the maple leaf looked like a pot leaf, but does he actually think I would give that to the students as something to draw?! I literally couldn’t stop laughing for two minutes. However, upon further analysis, marijuana is kind of a synonym for Canada anyway, so I should have given him the point.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
World AIDS Day
December 1st is World AIDS Day. While people like to think that AIDS is either gone or something that only exists in far-off places, it is still a huge problem in every nation that needs attention, awareness, and money.
Every fifteen seconds , another child in the world becomes infected with HIV/AIDS. 11.8 million people between the ages of 15 and 24 are HIV+.
Here are some ways you can help:
Anyone in Eugene can volunteer or give money to the HIV Alliance.
People in Portland can help through the Cascade AIDS Project.
Those who want to give money can donate to many sites, one of which is YouthAIDS. You can help educate and protect a youth from HIV for an entire year for only $10.
You can buy Kiehl’s grapefruit hand and body cleanser for $15, all of which goes to YouthAIDS (might I add that Kiehl’s makes great products).
For us JETers, we can help, as well. Save some of the money that you spend on pizaman at the conbini and donate it to a good cause. You can either use your credit card (you know you have one) at any of the above sites, or you can furikomi to World Vision. Info is available here and in Japanese here.
The World AIDS Campaign also has a lot of great information on how to help here.
Every fifteen seconds , another child in the world becomes infected with HIV/AIDS. 11.8 million people between the ages of 15 and 24 are HIV+.
Here are some ways you can help:
Anyone in Eugene can volunteer or give money to the HIV Alliance.
People in Portland can help through the Cascade AIDS Project.
Those who want to give money can donate to many sites, one of which is YouthAIDS. You can help educate and protect a youth from HIV for an entire year for only $10.
You can buy Kiehl’s grapefruit hand and body cleanser for $15, all of which goes to YouthAIDS (might I add that Kiehl’s makes great products).
For us JETers, we can help, as well. Save some of the money that you spend on pizaman at the conbini and donate it to a good cause. You can either use your credit card (you know you have one) at any of the above sites, or you can furikomi to World Vision. Info is available here and in Japanese here.
The World AIDS Campaign also has a lot of great information on how to help here.
Samui
K, so I am going to attempt to refrain from bitching about the cold in every entry, as it is pointless. So, instead, I will just devote this entry to it.
It has been fucking FREEZING lately. Japan is apparently one of the most high-tech countries in the world, but somehow doesn’t feel the need to put insulation in houses, or have central heating. Therefore, my apartment is bloody COLD-AS. I now eat, sleep (on a futon), and do everything else in my living room, as it is small and much warmer than my FREEZING, too-big bedroom. I now use my bed for storage of sweaters and whatnot. It is quite sad.
A couple weeks ago I was in the shower and I was trying to squeeze shampoo out of the bottle, but it wouldn’t come out because it was FROZEN. Um, yeah.
There was an ALT in the mountains of Gunma who had to keep his toothpaste in his refrigerator to prevent it from freezing, as the fridge was the warmest place in his house. I am not shitting you (thanks, Jenny, for the story).
So far the days really aren’t that bad, as they have been sunny, but the nights are NOT fun. Last night I was biking home wearing a t-shirt, a long-sleeved shirt, a thick sweater and a thick coat on, with gloves, a scarf, and a beanie on, and was still freezing. Hello, what more can I possibly wear? It wasn’t even December!!!
Okay, done bitching. At least I have Takeshi, my kotatsu, and my expensive heater. I refuse to use you, kerosene killer! AND it is December 1st (a fact that is hard to believe, btw), which is the official date that places start using heat and stuff (Japanese people ignore what the weather is actually like; they only pay attention to what the date is).
This is a cranky entry. K, no more bitching!
It has been fucking FREEZING lately. Japan is apparently one of the most high-tech countries in the world, but somehow doesn’t feel the need to put insulation in houses, or have central heating. Therefore, my apartment is bloody COLD-AS. I now eat, sleep (on a futon), and do everything else in my living room, as it is small and much warmer than my FREEZING, too-big bedroom. I now use my bed for storage of sweaters and whatnot. It is quite sad.
A couple weeks ago I was in the shower and I was trying to squeeze shampoo out of the bottle, but it wouldn’t come out because it was FROZEN. Um, yeah.
There was an ALT in the mountains of Gunma who had to keep his toothpaste in his refrigerator to prevent it from freezing, as the fridge was the warmest place in his house. I am not shitting you (thanks, Jenny, for the story).
So far the days really aren’t that bad, as they have been sunny, but the nights are NOT fun. Last night I was biking home wearing a t-shirt, a long-sleeved shirt, a thick sweater and a thick coat on, with gloves, a scarf, and a beanie on, and was still freezing. Hello, what more can I possibly wear? It wasn’t even December!!!
Okay, done bitching. At least I have Takeshi, my kotatsu, and my expensive heater. I refuse to use you, kerosene killer! AND it is December 1st (a fact that is hard to believe, btw), which is the official date that places start using heat and stuff (Japanese people ignore what the weather is actually like; they only pay attention to what the date is).
This is a cranky entry. K, no more bitching!
Midterm Tests
This is one of the listening dialogues/questions being played right now for the 2nensei in the staff room (over the intercom).
A: My mother gave me a book about Santa Claus when I was a child.
B: Did you enjoy reading it?
A: Yes, I did.
B: Santa Claus always brings children joy and love.
Test question: What does Santa Claus bring to children?
Um, that is the most retarded dialogue ever.
A: My mother gave me a book about Santa Claus when I was a child.
B: Did you enjoy reading it?
A: Yes, I did.
B: Santa Claus always brings children joy and love.
Test question: What does Santa Claus bring to children?
Um, that is the most retarded dialogue ever.
Bad Blogger
K, so I haven’t blogged in a week, so it’s time to catch everyone up on the non-stop excitement known as Jeff’s Life (TM). When we last left off, Jeff was not happy to be back at work after a day off. Did he survive the week? What did he do during his weekend? Just how much food has he eaten in the past seven days? Read this entry, and you, dear reader, shall know the answers to these questions and more!
Wow, I’m the biggest nerd in history. Anyway! I had a muy busy weekend! Friday night we all went out to Darjeeling, an Indian restaurant in Ota, for a late celebration of Cindy’s birthday, and an early celebration of Minako’s birthday. It was yummy yummy, and of course I ate way too much. We got Cindy a huge Chip and Dale stuffed animal set that is SO cute and soft! Shindy, if you arrive home one day and it’s gone, you know where it is ;) It was a fun night out, but I feel bad for everyone else in the restaurant, as we were seriously the loudest gaijin in the history of the universe. I could barely hear myself talking! Kawaisou, other diners!
Saturday morning I had to wake up early to go shopping? Um, who sets their alarm to go shopping?! I had a busy day, tho, so I had to be sure I had enough time to get stuff done. I was on the train and bus to AEON with my too-cool-for-school 3nensei guys, who were going to Harry Potter? I’m sorry, but cool people don’t see Harry Potter on opening day! Hehe. I bonded with them, tho, so that was cool.
So, I somehow spent like $250 at AEON? I don’t know where it went. I did some Christmas shopping, then got myself a hybrid Jeff-esque/Japanese-esque sweater that I enjoy greatly, then some Body Shop stuff (damn last-minute random AIDS-charity purchases at the counter!), and um….other stuff that I don’t remember. Bad news. Anyway, a bunch of us went to Harry Potter and it was soooooooooooooooo good! SO GOOD! I need to see it again. It was almost three hours long, but I only looked at my watch once, and that was just out of curiosity, not boredom. God, it was good! By the way, I’m a molester and think that Harry is getting kinda hot. I am disturbed by myself. However, I didn’t think that until he was like naked in the bath? That whole scene was disturbing. Anyway, everyone should go see the movie, it is so fucking good!
After the movie I met up with Minako, Cindy and Ann and we went to Tatebayashi for the final final night of Grow Up. It had already closed, so it was a potluck kinda party. It was fun to see everyone and hang out there for the last time. Sad, I don’t want it to be closed!!!!
I stayed the night at Mami’s and Minako, Mami and I woke up bright and early to meet Grant and Yoshi at Disney Sea. It was a fun day, but we were all exhausted as hell. For those Americans who don’t know what Disney Sea is, it’s the second park they have at the Disney Resort here. It is like their equivalent of California Adventure, I guess, but not as crappy. But it’s still not amazing? Like, it is fun, but it doesn’t have that many rides. It is where couples go mainly ‘cause it has a good atmosphere (sad, I don’t know how to say that in English. Funiki ga ii!) and is romantic and purty. So, Minako was my date for the day ;)
Plus, the highlight of going to Disney Sea is that they have a ride called “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” but with the Japanese accent, they say “aasu.” So, it’s the Journey to the Center of the Ass. I always love a good Journey to the Center of the Ass. It is appropriate that it is slow and boring at first, but then fast and fun at the end. K, I will end that now ;)
Anyway, it was a fun day, and a fun weekend in general! Thanks to everyone who entertained me! Fun was had.
Wow, I’m the biggest nerd in history. Anyway! I had a muy busy weekend! Friday night we all went out to Darjeeling, an Indian restaurant in Ota, for a late celebration of Cindy’s birthday, and an early celebration of Minako’s birthday. It was yummy yummy, and of course I ate way too much. We got Cindy a huge Chip and Dale stuffed animal set that is SO cute and soft! Shindy, if you arrive home one day and it’s gone, you know where it is ;) It was a fun night out, but I feel bad for everyone else in the restaurant, as we were seriously the loudest gaijin in the history of the universe. I could barely hear myself talking! Kawaisou, other diners!
Saturday morning I had to wake up early to go shopping? Um, who sets their alarm to go shopping?! I had a busy day, tho, so I had to be sure I had enough time to get stuff done. I was on the train and bus to AEON with my too-cool-for-school 3nensei guys, who were going to Harry Potter? I’m sorry, but cool people don’t see Harry Potter on opening day! Hehe. I bonded with them, tho, so that was cool.
So, I somehow spent like $250 at AEON? I don’t know where it went. I did some Christmas shopping, then got myself a hybrid Jeff-esque/Japanese-esque sweater that I enjoy greatly, then some Body Shop stuff (damn last-minute random AIDS-charity purchases at the counter!), and um….other stuff that I don’t remember. Bad news. Anyway, a bunch of us went to Harry Potter and it was soooooooooooooooo good! SO GOOD! I need to see it again. It was almost three hours long, but I only looked at my watch once, and that was just out of curiosity, not boredom. God, it was good! By the way, I’m a molester and think that Harry is getting kinda hot. I am disturbed by myself. However, I didn’t think that until he was like naked in the bath? That whole scene was disturbing. Anyway, everyone should go see the movie, it is so fucking good!
After the movie I met up with Minako, Cindy and Ann and we went to Tatebayashi for the final final night of Grow Up. It had already closed, so it was a potluck kinda party. It was fun to see everyone and hang out there for the last time. Sad, I don’t want it to be closed!!!!
I stayed the night at Mami’s and Minako, Mami and I woke up bright and early to meet Grant and Yoshi at Disney Sea. It was a fun day, but we were all exhausted as hell. For those Americans who don’t know what Disney Sea is, it’s the second park they have at the Disney Resort here. It is like their equivalent of California Adventure, I guess, but not as crappy. But it’s still not amazing? Like, it is fun, but it doesn’t have that many rides. It is where couples go mainly ‘cause it has a good atmosphere (sad, I don’t know how to say that in English. Funiki ga ii!) and is romantic and purty. So, Minako was my date for the day ;)
Plus, the highlight of going to Disney Sea is that they have a ride called “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” but with the Japanese accent, they say “aasu.” So, it’s the Journey to the Center of the Ass. I always love a good Journey to the Center of the Ass. It is appropriate that it is slow and boring at first, but then fast and fun at the end. K, I will end that now ;)
Anyway, it was a fun day, and a fun weekend in general! Thanks to everyone who entertained me! Fun was had.
