Victory in the Pacific Day (V-P Day) (or Victory over Japan Day, V-J day) is the celebration of the Surrender of Japan, which was initially announced on August 15, 1945 (August 14 North American date), ending combat in the Second World War. In Japan, the day is known as Shuusen-kinenbi, which literally means the "Memorial day for the end of the war". --Wikipedia
More people died during the Battle of Okinawa than all those killed during the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Casualties totaled more than 38,000 Americans wounded and 12,000 killed or missing, more than 107,000 Japanese and Okinawan conscripts killed, and perhaps 100,000 Okinawan civilians who perished in the battle. --Global Security.org
Yesterday Japan celebrated the 62nd anniversary of Shuusen-kinenbi. I was fortunate enough to participate in this celebration at a popular Okinawa restaurant dressed in a Yukata (A summer Kimono - traditional Japanese dress). My host mother and I - and their close family friends went to the restaurant to eat, drink and listen to a band from Okinawa - the island off of Japan that the U.S. occupied up until about 1970 (Also the only island that U.S. troops landed on during WWII).
The show opened with one of the band members presenting a slide show of the destruction caused by Americans during WWII - He described many pictures and sang a few songs in memory of the people who died. I was feeling okay, although I couldn't understand much of what he was saying the pictures said it all - my emotions during that time are hard to describe - then halfway through his presentation he said that maybe it was a little difficult for him to talk about the battle and the war because I was there. He then added that everything happens for a reason - and that it was a miracle that we were brought together that evening. He said, now that we have peace we must celebrate this day together - life is important, but remembering those who have gone before us, and have fought for our cause is just as important. He then finished with a song - and the somber part of the evening ended.
After that - we were entertained by traditional Okinawan music, drumming and dancing. I had such a good time - perhaps my best evening in Japan! I was really lucky to share in their celebration - 'Victory over Japan' holds a much different meaning for me now -
On a different note tonight is my last night with the Hitomi family. I have had such a rewarding stay - I have learned so much, enjoyed every day and will miss them very much. Shigemi and Sadamichi are two of the nicest people I have met in Japan - and they have really helped me see and understand parts of the Japanese culture that I have been missing. Sadamichi doesn't speak any English - but we get along just fine and find ourselves laughing a lot! I have learned a little Japanese (only phrases) - however I make mistakes often - for example, I thought I was saying '' I'm full'' but it turned out I was saying '' Boobs''! It is now official in the Hitomi house to say ''opie'' (boobs) when you are full instead of ''ipie'' (eee-pie)
I can safely say after this home stay that I will miss Japan.
They are throwing a going away party for me tonight! All the people, their friends and family, that I have met during the past week will be here tonight!!
I am however very excited to come home, move into my apartment and start student teaching!!!!! I am really excited to work with students who understand English!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will be home on Tuesday!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
It's HOT
Hello! Here is a really quick update...
The six day camp was fun, long and exausting - but it allowed us to really get to know the campers! The campers were a mix of Japanese and Korean kids. The Korean campers flew from Seoul to Tokyo just for the camp! We had a lot of free time - down time - and time we didn' t know what to do with - but on the fourth day we got to leave the facility and pick vegetables and then make soba (a traditional Japanese noodle) It was a great day!! My favorite camp day so far.
I am now at my final homestay. I am staying with a husband and wife (50 and 45) They don't have any children and my host father doesn't speak any English! The dad owns and operates two convinience stores and the mom is a wedding planner. I told her she would have to give me some tips before I leave!! Last night was my first night here and they entertained me by playing their 3 hour long video of their drive from Illinios to California on Route 66....and constatly filling my beer. This morning my host mother and I took the train to a nearby city and did a little shopping and then went to Family Mart (my host fathers store) to visit. He made me put on the Family Mart uniform - he already had a name tag made out for me...and made me stand behind the counter!! He was laughing really hard - but he didn't leave me alone for too long! He let me keep my nametag and bought be some candy for putting up with his torture! My host mother has left for the evening to have dinner with her friends - so I am home alone for a few hours, which is quite nice actually. They get a few English channels and I have been switching back and forth between CNN and the Twilight Zone!
Tonight it is just me and my host father for dinner. He claims to be a great cook and has promised me pasta. It should be an interesting evening of gestures and laughs!
