blushing cheeks

argh headache...

I went to a strawberry plantation today! I met up with Ayako today, and she suggested to go and visit her friend, who owns a strawberry plantation. You can go there, and pay a little bit of money and then eat as many strawberries as you want for half an hour. It...was.......awesome...We got there..and seriously the area was beautiful itself. The sun was shining, it was warm, mt fuji was visible, and everything was incredibly peaceful. It's a really nice area. Ayako's friend was cool, he did a bit of explaining to us about the strawberries. I learnt that the best way to eat them is from top (with the green bit pulled off of course) to bottom. Because the bottom is the sweetest part, and the top the most sour. Hmmmmm what else? apparently in Japan there are lots of different types of strawberries. japanese people like em so mcuh, that they do a heck of a lot of genetic manipulation to create different types of strawberries. The type that we ate was the pretty standard one, and it has the name of "blushing cheek" translated from japanese......awwwwwwww Also he had a special breed of bees live in the green house so that they can fertilise the strawberry plants. I didn't realise that that's how it was done!

The guy was so cool. Afterwards he gave us 4 packs of strawberries and home made jam! Sucess!!!! It was a pretty cool girly day really. I won't bore you with the details of that one.
We also went around some of the other areas that are apparently famous there. We went to an old place which made bombs to fight other countries. it looked quite interesting. What was more cool was the garden that was there. There was a waterfall and a stream that flowed throughout the entire garden. It was so beautiful.

"when she is ready, she hits good"

well well a few things have sorted themselves today, resulting in a reduction of stress!!!

Getting up this morning was a bit of an issue...which is strange, considering I allowed my alarm to go off at 9am....and my body should be thankful for that! Instead I was still really tired...oh wells. I managed to find out where my passport was. They are so friendly here it's amazing. I go in and with the smallest amount of Japanese try and get the message across that I need my passport asap, and that it should have arrived. They then run around for like half an hour making lots of calls..tracing it and getting it delivered to me at 7pm....again...Japan.....aishiteru.
In the afternoon, Brendan, Missy, Doran and me went and played badminton at Brendan's school. The teachers were really cool and helped set everything up. Brendan was a mean machine at badminton...he was expert at smashing us ot bits. It was relaly fun though. the cutes thing was seeing missy tantrum when she messed up...she would do a little dance that looked like she was sprinting on the spot..while screaming. Sometimes she would fall to the floor and roll about...It was hilarious.

But anyway, the main reason I wanted to wrote this blog was to make whoever is reading this watch this link:

http://www.jpopasia.com/play/12681/yajima-beauty-salon/nihon-no-mikatanevada-kara-kimashita-.html

AND here is the youtube link...cause apparently the other one stopped after 30seconds?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tYi4cNhQZw

Anyway for those that can't watch it....the band is called nihon no mikata - nevada kara kimashita

It's this pop song that got played frequently during lunchtime at my school. The kids would do the "pao pao pao ponyo" arm movements perfectly...Japanese music....man..only in Japan! lol
enjoy

St Paddy's!!!

Saturday!

A bunch of us made our way to Yokohama for a big St. Patricks celebration! It was very strange seeing so many foreigners in one place! It didn't feel like japan either..more like an english shopping street. They even had a "next"! The parade was really cool...and surreal...japanese people in kilts on bagpipes...irish dancing, aaand..the american military....wth????? It really was a mixed salad of things, american flags, Japanese flags, irish flags.....ballet dancers, japanese theatre, irish folk music, dressed up dogs and cats.

You gotta give it to them though, the japanese know how to go all the way with whatever festival they choose. Be it valentines day or st. patricks...they will provide the face paint, the stickers, the costumes and everything....I love that about them here!

A few us broke off after a stint in an irish pub filled with mainly americans, to go to the famous chinatown of Yokohama. It was pretty impressive actually! There was this awesome building whihc looked a bit like something stolen our of the summer palace in beijing. There were food stands all around, and even a shop selling vietnamese ao dais! The atmosphere was a strange mish mash of the loud chaotic asia dampened by the clean organised japanese asia. Certainly a cool thing to see...

"yes we can"

graaaaaaaaaaaaaaar.

It's been a pretty emotional week of goodbyes. I have been trying to be better at going to bed at more reasonable times, in preparation for the big end of school celebration on Thursday. It has sort of worked..though my coffee consumption has increased too.

