Brenda in Japan

Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Brenda McKinney is an American living and working in the Kansai region of Japan. This is an account of her life and adventures among the fine people of Nihon.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Moving On and Moved out

It's been a pretty full on couple of days, but I'm officially moved out and met my successor today.  She seems really nice in person and actually a really excellent fit for my school, which makes me happy.  

It might also be a good thing that the moving (out/on?) process was so enveloped and has been ongoing, because I think it really helped on the emotional front, especially with such a big move.  The new girl moved into my place today and while it was my home in Japan for 3 years here and will always feel like it, I am actually OK with passing it along... maybe it helps that I feel like it's going to a good person, though?  

Or maybe this is what they call true closure ;-P

Monday, July 27, 2009

Mission Packing - Complete.

Somehow I pulled it off and packed up everything in my apartment. The space is really not that big and I had nothing when I came, so not really sure how I managed to take out 22 bags of trash, but the place is looking good.

I finally finished everything around 3am last night (furniture in the kitchen for the floors to be replaced, etc) and have been cleaning most of the day today. I went into Harinan, my visit high school, for the morning since it's my last day, but I had to get back to the apartment to meet a coworker from my normal school who helped me when the gas, electricity, water and tatami people came so I could pay my last bills in cash.

As for packing and getting things home, I thought I was going to make it without sending anything, but after actually putting things into the suitcase, I realized I am better off sending my books and papers home since the book rate is so ridiculously cheap (and I can't really be bothered to cut the pile down further anymore). Other than that, even the shoes are good to go!

Feeling pretty good about this feat right now.  Even though it's a sad goodbye, it's also a happy one in some ways as I'm sad because I've had so much fun here. Getting cheesy, so I think I'll end this here.  But packing is checked off the list!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Packing - Round 2

Wow, so much stuff.  Still going.

Fit all my clothes and DVD player into my big suitcase and it's at the weight limit.  

One more for SHOES, papers, books and whatever else... actually doing OK (for now).  Taking a break for some brazilian BBQ and birthdays in Kobe.  Back tomorrow!

New Fave Japanese Word

Gokatsuyaku (ご活躍) = I wish you an active and successful future ("I wish you many more wishes")

ESS Farewell Party

After a week, I was finally allowed access to my classroom again by ESS.

The surprise farewell party was supposed to start around 9 (was tipped off by another teacher...), but I got pulled into the Principal's office in the morning for a small ceremony when I was on my way to the room. The situation was actually sort of funny. The prefecture gave me an official certificate of appreciation for spending 3 years in this school, so Kocho Sensei (the Principal), Kyoto Sensei (Vice Principal) and the head officer all stood in a line and congratulated me formally while I bowed and accepted the document. It was just the 4 of us and I kind of wanted to giggle because it was so formal for just a small ceremony, but I kept it professional and did my bows before running off to find the ESS girls.

When I got to the classroom, I knocked on the door, it opened a crack and an eye peered out to see who was there. I heard some shuffling and then the door was opened all the way so I could come in.

I was so impressed by my girls! Wow! They bought a ton of food for us to have while we hung out with, painted a sign, decorated the chalkboards and even prepared a little speech and had presents for me. I was especially blown away when Rachel and Hiroko gave me LUSH bath bombs (with rose buds in the middle) - LOVE them!! Awesome. Tsutsumi Sensei also gave me a really cool windchime and some playing cards with scenes from Japan on them. Treasures. They will definitely be moving to Boston with me. We went through all the places on the cards, too, and I think there were only 3 or 4 famous sites in the deck that I haven't seen yet... good icebreaker for home if anyone wants to know more about Japan:-p

I was talking to the girls about their new foreign English teacher (who will be replacing me) and some thing they could do with her, when I realized I still had 2 of the pinatas I made in Febrary left that we never used. I told them they should throw a welcome party and use them, but the girls didn't really know what a pinata was so we ended up filling it up with snacks, sewing up the bottom right then and there and using them ourselves. I put a bunch of pennies inside it, too, and each girl that got a penny also got a nicer prize (some candles, soap and candy I had never used but picked up on my travels here). I actually already had a hook on the ceiling from when I first planned to do the activity with the club last February, but the adhesive wouldn't stick with the humidity and it kept falling, so we improvised and I stood on a desk and held up the string while the girls swung the bat. Fun times!

After about 3 hours, we ended the party with one last hour of scary stories (lights off, curtains pulled... just like a middle school slumber party... haha). Most of the Japanese stories they told were pretty similar to the ones we told growing up in the States (guy with the hook in the back of the car, etc, etc), but everyone was a little jumpy after a few of them. Even I jumped and screamed at the end of one of them!!

When it was time to say goodbye, I think it hit me for the first time that I was really saying goodbye to my students for the last time. I almost started crying, but gotta say I am so lucky to have such awesome students. Great party. And an awesome 3 years.

Farewell Ceremony at Harinan

Just gave a farewell speech at my 2nd high school. Nailed the Japanese (memorized) and wasn't even nervous even though it was 1,000 people. It helps that I gave almost the same speech a week ago and didn't know these kids as well (slightly less emotional, even though I am going to miss my Global and ESS kids a LOT.  Right now I'm actually feeling like I've actually accomplished something here :-p

Packing is INSANE. It looks less like a tornado ripped through the middle of my apartment at this point, but progress is slow.  Probably taking out 20 bags of trash (10 down, the rest in the kitchen) and I have a ways to go, but getting there. I have to be ready on Sunday, but have a birthday party tonight and wedding tomorrow. Whoosh! Things have hit the fan!

