Blunders and hokkaido kids

Some of the elementary kids from Minami Furano - Motobu s sister city - in Hokkaido came for a summer exchange programme. The Board of Education has been preparing for months for this, planning the home stays, welcome ceremony/party, making gifts and many more which I will never know, and all they needed was for their ALTs to mess it up.

The ceremony began when the MC announced to the audience, please clap your hands and welcome the children, and in walked the silly ALTs! Gushiken sensei was standing outside talking to dave and I at the door and he herded us in at that critical time and it was so embarrasing! I felt mortified the whole evening. Our faces are in the videos and all our principals and vice-principals were there... urgh..

Anyhow. the evening progress smooth enough after that. There were Ryukyu dances:


Dave did karate, and amused everyone... somehow he manages to make his seriousness comic...


Little boy on the sanshin singing, I wonder if he is one of my student... :

Little ballerinas, they were sooooo kawai:

These are the kids from hokkaido, doing their dance...

Me with the pretty pretty students of mine, two of the ballerinas:

Kin Kannon-do temple

On the outside, this temple seems mundane, but enter the steep entrance of the cave on the right and leave the heat and mosqitoes on top for the cool comfort of the Kin Shonyudo limestone cave and discover a history so typically Okinawan. { Japan-China, typhoons, habu, awamori... }

The Kin Kannon-do temple has been on my infamous list of Okinawan sites to see before I leave. It is one of eight famous temples in Okinawa and is operated by the Buddhist Shingon sect. It is a Karst cave near Camp Hansen.

In 1552, the Buddhist priest Nisshu, a native of Wakayama Prefecture, was washed ashore when a typhoon hit his ship near Kin Bay on his way to Japan from China after practicing Buddhism in China. He was rescued by Kin villagers. During his stay in Kin Village, he heard the story of large snakes, habu, that lived in a stalactite cave and often ate domestic animals. He thanked the villagers for saving him and prayed to god to kill the snakes for the villagers, which eventually happened. He also made three statues of Buddha, Yakushi (The God of Medicine), and Kannon (The God of Mercy). and set them in front of the cave.

Later, the Shingon sect built a temple near this cave. The temple is made of wood and has an attractive design. The temple contributes to the spiritual livelihood of the northern communities as a place to hold marriage ceremonies and funeral services.

The cave is 300 meters in length and is well known as a storage room for local Awamori (an Okinawan liquor). Awamori distilling in Kin was first launched in 1949. This Kin Tatsu (dragon) brand liquor is stored for five or twelve years inside Kin Shonyudo, a natural limestone cave on the premises of Kin Kannon Temple. Bottles filled with 1.8 liters 43% proof liquor is stored for 5 and 12 years and aged at the ideal temperature of 17 to 19°C. With an average temperature of 17-19 degrees, this is the perfect environment to store and age the liquor.

Butterflies in the staffroom**

OK, any second now a teacher will come running up to me and tell me it is time for class, and I will be absolutely unprepared. I came in early this morning to avoid this very catastrophe, as Motobu Shogakko was not in my original schedule for the term, and i did not know what classes I will teach. Since Hiromi sensei of Kamimotobu JHS, left for Canada yesterday for a 6 month course, my schedule got turned topsy-turvy. I was originally scheduled for KamiChu this week, but when Hiromi sen. realised that, she spoke with my supervisor and for the past two weeks my schedule was redone.

Now, schedules are changed all the time. I go to some schools armed with 5 different lesson plans and suddenly I have no class because swimming pool classes have been scheduled there. Or its a sunny day, so they do an outdoor class day, and all the kids are at the beach. Or a test is scheduled on the only day in the month that I am visiting that school. So one would think that with all this switching around, it would be no problem to fit me in somewhere... Ah, you are gravely mistaken my dear friend. In Japan, expect the unexpected. It has been over an hour since I have been here and there has been no talk of which classes I will go to. Which of course, leaves me completely unprepared...


At the elementary schools, the mental standard of each grade is different, and therefore, I need a different lesson plan for each class. I don't mind improvising on the spot at most occasions, in fact I am all for spontaneity; but seriously, when i have one 45-minute class in a year, I want it to be successful, and not have the kids sit there bored, with me killing all their enthusiasm to learn English!

So, till then, I'll just sit here, terrified, waiting in dread of the impending doom, coming at me with the sweetest of voices tinkling these four little words: "Juhi sensei, retts gou!"


** the heavens seem to be mocking me, for seriously, there are at least two real butterflies flitting around happily in the staffroom and, dear Reader, you thought it was refering to butterflies in my stomach, didn't you!! well, God surely has a sense of irony!

not so mundane but still very much so...

This term I get to go to Motobu Junior High School the most. I had thought that it was my punishment for leaving my Board of Education after only one year! But of course, as my previous post says, things are looking up and I am quite enjoying coming here :) And there are ample ironies to assault my tickle bone...

