Bringing the New Year on

The answer that I've been looking for for the past 1 year plus has actually always been with me. I just refused to acknowledge it and kept telling myself, "Maybe...just maybe..it's different". I could only see the vision I've created in my mind. Although the facts of reality constantly reminded me of their presence, the vision was stronger & much more pleasant. But now the answer that I refused to acknowledge has jumped right under my nose, I've no choice but to accept it. It's definitely not what I want it to be, but it is exactly how it should be. I shouldn't keep on deceiving myself and clinging on to the past for dear life. There are many things that I'm not good at, but I'm especially good at these. Something that I shouldn't be proud of.

No matter how far it is from my ideal, I've gotten my answer. No doubt that over the years, I may still think back about it and feel a slight tinge of regret, it will no longer consume my whole life. It will no longer eat into me. And I believe that one day I'll realise that this will only benefit me.

With this, I can finally leave my emotional baggage with the past and look forward to a fresh new year. Here's to a Happy 2006 & beyond with a wiser and light-hearted perspective of life!

Beyond one's control

Have you ever finally met the person you wanted to see, but become at a loss of words when you meet? It's even hard to meet that person's eyes and talk normally without feeling awkward. All the questions that you meant to ask suddenly seem so pointless. They may even sound silly if asked. It's weird and downright sad when the person once close to you seems like a stranger now. Time may not always set things right, but it certainly changes things. Nothing is ever the way you imagine or want it to be.

Twinkle twinkle

With X'mas approaching, Roppongi Hills is now decked with romantic X'mas lighting, making Tokyo Tower at the background look less lonely and less out of place. I don't know why Tokyo Tower is a famous landmark in the first place. It's ugly in the day. And it's not that tall. Besides, it's design is nothing special. You can see many smaller towers like this all around Japan, even in the rural areas. But at night, especially with the lights now, it does look nice.

It was so windy and cold that night at Roppongi Hills. My jacket was zipped all the way up. When I'm cold, I don't really care how I dress. But look at my sister. Jacket not zipped up and she's wearing a camisole inside! Let me count...I'm wearing 3 layers of long sleeved tops inside. And they're both wearing skirts. I'm amazed...It's either I'm more afraid of the cold or I'm not as vain as them. :p

A trip that brings you back

I love the animes by Ghibli. I've watched most of them. Their themes of fantasy, childhood, magic, nature ... always manage to capture my imagination and touch me. Unlike other animation I see on TV, they aren't as violent, loud or plain stupid. Other than Ghibli's animated movies, I'm not really into anime. It's a pity we can't take photos inside the Ghibli Museum. However, the museum isn't really that fantastic. It's more catered for kids, as we can see from the throngs of children and school kids chatting and running around excitedly in the museum.

Come and go

What can I say besides this nowadays....I'm sick again. I've definitely caught a cold again, less than a week after my last cold. It just keeps coming and going, coming and going. I could hardly enjoy myself when I was at the Ghibli Museum with my sister and cousin. I have to let them venture out to Tokyo themselves the next 2 days because I really need to rest. Please, can someone take my cold away??

What's my next step?

Before I go into that, I don't know why I'm still so tired. I can't even stand or sit straight. Keep slouching these few days. Probably I haven't been sleeping much lately too.

I was so free in school today. Dec is a really free month for AETs. I don't seem to be needed much this month. So I surfed the Internet to do some research. A talk with my AET friend the other day set me thinking on what I want to do after JET. I'm still pretty sure on the direction of my career path. But how should I work towards it? Right now, I'm probably only 1/4 way there. After 2 or3 years here, I'm thinking of doing a graduate program in interpreting/translating. There doesn't seem to be much here for non Japanese. So maybe England or Australia. If I were to do a program on Japanese language teaching, I would stay here. I wouldn't completely rule out being a Japanese teacher to foreigners. But that isn't my ultimate dream.

Australia is good because of the proximity to home and more financially feasible. Also, because I'm already familiar with the life there. I love Australia too..though I can't really say that about its people. I love the space, pace and weather in Oz. After surviving winter here, Oz's winter won't scare me anymore.

But England is more appealing because it's completely new to me. I love the challenge of moving to and adapting to life in a new country. Besides, I've never travelled to Europe.

Ah..such grand plans. But I wonder if they'll materialize. I shouldn't forget that I still have a loan to pay off. But then, I can only move forward since I've already been working hard for this path. Better start saving....after winter.

Go Away.....

Why is it instead of feeling better, I only feel that I'm going to get sick again? :( Head hurting, body aching, coughing more than usual and the weight of tiredness hanging over me. And my hands are still freezing from being outside just now. This must be the feeling of winter. The dreaded winter has finally knocked on my door, even though it knows I hardly welcome it at all. The temperature has dipped without much of a warning. Previously, I complained that I'm cold. Now cold is not the word to describe my body temperature. I freeze after being out for a while. Yesterday night when I went to pick up Rebekah at the train station, I could feel the wind on my face and neck...whichever part that was not fully covered. As I stood waiting for her, I could feel a weird sense of exhilaration, that I can actually feel this cold. But it soon turned into a strong desire to be back home so that I can flick on the heater. To Rebekah, it was a short escape from the freezing (x2) climate in Aizu. But in a few hours from now, she would be back to where she has to be.