I also recently found out I might not have to be in Boston until September, so may have an extended stay in MN. You know me... was immediately disappointed that I could have stayed or traveled more when i found out, but now thinking it'll be WAY less stressful. YAY!

Need to go.  They forgot about our speeches to the staff this morning, so we're going to give them during lunch (soon).

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Packing - Round 1

I just spent over 5 hours packing up my little apartment.  It still feels like home, but it's starting to look a lot more empty.  Took out TEN bags of trash tonight (mostly papers and brochures from travel) and all the cabinets, closets, drawers and boxes are emptied out.  Granted, there's a huge pile of stuff on my bed (sleeping on the futons again for the night), but it's in piles and not as bad as I expected.

Have a lot to do tomorrow, but am off to take a bath and get some sleep.  Getting there...

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The Darkest Hour

Or 5 minutes.

So cool!  We're experiencing the biggest solar eclipse of our lifetime in Japan today (over 80% coverage where I am).  School staff, students and neighbors are all outside to watch it and a coworker brought in safety glasses so we can see it better.

Check it out... heading outside:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2266.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/22/solar.eclipse/index.html

Thursday, July 16, 2009

The One & Boom Boom POW...

I listen to a lot of different kinds of music, but definitely love me some pop/hip-hop from time to time (great for the running mix!).  This could be a sign that maybe I spent too much time with teenagers, but I guess that happens when you work in a high school... 

Anyways, I really like the new Mary J song... check it out:



One more silly folly, BOOM BOOM POW by the Black Eyed Peas (might be a little behind on Japan on this one - don't know it from the radio waves over here yet)...




Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Wallet & False-Alarm Warning...

So I got called into the principal's office yesterday and I was really worried it was about the fight this weekend. He was really serious when he asked me to come in, so I asked a coworker to come with and translate, hoping it wasn't a serious conversation about my social life and not getting involved in certain situations (think my mom has already given me enough of that lecture...). Turns out it was just about the speech I am giving on Friday (to about 1,000 people in Japanese!!). Whew ;-) 

The principal basically wanted to check some details about what I've done at school and with my volunteer work for the non-profit and the prefecture for the introduction and farewell speech at our closing ceremony. The best part of the meeting was definitely when then moed onto discussing my going-away party (or how I might not have one because time is limited and people will be traveling on school trips or attending other work parties soon). The principal was really adament that I should get a "beer party" (yes, a beer party) outside of school, so we might have a big shindig at my colleague's house sometime next week. Can't wait!!

Just one class today, but I've been really busy.  I spent a few hours trying to call NTT (the phone company) this morning and was really annoyed when the line was busy about 15 times. I finally got through and arranged to turn off my phone, though... which means I am officially set for leaving Japan. Wow. Tatami, visa, gas, electricity, phone, internet, pension refund, address change at the post office -- it's all arranged.

It's a little weird that I won't have a "home" here in 2 weeks time and all these comforts will be officially cancelled before then... but I guess that's just part of moving on (and trust me, there's a lot of moving on and cancelling to do after 3 years).

We had a small surprise party for my neighbor's birthday last night and I spent all evening in my new jimbe, the gift from my coworker.  Fits perfectly and is really comfortable.  Just when I thought I was the luckiest gaijin around for that present, though, I got yet another surprise gift that brought me to tears in the afternoon today.  All of the female teachers pitched in and bought be a HIMEKAWA wallet. Himekawa (Hime for Himeji and Kawa for leather) is a really famous type of leather from this region.  The wallet is beautiful: white with flower and butterfly designs.  I'm almost afraid to use it and am so impressed.  I like my wallet now, but my other leather wallet was stolen last winter, so I was pretty happy to get a replacement for it -- and one that means so much.  Will have a lot of thank you letters to write over the next few days.

Right now I'm working on that speech for Friday.  It's not that long and I've already decided what I want to say, but I'll have to practice the Japanese translation tomorrow...

DSLR advice

I've been thinking about investing in a "real" camera for a while (especially for travel, etc).  I know other people here in the same boat (want to invest, wondering if they should spend the money), so I thought I'd pass along some really good DSLR advice a friend just sent me.  

I might still wait to get one, but I'd definitely go with the Canon.  Anyways, enjoy:

Without further ado, on to the camera stuff. 
First off, either a Nikon or Canon camera will be a great camera.  A lot of people squabble about which is better but it really comes down to investment and personal preference.  I have always used Nikon and find them a little more comfortable to hold and use so I will continue on with them.  Again, this doesn’t make them superior or inferior to Canon.  
Secondly, the best sites to buy camera equipment are www.adorama.com, www.bhphotovideo.com, www.jr.com, www.tristatecamera.com, and www.calumet.com.  Amazon and ebay are also good resources.  

