11.2.07
It's really late and I should be in bed, but for the first time in a while, teaching really made me happy today. Sure there were a few difficult spots, but overall, I really enjoyed teaching today. I was teaching all of my kids how to tell time. For example, someone asks "What time is it?" and in reply the other person says "It is two-forty-five.". I tried to be a little more organized and I think it worked out for the most part. Now I just have to stick with it and keep up the hard work. The last student I had today was so tried that he could barely think. I felt so bad for him and just wanted to let him go home and sleep. Sometimes I wish kids could just be kids. When I was his age I spent my after school hours playing outside and pretending I was Timon the meerkat from Disney's The Lion King. Maybe that explains something? :)
I also had my second Japanese lesson today. Ms. Ogino agreed to meet with me on Friday's to teach me some basics. She said that I was her first student that writes in Japanese hirigana rather than romanji (English characters rather then Japanese ones). That comment made me blush. Let's just say I have A LOT more to learn.
Friday means, kaitensushi. We asked Harumi if she wanted to go with us and when she said that her husband was picking her up we decided to head back home. A few minutes later when Lauren and I were about half way to the station, she called us back to invite us out to dinner with her and her husband, Masato. We had a great dinner and laughed a lot. I was really full at the end. I love fish!
Friday, November 2, 2007
The Tokyo Motor Show 2007
10.31.07
Today Lauren and I took a field trip to the Tokyo Motor Show. The great thing about the Tokyo Motor Show is that it's conveniently located in the convention center in Kaihin Makuhari; about a 15 minute walk from my school! Consequently, we could spend all morning at the show easily make our way back to school just in time for our first class. We arrived at the convention center around 10:15am (it opened at 10am), parked our bicycles, bought our tickets for 1300 yen (about $13 USD), and walked through the entrance gates. It was pretty busy for a weekday, and I couldn't imagine what the show would've been like on the weekend.
We walked into the first of four enormous halls and were greeted with the glimmer of chrome and the sparkle of freshly waxed cars illuminated by the fluorescent glow of stage lighting. The Tokyo Motor Show isn't just for the public. Several days before the show is actually open to the public, representatives from major companies all over the globe come to see the new innovations presented by major motor companies. It was really exciting to see some of the new concept cars; many of which were designed to reduce their impact on the environment. Some of the major motor companies that stuck in my mind were Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, GM, Ford, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Citroen, Volkswagen, Lotus, Porsche, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and many more.
This one is for Dad, the Jeep Extrordinaire.
Nissan's Piyo2 that talks to you and can move laterally with a 90 degree slide of its wheels.
Honda's Puyo (sounds similar to Piyo2) that has a cushy exterior shell and really cool windows.
Toyota's concept car that uses a combination of hydrogen fuel and solar power. It comes with two little solar powered mini-bikes that sit in the trunk.
Hyundai's concept car. The windows were really interesting.
This was the first time I ever saw a RR.
Some of the many BMW motors on display. There's a hydrogen one if you look close enough.
Lauren <3's VW.
I can't remember the name of this company because it wasn't familiar, but the car reminded me of the Bat-Mobile.
わたしのなまえはシーラ・サイやです。わたしはにじゅにさいです。わたしはばかです。hehe
Today Lauren and I took a field trip to the Tokyo Motor Show. The great thing about the Tokyo Motor Show is that it's conveniently located in the convention center in Kaihin Makuhari; about a 15 minute walk from my school! Consequently, we could spend all morning at the show easily make our way back to school just in time for our first class. We arrived at the convention center around 10:15am (it opened at 10am), parked our bicycles, bought our tickets for 1300 yen (about $13 USD), and walked through the entrance gates. It was pretty busy for a weekday, and I couldn't imagine what the show would've been like on the weekend.
We walked into the first of four enormous halls and were greeted with the glimmer of chrome and the sparkle of freshly waxed cars illuminated by the fluorescent glow of stage lighting. The Tokyo Motor Show isn't just for the public. Several days before the show is actually open to the public, representatives from major companies all over the globe come to see the new innovations presented by major motor companies. It was really exciting to see some of the new concept cars; many of which were designed to reduce their impact on the environment. Some of the major motor companies that stuck in my mind were Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, GM, Ford, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Citroen, Volkswagen, Lotus, Porsche, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and many more.
This one is for Dad, the Jeep Extrordinaire.
Nissan's Piyo2 that talks to you and can move laterally with a 90 degree slide of its wheels.
