Let's exploring

Last year, I travelled a lot. I wanted to do everything, see everything. I crashed on S's living room every weekend in Koriyama last fall. I didn't have a problem staying out all night in Fukushima, only to find a couple hours of slumber in a karaoke box. And I yearned for the sleepless nights in Tokyo, eating McDonald's at six a.m. while waiting for the first train out of Shibuya.

This year, I travelled a bit. But I regret not exploring all that much more. I shouldn't complain, I know. My Japanese bosses and co-workers often marvel at how much I leave the city. A-sensei remembered how I distributed small packages specially-flavoured dried seaweed to my BoE people, after my trip to Seoul last Golden Week.

So, I'm wondering what can I be thankful for discovering this year...

Feeling desperation and stupidity while clambering up the volcanic rocks of Mt. Fuji last July. Seeing the bright lights of Tokyo with the noobs in the summer. Waiting in lines at Disney Sea with the girls in Tokyo last September. Seeing the colourful autumn transformation in Nikko in November -- content and alone. Showed a chilhood friend the nooks and crannies of Tokyo. Doing the FuJET trips as the fearful leader - being reunited with the soccer pitches in Nagano and the snow streetscapes of Sapporo. And of course, my well-needed trip back home where I did nothing but slept, watched satellite television, ate fatty foods, hung out with my family and occassionally saw my ol' friends.

So, what are my travel goals for the next few months? I'd like to solidify my plans for Fukuoka. I want to study Japanese there for two weeks. I'm also rather keen to visit: the Philippines, Okinawa, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong and Malaysia. My list is rather fluid, so I'm sure I'll add more destinations as time goes on.

Where my Noguchis at?

Spring has sprung... a leak.

The photo above was taken on a chilly, overcast day in Motomiya. I remember it clearly, because it was payday. After we were finished our business at the Board of Education, B. and I took a quick drive over to a nearby pond at "Flowerland." There was a swan gliding through the water. The cherry blossoms were starting to bloom, enhancing the park with a wash of light pink. It seemed like spring had finally sprung!

But the following morning, I pulled open my curtains and was surprised to see huge snowflakes coming from the sky. I had to dig out my ol' windshield scraper to brush off the thick layer of snow on my car. Everyone shivered at school, because we had already disassembled our usual source of heat: the old kerosene stoves. The other teachers were telling me they hadn't seen such snowy weather in late April since forty years ago. Thank you, Mother Nature. It also didn't help that a few days ago, we had another fresh coat of snow dumped all over the city. In addition to that, we felt a minor earthquake at 6:30 in the morning, which woke me up from my slumber. Eee... bad news bears!

Cherry blossom viewing ("hanami") viewing parties are a focal part of springtime in Japan. It's an excuse for people to gather underneath the trees to take in nature's beauty... and enjoy each other's company while indulging on alcohol and good food. A few weeks ago, I went to Fukushima-shi for the second annual "Sakura" (cherry blossoms) BBQ. Sadly, we were the only ones at the park. It was a blustery day, and the trees were bare. Fortunately, we ate lots of delicious Brazilian BBQ. Last week, another hanami party was held at the picturesque Tsurugajo, a castle in the city of Aizuwakamatsu. But I ended up skipping it, because I couldn't bring myself to driving 1.5 hours to sit outside on a slightly chilly day.

As a result, my cherry blossom tradition has been hampered quite a bit this year! Fortunately, I viewed some of the blossoms before the rain and snow started pelting the poor delicate things. This year, I took a leisurely hike at Hanamiyama Park in Fukushima-shi; Mizuiro Park, which also has sweet water installments, in Motomiya; and Jana no Hana Land (Flowerland) near my house.

I've been doing some light Googling, and I've just realized I have been telling lies to some of my teachers. They've asked if we have cherry blossoms in Canada... and I said there might be a handful of trees in Vancouver. But it turns out that there is even a cherry blossom festival held there every year! My bad.

If tomorrow's another overcast day, I won't be too bothered. I took the day, giving me a wonderful 7-day hiatus from work. (We have a bunch of consecutive national holidays - thank you, Golden Week!)

