I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! During the weekend I caught a cold, so I stayed in and tried to recover. I also cleaned my apartment and went shopping so that everything was all set for Eddie's arrival! I found a Christian church and went to a service on Christmas Eve. I'm not sure exactly what kind of a church it was but it definitely wasn't Catholic. It was obvious that we were celebrating Christ's birth, so I knew I wasn't too far off. I opened my Christmas presents too!
On Christmas Day I went to work and planned out fun things to do in Osaka once Eddie gets here. That's about all I did. At home I watched part of the Office season 2 and the movie Adaptation. Once my family woke up on Christmas morning, I was able to talk with them over the phone. A pleasant Christmas, but definitely missing some fun family members and delicious food. It didn't really feel like Christmas to begin with, so I sometimes forgot which day it actually was.
A highlight of this past weekend has been driving a tiny little car. Almost all of my friends left the country during winter break, and two of them left me with their car. I have an international driver's license and insurance, so I'm all set. Man I miss driving!!!! I am already accustomed to driving on the left side of the road because I've been following traffic rules on my bike this whole time. The only thing that I mixed up the first couple times was that the turning signal switch is on the right and the windshield wiper controller is on the left of the steering wheel.
Tonight I leave for Osaka. I am staying at my friends' apartment while they are visiting the US. I'm taking care of their adorable cats while they are gone. Eddie flies in tomorrow and is staying with me until January 14th. We're going to stay in Osaka through New Years and then head back to Naruto. Some highlights of the things I have planned are an evening river cruise through downtown Osaka, the instant noodle cup museum, Spa World, Osaka's Aquarium, sake brewery tour, New Years Eve in Shinsaibashi/Dotombori, shopping, and lots of eating (Kobe beef, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, etc). Oooooh I'm pumped! I think I'm going to have a hard time sleeping tonight due to the anticipation and excitement!
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
Christmas in Japan
It should be no surprise that Christmas isn't a national holiday in Japan. That means that I will be going into the office on Christmas! I probably won't do much. I just have to show up. The kids have two weeks off for winter break, starting on the 23rd.
From what people have told me, I've gathered that some people in Japan give their kids Christmas presents. But it sounds like they only do it when they are younger and that the presents are silly. I've seen about two houses with Christmas decorations outside. Almost all stores have been playing Christmas music since the end of November. Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas is You" is played just about every other song. Everybody has said that they eat Christmas cake on Christmas. I think that's funny because that's about the ONLY dessert that my family DOESN'T eat at Christmas time. But if you think about it, maybe we should.... after all, we are celebrating a birthday. They told me Christmas cake is just like birthday cake but with different decorations. Christmas Eve or Christmas night is a date night for most Japanese couples. Japanese families all gather together (the way we do for Christmas) for New Years, not Christmas. During New Years they go to a temple and pray.
When I explained some of the Christmas traditions in the US (caroling, cards, decorating the tree, santa, etc), the kids were most surprised by the tradition of leaving cookies, milk, and carrots out on Christmas Eve. They thought it was really funny. That and sending Santa a wishlist.
From what people have told me, I've gathered that some people in Japan give their kids Christmas presents. But it sounds like they only do it when they are younger and that the presents are silly. I've seen about two houses with Christmas decorations outside. Almost all stores have been playing Christmas music since the end of November. Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas is You" is played just about every other song. Everybody has said that they eat Christmas cake on Christmas. I think that's funny because that's about the ONLY dessert that my family DOESN'T eat at Christmas time. But if you think about it, maybe we should.... after all, we are celebrating a birthday. They told me Christmas cake is just like birthday cake but with different decorations. Christmas Eve or Christmas night is a date night for most Japanese couples. Japanese families all gather together (the way we do for Christmas) for New Years, not Christmas. During New Years they go to a temple and pray.
When I explained some of the Christmas traditions in the US (caroling, cards, decorating the tree, santa, etc), the kids were most surprised by the tradition of leaving cookies, milk, and carrots out on Christmas Eve. They thought it was really funny. That and sending Santa a wishlist.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Some rambling about cheating
I'm really starting to notice all the small intricate differences in the Japanese school system. I'm sorry to say that I don't like some of them. I've already mentioned the heating issue.... I'm wearing thick socks and I haven't been able to keep my toes warm all day today.
But anyways, one of the aspects of Japanese student behavior that really surprised me at first, and now gets on my nerves, is their lack of independence or confidence in themselves. I don't really know how else to explain it, but that's how I perceive it.
In American schools, when you are called on in class or are working on a worksheet, what would happen if you turned around and consulted with three of your friends for about two minutes before answering? Or blatantly copied your friends' answers? That was always considered *cheating* wasn't it? Well that's what about 90% of the kids do here. The other 10% of the kids are the ones that are telling everyone else the answers (they aren't sly or discreet about it either), and then don't need any help when it's their turn.
