A situation, a festival, and a fond farewell.
I finally met with the inevitable in a wintery Kyushu that lacks central heating, and caught a cold. Not enough of a cold to warrant a sick day, just one that gives you a constant runny nose and makes it more difficult to breath, taste and hear. I decided against taking life easy and resting all weekend though. I spent Friday night at Catherines, and with a Japanese class and a visit to see Sierra it was a nice evening. She was going to visit George on Naru for some 'bike action' the next day, so I left hers relatively early and spent an hour on the bus back home. When I returned home I faced a situation.
As you all well know, last weekend I held another Goto bash, which was extremely successful, except one thing. Outside it STANK. The sewer appeared to be over-running slightly, and when you flushed the toilet it didn't smell that pretty either! Melissa's house was having a similar problem, and we thought maybe there was a small blockage. It didn't effect the party too much though, and things continued well until a week later. So, the Saturday after the party, I return home from Catherines, use my toilet, and find it won't flush well. It's hard to relate to this as Japanese toilets are different, but basically, the flush works in that you push a button, water comes out, and a little flap on a hinge succumbs to water pressure and everything drops into the tube leading to the 'sewer'. Except the 'sewer' isn't a 'sewer' at all, instead it's a tank. Let me repeat that, A TANK.
You may be wondering 'How did she find this out?'. Well, let me tell you. First, the flap at the bottom of the toilet got stuck, and wouldn't come back up. I thought it was a blockage, I mean, 21 people had been using the facilaties last weekend. Though after a fight with my toilet brush, I changed my mind (I know this yuk, but at least you only have to read it). I decided to investigate! First I lifted the 'sewer' lid outside the house...and it was full...and I'm eternally grateful that I had lost the ability to breath through my nose. Secondly, I knew the house at the end of the block was empty, and at this point I suspected we could have the tank system, so I figured this tank would be empty. I lifted the lid, and low-and-behold there was only a tank, with one pipe leading from the toilet. I tried to persuade Melissa to visit her teachers but she (understandably) insisted on showering first. In the mean time Sanae (my Japanese friend who works at the bank) came over and I dragged her over to the neighbours to learn the truth.
The truth was a) Yes, you have a tank system b) It should be emptied every 3 MONTHS. Every 3 MONTHS man, I've lived here 6! I can't believe this escaped my supervisor's mind! My predessesor didn't live in this house (otherwise she DEFINATELY would have told me, she was exceptionally good with everything else. If there was a 'Best Predessesor' award she would have won it) and so we were never told. I had to use Melissa's toilet all weekend (which thankfully wasn't quite as full as mine because of the party and she got here a week later) and it smells horrid outside...I can't believe no-one told us! Thankfully today my JTE's wife phoned and got the tank pump people to come and empty the tank. Though they can't do Melissa's until next week, I'm not sure how to break the news to her.
Despite the dire toilet situation, life went on as normal. I had a festival for one of my Elementery schools, Tsuwazaki, on Sunday. This meant getting up a 6am (makes me shudder thinking about it) to get my 7am taxi and reach work at 8. the festival was good though. I successfully spun poi, and the kids performed an interesting play about a raccoon disguised as a cabbage entering the vegetable triathalon (I swear the play was about this, I understand enough Japanese (food theme you see)to get the gist). At lunch time I looked like a tramp, as all I had for lunch was a cheese sandwich (eaten out of a plastic bag), two bananas and a litre bottle of Natchan (like orange squash) that was only a quarter full. This maybe wouldn't be so bad in Britain, but in Japan the average lunch box (bento) in neat in presentation, and contains no sandwiches. I got many stares, and one teacher gave me a strawberry and persimmon (neatly cut) out of pity. I was thankfully given a glass for my juice, and didn't have to drink in true tramp style, out of the bottle. It was a fun day anyway, and a good way to meet some of the students parents.
Last night there was an leaving enkai for Blaine. Blaine was an ALT here on Kamigoto ten years ago, and after his three year stint he was married and in love with Japan. He returned a few times, but this has been his longest stay since he was an ALT. He was given a fulbright scholarship to do his PhD in an anthropological study on the island. Now it's coming to the end of the scheme, he has to return to America, so we got together to say goodbye. Blaine had been an excellent support for us newbies, and we were all sad to hear he was leaving so soon. The party last night was small, consisting of the BOE ALT's (Lori, Melissa, Catherine and myself) our supervisor, the head of the BOE and three Aokata Elementary school teachers. It was a great evening, with plenty of drinking, speeches and great food, and after the first party we went to the Deputy Mayors house for udon, fish (with amazing dressing) and ice cream. It was really sad to see Blaine get a little bit teary at the end, and it made me realise how difficult it will be when I come to leave.
