How low can you go (8/10/07)

Just some observations that I may not have mentioned before… all the chairs here are super low! If you’re not already sitting on the floor, the chairs are low enough to feel like it. The couch in my house is super low that my knees end up bending as high as my chest. Guess it’s just a little something to get used to. I just hope I can fit into my tiny car.

School's IN for summer (8/10/07)

(you can see my house to the right in the photo, the white one next to the cars...)

Well, I got through the big speech yesterday, my first officially day reporting in to school. I decided to read it first in English and then in Japanese. I wrote out the speech and practiced on my neighbor who gave some very helpful edits. I was feeling pretty good about it and then we walked into the gym and I saw all 300 students and staff and the huge stage set up for the assembly. That’s when my heart started going. Today is the Day of Peace in Nagasaki marking the anniversary of the bomb during WWII. The students planned speeches and a survivor of the war came to speak. I have to say I felt a little awkward stating that I’m an American on such a day. Maybe not the best time for my intro but it was probably just me feeling strange about it all. I was pretty happy about my “performance” though, my voice didn’t shake and I tried my best to speak slowly and clearly. I took my time hopefully pronouncing the Japanese words correctly. One of my teachers praised me and told me she heard another male teacher actually go “Whoo!” after my speech so at least one person really liked it. So funny!



After the speech I stayed for the assembly, which was locally televised. The gym doesn’t have A/C so it was pretty hot. A couple students had to leave the room from heat exhaustion and some had to lie down. Luckily I was by a window so it wasn’t as bad though I did have a suit on.



The rest of the day I spent in the teachers’ staff room trying to look busy. Apparently since it’s summer break, the teachers just need to show up for their work hours and look busy. By the end of the day though, it seemed acceptable to lay your head down and nap a bit or just fall asleep. Once the chimes rang for the end of the day, they were out! I’m sure during the school year they are extremely busy so I’m glad to have the time to ease in and get to know some of the teachers.

When I got home, my neighbors saw me and wanted to know all about my first day. I’m glad to have them since they're both experienced teachers in the same program. I also got to practice driving for the first time in Japan as my neighbor kindly volunteered to take me out. I didn’t hit anything but I think I got a little too close to the side ride a couple times.

Scott was supposed to arrive tonight but Visa issues have delayed him. I’ll have to wait a few more days for his arrival. In the meantime, I’m getting the house comfy and maybe I’ll venture out for some errands this weekend with the car. Just have to remember to stay on the left, take my time, and remember that the blinker is on the right side!

Hello, my name is (8/8/07)

Today I visited all 7 of my schools in the city of Unzen. I’ll be in one junior high and will visit 6 elementary schools. All staff was friendly and welcoming though some of the principals were a bit intimidating. I made my introduction speech about 10 times today so I felt a little like a broken record. Each time I mentioned that I practiced Shorinji Kempo I got oohs and ahhs from the staff. I think that’s my in!


Today also marks 1 week that I’ve been in my new home and town. Kunimi is famous for crab and soccer. The light posts in the town even have soccer balls as lights so that you know you’re in Kunimi. I’ve been told that children transfer to the junior high here in order to make the high school soccer team. It’s serious business. I’m looking forward to seeing a few soccer games. Right now the kids are on summer break but apparently that just means time for them to focus on their clubs (sports, brass band, etc). I have seen a lot of kids practicing soccer and baseball but I’ve also seen them swimming in the pool near my house so hopefully some of them are actually playing.


So far I’ve been doing more grocery shopping and cooking some meals. Most things are pretty familiar (thanks to my mom’s training) so I’ve been fending for myself. Cooking has been good but I must say I miss being able to order food in as a backup. Today I was treated to a unique lunch experience out in the trees near one of my schools and by a camping site. We ate at a somen place where the somen (cold rice noodles) floats around in a round container on each table. I didn’t have my camera but I plan to go back there again… if I can find the place! As we were surrounded by green, lively rice paddies naturally the rice and somen were deliciously fresh.

Tomorrow is my big speech in front of all the students and staff. Gulp! I’ll have to prepare a bit for that. The teachers were joking that it should be about 10 minutes long. At least I hope they were joking! And on Friday, I get my car. So this weekend I’ll be practicing driving on the left and squeezing between tiny streets. I have full insurance so at least I’ll be well protected. I’ll definitely be driving like an old lady for a while!