I was told during orientation that this is how the kids would behave and that you shouldn't fight it because you'll just have absolutely silent classes. They pretty much said it was a cultural difference because Japan is a group society. I think they pass too much off as being a 'cultural thing' though. Regardless, kids really will just stand there in silence forever (after you call on them) if you don't let them communicate with others. Somehow standing in silence is the less embarrassing option to them. To me, the longer the silence, the more embarrassing it gets.
Now that I worry about how effective each exercise is in class, I've given great thought to this behavior. I think it really inhibits each kid's learning. That's why we consider it cheating isn't it? Why figure out what is going on in class if you know someone will always tell you the answer? It creates quite an obstacle in making lesson plans. I think that this behavior is part of the reason why there is a such a huge gap in abilities within each class. The other part might be because Japan (or at least Tokushima Prefecture) has a "no fail" policy until high school. As long as you show up to class often, you'll make it all the way up to 9th grade. Passing doesn't depend on your attempt at learning. Where's the motivation? I feel like the only thing that motivates these kids is passing the entrance exam to high school. But even then, they can keep on taking entrance exams until they get into one. It's not like they won't go to high school. I guess the kids want to go to the same school as their friends though, and that is the only reason I can think of that is motivating my students to listen to me.
The only other difference in the school system that I either don't understand or find inefficient is the counseling aspect of school. I think I need to learn more about this one before I really comment on it. For now, this is what I know. I know that the school counselor visits the school a couple times a month. They visit each school about as often as I do (4-5 days a month), but only interact with the kids that sign up to talk. At some schools, the counselor sits at his desk in the office for the entire afternoon, looks bored, and packs up and leaves as soon as he can. At other schools, the counselor actually talks with students. Perhaps I'm just generalizing based on one guy that doesn't do his job, but on the other hand, I feel like I've seen some kids that look like they aren't getting the help that they need. It's really hard to watch. I'm going to a museum with one of the counselors this weekend (she earned her phd in Missouri!), so I'm definitely going to try to learn more about it all.
I realize this is a pretty negative post. I didn't mean to say that I've lost any respect for Japanese culture. Every job has it's frustrations, and I just wanted to share my job's challenges with you guys.
I think there's a stereotype in the US of what an average Japanese student is like, but I have to say, I think those stereotypes came from Tokyo or the Japanese version of a magnet high school. I'm just not seeing it at the extent that would warrant the beginning of such a stereotype.
hmmmmmmmmmm I don't think I'm really making a point here. It's just that the way some of my students behave and study boggles my mind sometimes. It's almost as if they've been told their whole lives that specifically *Japanese* students have such a hard life and that they should really believe it. But really, they don't study that hard until 9th grade, just before entering high school. And they only join one club. Nobody is in more than one club. A few students go to "cram school" (extra classes) after school, but I'm pretty sure that's not everyday. Most of the kids seem to be home by dinner time. Japanese schools aren't that rigorous! This is really bad, but I have to try not to laugh when they all say they have a very hard life. I'm 22 years old and I've already caught myself wanting to say, "Well when I was your age, I was in 10 clubs. You'll be fine."
But anyways, one of the aspects of Japanese student behavior that really surprised me at first, and now gets on my nerves, is their lack of independence or confidence in themselves. I don't really know how else to explain it, but that's how I perceive it.
In American schools, when you are called on in class or are working on a worksheet, what would happen if you turned around and consulted with three of your friends for about two minutes before answering? Or blatantly copied your friends' answers? That was always considered *cheating* wasn't it? Well that's what about 90% of the kids do here. The other 10% of the kids are the ones that are telling everyone else the answers (they aren't sly or discreet about it either), and then don't need any help when it's their turn.
I was told during orientation that this is how the kids would behave and that you shouldn't fight it because you'll just have absolutely silent classes. They pretty much said it was a cultural difference because Japan is a group society. I think they pass too much off as being a 'cultural thing' though. Regardless, kids really will just stand there in silence forever (after you call on them) if you don't let them communicate with others. Somehow standing in silence is the less embarrassing option to them. To me, the longer the silence, the more embarrassing it gets.
Now that I worry about how effective each exercise is in class, I've given great thought to this behavior. I think it really inhibits each kid's learning. That's why we consider it cheating isn't it? Why figure out what is going on in class if you know someone will always tell you the answer? It creates quite an obstacle in making lesson plans. I think that this behavior is part of the reason why there is a such a huge gap in abilities within each class. The other part might be because Japan (or at least Tokushima Prefecture) has a "no fail" policy until high school. As long as you show up to class often, you'll make it all the way up to 9th grade. Passing doesn't depend on your attempt at learning. Where's the motivation? I feel like the only thing that motivates these kids is passing the entrance exam to high school. But even then, they can keep on taking entrance exams until they get into one. It's not like they won't go to high school. I guess the kids want to go to the same school as their friends though, and that is the only reason I can think of that is motivating my students to listen to me.
