Japan and UFO's

12.19.07

Lauren found this article in Daily Yomirui (a Japanese newspaper), and passed it onto me. I hope you will enjoy it; especially if you've watched Steven Spielberg's ET recently.

I would like to post some pictures of the Christmas parties we've been having at school, but I seemed to have left my camera there. Sorry! In other news, my lessons went well today and let's hope the last two days of class go just as well. Wish me luck (say "ganbate")!

I really have to mention two last things! First, I really surprised Lauren yesterday when I blurted out in Japanese "abunai desho?", which means "Isn't that dangerous!?". (She was talking to a friend who was riding their bike while speaking to her on the phone. Since I was sitting at the table with her, it was easy to hear her laughing at the way their wheezy voice was emanating from the cell phone speaker.) She looked at me like she had seen a ghost and then said "Wow! Sheila! That was great!".

Secondly, I have recently fallen in love with crossword puzzles. Lauren downloads high school level puzzles off of the New York Times Learning Network Website for her more advanced students and has been giving me a copy every week for the past three weeks. I have tried crossword puzzles in the past, but until lately, it has always been too frustrating for me to complete one in its entirety. The level of Lauren's puzzles are just right. However, once I start getting a little better at the high school level puzzles, I should graduate onto bigger and better things/levels. I'm on my way to Stamford, CT! Or maybe not...

:)

Random Side Note: I was talking with one of my students today, and he assured me that most people don't eat KFC for Christmas. There are a few people who do partake in this tradition, but it seems to be more of something you see more commonly on television; Japollywood (Japan + Hollywood) style if you will.

The Holiday Seaon in Japan

What is the holiday season in Japan like? Pooh-san (for his picture see my 12.16.07 blog entry) graciously accepted my request for a personal interviewed so that, as a foreigner here in Japan, I could learn how the people in Japan traditionally celebrate the holiday season.

Sheila (S): Hello Pooh-san! Thank you for joining me today. I hope you don't mind answering a few questions about Japanese traditions during the holiday season.

Pooh-san (P): Well hello and it's a pleasure to help!

S: Great! Well first I would like to ask you how Christmas in Japan compares to Christmas in America?

P: There are actually several distinct differences now that you mention it. Because the majority of people in Japan aren't Christian, the holiday is mainly focused on the more commercialized aspects of Christmas. In this way, Christmas in Japan is very comparable to the American holiday of Valentines' Day. Basically, gifts are giving to immediate family members and prospective partners (girlfriends or boyfriends). Usually it's very rare to see friends giving one another presents; although it does happen occasionally. As far as comparisons go, Christmas decorations in Japan can be just as elaborate as those seen in the United States. Many American's in Japan will also recognize Christmas decorations right after Halloween; this is the same in the United States.

S: I agree, it always seems as if Christmas decorations in the states come out earlier and earlier each year. Is there any unique traditions that the Japanese people are sure to partake in around Christmas time? I heard they eat some special food?

P: Oh right! I'm such a silly old bear, I forgot to mention the food! Since it is a couples holiday, it is customary for each couple to buy a Christmas cake (note: please scroll down after clicking on the "Christmas cake" link to see a picture of the cake), which they eat together after a special meal. It can be any kind of cake, but the most popular is strawberry shortcake. You will also see people buying Yule Logs (French chocolate cake roll).

S: What is so special about the meal, Pooh-san?

P: Many of you might be surprised to know that the meal usually comes from Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Since there is no turkey in Japan, the people here go for the next best thing: American style chicken.

S: Oh right! Lauren told me that you can actually purchase a "Christmas Bucket" complete with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and a bottle of sparkling champagne (1% alcohol) for 5,220 yen (about $52.20). Wow, I wonder how that tradition came to be?! What about New Years, how is it different?

P: New Year's in Japan is more like Christmas as it's celebrated in America. In fact, Japanese people give out New Year's cards rather than Christmas cards called "Nenga-jo" cards in Japanese. The entire family will get together and celebrate the coming of the new year; a time to start fresh.