The perks of being different

Last week, I grabbed a to-go meal from MOS Burger. I asked for my usual, which includes: an iced tea, a cheeseburger and an onion ring-potato fries set. When the store manager emerged from behind the counter, he handed over my brown baggie. In addition, he discreetly gave me a small cardboard box containing a brand-new tumbler for my drinks. “Cup, cup!” he told me. I think that the burger joint is having some kind of promotion involving tumblers, but I got one on the house!

As I'm the lone foreigner in my neighbourhood, the local people have taken notice of me. I’ve written about this odd – yet flattering – recognition for most ALTs in a small town. Weirdly enough, it means that the store clerk ringing up my bottle of plum wine is most likely the mother of two of my students. But it also means that I get a lot of free stuff.

There was a grandmotherly stooped over her garden last year. She gestured me to come over, asking for some help to bring her sleeves up. As a gesture of gratitude, she sent me on my way home with a couple ears of fresh corn picked from her square plot of and.

For the longest time, my local car garage referred to me as “sensei” (teacher). (I finally read out the Romanized letters for them). They always provide me with some tea and cookies, while I wait for them to inspect my car. Moreover, they never charge me for assessments, and I didn’t have to pay when they fixed my seatbelt for me! That’s service. Last week, they also gave me a free box of kleenex, with the garage's logo printed on the side. (Japan is all about giving out free tissues.)

I also have a string of local taxi drivers who shuttle me between my house and the train station. One of my favourites has to be the dude who is fascinated with Canada and the English language. He remembers all of my trips, too! Last time I saw him, I gave him a small Canadian pin. In return, he insisted that he shave off about 500 yen from cab fare. Bless him!

Of course it's not always rosy when you're different. There's a certain cab driver who furiously honks his horn outside of my apartment, despite arriving a good 5-7 minutes before my desired time. I can tell he hates it when I ask him for a quick drive over to the station; in fact, I think he purposely takes the long way there, ha.

Nevertheless, the good trumps the bad. I appreciate all the little things people do to make me feel welcome.

Rookies

I saw two kids faint and two kids turn pale in the school gymnasium last week. (It took a team of four teachers to delicately carry one kid out of the gym!) Sadly, I’m getting used to this scene in our school’s dilapidated gym. I mean, our walls are paper thin, barely shielding us from the April chill. Moreover, the students had to sit rigidly in their wooden seats -- face forward, knees locked at a 90-degree angle, with the boys forming tight fists with their hands. They sat there for more than an hour, listening to city officials and other ViPs congratulate kids for making it into the 7th-grade.

Oh, to be back in school! The new academic term in Japan starts in April for all junior highs. Sometimes, I can’t believe that I’m watching my second round of opening exercises…

**

The little ones came to school on a Tuesday, dressed in their brand-new uniforms and yellow running shoes. It was the first day of school for junior high school students across Japan. At my base school, the incoming first-year kiddos happen to be the recent elementary schools graduates from my two visit schools! So, I’ve helped teach these kids English since they were in Grade 5.

The senior students congregated in the gym early this morning, practicing the loudness of their singing and applause. They were also briefly introduced to the three new staff at our school – the new principal, school nurse and English teacher. After they were excused from the gym, the incoming first-years were soon invited inside to the gym.

At the morning practice, the homeroom teachers coached the rookies on how to properly march into the gym two-by-two. Next, the kids had to learn how to properly take their seats. (The homeroom teacher stands at the front, and gives them a deep bow. Only then can those students sit down. They didn’t get it at first). Also, a bunch of kids kept bowing when they first entered the gym. In Japanese, the adults explained: “Only the teachers bow then! OK?! Only the teachers!”

Their fumbles made me smile. Soon, they’ll get the hang of it. Their footing will follow a certain rhythm. Their spacing will be just right. Their bowing will be bodacious. The girls will learn to wear knee-high white socks, not just ankle length ones. I give it a couple more weeks. Then, they’ll be experts.

Say what?