Honda's Puyo (sounds similar to Piyo2) that has a cushy exterior shell and really cool windows.
Toyota's concept car that uses a combination of hydrogen fuel and solar power. It comes with two little solar powered mini-bikes that sit in the trunk.
Hyundai's concept car. The windows were really interesting.
This was the first time I ever saw a RR.
Some of the many BMW motors on display. There's a hydrogen one if you look close enough.
Lauren <3's VW.
I can't remember the name of this company because it wasn't familiar, but the car reminded me of the Bat-Mobile.わたしのなまえはシーラ・サイやです。わたしはにじゅにさいです。わたしはばかです。hehe
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween!
10.31.07
Today was the last day of Halloween parties at school, and it went very well! From time to time my students can be a handful, but I've come to realize how much I care about them all. Everyone of them looked absolutely adorable in their costumes. When I opened the door dressed in my cowboy hat and bandanna, they would always smile and dart excitedly into the classroom. I think out of all my students, the most memorable costume was warn by one of my little ones (4 year olds); her name is Michika. Michika dressed up as Stitch from the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch, which is very popular here. She really played the part and even made Stitch eating noises as I gave her her candy at the end of the lesson. I also had some Jack Sparrows, many witches, a ghost, a few cats, a few devils, Mr. Incredible, and some others. Here are some of my favorite class pictures.
Michika, Masakatsu, Yuki, Hana, and me.
My class: Narumi ("Cute Lovely Girl"), Mai, me, Momoka, and So.
Pinning the nose on the pumpkin.
Takeshi (and mom), me, Satoshi as Mr. Incredible (and mom).
Yay for donuts on a string!
Half of the lesson was normal and the second half was filled with Halloween related games. We played pin the nose on the pumpkin, and let the kids eat dangling donuts without their hands. The kids really enjoyed both. We also played musical chairs and Halloween BINGO to help them remember some of the Halloween vocabulary. Oh and I can't forget, we also taught them how to be expert trick-o-treats; with good manners and all.
Next post....THE TOKYO MOTOR SHOW 2007!
Today was the last day of Halloween parties at school, and it went very well! From time to time my students can be a handful, but I've come to realize how much I care about them all. Everyone of them looked absolutely adorable in their costumes. When I opened the door dressed in my cowboy hat and bandanna, they would always smile and dart excitedly into the classroom. I think out of all my students, the most memorable costume was warn by one of my little ones (4 year olds); her name is Michika. Michika dressed up as Stitch from the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch, which is very popular here. She really played the part and even made Stitch eating noises as I gave her her candy at the end of the lesson. I also had some Jack Sparrows, many witches, a ghost, a few cats, a few devils, Mr. Incredible, and some others. Here are some of my favorite class pictures.
Michika, Masakatsu, Yuki, Hana, and me.
My class: Narumi ("Cute Lovely Girl"), Mai, me, Momoka, and So.
Pinning the nose on the pumpkin.
Takeshi (and mom), me, Satoshi as Mr. Incredible (and mom).
Yay for donuts on a string!Half of the lesson was normal and the second half was filled with Halloween related games. We played pin the nose on the pumpkin, and let the kids eat dangling donuts without their hands. The kids really enjoyed both. We also played musical chairs and Halloween BINGO to help them remember some of the Halloween vocabulary. Oh and I can't forget, we also taught them how to be expert trick-o-treats; with good manners and all.
Next post....THE TOKYO MOTOR SHOW 2007!
More Halloween Pictures! (posted on 11.21.07)
My cute little Wednesday girls. Oh how I love them all! (Right to Left: Yuka, me, Mirena, Ririka, Sayano, Nao)
My second class of girls on Wednesdays. (Right to Left: Marina, Chihiro, and Arisa)
My cute little Wednesday girls. Oh how I love them all! (Right to Left: Yuka, me, Mirena, Ririka, Sayano, Nao)
My second class of girls on Wednesdays. (Right to Left: Marina, Chihiro, and Arisa)Lauren's Birthday & The Hamakaze Festival
10.28.07
I survived another typhoon! Not too long ago, Lauren explained to me that it's not customary for the Japanese people to name their typhoons; the United States almost always names each hurricane that develops along it's Gulf Coast. This typhoon (“taifu” as they say here), Typhoon Number 20 was definitely a handful. Or should I say, it did a good job of getting me and several of my friends soaking wet. Random side note: I just taught the idiom "soaking wet" to one of my students yesterday morning.