So Tuesday....was my second to last day at my favourite school. I didn't have any teaching but I still got busy doing all sorts of things! The school was real sweet and organised a sort of goodbye ceremony for me at 8 am...which also meant I had to get up extremely early to get there in time. It was very touching though. They had everyone lined up and then the teachers gave a short speech. I had to then make a lil speech too...damn that was scary! I got a beautiful book though which has messages from all the kids and teachers in it, as well as tissues that spell my name in hiragana! I am gonna miss those people so much! The main thing going on though, was the buffet lunch that had been organised for the school. It was all conducted with military precision. Some of the teachers including me got kitted out with gloves and face masks looking like anti-contamination staff in some radioactive site. Then the truck arrived with the food. It made me laugh...looking inside the huge truck there was a silver big rollable cupboard which was transported out...we then arranged everything. The buffet was really fun and everyone had name tags and things on the table. I also watched the graduation rehearsal. It's very formal...so much bowing, standing up, sitting down...all very specific. What impressed me the most was the patience of the audience (the 3rd up to 5th graders). they all sat straight and still. I somehow doubt this would be possible back in sunny england..kids would just chat and constantly be reminded to shut up. I admire the discipline of the kids here. I know some would argue..it's too strict..like army like...but I still think it's an amazing skill to be so quiet and disciplined and respectful..for 2 hours or something.

Wednesday...was my last day at my not so favourite school. Again I got roped in to a lot of activities, cleaning the school, decorating for 6th grades graduation the next day. I worked up a neat little partnership with one of my first graders. We had a little discussion about what we could draw (on the poster for the 6th grade)...and I even tried to explain to him the origin of a rainbow..he asked me why it was called a rainbow...as he knew the term rain...ghosh...language barriers! He became my little tape man when we were sticking up paper flowers along the hallways. It was a shortlived cute partnership. The goodbye thing was short and sweet. before all the kids left for home, they all assembled outside and di their whole "arigato gozaimasu" thing and I got some pretty sweet gifts too. Though the whole thing didn't feel as genuine as my fave school. So I didn't feel too sad. I will though, miss the teachers and staff. Because I can't fault them. They were great, really lovely people. The most amazing thing that day was that I found out in the morning that Rina had her baby!!!!!!! It was pretty exciting really, I immeadiatley went off to the maternity hospital after school, armed with magazines and chocolate to show some support. It was my first visit to someone who had just ejected a parasite! Really interesting! I found out things which I hadn't even properly considered in my ignorance of the process....like that you are in agony for several days or more afterwards.....argh. Sitting becomes an issue. Scary stuff. Yuria (Rina's little 5 year old sprog) was in extreme hyper mode and went to go and see the baby every 5 minutes or so. So daddy had to make a lot of trips downstairs with her. She was pretty high on the sugar that she had ingested previously. The family came at some point too, so I got to meet the grandparents and parents of Rina and her husband...it was kind of emotional really. We all went down to look at the baby. It's very small..and wrinkled...but cute! Dad's main worries were that it didn't cry enough....I was like "if that is your biggest worry..then dude!!!". The baby then got passed about while terrified Rina watched on. I tried to reassure her by drowning her in my geekiness...something along the lines of "babies have soft bones and are so relaxed that they don't get hurt or break that easily if they are dropped"...it helped a bit..but I guess the whole maternal evolutionary instinct kicked in full blast...understandable really.

Thursday...the actual final day of school.......sooo emotional! I nearly cried when Nakano sensei said goodbye to me. The graduation ceremony was beautiful, but again really emotional. Some of the kids burst out crying while doing the speeches and stuff...there were a lot of tears, also from the teachers. It was very well organised though, and made the whole thing special. I found it a little strange that the main part of the speech of the headmaster and the writing on the walls was " I have a dream today" and "yes we can".....I am not sure about this whole obama obsession Japan has. It's like one of the most used phrases by little kids here "yes we can"...what on earth does that even mean? I left the school on quite a downer....I was going to miss them so much, the kids AND the staff were terrific. I really hope that they will have good futures. The evening the wednesday crew met up and had some drinks at eightys...which made it a nice ending to the school period.

Friday.....had my hair cut!!! it's super short now!!! But "cute" in the words of the dreamy hairdresser.

march madness

Awwww my actual last day at my Monday school. It was quite surreal! It turned out I didn't have to do a full lesson, I was asked to only do half a lesson for both 2nd graders. The second half was them saying thank you and handing me a pretty class card. It was really cool. We took some photos, and said our goodbyes. It was sweet, one of the boys who normally runs riot the most in my classes wouldn't stop letting go of me. It was quite cute, they were all shaking my hand, and then he just attached himself to me like a limpet and wouldn't let go. hehehe I stumbled out of the classroom with him while 2 other boys where holding my hands. I guess I can get on with kids on occasion! Lunchtime I went with Marvin to mc donalds..yeah yeah I know..soo bad for you...but hey junk food is sometimes comforting. At least I had something japanese-ish....teriyaki and egg burger...hahahaha only in Japan..I wish they had these in England...it was..oishiiiii. We then played a load of games because we had 2 and half hours to kill. I kicked ass at the animal game, and dots. But unfortunatley Marvin kicked more ass at hangman. Leaving at the end of the day was immensly awkward. The whole teachers room went quiet and waited for me to say something...I went BRIGHT red...or at least I could feel it. It's weird...I can deal fine in a class of 30 rowdy children that won't shut up. But I go shy and awkward in front of a less than 20 well meaning adults, who are actually listening. They all came out to wave me goodbye too and were very suprised that I had my bike there...lol...ghosh...

