I got a little computer time again today. Not much to say, really, so I’ll report on the music in my English classes. (Everyone is looking forward to finding out what we are singing, right?) Well, no real surprises-grade 7 and 8-Wham’s Last Christmas, and grade 9 an English version of a Japanese singer’s Christmas song. (Tatsuro Yamashita’s Christmas Eve) What is surprising is that I actually don’t mind Last Christmas, and I have no idea why. Last month Fridays were bad because I had 3 classes of We Built This City and that was it for the weekend, it was stuck.
I think I complained too much because the grade 9 teacher told me that he didn’t mind if I picked this month’s song. Personally, I picked Bandaid-Do they know it’s Christmas as my first choice, but this one isn’t too bad. At least it isn’t Mariah Carey, which I was really worried about. (Sorry to anyone out there who likes that music!)
Anyway, not much else to say for now so I am going to go and play on the internet. (At least it LOOKS like I’m working.)
Have fun everyone.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
again
I am at work. An hour and a half left of work on a Friday afternoon. Yay. Looking forward to the weekend! Tomorrow is Hiroki’s little performance for daycare. He is going to be a little bunny. His teacher made his costume. I haven’t seen him in it yet but he went to school yesterday wearing it and my MIL took some pix of him in it. Hee hee.
I don’t know what else he will be performing but he has dropped a few hints here and there. (singing some songs and doing what looks like the end of a dance.) Tomorrow should be interesting.
This week has also been a busy week but also I have been tired after getting Hiroki’s little present (after coughing in my face several times I did catch a little bit of a cold from him-it hasn’t been bad but I’ve been feeling worn down all week) I had 2 elementary school visits this week, and I used a lot of energy there. Evening classes. Then last night I decided it was time to give Hiroki a haircut-his hair has been getting longer and longer and bigger, too. It doesn’t look very good when he gets up in the morning after sleeping on it (going to bed when it’s wet doesn’t help either) He refuses to let us fix it. If he wears a hat all day it doesn’t stand up so much by the end of the day, but…
I thought it would be better before his little performance (and before our trip to Canada!) so I took the opportunity last night (no evening class) and cut it. This is what his hair looks like now.
Well, I don’t have much else to say for now. I’d really like to be reading a book right now. I have seen other teachers reading in the staff room here but I don’t feel very comfortable doing it. (Instead I spend my time surfing the internet- at least it looks like I am doing work?)
The countdown is own- 2 weeks till I’m back in Canada! I’m so excited!!!
That’s it for now!
xoxo
I don’t know what else he will be performing but he has dropped a few hints here and there. (singing some songs and doing what looks like the end of a dance.) Tomorrow should be interesting.
This week has also been a busy week but also I have been tired after getting Hiroki’s little present (after coughing in my face several times I did catch a little bit of a cold from him-it hasn’t been bad but I’ve been feeling worn down all week) I had 2 elementary school visits this week, and I used a lot of energy there. Evening classes. Then last night I decided it was time to give Hiroki a haircut-his hair has been getting longer and longer and bigger, too. It doesn’t look very good when he gets up in the morning after sleeping on it (going to bed when it’s wet doesn’t help either) He refuses to let us fix it. If he wears a hat all day it doesn’t stand up so much by the end of the day, but…
I thought it would be better before his little performance (and before our trip to Canada!) so I took the opportunity last night (no evening class) and cut it. This is what his hair looks like now.
Well, I don’t have much else to say for now. I’d really like to be reading a book right now. I have seen other teachers reading in the staff room here but I don’t feel very comfortable doing it. (Instead I spend my time surfing the internet- at least it looks like I am doing work?)
The countdown is own- 2 weeks till I’m back in Canada! I’m so excited!!!
That’s it for now!
xoxo
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
one week
Well, here I am again. I still feel so busy even though I practically didn’t work last week. Last Sunday, Hiroki had a fever which just got worse on Monday, so I took the morning off to take him to the doctor. Like I said before, going to the dr’s here is a pain because of the no appointment system. And there is no way of knowing when his dr will arrive at the office (although I really can’t complain, because I think that she never goes home or has holidays, she goes to her hospital on her time off and people go there if they have an emergency-like a high fever in the middle of the night, etc) We went early and wrote his name on a list and still we were number 15. Anyway, the dr didn’t arrive till late (around 11 ish) and so I ended up not being able to take him in to see her. She gave him medicine for a cold, enough for 3 days. I worked in the afternoon and then taught my evening class.
Tuesday was a regular day work-wise, I went to school then I taught my evening class. Hiroki stayed at home cause he still had a fever.
Wednesday I took the day off to go get my driver’s license renewed. The first time you get it renewed here you have to be there for a couple of hours to watch a video and listen to a lecture. I had also heard that you have to do some sort of group work activity thing that I was NOT AT ALL looking forward to. This was something on my list of things to do before going to Canada. It was a pain because I had to take 2 trains and a bus to get there, and I was worried about doing it all alone, too. Anyway, I didn’t have any problems and the video and lecture were so very obvious that even if I didn’t understand much Japanese I would have been able to do it. The video showed us that drinking and driving is bad, not wearing your seat belt properly is bad (still no law to wear seat belts in the back seat, tho!), don’t speed, don’t use a cell phone and drive, etc. Really dumb. The video was 20 min and the rest of the time we got lecture about the new point system and if we do something that makes us lose points blah blah blah. The man giving the lecture was, as my dad used to say, drier than a popcorn fart. He kept going over the same thing-be careful at crosswalks, look both ways at crosswalks, don’t run out from crosswalks, etc. When he finished I had an awful headache.
Anyway, in the afternoon I met my friend for lunch and we went shopping. Then I went home, made dinner and went to teach my evening class. Hiroki stayed home all day because he still had a bit of a fever.
Thursday was a national holiday here. We didn’t end up doing anything special. Hiroki was still under the weather a little, and it was a little cold and rainy. No evening class. Yay.
Friday I ended up taking the day off again as Thursday night Hiroki was coughing so much that neither of us got much sleep. We went to the dr again. After lunch I went and got my haircut while he was sleeping. At night I taught my evening class.
Saturday I can’t even remember what we did, I guess nothing special.
Sunday Hiroki and I went to the library in the morning, and on the way home we stopped to play on some slides, walked to a grocery store、did some shopping, walked to a toy store and had a look, managed to leave with no crying (and no toys), Walked about 2 kms, no problem for me but I was amazed that Hiroki could do it. Ate lunch and Hiroki had a nap. I made cookies, got some computer stuff done, felt very productive.
Tuesday was a regular day work-wise, I went to school then I taught my evening class. Hiroki stayed at home cause he still had a fever.
Wednesday I took the day off to go get my driver’s license renewed. The first time you get it renewed here you have to be there for a couple of hours to watch a video and listen to a lecture. I had also heard that you have to do some sort of group work activity thing that I was NOT AT ALL looking forward to. This was something on my list of things to do before going to Canada. It was a pain because I had to take 2 trains and a bus to get there, and I was worried about doing it all alone, too. Anyway, I didn’t have any problems and the video and lecture were so very obvious that even if I didn’t understand much Japanese I would have been able to do it. The video showed us that drinking and driving is bad, not wearing your seat belt properly is bad (still no law to wear seat belts in the back seat, tho!), don’t speed, don’t use a cell phone and drive, etc. Really dumb. The video was 20 min and the rest of the time we got lecture about the new point system and if we do something that makes us lose points blah blah blah. The man giving the lecture was, as my dad used to say, drier than a popcorn fart. He kept going over the same thing-be careful at crosswalks, look both ways at crosswalks, don’t run out from crosswalks, etc. When he finished I had an awful headache.
Anyway, in the afternoon I met my friend for lunch and we went shopping. Then I went home, made dinner and went to teach my evening class. Hiroki stayed home all day because he still had a bit of a fever.
Thursday was a national holiday here. We didn’t end up doing anything special. Hiroki was still under the weather a little, and it was a little cold and rainy. No evening class. Yay.
Friday I ended up taking the day off again as Thursday night Hiroki was coughing so much that neither of us got much sleep. We went to the dr again. After lunch I went and got my haircut while he was sleeping. At night I taught my evening class.
Saturday I can’t even remember what we did, I guess nothing special.
Sunday Hiroki and I went to the library in the morning, and on the way home we stopped to play on some slides, walked to a grocery store、did some shopping, walked to a toy store and had a look, managed to leave with no crying (and no toys), Walked about 2 kms, no problem for me but I was amazed that Hiroki could do it. Ate lunch and Hiroki had a nap. I made cookies, got some computer stuff done, felt very productive.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
....2
Oh boy-got some free time again today! Yay! So at the beginning of every English class in junior high school we sing English songs for whatever reason…pronunciation? Listening? I don’t know. We’ll sing the same song for a month. Usually we are pretty limited in our choice of songs as they can’t be difficult for the students. Last month it was Billy Joel’s Honesty for the grade 9s, which I thought was pretty hard to sing. I had also never really paid much attention to the lyrics before. Not one of my favourites. The grades sang a song called The Tide is High/I Get a Feeling or something like that. The Tide is High being the Blondie song. It was sung by Atomic Kitten? And with the grade 7s, it was another Atomic Kitten song-a remake of Eternal Flame. Last month’s songs weren’t really bad. The month before was Micky-a remake of the Toni Basil song by Bewitched? For the grade 9s, Bad Day by Daniel Powell? For the grade 8s, and very sadly, On Top of the World by (Retching sounds) The Carpenters. I really don’t like their music.
Anywhere, this month is Ob-la-di-Ob-la-da for most of the grade 7s, and A-Ha’s Take on Me for the other 2 grade 7 classes. I never knew the words to that song as I couldn’t understand what the man was saying in the really high parts, but the kids actually sing it. The grade 8s are singing some Backstreet Boys song – I’ll be the One-never heard of it. The Grade 9s are unfortunately singing We Built This City by Starship (more retching sounds)
Oh well. I am already making suggestions for the next month-probably Christmas songs, so I am suggesting that we NOT sing Mariah Carey. Oh well.
In other things that are happening here, there have been a lot of suicides lately. Mostly by kids who were being bullied in school. It’s so sad and I just can’t get it. I feel like every day there is a new suicide being reported on the news.
That’s it for now-gotta do some work.
Anywhere, this month is Ob-la-di-Ob-la-da for most of the grade 7s, and A-Ha’s Take on Me for the other 2 grade 7 classes. I never knew the words to that song as I couldn’t understand what the man was saying in the really high parts, but the kids actually sing it. The grade 8s are singing some Backstreet Boys song – I’ll be the One-never heard of it. The Grade 9s are unfortunately singing We Built This City by Starship (more retching sounds)
Oh well. I am already making suggestions for the next month-probably Christmas songs, so I am suggesting that we NOT sing Mariah Carey. Oh well.