It had been raining all day yesterday, but a good portion of the day was spent teaching inside. At the end of the day when it was time to head home, Lauren and I were finally forced to brave the weather. After twenty two years of living, yesterday was the first time that my umbrella has ever flipped due to strong winds. Not only did it happen once, it happened a second time! It flipped the first time when we (Hiroko, Lauren, and I) were walking back to the school after Lauren's birthday lunch at the little Italian restaurant two doors down from our school.
Despite the typhoon, Lauren’s 25th Birthday Party/Our Hip Halloween Hooplah went on without a hitch. We had invited about fifteen people to our little apartment, but in the end only about six could make it. A few more probably could have made it if it weren’t for the bad weather. When it gets really windy here, one of the major train lines called the Keiyo line that goes over the water always has to close. To make a long story short, five of my friends from church traveled a very far distance and one of Lauren’s friends from Purdue was also able to join us for some silliness. To clarify, Laurens’ fried is studying in Tsukuba (about 2-2.5 hours north of Tokyo) for a year.
On Friday night, Lauren and I slaved over vegetable curry and cleaned the house to get ready for our visitors. The kitchen smelled so good as it was filled with the spicy aroma of Japanese curry. I think this batch was our best one yet; maybe it was filled with extra love and happiness.
On Saturday afternoon, to our surprise, Lauren and I were able to leave earlier than we expected. We got a ride from Hiroko so we wouldn’t have to walk home in the rain and finished tiding up the house. Around 6:15pm we took the bus to the Tsudanuma train station where we met up with our friends from church. At this point we were all wet. We rode the bus back to our apartment and welcomed our first apartment guests ever! Everyone was hungry so we dished out the curry, drank some Mitsu Lemon Cider (it’s like Sprite), and had fun. We decorated “pumpkins” (we had to use tangerines because they were easier to find), ate birthday cake, played the game Spoons, and laughed.
From left to right: Me, Amber, Haeji, Lauren, Jenny, and Joe. Not pictured: Kate (hadn't arrived yet) and Alison (taking the picture). I forgot to mention that we are all sporting edomame and I believe you can see our beat up curry pot on the stove too.
Tangerine pumpkins! Can you guess which one is mine? Try Jack on the far right.
Happy 25th Birthday Lauren!!
Birthday cake candle embers.
We knew our game of spoons was becoming too violent when a helpless spoon lie in two pieces on the table top.
One bad thing about parties is that they always have to come to an end. Since all of our guests except Kate, who was sleeping over, had to catch the train they had to be sure to leave in order to catch the last one before it was too late. We all said goodbye and thanked them for coming.
On a brighter note, the one great thing about typhoons is the day after the storm. It is always absolutely beautiful. Today, Sunday, there isn't a cloud in the big blue sky, and I would say the temperature is just around perfect.
I saw many great things today, including, my first eyewitness account of a Japanese subway rat. Until now, I hadn’t ever seen one because everything here is immaculately clean. Some guy looked at me on the train and said “Hello, how are you?”. Since my parents taught me not to talk to strangers, I politely answered and then continued reading my book. After church, I met my friend Kozue at the Makuhari station, which is not too far from work.
I met her because she had invited me to her university’s festival. She introduced me to here two good friends Azusa and Nobue. The festival called Hamakaze took place at Konda University (known for its English program); Kozue and all of her friends are studying English as part of their International Communications major. It was an international festival celebrating countries all over the world. Many of the festival booths were selling a variety of ethnic foods. I went to a student run fashion show called “No Brand Fashion Show”. I hadn’t ever been to a fashion show, and I really enjoyed it! Afterwards, Kozue, Azusa, Nobue, and I all walked around looking for good foods to try. Just before we stopped to get some Korean style Okonomiaki (like a vegetable or seafood pancake), I passed a both selling Buffalo chicken wings “all the way from Buffalo, NY, USA”. This world is so small. Nobue recommended that we try some tempura ice cream (fried ice cream) so we headed to get some. It was very interesting and I had to eat it fast before it melted on me. I also tried some Thai noodles that were very spicy. Both Nobue and I agreed that our lips were on fire after eating the noodles and broth.