Friday, November 25, 2005
I Cabbage Gunmania!
The new issue of Gunmania is out on gunmajet.net and I highly recommend it! There is tons of Ota love in it. Not only is it wonderfully edited by our very own Jenny, but it also features an article by Angie, pics of other Ota peeps, and a restaurant review by moi (big surprise, I wrote about food!). Of course, the other articles are good, as well. Spread some cabbage lovin' and read it, peeps!
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Thanksgiving!
On Tuesday night I biked my ass off to Iwajuku station to catch a train for Maebashi for the JET Thanksgiving dinner! You know I want some turkey when I choose to bike uphill in the cold for 30 minutes. I met up with Cindy on the train, and we went to the restaurant and became bitchy anti-social hos! We made someone leave our table by totally ignoring them and not introducing ourselves. We are evil people. Oh, well, it’s good because our table turned out to be a cool table. We went in worried that we’d have to sit with people we don’t like or know. Did I mention we’re evil? But really, isn’t being anti-social and clique-y what Thanksgiving is all about?
All worries that there wouldn’t be enough food were put aside after I ate 3 full plates of REAL Thanksgiving food. Turkey, mashed potaters, gravy, salad, veggies, bread, stuffing…..good stuff! Mmmmmmmmm! It wasn’t as good as my Grandma’s AMAZING Thanksgiving dinner, but few Americans could beat her, let alone Japanese people! But it was MUY delicioso, and definitely satisfied my Thanksgiving food craving. For dessert there was yummy-as bread pudding, and pumpkin pie. However, Japanese pumpkin stuff is weird ‘cause it’s not as pumpkin-y or sweet as American stuff. It was good, but it wasn’t real pumpkin pie. Oh, well!
After the dinner, Kristine, Cindy and I decided to walk the 25 minutes to the station rather than cab, in an attempt to burn at least a few calories of the enormous meal. It was a very good choice.
Wednesday was the Thanksgiving holiday, so no school, woot! Got to sleep in, make tres hotcakes (yeeeea, Holly!), and talk to my boy before going to Ashikaga with Shindy and Ann. Unfortunately we didn’t have much luck there, as shops were closed and stuff for the holiday, so we ended up going to good ol’ AEON. After making the dire mistake of eating McDonald’s (note to self: never again), Shinders and I went to see Elizabethtown, despite our mutual hatred of Kirsten Dunst. Her and Katie Holmes should both go to hell for their horrible facial expressions and “acting!” Kirsten can joyfully sniff coke the entire way there.
Anyway! So, the movie wasn’t very good. It tried to be like three movies in one, and didn’t succeed in being any of them. Focus, Cameron Crowe, focus! Also, Orlando Bloom was just playing Orlando Bloom with an American accent, and the two didn’t have any chemistry. And if Cameron Crowe wanted Kirsten Dunst to do an impression of Kate Hudson in Almost Famous, why didn’t he just hire Kate Hudson or something? Who knows. Anyway, it wasn’t that bad, but it wasn’t that good, either. Not worth the 16 dollars (with a coupon, might I add!). While at the theater, I got a ticket for Saturday’s showing of Harry Potter, yay! At least that will be worth the 16 dollars.
Speaking of movies, Rent is out in the States. Mehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! It needs to be online NOW. In a completely legal format, that is. Mmhmm. Anyway, is it sad that I would totally be willing to fly home for a day to see the movie, eat Thanksgiving dinner, and see the movie again? Yes, I know it’s sad, but I don’t care! Meh!!!!
Today is the usual painful-work-day-after-having-a-holiday-in-the-middle-of-the-week day. Let’s skipping school!
All worries that there wouldn’t be enough food were put aside after I ate 3 full plates of REAL Thanksgiving food. Turkey, mashed potaters, gravy, salad, veggies, bread, stuffing…..good stuff! Mmmmmmmmm! It wasn’t as good as my Grandma’s AMAZING Thanksgiving dinner, but few Americans could beat her, let alone Japanese people! But it was MUY delicioso, and definitely satisfied my Thanksgiving food craving. For dessert there was yummy-as bread pudding, and pumpkin pie. However, Japanese pumpkin stuff is weird ‘cause it’s not as pumpkin-y or sweet as American stuff. It was good, but it wasn’t real pumpkin pie. Oh, well!
After the dinner, Kristine, Cindy and I decided to walk the 25 minutes to the station rather than cab, in an attempt to burn at least a few calories of the enormous meal. It was a very good choice.
Wednesday was the Thanksgiving holiday, so no school, woot! Got to sleep in, make tres hotcakes (yeeeea, Holly!), and talk to my boy before going to Ashikaga with Shindy and Ann. Unfortunately we didn’t have much luck there, as shops were closed and stuff for the holiday, so we ended up going to good ol’ AEON. After making the dire mistake of eating McDonald’s (note to self: never again), Shinders and I went to see Elizabethtown, despite our mutual hatred of Kirsten Dunst. Her and Katie Holmes should both go to hell for their horrible facial expressions and “acting!” Kirsten can joyfully sniff coke the entire way there.
Anyway! So, the movie wasn’t very good. It tried to be like three movies in one, and didn’t succeed in being any of them. Focus, Cameron Crowe, focus! Also, Orlando Bloom was just playing Orlando Bloom with an American accent, and the two didn’t have any chemistry. And if Cameron Crowe wanted Kirsten Dunst to do an impression of Kate Hudson in Almost Famous, why didn’t he just hire Kate Hudson or something? Who knows. Anyway, it wasn’t that bad, but it wasn’t that good, either. Not worth the 16 dollars (with a coupon, might I add!). While at the theater, I got a ticket for Saturday’s showing of Harry Potter, yay! At least that will be worth the 16 dollars.
Speaking of movies, Rent is out in the States. Mehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! It needs to be online NOW. In a completely legal format, that is. Mmhmm. Anyway, is it sad that I would totally be willing to fly home for a day to see the movie, eat Thanksgiving dinner, and see the movie again? Yes, I know it’s sad, but I don’t care! Meh!!!!
Today is the usual painful-work-day-after-having-a-holiday-in-the-middle-of-the-week day. Let’s skipping school!
A conversation with my JTE during lunch
JTE: How was your holiday?
Me: It was good. I went shopping with my friends.
JTE: Oh, shopping. Do you sometimes clean your room?
Me: Yes, I cleaned the house on Sunday. It wasn’t fun.
JTE: Hmmm. I’m sorry, I think you are fatter than before, around here *gestures towards neck* I think you like to eat delicious food!
Me: Well, I’ve noticed that your fashion sense is as heinous as your English skills!
K, that last line of mine was made up, but it is what I should have said. Instead, I merely muttered:
Me: ....yes, I like to eat....
Um, OKAY! First of all, what is the train of thought in this conversation? Second of all, fuck you, too!
Me: It was good. I went shopping with my friends.
JTE: Oh, shopping. Do you sometimes clean your room?
Me: Yes, I cleaned the house on Sunday. It wasn’t fun.
JTE: Hmmm. I’m sorry, I think you are fatter than before, around here *gestures towards neck* I think you like to eat delicious food!
Me: Well, I’ve noticed that your fashion sense is as heinous as your English skills!
K, that last line of mine was made up, but it is what I should have said. Instead, I merely muttered:
Me: ....yes, I like to eat....
Um, OKAY! First of all, what is the train of thought in this conversation? Second of all, fuck you, too!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Crazy 2nensei
Today I was practicing grammar points with the 2nensei using handouts. One of the problems was:
A: Why do you look so sad?
B: Because __________________
And the students fill in the blank with whatever they want. Most of them had no idea what to write for reasons to look sad (hell, it took me like two minutes to think of anything), but I did see a few amusing answers:
A: Why do you look so sad?
B: Because Masaka became Jeff. (I don’t know what this is supposed to mean, exactly, but I don’t think it’s a compliment!)
A: Why do you look so sad?
B: Because Jeff is very tall.
And, my favorite:
A: Why do you look so sad?
B: Because my grandmother is a wolf.
A: Why do you look so sad?
B: Because __________________
And the students fill in the blank with whatever they want. Most of them had no idea what to write for reasons to look sad (hell, it took me like two minutes to think of anything), but I did see a few amusing answers:
A: Why do you look so sad?
B: Because Masaka became Jeff. (I don’t know what this is supposed to mean, exactly, but I don’t think it’s a compliment!)
A: Why do you look so sad?
B: Because Jeff is very tall.
And, my favorite:
A: Why do you look so sad?
B: Because my grandmother is a wolf.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Sunday Bloody Sunday
On Sunday I had one of the worst hangovers EVER. Ugh. It was fucking awful. I woke up at 5:30 AM to turn on the heater and fell down twice in the process! After waking up, I made an emergency trip to Mini Stop for greasy-as shit. It was the most depressing place ever, tho, as all of the unmarried men were just staring at the pre-made food, deciding what to get for lunch. I was like, “I am not one of you!!!!!!” Sad! Anyway, karaage and katsudon are good for hangovers, but nothing beats cheap Mexican food from the Eugene Mexican store. Sniff.
My parents called on Sunday afternoon and probably thought I was not very talkative, but my brain wasn’t functioning enough to be chatty with them! I refused to let my one free day go to waste, however, so I somehow made myself clean the hell out of my apartment. Yay for productive hungover days.
That night I was even more productive by making the BEST Mexican food EVER! Apparently I made “tinga” which I think is a very humorous word, indeed. After cramming all kinds of stuff in the food processor, I discovered that it doesn’t work, so I had to improvise. Anyway, I made a sauce out of tomatoes, garlic, onions, bay leaves, oregano, salt, pepper and jalapenos, then cooked chicken in that. Then I put on some of my Costco refried beans and took out some of my tortillas. HOLIE, it was SO bloody good. I made a huge amount so I can have leftovers today. Mexican fiesta at Jeff’s house! It made me sad, tho, ‘cause it made the whole apartment smell like me and Eduardo’s apartment in Eugene! Sniff!
Math equations of the day:
Two bottles of wine + seven drinks at karaoke=horrible idea
Mexican food + Return of the King Special Edition=good Sunday evening
Oh, if anyone has pics from Saturday, could you please E-Mail them to me? I failed to take any at the festival. Arigats!
My parents called on Sunday afternoon and probably thought I was not very talkative, but my brain wasn’t functioning enough to be chatty with them! I refused to let my one free day go to waste, however, so I somehow made myself clean the hell out of my apartment. Yay for productive hungover days.
That night I was even more productive by making the BEST Mexican food EVER! Apparently I made “tinga” which I think is a very humorous word, indeed. After cramming all kinds of stuff in the food processor, I discovered that it doesn’t work, so I had to improvise. Anyway, I made a sauce out of tomatoes, garlic, onions, bay leaves, oregano, salt, pepper and jalapenos, then cooked chicken in that. Then I put on some of my Costco refried beans and took out some of my tortillas. HOLIE, it was SO bloody good. I made a huge amount so I can have leftovers today. Mexican fiesta at Jeff’s house! It made me sad, tho, ‘cause it made the whole apartment smell like me and Eduardo’s apartment in Eugene! Sniff!
Math equations of the day:
Two bottles of wine + seven drinks at karaoke=horrible idea
Mexican food + Return of the King Special Edition=good Sunday evening
Oh, if anyone has pics from Saturday, could you please E-Mail them to me? I failed to take any at the festival. Arigats!
Should’ve gone with the grape juice…
Time for the weekly this-is-what-I-did-this-weekend entry! Saturday morning I had to wake up early to go to Minami Shougakkou for an “open school” thing. Parents come to observe classes, and it’s a big deal and blah blah blah. I taught directions to both 3nensei classes. Although I was bitter about being there on a Saturday morning, it was really fun. The kids are so cute! I could seriously play Simon Says with them for five hours and they wouldn’t get tired of it.
