Rnakao's Xanga

School

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 13:41:55 GMT

Well today is Halloween and I completely forgot. I guess the joys that come with the holiday are just not as fun as a grown-up. Not to mention it is not celebrated in Japan the way it is in America. There were a lot of people dressed up going to parties over the weekend and there were tons of Halloween decorations in stores. But if there are not little kids running around in funny costumes it is just not the same. Not to mention the weather is unusually warm for the end of October. In the daytime it is shorts and T-shirt weather for me.

So I have been studying Japanese half-assed off and on for the past year or so but have not gotten very far. Yes, I can pick up more words here and there but I can’t really understand. I figured that being at an elementary school I would be able to learn what the ichi nensei, first grade students, were learning, although they are miles ahead of me. When they speak to me I feel like a total idiot. So I decided to go to school. Really, today was my first lesson sitting in the classroom with the students. I had my own desk, books and notebook paper. The chair was really low to the ground and my knees were up near my head. I felt like Billy Madison. It was fun. I actually am learning with them. I mean I can’t understand most of the directions but I get to practice writing kanji and hearing the native tongue. I am going to start sitting in on the class Monday’s and Tuesday’s. I might try ni nensei, second grade, just to do it. Another advantage to sitting in on the class is that the kids get to know you better. They begin to feel more comfortable around you and today I was even asked to play tag and jump rope.

After class it was lunchtime. Usually lunch is the same type of helpings. Some soup with tons of stuff in it (mushroom, onions, edamame, carrots, peas you name it), bread, some type of meat, rice and milk. Although today was a bit different. I was kind of looking forward to it. Whale was on today’s menu. It was karage, fried, but it was good. Being at an elementary school is fun but it wears you out. Ahhh, shindoii.

7 Months Later...

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 12:36:30 GMT

Ok I don't have to explain the title because everybody knows I am lazy. My last entry I was coming back from Korea and since then I have been to Hong Kong with my friend Randy, back to America to visit family and frineds for the Summer and then to Beijing before returning to Japan. I am not sure where time goes but it goes quickly. I remember when I was younger my parents and several other adults would tell me that time flies by but I just didn't understand the way I do now. A week feels like an hour and a month seems more like a day.
Anyway, back to life in Japan. Last year I was teaching at several junior high schools but this year I was placed in an English intensive high school, Nishi Koko and an elementary school, Ajihara Shogakko. It is great to see the different levels of schools here in Japan. The little kids at Ajihara are cute. They are so energetic. Ok I am tired so I will keep you updated, haha. This will be continued 7 months from now...

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Sat, 11 Mar 2006 11:34:16 GMT

March 7, 2006

So yesterday my friend Jessica and I got back from Korea. It was great. It actually was not what I had expected. The shopping was not that great, the people were really big and tall, there were a lot of American restaurants, the cars were big as were the roads and the people were a bit rude. I will go into more detail later but that is a start. So yesterday I got back to Sagisu around 11 pm and then cleaned and unpacked and answered emails for a bit which turned out to be a long time. I ended up going to sleep around 2:30 am. It was not big deal because I have done it before. When I woke up I felt a bit odd. I glanced at the clock and I could of swore it was 12:30 in the afternoon. Shocked I darted up quickly and took a good look at the clock. It was 9:45 am. Better than 12:30 pm but still late. I quickly called Nakano Junior High School and was hoping that one of the English teachers would answer, of course no luck. The Kyoto sensei answered and I tried to explain what happened. After my unsuccessful attempt I called the BOE and talked to Ms. Youshi. I told her what had happened and she was nice enough to call Nakano JHS for me. She didn’t seem too upset because this was the first time I didn’t make it to school. She told the school that some circumstances occurred and I was on my way. She left it up to me to tell them what happened. She said, “You can tell them what ever you want, but of course the truth is the best.” I debated it for a bit and decided that telling them that I just overslept was probably the best thing to do. I did think about calling in sick or saying something like that but I didn’t want to use another day off if I didn’t have to. I got ready quickly and hauled ass to the school. By the time I got there it was about 11:00 am. I went to the Kyoto sensei and tried to say sorry but he didn’t understand me. I need to study Japanese more. I then walked to the third grade teachers room to see if I could find Tsubosaka Sensei. She was in a class. I then thought I would try and find Gogami Sensei’s room because it was her class I was missing. I finally gave up and just sat at my desk. When the bell rang I talked to Gogami Sensei and apologized. She said it was ok because she had to give the tests back to the students. I was relieved and then we talked about what we were going to do for the 5^th period. At lunch I talked to Tsubosaka sensei. I was supposed to grade some papers for her but was unable to. I insisted that I could get some done and took one classes papers to grade. I left a bit late for the Seika meeting today but I wanted to get the papers graded. I feel so bad. The school seemed ok with my mistake but then again that is how Japanese people act. They might hide their true feelings. I hope they are not saying, “that lazy American. He takes time off to travel and then is late to school.” Hum, oh well, what can I do but never let it happen again.