In other things that are happening here, there have been a lot of suicides lately. Mostly by kids who were being bullied in school. It’s so sad and I just can’t get it. I feel like every day there is a new suicide being reported on the news.
That’s it for now-gotta do some work.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Back
Well, here I am again. I’ve been thinking of all of the things I have experienced lately and wanted to say. I was quite proud of myself a couple of weeks back as I went to the eye doctor by myself and did it all in Japanese. For the most part, I didn’t have any problems. My last eye doctor visit was when I lived in Canada, so it’s been a while.
Going to the eye doctor or even regular doctor here is quite different. First of all, there are NO appointments! It’s really inconvenient. Usually when you go, you have to plan on being there for at least a couple of hours to go through all of the steps. (reception-nurse-doctor-reception to get prescription-getting medicine) When I went to the eye doctor, I got there about 5 minutes before the office opened, about one hour before the doctor started meeting patients. I was number 17 (I had to take a number). Of to course I had to fill in a form (much of which I couldn’t read-had to get the receptionist’s help). Then I waited for about 30 minutes. Next they called my name-and then the nurses did different checks-the glaucoma one (puff of air in your eye),checked my contact lens fit, then checked my vision using the chart thingy, and then I got to do it all over again without my contacts. The thing that surprised me at first is that this was all done in front of all of the other patients that are waiting to see the dr. They don’t use an alphabet chart here, they use circles that are almost shut (it looks like a circle) and you have to say whether the opening is on the left, right, top or bottom. Okay, I can handle that (was nervous about mixing up left and right though). {For Hiroki, they gave him a C figure and he had to make it the same as what he could see.} Then waited again to see the dr. Got into see him and the nurse helping him decided that I needed help. They wanted me to put my head in the usual thing-chin on the bar, forehead on the other bar-got it, no problem. The doc was shining a light in my eyes to check them. The nurse is pushing my head into that machine saying, “Just for a little bit-you can do it” or something like that and I was just getting annoyed. My head automatically pushed back against her hand, so of course she just pushed harder. So I told her that I didn’t really need her to push my head and that I could do it all by myself (I had managed up to this point). Thankfully she backed off.
I was there to get new contacts and so I got the prescription for them and the nurse let me know that I would have to come back in 3 months to get the next prescription and get my eyes checked all over again. Huh? 3 months?! So I asked if it was possible to get more and she said, if I ask, the doc might let me have 6 months worth all together. But I would have to come back immediately after that or he wouldn’t want to give me another 6 months worth. I was really lucky, I guess, to get a whole 6 month supply of contacts! My one question is what do people who work do? It’s so difficult to get there and see a doc without waiting forever. Oh well.
The other thing I have been thinking is weird is when I was walking to the station a while ago to catch a train to work, I said good morning to the (retired) crossing guard who is almost always there, stopping cars to make sure kids can cross the street safely. He said something about the weather getting cooler. I couldn’t hear him well as I was listening to music, I asked him to repeat it and said something back to him. Then on the other side of the street, there was a man walking the same way I was going and he said to me, “You couldn’t understand that, could you?” “You don’t know Japanese, right?” which in itself I don’t find very strange, but he said all of it in Japanese so I was thinking hhmm?
Enough for now.
Going to the eye doctor or even regular doctor here is quite different. First of all, there are NO appointments! It’s really inconvenient. Usually when you go, you have to plan on being there for at least a couple of hours to go through all of the steps. (reception-nurse-doctor-reception to get prescription-getting medicine) When I went to the eye doctor, I got there about 5 minutes before the office opened, about one hour before the doctor started meeting patients. I was number 17 (I had to take a number). Of to course I had to fill in a form (much of which I couldn’t read-had to get the receptionist’s help). Then I waited for about 30 minutes. Next they called my name-and then the nurses did different checks-the glaucoma one (puff of air in your eye),checked my contact lens fit, then checked my vision using the chart thingy, and then I got to do it all over again without my contacts. The thing that surprised me at first is that this was all done in front of all of the other patients that are waiting to see the dr. They don’t use an alphabet chart here, they use circles that are almost shut (it looks like a circle) and you have to say whether the opening is on the left, right, top or bottom. Okay, I can handle that (was nervous about mixing up left and right though). {For Hiroki, they gave him a C figure and he had to make it the same as what he could see.} Then waited again to see the dr. Got into see him and the nurse helping him decided that I needed help. They wanted me to put my head in the usual thing-chin on the bar, forehead on the other bar-got it, no problem. The doc was shining a light in my eyes to check them. The nurse is pushing my head into that machine saying, “Just for a little bit-you can do it” or something like that and I was just getting annoyed. My head automatically pushed back against her hand, so of course she just pushed harder. So I told her that I didn’t really need her to push my head and that I could do it all by myself (I had managed up to this point). Thankfully she backed off.
I was there to get new contacts and so I got the prescription for them and the nurse let me know that I would have to come back in 3 months to get the next prescription and get my eyes checked all over again. Huh? 3 months?! So I asked if it was possible to get more and she said, if I ask, the doc might let me have 6 months worth all together. But I would have to come back immediately after that or he wouldn’t want to give me another 6 months worth. I was really lucky, I guess, to get a whole 6 month supply of contacts! My one question is what do people who work do? It’s so difficult to get there and see a doc without waiting forever. Oh well.
The other thing I have been thinking is weird is when I was walking to the station a while ago to catch a train to work, I said good morning to the (retired) crossing guard who is almost always there, stopping cars to make sure kids can cross the street safely. He said something about the weather getting cooler. I couldn’t hear him well as I was listening to music, I asked him to repeat it and said something back to him. Then on the other side of the street, there was a man walking the same way I was going and he said to me, “You couldn’t understand that, could you?” “You don’t know Japanese, right?” which in itself I don’t find very strange, but he said all of it in Japanese so I was thinking hhmm?
Enough for now.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
....
Okay, I have been neglecting you….I’m sorry. Things have been ridiculously busy here. At school (where I usually do this and where I am now) I have been doing a short conversation test with all of the grade eights. (5 classes of about 35 kids) It’s cutting into my computer time! It’s nice to get to talk to the kids on an individual basis, though. A lot of them surprise me and end up talking really well.
The other day (okay 2 or 3 weeks ago or more??) I finished my (stupid) speech thing I had to do. I am so glad that I went first as the other teachers still have to do theirs and I was sooooooo happy to be finished. I think that it went well. When I was talking to one of the other teachers about my topic-political correct language – he said something to the effect of how I’m going to be able to have a little rant at all of the things people say and do here (especially towards foreigners)….and to an extent he was right. So I was careful about my actual lecture, I didn’t really want to sound like I was complaining about Japanese people. I tried to be very lighthearted and I think that no one felt offended by anything. I was surprised by the level of English of the people who came to it, actually. Many of them spoke quite well. A lot of them got my jokes, too, which was cool. I didn’t really talk about a couple of things that do bother me-like the word foreigner and half. Coming from a different country I am a foreigner, I guess, but seeing as we don’t really use that word any more (at least in my experience) where I am from, I don’t like it very much. I think it’s different because we can’t tell by looking at someone who is from Canada and who isn’t. Also the half thing bothers me a bit, too. My son is half Japanese and half Caucasian, but it just sounds so weird as half (I used to always think of the King Solomon story when I heard that.)
I also didn’t mention the stupid questions we get asked a lot. The latest winner for me was something to the effect that I must see things differently because of the colour of my eyes being different. I was telling my MIL about this and she said something about kids not really knowing much and I told her that this came from a teacher. Hee hee. She was disgusted as I was. She was also disgusted by the teacher who was stating his disbelief a that white person could like mochi, or sticky rice cakes. He used an old fashioned word to express ‘white people’ and my MIL said something like she doesn’t know how some people become teachers.
ANYWAY!
I don’t want this to be an all negative post, so I’m going to stop with that talk. What else has been keeping me busy? I have been at elementary schools a lot lately, too, another thing that cuts into my computer time. Sometimes if I get a free period at the junior high I end up reading the internet instead of doing this blog as I just don’t have much energy. I shouldn’t read stuff on the internet because a lot of it is very negative.
The boy is good. Well, he is mostly good. He has been a little trying lately as he has very strong opinions as to what he wants to do (even when I don’t want him to) which makes for a lot of crying and screaming. (Mostly on his part;P) Lately this has manifested itself while he is sleeping as well. For the last couple of nights he has woken up screaming and crying that he wants something or that he wants to do it or that he wants to do it from the beginning. It’s very difficult to convince him that he is dreaming and it’s not happening now. (I tried the other night-It’s okay, Hiroki, you’re dreaming. Him yelling back-I’m not dreaming! So I tried again-look we’re sleeping, it’s dark. Him-I don’t like the dark! Put on a light! So I turn on a light and he screams –It’s too bright! It took a while to calm him down….)
I think I have to go get ready for class.
The other day (okay 2 or 3 weeks ago or more??) I finished my (stupid) speech thing I had to do. I am so glad that I went first as the other teachers still have to do theirs and I was sooooooo happy to be finished. I think that it went well. When I was talking to one of the other teachers about my topic-political correct language – he said something to the effect of how I’m going to be able to have a little rant at all of the things people say and do here (especially towards foreigners)….and to an extent he was right. So I was careful about my actual lecture, I didn’t really want to sound like I was complaining about Japanese people. I tried to be very lighthearted and I think that no one felt offended by anything. I was surprised by the level of English of the people who came to it, actually. Many of them spoke quite well. A lot of them got my jokes, too, which was cool. I didn’t really talk about a couple of things that do bother me-like the word foreigner and half. Coming from a different country I am a foreigner, I guess, but seeing as we don’t really use that word any more (at least in my experience) where I am from, I don’t like it very much. I think it’s different because we can’t tell by looking at someone who is from Canada and who isn’t. Also the half thing bothers me a bit, too. My son is half Japanese and half Caucasian, but it just sounds so weird as half (I used to always think of the King Solomon story when I heard that.)
I also didn’t mention the stupid questions we get asked a lot. The latest winner for me was something to the effect that I must see things differently because of the colour of my eyes being different. I was telling my MIL about this and she said something about kids not really knowing much and I told her that this came from a teacher. Hee hee. She was disgusted as I was. She was also disgusted by the teacher who was stating his disbelief a that white person could like mochi, or sticky rice cakes. He used an old fashioned word to express ‘white people’ and my MIL said something like she doesn’t know how some people become teachers.