Under the blue sky

The 1 nensei having a bit of fun during their lunch break on a cold,sunny day. This is the time when I like to go out for a breath of fresh air and steal some warmth from the sun rays. I wanted to capture the different shades of the blue sky. But what can I expect with my mobile's camera?

Counting down

Hah..it may still be too early to count down to the new year. I was just reminded that year 2005 is about to end in less than a month. I'm kind of reluctant to let it go. Because this has been a significant year for me and I don't know what's awaits me in 2006. The events of 2004 are tightly entwined with this year. Without those experiences, I wouldn't be feeling what I feel now and wouldn't be where I am now. I know! It's too early to reflect on this year since there are still 29 days left. But because my sister and cousin are coming soon, I doubt I'll have any time for this.

2004 - A new year at home having returned from Melbourne. Had to prove that my Arts degree could get me a job. Had to find it fast so that I can start repaying my school loan to my grandfather. Had to adjust back to life in hectic Singapore. Had to endure a long distance relationship. Had to work under dirty minded Japanese bosses. Was very disappointed that I didn't get into JET. Started to go on frequent business trips. Went through an emotional ride. Spent the rest of the year hating my job and wondering when I'll ever get to Japan. Applied for JET the second time with a dead heart. Decided I should just die if I don't get it again. Mental switch clicked and became very depressed over many things and suffered from insomnia. Urge to escape from my reality. With the help of my family, signed up and went for a 10 day meditation retreat in Malaysia. Was mentally and physically tough, but it helped me a lot. Owe this to my mum, aunt and uncle. Thank you.

2005 - Felt so much better and peaceful with myself. Considering enriching myself with a TESOL course. In a dilemma if I should quit my job for the full-time course. Fretting over my JET interview. Handed in my resignation with a heart so free. Busy studying and doing projects for TESOL at RELC. Got a temporary job at the Japanese primary school. Loved and hated those kids. Agonising months waiting for the reply after the JET interview. Felt that life is so wonderful when I got the news. Spending lots of money and busy preparing for my new life. Saying goodbye to everyone..hardly any time to get excited or feel sad. And right now, enjoying and suffering in Japan.

I liked 2005. Had the opportunity to be alone to sort out what I want and find out more about myself. Still don't really know what I want..but what the heck. Started to find out things about myself that I never knew upon meeting new people. Found new courage in myself with new experiences.

And it is this positive energy that I hope will channel me to 2006. Nobody ever wishes for a bad year, yah? Only a better year than before. Whatever emotional baggage I still have, I hope I can leave them and move along with no regrets.

Not homesick but always sick

I've only been here for 4 months but I can't remember how many times I got sick. I was so sick yesterday that I thought I was dying. Ok, perhaps a tad exaggerating. But after a long day on Tue and a hot bath, my body started to ache like hell. Woke up at 3 a.m. and started shivering. My body felt feverish and I kept shivering. My head and body was aching really bad, not to mention a really dry throat. Quickly switched on the heater and after some time managed to doze off to sleep. I thought I had influenza.

Didn't feel any better in the morning. Had to call my supervisor that I can't go to school and he brought me to the doctor since I couldn't ride my bike. Told by the super condesending male Japanese doctor that my fever has to be higher to be influenza! He prescribed me so many medicine that I wonder if it's not only going to make my body feel weaker. That's the problem of the Japanese doctors I've seen - they prescribed too many types of medicine and aren't thorough enough. They didn't even touch me or check my breathing! How would they know where I'm feeling bad? And they would ask in a condesending tone whether I can read Japanese on the medication! Out of 3 doctors (all males) that I've seen, only 1 was nice. Ok, maybe that's not too bad but enough to leave me a bad impression.

I guess I'll keep on falling sick until the cold weather ends. Heard that this is common to first year ALTs in Japan. Most of them keep falling sick in their first year.

Finding beauty here

These are pictures taken on my mobile when I was riding. Just like to share the serenity and beauty of Shiraoka in autumn.

Back to basics

Even though I've done salsa before for more than 1/2 a year, I'm only doing Beginner 1 here. Thought too much of myself when I tried the Beginner 2 class because I've forgotten a lot of my basics! So now, I'm picking them up again and being comfortable in Beginner 1. I'm glad to learn from scratch again as Dance Studio Casino is pretty thorough. The small class helps a lot too. Realised that the dance school I went to in Singapore sucks because there were always too many people and the teachers went too fast. Although I could dance socially after taking lessons there, I don't think my steps were very accurate. I'm dreaming about the future when I'm in Advanced and dancing most gracefully at salsa clubs.......

Blessing or curse?

My girl friends here all like having tea and eating cakes like me! Blessing or curse?? Actually, I wonder which girl doesn't. Except for those who really hate cream, no girl who's not always watching her diet will say NO to cakes! I do watch what I eat because I'm afraid of gaining weight. But I can NEVER say no to cakes or desserts, especially when it looks as good as my Pumpkin and Apple tart!