My camera is a Nikon D70 introduced in 2004.  It was the second tier entry-level amateur camera back then.  Since then Nikon and Canon has added three or four tiers to their product lines.  The top tier is professional, next a high-end amateur, then mid-level amateur, then an entry-level amateur. The D70 was really one of the first really good, affordable DSLRs.  The Nikon D70 was replaced by the similar Nikon D70s (really the same with a larger screen) in the spring of 2005 and a 3rd tier camera was introduced (Nikon D50) about the same time.  The D70s was replaced by the D80 in August 2006.  The D50 was replaced by the D40 in November 2006.  The D80 was replaced by the D90 in August of last year.  The D40 was replaced by the D40x in March 2007 and is not as good of a camera.  Why am I telling you this?  Because it matters, a year in digital cameras is equal to 25 regular years. A camera introduced 2-1/2 years ago may as well be 62 years old. It's completely obsolete.  

There are two generations of cameras. The difference between generations is so significant that the best Gen 1 camera, the D2Xs, can't make pictures as good as the cheapest Gen 2 camera, the D90, in most real picture-taking situations.  The most recent generation 1 camera is the D40 (we’ll forget the D40x because it stinks). The first generation has only primitive picture and white balance adjustments.  Generation 1 cameras have an Optimize Image menu with crude controls allowing only two rudimentary options of "Enhance (+)" or "Moderate (-)" for saturation, and WB trims that extend only to ±3. There is no green/magenta adjustment for WB, which is too bad. Second generation cameras offer the potential of significantly better real image quality because Gen 2 cameras add Nikon's Adaptive Dynamic Range (ADR). ADR allows Gen 2 cameras to render most real scenes much closer to the way our eyes see them, without a bunch of added contrast, blown highlights and blocked shadows common on film and Gen 1 cameras for most people.          Generation 2 cameras are sweet and do a whole bunch of other stuff that is really nice.  But I know you want an entry-level camera for cheap so you can play around and get comfortable with it then move up.  That’s fine.  The argument I’m trying to make is don’t get my camera because it is so obsolete and you can get a much better camera for about the same price.  Get a D40 (and yes I know that it is 70 years old according to what I told you before but it is still the best Gen 1 camera).  It is the camera you want.  It has a great screen, which is more important than you would think because that is how you can tell if your pictures are nice or not, it is light, fast and can do everything my camera can do but does it better.  I know you are worried about the price, but hey are only 450.00 with a lens NEW!  The ‘buy it now”s on ebay for a D70s with lens are 450.00.   Why not get the newer better camera for the same price??  Do not get a D70, the screen is way too small.  If you want a refurbished camera the price drops to 375 and without a lens it drops to 330 (all prices quoted are from adorama).  Boom, done!   

The extras.  I’ll do the lenses first then move onto a lens cover and flash.  The lens that will probably come with your camera is a 18-55mm DX, a very nice lens.  If you are looking for more lenses that will cover a wider range consider these: 10-24mm DX, 35mm f/1.8 DX and 55-200 VR DX.  The 35mm is a tougher faster lens than the one that comes with the camera.  That allows you to shoot in lower light levels without the picture becoming blurry.  The 10-24 is a real wide sharp lens.  It will allow you to fit more in the frame.  The 55-200 is a zoom lens that will allow you to blow up objects further away.  You could also get a 18-200mm VR DX, which is the lens that I was shooting with most of the time.  
The thing about lenses is you never really want to carry more than three lenses.  If you want to cover everything you want a low light lens (35mm f/1.8) one that is really wide (10-24mm) and a zoom (18-200mm or 55-200mm).  You do not want the lenses ranges to overlap and want to try and keep the weight down.  So if you do buy a 18-200mm VR DX then don’t get a 55-200mm DX.  You also want to keep the weight down and that is a disadvantage for the 18-200mm, it is kind of heavy and expensive.  

The last two accessories I would recommend are a flash and a lens cover.  The lens cover protects the lens and depending on which one you get acts as a filter too.  They never loose their value and are much less expensive to replace than a lens.  I like Hoya for a protective UV filter.  The flash I have is a Nikon SB-400.  It is tiny and really nice and adaptable.  It is also pretty inexpensive if I remember correctly.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Brenda Brew

I'm going to be very, very sad to leave here. Japan has become my normal in so many ways and it's going to be painful saying goodbye to many of the people I am leaving when I leave here.

But at the same time... I have to admit I'm a little excited, too.

Change is one thing. I kind of want a new challenge.

Here's another reason. Check out the "Brenda Brew" my friends Chris and Bekah made for when I get back!!:
Wow... Homemade beer! YES!!

The Otsuka Museum of Art

How did I get by without ever hearing about this museum... and it's so close!?!?!  

Looks awesome, but don't think there's enough time to check it out before I ship out... let me know how it is if any of you can go: http://www.o-museum.or.jp/english/index.html

Goodwill Envoy, Double Bachelorette & Kabuki

Well, there were obviously some unpected turns along the planned social route this weekend (if you read my last post about the bruise, you know what I mean), but the bachelorette party before all the trouble went down went exactly as I hoped it would and I had a great rest of the weekend.

I didn't go to work on Friday, but rather headed to the regional immigration office in the morning (yes, my favorite place in Kobe... not) to change my visa to tourist status.  I had everything prepared before going in so it went pretty smoothly, but I'll have to go back once more before leaving to pick up and pay for the actual visa.  After 3 years living here, it feels a little weird to become a "tourist" again... but thus marks the end of a chapter, I suppose.