ANYWAY!
I don’t want this to be an all negative post, so I’m going to stop with that talk. What else has been keeping me busy? I have been at elementary schools a lot lately, too, another thing that cuts into my computer time. Sometimes if I get a free period at the junior high I end up reading the internet instead of doing this blog as I just don’t have much energy. I shouldn’t read stuff on the internet because a lot of it is very negative.
The boy is good. Well, he is mostly good. He has been a little trying lately as he has very strong opinions as to what he wants to do (even when I don’t want him to) which makes for a lot of crying and screaming. (Mostly on his part;P) Lately this has manifested itself while he is sleeping as well. For the last couple of nights he has woken up screaming and crying that he wants something or that he wants to do it or that he wants to do it from the beginning. It’s very difficult to convince him that he is dreaming and it’s not happening now. (I tried the other night-It’s okay, Hiroki, you’re dreaming. Him yelling back-I’m not dreaming! So I tried again-look we’re sleeping, it’s dark. Him-I don’t like the dark! Put on a light! So I turn on a light and he screams –It’s too bright! It took a while to calm him down….)
I think I have to go get ready for class.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Whew and Woohoo!
Well, I know it has been so long (again) since I posted, but that’s how it goes.
I have been busy at school (going to elementary schools a couple of times a week) and also on the weekends. Going to elementary schools seriously cuts into my computer time as a lot of time I write these posts I am at school (like now). I don’t really have access or feel as free to use computers while I am there, so can’t get much done. Not that I am complaining, I am usually able to go home a little early. It has made my time at school rather high paced though.
Weekends have been busy because of the school activities-both Hiroki’s and my school. He had his undokai or Sports Day. This was his third one. He is getting to be an expert . This year was his first time running alone, though. He didn’t have to run far, but I don’ think he knew what was going on as he looked at the man who set off the starter pistol and ended up coming in last of his little group. He looked like he was having a great time-smiling all the way. Then he did a dance to a song called Banana Heaven, and then we had our little event together. I think I was more nervous than he was as I was worried that I wouldn’t really know what to do (although he had been telling me all along-I just wasn’t sure what it all meant.) The next day we went to Tokyo to meet a couple of my friends.
Then the following week was my school’s Bunkasai or I don’t know, it translates to Culture Day but it’s more of an Open House or Display Day type of thing. (What do we call that?) The display day was Saturday and the Sports Day was Sunday. It rained most of the day on Sunday but everyone thought that the rain was going to let up so we just kept on. Both of them were great to watch but I just can’t imagine it happening in Canada. The main event of the display day is the chorus contest; all of the homerooms compete against each other to give their best performance of a song that they (the homerooms) chose together. One person in each homeroom plays the piano and another person conducts the students. I think it wouldn’t work in Canada because I can’t see all of the kids listening to that one student who is conducting. All of the students pay close attention to their conductors and it just seems so amazing to me. Maybe I am just too cynical? I had to go to an elementary school on Monday (all of the teachers at my school were off) but Tuesday was a day off for me (and everyone else-I get another make up day off). Tuesday I went to a hot spring to meet someone I have ‘met’ on the computer but this was our first time meeting irl. It was funny because she said the same thing that I had been thinking-it was kind of odd to introduce ourselves to each other and then go into the locker room and get undressed to go into the spa. ‘Hi, how are you? Oh so that’s what you look like naked….’
Anyway.
Then this last weekend was a long weekend (yay!) and on Saturday I didn’t really have any plans, so I went to the new Uniqlo store that opened near my house. (Hence the woohoo in my title) There is really nothing around where I live, no place to buy clothes or even drugstore type of stuff. But finally, Uniqlo opened and I cycled there (it’s pretty close) so it was great! I like their clothes because a)I can fit into them b)they aren’t too fugly and c) I can fit into them! Plus they tend to be on the cheap side-bonus!
Yesterday, the 3 of us (DH, DS, and me) went to couple of different places. In the morning we went to an ice cream making factory. I was surprised when we first went there because they said we had to be out of there within 40 minutes. I couldn’t understand. Then when I got to the place where there were 4 or 5 different freezers full of ice cream that we could eat for free, I got it-that’s why we had to leave. The ice cream was all free (but only so-so). Then we went to a whisky making factory and took a tour. We saw lots of different things and there were lots of explanations that I didn’t really get (not listening carefully enough/too many new words?) At the end of the tour we went to a room and had free drinks (whisky, orange juice, water and green tea- all made by the same company) and snacks while they explained very thoroughly why we might want to buy each product. It was all interesting, anyway.
Gotta go (time for class!)
I have been busy at school (going to elementary schools a couple of times a week) and also on the weekends. Going to elementary schools seriously cuts into my computer time as a lot of time I write these posts I am at school (like now). I don’t really have access or feel as free to use computers while I am there, so can’t get much done. Not that I am complaining, I am usually able to go home a little early. It has made my time at school rather high paced though.
Weekends have been busy because of the school activities-both Hiroki’s and my school. He had his undokai or Sports Day. This was his third one. He is getting to be an expert . This year was his first time running alone, though. He didn’t have to run far, but I don’ think he knew what was going on as he looked at the man who set off the starter pistol and ended up coming in last of his little group. He looked like he was having a great time-smiling all the way. Then he did a dance to a song called Banana Heaven, and then we had our little event together. I think I was more nervous than he was as I was worried that I wouldn’t really know what to do (although he had been telling me all along-I just wasn’t sure what it all meant.) The next day we went to Tokyo to meet a couple of my friends.
Then the following week was my school’s Bunkasai or I don’t know, it translates to Culture Day but it’s more of an Open House or Display Day type of thing. (What do we call that?) The display day was Saturday and the Sports Day was Sunday. It rained most of the day on Sunday but everyone thought that the rain was going to let up so we just kept on. Both of them were great to watch but I just can’t imagine it happening in Canada. The main event of the display day is the chorus contest; all of the homerooms compete against each other to give their best performance of a song that they (the homerooms) chose together. One person in each homeroom plays the piano and another person conducts the students. I think it wouldn’t work in Canada because I can’t see all of the kids listening to that one student who is conducting. All of the students pay close attention to their conductors and it just seems so amazing to me. Maybe I am just too cynical? I had to go to an elementary school on Monday (all of the teachers at my school were off) but Tuesday was a day off for me (and everyone else-I get another make up day off). Tuesday I went to a hot spring to meet someone I have ‘met’ on the computer but this was our first time meeting irl. It was funny because she said the same thing that I had been thinking-it was kind of odd to introduce ourselves to each other and then go into the locker room and get undressed to go into the spa. ‘Hi, how are you? Oh so that’s what you look like naked….’
Anyway.
Then this last weekend was a long weekend (yay!) and on Saturday I didn’t really have any plans, so I went to the new Uniqlo store that opened near my house. (Hence the woohoo in my title) There is really nothing around where I live, no place to buy clothes or even drugstore type of stuff. But finally, Uniqlo opened and I cycled there (it’s pretty close) so it was great! I like their clothes because a)I can fit into them b)they aren’t too fugly and c) I can fit into them! Plus they tend to be on the cheap side-bonus!
Yesterday, the 3 of us (DH, DS, and me) went to couple of different places. In the morning we went to an ice cream making factory. I was surprised when we first went there because they said we had to be out of there within 40 minutes. I couldn’t understand. Then when I got to the place where there were 4 or 5 different freezers full of ice cream that we could eat for free, I got it-that’s why we had to leave. The ice cream was all free (but only so-so). Then we went to a whisky making factory and took a tour. We saw lots of different things and there were lots of explanations that I didn’t really get (not listening carefully enough/too many new words?) At the end of the tour we went to a room and had free drinks (whisky, orange juice, water and green tea- all made by the same company) and snacks while they explained very thoroughly why we might want to buy each product. It was all interesting, anyway.
Gotta go (time for class!)
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
last week 2
Last week I went to my cooking class and made pasta. It was tasty. But I have to say that I was really surprised while I was there.
So when we go to the cooking class, we get ready and then wait for the teacher at a place around the island that we are going to be cooking at. Since there’s a max of 5 students, we can all fit. Basically we stand in front of one of the cutting boards and knives. Then the teacher explains what we are going to be cooking and how to cut up the ingredients etc. Well, the teacher was stuttering a little bit and acting a little funny, so some of the other people in the class (who had met her before) were asking what had happened to her. She replied that she was nervous and she didn’t say it directly but it was because I was there. (She said something about not being able to speak English) I was so surprised because for one, I had never asked or expected anyone there to speak English to me. And she had asked at the beginning of class if I could understand Japanese. Actually, I felt really hurt by it. I guess it underscored the point that I will always be different, and not really accepted. I’m quite sure that she didn’t mean anything bad by it and I don’t think she meant for me to feel bad, but I really did. It turns out that she is a friend of one of my friends, so I really don’t think she knew how bad it made me feel.
My next cooking class isn’t for a while as I have Hiroki’s sports day and the school’s sports day coming up. Feeling really busy!!!
So when we go to the cooking class, we get ready and then wait for the teacher at a place around the island that we are going to be cooking at. Since there’s a max of 5 students, we can all fit. Basically we stand in front of one of the cutting boards and knives. Then the teacher explains what we are going to be cooking and how to cut up the ingredients etc. Well, the teacher was stuttering a little bit and acting a little funny, so some of the other people in the class (who had met her before) were asking what had happened to her. She replied that she was nervous and she didn’t say it directly but it was because I was there. (She said something about not being able to speak English) I was so surprised because for one, I had never asked or expected anyone there to speak English to me. And she had asked at the beginning of class if I could understand Japanese. Actually, I felt really hurt by it. I guess it underscored the point that I will always be different, and not really accepted. I’m quite sure that she didn’t mean anything bad by it and I don’t think she meant for me to feel bad, but I really did. It turns out that she is a friend of one of my friends, so I really don’t think she knew how bad it made me feel.
My next cooking class isn’t for a while as I have Hiroki’s sports day and the school’s sports day coming up. Feeling really busy!!!
last week's post
Yup, at work again. I have been really busy lately-therefore slack at updating. The kids at school are really busy-they have their sports day and culture/display/choir contest day coming up and so every spare moment the kids have is spent practicing for these big events. On top of all of that practicing, 9 students also had to practice for the English Speech contest which was held yesterday. (have I mentioned before how boring speech contests are?) My students did well, everyone finished their speeches. Some of the students give a speech and suddenly look up at the audience and freeze, forgetting their speeches and running through the whole speech in their mind to try and find the spot where they stopped. I feel really bad for them. I think anyone who participates in these contests do really well just getting up and speaking in another language in front of many people. I don’t think that I could have done it at their age. But the contest is extremely boring for me, and not many parents come to watch because a lot of them can’t understand the speeches.
