K, so I have been meaning to ask this for a while…
In Japan, to promote staying healthy, they tell you to wash your hands and gargle water. There are signs all over school for it (though to be fair, there are signs all over school for EVERYTHING, from “wear a bike helmet!” to “save your money!”). I understand the need to wash your hands (even though the Japanese soap-in-the-net thing is a bit sketchy to me), but does gargling actually have any health benefits? The only time I ever think to gargle is with salt water if I have a sore throat. Does gargling water actually get rid of germs? What is the apparent point of doing so, and does it actually work? I need to know, people! Feel free to leave a comment.
Friday, March 03, 2006
In the words of Aristotle, this is some fucked-up shit
Apparently eating too much crappy-ass pizza can mess with your brain.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Those crazy Chinese
Yesterday, Ann, Cindy, Sean and I were discussing how Beijing would never be ready to host the Olympics, and then today this article comes out. Too amusing.
Shizougakkou
Check out my awesome rapper Japanese. I’m really cool!
Yesterday I had shougakkou for the first time in three weeks. I managed to avoid it two weeks in a row thanks to an orientation and being sick, so I was dreading actually drudging up enough energy (hmm, I don’t think that’s the right word. Or the right use of that word. Hmm. Drudge? Eh, whatever) to teach 5 genki shougakkou classes. However, it actually turned out to be a fun (albeit COMPLETELY exhausting) day.
Apparently I had enough genki-ness stored up from the two weeks off that I was like on crack the whole time and was all over the place and really happy? It was strange and I kinda freaked myself out, but the kids seemed to enjoy it. We’re also at the end of the year, so I don’t really care if I have big themes for the lessons or not. I did for most of ‘em, but some I was just like “Let’s play fruit basket and karuta for 50 minutes!” which the kids seemed to love. Also, the lesson of the day is: if you own a big-ass dice, bring it to shougakkou and let the kids roll it. It will entertain them for HOURS and they will beg you to let them roll it more. Not exactly sure why, but I highly suggest it.
The highlight of the day was lunch time, when one of the 6nensei classes had a big lunch party with the teachers. It was SO fun and SOOO cute, I wish I had brought my camera! They invited all of the teachers into a special room with their kyushoku, but they also made us yakisoba sandwiches and a strawberry pastry dessert, and they served us drinks, as well. Oh, I also got an invite in the mail from them for this party, AND they re-scheduled it so I could be there, awww! I love my 6nensei!
Each table had a few students and a few teachers, and the kids made a board game for us to play. And at the end of the (huge and delicious) lunch, they played a song for us on their recorders! AWWWWW! I really wish I would have brought my camera! They were so cute, though, and really excited for it. Aww, I love my 6nensei! I can’t wait to teach them at chuugakkou (although that means I have to watch them turn into teenagers and become possibly bitchy! Noooooo!).
It was a good day, though. I also turned in my FUCKING culture board, finally. I refuse to do it next year, dammit!
Last night Sean, Cindy, Ann and I went out to dinner and stayed out as long as possible to delay going home and thinking about work the next day. It was a fun dinner, though.
And now I’m at work….lalalalalala. One class cut today, though! AND evil Yoshiki’s class is cut tomorrow, wheeeee!
Yesterday I had shougakkou for the first time in three weeks. I managed to avoid it two weeks in a row thanks to an orientation and being sick, so I was dreading actually drudging up enough energy (hmm, I don’t think that’s the right word. Or the right use of that word. Hmm. Drudge? Eh, whatever) to teach 5 genki shougakkou classes. However, it actually turned out to be a fun (albeit COMPLETELY exhausting) day.
Apparently I had enough genki-ness stored up from the two weeks off that I was like on crack the whole time and was all over the place and really happy? It was strange and I kinda freaked myself out, but the kids seemed to enjoy it. We’re also at the end of the year, so I don’t really care if I have big themes for the lessons or not. I did for most of ‘em, but some I was just like “Let’s play fruit basket and karuta for 50 minutes!” which the kids seemed to love. Also, the lesson of the day is: if you own a big-ass dice, bring it to shougakkou and let the kids roll it. It will entertain them for HOURS and they will beg you to let them roll it more. Not exactly sure why, but I highly suggest it.
The highlight of the day was lunch time, when one of the 6nensei classes had a big lunch party with the teachers. It was SO fun and SOOO cute, I wish I had brought my camera! They invited all of the teachers into a special room with their kyushoku, but they also made us yakisoba sandwiches and a strawberry pastry dessert, and they served us drinks, as well. Oh, I also got an invite in the mail from them for this party, AND they re-scheduled it so I could be there, awww! I love my 6nensei!