Before I left to go home, Nobue introduced Kozue, Azusa, and I to her English teacher. They told me he was Jewish and taught them Jewish History. I introduced myself and he asked me where I was from. He was very surprised that I was from Buffalo, as he was born there, but moved to North Carolina when he was only two years old. Nobue said he was a great teacher and he reminded me of a few LCLC friends; a little on the wacky side. Personally, I think being wacky is definitely a good thing. I said my goodbyes and both Azusa and Kozue said they were looking forward to doing something together soon! Azusa said that she is very interested in history and museums, which made me very happy to hear. Lauren is not really fond of museums so I was relieved when she told me they are very interesting to her. She was very sweet; she said if I’m ever in trouble, I should give her a call because getting around in Japan can be very difficult for those of us non-Japanese people. Her sincerity and kindness really touched my heart. Even though it made me long for my good friends at home in the states, it also reminded me that I should be grateful for the people who care about me here in Japan.
During all of this Lauren was hanging with her friend Kate; showing her around downtown Tokyo. She bought some new clothes with birthday money and they were all very cute. It was great to meet Kate and get to know her too!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
No Reservations
10.24.07
Random Quotes:
"There was this thing I heard that all the candy corn in the world was made in the 50's"
- Hu Huang
"A fart is quite a complex noise. It's definitely combines two things you wouldn't think of: whoopee cushions and a toilet."
-Dan Kinney (Dan and I were talking about the complexities of a Japanese toilet, and he had the brilliant idea to create a toilet that produces fart sounds rather than the signature Japanese flushing water sound.)
I believe there is a saying that goes something much like this: “the early bird catches the worm”. Well, this morning Lauren and I were akin to early birds. We woke up at 8pm (I do realize that some of you may consider this time quite late), took out the “burnable garbage”, made breakfast, did the dishes, got dressed, and flew out of the house on our bicycles/broomsticks. Today’s destination? We were headed to the home of Tokyo Disney, Mihama, to see a movie in the Ikispiari Cinema. I wrote about Ikispiari in my blog before when I went to the Rainforest Café. Ikispiari is located just outside Tokyo Disney Land/Sea.
In many stores and restaurants around Tokyo ladies receive discounts on Wednesdays. Since it was “Ladies Day” today, Lauren and I got into the 10:30am showing of No Reservations staring Catherine Zetta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart (Thank You for Smoking), and Abigail Breslin (the little girl from Little Miss Sunshine) for 1000 yen (about $10 USD). Normally, the movies are about 1800 yen; I can’t tell you how glad I was to be a female.
The movie was very good, and definitely deserved the “Sheila Seal of Approval”. Thinking back to the last time I saw a movie in the States, I remember the audience being very vocal throughout the film; laughing together during the funny scenes and crying during the sad ones. Before the movie started, Lauren warned me that the Japanese people tend to keep their emotions to themselves. Lauren and I couldn’t help but contribute our own giggles to the silent theater from time to time. I tried to stop myself the first few times, but that didn’t last long. As someone that hardly ever cries during movies, I must also admit that my eyes filled with tears at least once during the movie.
As we left the theater together, Lauren and I had the same nostalgic thought going through our minds. For the past two hours, we had felt like we were back home in America, but as we walked into the lobby our minds brought us back to reality.
My two girls classes went really well. They are so fun to teach. Keigo was on a school trip and did not come, so instead I had two prospective student interviews. The first, a girl who might join my class of high school boys, and the second, an older man who needs to keep up his English as enforced by the company he works for. Hiroko was happy when the man decided to start taking lessons; he must have liked the interview. The girl will get back to Hiroko; she has to decide whether she will take private or group lessons. Why so many new prospective students you ask? Well, one of the Nova (wikipedia) schools down the street and around the corner is closing. As a result, we have had many people stop in and inquire about taking lessons at Hands On English. I heard from Lauren that Nova might have gone bankrupt because of the scandal here this past spring. I'm not sure if that rumor is true, but I will keep my senses open for any information concerning it.
Just before I left Hiroko fed me; butter and anko (sweet red bean paste) on a roll from one of her favorite bakeries. I rode my bike home from the station and was surprised at how cold the night had become without the sun’s warmth. As one of my girls pointed out today while we reviewed adjectives: “The sun is hot!”. I walked in the door made myself a quick dinner and started getting things ready for tomorrow as it is the first day of our week long Halloween extravaganza. I’m not sure if I mentioned this before, but Lauren and I have decided to be good ‘ol American cowgirls.
I'm getting ready for my lessons about Halloween.