I have been feeling very happy this week as I have finally decided to take my extremely generous parents up on their offer of flying me (and of course the little man) back to Canada. All I can say is I CAN’T WAIT!!! It’s been so long. (That and of course THANK YOU to my parents.
I have to go video my students who are doing a play in English for display day-I think next week should be a little calmer!
I have been feeling very happy this week as I have finally decided to take my extremely generous parents up on their offer of flying me (and of course the little man) back to Canada. All I can say is I CAN’T WAIT!!! It’s been so long. (That and of course THANK YOU to my parents.
I have to go video my students who are doing a play in English for display day-I think next week should be a little calmer!
Friday, September 08, 2006
PC or not to PC?
I am at school again, I love my ipod shuffle. I looks so busy typing hee hee. So yesterday at our ALT meeting, a person from the International Association came to speak with us. (He can actually speak English-one of the few who can) He had told us before summer vacation that he wanted us to teach a conversation style of class to the citizens of this fine city I work for. We were supposed to decide what we wanted to teach them and we had to decide by a certain day. So the way this works is that we all have to teach once, and since there are 7 of us, it takes 7 weeks to finish. I thought that I would take the first spot and do introductions: self-intros, ice-breakers, that type of thing. (Supposed to be a maximum of 20 students) This whole teaching thing is supposed to take place of our ‘Relay Lecture’ where we each had to do a speech for an hour to an hour and a half. None of us like to do it, and last year the Association leader (who couldn’t speak English) told us that we wouldn’t have to do another lecture. (He asked us for other ideas of things we wanted to do for ‘the citizens’—ya, nothing springs to mind :P)
Anyway, yesterday Mr._________ comes in and asks for our topics. I was just getting ready to write my topic when he adds that, by the way, he had a talk with his boss and his boss didn’t want to do it that way- he wants us to do the lecture thing instead. Oh and could we please write down or topics today. Uhhh, sure. I am not sure why Mr. ____ didn’t think that we needed that info before deciding our topic. *deep breath*
Well, I think I’m going to do politically correct language, what to say and what not to say. I expect the students to do a lot of talking because I’m not doing a lecture. I was thinking of getting them to introduce themselves to each other first and then go over some politically correct language and then getting them to re-introduce themselves. In Japan people will say their age when they introduce themselves, so I am hoping that they will realize the culture difference.
Must go and get ready-parents coming to watch the next class!
Edited to add-if you have any fabulous ideas about what to do with these people, I would love to hear them!
Anyway, yesterday Mr._________ comes in and asks for our topics. I was just getting ready to write my topic when he adds that, by the way, he had a talk with his boss and his boss didn’t want to do it that way- he wants us to do the lecture thing instead. Oh and could we please write down or topics today. Uhhh, sure. I am not sure why Mr. ____ didn’t think that we needed that info before deciding our topic. *deep breath*
Well, I think I’m going to do politically correct language, what to say and what not to say. I expect the students to do a lot of talking because I’m not doing a lecture. I was thinking of getting them to introduce themselves to each other first and then go over some politically correct language and then getting them to re-introduce themselves. In Japan people will say their age when they introduce themselves, so I am hoping that they will realize the culture difference.
Must go and get ready-parents coming to watch the next class!
Edited to add-if you have any fabulous ideas about what to do with these people, I would love to hear them!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Not terribly impressed
Monday morning, got up early to exercise a little. Woke up Hiroki (like I always do) at 6:30 so we could be together a little before I left around 7:00. This is usual. He was not happy with me waking him up and he kept saying that he didn’t want to go to daycare, so what should we do (and on and on) I had to go, so when we were saying goodbye he started crying and calling me saying he wanted me to hold him (and he wouldn’t let go of my hand) I felt so bad but I had to go catch my train (had to run, actually). I also (foolishly) called to check that he was okay and then he started saying that he wants to be with me and where am I and when am I coming home, etc. He started crying again Then I came to school and found out that at least 2 out of 3 of my classes are cancelled due to tests. I feel like it’s such a waste to be here when I could be spending time with him (but at least I get paid for being here) Poor guy. I know that he will be alright after he gets to daycare and starts playing with the other kids but it’s pretty hard to listen to him crying on the phone.
We had a good weekend, anyway. Hubby came home on Friday night and Hiroki was very happy to see him. They spent a little time together (very little as hubby has deadlines coming up) Yesterday Hiroki and I went to the library and got some books that he was very happy with. (I did, too) I was so surprised at the library- we have a limit of 3 cds/dvds. I found 2 cds that I wanted to take out and Hiroki found 2 dvds that he wanted. I told him we only were allowed 3, and I was thinking about which one I should put back (and am I going to remember where it is next time-can’t read the artist’s names very well, often pressed for time when I am looking for cds as Hiroki’s always saying that he wants to go and play with the toys in the library, etc) when Hiroki says that he will put one of his back. Wow! I was so impressed!
While we were at the library, I found a short story book that I had only read 1/2 of and wanted to finish so I was happy to see that again. In one of the stories there was a thought/idea that I liked. (The story was okay.) The main character in the story (I have to look up the name and the author) thought that there were 2 kinds of people in the world-Order people and Chaos people. It went on to say that the Japanese were Order people and they knew it (definitely!), the Americans (I assume he means North Americans) and the English are Chaos people who think they are Order people (again, I would have to agree.) and the French were the worst because they were Order people who thought they were Chaos people (no real first hand experience with that culture so ?) but I really liked that part of the story. I guess because I am still learning about the Order people here (there is sooo much to learn!)
The last week of summer vacation I took Hiroki to see a concert-it’s called Mommy and me. (my translation-the direct translation would be Together with Mommy) It’s a popular tv show that has a lot of songs and some weird looking monster type of characters (lots of weird looking characters in Japan) Anyway, Hiroki likes it a lot and I thought he would be happy to see it. (Maybe I wrote about getting tickets and how difficult that was?-we could only phone a special number 1 time from each phone line-we phoned from home, cell phone and hubby’s cell phone. My friend also phoned from her house, cell phone, and she got her friends to call. It’ s a lottery. Anyway, we won the right to buy tickets from only one of these phone calls!) We had really good seats, we were in the 16th row, right up front. Pretty good, especially when you consider that all of the tickets are the same price. He really enjoyed the concert although he was too shy to get up and dance. We had a great time.
Anyway, that’s it for now, I think.
We had a good weekend, anyway. Hubby came home on Friday night and Hiroki was very happy to see him. They spent a little time together (very little as hubby has deadlines coming up) Yesterday Hiroki and I went to the library and got some books that he was very happy with. (I did, too) I was so surprised at the library- we have a limit of 3 cds/dvds. I found 2 cds that I wanted to take out and Hiroki found 2 dvds that he wanted. I told him we only were allowed 3, and I was thinking about which one I should put back (and am I going to remember where it is next time-can’t read the artist’s names very well, often pressed for time when I am looking for cds as Hiroki’s always saying that he wants to go and play with the toys in the library, etc) when Hiroki says that he will put one of his back. Wow! I was so impressed!
While we were at the library, I found a short story book that I had only read 1/2 of and wanted to finish so I was happy to see that again. In one of the stories there was a thought/idea that I liked. (The story was okay.) The main character in the story (I have to look up the name and the author) thought that there were 2 kinds of people in the world-Order people and Chaos people. It went on to say that the Japanese were Order people and they knew it (definitely!), the Americans (I assume he means North Americans) and the English are Chaos people who think they are Order people (again, I would have to agree.) and the French were the worst because they were Order people who thought they were Chaos people (no real first hand experience with that culture so ?) but I really liked that part of the story. I guess because I am still learning about the Order people here (there is sooo much to learn!)
The last week of summer vacation I took Hiroki to see a concert-it’s called Mommy and me. (my translation-the direct translation would be Together with Mommy) It’s a popular tv show that has a lot of songs and some weird looking monster type of characters (lots of weird looking characters in Japan) Anyway, Hiroki likes it a lot and I thought he would be happy to see it. (Maybe I wrote about getting tickets and how difficult that was?-we could only phone a special number 1 time from each phone line-we phoned from home, cell phone and hubby’s cell phone. My friend also phoned from her house, cell phone, and she got her friends to call. It’ s a lottery. Anyway, we won the right to buy tickets from only one of these phone calls!) We had really good seats, we were in the 16th row, right up front. Pretty good, especially when you consider that all of the tickets are the same price. He really enjoyed the concert although he was too shy to get up and dance. We had a great time.
Anyway, that’s it for now, I think.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Sadly
I am sitting at school typing this…I am so unhappy that vacation is over. I know I am lucky to get such a long vacation (especially in this country!) but it feckin sucks that it’s over. (whine whine whine)
I’m feeling quite busy already. I have school, then my evening classes, cooking classes, and a bunch of other things to do this month. I was asked to do a speech about (?) in Japanese for a group of people who belong to International group of the town I live in. It’s for an hour to an hour and a half. Let me say again, in Japanese! I can’t really say no as the person who is running that committee has asked my husband’s uncle to ask me. (I’m not that good at saying no in the first place.) It’s scheduled for the 30th of September. I guess I should look at it more positively and think of it as a good chance to study. When I came to school, though, I realized that I have to be at school that day for the Culture Festival. Now I have to try and get in touch with the person running it and tell her that I can’t do it. I have a feeling that she’s not going to be very happy with me, but work is work. (We also have school the next day, Sunday, too, so I am really feeling busy.)
And then there’s another day in October that I have to teach/lecture citizens of this area for an hour. I’m very happy that it’s a one time thing. (And it’s in English!)
I am sure that the little guy wasn’t happy to be going back to daycare today. I sent him one day last week as I had to teach and do teaching like things all day. He cried when we got there and cried when he saw the teacher and the other kids. I felt so bad for him. I really wanted to cry myself. When I left this morning he was saying that he wanted to be with me and he didn’t want to go to daycare. What can I say-I didn’t want to come to school either. Oh well.
Before this ends up being another negative post, I enjoyed my summer and spending time with Hiroki. He spent lots of time with his cousins, and lots of time watching Tom and Jerry. It’s funny that he likes it so much.
I also tried making a few new things. One was pumpkin pudding (we were given a lot of pumpkin/squash). It was good and not too labour intensive.