Road hazard

I'm such a road hazard. Had my first bike accident tonight. Perhaps it was my fault because I was tired and in a bad mood today, thus didn't pay attention. Or it was the obasan's fault for assuming that I would go straight when I was really going to turn round the corner.

It was already dark when I came home from the supermarket. Japanese streets are pretty dark by Singapore's standards. As usual, I was about to turn round the corner to my apartment, when the obasan and I collided into each other. She screamed and fell on her head from her bike. All her groceries came flying out from her basket. Luckily, I was holding tightly onto my handles and didn't fall. I quickly parked my bike and went to help her. She was groaning in pain. And my bike fell, so did my groceries. I helped her picked up her stuff as she had already gotten up by herself. I was so worried and frightened. Asked if she's ok but she said she doesn't know and her head hurts. Luckily she could walk and didn't yell at me or anything. Even asked if I'm ok.

I'm ok except for my eggs and the plastic ring of my front wheel. I realised that it was crooked as I tried to wheel it. Luckily, a kind Japanese couple stopped to check if we were ok and the husband helped me fix my wheel. They also kindly stopped a car from running us over as we were in the middle of the road.

I certainly hope that she doesn't get a stroke or head concussion from the collision. Otherwise it'll be my fault. I must be more careful the next time.

Hot baths

Heeding Janet's and my Japanese teachers' advice, I've just started taking a bath every night. This is Janet's routine here when the weather gets cold. I didn't want to at first because it's troublesome. It's not only time consuming but also very wasteful. But a hot shower doesn't help relieve my aching body from the cold and keep me warm enough. So I finally decided to try.

Now, I can spend almost an hour in total taking a shower first before I go into the bath. It's pretty relaxing, though not as good as an onsen. And it keeps me warm for longer and my body feels less stiff. I can now appreciate the benefits of a hot bath. Before, I thought the Japanese have too much time and aren't worried about saving water. But I understand now that it's pretty necessary when it's this cold here.

I'm also using the gas heater a lot at home now. I'm so going to cry when my water, electricity and gas bills come. Waahhhhh!!! : (

Love at first sight

I didn't believe in that until I met Taka chan, the son of Tanaka sensei. He's 5 years old. As I entered the staff room on Sat before we departed for the trip, I saw this cute little boy. Immediately, I went to talk to him and warmed up to him so fast. He's such a bundle of positive energy during the trip. Everyone loves him! He's not scared of strangers at all and gives equal attention to everyone. He didn't resist when I held his hands or asked him to sit on my lap. And he would even feed Janet and I snacks on the bus when we offered him. During our toilet break, I asked him if he wanted to go with me too and he immediately grabbed my hand and said ok. Tanaka sensei had to stop him. Maybe he didn't like his son going to a female toilet. ???

Awww, he's so adorable!! If I do give birth to a child, I want a boy just like him!

Autumn leaves, snow and onsen all in 11/2 days!

Though it cost me a lot, I was really glad to have gone on the staff trip with my previous school to 会津(Aizu) in 福島県(Fukushima ken).　We had lots of fun! Unlike my previous trips, this was nicely arranged by the staff. All I had to do was follow and enjoy! It was my first time travelling with a group of Japanese and it's a different experience.

During the 4 hr trip, we snacked, drank and sang karaoke on the bus. Many of the male teachers were getting themselves pretty drunk at the back of the bus. As we reached 栃木県, I could see lots of autumn leaves. It was unbelievably beautiful. Although I missed seeing them at Nikko, this trip made it up for me. And in Fukushima, it was snowing in the mountains. I saw snow for the very first time in my life! In the bus, I marvelled at the many little snow flakes blowing strongly outside. I was the only one really excited about it. But the teachers were happy for me too!

However, it's REALLY cold in Aizu. My feet froze like they never did and I was wearing really thick and expensive socks. I pity Rebekah who lives there. She said it's so cold that she feels like crying sometimes. I can understand her feelings. Even Saitama is too cold for me now. In February, it will become cold like Aizu. And in Aizu, the snow will be 1 m tall......Brrrrrrrrrrr.

Having suffered stiffness recently from curling up when I sleep at night because of the cold, I could finally relax my body at the onsen in the traditional Japanese hotel we stayed at. I probably caused a headache to the teachers though, as I simply refused to go into the public bath with them naked. But luckily, there were 3 private baths there and I was able to have 1 to myself twice. Janet and I went to the onsen 3 times. Twice on Sat night and once on Sun morning before breakfast. The second time, I mustered my courage and went to the public one with Janet seeing that there weren't anyone and both of us can't see well when we take off our glasses! It was really weird for me, but Janet was so acting so naturally. It was a huge step for me. But I still don't have the courage to go when there are others around. Maybe next time........

I should stop now and let my pictures do the talking when I send them.

All about the cold and clothes

Ahh, I don't have enough clothes for winter! I had only just bought clothes for autumn and now it already feels like winter. The school is sooooo cold. Japanese schools are so mean because they're not well heated except for the staff room! I have an aversion to very thick and heavy clothes though. Just looking at those clothes make me feel sick. And what am I going to do with them if I go back for good??

Cramming...