Blaine officially leaves on Saturday, and many people (including us ALT's) will gather at the Ferry port to say goodbyes. Before that though, there is still fun to be had, with Lori's birthday celebrations on Wednesday (and also a day off for me, YEY) and then a possible trip to Nagasaki for the lantern festival. There should be plenty to report...and if you were wondering how the list was doing...it's getting there!
An endless list of things to do.
I have been exceptionally useless this week in achieving any of my targets on my overwritten 'List of Things I HAVE to do'. When I came back from holiday I told myself I would get everything sorted, and be prepared to get stuck into work etc. These things still aren't done, and I feel I can't settle until I pull myself together and get things finished. I'm useless at getting myself together and getting things sorted. I write my list of things to do repeatedly, in work, in bed, once I've achieved one thing. I spend so much time writing damn lists it's a wonder I get anything done. I write lists of the things I will get done when I get home, and never do anything when I get home except sit under the kotatsu feeling cold and hungry. I have finally decided to put my list on my blog, in the hope that maybe here, in this space, I will feel I have to get it done. Once everything is achieved I will write a post saying so. Until then, please remind me to SORT MY LIFE!
So, here is my exciting list to do;
1. Internet at home - Important so I stop using the net at work and also to get more net access.
2. I-tel - My phone bill is stupid and this saves me money on both international and internal calls.
3. Give my omiyage to the head of the BOE.
4. Sort upstairs side cupboard. - Needs to be done!
5. Finish ordering folders.
6. Worksheets completed for noticeboard
7. Lesson plans for each year till the end of the book done.
8. Special second year work done.
9. Hand out mums omiyage
10. Buy ALT's gifts and cards
11. Buy family gifts and cards
12. E-mail Cristin information.
I think thats all for now...it's enough. I only put done the things that have to be done, and then remain done. Obviously cleaning and things like, sleeping more, I have to keep on list forever, they always need to be done, so I've just stuck to da-able tasks. Anyway, I'm going to try and get some done tomorrow as I'm a loner on the island. Catherines going on a bike ride with George, and everyone else is going to Nagasaki! I have a festival at Tsuwazaki on Sunday, so can't go anywhere. I should use this opportunity to my advantage!
Other good news though, Cristin has been given an interview for JET, YEY!!!!!!!!!!! Its on February 3rd so everyone keep your fingers crossed for her. She's a great friend and deserves it more than anyone I know! Good luck darlin, I know you will be great!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, as this entry is more of a general update, here are the party snaps!
This is just a small part of the food we had at the party. It was really yum!
Jen, Suzie and George sit under the kotatsu and chatter, this is the upstairs spare room in my house where the bulk of the party was held.
Here Claire brings up alcohol and food!
While she gets in the party atmosphere, Laura and Jen doze under the kotatsu.
Dawn, Sierra, Sierra JTE and Yuki in my lounge.
Carrie looks happy with the party so far.
Will looks scared, Catherine happy, and Miles is just plain mean.
Alistair and Emilie get into a deep conversation about pronuciation and the benefits of repeatition.
Sanae, Carrie and Ellen are gathered in my living room.
We shift everyone upstairs for a lively game of charades, which did get a tad heated!
Claire begins her acting.
Carrie just looks plain confused!
Then George has a go.
Catherine takes her turn.
Everyone plays well, then starts to get a bit bored...
So, Yuki brings out the much loved 'EBI FRY' (fried shrimp)costume!
Andy gets in on the Ebi fry outfit.
Suzie has a go, looks very cute
As does Will who goes for an attractive side pose showing the true beauty of this outfit.
Then Miles tries it on, and still looks mean!
At this point I must admit, I also wore the stupid ebi fry outfit...and with pride. Though no one took a picture of me thank god! After this, we all went to Karaoke, and so the night continues...
Claire and Melissa start the singing.
Everyone squeezes into the karaoke room...I have NO idea what Miles is doing.
Jen, me and Suzie get on with the singing.
Then we attack some other peoples karaoke room and sing with them.
Lori insists on singing ALONE, with both microphones!
Catherine, Alistair and Laura enjoy the songs together.
Emilie, Jen and Dave enjoy the karaoke atmosphere.
Alistair spends some time in the morning looking like a monk
Everyone gathers in my lounge the next morning to watch Simpsons, and eat breakfast before we went to the Onsen.
Lori eats some mash from a teacup!
Here Melissa licks the masher clean after we make shepherds pie, yum!
There you go, all the fun for you to see. I bet everyone wants a go in that Ebi Fry costume now! Wish me luck with achieving my stupid list of things to do! Hopefully next time I will updating from home!