Starting today - for one week is the 'Obone' festival in Japan (that is most likely spelled incorrectly). It is a buddhist holiday - which mostly all Japanese families celebrate. (Japanese people are not religious - so the combination of christian beliefs and ceremonies such as weddings with buddhist beliefs is quite common) During this week Japanese people believe that they must bring their deceased family member's spirits back into their homes and celebrate their lives. This is done by going to the cemetary - capturing that person's spirit in light (a candle) and bringing it home. A candle will most likely be burning most of the time symbolizing that that person's spirit has returned home. During the week the families make offerings to the person who has passed by placing food, flowers, and wine by their picture and candle. The families will also perform dances for their deceased relatives. My host mother said that during this week families entertain such spirits. My host family has an area of their living room all set up with a picture of my host father's father. I think on Monday we will go to the cemetary to bring his spirit home with us. I am excited to experience this holiday!
There are only 10 days until I am home, and to be honest I am ready! I am so thankful for this opportunity - but I am sick of living out of my backpack!
I will leave you with a list of things that I have generated that will be absent from my life once returning to the States.
1. Squatty potties
2. Tatami mats and futons
3. Public baths/Team showers
4. Curry and rice
5. Language barrier
6. Getting starred at everywhere I go
7. Toilets with 'badaes' (sorry if the spelling is wrong)
8. The bathroom being called the toilet
9. Sitting down to shower
10. The stench of urine in the bathroom
11. Moving every 3-6 days
12. Singing silly Enlish songs
13. Using hand gestures
14. Speaking slowly and using broken English to communicate
15. HUGE bugs
16. Eating rice for every meal
I'm sure there are many more...I just can't think of them!
The six day camp was fun, long and exausting - but it allowed us to really get to know the campers! The campers were a mix of Japanese and Korean kids. The Korean campers flew from Seoul to Tokyo just for the camp! We had a lot of free time - down time - and time we didn' t know what to do with - but on the fourth day we got to leave the facility and pick vegetables and then make soba (a traditional Japanese noodle) It was a great day!! My favorite camp day so far.
I am now at my final homestay. I am staying with a husband and wife (50 and 45) They don't have any children and my host father doesn't speak any English! The dad owns and operates two convinience stores and the mom is a wedding planner. I told her she would have to give me some tips before I leave!! Last night was my first night here and they entertained me by playing their 3 hour long video of their drive from Illinios to California on Route 66....and constatly filling my beer. This morning my host mother and I took the train to a nearby city and did a little shopping and then went to Family Mart (my host fathers store) to visit. He made me put on the Family Mart uniform - he already had a name tag made out for me...and made me stand behind the counter!! He was laughing really hard - but he didn't leave me alone for too long! He let me keep my nametag and bought be some candy for putting up with his torture! My host mother has left for the evening to have dinner with her friends - so I am home alone for a few hours, which is quite nice actually. They get a few English channels and I have been switching back and forth between CNN and the Twilight Zone!
Tonight it is just me and my host father for dinner. He claims to be a great cook and has promised me pasta. It should be an interesting evening of gestures and laughs!
Starting today - for one week is the 'Obone' festival in Japan (that is most likely spelled incorrectly). It is a buddhist holiday - which mostly all Japanese families celebrate. (Japanese people are not religious - so the combination of christian beliefs and ceremonies such as weddings with buddhist beliefs is quite common) During this week Japanese people believe that they must bring their deceased family member's spirits back into their homes and celebrate their lives. This is done by going to the cemetary - capturing that person's spirit in light (a candle) and bringing it home. A candle will most likely be burning most of the time symbolizing that that person's spirit has returned home. During the week the families make offerings to the person who has passed by placing food, flowers, and wine by their picture and candle. The families will also perform dances for their deceased relatives. My host mother said that during this week families entertain such spirits. My host family has an area of their living room all set up with a picture of my host father's father. I think on Monday we will go to the cemetary to bring his spirit home with us. I am excited to experience this holiday!
There are only 10 days until I am home, and to be honest I am ready! I am so thankful for this opportunity - but I am sick of living out of my backpack!
I will leave you with a list of things that I have generated that will be absent from my life once returning to the States.
1. Squatty potties
2. Tatami mats and futons
3. Public baths/Team showers
4. Curry and rice
5. Language barrier
6. Getting starred at everywhere I go
7. Toilets with 'badaes' (sorry if the spelling is wrong)
8. The bathroom being called the toilet
9. Sitting down to shower
10. The stench of urine in the bathroom
11. Moving every 3-6 days
12. Singing silly Enlish songs
13. Using hand gestures
14. Speaking slowly and using broken English to communicate
15. HUGE bugs
16. Eating rice for every meal
I'm sure there are many more...I just can't think of them!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
In The Name of ADAM!