There are often a few juku (cram schools) near the train stations. I would often see a teacher teaching students on the whiteboard on weekends as I'm riding on the train. And that would be late at night around 10-11 p.m. Many 3 nensei at my schools go to juku too. And sometimes when I ask about their weekend, they would always say they spent it at juku. Now I get the idea why people say Japanese students work really hard to go into a good SHS and university.

But the thing is the education in a JHS is not as stressful as a secondary education in Singapore. I find the kids here pretty relaxed in school, as lessons are often cut for other activities in school. And club activities take up a lot of time in school too. Maybe that's why parents feel the need to put their kids in juku, as the public education in Japan is not adequate. Seriously, I find the Japanese education pretty disturbing because the level is so low compared to most developed countries.

As far as I know, their English is the worst. :-( Some of them can't even respond when I ask them "How are you?" outside the classroom. It's as if they've never heard that greeting before when in fact they're asked that every single English class. I love my Japanese students, but I feel irritated sometimes when I see how scared they're to listen to and speak English. I probably can't emphatise with them as I've always loved foreign languages.

Shopping and gyoza

Had a fun and relaxing day with Janet today. It's Saitama's birthday so both of us took nenkyu (annual leave) to enjoy the day at 宇都宮 in 栃木県, a 70 min train ride. Yeah, I finally got to have a photo with Janet since the Shiraoka festival. Guess we hang out too often in Shiraoka to want to have a photo taken together!

We went what most girls like to do - shopping! It's hard for me not to shop here because I love the fashion in Japan! And especially when I need a wardrobe for the 4 seasons here. And 宇都宮 is famous for its gyoza and that was what we had for our dinner.

The special 4

I have 4 special students in my current school. They are the handicapped students. Not physically handicapped though. I'm not really sure what problems they have, but one of them has Down syndrome. They have their own classroom and a teacher of their own. Every Fri, they'll have an English lesson with the AET. I find them really sweet and friendly. Although two of them are pretty shy. I'm lucky to have this experience to teach the less advantaged. I've always kind of wanted to do volunteer work, but guess I'm too lazy to commit myself to it.

Though they're slow in learning, they are quite like normal children. But Ricky (nickname), the one with D.S is more temperamental. Yesterday, he was walking along the corridor meowing like a cat. The vice principal really thought there was a cat! But Ricky is also very hyperactive and talkative. He's really just like a big kid. :) And 藤川くん is very sweet and would always wave and call out, "シンシア先生！シンシア先生！”　when he sees me. Heard that he does that to all the AETs!

I'm racking my brains on what to teach them because of their lower ability. Have to think back on what I used to do with my primary school Japanese kids.

Trying not to look back

I went back to my previous school today as they needed 2 AETs for the 1 nensei open class. I was looking forward to it because I missed that school. Although there were a few people who were glad to see me back today (especially Yamada-kun and Yuguchi-kun), the feeling was different. I'm no longer the AET of that school. It just wasn't the same feeling as when I was teaching there. And only a week has passed since I left. So it made me reflect that many things and feelings that have passed are simply a thing of the past. They can only serve as memories and are intangible in the present. No matter how hard you try to capture them again, you'll never be able to experience the exact same feeling. And because it's intangible, it isn't real or doesn't seem real. Only the present is real.

But why do I keep holding on to these intangible things in life? If only I can just treat them as past memories to be cherished, that's ok. I try hard to breathe life into them again with my own imagination and fantasies. But they aren't going to work. There is something that I've been struggling with for a long time. I'm hoping for a closure or an answer that is still elusive. But I'm hopeful that I'll find it soon.

No more Japanese food today!

I went to the Saitama International Fair at Saitama Shintoshin with April today. Janet was volunteering at the JET's booth with the other AETs. It was a bright and sunny day. Just perfect for such an outing and for me to wear a skirt! There were many international food stalls and we decided that we wouldn't have any more Japanese food today. It' not as easy to find ethnic food here as it is in Singapore or Melbourne! But after having 2 delicious nann, we couldn't eat anymore. In fact, I'm still too full to have a proper dinner now. It's a pity because I love Thai and Vietnamnese food too!

Are you the woman who can take Cynthia back?

Janet, another AET in my town, is teaching in the school I just left. She was scheduled to teach 3年4組(if you don't already know by now..it's my favourite class) alone today. Drats! I wish I had the chance to teach them alone when I was there! She told me that the class and some other 1年生mentioned my name a few times. She was teaching 3年4組 this grammar point - Are you the ..... who ......? So 山田君asked her, "Are you the woman who can take Cynthia back?". Awww...it made me laugh when I heard that. It's so nice to know that you've made an impression on the students and that they miss you. I miss them a lot too and I would look out at my previous school from the current one because they're really close. But of course, it'll be really weird if I go popping into the previous school with no good reason. Anyway, I hope I'll make a lasting impression on the students at whichever school I go to because I know there'll always be some students who'll leave an impression on me.