Next one to go tomorrow. My fave school have actually sent a notification today that I need to be there at 8am for a leaving ceremony. I am terrified...truly. It also means I need to get up at like half 5 in the morning....fun times...

I learnt two interesting facts today!

1. Michigan college (that's university for the non-american people) has finally been able to enter the basketball tournament since the last time in 1998. Yes..random I know...but hey...Marvin was from Michigan college.

2. Eminem is from Michigan! I should probably have known that...but he loived like 15 minutes away from Marvin! how awesome is that?

anyways...as you were!

4-1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday was an awesome day! we ( Joe, Brendan, Doran, Luke, Missy and me) went to Tokyo yesterday. Joe had to go and pick up his mum at Narita later and wanted to have a chilled out day in Meguro first. First stop - Meguro parasitological museum! Truly scary, fascinating disgusting place. The best thing was the tape worm that was 8.8m long. Imagine that inside you...not pleasant. I thought It was interesting that all the parasites either came in the form of worm like creatures or insect like creatures...I guess it's adaption to fit and move around efficiently in the body/digestive system? We also found that Numazu area has shistosomias! ahhhhh scary one! Don't swim aorund in still lakes. I wish they could have had info in english though...there were some pretty disturbing images, yet I didn't know how they were caused...but luckily missy was there to translate a little bit. The weather was pretty rubbish so afterwards we went and sought refuge in a coffee shop until things cleared a bit. We then walked along the river to meet Doran at the station. That place must be beautiful in springtime/summer when everything is blooming. I really thought I could like in that area. There is something with rivers running through a suburb of apartment blocks which really appeals to me. It felt very european...or even german. There were sakura (cherry blossom) trees all along the river bank...so when they are in bloom..it must be amazing. We then went to this tiny tiny mexican bar and had a few drinks. The owner was really happy that I was singing along to her Kt tunstall CD she had on. We then went off to Shibuya to meet with Brendan. I do love that part of Japan. If you want proper stereotype Tokyo with the massive zebra crossings and the lights - go to shibuya. We were trying to find Brendans place that he was going to move to and ended up in the love hotel section...I think it was actually love hotel hill. It's amazing.....technically a seedy place...but actually so peaceful and quiet...and all the hotels looked so cool! There were various themes...like egyptian gardens, even a library themed one!!!!! Totally appealed to the geek inside me! Brendan then suggested going to this posh restaurant which turned out to be one of the themed restaurants in Tokyo. It was gothic themed! I was actually in paradise! All that was missing was Vampires walking around the place in 18th century clothing smiling cheekily. It was so dark and magnificant..with massive glass chandeliers and paintings on the walls. Everything was very chic. The waiters were pretty cool and looked very gothic and androgynous too. If you're in to that kinda thing, I recommend going!

After that we went to an irish pub for a quick pint of guinness (well water for me) in honour of st patricks day which is soon. It was surreal! There were st. Patricks day decorations everywhere! It felt just like being in England! Only that the pub was filled with Japanese people...so no brawling or swearing. Was so good! we then made our way back. Why is the journey back always so much longer...or feel longer than the journey there? we did have entertainment though. The liverpool Man U game was on while we were stuck on the train. Brendan is a huge liverpool fan and naturally I was due to my english ties (martin...you must be SO happy right now). So Brendan was constantly getting updates from the BBC on his phone. He was gettin increasingly frustrated at the amount of tunnels that kept cutting out the internet! Luckily I had the amazing Alex to send me updates. So when the final score came in all that could be heard on the platform was F**** YEAH!!!! F****ING YEAH!!!!! OMG!!!! YEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!!!

hahahah so yeah...that ended the day perfectly....

sad days and not so sad days

I just finished my last 1st and 2nd grade class for my fave school. Again I am feeling pretty sad about the fact that I won`t be here anymore. I do love this school. It`s weird...it feels like the teachers here are less obsessed with doing everything for the kids...but the kids are generally a lot better behaved...and humble..and innocent. Whereas at my other school....everything is done for the kids...I know it should be like that..but it`s more than that...it`s this obsession...of being these happy clowns...almost patrionising for them. But I think it backfires a little....the kids..aren`t that thankful in my opinion...and act more spoilt...and less like they care about stuff....so I don`t know what the difference is, but there certainly is one.