The only other difference in the school system that I either don't understand or find inefficient is the counseling aspect of school. I think I need to learn more about this one before I really comment on it. For now, this is what I know. I know that the school counselor visits the school a couple times a month. They visit each school about as often as I do (4-5 days a month), but only interact with the kids that sign up to talk. At some schools, the counselor sits at his desk in the office for the entire afternoon, looks bored, and packs up and leaves as soon as he can. At other schools, the counselor actually talks with students. Perhaps I'm just generalizing based on one guy that doesn't do his job, but on the other hand, I feel like I've seen some kids that look like they aren't getting the help that they need. It's really hard to watch. I'm going to a museum with one of the counselors this weekend (she earned her phd in Missouri!), so I'm definitely going to try to learn more about it all.
I realize this is a pretty negative post. I didn't mean to say that I've lost any respect for Japanese culture. Every job has it's frustrations, and I just wanted to share my job's challenges with you guys.
I think there's a stereotype in the US of what an average Japanese student is like, but I have to say, I think those stereotypes came from Tokyo or the Japanese version of a magnet high school. I'm just not seeing it at the extent that would warrant the beginning of such a stereotype.
hmmmmmmmmmm I don't think I'm really making a point here. It's just that the way some of my students behave and study boggles my mind sometimes. It's almost as if they've been told their whole lives that specifically *Japanese* students have such a hard life and that they should really believe it. But really, they don't study that hard until 9th grade, just before entering high school. And they only join one club. Nobody is in more than one club. A few students go to "cram school" (extra classes) after school, but I'm pretty sure that's not everyday. Most of the kids seem to be home by dinner time. Japanese schools aren't that rigorous! This is really bad, but I have to try not to laugh when they all say they have a very hard life. I'm 22 years old and I've already caught myself wanting to say, "Well when I was your age, I was in 10 clubs. You'll be fine."
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
my life is so hard
One of the teachers that I teach English with is also the home-ec teacher. The junior high school kids get to cook twice a year. This week they got to make crepes and cake. The teacher invited me to come and help one of the groups, so I said yes. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, as usual. I helped one of the groups crack eggs and stir, which was a lot of fun. But then once all the desserts were made, and a sample was sent up to the other teachers for grading, every group gave me a dessert. How could I say no to those cute kids wearing aprons?? So over the course of an hour I sat there and consumed 6 delicious desserts! That's when it dawn on me how terribly hard this job is. I don't know if I can keep doing this!!!!
In other news, I had a few of the kids that live in the orphanage/care-giving home in my class today. They are in the special needs class, and up until this week completely ignored my presence when I was in class. No eye contact, no participation, no hellos or goodbyes, and they didn't even attempt to speak to me in Japanese. If they said anything or looked at anyone at all, it was always directed towards the other teacher. I never really pushed it with them because there are a million reasons why they could have been acting that way. However, since they received their presents from Santa and the visit from all the foreigners, they have completely changed. In class today, they made eye contact with me and spoke directly to me! And at the end of class they asked me when I was coming to their class again! Well, I just wanted to spend the entire day there with them.
Also, I was quoted in the Tokushima newspaper on Monday! A newspaperman interviewed me at the orphanage/care-giving home on Sunday. I said I was glad to see the kids smiling.
In other news, I had a few of the kids that live in the orphanage/care-giving home in my class today. They are in the special needs class, and up until this week completely ignored my presence when I was in class. No eye contact, no participation, no hellos or goodbyes, and they didn't even attempt to speak to me in Japanese. If they said anything or looked at anyone at all, it was always directed towards the other teacher. I never really pushed it with them because there are a million reasons why they could have been acting that way. However, since they received their presents from Santa and the visit from all the foreigners, they have completely changed. In class today, they made eye contact with me and spoke directly to me! And at the end of class they asked me when I was coming to their class again! Well, I just wanted to spend the entire day there with them.
Also, I was quoted in the Tokushima newspaper on Monday! A newspaperman interviewed me at the orphanage/care-giving home on Sunday. I said I was glad to see the kids smiling.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
weekend stories
Last weekend I did a number of things. On Friday night I went to a staff dinner party at a hotel in Tokushima City with everyone that works at my high school. It was interesting to say the least. There was a raffle, bingo, and buffet. I saw all the food lined up when I walked in, so I understood there was a buffet. Several people still explained to me that I must get my food myself, as if it was a new Japanese concept for me. However, only one person explained to me that in Japan, you never fill your own glass. So the majority of the people there spent more time walking around refilling other peoples drinks than eating at their own table. The people who were driving had a special sticker on them asking that you not serve them alcohol. Non of the men had stickers on. Many teachers that do not talk to me in the office finally struck up a conversation with me. The not-so-sober principal admitted to me that he was worried that I wouldn't work out in the beginning, but that now he is relieved (I'm the first female JET to work at that technical high school). During bingo I won an alarm clock! I was invited to all the smaller second parties, but I went a long with the youngest crowd and one of the English teachers that I teach with. We went to a snack bar. We were the only ones in there, and we sang kareoke for a bit. I sang "Girls Just Want To Have Fun."
