Days 10 and 11 and 12 – Embrace it with open arms, when it comes

NOTE: This entry, and others in this series (my last 15 days) are for me 40 years from now and overly interested parents, please IGNORE THIS ENTRY for IT IS ALL ABOUT ME AND THEREFORE very BORING AND A WASTE OF TIME.

Here we go. Let’s play catch up, with short stories

Friday at school- Last day at Kawarada ES- Watase sensei must have told the other teachers. Regardless, after morning announcements there was some very awkward eye contact between you and the vice principal, until you just decided to stand up. You did, and …..so did everyone else? Yes, they all stood up with you. Welp, here goes. You say your piece, thanking them for the year. And then…Sakamoto sensei walks up to you, presents you with flowers and a soft-volleyball signed by all of the teachers. She bows, counts to four, and then…you get your very own Japanese version of the happy birthday song, sung to you by the world’s karaoke experts.

Friday- after school- Hyuku Yen store- You walk outside, newly purchases stickers in hand and there they are. The infamous bike gang- at least ten, junior high school boys who supposedly might have connections to Yakuza. They’ve formed a semi circle around your bike. As you approach, one boy darts away from your bike, in the embarrassed regret you know too well. For sure he was up to no good, but you check your bike and it looks fine.

Proceed to interaction. This is a big moment for the foreigner is right in front of them, in the flesh. What happens here, they will remember. One kid yells, “fuck, sex” and then ducks behind his friends. The rest laugh, nervously sure…but this is way different …they have numbers, and this is not school, so ….courage is easier to come by. One boy steps forward, and says ” HELLLOOO. ENGLISH TEACHER?” You say, “YES” And then the weird happens. He jirates, “OHHH” and then proceeds to speak in a language no person on this earth has ever heard. There is no way around it, he is straight mocking you, and all his buddies just burst into laughter.
I guess you just laugh with them, make fun of yourself as well, and then say thank you and ride away.

Later Friday night- Tetsuji’s- First real Japanese friend- He’s got two kids, and a very small apartment, but nonetheless, he throws a dinner/going away party for you. He’s just a good guy. He and his wife, invited everyone else, prepared a table full of food, and into the night we played our drinking games, and just chilled. Good times.

Saturday night- Thank god I puked- Had I not I think I would be dead right now. Regardless, Sarah, Car, Josh, Cailin and I went out for dinner. Afterwards we came back to my apartment, Car left and then John came over. One last party in my small apartment. Celebration. Lot’s of good alcohol, just took it easy. Then people left, I think I climbed in bed after that.

Sunday- Just rode around Yokkaichi all day. Taking it all in. Went on a crazy run tonight. After the sun set, ran through some very dark, woods and rice paddies.

Final week is coming- But before it does…I’m not pretending I know much or that you need to hear anything from me, but fugetabowtit, I want to say this: If you’re reading this, please know that I recommend living abroad, working abroad, etc to anyone. It hasn’t all been good, but it’s never failed to inspire, and challenge. We’ve all got insecurities and consequently cute little bubbles we like to live in, our good friends, our family, keepin it close. But, shake that up, meet those from different places, and different upbringings, and of different ages. Without a doubt every one has something to offer.

And when it’s time to leave, just move on, take what you can, and let go of the rest.

Day 9

It turns out I’m headed home. I stayed up late last night drinking with some friends. We lit some “hanabi” fireworks, and probably pissed some people off in the process (which really is the last thing I want to do most times, especially in Japan), but regardless, we had a good time.

So the mind and the body get run down. So you’re running on low, but for some reason teacthing at Kusu was great today.

I had five classes, which is rare (on the high end). But did I have a hangover? No. Was I tired? No. Was it exactly what I’ve come to expect? Yes.

The energy was there all day. I had to create a few extra sentences, right when I walked in the door (for the san-nensei review with Ueda sensei), and at lunch I was still making materials for the 1st grade lesson. The last lesson I will teach in Japan.

At one point during 5th period………bike gang encounter…tireddddddddddddd can’t write anymore

Day 8-

Sorry…..again….

Turns out I’m a sucker for wine and beer. Some friends came over last night and we drank. Several comments were made about me needing curtains and how screwed I was in getting my apartment packed. I hope this isn’t true.

We bought fireworks, made my apartment an even bigger mess, and killed my brain. So again…sorry, for the short post. I’ll get back to you later..

Day 7-

Woke up and found out that I had been offered an interview near mt Fuji for next year….but I also realized, again, that it’s time to move. So it’s for sure. I’ve only got a few days left in Japan.

I’m dead tired right now..passin outtttttt.

Day 6- Sigh Show a GOO!

Sigh Show a Goo. (pause) Jan Ken (pause) Hoy!

This is how you say rock paper scissors in Japanese. They don’t actually use those words, but I wrote them there so you would know exactly how it sounds and practice for when I get home. The rules are the same, but there are some HUGE differences, which, in my opinion reflect many of the large differences between our two societies. And although that last sentences sounds like it, this is not a history paper, I guess I’m just lame.