I went in there and KNEW I was going to be attacked by an English leech at some point during the day, and sure enough, it happened! Some lady comes up to me all of a sudden and is like “Hi, I’m a teacher at blahblahblah, are you free December 18th?” Um, I don’t fucking know! When I asked why, she explained “Please come to Cultopia (culture center) in the afternoon on Sunday 18th” For what? “Cultopia on Sunday 18th!” Yes, that’s nice, but for what purpose? “Cultopia on the 18th!” Um, yeah. I was supposed to give her my cell phone info later, but SOMEHOW forgot to do so, hehehe.
The main reason I was bitter about teaching in the morning was because the annual Ashikaga Wine Festival took place on Saturday and Sunday, and I had literally had it on my calendar since August! Hehe. Don’t get in the way of Jeff and wine!
My last class was done at 11:40 and I figured there was no way I could get out of school, bike home, change clothes, pack up food, and get to the train station for the 12:22 train, but somehow I had fucking time to spare?! The ride downhill to Minami Shougakkou takes 10-15 minutes, but I somehow made it uphill in 7 minutes! Moral of the story: never underestimate an alcoholic on a bike!
Anyway, I finally got to the wine festival and many people were very happy off of their wine. It was only $15 for admission, a bottle of wine (or grape juice, pshaw!), a wine glass and a corkscrew! HELLO! Anyway, I busted out my bottle as quickly as possible, which maybe was a bad sign of things to come. It was fun hanging out with people (like every ALT was there), and the weather was very nice, tho a crazy Gunma windy day. After going through my ‘free” bottle, I decided that naturally I must have another. So, I went down with Minako to buy a bottle. It was my lucky day, as I found the one Japanese person bad at math! A bottle was 1300 yen, and I gave her a 5000 note and got 4700 yen back! HELL YEAH!! $3 bottle of wine, mothahfuckah!
After finishing the second bottle, we all had to catch the last bus back to the train station. It was Cindy’s birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDY!!!!), so we went out for Italian in Ota. Mmm, it was yummy!
After dinner, drunk Jeff was craving a bit of karaoke, so some of us went out to sing some tunes, and get drunk a second time in one day. Yet another bad sign of things to come. It was crazy, tho, ‘cause we literally hadn’t done karaoke in at least 2 months. That’s like 10 years in Japanese karaoke time! Like four banana islands, 2 gin and tonics and a beer later, Jeff was druuuuuuuunk. My conversation to myself while swerving around on my bike on the way home consisted of “Holy shit, I’m drunk. DRUNK. Drunkety drunk drunk drunk!” over and over. Hmm, yes, bad signs galore.
At home I had my drunk yakisoba and Pizza Man, semi-chatted with Cindy (with lots of typos, sorry, Shinders!) and ASSED the fuck out.
I went in there and KNEW I was going to be attacked by an English leech at some point during the day, and sure enough, it happened! Some lady comes up to me all of a sudden and is like “Hi, I’m a teacher at blahblahblah, are you free December 18th?” Um, I don’t fucking know! When I asked why, she explained “Please come to Cultopia (culture center) in the afternoon on Sunday 18th” For what? “Cultopia on Sunday 18th!” Yes, that’s nice, but for what purpose? “Cultopia on the 18th!” Um, yeah. I was supposed to give her my cell phone info later, but SOMEHOW forgot to do so, hehehe.
The main reason I was bitter about teaching in the morning was because the annual Ashikaga Wine Festival took place on Saturday and Sunday, and I had literally had it on my calendar since August! Hehe. Don’t get in the way of Jeff and wine!
My last class was done at 11:40 and I figured there was no way I could get out of school, bike home, change clothes, pack up food, and get to the train station for the 12:22 train, but somehow I had fucking time to spare?! The ride downhill to Minami Shougakkou takes 10-15 minutes, but I somehow made it uphill in 7 minutes! Moral of the story: never underestimate an alcoholic on a bike!
Anyway, I finally got to the wine festival and many people were very happy off of their wine. It was only $15 for admission, a bottle of wine (or grape juice, pshaw!), a wine glass and a corkscrew! HELLO! Anyway, I busted out my bottle as quickly as possible, which maybe was a bad sign of things to come. It was fun hanging out with people (like every ALT was there), and the weather was very nice, tho a crazy Gunma windy day. After going through my ‘free” bottle, I decided that naturally I must have another. So, I went down with Minako to buy a bottle. It was my lucky day, as I found the one Japanese person bad at math! A bottle was 1300 yen, and I gave her a 5000 note and got 4700 yen back! HELL YEAH!! $3 bottle of wine, mothahfuckah!
After finishing the second bottle, we all had to catch the last bus back to the train station. It was Cindy’s birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDY!!!!), so we went out for Italian in Ota. Mmm, it was yummy!
After dinner, drunk Jeff was craving a bit of karaoke, so some of us went out to sing some tunes, and get drunk a second time in one day. Yet another bad sign of things to come. It was crazy, tho, ‘cause we literally hadn’t done karaoke in at least 2 months. That’s like 10 years in Japanese karaoke time! Like four banana islands, 2 gin and tonics and a beer later, Jeff was druuuuuuuunk. My conversation to myself while swerving around on my bike on the way home consisted of “Holy shit, I’m drunk. DRUNK. Drunkety drunk drunk drunk!” over and over. Hmm, yes, bad signs galore.
At home I had my drunk yakisoba and Pizza Man, semi-chatted with Cindy (with lots of typos, sorry, Shinders!) and ASSED the fuck out.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Pics from the weekend and whatnot
Yes, more than half of my pictures are of food. Deal with it!
Oh, how I missed thee
The wonder known as the Costco food court
Fuck that's a huge churro
Fuck that's a huge soft cream
It's a VERY sad day when I am beyond thrilled to find Jose Cuervo
This was in front of a store. Merry Christmas, Lucy Liu!
K, not last weekend, but I took this as proof of what a Country Ma'am gathering looks like. Abunai, indeed!
Oh, how I missed thee
The wonder known as the Costco food court
Fuck that's a huge churro
Fuck that's a huge soft cream
It's a VERY sad day when I am beyond thrilled to find Jose Cuervo
This was in front of a store. Merry Christmas, Lucy Liu!
K, not last weekend, but I took this as proof of what a Country Ma'am gathering looks like. Abunai, indeed!
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Easy Peasy Japanesey!
So, today I was informed last-minute that for the next six work days, there will be parent-teacher conferences in the afternoons. This does explain why my kids have been eerily good lately. I thought they were just choosing to be nice! Sad. Suck-ups! Anyway, because of the conferences, two classes are cut each day, and the schedule is all crazy. This means I only have two classes today and two tomorrow, instead of four each day! And next week I have three (instead of four) each day, PLUS Wednesday is off for Thanksgiving! Good stuff! It’s like I’m a normal ALT now or something! Hell yeah! However, I really have no idea what to do with myself during this new free time. I already completed my CLAIR Japanese test, then got my vice principal’s permission to go home for a “forgotten item” (i.e. a book to read so that I don’t kill myself). I “faffed” around on the way there and back, stopped at the ATM, etc., and when I came back he was surprised at how “fast” I was! Hello, I could have stretched it out! Damn. Next time!
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Movie Monday
Last night I went to my first movie in over three months. That is some kind of crazy-ass record, because I usually am at the movies ALL the time. Shinders and I made a night of it by going early to AEON for shopping….tho we sadly only got groceries??? Um, yeah, exciting. But it was nice to wander around AEON, as I hadn’t been there in a few weeks. I find myself having AEON withdrawals at times! I can’t imagine not living near it. I love me some Ota! Hehe.
Anyway, after shopping, Shindy and I went to Kappa Sushi, which is kaiten (conveyor belt). Cheeeeeeeap! Granted, not as good as made-to-order, but cheap and good enough. Plus I decided it is like watching porn while having sex, because you get to eat and watch food pass by you at the same time.
We saw The Corpse Bride with Mami and Minako and it was so nice to be in a movie theatre after so long! Yes, I am a nerd. Also, they have CHURROS and BEER at the concession stand? Why has it taken me so long to go to a movie?! Anyway, the movie was entertaining, but not amazing or anything. Very glad I didn’t pay full price for it!
Monday is “couple’s night,” so Cindy was my girlfriend. Tickets are “only” $10 (sad day when I consider that cheap), so we have made it a plan to go to movies on as many Mondays as possible! Harry Potter comes out in a week and a half and I am muy excited about that! Then on the 10th we get Sayuri (Japanese title for Memoirs of a Geisha), which I can’t wait for! I hope it’s as good as it should be. Then on the 17th we get King Kong! Yay Peter Jackson. So, even tho we won’t get Rent for up to SIX FUCKING MONTHS, at least there are entertaining movies in the meantime. Tho meh to not getting Narnia ‘til March? Anyway, the movies were good times. I hope we get Brokeback Mountain!!!! Sigh.
Three work-related thoughts of the day:
1. I am becoming the biggest slacker when it comes to dress code as it gets colder. I am pretty sure I can wear whatever I want and get away with it, but I always dress nice just in case. However, I refuse to bust out the long-sleeve button shirts (I wear short-sleeve ones) because there is no way you can’t iron those. I REFUSE to iron every day, and the short-sleeve ones can be “flicked” enough after washing to make it look ironed-ish. So, to make up for my lack of warm clothes, I have been totally Japanese and have been wearing a track jacket over the shirt. I am getting tired of wearing the same jacket every day, though, so today I am wearing my Muji hoodie over my shirt. The thing is, I still look nicer than like all of the 3nensei teachers, hehe. Tomorrow is shougakkou, and I am pretty sure I could wear my pajamas there and look nicer than all of the teachers, so I’m not too worried.
2. Has anyone else noticed how Japanese people aren’t afraid to touch garbage with their bare hands? When I help with cleaning in the morning I help empty the garbage cans into trash bags. Sometimes stuff falls out or the contents of the bag need to be pushed down, and the kids and/or teachers do it with their bare hands! GROSS! It’s especially nasty because like half of the trash is tissues. Given, Japanese people mainly use tissues as paper towels and napkins, but you KNOW in the winter a lot of those are NOT touch-worthy! Gross! It makes me want to have a big orgy of Purell after cleaning. *shudder*
3. I AM SO HIGH RIGHT NOW. K, so today is FREEZING. I can see my breath in the hallways. Oh, let me explain for those that don’t know that Japan doesn’t know what the hell central heating is. They think Americans are rich for having such crazy things as multiple heated rooms (I always want to respond “we’re not rich, we’re just smart,” but refrain from doing so). Anyway, the cheap way for them to heat rooms is using kerosene heaters. Not only does it run the risk of burning you alive, but it also gives off fumes that makes it necessary to open the windows once an hour. I have yet to use it at home, but they turned them on for the first time in the staffroom today. I am seriously high. Like, I can’t even describe it, but I can’t concentrate or anything. My head feels funny! Does one get used to this sensation? Is this how teachers deal with stress? “It was a fucking bad day, time to turn on the kerosene heater…whooooa, that’s the stuff!” Seriously, I can’t work like this! I’m gonna start giggling at the kids’ English or something!
Anyway, after shopping, Shindy and I went to Kappa Sushi, which is kaiten (conveyor belt). Cheeeeeeeap! Granted, not as good as made-to-order, but cheap and good enough. Plus I decided it is like watching porn while having sex, because you get to eat and watch food pass by you at the same time.
We saw The Corpse Bride with Mami and Minako and it was so nice to be in a movie theatre after so long! Yes, I am a nerd. Also, they have CHURROS and BEER at the concession stand? Why has it taken me so long to go to a movie?! Anyway, the movie was entertaining, but not amazing or anything. Very glad I didn’t pay full price for it!
Monday is “couple’s night,” so Cindy was my girlfriend. Tickets are “only” $10 (sad day when I consider that cheap), so we have made it a plan to go to movies on as many Mondays as possible! Harry Potter comes out in a week and a half and I am muy excited about that! Then on the 10th we get Sayuri (Japanese title for Memoirs of a Geisha), which I can’t wait for! I hope it’s as good as it should be. Then on the 17th we get King Kong! Yay Peter Jackson. So, even tho we won’t get Rent for up to SIX FUCKING MONTHS, at least there are entertaining movies in the meantime. Tho meh to not getting Narnia ‘til March? Anyway, the movies were good times. I hope we get Brokeback Mountain!!!! Sigh.