Each table had a few students and a few teachers, and the kids made a board game for us to play. And at the end of the (huge and delicious) lunch, they played a song for us on their recorders! AWWWWW! I really wish I would have brought my camera! They were so cute, though, and really excited for it. Aww, I love my 6nensei! I can’t wait to teach them at chuugakkou (although that means I have to watch them turn into teenagers and become possibly bitchy! Noooooo!).
It was a good day, though. I also turned in my FUCKING culture board, finally. I refuse to do it next year, dammit!
Last night Sean, Cindy, Ann and I went out to dinner and stayed out as long as possible to delay going home and thinking about work the next day. It was a fun dinner, though.
And now I’m at work….lalalalalala. One class cut today, though! AND evil Yoshiki’s class is cut tomorrow, wheeeee!
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Saabisu
So in Japan products will oftentimes randomly come with a "saabisu" (service), which is a free little present (usually of the cute variety) that comes along with said product. These are often attached to sodas and other things at the grocery store.
Today I was at the drug store and had to choose a decongestant. I would usually get Sudafed, but it is illegal here because of the meth-making stuff in it. Anyway, while debating between brand names, I noticed that Contac, while being a bit more expensive than everything else, came with a cute saabisu. So, that made my decision for me! Damn, I guess that cheap-ass marketing really works....
Kawaiiiiiii!
A towel that came with a bottle of water.
This came on a wine bottle. What could this mysterious plastic contain?
It OBVIOUSLY becomes an extremely classy wine "glass" for picnics!
Today I was at the drug store and had to choose a decongestant. I would usually get Sudafed, but it is illegal here because of the meth-making stuff in it. Anyway, while debating between brand names, I noticed that Contac, while being a bit more expensive than everything else, came with a cute saabisu. So, that made my decision for me! Damn, I guess that cheap-ass marketing really works....
Kawaiiiiiii!
A towel that came with a bottle of water.
This came on a wine bottle. What could this mysterious plastic contain?
It OBVIOUSLY becomes an extremely classy wine "glass" for picnics!
Ankeeto
This month’s lunch menu came with the results of a survey of 2nensei students on the back. The survey had questions regarding their eating, sleeping and health habits, and I think was just an excuse to indulge Japan’s not-so-secret love with surveys and graphs, but it had some interesting results.
When asked how they were feeling the morning they took the survey, only 22% felt well, 8 % “felt well and had various conditions” (um, I have NO clue what that means), and 69% didn’t feel well.
When asked what time they went to sleep the night before, only 9% went to bed between 9-10:00. 18% went to bed between 10-11, 29% went to bed between 11-12, and freaking 42% went to bed some time after midnight. Dude, that is NOT much sleep for growing chuugakusei to be getting! Might I mention that it’s later than I go to bed, sad! No wonder these kids are always sick, they’re too busy studying, doing sports, and studying even more to eat, sleep, or have fun. Poor kids!
When asked how they were feeling the morning they took the survey, only 22% felt well, 8 % “felt well and had various conditions” (um, I have NO clue what that means), and 69% didn’t feel well.
When asked what time they went to sleep the night before, only 9% went to bed between 9-10:00. 18% went to bed between 10-11, 29% went to bed between 11-12, and freaking 42% went to bed some time after midnight. Dude, that is NOT much sleep for growing chuugakusei to be getting! Might I mention that it’s later than I go to bed, sad! No wonder these kids are always sick, they’re too busy studying, doing sports, and studying even more to eat, sleep, or have fun. Poor kids!
Gee, Bush is so multi-cultural
From The NY Times:
“President Bush is planning a two-day wind sprint across India this week, when he will meet with political leaders, chat up high-tech millionaires and give a speech at a 16th-century fort. But to the consternation of the Indians, he will not see the country's most famous monument, the Taj Mahal, a decision that Mr. Bush said was made by an omnipotent scheduler.
"Look, if I were the scheduler, perhaps I'd be doing things differently," Mr. Bush said last week, when he was asked in an interview with Indian reporters at the White House why he was skipping the Taj. "I'll be the president, we've got the scheduler being the scheduler. I'm going to miss a lot of the really interesting parts of your great country. I know that."
Mr. Bush has never been a sightseer, and his planned two days in India and one in Pakistan are typical of a president who visited the Great Wall of China in 30 minutes flat.”
Not only does he sound like a jack-ass in the interview with the reporters, but how the hell does someone visit the Great Wall in 30 minutes?! Ugh.