Before I continue to update you on my existence in Japan I must first say that I miss Adam, Korea and all that his life in Seoul encompasses. I was so blessed to have the opportunity to visit him and be a part of his life in Korea; during my time in Tokyo I have discovered that I am homesick for Seoul - if thats even possible. Perhaps it is because while with Adam I felt like I was at home - much more so than here.
On a different note, I will continue to narrate my life for you!
**Disclaimer...I have inherited my amazing spelling abilities from my father - Japanese spell check doesn't hide my mistakes as well...my apologies
Ashiwada Hotel - this is where our first two camps of the three in a row took place. The hotel is considered 'lavish' in Japanese terms - much different from how you or I would define the word, but nonetheless it was nice! We were treated to wine baths while there were no campers in the hotel (simply meaning that there was wine in the bath water - apparently it's good for your skin). The meals were also amazing when it was just USA Summer Camp staff and our rooms were great. Although they were tatami rooms (a straw mat that you put futon on at night to sleep) we had a beautiful view of the mountains surrounding us, and the lake nestled at the base of the mountains. Things changed as soon as campers came - no wine bath, the quality of food declined (rightly so as they were feeding 165 people) and we were split up individually into small rooms with more campers than room! Considering that all the campers were female, the male AC's (American Counselors) on staff (half of our staff), for obvious reasons could not have a room group - leaving more 13 year olds for per female AC! It was fine - but I can report that adolescents, and everything that goes along with that stage of life is universal! My first room group had a key chain that made a fart noise - that they would press every 15 minutes and giggle for 10 more. Needless to say I spent those six days fighting sleep deprivation!
The second camp was by far my favorite camp thus far. I got really close to a few girls and really had a great time!! I'm not ashamed to say that I shed some tears when their bus departed Ashiwada. The third camp was a six hour bus ride from Ashiwada - most of us crashed and only woke up to get off the bus to eat. The third camp was in Fuchushima and the facility was about as far from a lavish hotel that you can get! About 170 fourteen year old boys joined us the following morning for three more days of bliss! The best part about this camp was that, because it was a private boys school, the teachers wanted to control bath times, bed times and wake up. This resulted in all the campers and teachers sleeping in the main building - while we at 8:30pm walked into the woods and slept in cabins!!! It was great to feel the ''end of a day'' - similar to when your shift is up or when the school day is done....we just got to drop the boys off in their rooms and leave!! It was nice to be able to come together with the other AC's at night and discuss the day.
Shortly after the boys left we got on a bus and came to Chichibu. We enjoyed two days off, got to wash our laundry and slept past 6am! On the second day we were taxied up the winding mountain roads to a camp in Saitama. It was our first camp of elementary aged children and our first camp of less than 150! We actually had a mix of ages and the AC's were split depending on what age they were working with. We were at the same facility, but ran two different camps. There were about 20 elementary campers and it was awesome!!! I fell in love with my room group - they were the youngest kids at camp and were so damn cute! One camper, Airi had lived in the States for a few years and for six years old her English was amazing! She was my favorite camper...not that I play favorites...but now that it's over I can say it outloud!! What made her so cute is that she was so little, but she had such a big personality!
One thing that I took for granted in the previous camps was the fact that campers knew a bedtime routine; how to bathe, how and when to brush their teeth...etc... Airi had never bathed by herself before - and when we entered the bath she sat down next to me and didn't know what to do. I washed my hair and then assited her....she actually reminded me of myself when I was six! She had it set and wanted me to know that she could do it herself - so I held the shower head and talked her through shampoo, conditioner, body wash... When exiting the bath I wrapped my towel around my head only to turn around and find Airi attempting to do the same! Adorable!
In a professional sense - that camp reinforced my attraction to older students. I enjoy working with little kids - but being a mother some day is much more attractive than spending the rest of my career in grade school!