Kazusa waves (8/5/07)

Today I went on my first solo excursion to the local grocery store and drug store. I rode my new bike that I got for about $50 and set out. I love my new bike! My town doesn’t have many street signs or any really so I had to navigate by landmarks and memory. I made it to the store and then spent two hours shopping, mainly staring at a type of product with 50 choices until I finally picked one and hoped for the best.



In the afternoon my wonderful and fellow foreign neighbors drove us out to a beach about an hour away. The town is called Kazusa. We drove through the lush green mountains and back down to the water. It is a gorgeous beach full of rocky and tree-filled mountains and clean clear water. I wrote a little haiku about the day:


Crane in the water
Kazusa waves warm welcome
Winding roads to home

Killer spiders (8/3/07)

Well, I made it through my first typhoon but I’ve been told it didn’t actually hit our town but just passed through. I thought it was pretty bad though! I guess on par with East coast thunderstorms. Really windy and rainy though watching the rice fields waving in the wind was really beautiful. When an actual typhoon hits, they say trees will be torn out of the ground and flung around so I have that to look forward to this season. Rainy season has just ended and summer has now officially begun. It’s supposed to be typhoon-y and humid until about mid September. There are constantly chirping crickets and mosquitoes about. The crickets are friendly and in a way make me feel less alone at home. But the mosquitoes are vicious. So far I’ve gotten two really bad bites. They kind of sting after a couple days. Much meaner than the ones back home. Also there are gigantic spiders here. I found two in the house. One of them was in the spare room so I let him have his space, but the other was in the shower room when I wanted to take a shower. I tried to catch it in a cup to let it out but it was way too quick so I had to smash him. He was twitching and I felt so bad but it had to be done. I was told though that killing them might attract more because they like to eat their dead. You just can’t win!

Today should be more shopping and prepping. Last night I had a lovely dinner with my Canadian neighbors. They’ve been here a couple years as English teachers in the same program and just had a baby girl. It was nice to chat and also ask questions about my job and what to expect. They’re hoping to stay in Japan for as long as possible so I take that as a good sign for my year here.



Well, I was going to take a picture of the spider but there was no time so instead here is a picture of the most adorable breakfast I’ve ever had.

Steamy typhoon welcome (8/1/07)

I’ve finally arrived in my new home in Unzen City, Nagasaki. After another long day of travel from Tokyo (2 hour bus ride, 2 hour flight, 1 hour car ride), we arrived at Nagasaki City’s airport. My fellow coworkers and I were happy to finally be in our town and be rid of lugging around tons of luggage but were equally terrified. Waiting for us were representatives of each town waving signs at us. We were told we’d have to formally introduce ourselves and could potentially be driven directly to work at school or to the Board of Education office for more formal introductions.

I was very lucky to be told I wouldn’t need to report to school until next week and a fellow teacher from Canada (also a second-generation Japanese like me) was my guide along with my two supervisors. They took me to the Board of Education to do some paperwork and I had to meet the staff and the head of the Board. I did my 5-sentence long speech of intro a few times for the staff and I think it went over alright. The staff was friendly and hopefully enjoyed my little speech. Most were impressed I studied Shorinji Kempo and was from NYC.



So far I’ve been taken shopping by my supervisor for the basics (futon, linens, food, cleaning products, etc.). I’ll also be leasing a car and driving to work. Trying to learn the rules of the road in the meantime. Most importantly, there is zero tolerance here in Japan for drinking and driving. The alcohol level must be zero when driving or riding a bicycle. Pretty intense. I would be fired and sent home if caught by the police. Luckily I’m not a drinker but I’ll have to be aware of the laws here. One thing that’s good is that the insurance I’m buying covers me completely whether I hit a pole or if the accident is my fault. The roads here are tiny and rice paddies, mountains, trees, and ocean surround me. It’s beautiful. I also got set up in a house with two stories. It’s huge and visitors are very welcome.

Today a typhoon is nearing so I’ve closed all the windows and hopefully I’ll get through my first typhoon safely! I’m having dinner with the neighbors so at least I won’t be alone.

Next week I’ll look forward to more formal introductions including one at an assembly in front of all 300 students at my junior high.

a brief pause

sorry dear readers. i know you've all been dying to hear the latest from me. hee! well apparently it takes a lot of paperwork for foreigners to set up internet access in their homes. i'm borrowing a neighbors at the moment but i have been keeping a log of entries so not to worry. hopefully in a couple weeks i'll be able to catch up... with photos! there's much going on mostly to set up my new home so far but i'm off to school tomorrow. more soon... be well!