Goto Party Success!!!
It was decided amongst those cleaning my house last night that the party this weekend had been successful. On Saturday, as 19 people squeezed into my little 2 up 2 down house, I felt slightly anxious whether everyone would fit! There was just enough room for us all to get together upstairs and play charades! Which was infact the only game we played as there were too many people and too much alcohol for anything else. It went down a treat though, with lots of shouting, calls for janken, and interesting acting. The food was great (may I recommend Hokka Hokka Tei food platters, cheap and yum!) and there was plenty for everyone! We moved on to Karaoke at around 9.30, and stayed there till the morning. Some great songs, and amusing antics made the night really great fun.
Karaoke has become a stable part of any big evening in Japan. One thing I've realised about it during my time here, is that certain rules do apply. In my mind, there are three types of karaoke; group, Japanese and solo and each have their own etiquette to be followed.
1. Group Karaoke
Group karaoke is the type most people encounter, and is a big part in bonding groups in Tokyo, block and prefectual orientations. When you first arrive in Japan, group karaoke really has no rules. Everyone is new to it and polite enough to listen to whatever anyone wants to sing. Though even at this stage we finished up with good group music, 'Hey Jude', singing and rocking with our arms round one anothers shoulders.
Pretty soon though Karaoke isn't new, it's something everyone does every other week when they go out drinking. By this stage, everyone is a karaoke regular, and thus group karaoke gets new rules. The rules are simple enough, though I have to admit they took me a while to get the hang of them;
1. Don't sing too many slow songs...people get bored, depressed and spend time asking for the book to choose a more uplifting track. (I made this mistake in the early karaoke days but singing 'Bridge over troubled water' and looking around to many bored faces.)
2. Even worse, don't sing a slow song that nobody knows! This leads to great boredom and disatisfaction with the song list. The more songs that come up that everyone can sing the less people feel they haven't had a go.
3. Singing Solo, never expect it to actually happen! People are there to join in, not to observe. You aren't there to perform to people, everyone wants to sing along together. You're at karaoke, who wants to be quiet?
4. The best songs are ones everyone knows, and more so the songs that were popular maybe ten years ago. On Saturday, a highlight for myself was Take That 'I want you back', old favourites always go down well, whether slow or fast.
5. Give everyone a chance to belt a number out!
These rules appear simple enough, but in reality they are possibly harder to abide by. I, myself, am certainly a rule breaker, especially when drink is involved. When I first arrived in Japan, karaoke was pretty new to me, and I approached it in a different way. As a person who loves singing and has seen karaoke in Britain, I saw singing as performing. I would look for a song I could sing well, perform well, and then give it a go. I have now learnt this is poor karaoke etiquette and slightly vain, and now I avoid the token power ballads I would sing before and opt for more...entertaining songs. Saying this, I still agreed when Andy insisted 'Karma Police' was the best song to sing next. It had got to that point in the night when your favourite song is the only song to sing! Also, there is always going to be a couple of people who are simply bored with karaoke as a whole now, and will probably moan about every song that comes on the screen though not go home! I think on the whole though I've got to grips with the rules of karaoke, though everytime before we embark on a group karaoke evening I tell myself 'How about you sing a little less this evening'!
2. Japanese Karaoke
This form of Karaoke is mainly after an enkai (works party) when everyone (again drunk) heads to the nearest snack bar or karaoke place. These rules are far simpler than group karaoke rules;
1. Sing everything requested to sing.
2 Sing a Japanese song, or attempt to recognise or sing part of a Japanese song.
3. Request Japanese co-workers to sing your favourite Japanese songs (this isn't really a rule, more of something I do).
4. Sing duets.
5. Listen to everyones song.
6. Only sing English songs people know.
I love karaoke after an enkai, it's garanteed fun and lots of singing. I have regular songs now. With Uonome Chugakko I always do 'A whole new world' with my JTE and 'Bridge over Troubled water' (thankfully popular with the Japanese) with the music teacher. I always get the art teacher to sing 'Ocean' by B'z (in return for me singing 'Hotel california') and we all sing this Japanese song together (well..I can sing the chorus). With Kita-Uonome Shogakko I taught them 5,6,7,8 and ever since we have to sing it twice! I haven't had an enkai in a while, though after the 12 I had last year I was a little relieved. Hopefully they will start up again soon.