The last three days have been spent in relaxation at the used tire center - otherwise understood as our temporary home. Yesterday we had a day trip planned out for our entire team as a reward for having three camps in a row. We went down a river in a wooden boat - a far cry from white water rafting...but in many ways it was breathtaking! The rivers in Japan are amazingly blue and wherever you go you are sorounded by lush mountains! After the boat ride we went to make Japanese paper. It was really fun - we all got to make eight pieces, post card size and decorate them with dried flowers. To end the day we went to an Onsen - or a traditional Japanese hot spring bath. The bath was not unlike any other public bath - accept for the fact that the bath was naturally occuring sulfer water. Anyway, it was an enjoyable day and it ended even better! To describe my night I will share the email I sent home with you all....
When we got back a few of us decided to go kareoke - in Japan you rent a room with your group and just sing with eachother - much more enjoyable I think! Its like a little room with couches on the wall - air-con (that one's for you Adam) and a TV. We all belted out songs for an hour or so and then people split up - some wanted to go to the internet cafe and other back to the used tire center. Courtney, Kathleen and I decided to walk around the neighborhood a bit - we were on the corner taking a picture and a man came up to us and started talking in Japanese...we told him that we only spoke Eigo (english in Japanese)...after a few minutes of using our little knowledge of Japanese and likewise for him with english - we figured out that he was a teacher (or sensei) He asked us what we were doing in Japan and we said Eigo sensei...he got really excited and shouted out...wait there one minute. He ran around the corner and a couple seconds later he came walking with a group of about seven other Japanese people. One woman in the group spoke a little english and came up to us to talk. Turns out it was a group of teachers - the vice principal and the principal. They had just finished school and were starting their summer vacation! They ran a school for children with special needs - and then the woman said - ''We - not bad people - you come with us to drink''
In Japan we have learned that the acceptance of an invitation or a gift is half of the act - so we all decided to go. (both other girls, Courtney and Kathleen are student teaching next semester) Anyway - we followed them to a little hole in the wall restaurant and bar where they bought us beer and appetizers. We got to kampai with the principal (kampai is a formal 'cheers') and it was so much fun!! It was nice I think for both parties - they were asking us questions about the states and how the education system works. It was a great experience because we finally got a chance to get away from the group and do something 'Japanese'. They paid for everything - we repeatedly insisted to pay - but again part of their culture is that if you invite someone you pay for them. I remembered that I had a few dollar bills in my wallet - so I took one out and we all signed it and gave it to the principal. Courtney also had a dollar and gave hers to the lady that spoke english - the principal said that he would keep it in his school because we were all sensei's!
So tomorrow it's back to camp...our team is actually spliting up again and doing two seperate camps. I am part of the team that will be doing the six day camp - while the other half of our team will do two camps in that time at a different facilty. I am what we call a 'floater' for this next camp - meaning that I am not assigned any activity groups, rather I will be floating around from group to group and helping wherever needed. I am actually pretty excited about it. Other floaters have mentioned that it seems like you don't get to connect with the kids as much - but I figure we will have them for six days so my chances are a little better! I am excited to have a little more free time than I have had in previous camps!!
After our six days in the mountains - with the poisounous snakes might I add - I am off to my final home stay. It is a single couple in their fifties, and the mother is fluent in English! I am excited to do some final souvenier shopping and enjoy having no campers for an entire week!!!! Then it is one more camp and I am on my way home!
Oh I almost forgot...I found bed bugs in my bed on the last day of the last camp...and we are going back to the same facility for the next SIX days...ugh..
Much love!
On a different note, I will continue to narrate my life for you!
**Disclaimer...I have inherited my amazing spelling abilities from my father - Japanese spell check doesn't hide my mistakes as well...my apologies
Ashiwada Hotel - this is where our first two camps of the three in a row took place. The hotel is considered 'lavish' in Japanese terms - much different from how you or I would define the word, but nonetheless it was nice! We were treated to wine baths while there were no campers in the hotel (simply meaning that there was wine in the bath water - apparently it's good for your skin). The meals were also amazing when it was just USA Summer Camp staff and our rooms were great. Although they were tatami rooms (a straw mat that you put futon on at night to sleep) we had a beautiful view of the mountains surrounding us, and the lake nestled at the base of the mountains. Things changed as soon as campers came - no wine bath, the quality of food declined (rightly so as they were feeding 165 people) and we were split up individually into small rooms with more campers than room! Considering that all the campers were female, the male AC's (American Counselors) on staff (half of our staff), for obvious reasons could not have a room group - leaving more 13 year olds for per female AC! It was fine - but I can report that adolescents, and everything that goes along with that stage of life is universal! My first room group had a key chain that made a fart noise - that they would press every 15 minutes and giggle for 10 more. Needless to say I spent those six days fighting sleep deprivation!