Three work-related thoughts of the day:
1. I am becoming the biggest slacker when it comes to dress code as it gets colder. I am pretty sure I can wear whatever I want and get away with it, but I always dress nice just in case. However, I refuse to bust out the long-sleeve button shirts (I wear short-sleeve ones) because there is no way you can’t iron those. I REFUSE to iron every day, and the short-sleeve ones can be “flicked” enough after washing to make it look ironed-ish. So, to make up for my lack of warm clothes, I have been totally Japanese and have been wearing a track jacket over the shirt. I am getting tired of wearing the same jacket every day, though, so today I am wearing my Muji hoodie over my shirt. The thing is, I still look nicer than like all of the 3nensei teachers, hehe. Tomorrow is shougakkou, and I am pretty sure I could wear my pajamas there and look nicer than all of the teachers, so I’m not too worried.
2. Has anyone else noticed how Japanese people aren’t afraid to touch garbage with their bare hands? When I help with cleaning in the morning I help empty the garbage cans into trash bags. Sometimes stuff falls out or the contents of the bag need to be pushed down, and the kids and/or teachers do it with their bare hands! GROSS! It’s especially nasty because like half of the trash is tissues. Given, Japanese people mainly use tissues as paper towels and napkins, but you KNOW in the winter a lot of those are NOT touch-worthy! Gross! It makes me want to have a big orgy of Purell after cleaning. *shudder*
3. I AM SO HIGH RIGHT NOW. K, so today is FREEZING. I can see my breath in the hallways. Oh, let me explain for those that don’t know that Japan doesn’t know what the hell central heating is. They think Americans are rich for having such crazy things as multiple heated rooms (I always want to respond “we’re not rich, we’re just smart,” but refrain from doing so). Anyway, the cheap way for them to heat rooms is using kerosene heaters. Not only does it run the risk of burning you alive, but it also gives off fumes that makes it necessary to open the windows once an hour. I have yet to use it at home, but they turned them on for the first time in the staffroom today. I am seriously high. Like, I can’t even describe it, but I can’t concentrate or anything. My head feels funny! Does one get used to this sensation? Is this how teachers deal with stress? “It was a fucking bad day, time to turn on the kerosene heater…whooooa, that’s the stuff!” Seriously, I can’t work like this! I’m gonna start giggling at the kids’ English or something!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Sunday in Chiba
If I wake up at 7:30 AM on a Sunday, you know it must be for a good reason. And oh, it was for a VERY good reason yesterday…..for I went to COSTCO. Oh, how I miss me some Costco. Mami drove me, Cindy, Ann and Emily to Costco, which is in Chiba, about an hour and a half away. I was looking forward to this for weeks and it did not disappoint!
How do I love Costco? Let me count the ways! First of all, they had samples of GOOD shit that you don’t ever see in Japan, let alone get free samples of. I got a free piece of fatty steak (SO GOOD), caramel apple pie, Krispy Kreme-ish donuts, cheese, kimchee, etc etc etc. Mmmm, orgasm. I usually ignore the pre-made “enchiladas” from the deli in the States, but here I am so starved for Mexican food that I practically attacked people to get to them. They also had the rotisserie chickens! Cindy and I opted to split a thing of rotisserie legs (they were different but still good). Hmm, what else did I get? I think I have buyer’s amnesia, as I did spent cough$200coughcough. I got tortillas, tequila, 16 cans of refried beans, bagels, good coffee…..I don’t even know what else. I mean, that sentence right there is making me excited enough, does it really matter what else I got? Might I add that they had a fifth of Absolut vodka for 1000 yen ($10)???? HOW does that happen? I didn’t get it, sadly, as I have no need for vodka, but I was tempted.
Not that I don’t have enough carbs here, but I missed bagels enough that the other day I had a dream that me, Ann and Cindy were eating them (and were very happy, might I add). How sad is that? I guess this is proof that dreams come true! Hehehehe.
I don’t even need to comment on how excited I am for Mexican food makings. Sigh.
After shopping we of course had to get polish dogs. And churros. And soft cream. And we ate it outside in a weird dead grass area that felt like a Costco park since there were kids running around (killing dragonflies?). Um, yeah.
Sigh. I love Costco. I want to go back. It is like Disneyland!
Speaking of Disneyland, it is also in Chiba. Chiba is a shithole, but is cool only because they stick all of the “Tokyo” stuff there that they can’t fit in proper Tokyo, like Costco, Disneyland, IKEA (not open yet, but I saw the building!), etc. Anyway, after Costco, we went to Ikspiria (what the hell is that word supposed to mean?), which is part of the Disney Resort. It is a huge, NICE shopping area connected to the Disney Ambassador Hotel. It’s like Downtown Disney but cooler. It is really nice-looking, and might I add that it has Diesel, J. Crew, Gap, Comme Ca Ism, etc etc etc. It was muy fun! I want to live there! I was good and only got a big-ass mug for my tea addiction. Was VERY tempted to get more, but ganbaru-ed.
Got home at 10 and had a late dinner before crashing. Fun and busy weekend, indeed!
It’s currently Monday afternoon and this is the third eerily good Monday in a row. Aren’t Mondays supposed to be horrible? I woke up feeling not TOO tired, all of my classes went EXTREMELY well, and…yeah. Weird! But muy good. Hopefully tomorrow is unlike the last two Tuesdays and doesn’t suck. Given that I will be home a total of 30 minutes today, it has the possibility of doing so, hehe. Oh, well, fun Monday, yay!
Random pictures of the weekend to come later….
How do I love Costco? Let me count the ways! First of all, they had samples of GOOD shit that you don’t ever see in Japan, let alone get free samples of. I got a free piece of fatty steak (SO GOOD), caramel apple pie, Krispy Kreme-ish donuts, cheese, kimchee, etc etc etc. Mmmm, orgasm. I usually ignore the pre-made “enchiladas” from the deli in the States, but here I am so starved for Mexican food that I practically attacked people to get to them. They also had the rotisserie chickens! Cindy and I opted to split a thing of rotisserie legs (they were different but still good). Hmm, what else did I get? I think I have buyer’s amnesia, as I did spent cough$200coughcough. I got tortillas, tequila, 16 cans of refried beans, bagels, good coffee…..I don’t even know what else. I mean, that sentence right there is making me excited enough, does it really matter what else I got? Might I add that they had a fifth of Absolut vodka for 1000 yen ($10)???? HOW does that happen? I didn’t get it, sadly, as I have no need for vodka, but I was tempted.
Not that I don’t have enough carbs here, but I missed bagels enough that the other day I had a dream that me, Ann and Cindy were eating them (and were very happy, might I add). How sad is that? I guess this is proof that dreams come true! Hehehehe.
I don’t even need to comment on how excited I am for Mexican food makings. Sigh.
After shopping we of course had to get polish dogs. And churros. And soft cream. And we ate it outside in a weird dead grass area that felt like a Costco park since there were kids running around (killing dragonflies?). Um, yeah.
Sigh. I love Costco. I want to go back. It is like Disneyland!
Speaking of Disneyland, it is also in Chiba. Chiba is a shithole, but is cool only because they stick all of the “Tokyo” stuff there that they can’t fit in proper Tokyo, like Costco, Disneyland, IKEA (not open yet, but I saw the building!), etc. Anyway, after Costco, we went to Ikspiria (what the hell is that word supposed to mean?), which is part of the Disney Resort. It is a huge, NICE shopping area connected to the Disney Ambassador Hotel. It’s like Downtown Disney but cooler. It is really nice-looking, and might I add that it has Diesel, J. Crew, Gap, Comme Ca Ism, etc etc etc. It was muy fun! I want to live there! I was good and only got a big-ass mug for my tea addiction. Was VERY tempted to get more, but ganbaru-ed.
Got home at 10 and had a late dinner before crashing. Fun and busy weekend, indeed!
It’s currently Monday afternoon and this is the third eerily good Monday in a row. Aren’t Mondays supposed to be horrible? I woke up feeling not TOO tired, all of my classes went EXTREMELY well, and…yeah. Weird! But muy good. Hopefully tomorrow is unlike the last two Tuesdays and doesn’t suck. Given that I will be home a total of 30 minutes today, it has the possibility of doing so, hehe. Oh, well, fun Monday, yay!
Random pictures of the weekend to come later….
Weekend Recap, Part One
What an exciting title for this post! Hehe. So, since I have been a bad blogger the last couple of days, I will summarize my weekend, I s’pose. As I am sure I will tell my 3nensei today, “I…had….a….very….fun….and…..busy…..weekend!” I used to make fun of my high school Japanese teacher for only talking about weekends during class on Monday, but now I realize there isn’t much else to talk about. Anyway!
So, on Friday, Cindy came over to Yabbers for an American TV party, Shindy and Jeffu style! We went to Nacchan’s restaurant for dinner and it was DAMN good. I love me some Nacchan! We got some MOW at Fujimart (a requirement for any Shindy/Jeffu get-together), and headed home to catch up on Veronica Mars. Aww, I love me some VM. We watched three episodes of that, and because that just wasn’t enough TV, we watched the first two episodes of this season of Grey’s Anatomy (Cindy is behind on GA, which I do NOT find acceptable!). After that, our eyes were about to fall out of their sockets, so we gave up on TV for the night.
So, my blog is only about food, and this trend will continue with this post. I finally opened up American snacks that my parents sent me…Circus Cookies and these lemon tea biscuit thingies. We devoured them, like we devour any dessert in this country, but we learned that American snacks are FAR too filling! Like, we couldn’t eat very much and we felt gross afterwards? If they were Japanese we would have had like 10 times more! Stupid American stuff! So, no more American snacks allowed for now. Sad.
Anyway, on Saturday morning we continued our eating tour of Yabuzuka by buying too many pastries and devouring them like madmen on the way to the eki. I was dressed like a scrub (or a college freshman, perhaps, Cindy?) and like 20 of my students saw me 1) dressed like that, 2) with Cindy in the morning and 3) devouring pastries. I am sure I will hear about it today! I realize that when I write blogs I like to organize my thoughts with numbers. Hmmm. Anyway!
In the evening was the Grow Up closing party (part 1 of 2 kana?) in Tatebayashi. It was good, thought I wish the DJ that was there for the first half hour would have stayed. He played hip-hop and he was really good, but had to leave with his family at like 6:30. After that the other DJ played WAY too much Bob Marley and weird J-Pop. It was….strange.
This post is fucking boring as hell. Oh, well, the next one will be exciting because on Sunday we went to COSTCO!!!! Yes, Costco. To be continued….
So, on Friday, Cindy came over to Yabbers for an American TV party, Shindy and Jeffu style! We went to Nacchan’s restaurant for dinner and it was DAMN good. I love me some Nacchan! We got some MOW at Fujimart (a requirement for any Shindy/Jeffu get-together), and headed home to catch up on Veronica Mars. Aww, I love me some VM. We watched three episodes of that, and because that just wasn’t enough TV, we watched the first two episodes of this season of Grey’s Anatomy (Cindy is behind on GA, which I do NOT find acceptable!). After that, our eyes were about to fall out of their sockets, so we gave up on TV for the night.
So, my blog is only about food, and this trend will continue with this post. I finally opened up American snacks that my parents sent me…Circus Cookies and these lemon tea biscuit thingies. We devoured them, like we devour any dessert in this country, but we learned that American snacks are FAR too filling! Like, we couldn’t eat very much and we felt gross afterwards? If they were Japanese we would have had like 10 times more! Stupid American stuff! So, no more American snacks allowed for now. Sad.
Anyway, on Saturday morning we continued our eating tour of Yabuzuka by buying too many pastries and devouring them like madmen on the way to the eki. I was dressed like a scrub (or a college freshman, perhaps, Cindy?) and like 20 of my students saw me 1) dressed like that, 2) with Cindy in the morning and 3) devouring pastries. I am sure I will hear about it today! I realize that when I write blogs I like to organize my thoughts with numbers. Hmmm. Anyway!