After the errands, I met my friend Chris for lunch and then we headed toward the Board of Education buildings in Motomachi for a ceremony inducting us as Goodwill Envoys for Hyogo Prefecture at the Hyogo House.  The Governor of Hyogo Prefecture was intended to present the awards, but he couldn't make it, so we met the Vice Governor instead in sort of a typical accept-and-bow ceremony with a beautiful little reception afterwards.  As an Envoy, I will basically represent the prefecture when I talk about Japan (have snazzy little lapel pin and fancy new Powerpoint to help), but it was honestly fun just getting to explore the Meiji-era building where the ceremony was held (have always wondered about it, actually) and catch up with other recipients in attendance.  

After the ceremony, hung out and chatted some more with Chris before he headed off for a boys night and I ran some errands before calling it an early night.

On Saturday, I was up early to prepare for the double bachelorette party I was hosting that day.  Started off with a run (it's getting really hot outside... the air is so thick with humidity that it's almost hard to breathe) and then hopped a train with Deyi to Costco for lunch and to pick up supplies.  We decided to do catered, Western food from Costco so we didn't have to cook and were able to get some cheaper wine and champagne bottles at the chain as well.

We spent the next couple hours preparing for the party, which started off at Dave's house.  I had sent a couple of text messages during the week, telling the two bride-to-be's (Emi and Katie) where to meet, then follow-up emails to the rest of the group letting them know the real plan for the big surprise event.  Dave and Bob cleared out the backyard for us (before they had to leave for their own guy's night), while Deyi and I set up a beautiful little dinner table surrounded by candles.  Most of the girls arrived around 5:30 and then Maki went to meet Emi and Katie at the bus stop to blindfold them, crown them with veils and sashes we'd prepared and then kidnap them in a taxi so they wouldn't know where they were actually going (a few blocks away).  Katie had suspicions about the party being held close to home (even though they drove around for 20 minutes and she also thought the cab driver was also Dave for most of the ride), but the plan went off without many hitches.  When the guests of honor arrived, we led them around Dave's house to the backyard and took off the blindfolds with a big SURPRISE.  Priceless.  They were totally fooled in the end (even Katie, I think).  There was a champagne toast, lovely dinner, fun conversations, gift opening, a few games (think pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey with red lipstick and the grooms pics, a bridal gown TP competition and how-well-does-your-fiance-know-you drinking game/quiz).  It was awesome.

Emi had never been to a nightclub before and Katie had never been to one in Japan, so we decided to pack up and head into Osaka for a few hours before taking last train home.  I haven't danced that much in  really long time and the club manager at Sam & Dave's gave us some deals for the special ladies, so it turned out to be a really awesome time.

When we got back, the fight happened and I got a bit bruised when I tried to get in the way (again, silly)... and then proceeded to fall into a muddy rice field when I tried to walk across the partition instead of going around it... but overall, I had an excellent night.  I think we all did.

Sunday was a pretty lazy day, just hanging out and watching movies in Amagasaki.  In the evening, I met Bob and Katie for a Kabuki play at the famous Ninagawa Theater in Namba.  This was the last of the 4 main forms of Japanese traditional theater that I had yet to see (Noh, Kabuki, Bunraku & Rakugo) and I was very impressed.  Some call kabuki the Japanese version of musicals because of the elaborate sets and costumes and all of the colors were truly stunning.  I couldn't understand a lot of the Japanese (much of which was in formal Japanese -- so I caught words and sentences), but it was actually a rewritten version of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night so I got the gist of what was going on... and spent most of the evening admiring the costumes through the privileged lens of my monocular :-p  The play lasted for over 4 hours, including an intermission for dinner (huge, formal sushi set in the theater restaurant -- another experience on it's own).  

It was a late night with the trip home (almost fell asleep on the train... lucky I set the alarm on my phone!), but definitely a very satisfying experience -- and weekend :)

Big Bruisin, Jimbe & Ball Games

In today’s paper there’s a big story on the front page about 6 junior high school students in Kakogawa who were arrested on Saturday for getting in a fistfight. Two of them were fighting, and it sounds like the others were maybe just accomplices, but my coworkers were talking about it when I came in. Ironic timing...

I was sort of involved in a fistfight this weekend (or trying to prevent/stop one) myself.

I basically tried to stop two drunk men from fighting on Saturday night (drunk with rage, drunk with beer... I don't know, doesn't matter) and one of them BIT ME in the spot where I tried to hold them back. The bruise is a few inches long and there's a big white circle with teeth marks in the middle so it's a site for sore eyes, though.

My efforts to stop this fight obviously didn't work -- I'm just too small to hold off men -- and if someone bites, they are pretty determined to fight. So, of course, the fight happened I got caught in the middle, pushed down and now also have a few puffy scratches on my arms to boot. None if it hurts that much. Just looks really, really bad and is sore if I hit it or move too much, like running. But I was mostly worried about what my coworkers would think if I came in with bruises...

Anyways, when I arrived at Takanan today, my coworkers said their hellos and then immediately started to bombard me with concerned questions about the giant bruise on my arm. I was going to try to cover up the bruise and avoid issues and embarassment, but it's honestly just too hot for sleeves (I caved and took off my sweater when I started sweating) and the bandage I tried to put on it wouldn't stay. After explaining the story to one coworker (head of the English Department, actually), I ran off to the nurses office to get ice and a bandage to cover it up before the kids saw it, too.