Yesterday, the 2nd years had one of the most ridiculous workshop ever! This workshop happened after cleaning and since David was here for the story contest practice, we went to see what was up! Apparently, a famous hairdresser in Okinawa, called Aya, came to give a demonstration along with her assistants and makeup artist. The ultra-fashionable clothes, make-up and hairdos, suggested that they were tourists from mainland as Okinawans usually clad simple, comfortable and yet elegant clothing. For this demonstration, two girls -2nd year students - were brought wearing highly fashionable clothing unsuitable for 14-year olds. And then the troop went to war armed with scissors and brushes against all common sense and decency; snipping away at the students hair and plastering them with make-up, in a gust of oohs and aahs of kawaaiiiis from the other mesmerized girls. The boys of course wondered what they were doing there. Their purpose was made clear, I guess, when they had to whistle and hoot once the war was over.

I am left to contemplate what was learnt during this workshop? Is this a dress rehearsal for high school when all the girls will shorten their skirts, flaunt their legs and under-things, put make-up, flash keitais and smoke their time away? Maybe I'm just too scandalized and therefore so critical!! I know I can't see this in a flippant light, maybe Philboyd Snrub can see some humour on this subject...
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Anyhow, on a brighter note, I had my own two classes today. Dear Akemi sensei's daughter fell sick and she had to take her to the hospital, so i was left to my own devices! I was nervous handling a Junior High class by myself... even though at the elementary schools I have to plan my own lessons and conduct them all by myself, I have the homeroom teacher to help out when, and if, I need it and to control the class if it gets out of hand. This time I was the only teacher present in the classroom, and it went smoothly. The ichi-nen-seis (1st years) are a thoroughly decent bunch (so drastically different from last year's bunch!) and they did not start taking liberties once they knew I was on my own. I have been busy as a bee, but I am loving every moment as the reward is SWEET!!!!

dumtee-dumdee-dum-humzzz!!! :)

あじさい Ajisai

Ajisai, or Hydrangea, is a rainy season flower in Japan. It changes colour according to the ph levels; when the soil is acidic, it turns blue, and when it is alkaline, it becomes pink. This changeability made the flower unpopular with the samurai. It was revived in Japan after the Western world seemed to take interest in it. This ajisai farm/garden was on a hill in Izumi. It was gorgeous even though it was rainy and overcast that day..

sunset and sunrise

The Sunset on Saturday, 9th of June 2007 from Emerald Beach, Motobu.

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On 22nd October last year, Liz, Paul and I had gone to the Tanaga-gumui Falls up north. While coming back down south, we stopped on the side of a bridge in Higashi and climbed up a cliff, which seemed to face east and on a clear day would be an excellent sunrise spot. Ever since that time, I had been thinking of going there to see the sunrise, especially for New Years, as in Japan its a tradition to see the first sunrise of the year. Of course, lack of a car and severe flu during the winter break prevented that, but today I finally went there with Ben and Paul. It was breathtaking. We could not really see the sunrise from the foliage-free part of the cliff :

So, we entered the dense thicket and tried to find an edge from where the sun could be visible. Paul even climbed up a tree. We somehow got a glimpse through the bushes:

Then we went over to another place, north of the bridge, to see the rest of the rise. It was beautiful and so much worth losing sleep over:

... don't you agree?

伊江島 Ie-jima

Sorry for being so tardy... I went to Ie-jima on 19th of May, but I didnt publish my entry on it and I decided that if I were to post now, it would be so far down, you wouldnt even notice it... so here it is, a fresh start....

Ie-jima is the closest island to Motobu that is not part of Motobu-cho. It makes for a great view and perhaps every little cafe in Motobu as an awesome view of Ie. Its uncanny how Ie-jima is somehow an integral part of Motobu without being an actual part...

The ferry leaves from Motobu Port and there are 4 ferries per day. The 30mins ferry ride costs a lil more than 1000 yen for a return trip.

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The prominent geographical feature of the island is the Mount gusuku. On a clear day, the view from up here is spectacular. By far the best view you can get. On the path, I came across this tree/s (above), which seemed to be growing from a huge boulder. It was ... incredible. The pics below are from the mountain.

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Now, the deal was that I had been waiting for the famous lily festival of Ie to go there. Below is te lily field. and the sea coast near it was very interesting. Its probably a dive spot, but it seemed very kowaii (or scary)

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Now, this below is the Awajee Observatory, or maybe we shouldnt use the Japanese term for viewpoint. It was pretty impressive, nonetheless, and one could see Iheya and Izena from here in the distance.

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These were the only three places we saw. We walked around to all the places and the unexpected sunshine and heat slowed us down. Didnt see the Ernie Pyle monument or the caves etc. around the island. I am praying for a clear day to go again, and this time I would take my scooter along : > !!!

I had been planning to take a day trip there, and Paul changed his plans to go to Yoron Island to come with me, and Amy decided to come with us too. It was her birthday, so we got a cake for her and made her cut it at the campsite. We camped at the Youth Travellers Village, walking towards which, we had bumped into Josh, the resident JET on Ie, who was a charming guide : > !! Also, dear Yamaguchi sensei, who moved from Izumi to Ie Chugakko this year, was on Okinawa honto for that weekend. But we bumped into him at the port when we returned. It was all good as I could say hello to his wife too. They are having a baby!!