Singapore - The 'fine' city

"Oh, Singapore... You'll get fined if you throw cigarette butts or litter isn't it?!" is the response I always get from the Japanese when I say where I'm from. My response would be an embarrassed "Yeah, but people do it anyway!". Seriously, I'm pretty sick of hearing this from the Japanese. Surely Singapore has something else to be known as other than being a strict country, beautiful city and the meaningless merlion! That's all the Japanese know about Singapore! I wouldn't mind if they remember Singapore from the SARs incident or the IOC event. But please, no more talking about fines! I don't know who to blame: Singapore for establishing such an authoritarian reputation or Japan for not educating the Japanese on foreign affairs well enough. Some of my students think that kimchi and Winter Sonata (the Korean drama) are from China!

Saying goodbye to School No. 1

I was feeling a little moody last Fri as it was my last day at my first school. After spending 2 months getting familiar and bonding with the teachers and especially the students, I had to go to my 2nd school today.

It was especially sad saying good to 3年4組, my favourite class. When I come back to this school the next year, the 3 nensei would have graduated. I wasn't scheduled to teach the third year on my last day. But halfway at the 4th period, 山田君 (left) came to the staff room to look for me and said, "Please teach me English." "Eh, now?" I replied. I thought he wanted me to teach him one to one. He then asked me to go to his class to teach for the last time as the class was asking for me. I found out later that they played scissors, paper, stone with the teacher to decide if they could come call for me. The JTE told me she deliberately lost to the class. :p So I went up to teach for the last time and I was really sad when I gave a short farewell speech.

3 年 4組 wrote their farewell messages to me on their English cards. 山田君and湯口君 wrote the most, talking about seeing me off when I return and wanting to come to Singapore to visit me. Ahh, I would miss them both very much.

Who transported to me to the mountains?

This was what happened last Friday. In fact, it was even more misty than it looked. I got the shock of my life when I left home to go to school. Shiraoka was shrouded by mist. It reminded me of Nikko, up in Lake Chuzenji. Or I could have been up in the mountains. It was dangerous riding on the road as the mirrors were all fogged up. Had to ride extra slowly and leave it to luck too! There was a mist because of the contrast of the low temperature in the morning and the high temperature in the afternoon. Can't explain this well as I'm new to this!

Give me some warmth!

Most people are impressed with the Japanese technology. But I don't understand why they suck at building houses with good insulation. Can't they apply their impressive technology when building property? It's so f****** cold in here and it's only autumn! This climate feels a little like winter in Melbourne. I miss the gas stove I had in my apartment on Haines street. It was nice sitting on the comfy couch with my flatmates in the living room when it was on. Sigh. When winter comes, what will it be like?? Sob..I don't want to know.

The teachers and students will look sympathetically at me when I say I'm cold. And I'm constantly sniffing and blowing my nose (probably also because I've just had a cold) in school. No matter how much I hate the heat in Singapore, I'm not accustomed to the cold weather. I still prefer it to the hot weather. But come winter, I may wish for the heat (but minus the humidity) in summer.

I feel 13/14 again.

I usually talk to the boys more because they like to come up to talk to me. The girls are friendly but a little shy when it comes to talking. But today, I had a fun talk with some 1 and 2 nensei girls. It was a really free day for me as all the school sports clubs were having competitions at various locations outside. After coming back from cheering the tennis club, I moved around to watch the other students practising their sports. As I was walking back to the staff room, the girls waved to me and I walked over to chat.

They were writing who they love on their drawing blocks. hehe. Being a busybody, I managed to persuad them to show me. Pity I couldn't put the boys' names and faces together, as I have too many students and too few classes with them. The girls talked enthusiastically about their crushes and were interested to know about my love history and feelings about Japanese boys and men. Haha..I didn't tell them much in case it spreads throughout the school then to the other schools and soon after the whole town will know! They wanted to know when I had my first crush, my first boyfriend and whether we kissed. Being an お姉ちゃん (elder sister) to them, I didn't say much so as not to encourage them to start dating now. Heh...maybe I'm too old fashioned! They told me that lots of the students are already dating and doing more than kissing (for the 3 nensei)!!

Together, we kept teasing a 2 nensei boy, 戸井田, who was running around the gym for his basketball practice. Whenever he ran past us, we would say something like "こんにちは", "You are ばか(stupid)", "今夜はどう?" (How about tonight?), "早く走れよ！" (Run faster!)　etc. in unison and laugh when we saw his amused expression. Although he tried to hide it, we could see that he enjoyed the attention! I hope the principal won't find out what I was up to with the girls today!

Blagh...I feel dizzy.

I was watching a TV programme on the autumn leaves in Nikko and nursing a cold when I felt the awful feeling of my apartment shaking. It was 8.44 p.m. It lasted for a minute but it felt long. There had been 2 longer and stronger earthquakes since I arrived. But both times I was in Tokyo, so I didn't feel anything. Everything in my living room was shaking along with the tremor. I quickly got up from my sofa and went to my futon which is the safest part of the room because there's nothing above. I felt a little sick from the shaking. It was like getting sea sick. News on earthquakes in Japan is really quick. The moment I changed to the NHK channel after the tremor stopped, the newscaster was reporting on the earthquake. The epicenter of the earthquake is at Ibaraki-ken. The strength of the tremor was 5 there and 3 in Saitama.