“President Bush is planning a two-day wind sprint across India this week, when he will meet with political leaders, chat up high-tech millionaires and give a speech at a 16th-century fort. But to the consternation of the Indians, he will not see the country's most famous monument, the Taj Mahal, a decision that Mr. Bush said was made by an omnipotent scheduler.
"Look, if I were the scheduler, perhaps I'd be doing things differently," Mr. Bush said last week, when he was asked in an interview with Indian reporters at the White House why he was skipping the Taj. "I'll be the president, we've got the scheduler being the scheduler. I'm going to miss a lot of the really interesting parts of your great country. I know that."
Mr. Bush has never been a sightseer, and his planned two days in India and one in Pakistan are typical of a president who visited the Great Wall of China in 30 minutes flat.”
Not only does he sound like a jack-ass in the interview with the reporters, but how the hell does someone visit the Great Wall in 30 minutes?! Ugh.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Oishiizo
So, I am officially in love with Hirai Ken, the Japanese popstar. He is the hottest not-hot guy in the entire world! I am far too addicted to his greatest hits CD and DVD....I have been watching his music videos in unhealthy doses lately, but....Hirai Ken! ROWR!
I don't expect anyone in the States to understand my obsession, as I would also be confused at my choice. But coming from Japanese Jeff, he's fucking hot, yo!
I don't expect anyone in the States to understand my obsession, as I would also be confused at my choice. But coming from Japanese Jeff, he's fucking hot, yo!
Koukou
My 3nensei graduate in two weeks, and many don’t even know what high school they are going to yet! I can’t imagine not knowing what high school I would attend a month away from the new school year starting. That is so crazy to my procrastinate-y American mind, let alone an organized Japanese mind! How do they not go crazy not knowing such things? More power to ‘em, I suppose.
I also can’t believe how far some of my students are going for school. One of my favorite students told me today that she is going to a school in Takasaki. Dude, I can barely be bothered to go there for shopping on a Saturday because it takes so long to get there! How the hell can she go there and back every single day?! It seriously takes like an hour and a half to get there from here because of the train transfer (unless she is motivated and wants to bike a half hour to Iwajuku every day, which would equally suck). Man, these kids are crazy.
I also can’t believe how far some of my students are going for school. One of my favorite students told me today that she is going to a school in Takasaki. Dude, I can barely be bothered to go there for shopping on a Saturday because it takes so long to get there! How the hell can she go there and back every single day?! It seriously takes like an hour and a half to get there from here because of the train transfer (unless she is motivated and wants to bike a half hour to Iwajuku every day, which would equally suck). Man, these kids are crazy.
Doing new things?! What’s that?
I had a VERY enjoyable weekend, although it went far too fast. I love that weeks go by really quickly, but I don’t enjoy the fact that weekends go by equally as fast. Hrm.
Anyway, Friday night there was a Country Ma’am (me, Jenny and Cindy) gathering at Cindy’s place to watch the Golden Globes and other assorted American entertainment. It served as an excuse for us to eat far too much food and talk shit about celebrities for four hours. We thought more people were coming, so we had enough food for like six people or more, but of course the three of us ate almost all of it. Jesus, we have problems. It was fun to watch the Golden Globes, tho, and the good thing about watching it a month and a half after it airs is that we all forgot who won, so it was surprising!
We also watched a few interviews with Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger (yes, I realize I have mentioned Brokeback like 300 times in the last two weeks, but whatever!) and I got really annoyed with the STUPID questions they ask them. First of all, every interview is the same, and every interview is homophobic. It’s really annoying! I am half irritated at the interviewer and half irritated with our society for those questions needing to be asked. Like, every interview pretty much consisted of them asking about the “risks” involved with playing a gay character and how nervous they were doing the kissing scenes and stupid shit like that. Like, it is obvious that they will ask those questions, but it is also so fucking stupid, in my opinion. Hello, they’re fucking actors, their job is to pretend to be someone else, it shouldn’t be a “risk” to pretend they’re gay. Also, I got especially irritated when Oprah was asking these questions because I would have expected better than her. To me it’s not different than asking if an actor was nervous about kissing a black person on screen or anything like that. It’s fucking ridiculous. *breathes*
Um, where was I? Anyway, that was Friday and it was fun! Hehe. On Saturday I met up with Cindy and Ann and went to Korona no yu, which is the onsen and sauna at Korona. I had heard great things about it, but I didn’t realize that it was the GREATEST PLACE ON THE PLANET, holy shit! It’s really new-looking and nice, and was SO relaxing. The onsen was great, but I fucking loved the sauna. You get to wear these comfy-ass pajama-like things made out of towel material, and since you’re not naked, it’s co-ed (not that naked things aren’t co-ed in Japan). There was this great hot rock room and all kinds of stuff. I was the lonely sweaty-ass Whitey McWhiterson, but I still enjoyed it. There is also a theater room where you can lay down and watch movies, a relaxation room with magazines and TV to watch, and all kinds of shit. It was sooooooooooo good, I am SO bringing any visitors there.