Yesterday I had my last grade 6, 4 and 2nd grade classes at the other school..the hated wednesdays. Of course...they didn`t behave any better...6th grade were all in some mopey pubescent high (aka I don`t give a damn..I am gonna do EVERYTHING in slow motion, just to make the point that I don`t give a damn). 4th grade were actually a little better...they got addicted to my fire water storm game so we played that like 5 times. Though I still don`t get this aversion between the boys and girls which is so high that even at a chance of winning , a girl will lose via free will if the cost is to touch a boy. Strange children. It`s the other way too...but still...guys you are only 9/10 years old....there shouldn`t be any sexual tension between you yet!
Grade 2 were angels...as always, they`re actually a highly intelligent bunch of kids...I am very impressed. I wonder what factors make some classes real good and some not at all....something like the collection of kids that year...along with the teacher`s inlfuence. But they all get taught different subjects by different teachers...so it can`t all be the teachers fault. I guess it`s to do with leaders too. Some children are more natural leaders...and polarise the group in one direction. Whether that is `intelligent good` or `rebellious stupid`...I guess...is probability.

I do wonder what our parents must have thought of our outbursts of drama that came on such a regular basis. To us it must have been very important to make that point....and our parents must have thought what I am thinking on a regular basis; "get over it". I wonder if I`ll be a mean mum as a result. I guess this has shown me a little more about children...and what they are like...not quite as straightforward as a developmental psych class I must say.

Wednesday night club was great again of course. We went for some pasta! But with a twist...as always...we are in Japan after all...so on the menu they had dishes like sausage of frank which I roasted myself". Interesting.....We then went for nomihodae at this bar and all of the durnken young japanese people inside were staring out the window at us like we were some exotic species of bird. One of the guys came out and told Ikumi that everyone inside thought I looked like Angela Aki (popstar who wrote one of the final fantasy songs). HAHA! ohhhh yeah! They then wanted pictures taken with all of us. Take pictures of the strange foreigners with their weird coloured hair!!!!!! Oh I do love Japan.

sad days

Wow....Today I had my last grade 6, 5, 3 and 4 classes at my favourite school. It was very strange. the day was beautiful really, the classes all went well, and the children were on their most chummiest behaviour (if there even is such a word). It made me quite sad really, especially after my joint 3rd and 4th grade class. I do love those kids, they're always up for anything and will try every time. I find myself wishing I could somehow follow their lives, because I want to know how they will do in the future, what paths they will take, where they will end up. I want to make sure they're alright...I guess one would call this awkward emotion "caring".
We took some photos too, I made each class give me a normal smiley one and one where they all pulled faces. Grade 3 and 4 obviously did the best in that exercise. I had lunch with 2nd grade and engaged all my parenting ways to help a one of my fave lil girls to finish her lunch. I made it some exciting thing every time she stuck a piece of fruit in her mouth and counted down. It made her laugh and worked though so ha! So yes strategies to make eating fun.....we enquired as to whether they have this in Japan...we were told no. It's just all about the "gambatte".

I am really going to miss that school...it'll probably be more sad on the 19th when grade 6 "graduate" on to junior high. There's going to be a big ceremony, and we all dress up. I am really glad I get to see them graduate.

the life and death of the pinata

wow...I had my last ever lesson with the handicapped class today. It felt odd...It hadn't occured to me really that it was going to be the last time I see those kids. They were pretty shocked too...I found that The company hadn't informed my schools I was leaving for good. So Today I told them all...tsk...so bad. But one of the kids from handicapped wrote me a quick goodbye/thank you letter and brought it to the teachers room. I was really touched.

Saying goodbye to the kids when they leave school is always funny on Mondays. Marvin - another ALT is at the school too and of course because he is a boy and I am a girl...we are naturally boyfriend and girlfriend..or married..depending on which kid is asking. Today they went as far as applauding us through the window to the teachers room while I was asking him to translate something for me. All the teachers thought it was amusing. The most embaressing thing is when they try and drag him to kiss me on the playground. They find it hilarious that I have the biggest look of shock on my face shouting "dame dame" (stop). Well it's entertainment anyway.

The weekend was pretty cool and relaxed. Another great escape from reality.

Friday was Jodies birthday party. We arrived at around half 7 to start setting up decorations. I was one of the chief decorators, and got to throw aorund the glittery stuff and spray "Happy birthday Jodie" on the glass window/wall of the bar. It was so cool! I do love decorating (sounding extremely posh).

We were working on a pinata for the mardi gras theme party the week before for 4 days. It was pretty tiring. I didn't do too much of the actual paper macheing (is that the word?) except for at the beginning, but I was responsible for decorating it (theme there? yes..indeed). I got to spray paint it fluroescent blue and draw silverly swirls on it...fun time...the kitchen smelt of chemicals, and made me high.

We filled the pinata with cakes, chocolates and lots and lots of condoms...hahahah very Jodie! It actually worked out well! The pinata didn't die before it was supposed to!

So all in all it was worth it.