When I eat lunch with my students and there are leftovers, this game is played. The teacher breaks the news to the class, asks who wants some more, and five of the biggest boys jump up. Without hesitation, they all drop into an athletic pose, and in unison pump their fists back and forth from the outside of their newly formed circle to the inside where the hands meet, while at the same time they shout, “Saisho agu, janken hoi!” (sigh show a goo jan ken hoy!). The champ gets the food.

But honestly… 90% of all disputes are resolved by playing “janken” (rock paper scissors), at least among kids.

If two people throw the same weapon, they immediately chant, “Aiko de sho!” pronounced, “Eye Ko De Show” and on show they re-throw.

There are no arguments. both people got a fair shot at winning. The dispute is resolved quickly and efficiently. Even if one student feels sure they deserve X more than the other person, if a match of Janken is offered, they arguing stops and the problem is resolved. Sure, there are inevitably two very different emotional reactions, but they get over it, and they don’t argue against the outcome afterwards. Not once. I have never seen someone argue after losing.

Anyways, its day 6 and I should tell you something about the day I guess. I still have no curtains. And nothing really cool happened today but I do have one story.

If you can imagine…You leave work and head home. Walking to the train station, you spot about 7-10 elementary school boys coming in your direction. It’s not often they see a white dude on this street so they all stare. They have been taught to say hello and you can see the ring leader is about to say, “Haallloo” to you. Quickly you throw out your fist and exclaim, “Saisho agu janken hoy!” It takes you about one second to say the whole phrase and throw your weapon, but by the time you have, every single one of them has also thrown theirs. The sounds of defeat and victory come first, international, unbiased, and natural. Then they realize what happened and random Japanese flies at you. You just keep walking by, with the biggest smile on your face. Shock lets you get 20 feet away before one of them calls you out to play one more. From a distance, you all play again, and the uproar at the result is stupendous.

I’ve got to admit, that’s an example of cultural exchange at its finest. I don’t know if they’ll remember the random encounter, but at least they saw that foreigners can play their games too.

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Day 5

NOTE: This entry, and others in this series (my last 15 days) are for me 40 years from now and overly interested parents, please IGNORE THIS ENTRY for IT IS ALL ABOUT ME AND THEREFORE very BORING AND A WASTE OF TIME.

I’ve got no curtains so I’m going to make this quick. I need to turn off the lights asap.

I gave away clothes, a pot and a pan today. I threw away piles of teaching materials. And I even took my curtains to the dry-cleaners.

Somebody please help me. When it comes to normal things, like cleaning my apartment or preparing it for inspection I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m sitting here, in the light of my apartment and anyone who wants to can see me. I have no curtains. There is no taking off the pants this time. All I have are two huge bare glass sliding doors through which everyone can see. It’s like I’m sitting in a giant aquarium right now.

Wow you took your curtains to the dry cleaners? Drew you are on top of things.

Yes. But ask me how longs it’s been since I last cleaned my sheets, or cut my hair, or did the dishes. Exactly, why me taking my curtains to the dry-cleaners makes no sense. I don’t even think they were dirty.

Thankfully I wasn’t here most of the night. For while you were all celebrating the 4th, I was eating, salad with mayo, pickled cucumbers, onions, rice curry, and drinking strong sevens in a 50 year old Japanese house.

This one occupied by Toya sensei from Oike Chu. She lived in the old house, alone with her mother (81 years old), but the house was huge, two stories, including its own garden, rice paddies and a more modern house, which her brother lives in with his family. Literally on the same plot of land…one huge tiled and very traditional home, and another ultra modern house, with a simple Japanese garden separating the two.

John came with me, and the four of us (John, Toya sensei, her mom, and myself) enjoyed ourselves for a few hours. We rode our bikes over there. She lives nearby. About 5 minutes by bike.

It was hot when we arrived, but cool when we left.

Like Watase sensei’s house, her house was very beautiful, but it was much much bigger. Shrine, totami mats, and sliding doors separating rooms. We were immediately ushered into the dinning area upon arriving and this is where we stayed the entire night. So, although her house is large, and expansive, we only saw this room. John later told me that this is common, as the other parts of the house are considered private.

Great night, very calm, good weather, good food.

Day 4 -Everything put together falls apart

NOTE: This entry, and others in this series (my last 15 days) are for me 40 years from now and overly interested parents, please IGNORE THIS ENTRY for IT IS ALL ABOUT ME AND THEREFORE very BORING AND A WASTE OF TIME.

Uh-oh. I think I skipped day. But I’ll make up for it, I promise.

Yesterday, I taught the 3rd and 4th grade students at Kawarada Elementary School. But….I taught with a Japanese girl named Mana. 22 herself, she is studying to become a teacher. The sweet thing though was that her English was way better than my Japanese, so for the first time all year, I was able to know every single thing the students were saying…or so I thought. The craziest thing is that there were many times even she couldn’t understand them. Supposedly this happens with each generation. Kinda of like your dad saying, “My BOIII, did you see how Gnarly that chick was? Holla at me?” But, it seems the generational differences are exaggerated over here. This might have to do with the close bonds generational peers show in so many other circumstances. It’s something I’ve noticed and it’s something I don’t want to pretend I understand perfectly, because even if I stayed here another 5 years, I’d still be a “gaijin” (foreigner).