When I got back to my desk from the nurses office, one of the teachers had told 2 more coworkers about the incident and my injuries (then asked her to keep it a secret, so think the chain stops there), so they wanted to see the bruise, too. Took off the bandage and showed them -- more gasps.

Given those reactions, I was worried that it would sound pretty scandalous (and maybe be bad professionally) that I was involved in a fight at all (especially where the police were called, like the headline today), but my colleagues thought the whole thing was funny and told me I was brave for trying to stop a fight ("like a white angel"), but that I should be careful in the future. Trust me... I don't need the advice. I will NEVER get involved in something like this again..

So in the end, I guess things went better than expected with my school, but I hope this bruise goes away soon. It seems to be getting darker :-(

The other thing I wanted to tell about is my brand-new, pretty JIMBE!! A jimbe is a traditional Japanese outfit, mostly for men, that sorts of looks like pajamas. They are really popular at festivals in the summertime in Japan because the cotton is light and they are really comfortable. One of the English teachers that missed my farewell luncheon last week gave me one as a going-away present today. It's black with pink polka dots and red and pink roses. I have always sort of wanted one, so I was really stoked... and can't believe the kindness! I guess this coworker's daughter has the same one, so he told me I should use it when I get to the states, as PJs if nothing else. And I definitely will!

Today we are having "ball games" (sort of a mini-Sports Day) in the morning so no actual classes. I totally forgot to bring gym clothes, so I can't participate much (and it's for the kids anyways), but I am off to watch the volleyball and kickball games in the yard... more soon.

Friday, July 10, 2009

The idm kid

Really random, but kinda cool (song starts around a minute, 30 seconds). Idm kid:

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Down to 3 weeks...

These days I'm not sure if the weeks are a break from the weekend or if the weekend is a break from the week.

The official farewells have commenced!  And I'm down to less than a month until this Japan experience is a "was" instead of an "is".  It's setting in...

**************************

Thursday was my last day for several classes and in the evening, I headed to Osaka to meet up with Serene, a close friend from home whom I've known since 6th grade.  I met her and her friend David at the "Big Man" (popular meeting spot near the Hankyu Station) in Osaka.  We headed to Shinsaibashi and had a lovely night at an izakaya, trying some Japanese goodness and plum wine, and exploring Namba.  David (or "D") was so immersed in the culture, lights, style of the place.  Wanted to go in so many shops and took so many pictures.  Loved him.  Love Serene.  Catching up was a lot of fun and I had almost forgotten how far we go back.  Like our big fight in middle school because of one Mr. Fisher (first kiss, same guy = drama)... and all I remembered was passing some not-nice notes in the hallway.  

One of those friends you'll have forever and felt like no time had passed since I saw her last :-)  I think it'll always be like that.

Friday didn't go as well.  All of the female teachers always have lunch together during exams, but I wasn't feeling great (women stuff, don't ask) so I skipped the ladies lunch.  What I didn't realize in skipping the lunch was, however, that it was supposed to be a surprise goodbye party for me... and I missed it :-(  Oops.  Stayed at school all day, but it was a slow day and I was a little disappointed and felt bad (this time, emotionally) in the afternoon.

On Friday evening, however, things did look up when I went to a birthday/farewell party for my friend Ann at Lock Up, a jail/dungeon-themed restaurant chain in Kobe.  I think this was my 6th time at Lock Up (they have them all over: Shibuya, Kyoto, Osaka...), but I never get sick of the place.  Their food presentation is really funky, the food is pretty good, the drinks come in fun containers (like science beakers), they handcuff you to take you to your cell (um, table).  There is a point in the night when the lights go off, black lights go on and monsters run around.  SO RANDOM.  So Japan.  

After dinner, we went to karaoke for a while then called it a night.  Then my friend Kate came over so we chatted for a while before heading to bed.  Really good time and I think little Ann had a good birthday celebration!

On Saturday, I brought Kate to the station and rode over to Uozumi to meet with my old ladies.  They sent me a message on Friday asking if we could push the time back and meet at a different location.  Glad they did.  When I arrived to meet them, they led me to one of the most wonderful cafes I think I have ever been to anywhere.  Gourmet food for very cheap, amazing atmosphere.  Took a million pictures because I was really inspired to try to recreate some of the decorating ideas at my family's farm someday.  I'll try to post some.

We had so much fun chatting... I am really, really going to miss this group.  At the end of the lunch (about 3 hours after I came), we were sort of browsing through this little boutique area at the back of the shop and the women saw me admiring this little, shiny, white dress.  It's pretty Japanese in style (ie - maybe weird in the US but really cute here?) so I was hesitant to buy it (and ok, I have too many clothes and am moving soon anyways), but when I went to the bathroom, the ladies snuck off and bought it for me as "one of my goodbye presents".  I was so surprised and didn't want to accept it.  They wanted to know what else to get and I told them I didn't want or need anything, so I told them I would LOVE some of the artwork that the woman who runs a shodo (calligraphy) school has done... and they said OK!  I am so excited.  The whole present culture in Japan still seems foreign to me in some ways.  It's hard for me to accept all of this, but I know it's cultural and normal when someone leaves.  Honestly, though... the company was enough of a gift.  Great afternoon.  I'll see this group once more before I go, and know I've been so lucky to have them in Japan.  Hanging out with older women can teach you a lot, but there is another layer in being abroad (or especially a broad in Japan) and I think my experience and time with these women really enriched my view of this country.