Plus the cooking classes, I am glad that I signed up for them. It’s nice to be learning something (double for me-language and cooking) and nice to go there and meet new people. I am looking forward to doing more. The good thing is that I can sign up for a class whenever I want to, it’s not a set time every week. I can also choose the menu for the cooking part but the bread is in a special order.
So that’s fun, too.
Well, should go now, I’ve got to teach the next class.
Edited to add-I just got off the phone with MIL. She said that Hiroki was fine until he got to the daycare and as he got closer and closer, he started to cry. Poor little guy. He was crying about wanting me and saying he wanted to phone me. The only way my MIL could leave was to get the teacher to hold him. I hope he gets used to going back again.
I’m feeling quite busy already. I have school, then my evening classes, cooking classes, and a bunch of other things to do this month. I was asked to do a speech about (?) in Japanese for a group of people who belong to International group of the town I live in. It’s for an hour to an hour and a half. Let me say again, in Japanese! I can’t really say no as the person who is running that committee has asked my husband’s uncle to ask me. (I’m not that good at saying no in the first place.) It’s scheduled for the 30th of September. I guess I should look at it more positively and think of it as a good chance to study. When I came to school, though, I realized that I have to be at school that day for the Culture Festival. Now I have to try and get in touch with the person running it and tell her that I can’t do it. I have a feeling that she’s not going to be very happy with me, but work is work. (We also have school the next day, Sunday, too, so I am really feeling busy.)
And then there’s another day in October that I have to teach/lecture citizens of this area for an hour. I’m very happy that it’s a one time thing. (And it’s in English!)
I am sure that the little guy wasn’t happy to be going back to daycare today. I sent him one day last week as I had to teach and do teaching like things all day. He cried when we got there and cried when he saw the teacher and the other kids. I felt so bad for him. I really wanted to cry myself. When I left this morning he was saying that he wanted to be with me and he didn’t want to go to daycare. What can I say-I didn’t want to come to school either. Oh well.
Before this ends up being another negative post, I enjoyed my summer and spending time with Hiroki. He spent lots of time with his cousins, and lots of time watching Tom and Jerry. It’s funny that he likes it so much.
I also tried making a few new things. One was pumpkin pudding (we were given a lot of pumpkin/squash). It was good and not too labour intensive.
Plus the cooking classes, I am glad that I signed up for them. It’s nice to be learning something (double for me-language and cooking) and nice to go there and meet new people. I am looking forward to doing more. The good thing is that I can sign up for a class whenever I want to, it’s not a set time every week. I can also choose the menu for the cooking part but the bread is in a special order.
So that’s fun, too.
Well, should go now, I’ve got to teach the next class.
Edited to add-I just got off the phone with MIL. She said that Hiroki was fine until he got to the daycare and as he got closer and closer, he started to cry. Poor little guy. He was crying about wanting me and saying he wanted to phone me. The only way my MIL could leave was to get the teacher to hold him. I hope he gets used to going back again.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
how ironic
| You Are a Learning Cook |
 You've got the makings of an excellent cook, and the desire to be one. But right now, you're just lacking the experience. You couldn't be a top chef yet, but you could be an apprentice. |
I got this from Granny's blog. It's pretty funny cause I just signed up for cooking classes. My less than tactful hubby has told me (many times!) that I need cooking lessons and therefore I will be taking cooking lessons and learning how to make different types of bread from scratch. Actually, I'm quite looking forward to it-new recipes are always handy!
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
new do?
This is me after my haircut-not sure if it's a new do or not as I seem to have had this cut before
Monday, August 14, 2006
stupid girl
Well, I did it again...I went and got another haircut. This time I went to another shop around my house. (There was a typhoon supposed to be coming so I didn't want to go too far away) I guess I'd say I'm satisified with it- I don't love it but I don't hate it either (how's that for positive thinking?) I was sick of always tying my hair back and wanted to get a style that's more conducive to my, ummm, hair that goes all weird no matter what I do, so I got it cut shorter and a bit more layered. So far only one person has mentioned it, so I don't know if no one else has noticed or everyone thinks it looks weird or what. The hairdresser was very meticulous, I started panicking once and got myself to breathe by telling myself it's only hair, it will grow back. I am so lame.
But the stupid part is to follow. We all (MIL included) went to a hotel on the beach for one night for our summer trip. It was nice to get away. We basically spent 2 days on the beach, under a parasol, of course. I wasn't extremely good at applying sunscreen on my feet and back and boy oh boy do I ever regret it! My feet got really red and were really painful for a couple of days afterward, but my back-man! I am still in pain (well, only when something touches it-like my shirt, the wind, whatever) Luckily before we went, I bought something called a rashguard (I am not sure if it's correct or not, just guessing from the Japanese pronunciation) for Hiroki and so he had no sun problems whatsoever. Here he is
But the stupid part is to follow. We all (MIL included) went to a hotel on the beach for one night for our summer trip. It was nice to get away. We basically spent 2 days on the beach, under a parasol, of course. I wasn't extremely good at applying sunscreen on my feet and back and boy oh boy do I ever regret it! My feet got really red and were really painful for a couple of days afterward, but my back-man! I am still in pain (well, only when something touches it-like my shirt, the wind, whatever) Luckily before we went, I bought something called a rashguard (I am not sure if it's correct or not, just guessing from the Japanese pronunciation) for Hiroki and so he had no sun problems whatsoever. Here he is
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
C's list
Hi Sheri, I finally had a chance to sit down and come up with a list. It's not as good as yours, but it's late... Please feel free to delete this post as I'm not sure if you wanted it as a comment or as a post.
Sheri's request - C is for Caro!
In no particular order, my top ten "C"s for the evening...
1. Crafts - I love cross stitching and making cards. Even though I'm not that great, it makes me feel a bit creative and lets me use a different side of my brain. I'm hoping by the time Ella needs Halloween costumes, I'll be up to the challenge!!
2. Cute - this word is the first one which comes to mind when I see my daughter. She is my little cherub and it's hard to keep my eyes and camera off of her! She is so amazing - I find everything about her cute. Can you believe that I actually heard myself calling my husband over to admire her cute little turd one day? Hmmm, maybe I need to get out in public more...
3. Cat - this one's easy - our crazy cat is a definite member of our household. He's not sweet like Lizzie, but he sure has a great deal of character!
4. Comments - I love looking on Miss Ella's blog and finding a comment from someone. It lets me know that people are enjoying the pictures etc. I had to also install a counter to make sure I wasn't just posting for my own enjoyment!
5. Computer - without this invention, I probably would have lost track of Sheri and Danielle years ago. Both are army brats who were in my life physically for a short time long ago, but have been able to remain close even across oceans and countries. It's hard to believe that Sheri left Calgary in 1986 I believe. That's 20 years ago. Holy crap!!! We're old!!!
6. Cheerful - I try as hard as I can to be this way because I hope that if I'm pleasant to someone it might make their day a little less nasty. Although, my husband may disagree that I'm cheerful... Hmmm, he gets me at home... I try though!!!
7. Cherish - I don't think I knew what this word really meant until I had my daughter. It's hard to believe how much joy she has brought to me, my David, my parents and friends. I cherish all my moments with her. I have been so lucky to have this first year of her life away from work.
8. Cuddles - I love when my little girl snuggles up and cuddles with me when she goes for a little nap. Can't wait until she's older and we can cuddle together on the couch and watch some silly cartoons.
9. Cool sheets - mmm - it's been a hot summer so far in Calgary. Not anywhere near as hot in Japan I'm sure, but it's been fairly warm here. We decided to bite the bullet this year and get Central Air Conditioning. I can't believe how much we love it. Instead of our bedroom being 29 degrees Celsius when we go to bed, it's a lovely cool 22... Don't worry, we got the environmentally friendly A/C. I know, it's still evil, but at least we don't go all batty because we haven't had a decent sleep in weeks! Besides, I have a hybrid car - that has to count for something right?
10. Calm - Everytime I turn on the news, I am reminded how lucky I am to live in a country like Canada in Calgary in a quiet suburb at the top of a cul-de-sac. How nice it is to fall asleep to the sound of frogs ribbitting at night and then waking up to the sound of birds in the morning. I doubt I would have a beautiful list like this to share if I lived in a different part of the world.
Sheri's request - C is for Caro!
In no particular order, my top ten "C"s for the evening...
1. Crafts - I love cross stitching and making cards. Even though I'm not that great, it makes me feel a bit creative and lets me use a different side of my brain. I'm hoping by the time Ella needs Halloween costumes, I'll be up to the challenge!!
2. Cute - this word is the first one which comes to mind when I see my daughter. She is my little cherub and it's hard to keep my eyes and camera off of her! She is so amazing - I find everything about her cute. Can you believe that I actually heard myself calling my husband over to admire her cute little turd one day? Hmmm, maybe I need to get out in public more...
3. Cat - this one's easy - our crazy cat is a definite member of our household. He's not sweet like Lizzie, but he sure has a great deal of character!
4. Comments - I love looking on Miss Ella's blog and finding a comment from someone. It lets me know that people are enjoying the pictures etc. I had to also install a counter to make sure I wasn't just posting for my own enjoyment!
5. Computer - without this invention, I probably would have lost track of Sheri and Danielle years ago. Both are army brats who were in my life physically for a short time long ago, but have been able to remain close even across oceans and countries. It's hard to believe that Sheri left Calgary in 1986 I believe. That's 20 years ago. Holy crap!!! We're old!!!
6. Cheerful - I try as hard as I can to be this way because I hope that if I'm pleasant to someone it might make their day a little less nasty. Although, my husband may disagree that I'm cheerful... Hmmm, he gets me at home... I try though!!!
7. Cherish - I don't think I knew what this word really meant until I had my daughter. It's hard to believe how much joy she has brought to me, my David, my parents and friends. I cherish all my moments with her. I have been so lucky to have this first year of her life away from work.
8. Cuddles - I love when my little girl snuggles up and cuddles with me when she goes for a little nap. Can't wait until she's older and we can cuddle together on the couch and watch some silly cartoons.
9. Cool sheets - mmm - it's been a hot summer so far in Calgary. Not anywhere near as hot in Japan I'm sure, but it's been fairly warm here. We decided to bite the bullet this year and get Central Air Conditioning. I can't believe how much we love it. Instead of our bedroom being 29 degrees Celsius when we go to bed, it's a lovely cool 22... Don't worry, we got the environmentally friendly A/C. I know, it's still evil, but at least we don't go all batty because we haven't had a decent sleep in weeks! Besides, I have a hybrid car - that has to count for something right?