And those were the highlights of our trip. It was a fun weekend trip, worth repeating again :)

Serenity

taken at the Yamazato Karst in Motobu

Thursday, 31st May 2007

Things are looking up at MotoChu!

I don't know how it is that things have started to change (for the better) at Motobu Chugakko. Today during cleaning time some girls asked me if I saw the latest pirates movie and that they went to see it last week and it was "very very enjoy" all this in broken English.

Also, I have not been sitting idle in the staff room making odd arts and crafts, reading, making flashcards or sleeping instead of going to the class with JTEs. I actually had 5 (repeat five!!) classes in the past two days I've been here. And not only that, but when I went to these classes, I wasn't just a looming shadow lurking in the corners as before, but the new JTEs actually involve me in the team-teaching. Not only that, but the students have been very nice to me recently, high-fiving and stopping in corridors to exclaim "O! Juuhie!!" and making attempts at small talk in English. Is it possible? Is it really possible?

Last year during the Christmas week, I had made extensive material to explain about that festival (and mind you I don't even celebrate it!) and the students were almost about to rip them all apart, while the previous JTE stood there doing nothing to control the class. The only one time I actually shouted at the students was at MotoChu last year! All my activities failed at MotoChu last year. All my efforts seemed to me a waste. My face would crinkle in an ugly frown just thinking I had to go there and suffer again. Visiting that school seemed a punishment!

But it isn't that bad anymore. I am enjoying it here. I am helping with the speech contest along with Dave. I also had a breakthrough with one the most difficult child of the school. His name is constantly brought up in the staff room "Kouta did this today", "Kouta did that today", "Kouta has done this again..." and so forth. Last year, when he was in First year, he was made to stand in the teachers room for a few hours. and believe you me, that is an extremely severe punishment one could get out here! Well, I had to interview each student individually on some questions they were taught, and Kouta came and actually tried to answer! I gave him a 6 out of 10 for his efforts and I felt maybe i should have given more just to encourage him, but the JTE was so surprised at even this score. She said he would never even attempt prior to that day. She couldn't believe it and immediately after the class went to the homeroom teacher to tell about this strange occurrence.

was it really last Thursday when I had woken up, gotten ready to go to school and didn't, 'cause I couldn't bare the thought of sitting at my desk uselessly or going to class to students who couldn't care a F*%# about me being there? I had refused to go there! Is this that same school? I do not really know how this reversal happened... but I can't be gladder for it! MotoChu isn't so hated anymore! :)

Lotus

taken at Izumi Elementary and Junior High School

India-Japan Friendship Year 2007

Last Friday we went to see a performance of Manipuri Dance at the Nakijin Community Center. This performance was held under the India-Japan Friendship Year 2007 celebrations. Performers from different parts of India have been touring different parts of Japan and I hope vice versa! :) Thanks to such performances and cultural exchange between India and Japan, perhaps there can be a greater awareness of India in Japan. Also, it is under these strong bilateral relations that so many Indians got selected for JET!

To be really honest, I was sceptical about going to see the performance. I decided at the last hour that I must go. I do not really know the reason for my hesitancy. Maybe I have been exiling myself to much ... Nonetheless, I am very glad to have gone! I am the representative of my country and it was nice to realise that I wasn't completely lost and was actually able to recall and explain to my friends what the performance was about!

Yes, my eyes watered to think how rich my culture is!! I felt proud at that moment to be from India. To hell with those who made me feel small for not being from a developed nation. If only people could see this and know that India is not just an over-populated proverty-ridden nation without anything civilized! If only my country had better direction and governing...

Anyhow, these are the performers being introduced:





They warmed the audience with sword fighing and druming, stuff the Japanese would enjoy, before getting to the main dance :

In this rendition, the gopis {cow shepherdesses}and Radha celebrate holi with Lord Krishna, who torments Radha with his excessive flirting. After realising his mistake, Krishna apologizes, Radha forgives him and their pure platonic love is deified by the gopis.

Small Achievement # 2

It isn't something to be excessively proud about.... its just another one of my small achievements living in a country where one doesn't speak the language! Uninterested ones can skip this entry.....

Here goes: the takyubin - a courier service - brought a special package for me on Wednesday. Unfortunately they came to my house at 2 o'clock, when i was obviously at work, and not finding me at my aparto they left a note. The next day when I discovered the note in the dark recesses of my mailbox, I called them up by myself - i.e., without the assistance of a native speaker of Japanese! I was able to communicate that i was a gaijin (foreigner) who knew very little Japanese, and that they came to my house yesterday when i was not there, that i needed them to come that night at 8pm and then i gave them the number of my parcel. All in broken but understandable Japanese! Ending the conversation, the male Japanese voice at the other side responded with a very firm "wakarimashta*" and i could very distinctly hear the smile in it! :)

* wakarimashta : understood!