I have yet to experience an earthquake that shakes vertically. Aaack, that will feel so horrible....Please don't let me be in the shower at that time!

What do I do with 35 big kids ALONE?

I had to conduct the English class with 2-3 by myself today. I didn't have to. The JTE had to go for a meeting outside and was planning to let them study by themselves. But she thought if I wanted to, I can do the class myself and play some English games with them. I was shocked at first but I wanted to try. So I agreed, but not without a lot of reservations. Lost a bit of sleep over that because the 2 nensei are the most difficult to handle.

So I walked into the rowdy class today trying to look confident and strict. Before I started the class, I told them "haughtily" in Japanese that I hate a rude and rowdy class so please behave! The class went well and the kids seemed to enjoy the games. As it was a break from their usual textbook based and too systematic English class, I guess they welcomed the change. In fact, they behaved better than when the JTE was around.

As much as the kids like games, the English education in Japan won't change much. It's still too grammar and exam focused. That's why many AETs like me aren't used as much as we hope to be used. I'm not complaining though. What's the point of being upset over something I can't change? I'll just go with the flow and try to enjoy whatever I can.

Sharon Au in Harajuku

An anecdote to show how small the world is! As puny as Singapore is, I've never met Sharon Au. So I couldn't help being amazed and flabbergasted when I met her in Harajuku on Sat (even though I'm not really a fan of her). She was walking with another female sharing an umbrella in front of me and my friend. Upon hearing a Singaporean Mandarin accent, she turned around to look. It was then that I realised it was her. After hesitating and whispering to my friend for a while, I tapped her on the shoulder and asked if she's Sharon Au. She was friendly and agreed to my request for a photo. I thought she might be here for a holiday and was surprised when she told me she's studying here. Guess she left Singapore after me as I didn't know that she has gotten a scholoarship to study in Keio University from MediaCorp.

I hope the next time I'll meet a Hong Kong celebrity! : )

From sticky to slippery

Yeah, I finally got a new kitchen floor! It was laid with the old fashioned vinyl before. But now I get a spanking (but slippery) new parquet flooring. The おじさん who did the flooring today bought me so many chocolates and a sandwich when he went for lunch! He said "Sheesh..don't tell the landlady". Hmm...なんでだろう？

Six little chefs

I was happy when I returned from a class to the staff room. Why? Lying on a table was this. A present from 6 boys in 1年3組! They made this during their home economics class and wanted me to try. And you may be trying hard to figure out what they have made. It's boiled potatoes with salt and LOTS of pepper! Haha...they told the school keeper that they "mishandled" the pepper when they passed the plate to her. You're right if you guess that I couldn't finish them. でも彼らの気持ちをいっぱい頂きました！

Bonding over softball

After many days of rain, the sun finally shone today. But alas, it won't last long because it's going to rain again during the weekend. The weather tempted me to go outdoors and play sports with the students. I saw the 2 nensei boys playing softball at the courts and decided that I should be a good sport and join them! Since school started, I've not played any kind of sports with my students. Surprisingly, the usually hostile 2 nensei boys welcomed me and were most willing to pick the many balls that I missed. A few of the boys that I joined were the ones that are the least interested in English. So it's not me that they dislike! :p If only we can shift English class to the courts....

Rainy Nikko

Heard that Nikko is a very good place for viewing autumn leaves in the Kanto region. So I went with Rebekah and April. Rebekah took the train from Aizu and transferred to our train at 下今市. However, it's was a little too early to see the full effect of 紅葉 (autumn leaves) when we were there. Nikko is also famous for its shrines and temples (especially Tosyogu Shrine), Lake Chuzenji and the waterfalls.

Unfortunately, due to the rain, it casted a huge shroud of mist at Lake Chuzenji and we couldn't see the Kegon Falls at all!! It was raining, misty and freezing at the lake! But we still had a good time. The pension we stayed at was wonderful! And we had a really good Chinese dinner. "Real" chinese soup and char siew pau!!! I didn't know how much I missed Chinese food until I had that meal. I was so hungry and happy that I forgot to take photos of that!

I　want to return to Nikko in Nov for a day trip to see the 紅葉 and the waterfalls! But thinking about the money for the transportation and entrance fee to the World Heritage Park...hmmm....I may go back in spring if my parents come for a holiday.

The dark age of 14

I was nervous before I did my self-introduction with the 3 nensei in Sept. I heard stories about other AETs having problems with the 3 nensei and loving the 1 nensei. Strangely, I can't remember what was said about the 2 nensei. But soon, the 2 nensei left the deepest impression on me.....because I dislike teaching them! In fact, I don't have a problem with the 3 nensei. They're very friendly, earnest, and serious. I'm disregarding the boys that have the look of boredom pasted all over their faces in 3 nensei. The 1 nensei can be rowdy but they're quite genki when learning English. And they are easy to tease. :p BUT....but the 2 nensei are rowdy (in a disrespectful way), bored or hostile in class. The girls are ok but way too quiet. It's as hard to get them to talk as to get the boys to keep quiet. Sometimes I feel so unwanted when I teach the 2 nensei. They are only friendly to me AFTER class, calling out for me outside the corridor. When I'm in the class, they act differently. What's the reason? I don't know. I'll just blame it on the age. It must be tough being 14. That's why they like to make things difficult for me in class.