After that we met up with Emily and had Thai food in Ashikaga to celebrate Ann’s birthday (happy birthday, Ann!). It was sooooo good. They also gave us the “VIP room,” which was like our own private dining room, which was cool. And we deserved it since we ordered about 300 different dishes.
After that we headed back to Korona and wasted time while waiting for a pool table. While we never ended up playing pool, we did some crappy purikura, I rocked ass on taiko (and got my own little fan club of kids who practiced their English on me, awwww! And I got fucking blisters from the drum sticks, bastards!), and played darts (don’t ever play with Cindy; I think she is secretly British!). It was a really fun day because all of the activities were something we hadn’t done before. It was soooo nice to discover there is more stuff to do in Ota! Very very fun day.
On Sunday I talked to my sister for over an hour about her visit…I can’t believe she’s here in less than three weeks! We have some fun stuff planned, I can’t wait. I also talked to my family, watched Love Actually (fuck, Rodrigo Santoro is fucking hot), and wasted time doing god knows what. I love me some Sundays.
Anyway, Friday night there was a Country Ma’am (me, Jenny and Cindy) gathering at Cindy’s place to watch the Golden Globes and other assorted American entertainment. It served as an excuse for us to eat far too much food and talk shit about celebrities for four hours. We thought more people were coming, so we had enough food for like six people or more, but of course the three of us ate almost all of it. Jesus, we have problems. It was fun to watch the Golden Globes, tho, and the good thing about watching it a month and a half after it airs is that we all forgot who won, so it was surprising!
We also watched a few interviews with Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger (yes, I realize I have mentioned Brokeback like 300 times in the last two weeks, but whatever!) and I got really annoyed with the STUPID questions they ask them. First of all, every interview is the same, and every interview is homophobic. It’s really annoying! I am half irritated at the interviewer and half irritated with our society for those questions needing to be asked. Like, every interview pretty much consisted of them asking about the “risks” involved with playing a gay character and how nervous they were doing the kissing scenes and stupid shit like that. Like, it is obvious that they will ask those questions, but it is also so fucking stupid, in my opinion. Hello, they’re fucking actors, their job is to pretend to be someone else, it shouldn’t be a “risk” to pretend they’re gay. Also, I got especially irritated when Oprah was asking these questions because I would have expected better than her. To me it’s not different than asking if an actor was nervous about kissing a black person on screen or anything like that. It’s fucking ridiculous. *breathes*
Um, where was I? Anyway, that was Friday and it was fun! Hehe. On Saturday I met up with Cindy and Ann and went to Korona no yu, which is the onsen and sauna at Korona. I had heard great things about it, but I didn’t realize that it was the GREATEST PLACE ON THE PLANET, holy shit! It’s really new-looking and nice, and was SO relaxing. The onsen was great, but I fucking loved the sauna. You get to wear these comfy-ass pajama-like things made out of towel material, and since you’re not naked, it’s co-ed (not that naked things aren’t co-ed in Japan). There was this great hot rock room and all kinds of stuff. I was the lonely sweaty-ass Whitey McWhiterson, but I still enjoyed it. There is also a theater room where you can lay down and watch movies, a relaxation room with magazines and TV to watch, and all kinds of shit. It was sooooooooooo good, I am SO bringing any visitors there.
After that we met up with Emily and had Thai food in Ashikaga to celebrate Ann’s birthday (happy birthday, Ann!). It was sooooo good. They also gave us the “VIP room,” which was like our own private dining room, which was cool. And we deserved it since we ordered about 300 different dishes.
After that we headed back to Korona and wasted time while waiting for a pool table. While we never ended up playing pool, we did some crappy purikura, I rocked ass on taiko (and got my own little fan club of kids who practiced their English on me, awwww! And I got fucking blisters from the drum sticks, bastards!), and played darts (don’t ever play with Cindy; I think she is secretly British!). It was a really fun day because all of the activities were something we hadn’t done before. It was soooo nice to discover there is more stuff to do in Ota! Very very fun day.
On Sunday I talked to my sister for over an hour about her visit…I can’t believe she’s here in less than three weeks! We have some fun stuff planned, I can’t wait. I also talked to my family, watched Love Actually (fuck, Rodrigo Santoro is fucking hot), and wasted time doing god knows what. I love me some Sundays.
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