On December 31st (New Year's Eve is called "Omisoka" in Japanese), most families will spend the whole day thoroughly cleaning the house. It's almost like "spring cleaning", except they're getting ready by removing all the dirt from the previous year. Most families will spend the evening together cleaning, eating dinner (They eat "Toshikoshi Soba" noodles also knowns as "Goodbye to the passing year Soba", which "symbolizes the longevity of family members". ) and watching special New Year's Eve programs on television. After eating dinner the family will also listen to the nearby temple bell tolling 108 times. The bell rings 108 times because the "Buddhist teaching considers that is the number of bad intentions and desires a person has".

January 1-3rd is knows as "Oshogatsu" in Japanese. January 1st is known especially as "Gantan" in Japanese. On "Gantan", Japanese people will wake up early to see the first sunrise of a new year. They also eat special food called "Osechi-ryori", which is usually a three piece box set made up of many traditional Japanese foods. Each food in the "Osechi" set has a meaning. For examle, the "kazunoko" or herring roe (eggs) symbolizes "the hopes that the family will be blessed by just as many children as the eggs of the herring roe". "Oshogatsu" is also a time for families to visit shrines and temples to pray for good fortune in the coming year. According to the Japanese Times, about 70% of the Japanese people will visit shrines at this time (Jan. 1-3rd).

S: Thank you so much Pooh-san! It's been a pleasure talking to you! I have one last question. How do you say "Merry Christmas!" and "Happy New Year!" in Japanese?

P: You're very welcome! Oh that's very easy. Merry Christmas is almost just the same; the Japanese will say it like this: "Mari Kurisumasu!". Happy New Year is a bit different; just say "Akemashite Omedito!".

S and P: Mari Kurisumasu and Akemashite Omedito!




Some information was gathered from the November 30th, 2007 issue of The Japan Times.

Christmas Party Day 1

12.16.07

On the first day of the Hands On English Christmas Party my true love game to me: 1 Pooh-san (At school we call Pooh, Mr. Pooh) with jingly reindeer antlers.

Poohさん (Mr. Pooh also known as Pooh-san)

For my lesson, I reviewed what I had been teaching for the past two months (seasons and time) and asked my students write letters to Santa Claus. Between the three of them, they wanted video games and a dog. At the end of the lesson, I went over some new Christmas vocabulary and we played a game of Go Fish to help them remember what they had learned. Go Fish is a great game to play because it allows the students to practice speaking while having fun.

I gave some of my private students candy cane reindeer and they thought they were very adorable. I can't remember when I first made them around Christmas time, but they are still just as funny as they were when I was little.

From left to right: Akihiro, Hibiki, Shoichi, me, and Pooh-san

Here are some pictures of the school after Lauren and I decorated it. I made the tree in the window and it was Lauren's idea to put the lights at the bottom of the window.

This is the front window of Hands On English decorated for the holiday season. I was a little surprised when I realized that pansies are a winter flower here in Japan. (Sorry about the reflection of the buildings in the glass.)

This is a picture of our cute little school decorated for the holidays. All the snowflakes hanging from the ceiling were made by our students!

I also wanted to mention that a week ago I went to a holiday Christmas concert. They sang many popular Christmas carols and songs including everything from "O Come All Ye Faithful" to Mariah's "All I want for Christmas is you!". It was fun to spend time with friends; especially during the holiday season when family is so far away.

There were three beautiful trees near the concert entrance.

Azusa eating a make-shift s'more (Ritz, Meiji chocolate, and an "All American Tradition" marshmellow) as we wait on line to get into the concert.

Azusa and Lauren

It's about to begin...

11.14.07

Tomorrow marks the first day of my week long Christmas Party! Just like our Hands On English Halloween Party, we will be having a Christmas Party for all our classes before the two week long break (starting on December 22nd and lasting until Jan 4th). I have some fun activities planned and I hope all goes well; even though I'm sure it will. I will be sure to post some pictures of the festivities.

Oh of my students was saying "Ho ho ho" after everything he said today. It made me laugh.

Please Watch!

12.11.07

My cousin sent me the link to this youtube video and asked me to please pass on the word. Her co-teacher's stephfather is living with ALS (also called Lou Gehrig's disease), and the family is trying to win a home remodeling contest through Home Depot. The more viewer hits they get, the better their chances at winning will be. Please just take 1 minute and 57 seconds to watch!