In the evening was the Grow Up closing party (part 1 of 2 kana?) in Tatebayashi. It was good, thought I wish the DJ that was there for the first half hour would have stayed. He played hip-hop and he was really good, but had to leave with his family at like 6:30. After that the other DJ played WAY too much Bob Marley and weird J-Pop. It was….strange.
This post is fucking boring as hell. Oh, well, the next one will be exciting because on Sunday we went to COSTCO!!!! Yes, Costco. To be continued….
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Yabuchuu Rocks
I woke up really tired and wasn’t really in the mood to go to school, but it has turned out to be one of the best days I have had at school! All of my students worked their asses off in class today and were really well-behaved. The students were friendly in the hallways (tho they always are), AND I just came back from my last class to find a home-made sweet potato on my desk with a letter from one of my special needs kids that says (in Japanese):
Dear Jeff-Sensei,
Thank you for always teaching me English. I made sweet potatoes, so please eat one.
7kumi (class number) Onai Akihiro
Awww, so sweet! AND pictures of flags that I taught the class were drawn on the letter, too! I love Yabuchuu today!
Dear Jeff-Sensei,
Thank you for always teaching me English. I made sweet potatoes, so please eat one.
7kumi (class number) Onai Akihiro
Awww, so sweet! AND pictures of flags that I taught the class were drawn on the letter, too! I love Yabuchuu today!
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Easy Day
Today I am at Yabushou (Yabuzuka Shougakkou) and it is officially the easiest shougakkou day EVER. So, every ALT in Ota who teaches at shougakkou is in charge of making a culture board reflecting their home country or state's culture. Basically a big piece of cardboard with pictures and stuff on them. You're supposed to do them with your students, and they will all be displayed somewhere in Ota. So, during the next three shougakkou visits I am going to be working on the culture board. I use the term "working" loosely, as I dont have to do ANYTHING for the board and it is wonderful. A culture board lesson consists of me telling the kids what we're doing, passing out some pictures of Oregon, and walking around and saying "good job" about 7 million times (didn't think my "good job!" quota could possibly increase, but I was proven wrong today). It's like I have my own Oregon memorabilia-producing sweat shop! I dont even need a vitamin drink for this! I wish every week was culture board week!
At first I had no idea what to use to represent Oregon....pictures of microbreweries and marijuana, perhaps? So I just printed out pics of nature and sports things and shit. The kids are SO good at drawing, it is ridiculous. If I got assigned to do this I would be pissed, but they are all really talented, and the biggest perfectionists ever. They only have a postcard-sized piece of paper and have 45 minutes to draw and color. I thought that would be too much time and was worried about what to do with them for the remainder of the 45 minutes, but it isn't enough? Hell, I would draw a piece of crap in 10 seconds and sit at my desk for the rest of the lesson! Crazy Japanese kids.
So, kids don't officially learn the alphabet 'til chuugakkou, so 6nensei kids have trouble writing using Roman letters (is that what we call it in English?). They also don't know how to spell, as true English class doesn't start 'til chuu, either. This one kid didn't know how to spell "beaver" and he wanted to label his drawing....he was smart and looked at the printed URL at the bottom of the page that ended in "beaver.jpg" However, he didn't know where the word ended...so, on top of his beaver drawing, in big letters, was "BEAVER.JPG" Hee hee hee. I didn't want to be mean about it or ruin his confidence, but the Sensei took care of that for me by laughing at him, hehehe. Poor kid!
I do need to print out more pictures, tho, as I have about 20 maps of Oregon, 30 Donald Ducks (they were amazed that he is our U of O mascot), 30 Mt. Hoods, etc. Um, if any Oregonians have suggestions of what to have them draw, feel free to comment!
I have decided after I am done being an ALT, I want to take the most natural career move and be a vice principal of a shougakkou. The kyoto sensei (VP) here literally has NOTHING to do. He answers the phones, but not many people call shougakkous, apparently. So, his day consists of talking to other bored coworkers in the staffroom, folding bits of paper out of boredom, or, failing that, staring. Seriously, he just stares at his desk for like 30 minutes at a time. Usually the principal is the one who gets to do nothing, but apparently at shougakkou it's both! Sweeto, indeed!
Rather than start a new post, I will post about last night in this one. Last night some of us went to Grow Up in Tatebayashi for dinner. Mmmm, I love me some Grow Up, and we've gots to take advantage of it before it closes! It was good times with good people and good food (did I mention it was good?). On the way back we took the Ryomo line (nice-as, spensive line) back by sneaking on and not paying, muahahaha. It was the best idea ever, as it meant I didn't have to wait at Ota station for an hour for the last train. I have got to remember to do that more often!
At first I had no idea what to use to represent Oregon....pictures of microbreweries and marijuana, perhaps? So I just printed out pics of nature and sports things and shit. The kids are SO good at drawing, it is ridiculous. If I got assigned to do this I would be pissed, but they are all really talented, and the biggest perfectionists ever. They only have a postcard-sized piece of paper and have 45 minutes to draw and color. I thought that would be too much time and was worried about what to do with them for the remainder of the 45 minutes, but it isn't enough? Hell, I would draw a piece of crap in 10 seconds and sit at my desk for the rest of the lesson! Crazy Japanese kids.
So, kids don't officially learn the alphabet 'til chuugakkou, so 6nensei kids have trouble writing using Roman letters (is that what we call it in English?). They also don't know how to spell, as true English class doesn't start 'til chuu, either. This one kid didn't know how to spell "beaver" and he wanted to label his drawing....he was smart and looked at the printed URL at the bottom of the page that ended in "beaver.jpg" However, he didn't know where the word ended...so, on top of his beaver drawing, in big letters, was "BEAVER.JPG" Hee hee hee. I didn't want to be mean about it or ruin his confidence, but the Sensei took care of that for me by laughing at him, hehehe. Poor kid!
I do need to print out more pictures, tho, as I have about 20 maps of Oregon, 30 Donald Ducks (they were amazed that he is our U of O mascot), 30 Mt. Hoods, etc. Um, if any Oregonians have suggestions of what to have them draw, feel free to comment!
I have decided after I am done being an ALT, I want to take the most natural career move and be a vice principal of a shougakkou. The kyoto sensei (VP) here literally has NOTHING to do. He answers the phones, but not many people call shougakkous, apparently. So, his day consists of talking to other bored coworkers in the staffroom, folding bits of paper out of boredom, or, failing that, staring. Seriously, he just stares at his desk for like 30 minutes at a time. Usually the principal is the one who gets to do nothing, but apparently at shougakkou it's both! Sweeto, indeed!
Rather than start a new post, I will post about last night in this one. Last night some of us went to Grow Up in Tatebayashi for dinner. Mmmm, I love me some Grow Up, and we've gots to take advantage of it before it closes! It was good times with good people and good food (did I mention it was good?). On the way back we took the Ryomo line (nice-as, spensive line) back by sneaking on and not paying, muahahaha. It was the best idea ever, as it meant I didn't have to wait at Ota station for an hour for the last train. I have got to remember to do that more often!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
RENT RENT RENT REEEEEEEEEEEEENT RENT
Fuck yeah, bitches! So, I was planning on going to Taiwan to see Rent in February (the stage version….but the movie, too), but the plane tickets were expensive, and the tickets to the show were literally like $200. Um, hello, Jeff doesn’t pay more than $20 usually. Anyway, so I decided to scrap that…and today I woke up to the announcement that it’s coming to Tokyo! Fuck yeah! I am not sure when, but I am guessing somewhere between February and April. Anyone in Gunma, you should be aware that I will be dragging you there. If you are currently asking yourself what Rent is, then you have no business reading this blog.
By the way, the show will be in English with an “all-star cast.” Some of that is debatable (the Mark sucks!) but many of them are kick-ass! Plus my cute Angel is in it, aww! I am not so sure how I feel about Karen Mok (Asian celebrity) being Mimi (and also singing the Seasons of Love solo?), but oh well. I could go on about the cast for like 10 more paragraphs, but I will refrain.
Anyway, theatre tix are expensive in Tokyo, too, but at least this way I don’t have to pay for airfare, as well. Plus they will have semi-cheap rush, so YAY. PLUS that means that they are going to be releasing the movie here, despite them not having a release date yet. RENT!
Also, I know I have good friends when I E-Mailed them the following message this morning:
Subject: Oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god
RENT IS COMING TO TOKYO BITCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And received the following replies (and more) within no time:
“yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When are the dates? And how much are the tix?”
“Awesome! SO interested in going….”
“HOLLER, when and when do we buy our tickets?”
“Oh my god!!! When??? When??? That's awesome!!!! Screw Taiwan....Tokyo, here we come!!!!! Woohoo!!!!“
Awww, I love me some new and old Rentheads!
Yes, this is the dorkiest post ever, but fuck you, it’s my blog, bitches! Hmm, I am a hostile man.
By the way, the show will be in English with an “all-star cast.” Some of that is debatable (the Mark sucks!) but many of them are kick-ass! Plus my cute Angel is in it, aww! I am not so sure how I feel about Karen Mok (Asian celebrity) being Mimi (and also singing the Seasons of Love solo?), but oh well. I could go on about the cast for like 10 more paragraphs, but I will refrain.
Anyway, theatre tix are expensive in Tokyo, too, but at least this way I don’t have to pay for airfare, as well. Plus they will have semi-cheap rush, so YAY. PLUS that means that they are going to be releasing the movie here, despite them not having a release date yet. RENT!
Also, I know I have good friends when I E-Mailed them the following message this morning:
Subject: Oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god
RENT IS COMING TO TOKYO BITCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And received the following replies (and more) within no time:
“yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When are the dates? And how much are the tix?”
“Awesome! SO interested in going….”
“HOLLER, when and when do we buy our tickets?”
“Oh my god!!! When??? When??? That's awesome!!!! Screw Taiwan....Tokyo, here we come!!!!! Woohoo!!!!“
Awww, I love me some new and old Rentheads!
Yes, this is the dorkiest post ever, but fuck you, it’s my blog, bitches! Hmm, I am a hostile man.
Thoughts at School
-My 5th period class was cut so that the 3nensei could learn “about man and woman” (my JTE’s way of describing sex ed). I was bored at my desk, so I decided to check out Japanese sex ed and it was SO BORING! How can sex be so boring? They were also all about the Chlamydia for some reason. Hmm. I was hoping for a thrilling and humorous blog post out of that experience, but it was so uneventful that I really have nothing to say about it. Sad day.
-I think it is proof that I have adjusted to this job when I see the word “terchy” and know that it’s supposed to be “teacher” without a second thought. Hmm.
-Only in Japan can an 1nensei boy think he’s a bad-ass troublemakin’ rebel while proudly displaying his Stitch pencil case with keychains of Elmo, Hello Kitty and jewels on top of his desk.
-I laughed out loud when I walked into my 1nensei class today. They had just had art class and there was a video on the teacher’s desk of the hippie artist dude that is always on PBS! The one with all of the hair that paints “happy little trees.” Do you think they translate it as “ureshikute chiisai na ki?” Hmm, perhaps I should investigate this pressing matter.
-I think it is proof that I have adjusted to this job when I see the word “terchy” and know that it’s supposed to be “teacher” without a second thought. Hmm.
-Only in Japan can an 1nensei boy think he’s a bad-ass troublemakin’ rebel while proudly displaying his Stitch pencil case with keychains of Elmo, Hello Kitty and jewels on top of his desk.
-I laughed out loud when I walked into my 1nensei class today. They had just had art class and there was a video on the teacher’s desk of the hippie artist dude that is always on PBS! The one with all of the hair that paints “happy little trees.” Do you think they translate it as “ureshikute chiisai na ki?” Hmm, perhaps I should investigate this pressing matter.