3. Solo Karaoke
When I say solo karaoke...I don't mean going alone. Solo karaoke really refers to going to karaoke with one, maybe 2 people, and singing everything YOU want to sing. When Catherine first mentioned going to Karaoke in a small group, or even alone, I laughed at the idea. I thought see was karaoke crazy! 'It's no fun without lots of us' I said. I was wrong. Karaoke in a small group is great, it's the best way! Me and Melissa have been a couple of times now, and still stayed 2 hours. You can sing all the songs you want, sing your best, perform a tune. There is no one waiting for their song, feeling bored when you sing that slow number no one knows. When I go to karaoke with Melissa we listen to each other and sing together and have fun. There are no rules except sing anything you want. My favourite type of karaoke.
So, heres my karaoke summary, which type do you prefer?
Party Planning!
I have never been much of an organiser. In university everything was left to the last minute, with events being organised a mere frantic hour beforehand. I only started packing for Japan the night before I was leaving. However, things seem to have changed since I came here, I have become an organising freak! When I say this, I only mean in regard to my social life. Rest assured that my house is still the reliable scatty mess my room at home has always been, and that my work, study and activities are only just managed. My social life however, thats firmly under control.
Last week me and Catherine decided to have a get together on the island. A good chance to catch up after christmas holidays and to break up the long winter. We held two Goto events last year, and they must have been successful as so far 19 people are heading our way this Saturday. The large numbers have meant that we can't eat out anywhere, as no where is big enough, so we've sorted platters of meat and fish. We've organised places to sleep, pick-up points, petrol payments and food, there was just one thing left...a party theme!
When the bulb above my head flashed 'games evening' I must have been blinded by it's light. It seemed a great idea, we could play pictionary and charades! It wouldn't take long to think of other games, we're all enthuthiastic, hard-working ALT's. Ideas would come flooding in, the party would be game-tastic! How wrong I was! The only game suggestions came from George, and though we all carefully considered them, the Rubber Chicken Caper murder mystery game sounded a little over exciting for our guests. I was forced to pull some games together, throw in some ideas, and this is the pathetic (and yet maybe fun) array of games I found;
1. Say the sentence.
This 'fun game' involves everyone recieving a silly sentence, like "Sheep are great, and fluffy". They have to say this sentence 3 times without being spotted before the evening is out. The last person to say their sentences is given an exciting dare!
2. Celebrity Couples
In this game everyone is given one half of a celebrity couple on their back. They must find their partner before the evening is over with the help of other guests. The last pair get a hilarious dare to do together!
3. Wink murder
We all played this at school. One person kills everyone with a mere wink, and the detective must find who the winker is in three guesses and before everyone dies! What fun!
4. Socks and gloves.
A pile of socks is placed in the centre of the room. A representative from each group has to wear a blindfold, and some odd gloves. They must then put on as many socks as possible. The person with the most socks wins! This game does actually appeal to me, I laughed in the staffroom while reading the game description with images of people trying to put my knee socks on!
5. Pub Quiz
Construct a pub quiz for everyone to do. Complete with a picture round (my favourite part of the quiz in the Fynach!) I'm seriously considering this option, a quiz is always fun and not quite as stupid as the games I have already suggested.
Thats all I found, and these games are rather lame. As young as we all behave, I'm not sure everyone will be overly excited about wink murder or Sentence fun. I have a feeling people will end up acting like 3rd grade JHS students, a little too grown up to wear gloves and cut chocolate into small peices.
So, you can see my situation, with 2/3 games that seem suitable (but may I add some people have already complained charades will be far too shameful to participate (JEN)) which other ones do I use? I seriously need some help! If my fellow ALT party goers are not going to help me then maybe my blog readers will! Comments, emails, suggestions please!
In other news, I've mainly been at shogakko this week as my JTE is absent. It's been great fun, and I played my first game of baseball. My favourite thing about shogakko is that a child always adopts me for games etc. I think its so sweet, and also needed as I rarely no whats going on! I've also been given a giant dice, yey!
Anyway, back to party planning...please send me your ideas!
Watashi wa nihon-go benkyo shimasu.
If I was making a New Years resolution this year, it would definately be to study Japanese...and study hard! I've breezed through my 6 months here learning phrases and words as I go, but now I need to study. When I first came to Japan I have to admit the language was not my priority. I certainly wanted to learn Japanese, but the motivation to sit down everyday and study was not very strong. More recently I've been compelled to study, mainly because I want to communicate with the kids. My poor language ability has been particularly highlighted by spending more time at Elementary school. All I can talk about is food (which possible says alot about me!). Here is a usual scenario as I ate lunch with the first year elementary students (English isn't really an option), here one boy, who had been trying to speak to me for 5 minutes in rushed Japanese, finally found a topic we could communicate on.
Him: You like carrots?
Me: Yes, I like carrots
Him: Sushi?