10. Calm - Everytime I turn on the news, I am reminded how lucky I am to live in a country like Canada in Calgary in a quiet suburb at the top of a cul-de-sac. How nice it is to fall asleep to the sound of frogs ribbitting at night and then waking up to the sound of birds in the morning. I doubt I would have a beautiful list like this to share if I lived in a different part of the world.
Monday, July 24, 2006
hee hee
I am at work again, killing time until I can go home…Good attitude, eh? But I am very happy that my shuffle can be used as a memory stick and therefore I can do this at work-doing what I want to do while looking busy-bonus!
There are no students at the school today, and I think tomorrow, too, but summer vacation doesn’t start until Wednesday, so here I am. I am feeling a little sick to my stomach as I had a medical check up today and therefore couldn’t eat this morning. I guess missing breakfast threw me off or something. All of the city employees can get a medical check this week. What you get checked depends on your age-the younger you are, the less you get checked. I just had to give a urine sample, got my blood pressure measured, some sort of heart check, and a blood test. As you get older, you also get to drink barium and have some sort of stomach check (as well as give a stool sample), and I think there’s a hearing test, too.
The urine sample here is different in that you have to do it at home and bring it with you, so you can imagine the cup thing doesn’t work well. But they give you a cup and a little bottle, so you pee in the cup and then squeeze the bottle to get it filled up. (Too much information?)
The heart check was a totally new experience for me when I started working here (this was my third one). First, the women get checked in a separate room than the men. Women go in this little room and have to take off pantyhose or long socks if they are wearing them. I don’t know if you’re supposed to take off your bra or not, the nurse type of person said if you can just lift it out of the way, it’s not a problem. Then, when it’s your turn, you go behind the partition and they hook up your ankles and wrists to some sort of machine, and then put some type of suction cup type things around your heart. I think I was lying there for about a minute? Easy.
The blood test is the usual. Every year I get the results back and it says that I don’t have enough neutral fat in my blood? In my body? I haven’t figured out what exactly that means. Apparently it comes from not eating enough meat or something like that. I’m wondering if it will be different this year as this is the first year that I have had it since I stopped breastfeeding. (Again, too much info?) No idea if there is a correlation or not. I guess I will find out.
Anyway, enough for now, I guess. I need something to write about tomorrow!
There are no students at the school today, and I think tomorrow, too, but summer vacation doesn’t start until Wednesday, so here I am. I am feeling a little sick to my stomach as I had a medical check up today and therefore couldn’t eat this morning. I guess missing breakfast threw me off or something. All of the city employees can get a medical check this week. What you get checked depends on your age-the younger you are, the less you get checked. I just had to give a urine sample, got my blood pressure measured, some sort of heart check, and a blood test. As you get older, you also get to drink barium and have some sort of stomach check (as well as give a stool sample), and I think there’s a hearing test, too.
The urine sample here is different in that you have to do it at home and bring it with you, so you can imagine the cup thing doesn’t work well. But they give you a cup and a little bottle, so you pee in the cup and then squeeze the bottle to get it filled up. (Too much information?)
The heart check was a totally new experience for me when I started working here (this was my third one). First, the women get checked in a separate room than the men. Women go in this little room and have to take off pantyhose or long socks if they are wearing them. I don’t know if you’re supposed to take off your bra or not, the nurse type of person said if you can just lift it out of the way, it’s not a problem. Then, when it’s your turn, you go behind the partition and they hook up your ankles and wrists to some sort of machine, and then put some type of suction cup type things around your heart. I think I was lying there for about a minute? Easy.
The blood test is the usual. Every year I get the results back and it says that I don’t have enough neutral fat in my blood? In my body? I haven’t figured out what exactly that means. Apparently it comes from not eating enough meat or something like that. I’m wondering if it will be different this year as this is the first year that I have had it since I stopped breastfeeding. (Again, too much info?) No idea if there is a correlation or not. I guess I will find out.
Anyway, enough for now, I guess. I need something to write about tomorrow!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
tagged
Well, I’ve been meaning to write this for a while. I‘m at school, using the principal’s computer. I am going to (hopefully-I haven’t tried yet) use my i-pod shuffle as a memory type of device to save this and take it home. {I just tried saving it, I think it works!}
Well, I was tagged quite a while ago by Jazz) to come up with 10 words starting with the letter S, here’s my list.
1)My sweet son and his smile – can make my day so much nicer and will instantly put me in a good mood.
2) Songs –good thing I like music so much because I constantly have songs going through my head, sometimes simultaneously {like last week- Patsy Cline’s I Fall to Pieces and Evanescance’s (sp?) Bring Me to Life} Also, because whatever songs we sing in English class tend to stick, lots of 70s songs lately- Joy to the World (3Dog Night), Saturday Night (Bay City Rollers), Sky High (Jigsaw), and We are the Champions (Queen). It’s umm interesting.
3) Stories-what would life be without books and the stories in them? Also, I think the fact that everyone has a story is interesting.
4) Summer days and the cold food we get to eat because it’s too hot to cook-potato salad, devil’s eggs, cold noodles, tofu, fresh veggies, mmmmmm
5) Simple-as in a simple life, I enjoy simple things right now-going to the library, listening to music, using the computer…
6）Spelling and words-I have always been interested in words and their origins, and I’m getting more interested in word games and puzzles (to keep up my English!). Also, spelling mistakes here are one of my little amusements (“beerz”, the sign on the door that says “close”, and let’s not forget “flesh fruit”- more here)
7) Sleep – because everything looks better in the morning, especially after a good, long sleeep
8) Sentiment- I find myself more and more feeling nostalgic about things I would never have expected to feel nostalgic about-things from Canada as well as things in Japan. Also sentimental movies-I cry now (never did before)
9)Satisifaction-because who doesn’t like to feel satisfied?
10) Serendipity-can’t say that I have had many serendipitous things happen in my life but I like the idea as well as the sound of the word
I want to tag Caro and Lori. C for Caro, L for Lori. Wanna play?
Well, I was tagged quite a while ago by Jazz) to come up with 10 words starting with the letter S, here’s my list.
1)My sweet son and his smile – can make my day so much nicer and will instantly put me in a good mood.
2) Songs –good thing I like music so much because I constantly have songs going through my head, sometimes simultaneously {like last week- Patsy Cline’s I Fall to Pieces and Evanescance’s (sp?) Bring Me to Life} Also, because whatever songs we sing in English class tend to stick, lots of 70s songs lately- Joy to the World (3Dog Night), Saturday Night (Bay City Rollers), Sky High (Jigsaw), and We are the Champions (Queen). It’s umm interesting.
3) Stories-what would life be without books and the stories in them? Also, I think the fact that everyone has a story is interesting.
4) Summer days and the cold food we get to eat because it’s too hot to cook-potato salad, devil’s eggs, cold noodles, tofu, fresh veggies, mmmmmm
5) Simple-as in a simple life, I enjoy simple things right now-going to the library, listening to music, using the computer…
6）Spelling and words-I have always been interested in words and their origins, and I’m getting more interested in word games and puzzles (to keep up my English!). Also, spelling mistakes here are one of my little amusements (“beerz”, the sign on the door that says “close”, and let’s not forget “flesh fruit”- more here)
7) Sleep – because everything looks better in the morning, especially after a good, long sleeep
8) Sentiment- I find myself more and more feeling nostalgic about things I would never have expected to feel nostalgic about-things from Canada as well as things in Japan. Also sentimental movies-I cry now (never did before)
9)Satisifaction-because who doesn’t like to feel satisfied?
10) Serendipity-can’t say that I have had many serendipitous things happen in my life but I like the idea as well as the sound of the word
I want to tag Caro and Lori. C for Caro, L for Lori. Wanna play?
Monday, July 17, 2006
hold on
I'll be posting soon-waiting for summer vacation to start (this is the last week of school)
Write more soon
Write more soon
Friday, July 07, 2006
Thursday, July 06, 2006
I'm on a roll
So a little while ago hubby came home with a super-duper do-all scale. I have been less than eager to use the thing. Besides not knowing how to, I really didn’t want to see all of those stats. Last week I took the big step and tried it. The next day I went out for a walk in the morning. Yes, I was most unhappy with those numbers on the scale. But I’m going to try and get those numbers down. I have been out walking/jogging 3 times so far and plan to go out a couple more times this week. I don’t do anything big but even a little bit helps, I guess.
The biggest problem is finding the time to do it. I get up a little before 5am so I can go out walking/ jogging. That dips into my computer time. I already feel like I don’t have enough time to do my own stuff, so I’m not pleased by that but I do need to exercise. I want to get a memory stick or something so I can write my blog at work and then just bring it back home and send it off.
Nuff said.
The biggest problem is finding the time to do it. I get up a little before 5am so I can go out walking/ jogging. That dips into my computer time. I already feel like I don’t have enough time to do my own stuff, so I’m not pleased by that but I do need to exercise. I want to get a memory stick or something so I can write my blog at work and then just bring it back home and send it off.
Nuff said.
Conversation Overheard one night last week...
Or would have been if these guys could talk…
"I've gotta find a way to get outta here," she said.
"Mmm, okay, whatever," he said.
So my son is keeping 2 rhinocerous beetles as pets. He got them from his cousin, and he likes having them primarily because he gets to feed them their special jelly (at least that’s what I think)
Anyway, I actually thought we just got one, then last week late on Saturday night hubby heard a noise as he was the only one up late at night (watching World Cup). He said that it sounded like an insect walking around (they are BIG). The next day he was searching the area for an insect. I saw the one insect in the cage so I didn’t think much of it. Then later my MIL said that the female beetle had disappeared. I was thinking ‘the female’? We had more than one? Then I was thinking about how smart that beetle was to wait until the dead of night, make her plans to escape, and the get away! Yea! You go girl! I was so impressed by her escape, really I thought about how clever she was. (All along thinking I hope I don’t step on her~big crunch I would guess!)
So I was pretty impressed all day Sunday, thinking she crawled out of her cage, waited for her chance and got out the door when one of us opened the door. (The cage was in the genkan, or the area near the door.)
This feeling lasted until Sunday night when hubby found her, crawling up my son’s bicycle tire (also kept in the genkan).
I was so disappointed. It’s a little weird, I guess. I wasn’t too happy about keeping 2 big bugs in a small cage (even tho they are bugs I still feel sorry for them) but my MIL went out and bought a bigger cage and jelly to feed them. They have a little more space now and at least there’s two of them, so I feel a little better.
"I've gotta find a way to get outta here," she said.
"Mmm, okay, whatever," he said.