March 11, 2006

So the past week after I got back from Korea has been a bit bad. I mean I can’t complain I have my health and stuff but it was just one of those weeks. Of course on Tuesday I didn’t wake up for school, although it turned out to be fine. I can’t recall what had happened on Wednesday but nothing interesting. On Thursday I woke up on time and got to school with no problem. I talked to Gogami Sensei about our lesson plans for the day and then went back to my desk. We must have got confused because I thought we were only teaching one class during second period. So during first period I walk up to the other teacher’s room to talk with Tsubosaka Sensei. She is busy so I head back down to my desk. On the way back downstairs, Murao Sensei tells me that Gogami Sensei was looking for me. I figured we just needed to go over some more details for the lesson. When I get back in the teachers room Gogami Sensei was not there. I just sat at my desk and start reading a book. About 10 minutes later she walks in the room and in panic, motions me to come. It turns out that we were supposed to teach 1^st and 2^nd period. Man it is just not my week.

On Friday I woke up a bit late so I decided to take my bike to the subway station. So I get to Nodahanshin with about 4 minutes to spare and am headed downstairs to the subway entrance. I look in my bag for my subway card but I can’t find my bag. I realize that I have forgotten it at my apartment. So, my train is coming in 4 minutes and I have no money. I thought about asking somebody for some but thought that wouldn’t really work, being that I don’t speak the language. For lack of other options, I hop back on my bike and head back to Sagisu. Oh, I forgot to add that it was raining and I was eating an apple. So I am riding my bike in the rain, holding an umbrella while my apple is rolling around, half eaten, in my bike basket, great. I get back, pick up my bag and haul ass back to the station. By this time it is about 20 minutes past the time I normally get on the train. I am positive I am going to be late for school again. I couldn’t believe it. Oh well, what could I do now. The trains go as fast as they can and there is nothing I can do to make them go faster. So I am sweating from rushing while I am sitting on the subway. I don’t dare look at my watch because I know that will make me more nervous. After my second subway transfer I see one of the teachers from Nakano JHS. She doesn’t see me but now I stop to look at my watch. I have about 15 minutes to get off the subway and walk 10 minutes to the school. To make a long story short, I make it with about 3 minutes to spare. Whew, at least it is Friday. I should go to sleep earlier. It seems all my troubles are caused by my inability to wake up.

Friday, February 03, 2006

Fri, 03 Feb 2006 15:08:13 GMT

February 1, 2006
Today it is raining hard. I started to take the bus from Sagisu Roku Chome to Nodahanshin and then just transfer to the 91a bus. It is cool because today I didn’t have to walk in the rain, or so I think. So on Monday’s I am usually on the bus for about 45 minutes and sometimes I doze off and wake up somehow in time for my stop. Not today. I wake up, take a look out the window and realize that nothing looks familiar. I start getting this bad feeling that I have missed my stop. I glance at the time and it is now 8:20 am. Now I know I am late. In English I attempt to ask the bus driver where my stop, Shoumbashi, is. He rambles on in what seems to be the quickest Japanese phrase in the country and kind of coaxes me out the door. So there I am standing in the rain contemplating what I should do. School is about to start in about 20 minutes and I haven’t a clue as to where I am. Many situations began to run through my head. Should I attempt to catch another bus to my stop? Should I go into the local conbini Lawsons and ask for directions? Should I call school and let them know I am lost. As I stood there with my umbrella thinking, I saw some school girls. I was hoping they were from my school. I walked up to them, took a look at their book bags and felt a sigh of relief. They were from Taisho Nishi, my school. I ended up following them for about 15 minutes until I recognized the area. I just had to laugh it off. Actually, I was surprised this hasn’t happened earlier. I am sure it will not be the last. Just another adventure in the motherland.

After class I quickly headed back to Nodahanshin to catch the Tozai line to Kobe. This time it was OK to fall asleep because my stop is at the end of the line and somebody would wake me up to kick me off the bus. Anyway, I was headed to Kobe to play some basketball. It is actually pretty hard to find a place to play here in Osaka and in Japan for that matter. One of my friends had found a number of a guy who was starting a team. I figured what the heck. So after about 30 minutes of confusion as to what train to take I am finally on my way. After I exit at Rokko Michi Station my next adventure begins. So this guy Daniel told me that the gym was on the fourth floor of a building right outside of the station. I figure it cannot be that hard. How can miss a gym. Ha. To make a long story short, I walk about for another 20 to 30 minutes going in different buildings looking for a gym. I ask people where the Bball court is and people just laugh. Really, they laughed, “Ha, there is no basketball court around here.” Just when I am about to give up the search and go home a guy approaches me and asks if I am here to ball. I am not quite sure how he knew it was me. Well, I told him I was a short asian guy, which doesn’t really narrow down the search. I am just glad he found me.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:50:40 GMT