In the midst of my spring cleaning, I found some interesting scraps of paper. I had copied down some of the funny Engrish I've stumbled upon this year, while correcting my students' attempts at writing in English:

"My family was planting rice all day. I washed the rice box. My mother washed the rice box, too. My brother H carried the rice box. But my brother M went to high school."

"I went to Y's home. It was dangerous there. Many game on the Yuji room."

"We Sunday morning. Weed the school. Very tired. Tree on the beetle. Afternoon is D and S. with. Let's go to Koriyama to play with Yodobashi Kamera."

Kids say the darndenest things.

Also, my spring cleaning is becoming an epic fail. I'd rather sit down and watch episodes of America's Next Best Dance Crew, Season 5. It's dope.

Getting to know your co-workers

It's not unusual for me to pick up a mic, and croon to the latest tunes of Rihanna. I love karaoke! But on a Friday night, I found myself singing out "You can stand under my umbrella! ella! ella! ay! ay! ay!" for my fellow co-workers. They laughed and clapped, saying that my English pronunciation is impeccable. Earlier that night, I also sang "I Will Survive" for my staff. Did I mention that another school was also holding their party at the same snack bar? It was fantastic!

Work relations in Japan are usually cemented at these drinking parties: enkais. In March and April, Japanese restaurants and snack bars are booked up with enkais - even on the weekdays. In recent weeks, I've attended about three enkais. At Nichu, five teachers were transferred to other placements - so, we had a good-bye enkai. At my Board of Education, three people are leaving, including our oh-so-lovable M-san - so, we had a farewell enkai. And yesterday, we needed an enkai to welcome the three new incoming staff at Nichu. This includes a new thirtysomething dude who will now be my co-teacher.

The enkai usually kicks off with everyone seated around tables set low to the ground. You sit on your knees, because it's a sign of respect. (It hurts after a while!) We listen to various speeches. Then, everyone raises a glass to do the "kanpai!"((cheers). Two hours are spent on eating unlimited amounts of food and drink. At my school, most people end up drinking oolong tea. But there were six of us teachers who ask to the keep the alcohol flowing. Interestingly enough at enkais, it is rude to pour your own drink. To show respect, you're supposed to pour for your fellow co-workers. In return, they should top off your glass. It's a win-win situation, really.

At this enkai, I sat across from K-sensei. He's a quiet man; but I noticed that he tries to initiate small talk with me now, albeit in Japanese, because this is the second time our desks have been placed in close proximity within the teachers' room. Our friendship was further bonded, because we always made sure to keep each other's glasses topped up.

I also had a brief chat with the new school principal! Like his predecessor, he can't speak English. But he made a point to come over to talk with me, which was nice. I hope he's easygoing, and doesn't force me to use a timecard at school! Because when the clock strikes 4:00, I bolt out of school!

When the dinner portion of the evening finished, we walked over to a nearby snack bar. "Riverside" is located on the main strip. It's a modern-looking building, constructed to look like a wooden box with clean lines. Inside, the teachers from the other junior high school were already seated in the booths.

Soon after we took our seats and did the "kanpai," I found myself singing "I Will Survive." Luckily, the teachers were bopping their heads to the beat. At the end, I got a chorus of "うまい!!!" ("Good!"???)

As the night progresses, the snack bar owner urged me to speak English with her kid. It turns out he just got back from an eight-day stint in Chicago. He's studying English, so his high school organized a trip overseas. Oddly enough, he was also the one who poured me another shochu (a Japanese distilled alcohol, similar to vodka) as we stood at the bar. Only in Japan, right?

It's interesting how enkais are the social bonds within the Japanese workplace. You tend to learn something new about your peers. (For example, my new co-teacher likes karaoke just as much as I do!) You can pick up some new Japanese words. (At the Board of Education enkai, I was mispronouncing something in Japanese - and it turns out I was saying something mildly inappropriate. But A-sensei thought it was hilarious.)

Also, I've learned that there is a Japanese version of the Y.M.C.A. I think that I almost pee'd in my pants when K-sensei busted this song out during karaoke. You can view a Youtube version here.