Speedy Wonder?!

I was the leader of the black people.
I lived in America.
I won the Nobel Prize of Peace.
I was assasinated.
Who am I?

Guess what my 3 nensei answered. "Speedy Wonder?" they answered hesitantly. The response from the JTE and me: "Ahahahaha!" Hah...it certainly sounds cooler than Stevie Wonder! But even that answer is wrong. The next group tried their luck, "Speedy Wonder" with a more confident Western accent, thinking that'll help make that answer right! : )

Perhaps the answer to that quiz below would be.......

I'm black.
I sing very well.
I'm blind.
Who am I?

Martin Luther King, Jr. (!!!!!)

合唱際Choral Singing Competition

We had the choral singing competiton on Fri afternoon. All the classes in each grade performed. A prize was awarded to the best performing class in each grade. The teachers, including myself, performed at the end. We sang the piece 心の中にかがやいて. I sang the part of the alto. It was hard when I was practising because there was the tendency to sing to the notes of the soprano. Err, I believe I was trying to sing very loud on stage because the teacher on my right is a very good and loud singer. I hope I didn't sound strange or went off key!

Now, here's a funny photo of our mouths wide open. Must be the last part when we were singing "いつまでもーーーー”！

My 肉ジャガ

This dish took me a long time as I had to wait for the potatoes to be cooked until they're soft. It's not as good as the one I ate in school. But considering it's my first attempt and had no proper recipe to follow, thumbs up for myself! :) I'm going to show this picture to the principal and see what he says! And I would shake my head at him if he talks about gooddo Japanese boys again. Haha.

I made an onigiri today

My Japanese tutor taught me how to make an onigiri (rice ball) after our lesson. It's really simple and tastes good with only a little salt to taste. But the difficult part was making it into a perfect triangle with my fingers.

So I learnt how to make another Japanese dish. I love my current Japanese tutor! I've never had a private Japanese tutor and thanks to Janet, I found 中村先生. I would go to her house every week in 蓮田, the neighbouring city for my lesson. Knowing about my ambition to become a translator/simultaneous interpreter, she suggested that I first have to read lots of books in Japanese. She has introduced quite a few interesting Japanese literature to me and I would always have a good time reading and discussing them during our lessons. I would do some reading at home as well for my homework. Currently, I'm also reading Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban in Japanese. Phew, it's thick! I'm still slow at reading in Japanese but my understanding is improving. It's really fun and insightful to learn a language this way as I gain other knowledge by reading. But it's only a natural progression from my previous formal language training as it's time I start challenging myself to read seriously.

And 中村先生 always has so many interesting stories to share. She's so kind and generous too. Always giving me different Japanese snacks to bring home! And she also often teaches Janet how to make Japanese dishes, like she taught me how to make an onigiri just now.

The story behind 肉ジャガ, Meat potato stew

I had 肉ジャガ for the first time during school lunch today. It's probably a home cooked dish because I've never had it in any Japanese restaurants. It was so delicious!! I was praising the dish to the other school staff when the principal told me the "story" behind this dish. To qualify as a Japanese wife, every woman has to know how to make a good 肉ジャガ. Haha....I knew what he was implying again and I cheekily shook my head as he was advising me to learn how to make it. The principal is always trying to psycho me into marrying a Japanese man! He always tells me, "Japanese boy....very good (beri gooddo)!" and would recommend to me the Japanese language teacher (who looks like a married man to me), the math or the social studies teacher. He doesn't even spare my male students! He once caught hold of one 3年生 and said, "He....gooddo Japanese boy!" To his offers, I would always reject them by shaking my head solemnly. He's so baffled with me and always asks, "why, why?"

Anyway, I asked Morita-san how to cook 肉ジャガ and I'm going to make it at home one day. But that's only because I like it and have too many potatoes left!! But that would make the principal so happy! Hehe.

秋 Autumn

Brrrr....it was a little cold as I cycled home from my tutor's place. It has really turned autumn. Not the false signs of autumn last week when it was cool one day and hot the next. Yesterday, as I was cycling past the paddy fields to go to school, I saw many many many dragonflies! I had to duck as I rode past them. Pity it wasn't at night. I asked a teacher at school why are there suddenly so many dragonflies. She said when autumn comes the dragonflies will fly down from the mountains. Another interesting aspect of nature. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to ask her why they had to come down in autumn. Next time.....

I love the weather in the fall! Except in the morning when I have to wake up and shower. I wish I can freeze this moment and forever stay in this season. Or skip winter and just go straight to 春！

Salsa in 六本木 (Roppongi)

I'm addicted to salsa! Have to check out the salsa scene whichever country I'm in. Did salsa for about 1/2 a year in Singapore but had to stop because of overseas studies. Did do a little salsa in Melbourne but it wasn't regular. And the steps I learnt in Melb isn't the cuban style that I learnt and preferred.

