Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson

Pop music legend Michael Jackson died last week after suffering from a cardiac arrest at home, the media has reported.

I was on my futon sipping my morning coffee, and found this out from dozens of status updates on my friends’ Facebook pages. (It’s crazy to think how news keeps filtering through different avenues as time progresses, no? Oh, J1000…)

MJ’s influence has touched people all over the world. Everyone has a “MJ-related” story.

At school, we use a series of English textbooks called “New Horizons.” There are some songs by Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey on some pages.

Michael Jackson’s “We are the World” is printed in the third-year textbook. Most of my students quickly flip through the textbook, and probably overlook the English songs. But last year, some of my san-nensei (ninth-graders) used MJ’s song as the centerpiece for their creative writing assignments.

My favorite skit? Shou asked Miki on a date. “Hey, Miki! Do you know Michael Jackson? We should go to his concert together. On a date.” She rejected him! (The poor kids had to “perform” their skits in front of me. Amazing).

My kyoto-sensei, who is a darling and makes sporadic attempts to converse with me, uttered the words "Mai-ka-ru Ja-ko-so-nu?!" on Friday. We had a moment as I gestured that I was surprised such an icon died. Kyoto-sensei couldn't believe MJ was only 50.

MJ, thanks for reminding us that, "We are the world. We are the children. We are the ones who make a brighter day."

Living the “funemployment” dream

I’m basically “funemployed,” a recently coined term that describes twenty and thirtysomethings who reject the typical 9 to 5 in order to pursue happiness in leisurely activities. (There was a nice read about “funemployment” in the Globe and Mail last week).

Don’t get me wrong – I do have an 8-4 job. And surprisingly, I am “invited” to more classes per week than the average JET. But my duties are quite limited -- I don’t have to plan lessons for my junior high classes. Sometimes, I need to create a worksheet or a skit to demonstrate the language target of the day. I do other random things to make an English presence at school, like update my bulletin board and talk to kids throughout the day. I am starting to increase my visits with the kids during their club practices after school. This week, I invited myself to learn how to play soft tennis with the first and second-grade girls! Ha.

I think most ALTs will agree that the job is definitely more about the influence we have beyond the classroom walls. It’s about simply getting kids enthusiastic when learning English. It’s about making them aware that there are different ideas and cultures outside of Japan. I think I’m slowly achieving these ideas in minute ways.

I was doing my groceries the other night, and a kid yelled: “Gemma-sensei!” His mom whispered back to him, probably wondering why he was yelling after a foreigner. When she found out I was his English teacher, she nudged her kid closer to me so that we could talk for a second. We exchanged our basic aisatsu (greetings), as the kid grinned ear to ear.

The junior high school kids are now comfortable with me, and treat me like their older sister. I like playing cards with the little seventh-grade boys, who also show me their magic tricks.

The older kids keep me up to date on the latest gossip, so I know which students are currently dating and who likes whom. The ninth-grade boys now enjoy hamming it up when I take their pictures, and graciously thank me when I let them janken (“rock, paper, scissors) over my unopened apple jelly. They also thought it would be hilarious to make me stick my face near a tin box; when they flipped it open, it was filled with their classroom pets: beetle-like bugs. Ew. They laughed as I exclaimed two of their bugs were dead. (Sure enough, all eight bugs were dead the next time I visited their classroom).

So, my time outside the classroom is pretty relaxed and fun. I also have loads of time to take off from school. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to several places this year. I’ve bopped to house music in Tokyo’s largest nightclub until 4 a.m. I’ve seen several historic shrines and temples in Kyoto twice. I saw the infamous paper cranes associated with the story of a young Hiroshima bombing victim. I’ve eaten deep-fried foods and kimchee on the streets of Seoul. I’ve gotten lost in the wintry streets of Sapporo, looking for an ice bar.

My list goes on. I am really quite fortunate that I have this time in my life to be “funemployed.”

Things can get frustrating out here – I often get tired of the communication barriers. But I’m learning to exert LOTS of patience. I need to remind myself that I have some pretty sweet kids, teachers, new friends and amazing travel opportunities. As the saying goes, the world is my oyster. Let's stay funemployed for as long as it stays feasible, no?

Celebrity status

It happens to all of us.

Everyone and their baby's mamma recognizes the local ALT out and about in the community. I can't go to the kombini (convenience store) or shopping complex without being recognized. It sounds pretty self-centered; but I really am the token "gaijin" (foreigner) in my neighbourhood.

The other day, I got into my car after getting an onigiri (rice ball) from the local 7/11. As I was slowly driving off, three of my shogakkusei (elementary school kiddos) recognize me, and started screaming "Gemma-sensei!! Gemma-sensei!" I gave them a polite wave, then kept weaving my way through the narrow streets of my neighbourhood.

An additional four kiddos were then added to the mix. These kids had guts; they actually chased my car while screaming my name. When I had to make a stop, they plastered themselves against my car. Oh, the danger! I had to turn off my engine, and politely ask them to step away from my car. Nothing like having four little kids draped across your windows and car hood.

Shogakkusei are crazy cute, but also just plain crazy.