Saturday evening was another goodbye party, this time the farewell event at the Harimacho International Association.  Not all of the people leaving could come in the end, so it was essentially just AJ (my coworker at my Monday school) and I.  We did a potluck in the beginning (made homemade chinese dumplings for it, but was chatting so much wouldn't have been able to try anything else if Takiko hadn't brought me a plate) and then speeches at the end.

My speech was very short after last year (struggled through my prepared speech and cried in front of about 50 people saying goodbye to good friends!), but I almost got choked up a few times... this time combined with laughter, though.  I haven't been active at the IFA for a while (too busy), but they were so, so supportive and helpful when I arrived and I met so many beautiful people through that organization.  They gave me a collage with pictures from a few events I attended through the years here and it brought back so many memories.  I hope I can come back and visit this little town someday and think what this community does is great :)

After the event, I was hoping to do fireworks for the 4th, but everyone piked at the last minute so I ended up just going to a bar with AJ, Brayden and James.  The bar turned into another bar and a fun night, but I had to take the next morning off (no, not because I was THAT drunk... mostly because I had a bike accident on the way home -- rode my bike into the "gaijin trap" - huge open sewer) on the way home.  It happens to many of us here sometime or another, but I was sort of hoping I wouldn't be one of those people so close to the end :-P

Despite the hiccup, the weekend finished on a glorious note with a Hanshin Tigers game at historic Koshien Stadium on Sunday evening.  Serene and my friend Kate met me and we rocked the opposition (Swallows) section with about 30 other foreigners in our group.  Songs for each player, crazy fans, stadium-wide balloon-releases... I LOVE baseball in Japan.  It was obvious the other team wasn't going to be able to gain enough points by the beginning of the 9th, so they actually ended the game early (didn't know you could do this??)... but we won!!

Anyways, after such a busy weekend, I was pretty tired on Monday morning, but I made it through a full day of last classes (pretty much cried - in class - when my 3rd year girls and one of my favorite coworkers gave me a sweet goodbye card :-p), ESS and maybe the longest listening test recording ever.  We recorded part one twice.  Then again.  Then the tape ran out and we did the WHOLE test over.  One take.  I actually gave AJ an "otsukaresama" afterwards... and it was deserved.  After school, I just relaxed for most of the evening, cooking, running errands and reading (in the bathtub... maybe it's weird, but so relaxing).

Was back at Takanan on Tuesday.  We have exams at my normal school this week, but Tuesday afternoon was my official goodbye lunch with the English department.  I was really impressed!  Maeda Sensei's wife found this really cute new cafe near where we work and the food was spectacular.  Sort of a trendy, jazz/eco-inspired place.  Had a big laugh (and probably turned the brightest shade of red I've ever been) when I accidentally showed one of the older male teachers a picture from a recent joke-photo-shoot we took in my shower (accidentally bought a black light and it looks like a club, so my neighbors and I put on "going-out clothes" and took "clubbing" pictures one night...).  Always a story.  

After work, another one of my all-time favorite coworkers here that couldn't make the luncheon came to school to say hi and catch up.  She sort of took on the role of coach with me (sometimes being very strict, but always teaching me so much).  I did find it funny that most of what we talked about found it's way through the gossip chains and to other schools & friends there (who messaged me abou tit) by the time I reached home (this teacher and another teacher like to gossip - especially about the foreigners - and then tell us about each other), but it wasn't anything harmful and sort of reminded me of older times in Japan when this teacher and I would talk more.  We'll have one final dinner before I go, so it's wasn't the final goodbye here with Ms. M, but it was nice to see her... and I'm grateful for how supportive this work community is and has been.

At night, a few ladies came over to make crepes.  Wanted to perfect the recipe before I go since they are so accessible here (yes, in Japan...) but more difficult to find at home and had a lovely night.  Great leftovers for breakfast, too ;-)

Serene was supposed to come out and stay at my place today (Wednesday) and tomorrow, but her brother has a concert & a farewell party in Kyoto, so I'm just going to catch up with her again in the Minnie when I'm home in a few weeks.  It was fun seeing her and I was excited to have her out and give her the tour of my little corner of Japan, but to be honest, I'm secretly a little relieved to have more free time.  

Especially since work has been busy.  I did a few practice STEP interview tests with kids in the morning at work today (when they finished their tests for the day), but really spent most of the day preparing for leaving Japan and it's wearing me out.  I think the visa situation, tatami replacement details and pension refund are settled and we're dealing with closing my gas/electricity/phone/water accounts tomorrow, but after 3 years here, it's hitting me how much there is to do (beyond just normal closure and PACKING).  I had a little argument with the office when they didn't have record of selling me my air conditioning unit and insisted it belonged to the school and I couldn't sell it (have the receipt for about $500 from when I got stuck with the bill my first week so it's OK...), but otherwise, things are going well.  I spent several hours going through papers, lessons and books, deciding what my replacement will need, what I will need and what can go.  I threw away a huge bag of paper and shredded much more already, but there's just SO MUCH stuff.  I have a ways to go, but feel like I'm making progress.  Maybe three weeks (well, actually only 2 full weeks) doesn't sound like a lot of time, but I'm glad I have it and feel like I'll be ready (and will be able to offer a pretty comprehensive hand-over to my predecessor) when I finish.  