Unfortunately can't find any schools that do salsa in Saitama. Only latin dance schools with mostly middle aged women. Went for one class, which was good exercise but it lacked the energy and electrifying vibes of a salsa class! But glad that I found it in Roppongi, although it's far from my place!!! Almost 2 hrs one way by train... :( Heard that Roppongi has a vibrant salsa culture..lots of salsa clubs. Ooohh. Anyway, went to check out this school on Fri as they have a trial salsa class for 30 mins. Salsa class just has a different atmosphere from other dance classes. I've been to funk, jazz, and latin classes. People are more serious there and it's intimidating especially when I'm a slow learner! In salsa, people look so happy and more relaxed. Perhaps it's the music or the dance moves that does that to people. Please try salsa at least once if u haven't tried! It's just incredibly fun! Guess I may have to spend my weekends travelling to Roppongi for classes. The commuting sucks but I'll forget about it once I start dancing.

Oops...mistake!

Realised that u can't view the pictures just by clicking on the link. U have to receive a proper invitation from me so email me if u're interested.

Fuji Q Highland in 山梨県

http://www.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=29325731/t_=24355195

Pls go to the URL above if u want to view my photos. U have to sign up for snapfish before u can view it though. Sorry!

Took a trip during the recent long weekend. Booked the hotel and bus to Fuji Q myself. Not as difficult as I thought. And luckily everything went smoothly. It was fun....my first trip out of Tokyo and Saitama since I came in Aug! If not for my friends forcing me, I would probably not have gone on the 2 coasters (Fujiyama King of coasters and ドドンパ　－ really fast one like a bullet!) and also the Red tower that brings you up and drops u down!!! Ahhhhh.......I was screaming and screaming the whole time. Was laughing hysterically too from fear. The feelings on those rides were wooosshhhhhhh and as if I were falling to my death. Experienced a different feeling while taking the King of Coasters coz it was already dark when we rode on it and the temperature dropped to about 18 degree celcius. Kept my eyes open the whole time even when going down. Amazing....

And the different views of 富士山 were simply wonderful. It's never the same when you look at it. And u can never see it clearly like other mountains I've seen before. It looks like a ghost mountain. Sometimes there and sometimes not. And it's hard to capture it on pictures when u're in it.

My girl and boy fans

From the left, 山田、湯口、森永 in 3年4組. They're so friendly and would always talk to me when they come to clean the staff room in the morning.

Sports Day ー Class photo with ３年３組

十五夜

今日は十五夜だ。でも月はそんなに丸くない。今日も涼しいだ。すごくいい感じ。やっと秋のように感じられた。

Why is that student's hair coloured??

Students aren't allowed to dye their hair but there's one who obviously flouted that rule. Can u find her? U may find her familiar! Heh. The principal decided I should participate in the 竹ダンス (bamboo dance) with all the other female students on their Sports Day on Sat. So there I was...unprepared with only 3 times of very brief and fuzzy practice! Errrr...... My eyes were following the students' every move and I was a good 1/2 steps slower than them. It showed in the photos too! I'm keeping the really bad ones in a secret folder - hidden to the eyes of others!! But it was really fun and I got to wear a Japanese school uniform. The other girls were all exclaiming when they saw me in it. It was embarrassing. I also joined in the teachers' race and folk dance with the students. Haha...the teachers said I ran very fast (only 50m). keke. Some of the boys looked so bashingly shy when it was their turn to dance with me. They were blushing. Ahhh....teenage years. 懐かしい！

No more prepaid for me

Prepaid sucks! I thought I can save some money with prepaid if I don't use my phone much. But I text a lot on my keitai n I had to restrict myself so much for fear of finishing my credits too soon. So I decided to go for a plan instead which is also not cheap but at least I won't have to control how I use my keitai. So here's my new AU phone! Yeah...I can finally choose something I like - a sleek n white keitai with cool features! Japanese phone don't have sim cards so if u want to switch to a new number or to a plan, you have to buy a new keitai. But as this is a plan, I got this for 0 yen.

Why am I so excited over just a phone here?? It's not only coz Japanese mobile phones are cool, it's because I could never bear to spend money on the latest phones back home. So finally, I get to own a cool phone!

Back to earth

Ok, let's make this clear....not all the students are interested in me. Apparently one of the 2 nensei(2nd graders) class didn't seem very interested in my self-introduction class and kept on talking and arguing with the JTE over the rules of my quiz. Luckily I had some experience of teaching Japanese students n I know how they can be like. Teachers are not so much authority figures but friends to them. So students are very relaxed in class, which may seem rude to Singaporeans. But I'm kinda used to it and don't make it a big deal. Anway, I rather let the JTE handle the class's behaviour.

Getting close with Moca!

Up close n personal with a local band here! Janet and I got to know them at a festival where they were performing. And we were invited to go watch their live performance in Hasuda. We even got VIP fan treatment coz the drummer/pianist came to the station to pick us up! Only the 2 of us. Ahaha. Their CD were out so we bought them as a show of support. They're really really good and quite cute too! Plus they're only 25! :p Well, the drummer will look cuter if he smiled in the photo with me! He's really cool both on the piano and the drums. If they ever become famous in Japan, I have their CD with their signature and message! Hehehe.