Saturday and Sunday were spent with friends. We visited two orphanages in Hanoura and Naruto and threw Christmas parties for them. The term orphanage isn't very accurate though. The majority of the kids that live there have families that they visit occassionally. They live there because their families can't afford to take care of them. It's kind of like a free day-care/night-care. The kids are in good hands though. For example, there are 18 staff members for the 30 kids at the Naruto home. The home is near one of my junior high schools, so some of the kids and I knew each other. Ten other Jets and I sang Christmas carols, played games, decorated a Christmas tree, made Christmas cards, and just had fun with the kids. At the end Santa appeared and gave all the kids presents! The care takers invited us to stay and have lunch with all the kids.
I was able to use a lot of my Japanese this weekend. I feel a lot more comfortable just blurting out sentence making attempts. I make a TON of mistakes, but I feel that what I learn from these mistakes sticks in my memory better than memorizing and studying from books. I think I held back too long.
Saturday and Sunday were spent with friends. We visited two orphanages in Hanoura and Naruto and threw Christmas parties for them. The term orphanage isn't very accurate though. The majority of the kids that live there have families that they visit occassionally. They live there because their families can't afford to take care of them. It's kind of like a free day-care/night-care. The kids are in good hands though. For example, there are 18 staff members for the 30 kids at the Naruto home. The home is near one of my junior high schools, so some of the kids and I knew each other. Ten other Jets and I sang Christmas carols, played games, decorated a Christmas tree, made Christmas cards, and just had fun with the kids. At the end Santa appeared and gave all the kids presents! The care takers invited us to stay and have lunch with all the kids.
I was able to use a lot of my Japanese this weekend. I feel a lot more comfortable just blurting out sentence making attempts. I make a TON of mistakes, but I feel that what I learn from these mistakes sticks in my memory better than memorizing and studying from books. I think I held back too long.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
weekend
This weekend was rather relaxed compared to last weekend. I went to the local live jazz bar on Friday with some of my JET friends. On Saturday I went to a barbecue with my supervisor, Jeff, and Jill. It was a lot like a barbecue back home but with different food. There were tons of people, a couple guys manning the grill, kids running around, lots of drinking, and way too much food. They grilled chicken, oysters, corn on the cob, beef, and sausage. Lots of people brought food too. I had some of the best potato salad in my life there. It had avocados in it! Anyways, I met a lot of Japanese scientists that work for Otsuka in Naruto. Otsuka makes a lot of the popular sodas, energy drinks, snacks and pharmaceuticals in Japan.
Later I went to an onsen in a nearby town with some of my friends. It was kind of sketchy, and I'm pretty sure the wine bath was just water with red dye in it. Everyone kept staring at us, even when we had clothes on. They didn't provide soap and hair drier usage cost money, which are both usually free. Part of the bath had this electrical part to it, where you feel a fairly light electrical shock in the water. I was pretty confused as to why people weren't dying.
Today I did nothing and it was everything I thought it could be. :)
It's pretty cold now. It's in the 40s outside. Some of the teachers giggled when I walked into school last week with a scarf (a beautiful one made by Mary!), hat, gloves, and winter coat. They don't ride their bike to work though! I've been wearing 4 shirts to work everyday and my hands and feet are still cold. There's no heat/heater in the classrooms and hallways. Yet the girls are still required to wear skirts as part of their uniforms. They just started turning the heater on in the teachers' offices.
Later I went to an onsen in a nearby town with some of my friends. It was kind of sketchy, and I'm pretty sure the wine bath was just water with red dye in it. Everyone kept staring at us, even when we had clothes on. They didn't provide soap and hair drier usage cost money, which are both usually free. Part of the bath had this electrical part to it, where you feel a fairly light electrical shock in the water. I was pretty confused as to why people weren't dying.
Today I did nothing and it was everything I thought it could be. :)
It's pretty cold now. It's in the 40s outside. Some of the teachers giggled when I walked into school last week with a scarf (a beautiful one made by Mary!), hat, gloves, and winter coat. They don't ride their bike to work though! I've been wearing 4 shirts to work everyday and my hands and feet are still cold. There's no heat/heater in the classrooms and hallways. Yet the girls are still required to wear skirts as part of their uniforms. They just started turning the heater on in the teachers' offices.
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