Me: Sushi is ok.
Him: Sashimi?
Me: I really like sashimi?
Him: Really?
Me: Yes, but I don't like shrimp.
Him: I don't really like little shrimp, but big shrimp is good.
Me: Tempura shimp is ok.
Him: Do you like grilled meat?
Me: Yeah, it's really good. Do you like grilled rice balls?
Him: (turns to friends) Teacher Victoria knows grilled rice balls (turns back to me) I like it. Do you like grilled apple?
Me: Grilled apple! Really?
Him: Really.
Me: Grilled apple?
Him: Grilled apple.
Me: Wow. Are you sure?
Him: Yes, grilled apple!
Me: Wow.
And so, the limits of my conversation is exposed, the only other topics we could have covered would have been weather, heating methods, and television. It's a sorry state of affairs!
I know I'm going to try my hardest, but learning another language is not one of my strongest skills (I ditched French and Welsh as soon as possible in high school). This has lead me to look at the debate about how important the language of a country really is. While browsing the net today looking for information about straight perms and highlights (can they co-exist on my hair type?) I came across a forum where the conversation had somehow slipped into a debate about ingnorant foreigners in Japan who can't speak any Japanese. This Japanese guy was argueing that some foreigners don't speak Japanese and that it was extremely disrespectful to the Japanese and Japan. He argued that Japanese people must find it draining and time-wasting to act as a translator for some idiotic gaijin who can't speak enough Japanese, and equated it to 'not knowing how to pay your taxes'. What seemed ridiculous to me initially was that this guy appeared to think learning an entire language (with three different forms of writing (one of which many Japanese find very difficult)) was something that could done in the time it took to learn how to pay your taxes. Surely I was doing well after 6 months in that I was trying, and could at least talk about something, be it heaters and food. Then it ocurred to me that maybe I should have been fluent before I took a job here, before I decided to move abroad. It had struck me before that this scenario would never happen in Britain, can you imagine a Japanese assistant language teacher who could only speak a small amount of English! The Daily Mail would have a field day. 'Government pays to fly 5800 teachers from Japan, China, etc who can't speak English!'...'statistics show that the money used for flights has seriously effected the NHS. A Mrs.Jones from Galgate, Lancaster, has been on the waiting list for her hip replacement for 12 months and has been forced to go private and pay 1,000 pounds for her operation. This would have been avoided had we not shipped over these teachers who can't even speak the language of the country they will work and live in'. Of course all info would be biased and manipulated, but no doubt a moral panic about public spending and the loss of national identity would ensue.
I concluded, however, that this wasn't a strong enough arguement to think moving to Japan with my poor language ability was wrong. If anything, it only emphasized the flaws in British attitude towards immigrants and asylum seekers. Of course in an ideal world anyone moving to a new country would rather speak the language, but thats not the case. And although I agree that everyone should try their hardest to learn the new language, I don't think a community should be berated because the language ability isn't great. I had my reasons for coming to Japan (new culture, better pay, good job) but at no point did I really consider the importance of learning Japanese to a high level, and many ALT's who have been here a while still only have a basic Japanese ability. At no point did anyone question my language ability in regard to my ability to do a good job while in Japan. Why so is it a consideration for immigrants moving to Britain? Whether we are both wrong for heading to new countries with a pathetic language ability, or both right in trying our hardest to work somewhere different and challenging and learn a new language as we go, this arguement is maybe not the issue. Instead, maybe the fact that a westerner travelling across the world to a new country, and an immigrant moving to Britain are viewed differently is the problem.
Should I stay or should I go?
We have finally reached that awkward time for many a JET, when they must decide whether to recontract for another year or not. The desicion has to made by February 3rd, and there are many people in serious deliberation. Thankfully I'm not one of those people, I'm applying to recontract. I'd really made that decision within my first month here, and even through homesickness and ALT/island politics I haven't wavered. I feel extremely lucky to be in Japan, in a job I love with great people around me, and also have the money and location to travel and save at the same time.
Unfortunately I have been possessed by the irrational fear that I won't be allowed to stay. It has been known for JET's who want to do two years, only to be allowed to do one. There is no real reason for me to think I would be one of these JETs. It's usually an extreme case with someone who's really been taking the piss at work. I don't qualify as one of those people, but I'm still not reassured. I've decided to hand my recontracting form in early and hope that any problems will be ironed out quickly.
So, you may be wondering why I haven't mentioned my holiday. Well, I'm waiting for the photos from Jen and Emilie, but we all had an amazing time. I will update you on the many things we did as soon as I get the chance. In the meantime wish me luck with my re-contracting...I hope they want me to stay.