So my son is keeping 2 rhinocerous beetles as pets. He got them from his cousin, and he likes having them primarily because he gets to feed them their special jelly (at least that’s what I think)
Anyway, I actually thought we just got one, then last week late on Saturday night hubby heard a noise as he was the only one up late at night (watching World Cup). He said that it sounded like an insect walking around (they are BIG). The next day he was searching the area for an insect. I saw the one insect in the cage so I didn’t think much of it. Then later my MIL said that the female beetle had disappeared. I was thinking ‘the female’? We had more than one? Then I was thinking about how smart that beetle was to wait until the dead of night, make her plans to escape, and the get away! Yea! You go girl! I was so impressed by her escape, really I thought about how clever she was. (All along thinking I hope I don’t step on her~big crunch I would guess!)
So I was pretty impressed all day Sunday, thinking she crawled out of her cage, waited for her chance and got out the door when one of us opened the door. (The cage was in the genkan, or the area near the door.)
This feeling lasted until Sunday night when hubby found her, crawling up my son’s bicycle tire (also kept in the genkan).
I was so disappointed. It’s a little weird, I guess. I wasn’t too happy about keeping 2 big bugs in a small cage (even tho they are bugs I still feel sorry for them) but my MIL went out and bought a bigger cage and jelly to feed them. They have a little more space now and at least there’s two of them, so I feel a little better.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
heree comes the rain again
Well, this year the rainy season hasn't been sooo bad (so far knock on wood) but it's definately been cloudy or rainy most days. The other day, when it was sunny was a reminder of summer weather and it's going to be soooo hot! I'm already sleeping in my shorts and t-shirt type of pyjamas, with the windows wide open and barely any blanket. Last night when I was talking to 2 of my (older) women students they told me that they are cold at night without a long sleeved shirt. Hmmm. I am always cold in the winter and always too hot in the summer. They don't know what to make of me!
One by product of the rain is these beautiful hydrangea. They have been popping up for the last 3 weeks or so. I love the ones that are this bluey purpley colour. I have seen others that are reddish pink or white. Got to cut this short for now.
And oh yeah HAPPY CANADA DAY!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
sleeping
Well, another week of sleeping problems-just getting to sleep on little Mr. H's part. At least that's one good thing-there have been times of problems getting to sleep and staying asleep. And that's when I think he's trying to kill me...
So I got the no cry sleep solution for toddlers and preschoolers earlier this week (I love amazon!) I like alot of what I've read so far (not much yet) but I'm still having a problem with the whole timing thing. The author says that he should be getting 11 hours of sleep a night. He is so not, which apparently goes a long way in explaining his temper tantrums and other similar behaviours. But according to the author, I should be getting him ready for bed an hour before the 11 hours of sleep. So I wake him up at 6:30, that means that I have to have him sleeping at 7:30. That means that I have to start putting him to bed at 6:30. Hmmmm. Not home yet/just getting home @ 6:30. There's also the bedtime snack before bed-so by my calculations-he gets home at about 5:00ish, eats dinner, takes a bath, eats a bedtime snack, I come home, put him to bed... it's too busy, I think. But I'm goingwh to read the book and see what else I can do.
Last week was busy, and a bit disturbing. One of the other ALTs was telling us horror stories of the grade 8 students at his school. They are doing things like hitting/fighting with each other and teachers! and it seems like there's nothin the school can do about it, which they have figured out. I'm pretty sure that if stuff like this happened in Canada, the police would be called. And then at my school, one of the grade 7 students went missing for a day and her teachere was concerned because there was a high chance that she was with her 18 yr old boyfriend(!). The next time I saw her at school, she had bruises all over her arms. where her father had punched her (mom is out of the picture). Now I know that the police would be called in Canada for child abuse. I also think that child services here wouldn't do much about beating-they have a good history of giving kids back to the people who beat them. Sad.
More murders in the news lately-kids killing their parents. More reason not watch tv (not that I watch that much)
Should go 4 now. xxoo
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
whoa, shock
I know, 2 posts within days of each other. I'd like to be able to start doing this on a regular basis but not sure if I can. Hiroki is at daycare now and I'll be leaving soon to go and get him. This is my schedule for the week-yesterday I went to the big city of Shizuoka (takes about an hour and half by local train) and picked up my PR, or permanent resident visa. I'm happy, I'm sad....Of course I ended up waiting for quite a while but ended up getting it done all on my own (they don't speak English, Chinese, Portugese, Spanish, or Korean) so was happy about that. Also was happy to come back to school at 2:00pm, missing all of my classes and with only 3 hours left of the work day. hee hee.
Today I went to a kindergarten and taught about 60 5 year olds. It was cool. I mostly enjoyed it. I pretty much get the star treatment when I go to kindergarten. I play with the kids, teach them a few things, then the supervisors say,"Come and rest, you must be so tired!" Then I play again, and eat lunch with the kids. After that, we go outside to play. The kids all try to grab me and pull me around (the part I don't like) and after that, the supervisor has me sit and relax and gives me treats to eat and take home. I finish early, so today I feeling pretty satisfied-finished cooking my part for dinner, (MIL cooked some nimono, stuff boiled in fish stock, soy sauce and sugar-today's stuff is yummy stuff like shiitake and fried tofu and some bamboo shoots), done the washing up, and ready to go teach at 5:30.
Tomorrow some more visitors to watch a class. Thursday, elementary school. I think Friday might be a regular day for a change.
Gotta run to get HRH. Love to everyone.
Today I went to a kindergarten and taught about 60 5 year olds. It was cool. I mostly enjoyed it. I pretty much get the star treatment when I go to kindergarten. I play with the kids, teach them a few things, then the supervisors say,"Come and rest, you must be so tired!" Then I play again, and eat lunch with the kids. After that, we go outside to play. The kids all try to grab me and pull me around (the part I don't like) and after that, the supervisor has me sit and relax and gives me treats to eat and take home. I finish early, so today I feeling pretty satisfied-finished cooking my part for dinner, (MIL cooked some nimono, stuff boiled in fish stock, soy sauce and sugar-today's stuff is yummy stuff like shiitake and fried tofu and some bamboo shoots), done the washing up, and ready to go teach at 5:30.
Tomorrow some more visitors to watch a class. Thursday, elementary school. I think Friday might be a regular day for a change.
Gotta run to get HRH. Love to everyone.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
umm, ha ha, (shamefaced)
Well I am here. Not much time to use the computer lately. His royal highness is trying to kill me, I think. He's having sleeping problems and because of his not sleeping he is super cranky not to mention me! Then there's the whole sleep deprivation thing going on for me, too. He has been going to sleep really late at night, or going to sleep early-ish (meaning before 10:00) but waking up 2 or 3 times a night because of bad dreams? or something. Given that I finally fall asleep after 10, and wake up 2 or 3 times at night, get up at 5:00, I was a little out of it this week. So I did some research on the net (thankfully I have mostly free afternoons at work)about kids sleeping. I found a book on Amazon that I'm thinking about ordering about how to get kids to sleep with out crying and one more by the same author about how to get kids to do what you want them to without nagging or yelling etc. I'm interested in what she has to say. I'm not really into hitting for discipline and I would really like to know some other ways to 'manage' the little guy.(Although tonight I have to admit to giving him a little slap on his butt because the little bugger bit me while I was trying to get him into the bath-grrr!) When I read some of her advice, though, I liked what she had to say, but I don't know how possible it all is. Like she says that the optimal time to put kids to bed is between 6:00 and 7:30. I think that Hiroki is tired then, he is always lying down and playing around that time. (and extremely grumpy)Then it's like he wakes up and he's a happy boy again, but impossible to put to sleep. So I think that that probably is a good time frame for him BUT I don't even get hom from work until 6:30 on Mon & Tues, after 8:00 on Weds and home at 5:30 on Thurs and Fri but I go out to teach on Fri night until after 9:00. So I don't know about that. Especially since we have to eat and take a bath before he can go to bed. But I'm thinking of trying to move up his bedtime little by little. All I know is he is going to bed too late now!!
What else is going on here...I've been busy at school because of elementary school visits and kindergarten visits, which I like a lot, and people coming to watch classes which I don"t like but whatever.
And I'm reading a book (or skimming I guess) a book about food, named SuperFoods. There's a lot of food we need to eat every day in order to be healthy, holy crap! I eat school lunches when I'm at school because they are supposed to be nutritionally balanced, but some days I think they aren't really done well. I think there are some days when they need more vegetables. The worst part is that they all have to be high calorie because they are made for kids and they are all active and need to eat a lot. Then there's the milk , which I mostly don't drink, it's 3.6% fat. Most people in Japan drink this type of milk. My friend always says it's like drinking cream. The worst school lunch is agepan , which means fried bread. Yuck. Basically the bread is like doughnuts, only harder. We usually get 2 of these, along with something that doesn't suit it, (like stew or soup or stir fry) and always fruit cocktail with sweet grape jello and sweetened yogurt. The whole lunch makes me unhappy- my mouth usually hurts at the end of it. It would be a great snack, though.
Besides that, not much else. The news is full of people murdering children, some their own. One of the articles I read lately was about a couple in their 20s who left their 2 month old son in the car while they went to play pachinko , which I guess is equivalent to bingo in Canada. Assholes. They left him there for 5 hours and when one of them finally got off their ass to check on him, they found him dead from the heat. Poor little guy.
Anyway, it is getting late and I should probably sleep when I can!
xoxo to you all
What else is going on here...I've been busy at school because of elementary school visits and kindergarten visits, which I like a lot, and people coming to watch classes which I don"t like but whatever.
And I'm reading a book (or skimming I guess) a book about food, named SuperFoods. There's a lot of food we need to eat every day in order to be healthy, holy crap! I eat school lunches when I'm at school because they are supposed to be nutritionally balanced, but some days I think they aren't really done well. I think there are some days when they need more vegetables. The worst part is that they all have to be high calorie because they are made for kids and they are all active and need to eat a lot. Then there's the milk , which I mostly don't drink, it's 3.6% fat. Most people in Japan drink this type of milk. My friend always says it's like drinking cream. The worst school lunch is agepan , which means fried bread. Yuck. Basically the bread is like doughnuts, only harder. We usually get 2 of these, along with something that doesn't suit it, (like stew or soup or stir fry) and always fruit cocktail with sweet grape jello and sweetened yogurt. The whole lunch makes me unhappy- my mouth usually hurts at the end of it. It would be a great snack, though.
Besides that, not much else. The news is full of people murdering children, some their own. One of the articles I read lately was about a couple in their 20s who left their 2 month old son in the car while they went to play pachinko , which I guess is equivalent to bingo in Canada. Assholes. They left him there for 5 hours and when one of them finally got off their ass to check on him, they found him dead from the heat. Poor little guy.