Monday, November 07, 2005
My Weekuendo and Stuff
Hmm, I hope my coworkers don’t think I’m a big alcoholic. So, I use Purell (hand sanitizer, for you crazy non-germophobe non-Americans) a lot because 1) Japanese community soap is sketchy and 2) kids are gross and full of germs. Anyway, it totally makes me smell like vodka for like five minutes afterwards, so I hope the other teachers don’t think I’m like going to the bathroom to take a swig out of my flask every hour or something. Although they probably do the same thing, hehe. Anyway!
Hmm, I haven’t updated in a while. On Friday night Cindy, Jenny and I had a Country Ma’am dinner in Nitta. We have decided that we’re called the Country Ma’ams ‘cause 1) they are the most amazing cookies in the world and we devour them by the bag-full, 2) we are in the country and 3) we are ma’ams! I think we need to make t-shirts. Anyway, a Country Ma’am dinner consists of too much food, too much gossip, and too much dessert, and Friday most definitely didn’t disappoint! We tried this Italian place by Jenny’s house that was AMAZING. We had this set dinner thing that had a RIDICULOUS amount of food, and there was this amazing pumpkin cream sauce pasta (k, it sounds gross now that I think about it, but it ISN’T, dammit!) that was sooooo good. K, I will refrain from talking about food too much. Lalalala.
Anyway, after that we went back to Jenny’s and chilled and ate about 20 pounds of conbini desserts. Hehe. It was fun, but I felt like shit afterwards, even though I rode my bike for like 40 minutes uphill to get home. No more sugar! (I say this while drinking coffee and eating a Mr. Donuts). Oh, I’m officially Japanese because right now on top of Pringles they have a free saabisu that is a little Pringle guy in various Christmas poses/outfits. I got a reindeer one, and it is KAWAIIIIIIII (cuuuuuuuuuuute). I am sadly going to get all of them and put them on my desk. I don’t want the Pringles, though. Maybe I can just shoplift the saabisu. What is wrong with me? Oh, well, at least it will spice up my boring-as desk.
Anyhoo, on Saturday Jenny, Cindy, Ann, Anna and I went shopping in Takasaki. I love me some Vivre (a department store)! I sadly didn’t buy too much for myself, hrm. I was going to get warm, comfy Muji sheets, but I realized that I’m not sure if my bed is a double or a queen. I may have to change my pick-up line accordingly! I did get a comfy hoody for when I want to be boroboro at home, which is ALL the time.
Oh my God, there was the hottest hapa guy on the train on the way to Takasaki! He totally knew I was talking about him, but I don’t care. Sadly, my girlfriends don’t agree with my taste, hrm. He was hot, dammit! Nevermind that he was a high school student. At least I think he was a 3nensei, that makes it a LITTLE better ;)
Wow, this is rambly. Too much coffee. Anyway, Takasaki was fun. We were craving sushi, so we went to this place with a huge sushi sign above it, only to find an izakaya that barely had any sushi. We thought it was strange that they’d advertise themselves as a sushi place, then only have like three sushi-related items on the menu. As we left, Ann realized that we went to the restaurant NEXT to the sushi place. Hmm, that explains that one. Have I mentioned that we’re really smart?
Saturday night I chilled at home and watched me some Lilo and Stitch. I love me some Stitch!
Sunday I did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and it was wonderful. I’ve only had a cold (well, probably various colds) for literally a month now, so I am trying to get rid of the fucker by resting. Meh. I watched the second half of Two Towers Special Edition(I had started it like three weeks ago) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I hadn’t seen it since the theatre….I knew that it was good, but I forgot how good it is. Damn, it’s a good movie! I love Charlie Kaufman. Hmm, I need to buy Adaptation.
This is a really boring entry, I apologize. Today has been a rare good Monday! This morning I kicked ass by planning two grades’ lessons, making the materials, and making photocopies within 30 minutes. Um, clazy! Also, all of the students are really genki today? I dunno why, but I’m not complaining! One more class, then I’m done for the day. Woot!
Hmm, I haven’t updated in a while. On Friday night Cindy, Jenny and I had a Country Ma’am dinner in Nitta. We have decided that we’re called the Country Ma’ams ‘cause 1) they are the most amazing cookies in the world and we devour them by the bag-full, 2) we are in the country and 3) we are ma’ams! I think we need to make t-shirts. Anyway, a Country Ma’am dinner consists of too much food, too much gossip, and too much dessert, and Friday most definitely didn’t disappoint! We tried this Italian place by Jenny’s house that was AMAZING. We had this set dinner thing that had a RIDICULOUS amount of food, and there was this amazing pumpkin cream sauce pasta (k, it sounds gross now that I think about it, but it ISN’T, dammit!) that was sooooo good. K, I will refrain from talking about food too much. Lalalala.
Anyway, after that we went back to Jenny’s and chilled and ate about 20 pounds of conbini desserts. Hehe. It was fun, but I felt like shit afterwards, even though I rode my bike for like 40 minutes uphill to get home. No more sugar! (I say this while drinking coffee and eating a Mr. Donuts). Oh, I’m officially Japanese because right now on top of Pringles they have a free saabisu that is a little Pringle guy in various Christmas poses/outfits. I got a reindeer one, and it is KAWAIIIIIIII (cuuuuuuuuuuute). I am sadly going to get all of them and put them on my desk. I don’t want the Pringles, though. Maybe I can just shoplift the saabisu. What is wrong with me? Oh, well, at least it will spice up my boring-as desk.
Anyhoo, on Saturday Jenny, Cindy, Ann, Anna and I went shopping in Takasaki. I love me some Vivre (a department store)! I sadly didn’t buy too much for myself, hrm. I was going to get warm, comfy Muji sheets, but I realized that I’m not sure if my bed is a double or a queen. I may have to change my pick-up line accordingly! I did get a comfy hoody for when I want to be boroboro at home, which is ALL the time.
Oh my God, there was the hottest hapa guy on the train on the way to Takasaki! He totally knew I was talking about him, but I don’t care. Sadly, my girlfriends don’t agree with my taste, hrm. He was hot, dammit! Nevermind that he was a high school student. At least I think he was a 3nensei, that makes it a LITTLE better ;)
Wow, this is rambly. Too much coffee. Anyway, Takasaki was fun. We were craving sushi, so we went to this place with a huge sushi sign above it, only to find an izakaya that barely had any sushi. We thought it was strange that they’d advertise themselves as a sushi place, then only have like three sushi-related items on the menu. As we left, Ann realized that we went to the restaurant NEXT to the sushi place. Hmm, that explains that one. Have I mentioned that we’re really smart?
Saturday night I chilled at home and watched me some Lilo and Stitch. I love me some Stitch!
Sunday I did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and it was wonderful. I’ve only had a cold (well, probably various colds) for literally a month now, so I am trying to get rid of the fucker by resting. Meh. I watched the second half of Two Towers Special Edition(I had started it like three weeks ago) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I hadn’t seen it since the theatre….I knew that it was good, but I forgot how good it is. Damn, it’s a good movie! I love Charlie Kaufman. Hmm, I need to buy Adaptation.
This is a really boring entry, I apologize. Today has been a rare good Monday! This morning I kicked ass by planning two grades’ lessons, making the materials, and making photocopies within 30 minutes. Um, clazy! Also, all of the students are really genki today? I dunno why, but I’m not complaining! One more class, then I’m done for the day. Woot!
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Protests in Argentina
While almost all of the media are taking great joy in showing pictures of fires and tear gas, it's refreshing to see a peaceful (and beautiful) image like this.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Fridayyyyyy
So, I have no motivation whatsoever today, it is really bad. I am the bitter gaijin in the corner of the staffroom! That’s what they get for making us coming back for one day before the weekend. Hehe. For once I got eight hours of sleep, yet I am bitchier than usual, I dunno what’s up with that!
Anyway, I have no reason to be bitter, as 2-5, the WORST class EVER, was cut today! That is two weeks in a row that I haven’t had to teach it! Only Jenny understands how bad they are. Like, seriously Dangerous Minds-type shit, and I don’t even bother being Michelle Pfeiffer in that room, honey!
This week I am having 3nensei practice their writing skills, so I assigned them to write about their weekends. Some have been REALLY impressive and a few have been extremely depressing, but at least most of them are trying really hard, so I am happy with them. One of my students called me over today and told me in Japanese that he went shopping last week to buy insoles for his basketball shoes, and asked how to say that in English. I told him everything but insoles, as I could seriously NOT remember the word. I stood there for seriously like 3 minutes thinking “Dr. Scholl’s sells….fuck….what are they….soles…no…padding…no…jelly thingies…..SHIT SHIT SHIT!” Finally the student behind him is like, “insoles?” WHAT THE HELL! How does he know that word?! He must be going to crazy-as juku to know that type of shit, yo! Anyway, I think he should take over class, as I obviously don’t know anything anymore.
I fear this next story may be amusing only to me, but oh, well. So, I was in my special needs class, doing the “I don’t want to think of a new subject this week so let’s review things!” class, and I took out flags of countries from two weeks ago. The special needs class kids are REALLY cool and very good at English, but they were struggling a bit with the country names in English (well, and in Japanese, hehe, but fuck if I knew some of those flags before the lesson!). I can totally understand struggling with the difference between the flags of Australia and New Zealand (after all, I do know a certain “Australian” who has made that mistake at least once!). They were also having problems with the English names for China and Korea. Some of the amusing guesses for China (chuugoku in Japanese) were: Chan Chin (this was my favorite), Chinkoku, and Chuna. When I help up the Korean flag, one of the boys said, “Kankoku!” (Japanese for Korea). I responded, “It’s Ko……..” and waited for him to fill in the blank, only to be told that it was Konkoku. Aww, I love my 7kumi!
Yay, school is almost over, and another weekend is here. Woot!
Anyway, I have no reason to be bitter, as 2-5, the WORST class EVER, was cut today! That is two weeks in a row that I haven’t had to teach it! Only Jenny understands how bad they are. Like, seriously Dangerous Minds-type shit, and I don’t even bother being Michelle Pfeiffer in that room, honey!
This week I am having 3nensei practice their writing skills, so I assigned them to write about their weekends. Some have been REALLY impressive and a few have been extremely depressing, but at least most of them are trying really hard, so I am happy with them. One of my students called me over today and told me in Japanese that he went shopping last week to buy insoles for his basketball shoes, and asked how to say that in English. I told him everything but insoles, as I could seriously NOT remember the word. I stood there for seriously like 3 minutes thinking “Dr. Scholl’s sells….fuck….what are they….soles…no…padding…no…jelly thingies…..SHIT SHIT SHIT!” Finally the student behind him is like, “insoles?” WHAT THE HELL! How does he know that word?! He must be going to crazy-as juku to know that type of shit, yo! Anyway, I think he should take over class, as I obviously don’t know anything anymore.
I fear this next story may be amusing only to me, but oh, well. So, I was in my special needs class, doing the “I don’t want to think of a new subject this week so let’s review things!” class, and I took out flags of countries from two weeks ago. The special needs class kids are REALLY cool and very good at English, but they were struggling a bit with the country names in English (well, and in Japanese, hehe, but fuck if I knew some of those flags before the lesson!). I can totally understand struggling with the difference between the flags of Australia and New Zealand (after all, I do know a certain “Australian” who has made that mistake at least once!). They were also having problems with the English names for China and Korea. Some of the amusing guesses for China (chuugoku in Japanese) were: Chan Chin (this was my favorite), Chinkoku, and Chuna. When I help up the Korean flag, one of the boys said, “Kankoku!” (Japanese for Korea). I responded, “It’s Ko……..” and waited for him to fill in the blank, only to be told that it was Konkoku. Aww, I love my 7kumi!
Yay, school is almost over, and another weekend is here. Woot!
Yasumi!
I have been a bad blogger the last couple of days, but my life really hasn’t been exciting enough to write about. Wednesday was shougakkou, which was fun, as usual. That night we had the Ota dinner at Gen, an izakaya in Ota. It was good and fun, but there is a crazy old woman who works there who will get my foot up her ass next time she hints that we need to order more drinks. Those who have seen her know what I’m talking about! But yes, it was fun, plus we had some adopted Otanians for the night, which is always nice.