Today was cold, cold, cold. I was at Nakano JHS and I sat by the gas heater all day. I was going to just tough it out and sit at my desk but it is just not worth it. My feet and hands were numb and I was wrapped in so much clothes that I could barely move. Besides, I have some good conversations with the teachers near the heater. Usually when I am sitting at my desk nobody comes and talks to me. I guess it is less threatening for the teachers because I move near them instead of them having to come near me.
Anyhow, today was team teaching with Ms. Miki. We were going to do the same lesson we have been doing so I didn’t have to prepare anything. The “don’t say 21” game is great. In it the students have to count to a certain number by increments of 1, 2 or 3 and the person who says the designated number has to stand up and say the time or the day or some type of English phrase that we have been teaching. It is a fun way to get kids talking. Halfway though the lesson this girl was asking me questions. Now being the “don’t hurt anybodies feelings” type of guy I am I politely answered the girls questions and went back to the game. Oh, by the way I was participating in the game. Now that I look back on it I should have just told her nicely to “shhhh” and move along. Besides, I am an assistant teacher and that is what I am supposed to do, control the room. Anyway, I am learning and next time I know what to do. Then all of a sudden Ms. Miki and the student start to get into it verbally. The conversation is all in Japanese but I can tell it wasn't light banter, it was a full on argument. After about 10 to 15 minutes of back and fourth verbal warfare, the class got quiet. I gathered that the teacher told the girl to be quiet or apologize and she didn’t. So the class ends up sitting in the room for about 30 to 35 minutes. At least it was warm. After the class I had asked Ms. Miki what happened and she proceeded to tell me that the girl was teasing another and the teacher got fed up. It was actually great to see some discipline in the classroom. Usually the teachers keep on talking over the screaming kids.
So it was a pretty eventful day at Nakano Junior High School.
On the walk to the subway it started to snow a bit. It was pretty cool to see. I stopped and tried to take a picture but there was not much to see. It is also pretty funny that my keitai weather report now has a picture of a snowman instead of an umbrella. I guess it is colder in Osaka than it is in Sacramento.

Monday, December 05, 2005

Mon, 05 Dec 2005 12:41:48 GMT

Today was really cold and windy. At Higashiyodo Junior High School in the Summer it was the mosquitoes that came in every time somebody slid open the door and now in the Winter it is the bitter cold air. I can’t win. So all day today I was freezing my ass off constantly closing the door after the people that walked in. Ah I am going to get sick.
So on Monday I only teach one class and today I introduced the American game Pictionary. It took a little doing to get the students to understand the game but eventually they got there. I think the kids liked it, well, I hope. I did see the kids laughing and having fun which was a good sing.
After class I spent my time thumbing through the National Geographic Japan guide book and briefly looking at my Japanese language book. Finally, I decided to continue reading this book that I found in my apartment, The Da Vinci Code. Now reading is not really my thing. Let me rephrase that, I don’t read books. I haven’t read a book on my own, well ever I think. I have just done the mandatory books in school. I just don’t enjoy it. So I am about 40 pages into this book and so far it is dead boring. So I am reading and falling asleep for about an hours or so and then it starts to get interesting. It was kind of cool because time passed by quickly and on top of that I am not looking bad while falling asleep. It was great.

After school ended I went to play basketball outside with the kids. It was cold and windy but I decided to play since I brought my basketball stuff and I wanted to get exercise. So I get the key to the dressing room and what do you know, the key breaks off in the lock. I am able to lock and unlock the door but feel horrible. I tell the Kyoto sensei and he tells me not to worry. I feel really bad but what could I do.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 07:03:15 GMT

Well today I had a day off because the students at Nakano Junior High school had a fieldtrip. The only thing I had to do today was go to the Board Of Education (BOE) and sign in (hanko). During the school week we are supposed to take public transportation but I decided to bike to Osaka City Hall. It is only about a 30 minute ride and it was a nice day so I figured why not.
After signing in at the BOE I decided to bike around the city and explore. Everybody reading this entry knows me well enough to know that I have a very bad sense of direction (and that is being generous, ha-ha). So you can imagine my ride. I had no clue where I was going but it was nice. I did get a better sense of where different areas around the city are in relation to each other (Shinsaibashi, Namba, Umeda). Everywhere is actually pretty close (about 45 minutes from one side of the city to the other). My ride lasted for about 2.5 hours or so.
Although I am in Japan, sometimes being in the city I feel like I am in Japan Town in San Francisco. Well…except for everybody is Japanese, everybody speaks Japanese, and all the signs are in Japanese. Ok, I guess it is not the same, I take that back.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 13:50:42 GMT

Ok, it has been almost a month since my last entry. Ah , it is almost 12:00 am and I have been falling asleep at my desk in the teachers room on a daily basis. I guess I better continue this another day. Ha.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Thu, 20 Oct 2005 13:25:36 GMT

I figured since I am a computer geek I should start one of these pages. I also figured since I am living in Japan what better way to communicate with friends and family back home than to post my adventures abroad. More to come...