Anyway, it is getting late and I should probably sleep when I can!
xoxo to you all
Friday, May 19, 2006
Sunday, May 14, 2006
well hello there
Well, I
I have decided today that I'm going to try and say only positive stuff as I'm worried that I always end up ranting here. Hmmm, what can I talk about...?
I'm feeling more comfortable at work now. I'm still not completely comfortable at the new school, but I am feeling much better now. I can tell because when I went to the elementary for the second time, I was wishing that I was going to my regular school where I didn't feel so nervous.
I am really enjoying teaching with one of the teachers I work with. There's 4 of them; one is burned out, I think and doesn't have much energy for classes. He still calls me by the last ALT's name sometimes, it doesn't really bug me but the students notice and they all think it's funny. Another teacher is pretty stressed out, I think. She has taken a lot of time off lately and she's not doing too well. She's the one I worked with before and I thought she just didn't like working with females, but we were talking and she said that she just doesn't want to commuicate with anyone. Oooh, not good for a teacher. Another teacher is a lot of fun to teach with, he's young and energetic and talks to the kids as much as possible in English. The other teacher is very young, as in this is her first year teaching. She keeps asking ME what to do and what do I think.
So we sing English songs at the beginning of every English class. Unfortunately, it means that alot of songs that I wouldn't choose end up getting stuck in my head. This month's songs are Hello Goodbye, by the Beatles for grade 7 and the handicapped class; YMCA by the Village People for the grade 8s, and the grade 9s are singing Karma Chameleonby, yes, the Culture Club. The Beatles I can handle. YMCA is, um, challenging. I can't believe the words to it-something along the lines of telling a "young man" to go to the Y cause he can have lots of fun hanging out with the guys. Uh, yeah. I don't think the students know the background of the band. :P
THe Culture Club is another song that doesn't make sense to me- as in what could it possibly mean-loving would be easy if your colours were like my dream- red, gold, and green Huh?
Anyway, I was quite pleased with myself this weekend. I got my Feb issue of Canadian Living in the mail not too long ago, and of course it had chocolate recipes in it for Valentine's Day. I looked at a Brownie recipe and thought I would make it, bought chocolate for it. When time came to make it, I really looked at the recipe and thought, Shit! I can't make this! There was 1 cup of butter in it and 2 cups of sugar in it!! So I looked around and found a different recipe that might be a low fat type of recipe for Brownies, it has no butter (oil instead) and less sugar (plus I cut back on the sugar anyway, I pretty much always do) and they are GOOD! They remind me of the President's Choice Bite Brownie that I discovered in Canada in my last year there. Yay! I was really enjoying them. (addicted)this so long next time.
Well, I should probably go to bed. I'll try not to leave this so long next time!
Friday, April 28, 2006
what can I say
Well it's ben a while since I've posted (again). The new school has me worn out. I'm teaching way more at this school than I was at the last one.
I have been to my 2 new elementary schools, too. I have introduced myself so many times it's ridiculous. I should change that-introducing myself is not what gets to me, it's the innane questions that follow it. Not just from the students. Usually the worst offenders are the teachers. They just want to know everything about me because I'm a foreigner, not because they are interested in me. And one lovely teacher decided to put me in a seat in front of everyone while we ate lunch so that all of the students could ask me questions. Here are some of the questions I got last week (from elementary students) How much do you weigh? Yah, like I'd ever answer that, shithead. Do you wear contacts? Me -??? What's your husband's name? Here's where I started to get pissy. First, do the students need to know my husband's name? No. Do they know any of the other teachers' spouses' names? I seriously doubt it. So why does their teacher think that it's okay to have them ask whatever they want?! She didn't ask me if it was okay to ask questions-she just told me. And I'm all for answering questions about my country and culture and the differences, but everyone feels like it's a freee for all to find out everything there is to know about me.
Questions from my junior high school students (who have to ask in English):
How old are you and I politely explain that in Canada that is a rude question and students most definately do NOT ask their teachers that.
What sports do you like? OMG, so many students asked me that question!
Do you have a boyfriend? i smiled innocently and said, "No." (Why do I have a Japanese surname kids???) Then the best one, baby?
Then last week, one of the teachers at the junior high school said, "Oh, can you eat rice?" Uh, WTF? Do you think that Japan is the only country in the world that eats rice. What kind of drugs are you on?!! And then today she asks me," So which of your parents is Japanese, your mother or father?" To which I replied, "Hunh?" to see if she had actually said that. Yup, she did. I explained that I got the name from my husband and she expressed surprise that I as married (even though I had told her that before!)
So what I want to know is, if she thinks I'm half Japanese, why does she ask me stupid things like DO YOU EAT RICE?!
Ok I seem to be ranting again and that was totally not my intention (this time). Seeing as I have to be up for work in less than five hours I had better get myself off to bed. Good night!
I have been to my 2 new elementary schools, too. I have introduced myself so many times it's ridiculous. I should change that-introducing myself is not what gets to me, it's the innane questions that follow it. Not just from the students. Usually the worst offenders are the teachers. They just want to know everything about me because I'm a foreigner, not because they are interested in me. And one lovely teacher decided to put me in a seat in front of everyone while we ate lunch so that all of the students could ask me questions. Here are some of the questions I got last week (from elementary students) How much do you weigh? Yah, like I'd ever answer that, shithead. Do you wear contacts? Me -??? What's your husband's name? Here's where I started to get pissy. First, do the students need to know my husband's name? No. Do they know any of the other teachers' spouses' names? I seriously doubt it. So why does their teacher think that it's okay to have them ask whatever they want?! She didn't ask me if it was okay to ask questions-she just told me. And I'm all for answering questions about my country and culture and the differences, but everyone feels like it's a freee for all to find out everything there is to know about me.
Questions from my junior high school students (who have to ask in English):
How old are you and I politely explain that in Canada that is a rude question and students most definately do NOT ask their teachers that.
What sports do you like? OMG, so many students asked me that question!
Do you have a boyfriend? i smiled innocently and said, "No." (Why do I have a Japanese surname kids???) Then the best one, baby?
Then last week, one of the teachers at the junior high school said, "Oh, can you eat rice?" Uh, WTF? Do you think that Japan is the only country in the world that eats rice. What kind of drugs are you on?!! And then today she asks me," So which of your parents is Japanese, your mother or father?" To which I replied, "Hunh?" to see if she had actually said that. Yup, she did. I explained that I got the name from my husband and she expressed surprise that I as married (even though I had told her that before!)
So what I want to know is, if she thinks I'm half Japanese, why does she ask me stupid things like DO YOU EAT RICE?!
Ok I seem to be ranting again and that was totally not my intention (this time). Seeing as I have to be up for work in less than five hours I had better get myself off to bed. Good night!
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Negative feelings so far
I'm talking about the new school I'm at. Last week we had an assembly for something-I'm not exactly sure, but I think it was to introduce the new grade 7 students to life in Junior high (they no longer have the same teacher every day, they are learning new subjects like English etc). Before the assembly started all of the grade 8 and 9 students were in the gym, waiting for the grade 7s to come in. All of the kids were sitting on the floor, which is usual (gym floor is clean, only gym shoes worn in the gym) All of the kids HAVE to sit in a special way -(taikuzuwari taiku-gym zuwari/suwari-sitting) -legs together, feet on the floor, knees bent. While they were waiting, all of their kids had their heads down. I've never seen this before, so I ask the English teacher why. "Oh," he says, "they are meditating." I'm thinking, ummm, okaaay? Maybe he's joking? But I looked it up in the dictionary and sure enough, they were meditating! WTF is a 13 year old kid going to meditate about. I appreciate that with over 500 students in the same place, there has to be a way to keep them quiet, but I felt like this was a little too much. Some of the teachers were walking around, checking that the kids had their heads down, even if they were just sitting there quietly. Anyway.
Then there's this female teacher who is famous for hating foreigners. Not sure why she hates us, we're not Japanese or something like that. I had to use the uh, facilities and she was already in there. She looks at me and doesn't say anything. (Usual with her.) Then she walks out and turns off the light, stupid cow. I was furious but I decided to just leave it be as I'm so not a stupid game-playing type of person. I just hope that she doesn't pass her attitude on to the kids. I'm Japanese, this is Japan, I don't need English, you should speak Japanese. I have heard this attitude from students and even teachers!
Oh well, on a more positive note there are a couple of teachers that try and speak English to me (other than the English teachers). This is a first.
It's also waaay busier than my last school-lots more classes for me to go to (haven't decided if that's good or bad yet!)
Have a good weekend, I'm going to visit my friend in Tokyo. Looking forward to it, too.
Then there's this female teacher who is famous for hating foreigners. Not sure why she hates us, we're not Japanese or something like that. I had to use the uh, facilities and she was already in there. She looks at me and doesn't say anything. (Usual with her.) Then she walks out and turns off the light, stupid cow. I was furious but I decided to just leave it be as I'm so not a stupid game-playing type of person. I just hope that she doesn't pass her attitude on to the kids. I'm Japanese, this is Japan, I don't need English, you should speak Japanese. I have heard this attitude from students and even teachers!
Oh well, on a more positive note there are a couple of teachers that try and speak English to me (other than the English teachers). This is a first.
It's also waaay busier than my last school-lots more classes for me to go to (haven't decided if that's good or bad yet!)
Have a good weekend, I'm going to visit my friend in Tokyo. Looking forward to it, too.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
spring vacation recap in pix
Well, I don't have much to say for now as I'm still sussing out the new school. Can't really say what it's going to be like yet, haven't taught any classes or been around the kids much yet so who knows. So instead of words here are pix of some of the things I did for spring vacation.
slimybreakfast
My slimy breakfast-raw egg and soy sauce on my rice, natto, slimy seaweed, and miso soup.
natto
fermented soybeans-they smell really bad! (Think dirty socks)I can eat them now. Put sauce in and stir alot.
slimygreen
Just so you know I'm getting used to the diet here-Some sort of slimy seaweed I had for breakfast.
takoyaki
He likes takoyaki! (His face was covered in sauce that we couldn't get off until we got home and had some water to help take it off!)
cherryblossom1
Beautiful weather, cherry blossoms out, perfect for picnicing so we had a little picnic of takoyaki (deep fried octopus balls) and went back for a longer time the following week.
eastereggs
A little early, I know, but we had our Easter party with my students. This is mine and Hiroki's
head
Needed to put something on our heads as we were preparing food. (Or at least some of us were - not me!)
sushicake2
We went to a Girl Scout meeting to talk about Canada and hang out with some of the kids. They made this for us. (And in the end gave me $30 for going-thanks!)
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