Thursday was yet another holiday! It is weird to have a random day off on a Thursday. I slept in, but half expected my JTE to ring me in the morning, wondering why the hell I wasn’t at work. Fortunately, that didn’t happen! I literally didn’t even know the reason for the holiday until I looked at my calendar on Wednesday. It was Culture Day. Um, I don’t even know what that means? To celebrate Culture Day, I stayed in my house all day and watched American television while downloading like 15 albums (completely legally, of course). It was the best day off EVER! For those who don’t watch Grey’s Anatomy, you need to watch that shit. SO GOOD.
It was also nice to be at home because it meant I could FINALLY talk to Eduardo for 2 hours without worrying about stupid time difference shit! It was soooooooooooooo nice. I miss me some Eduardo :( :( :( Right now is Day of the Dead, and it’s weird to not celebrate it at all. I need some Mexican culture in my life! Expect more bitching about this come Three Wisemen Day. Mmmm, bread. Anyway. So, I celebrated Day of the Dead by listening to some Kabah, only the best Mexican band EVER. I have no idea what their songs are about, but they are the shit, yo.
Actually, I lied, I did leave my house in the morning to go on a pastry tour of Yabuzuka. Sadly, two of the bakeries were closed for the holiday, but the one in Fujimart didn’t let me down. I couldn’t decide which one I wanted, so I may have bough three. Mmmm, pastries! Hmm, I lead a sad life.
Last night the doorbell rang at 8:30, which was strange because it never rings, let alone at 8:30 PM on a Thursday? I answered it, since I can’t see shit out of my peephole (yes, I will open it on the yakuza some day and die, but oh well), to find a nervous guy from the Yomiuri Shinbun (newspaper) trying to get me to subscribe to his shit. Eww! I made the mistake of speaking Japanese to him…damn me for blowing my cover! I made the excuse that kanji suck and I couldn’t read the paper, but then he tried to get me to subscribe to foreign papers. Then he brought out coupons for beer and said I would get them if I subscribed? Only in Japan. “Do you read the newspaper? Do you drink beer? If you subscribe to the newspaper, you’ll also get beer!” That is seriously what he said. Anyway, I finally shooed him away, but I have learned my lesson…next time I’m gonna do a big ol’ “wa..ka..ri…ma…sen?” in the biggest honky accent I can do! Gotta get ready for whenever I am pulled over by the cops ;)
Thursday was yet another holiday! It is weird to have a random day off on a Thursday. I slept in, but half expected my JTE to ring me in the morning, wondering why the hell I wasn’t at work. Fortunately, that didn’t happen! I literally didn’t even know the reason for the holiday until I looked at my calendar on Wednesday. It was Culture Day. Um, I don’t even know what that means? To celebrate Culture Day, I stayed in my house all day and watched American television while downloading like 15 albums (completely legally, of course). It was the best day off EVER! For those who don’t watch Grey’s Anatomy, you need to watch that shit. SO GOOD.
It was also nice to be at home because it meant I could FINALLY talk to Eduardo for 2 hours without worrying about stupid time difference shit! It was soooooooooooooo nice. I miss me some Eduardo :( :( :( Right now is Day of the Dead, and it’s weird to not celebrate it at all. I need some Mexican culture in my life! Expect more bitching about this come Three Wisemen Day. Mmmm, bread. Anyway. So, I celebrated Day of the Dead by listening to some Kabah, only the best Mexican band EVER. I have no idea what their songs are about, but they are the shit, yo.
Actually, I lied, I did leave my house in the morning to go on a pastry tour of Yabuzuka. Sadly, two of the bakeries were closed for the holiday, but the one in Fujimart didn’t let me down. I couldn’t decide which one I wanted, so I may have bough three. Mmmm, pastries! Hmm, I lead a sad life.
Last night the doorbell rang at 8:30, which was strange because it never rings, let alone at 8:30 PM on a Thursday? I answered it, since I can’t see shit out of my peephole (yes, I will open it on the yakuza some day and die, but oh well), to find a nervous guy from the Yomiuri Shinbun (newspaper) trying to get me to subscribe to his shit. Eww! I made the mistake of speaking Japanese to him…damn me for blowing my cover! I made the excuse that kanji suck and I couldn’t read the paper, but then he tried to get me to subscribe to foreign papers. Then he brought out coupons for beer and said I would get them if I subscribed? Only in Japan. “Do you read the newspaper? Do you drink beer? If you subscribe to the newspaper, you’ll also get beer!” That is seriously what he said. Anyway, I finally shooed him away, but I have learned my lesson…next time I’m gonna do a big ol’ “wa..ka..ri…ma…sen?” in the biggest honky accent I can do! Gotta get ready for whenever I am pulled over by the cops ;)
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Halloween Photos
We so sexy
Punishing my student (so bad)
Me and Nacchan
Gangrene
Once again, so sexy
So cute!
Too dirrty to clean my act up
More pics can be seen at my photos page.
Disneyland Pictures
Stitch!
Those crazy Japanese people waiting for popcorn....
Cindy turns Japanese
This part of Splash Mountain reminded me of good ol' Gunma (note the cabbage on the left)
Someone in Japan is taller than me! Maybe this could be my post-JET job....
I don't know why I am posting this picture
These guys amused me for no reason in the parade
Welcome to Japan
Hee hee.
The Yank in me comes out
More pics can be found at my photos page.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Halloween in the ‘Bash
After getting 12 hours of amazing sleep on Friday night, I was ready to get my dancing groove thang on at Draw, a club in Maebashi on Saturday night. They had a Halloween party and a bunch of JETs turned up for it. Nacchan drove me, Sean, Jenny (and Grant for a bit) there, which was nice, as it is a bitch to train to. Actually, it’s a bitch to drive to, as well, crazy Japanese stoplights! Anyway, it was very tanoshikatta, as I hadn’t danced since Paradise Ball. Hello, a month and a half without dancing is not acceptable in the life of a Santilli!
Highlights of the night include:
-Tequila! Tequila is rare in Japan, so of course I had to get a shot of it. However, Draw’s version of a shot is much different than anyone else’s apparently, as it was like a third of a freaking plastic cup, with no lime or salt! However, I was a good Mexican and was the only one who could down it all in one gulp.
-Jenny was one hot-as maid! Poor girl didn’t fare so well by the end of the night, however. Hope you’re feeling better, dahling!
-Cindy made the funniest student EVER! Oh, yeah, I was a JTE by wearing the heinous tracksuit I was given, and she borrowed a student’s uniform. She was my student and we were secretly having an affair. Anyway, she TOTALLY looked like a student, and even had her hair in pigtails with Mickey Mouse rubberband thingies!
-Dancing, dancing, dancing! Of course, the gay guys were the only ones to dance the entire night (or much at all, really), but since half of Gunma seems to be gay, it was a fair amount of us out there ;)
-Sean was out there ganbatteru-ing on the dance floor, so I gave him a few lessons. I expect you to be practicing at home, you little white boy, you ;)
-Being recognized for my blog?! Um, that was weird. Who the hell is reading this thing?
I ended up crashing in Maebashi for the night (yay for not having to leave early). On Sunday I had like the most relaxed Sunday EVER, it was great. Had a lazy morning, then went for coffee and pizza with Granto-san. G introduced me to the best and cheapest pizza place I have yet to find in this country! A drink, salad, medium-sized pizza (a REAL medium-sized pizza, might I add) and dessert for 750 yen?! I am most definitely going back. To make the Sunday even better, we went to Muji, which I had been craving all week. I gave in and got one of those memory pillow things they have, which I recommend to everyone. I never want to leave my bed again. Is it sad that I want it to get colder so I can have an excuse to buy some comfy, warm Muji sheets?
Oh, might I add that I feel sorry for Grant for hanging out with me the entire day, as I have NEVER looked so unattractive in my entire life. My hair was ALL over the place, I was wearing the black PJ shirt from the night before and Grant’s oversized track pants (thankfully he lent me his, as I didn’t exactly want to be seen in my SEXY red ones) and I hadn’t showered since dancing. Um, yeah.
After that I trained to Ota, got some orgasmic melon maple pan from Uni, then hung out with 3nensei students on the train ride home (I’m sure they were impressed with my appearance).
Chilled with some dinner and Alias for the rest of the night. How could a Sunday be any better?
Photos of the weekend to come today or tomorrow....
Highlights of the night include:
-Tequila! Tequila is rare in Japan, so of course I had to get a shot of it. However, Draw’s version of a shot is much different than anyone else’s apparently, as it was like a third of a freaking plastic cup, with no lime or salt! However, I was a good Mexican and was the only one who could down it all in one gulp.
-Jenny was one hot-as maid! Poor girl didn’t fare so well by the end of the night, however. Hope you’re feeling better, dahling!
-Cindy made the funniest student EVER! Oh, yeah, I was a JTE by wearing the heinous tracksuit I was given, and she borrowed a student’s uniform. She was my student and we were secretly having an affair. Anyway, she TOTALLY looked like a student, and even had her hair in pigtails with Mickey Mouse rubberband thingies!
-Dancing, dancing, dancing! Of course, the gay guys were the only ones to dance the entire night (or much at all, really), but since half of Gunma seems to be gay, it was a fair amount of us out there ;)
-Sean was out there ganbatteru-ing on the dance floor, so I gave him a few lessons. I expect you to be practicing at home, you little white boy, you ;)
-Being recognized for my blog?! Um, that was weird. Who the hell is reading this thing?
I ended up crashing in Maebashi for the night (yay for not having to leave early). On Sunday I had like the most relaxed Sunday EVER, it was great. Had a lazy morning, then went for coffee and pizza with Granto-san. G introduced me to the best and cheapest pizza place I have yet to find in this country! A drink, salad, medium-sized pizza (a REAL medium-sized pizza, might I add) and dessert for 750 yen?! I am most definitely going back. To make the Sunday even better, we went to Muji, which I had been craving all week. I gave in and got one of those memory pillow things they have, which I recommend to everyone. I never want to leave my bed again. Is it sad that I want it to get colder so I can have an excuse to buy some comfy, warm Muji sheets?
Oh, might I add that I feel sorry for Grant for hanging out with me the entire day, as I have NEVER looked so unattractive in my entire life. My hair was ALL over the place, I was wearing the black PJ shirt from the night before and Grant’s oversized track pants (thankfully he lent me his, as I didn’t exactly want to be seen in my SEXY red ones) and I hadn’t showered since dancing. Um, yeah.
After that I trained to Ota, got some orgasmic melon maple pan from Uni, then hung out with 3nensei students on the train ride home (I’m sure they were impressed with my appearance).
Chilled with some dinner and Alias for the rest of the night. How could a Sunday be any better?
Photos of the weekend to come today or tomorrow....
Ojiichan ni natteru kana?
Today marks the 3-month mark of me being in Japan. The longest I have ever been here was exactly three months, so tomorrow will be a very special day in the life of Jeff, sniff sniff ;) Hehe. But yeah, I am a little worried about myself as Japan continues to make me weirder and weirder. For example, I am totally becoming a crazy Japanese old man! I used to always say little Japanese things to myself like “are?!” or “nani kore?” etc etc, while judging other Japanese people who have entire conversations to themselves for no reason. However, lately I have been having entire Japanese conversations with myself, sometimes in public. For example, lately at the store I have been saying various things aloud such as “Oh, they don't have _____,” “Wow, that’s really cheap, I should buy it!” “Hmm, I wonder where ____ is,” “Ooo, I really want that,” etc. etc. all in Japanese. I have also been doing the same thing in my house. This cannot be a good sign!
I have also refuse to eat anything with my hands or a fork. I have been addicted to nashi (Asian pears) lately, and I chop them up into small pieces so I can eat them with chopsticks. Um, even Japanese people eat them with forks most of the time!