Another recent encounter includes a run-in with one of my kids who graduated last year. It also happens that he's one of the sons of my landlord. I was at the nearby community, signing up for another month of yoga classes. And that's when A. saw me. We actually struck up a conversation in English, which is pretty refreshing. I am really proud that he always tries to speak in English with me - he doesn't care if he makes mistakes. He was even able to explain to me that the community centre clerk has a daughter. I taught her last year, too! She was tickled pink when I saw her kiddo at the train station the other week.

They see me rollin'... Bike safety

In April, I noticed the entire student body congregated at the bike park at the end of recess. It was a little odd, so I went outside to check out the shenanigans. As usual, I sported my cool sunglasses. The kids often yell “Kakoi!!” (“Cool?!”) and enjoy trying them on.

So, the kids were all in their bright blue gym uniforms and were perched upon their bikes. They also wore their identical white bike helmets, and waited in orderly lines.

Apparently, we were going to spend the afternoon learning about bike safety. They were being tested on their ability to safely navigate their way around the surrounding roads and rice paddies. One by one, they set off on a course around the neighbourhood as the teachers kept a watchful eye.

After all 275 students finished the quick ride, we all retreated to the dusty soccer pitch at the back of our school. (The kids sat down on the pitch, in their straight lines, as per usual). Three safety officers gave us a little presentation on the importance of bike safety.

I think it’s interesting how all of this is unfamiliar territory to me. Growing up, all of my schools were at least a 10-minute drive from my place. Like most students, I took the yellow school bus. In high school and university, I took public transportation (ie. the city buses) or I drove.

Here in Japan, I am fortunate enough to live near my base school. It’s a 7-minute walk, or a one-minute drive. Now that I have a car, I always drive to school – those extra six minutes in the morning are really nice. But I do miss the walks to school, because I can meet and greet my students along the way.

When I used to walk to school, I'd hear a steady chorus of "Herro!" or "Good morning, Gemma-sensei" as the kids zoomed past me on their bikes. Maybe I'll start the walking trend again this summer. But probably not, because it's not fun sweating in the ridiculous humidity here.

Stranger danger

It seemed like an average work day in May when the men in my staffroom had their eyes on the clock. Armed with broomsticks and the like, they waited for the clock to strike three. I stood with them, but without any “weapon.” I really had no idea what was expected of me.

It was “Stranger Awareness Day" at Nichu. We spent the afternoon teaching students the importance of protecting yourself from strangers. But as per usual, I have discovered that the Japanese take it to another level.

When I was a kid, I think we popped in a safety video and watched it together. Some years, we had a policeman come in and make a special appearance. He’d warn us to never enter suspicious vehicles or talk to strangers. In my neighbourhood, we were told to avoid the “white van” that grabbed kids off sidewalks.

But I digress.

There was a strange man who was running up and down the Nichu hallways while yelling. I figured he was the dude posing as the “stranger” entering the school. Y-sensei, who was clutching his wooden kendo sword, looked over and kindly said: “Gemma-sensei… PLEASE ESCAPE NOW!!!”

So, I shuffled my way to the gym. Kids started filtering in a few minutes later. Then, the teachers ran in. Some of them were actually panting, so I’m guessing they legitimately chased the stranger with their kendo swords and broomsticks.

The school also has a special “stranger prod.” It is an eight-foot metal stick with a U-shaped end. Do they grab the stranger by the waist, and then push him out the front entrance? I wish I stuck around to see that comedic performance.


Stay alert, stay safe.

Kids are ridiculously hilarious

This school year, I’ve been given some additional responsibilities at work. A stack of completed worksheets is carefully tucked into my middle drawer; I have the task of correcting all of ‘em. This may seem like a mundane assignment; but I actually enjoy whipping out my Lilo & Stitch stamp and inkpad for such occasions.

My students’ homework often brings a smile to my face. Why? The second-graders’ compositions are giving me a quick glimpse into their daily lives. Their personal reflections are definitely shaped by their surroundings. A lot of my kids have written how their weekends were consumed by planting rice with their parents or grandparents. Others have said they spend hours upon hours doing their club activities, followed by a session at cram school after dinner. And many of them talk about hanging out at the nearby mall, where they enjoy eating cheeseburger "sets" from McDonald's.

Here are a couple excerpts:

“We practiced baseball in the morning. It was very hard. I studied Japanese and social studies. And I played a game in the afternoon. I went to private school after dimer. I learned English. I was very tired.”

“I played on TV games for two hours. ‘My the summer vacation’ and watched TV ‘A SpongeBobu.’ I was very happy.”

“I returned home after school. And I went to hospital by bike. I got oneself examined. The doctor made a careful examination of my a finger. I went to a pharmacy after that. And I bought a lipcream. In all, it took one hour. I was very tired.” (Poor girl!!)

Kids also tell me some of the funniest things:
“I’ll see you, baby!” – one of my elementary school kiddos bidding me adieu. I told him he watches way too many movies.

“HERRO!” – I’ve started teaching phonics to the kiddos, but they still can’t differentiate between “r” (ra ra ra racket) and “l” (la la la lion).

"Gemma-sensei, are you a mother?" - one of my elementary school kiddos.