I promise I will write something soon about Japanese Christmas traditions. In the mean time please enjoy this little Mutts comic. We don't have dryers here in Japan so it gave Lauren and I true feelings of nostalgia.

Trying New Things...

12.9.07

Today is Sunday, also known as the day of rest. Lauren and I stayed home this morning and made snowflakes to decorate our apartment. After we were done making and stringing up our delicate little flakes of snow, we sat down to a breakfast of toast and eggs. Lauren is a very good maker of breakfasts. Oishii desu!

After about four months of living here in Japan, I am increasingly gaining the courage to go out and do things on my own. This past Tuesday, I went to Tokyo to get some tourist information. I had to stop and ask questions a few times, but I eventually found the tourist office that was tucked away in a corner of some random building in the center of Tokyo. I know I've said this before - about going around Japan by myself - but I must always refer back to the feeling of accomplishment that comes from doing things on your own in a country where your first language is not the first language of most.

So anyway, I met up with my friend Johanne in Shibuya just outside the Hachiko-mae exit, and we walked a little ways until we found our dinner destination; a teeny vegan restaurant called Vegan Healing Cafe. We had to walk up a little stairway lined with people waiting around, and just when we thought we were lost, I saw the restaurant's sign. It was a small little place, sitting about 15 people at the most. The inside was warm and the air was perfumed with the smell of seasonings that reminded me of the Food Coop at Binghamton University. I had felafel burg and Johanne had a Hawaiian dish. As we enjoyed our delicious food, we talked about life and all its amazingness.

I figured out how to take the metro home all by myself. Since metro is cheaper for long distances, I had two reasons to feel as if I had overcome a challenging race; I had saved money and I had deciphered the complexities of the Tokyo metro network.

BOP Letter

12.4.07

I have a lot to write about this past weekend, but I just spent a majority of my free time writing this letter to the Binghamton University Administration. I hope I'm not too late in sending it and I hope the issue gets resolved. I cannot believe that they are actually thinking of canceling all the Outdoor Pursuits classes this coming Fall 2008. Hearing that made me extremely sad. Here's the letter I sent in it's final form. If you haven't sent a letter yet, please do so as soon as you can! If you need any information please leave me a comment and I will email you as much about the current situation as I know.

President Louis DeFleur and Administrative Staff:

I am writing this letter in regards to the possible cancellation of all Binghamton University Outdoor Pursuits activities and classes this coming Fall 2008. I was deeply disappointed upon receiving the information that the administration, like yourself, would be considering such a disheartening change in curriculum.

As a recent alumna of Binghamton University (Class of 2007), I cannot even begin to explain how important these classes were to my education. The education we obtain should prepare us to be creative in competitive situations; creativity sets us apart from the rest. Classes such as those offered through the Binghamton Outdoor Pursuits Office allow students to expand their worldly knowledge by exposing them to atypical environments that cannot possibly be simulated in a classroom. With a broader knowledge base, students will be able to creatively bring disparate ideas together for the benefit of themselves, our global society, and their alma-mater. For this reason, I hope you consider maintaining all Binghamton Outdoor Pursuits classes including and not limited to: Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Fly Fishing, Backpacking, Hiking, Cross Country Skiing, Bicycling, and the Canada Canoe class.

As a student in the Spring 2007 Hiking class offered through the Binghamton Outdoor Pursuits Office, I had the privilege of learning a vast amount of information concerning local Binghamton wildlife, basic survival skills, how to identify several plants and animals, and had the opportunity to meet university students outside of my major. Besides learning many new things, I enjoyed the physical challenges that the class offered; I exercised both my mind and body. Prior to taking this class, I had ever used snowshoes, but had the chance to use them on on-campus and off-campus hikes.

I strongly hope you consider my request to maintain all the Binghamton Outdoor Pursuits classes. These classes allow students to develop life skills that are immensely important for a well rounded education. If Binghamton University hopes to achieve the highest standard of education, it is necessary to fund classes such as those offered by the Binghamton Outdoor Pursuits Office.

Thank you for your time. Please do not hesitate to contact me at the address above or email me.

Best Regards,

Sheila M. Saia
Binghamton University Class of 2007