So in no way am I saying, I’m right, but here is what I think: more so than in America it seems every age group, and gender has a specific place/order in society, and although the gaps between these groups (at least to me) seem larger than ours in America, the cohesiveness and pride within them is enormous.

All right enough of that.

I sent an application in today to teach here for another year, with some random company. Yeah yeah yeah. I’m stoked on NY, but let me explain what is happening over here. I myself can see it, so please don’t take the application seriously.

Last night was the farewell party with the Board of Education (Shidouka). Myself and three other teachers are going home. 7 people are staying. Carly and myself have been here one year, David stayed two, and Tha stayed three. We all gave speeches, but there were huge differences between them. Carlye and I gave quick ones, David’s was longer and of course Tha’s was longest. And so the bonds of time clearly apparent.

My stay here paled in comparison, so I felt.

I had a great time, drinking with all of the most lively and kind people I’ve ever met, and stumbled home on my bike, completely miserable to be leaving. But that’s emotion.

Then today, my fellow teacher, Watase sensei (pictured above), took me out to lunch and then brought me over to his house. The whole time, I was soaking every new piece of information up like a sponge. I met his mother, wife and son. First time ever. They invited me in, we put on slippers, and I was ushered through the sliding doors made of Japanese wood and paper, over tatami foors, and walls where every picture and engraving stood for something. Japanese garden outside? Check. Miniature shrine? Check. His mother, made tea in front of us, in the traditional way, passed down for 700 years since the origin of Samurai. They fed me, gave me coffee, and bread to go. This was the first time I met any of these people.

Japanese people are without a doubt, the most humble and kind people I know. While at the same time you can guarantee behind their humility, there is always going to be a wealth of experience. They have so many saying over here.

One: Ganbate- Try your best.

Two: Mottai Nai- Don’t be wasteful.

I told them how comfortable I felt over here, but that I was leaving in two weeks. His wife muttered mottai nai, and just nodded her head.

Speaking with them, using broken Japanese and English, learning about how little I know…so that’s where I lie. Two weeks left, and thirsting for more.

But let’s be honest here. And although this is probably just me rationalizing. Here it is.

When you have to go, when something GOOD is coming to an end, or has to end, it’s never good timing. Forced endings never come at the “right time”. But you’ve got to be happy when things end like that. Where you’re left saddened and thirsting for more. Just take what you got, and move on. And if you see it coming, make the most of what you have left.

I’m going to go kill my liver.

Obama is a place

Random facts/stories about Japan:

In Japan children are driven to kindergarten in buses that are (no joke), shaped and painted like trains, animals, and other cartoons. I asked myself why. I came up with two reasons: One is safety. A huge green and orange anteater is hard to miss. And the other is just maximization. In Japan everything is efficient. They maximize gains and losses. But in soooo many different ways. So, in this example, I mean that some Japanese government official said, “In Japan our average life span is 80 years, and we are only in kindergarten for one or two years, this is less than 1 percent of our lives, but nonetheless part of our life. Therefore, I propose we maximize future enjoyment of this year for the children. They will be happier leaving their mothers if they get to enter a huge pig, as opposed to some scary black and yellow machine. Also, those who make the giant pig will improve their artistic abilities and therefore they will become better citizens of Japan.”

Yesterday some girl told me my blue eyes were freaking out of this world or something. Then she walked up to me and smelt my armpits and exclaimed to all the children around her that they smelt great. I can honestly say, I had been sweating for at least 5 hrs before she did that.

Today at Elementary school, the teacher in charge of English this trimester (who can’t really say anything besides hello), came near my desk, bent over, and proceeded to stare and mover her head from side to side for about 5 minutes, trying to figure out how to say sorry for assigning my schedule so late. I asked her (in Japanese, her native tongue), what she wanted after the first two minutes and she refused to respond in Japanese and instead, moved her head. Side to side.

At school, when its lunch time, the school plays whatever songs are most popular in Japan to the entire school. Sometimes, this means Japanese goth may be played, to 10-15 year olds. While in the midst of this, musical infection, they all sit in their classrooms, silent for the most part, eating their lunch politely with chopsticks.

There are no janitors at the schools. Students clean the school each day. Invariably, 5th period ends and classic music is then played throughout the school for ten minutes, while the students do their thang.

If person A drops their books and person B picks them up, both people say excuse me.

You do not tip in Japan. And you do not wait for your waiter. Instead, you hit a button or ring a bell at your table (like in curb) and they rush to your table. I love this.

Sometimes teachers stand outside in the morning, because it’s a “good morning day”. This means they stand their to say good morning to each student as they arrive at school.

Before each class begins, every student must be accounted for. The other day one of my students was sleeping in the gym, so class didn’t start until another student had woken him up and convinced him to join us. Then as usual we all stood up, bowed, and said onegaishimasu. After class, we all stand again, say arigato (thank you) and bow again.

Every karaoke place offers nomihodi (all you can drink).

When you leave the gym, office, or say goodnight to a friend or stranger. You will hear them say “Otsukarsamadeshta!” Which means thank you for working so hard! Literally, everytime.

Umm that’s all I have for now.

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