Shindy and I also found ourselves buying stupid shit at Disneyland just ‘cause it was “kawaiiiiii!” (cuuuuuuuuuute!), whereas we normally wouldn’t waste our money on Disneyland souvenirs. Hmm. Clazy, indeed!
I have also refuse to eat anything with my hands or a fork. I have been addicted to nashi (Asian pears) lately, and I chop them up into small pieces so I can eat them with chopsticks. Um, even Japanese people eat them with forks most of the time!
Shindy and I also found ourselves buying stupid shit at Disneyland just ‘cause it was “kawaiiiiii!” (cuuuuuuuuuute!), whereas we normally wouldn’t waste our money on Disneyland souvenirs. Hmm. Clazy, indeed!
Disneyrando!
Friday was Kenmin no Hi (Prefectural Day) in Gunma, so there were no classes. I refused to sit at my desk with nothing to do, so I nenkyu-ed that shit up in here and headed to Disneyrando with Shindy! It was also Tochigi and Tokyo’s (I think?) Kenmin no Hi, and tickets were a bit cheaper for our three prefectures, so Shindy and I headed out early to make the most of the crowded day there. When I say early, I mean motherfucking EARLY. Cindy and I both got up at 4 in the bloody morning, froze our asses off riding to the station, took the first trains into Ota, and met up on the comfy Ryomo train. It being Cindy and I, we of course used the day as an excuse to eat horrible amounts of complete SHIT! We started off the day with coffee, tea, onigiri, melon pan, more coffee, and a vitamin drink (um, muy necessito when waking up at 4 in the morning).
Despite train drama (hashitteyuke!), we got there earlier than most people and went right onto Splash Mountain, followed by The Haunted Mansion (it is the Nighmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion, and Japanese people want to have mad mad sex with Nightmare Before Christmas, so we went early to make sure we didn’t wait for like four hours for it).
Even though we were really tired and weird all day long, it was sooooo fun! The Halloween decorations were really cute. It was my first Disneyland Halloween, so it was cool to see. Whenever we needed some non-caffeine-related waking up, we’d just go on Tokyo’s KICK-ASS Space Mountain which is so ridiculously fast. It’s fucking great! I wanted to stay on it all day long.
And of course Cindy and I devoured all of Disneyland’s snacks. Um, churros, much? Not to mention all kinds of other crap. Good times!
Sadly one of the funnest things to do at Tokyo Disneyland is to laugh at how ridiculous Japanese people are when they are there. I swear they don’t even go for the rides, as they spend all day either in line for popcorn (there are multiple kinds of special popcorn, and they have to try all of them), in line for turkey legs (there was the MOST RIDICULOUS line for these….if turkey is this popular, why do they not sell it here?), or shopping for omiyage (gifts) for their friends and family back home. Not only do they spend more money than any sane person should, but they don’t have any time to do anything else! So after a while Cindy and I stopped taking pictures of decorations and started taking pictures of Japanese people being crazy. We are good JETs! Hahahaha.
We met up with Helen, Hayley, Chau and Abby (JETs) for dinner, then we headed home (with a new bucket of coconut popcorn for the ride home, of course).
Oh! I forgot…so like I was one of five gaijin there the entire day? What the hell? I would expect more to be there. I seriously got more gaijin stares at Disneyland than I do in Gunma. One reason may be because I am so much taller than Cindy that it looks like I am just talking to myself whenever I am walking and talking to her. They also gave her a million “You’re Asian, why would you be speaking English?” looks, which got on my nerves. Meh! Hehehehe.
Anyway, we trained it back home and took the last train home. We are hardcore Disney bitches for taking the first AND last train, I say. Finally, after being awake for 21 hours with three hours of sleep, I slept for 12 hours in the best coma I have ever been in.
Now I just gots to wait for Christmas decoration time and we’re going to Disney Sea! Woot! (Cindy, that “woot” was dedicated to you)
Despite train drama (hashitteyuke!), we got there earlier than most people and went right onto Splash Mountain, followed by The Haunted Mansion (it is the Nighmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion, and Japanese people want to have mad mad sex with Nightmare Before Christmas, so we went early to make sure we didn’t wait for like four hours for it).
Even though we were really tired and weird all day long, it was sooooo fun! The Halloween decorations were really cute. It was my first Disneyland Halloween, so it was cool to see. Whenever we needed some non-caffeine-related waking up, we’d just go on Tokyo’s KICK-ASS Space Mountain which is so ridiculously fast. It’s fucking great! I wanted to stay on it all day long.
And of course Cindy and I devoured all of Disneyland’s snacks. Um, churros, much? Not to mention all kinds of other crap. Good times!
Sadly one of the funnest things to do at Tokyo Disneyland is to laugh at how ridiculous Japanese people are when they are there. I swear they don’t even go for the rides, as they spend all day either in line for popcorn (there are multiple kinds of special popcorn, and they have to try all of them), in line for turkey legs (there was the MOST RIDICULOUS line for these….if turkey is this popular, why do they not sell it here?), or shopping for omiyage (gifts) for their friends and family back home. Not only do they spend more money than any sane person should, but they don’t have any time to do anything else! So after a while Cindy and I stopped taking pictures of decorations and started taking pictures of Japanese people being crazy. We are good JETs! Hahahaha.
We met up with Helen, Hayley, Chau and Abby (JETs) for dinner, then we headed home (with a new bucket of coconut popcorn for the ride home, of course).
Oh! I forgot…so like I was one of five gaijin there the entire day? What the hell? I would expect more to be there. I seriously got more gaijin stares at Disneyland than I do in Gunma. One reason may be because I am so much taller than Cindy that it looks like I am just talking to myself whenever I am walking and talking to her. They also gave her a million “You’re Asian, why would you be speaking English?” looks, which got on my nerves. Meh! Hehehehe.
Anyway, we trained it back home and took the last train home. We are hardcore Disney bitches for taking the first AND last train, I say. Finally, after being awake for 21 hours with three hours of sleep, I slept for 12 hours in the best coma I have ever been in.
Now I just gots to wait for Christmas decoration time and we’re going to Disney Sea! Woot! (Cindy, that “woot” was dedicated to you)
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra
In my attempt to catch up on blogging, I will blog about Thursday for now....
So on Thursday there weren't any classes, as it was the schoolwide singing competition. The students had been practicing forever, so they were all really genki in the morning to finally sing and (theoretically) win. The staff was excited, too, and were also really surprised to see me, as there was a rumor that I was on a shucchou (business trip) that day. Um, hello, I could have totally not gone to school and been okay! Sad! So they were all surprised and excited to see me? Yes, I was confused, too ;) So, yes, it was a very good way to start the day!
The 3nensei teachers got to judge the 1nensei classes singing, and since I am unofficially a 3nensei teacher, I judged. It was hard! I didn't want to give classes bad marks, so I wasn't harsh or anything, but it was still difficult.
Hmm, perhaps there are people reading this who have (gasp!) not been to a Japanese singing competition, so I will explain how it works. At my school there are 5 classes of each grade (about 200 students in each grade). At first the entire grade gets up and sings a song (this is in the gym, on the stage). Then each class gets their turn to sing the song they sang. Might I add that EVERY SONG IS THE SAME. Seriously. But not in a bad way. Before the song, a student gives a speech, and all of these are the same, too, hehe. "We practiced every day and it was very difficult. At first the boys wouldn't sing, but over time we all bonded and became a closer class because of it. There were difficult times, but it was worth it! We persevered and we hope you enjoy the song!" Anyway, then they sing. Also, every class has a student who conducts, and a student that plays the piano part. It's pretty amazing that there are enough musically-talented people in the school to not make that difficult to do! (I'm not sure if that sentence makes sense. Dammit, I can't speak English anymore)
Anyway, the whole competition was a ton of fun. By the end of the morning part (which went over), I was a bit tired of so much singing, but the lunch break helped. My lunch break was interesting, as I was informed I would be singing the staff song with all of the other teachers. Um, OKAY?! So I had to sightread the Japanese during lunch and also learn the tune. After a whopping five minutes of practice, it was time to go back to the competition and sing! It was a bit overwhelming, but was REALLY fun! All of the students started laughing when they saw I was going to participate, but a bunch of them were yelling "ganbatte," so that was cool. It went fairly well, surprisingly! Ah, the crazy things that happen in this country.
After the competition all of the teachers were really genki, and since school ended early, we were all in the staffroom at the same time, which is rare. Might I add that lately the staff has been a lot nicer and friendlier? It's very exciting! While I don't have any in-depth conversations with them or anything, it's nice to just be able to talk to random senseis for a bit. I dunno why they're being nicer all of a suddent, but I'm not complaining!
So yeah, while a 6-hour singing competition was a bit scary-sounding beforehand, it turned out to be one of the best school days I've had so far. Yay Yabuchuu!
So on Thursday there weren't any classes, as it was the schoolwide singing competition. The students had been practicing forever, so they were all really genki in the morning to finally sing and (theoretically) win. The staff was excited, too, and were also really surprised to see me, as there was a rumor that I was on a shucchou (business trip) that day. Um, hello, I could have totally not gone to school and been okay! Sad! So they were all surprised and excited to see me? Yes, I was confused, too ;) So, yes, it was a very good way to start the day!
The 3nensei teachers got to judge the 1nensei classes singing, and since I am unofficially a 3nensei teacher, I judged. It was hard! I didn't want to give classes bad marks, so I wasn't harsh or anything, but it was still difficult.
Hmm, perhaps there are people reading this who have (gasp!) not been to a Japanese singing competition, so I will explain how it works. At my school there are 5 classes of each grade (about 200 students in each grade). At first the entire grade gets up and sings a song (this is in the gym, on the stage). Then each class gets their turn to sing the song they sang. Might I add that EVERY SONG IS THE SAME. Seriously. But not in a bad way. Before the song, a student gives a speech, and all of these are the same, too, hehe. "We practiced every day and it was very difficult. At first the boys wouldn't sing, but over time we all bonded and became a closer class because of it. There were difficult times, but it was worth it! We persevered and we hope you enjoy the song!" Anyway, then they sing. Also, every class has a student who conducts, and a student that plays the piano part. It's pretty amazing that there are enough musically-talented people in the school to not make that difficult to do! (I'm not sure if that sentence makes sense. Dammit, I can't speak English anymore)
Anyway, the whole competition was a ton of fun. By the end of the morning part (which went over), I was a bit tired of so much singing, but the lunch break helped. My lunch break was interesting, as I was informed I would be singing the staff song with all of the other teachers. Um, OKAY?! So I had to sightread the Japanese during lunch and also learn the tune. After a whopping five minutes of practice, it was time to go back to the competition and sing! It was a bit overwhelming, but was REALLY fun! All of the students started laughing when they saw I was going to participate, but a bunch of them were yelling "ganbatte," so that was cool. It went fairly well, surprisingly! Ah, the crazy things that happen in this country.
After the competition all of the teachers were really genki, and since school ended early, we were all in the staffroom at the same time, which is rare. Might I add that lately the staff has been a lot nicer and friendlier? It's very exciting! While I don't have any in-depth conversations with them or anything, it's nice to just be able to talk to random senseis for a bit. I dunno why they're being nicer all of a suddent, but I'm not complaining!
So yeah, while a 6-hour singing competition was a bit scary-sounding beforehand, it turned out to be one of the best school days I've had so far. Yay Yabuchuu!
True Love
I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Takeshi. He keeps me warm at night and is always ready to serve my needs. He may have burned my hand a few times the other night when I was drunk, but love hurts at times. Takeshi, I rabu rabu you!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
V's Birthday, Pics Edition
V opens her present from Angie...
Chocolate and a vibrator, happy birthday, indeed!
Dirrty
K, kinda blurry, but hello, food!
I doubt Pete will appreciate me posting this pic, but it's the only semi-group pic from the night
Emily, Minako, Mami and Theresa
Jenny and Sean
NOW do you understand how huge these beers are?! No wonder I was drunk enough to make out with a girl (but V, I'm always up for a repeat performance...)
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