Whew... things are getting crazy, so the distraction from the fact that I'm about to say a pretty big goodbye (to Japan!) is probably a good thing, but wish me luck.  I might need it :-p

I spent the evening working on preparations for the bachelorette party I'm throwing this weekend with friends.  So excited.  I love throwing dinners/parties, but haven't had as many opportunities to do so in Japan because of limited space, and this is going to be a good one!

Finally, in other news, I've been following the situation in China as well as all the MJ memorial coverage (and won't even comment about Sarah Palin stepping down... yappari).  I can imagine there's much more about MJ on the TV at home, but it's been nice to be able to keep up with pop culture here via the international news sites.  Michael Jackson's death definitely had an effect in Japan.  A lot of my students have been talking about it and his name came up in tests and homework over the last week (true global media focus).  He was definitely talented and it's amazing how one person can change the world in different ways, but it's also interesting how such a complicated figure will be immortalized because of this untimely departure vs. how his legacy would be remembered if fate had taken a different turn.  I've also finally been trying to be more forward-focused lately (because I have to be!?!) and I also think I found a place to live in Boston.  Had a mini panic attack seeing pictures of the place with all the SNOW (real winter? what's that again?) and info/details to follow in upcoming weeks, but I'm looking forward tonew adventures to come.  

I need to get to bed, but in closing, I want to say hello to everyone at Skogfjorden right now and say I wish I could be there this weekend.  Our dean, Tove Dahl, is being knighted.  I was invited to the event (my fam is going) and this woman has been such an influence and role model in my life... there in thought and spirit if not in person :-)

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Exchange Student at Takanan

Sitting in the staff room while my IS kids do their writing test right now and just heard some very interesting news. It sounds like my school is going to try out having a long-term exchange student. And where are they from? FINLAND!

I'm so annoyed because it would be so much fun having a european kid here, especially in my classes. Not to mention that most people in Finland speak Swedish, so I could totally rock out the Swedish (actually Norwegian...) with him/her.

But they're coming in September, so not going to happen. Haha, maybe I can at least send the welcome letter? Weird to send it in Swedish (ok, Norwegian... but... )? ;-)

Gay Marriage on NRK

This is kind of funny in an "amazing what a small world it is" kind of way. Someone just sent me a link to a story done by NRK, Norway's BBC, when it became legal to marry in Iowa. They followed a gay couple for two days, recording their experience as they prepared for and said their nuptuals.

What makes it funny is that there's only one degree of separation between me and this couple... the friend (from MN) that sent it on knows them well.

Anyways, the segment lasts about 8 minutes and was aired to millions of viwers about two Sundays ago in Norway. Interesting peice. Thought it was worth sharing -- Enjoy!: http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/indeks/174675

Note -- Just a warning that it might take a bit to load this video (no worries if you see some text in the beginning) and the interviews are all in Norwegian (with subtitles when the couple is talking).

Planning, Games, Kobe & the FSOT

Today I went over the paperwork with my supervisor for changing my visa. The application is 17 pages long (really? do they need to know that much?), but looks like I'm going to go in and get everything settled next week. I also have to make an appointment to get an estimate on getting the tatami mats and sliding doors in my apartment replaced, as well as starting to think about closing all my accounts here (bank, internet, phone, gas, etc, etc...). I wish I could just leave all of them and let the next person take over, but Japan loves paperwork (ok, and it's all in my name and I'm going to be gone) so it's going to be another little adventure getting all this done (assuming that I'll be doing it in Japanese and going to try to do it on my own... wish me luck).

Last OC Class
Today was also the very last class with my 1st year students. The Oral Communication structure I've had for the last several years changed this year, and we're doing a Cambodia lesson (based on the current reading class textbook) instead of the normal textbook curriculum (greetings, body parts, directions, food, shopping... that kind of stuff) so I already feel like I finished these classes -- in their normal form, at least -- a while ago. Still, I wasn't really that sad to be done. I feel bad saying this, but I was actually kind of happy. After doing the same lesson for a minimum of 14 times (sometimes 3 or 4 times a day), it gets a little repeditive and the classroom experience loses it's luster. I think the saddest last class for me will be with the Intl Studies kids or maybe Eigo Hyogen.

Impromptu SOGO Awesomeness
Did do one kind of cool activity with my 3rd years, though. Check this out. We were doing Interview training for the upcoming STEP ("eiken") test and I realized that many of the kids in my group (of 8) had finished all the practice tests I had. I ran to the staff room and tried to find a new book for them, but I couldn't and didn't want to keep them waiting, so I thought we would try something new to give them some speaking practice...

While I was gone (searching for the book) I had each kid write down their 3 favorite words in English, and when I came back, I told them to choose their favorite of the 3 and we wrote all the words on the board. Then I had each student choose an adjective (after explaining what an adjective is...) off the top of their head, and we added those to the list.

Here were their words: courage, strawberry, challenge, orange, peace, (cherry) blossom, dream, hope, luck, hot, high, happy, beautiful, lucky, great, interesting, best & difficult.