Hello Mr. Pumpkin! I decorated an origami balloon and turned it into a pumpkin.
Random Side Notes: As time goes on, Lauren and I have begun to increasingly develop a keen sense of knowing what the other person is thinking. Maybe it is because we are very much alike is some ways or maybe it’s just because we live together. Also, I am personally not a big pop drinker, but Lauren was really excited that the cinema had fountain Coke.Random Quotes:
"There was this thing I heard that all the candy corn in the world was made in the 50's"
- Hu Huang
"A fart is quite a complex noise. It's definitely combines two things you wouldn't think of: whoopee cushions and a toilet."
-Dan Kinney (Dan and I were talking about the complexities of a Japanese toilet, and he had the brilliant idea to create a toilet that produces fart sounds rather than the signature Japanese flushing water sound.)
Oh and here is an interesting link that crossed my path:
The Inside Scoop on HP
Monday, October 22, 2007
Quick Post
10.23.07
I don't have much time to write because Lauren and I have to go to the post office! We both received some mystery packages. I'm thinking one is from my Mom because I asked her to send me some American Halloween candy to hand out to the kids.
I will write more later and I'm sorry for not posting as often as I used to.
I don't have much time to write because Lauren and I have to go to the post office! We both received some mystery packages. I'm thinking one is from my Mom because I asked her to send me some American Halloween candy to hand out to the kids.
I will write more later and I'm sorry for not posting as often as I used to.
The Funabashi Fish Market is Fantastic!
10.18.07
Today I went to the Funabashi Fish Market with Hiroko. She wanted to show me the market and we also wanted to look into getting some candy for the Halloween Party. Besides being a place selling a diverse collection of fish, there are many merchants selling bulk food items, which is very important for the local restaurants. I saw many stalls that specialized in selling one thing: pickled ginger, eggs, different wrapping, nori seaweed, meat, candy, dishes, and much more. We stopped into the last two. We bought some donut-like-crackers that we could use for Halloween games (you have to eat the cracker without using your hands as it dangles on a string) and some other candies with a picture of Pikachu on them. We also stopped in the dish shop to look at the teapot sets. Hiroko spoke to a older lady, who then spoke to a younger man who was the "guy in charge". As the we waited the lady kindly poured us some green tea. The "guy in charge" gave me a huge, 2 inch thick teapot catalog to look through. He let me take it home too.
I don't think I've ever gotten that kind of hospitality before.
The man in the picture above is skinning eel that is then smoked on the grills behind him. He was amazingly fast at his work; Hiroko and I could only watch in awe.
Puffer fish!
Here in Japan, conservation of space is a necessity, even when you park your car. In my opinion the parking lots here are much more high-tech. You pull your car in, get out, and your car is lifted to a specific spot inside; I'd imagine that the machinery is similar to that of a ferris wheel. When you want to leave, the man brings your car down, backs it up onto the red circle, you get in, and then the red circle turns your car around so you can pull out onto the street with ease.
Today I went to the Funabashi Fish Market with Hiroko. She wanted to show me the market and we also wanted to look into getting some candy for the Halloween Party. Besides being a place selling a diverse collection of fish, there are many merchants selling bulk food items, which is very important for the local restaurants. I saw many stalls that specialized in selling one thing: pickled ginger, eggs, different wrapping, nori seaweed, meat, candy, dishes, and much more. We stopped into the last two. We bought some donut-like-crackers that we could use for Halloween games (you have to eat the cracker without using your hands as it dangles on a string) and some other candies with a picture of Pikachu on them. We also stopped in the dish shop to look at the teapot sets. Hiroko spoke to a older lady, who then spoke to a younger man who was the "guy in charge". As the we waited the lady kindly poured us some green tea. The "guy in charge" gave me a huge, 2 inch thick teapot catalog to look through. He let me take it home too.
I don't think I've ever gotten that kind of hospitality before.
The man in the picture above is skinning eel that is then smoked on the grills behind him. He was amazingly fast at his work; Hiroko and I could only watch in awe.
Puffer fish!
Here in Japan, conservation of space is a necessity, even when you park your car. In my opinion the parking lots here are much more high-tech. You pull your car in, get out, and your car is lifted to a specific spot inside; I'd imagine that the machinery is similar to that of a ferris wheel. When you want to leave, the man brings your car down, backs it up onto the red circle, you get in, and then the red circle turns your car around so you can pull out onto the street with ease.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)