We practiced saying all the words together and then played a miniture game of Scattergories (I think that's the game I'm thinking of???) where I gave them words related to the word on the board I was thinking of (like 'soldier' or 'brave' for courage) and they had to come up with the word on my mind as fast as possible. To my slight surprise, this game actually worked out alright and they were actually into it, so we broke into 2 teams (boys vs girls, of course) and did a few rounds. My favorite was definitely when one of the 3rd year boys used "puffy" to describe dog.

After a few rounds of the game, we moved onto a new activity (actually the idea I had first). Starting with me, we used the words on the board to make stories, with each person adding a sentence to the story using one of the words. It was pretty cute and I was surprised it worked. The kids even tried to get the grammar right and everyone broke out the electronic dictionaries.

Here are two versions (my sentence is first):

STORY 1: There was once a beautiful princess. She likes strawberries. She has a dream. Her dream is to have world peae. And she has a hope. But it is difficult. She tried to challenge the dream. But it is difficult. Luck was with her. As a result (yes! they're using STEP test vocabulary!!), she succeeded in her dream. She became a great person. There was peace. The end.

STORY 2: There was once a great dog named Andy. The dog can't eat oranges. But the dog likes strawberries. It is happy. The dog lives in a beautiful house. It is happy. It is very lucky. The city there is peaceful. The dog's dream is to become a human. The dog is hot.

(note - Yeah, I know... anyone else notice it sounds like they've been listening to a few Obama speeches lately with all the hope/dream talk... haha)

Anyways, awesome impromptu English practice (as well as speaking, which I suppose is sort of related to the STEP test...) and we had fun :-P

Movie Night in Kobe
After work, I headed to Kobe and met Dave for a quick bite and a movie at Cinelibre, this really cute movie theatre in Motomachi. The 1st of the month is always half-price movie day, so a group of friends by me went to see Transformers, but we opted to see The Wrestler instead (based on the reviews). The film was actually pretty good, but I would say it's merits lie in the acting ability, character development and artistic value... not necessarily the entertainment factor if you're out for a laid back night. The film itself was a little slow or depressing for a Wednesday, but I'd recommend it under the condition that you are in the mood for that kind of flick.

On my way home, I decided to walk from the rapid station about 10 minutes from home, rather than going to the closer, local stop. Partially because I left my bike there (bike park was closed so getting it tomorrow -- bummer), partially because I broke a necklace this morning and needed to find a part of it I didn't have (found the clasp - whew) and also partially to get some air.

Well, on the way back, this huge, black "stalker van" (convention vans that a lot of locals drive) with tinted windows drove past me a few times, cat-calling the second or third time. I ignored the two guys and put on my headphones, but when I turned down a side street by my house, the van was suddenly beside me with the guys calling out again. This time I said hello and told them to please go away (all in Japanese). They kept trailing me for a while and when it was obvious I wasn't going to talk to them, they drove on. When I turned the corner onto the block I live on (now walking down dark, residential streets), the van was parked in the middle of the street and one of the guys was walking towards me. He was about my age, but still bigger than me; I think he was coming to cut me off on my path. On their own and in the van, these guys didn't seemt that threatening but now I was honestly a little scared because this van was now blocking my path and it was dark. I stopped walking and told the guy I had a boyfriend and wasn't interested to get them to go away. I was friendly enough, but I think he sensed I was getting annoyed (and maybe tht I was a little nervous or that the situation didn't come off too well), so the guy gave up after about another minute or so, told me I was cute and got back into the van and drove off again.

I didn't see the van when I got to my apartment, so I don't think the guys know where I live -- and this sort of thing happens to girls here more than it should!! (it's a sort of tactic to pick up girls called "nampa") -- but kind of scary. Lucky it stopped at that, but any more and I would have called someone from my apartment to meet me down the block :-p

FSOT
Finally, when I got home and logged into my computer, I also discovered some surprising news waiting for my in my inbox: I passed the US Foreign Service Exam! I was a little shocked to be honest. I thought I'd take it to see how it was, didn't really study that much (read a book about the US Government that the embassy gave me when I came and reviewed some other things, but nothing too serious) and didn't think I'd pass it the first time (as I've heard most people don't), but I am pretty stoked. Now I have to fill out some personal narrative essays, the whole process takes about a year and there's an interview in D.C. that I would have to perform well on before I was offered embassy employment... but yeah... still happy about this :) Who knows if I'd do it, but it's an option. And an intriguing one.

I've got to get to bed, but finally going to meet up with Serene, my friend from growing up who lived here when she was a child (her family was sort of my introduction to Japan, in fact), in Osaka tomorrow. Serene's here for about 3 weeks with another friend and we've got some fun plans for the weekend... so more to come soon. Until then... 'night :)

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Congratulations to Senator Franken!!

Finally!

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/49520987.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU1yDEmP:QMDCinchO7DU

The Day Facebook Changed - NY Times Article (re: privacy)

This is an important article to read if you're a facebook user regarding privacy settings and personal messages soon being made available to the public.

It makes me think I maybe should keep my kids off this network, not add them (or do anoteher ESS activity at Harinan next week about how to pump up their security settings even more on their brand new Facebook accounts)...

http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2009/06/24/24readwriteweb-the-day-facebook-changed-messages-to-become-18772.html