The second camp was by far my favorite camp thus far. I got really close to a few girls and really had a great time!! I'm not ashamed to say that I shed some tears when their bus departed Ashiwada. The third camp was a six hour bus ride from Ashiwada - most of us crashed and only woke up to get off the bus to eat. The third camp was in Fuchushima and the facility was about as far from a lavish hotel that you can get! About 170 fourteen year old boys joined us the following morning for three more days of bliss! The best part about this camp was that, because it was a private boys school, the teachers wanted to control bath times, bed times and wake up. This resulted in all the campers and teachers sleeping in the main building - while we at 8:30pm walked into the woods and slept in cabins!!! It was great to feel the ''end of a day'' - similar to when your shift is up or when the school day is done....we just got to drop the boys off in their rooms and leave!! It was nice to be able to come together with the other AC's at night and discuss the day.
Shortly after the boys left we got on a bus and came to Chichibu. We enjoyed two days off, got to wash our laundry and slept past 6am! On the second day we were taxied up the winding mountain roads to a camp in Saitama. It was our first camp of elementary aged children and our first camp of less than 150! We actually had a mix of ages and the AC's were split depending on what age they were working with. We were at the same facility, but ran two different camps. There were about 20 elementary campers and it was awesome!!! I fell in love with my room group - they were the youngest kids at camp and were so damn cute! One camper, Airi had lived in the States for a few years and for six years old her English was amazing! She was my favorite camper...not that I play favorites...but now that it's over I can say it outloud!! What made her so cute is that she was so little, but she had such a big personality!
One thing that I took for granted in the previous camps was the fact that campers knew a bedtime routine; how to bathe, how and when to brush their teeth...etc... Airi had never bathed by herself before - and when we entered the bath she sat down next to me and didn't know what to do. I washed my hair and then assited her....she actually reminded me of myself when I was six! She had it set and wanted me to know that she could do it herself - so I held the shower head and talked her through shampoo, conditioner, body wash... When exiting the bath I wrapped my towel around my head only to turn around and find Airi attempting to do the same! Adorable!
In a professional sense - that camp reinforced my attraction to older students. I enjoy working with little kids - but being a mother some day is much more attractive than spending the rest of my career in grade school!
The last three days have been spent in relaxation at the used tire center - otherwise understood as our temporary home. Yesterday we had a day trip planned out for our entire team as a reward for having three camps in a row. We went down a river in a wooden boat - a far cry from white water rafting...but in many ways it was breathtaking! The rivers in Japan are amazingly blue and wherever you go you are sorounded by lush mountains! After the boat ride we went to make Japanese paper. It was really fun - we all got to make eight pieces, post card size and decorate them with dried flowers. To end the day we went to an Onsen - or a traditional Japanese hot spring bath. The bath was not unlike any other public bath - accept for the fact that the bath was naturally occuring sulfer water. Anyway, it was an enjoyable day and it ended even better! To describe my night I will share the email I sent home with you all....
When we got back a few of us decided to go kareoke - in Japan you rent a room with your group and just sing with eachother - much more enjoyable I think! Its like a little room with couches on the wall - air-con (that one's for you Adam) and a TV. We all belted out songs for an hour or so and then people split up - some wanted to go to the internet cafe and other back to the used tire center. Courtney, Kathleen and I decided to walk around the neighborhood a bit - we were on the corner taking a picture and a man came up to us and started talking in Japanese...we told him that we only spoke Eigo (english in Japanese)...after a few minutes of using our little knowledge of Japanese and likewise for him with english - we figured out that he was a teacher (or sensei) He asked us what we were doing in Japan and we said Eigo sensei...he got really excited and shouted out...wait there one minute. He ran around the corner and a couple seconds later he came walking with a group of about seven other Japanese people. One woman in the group spoke a little english and came up to us to talk. Turns out it was a group of teachers - the vice principal and the principal. They had just finished school and were starting their summer vacation! They ran a school for children with special needs - and then the woman said - ''We - not bad people - you come with us to drink''
In Japan we have learned that the acceptance of an invitation or a gift is half of the act - so we all decided to go. (both other girls, Courtney and Kathleen are student teaching next semester) Anyway - we followed them to a little hole in the wall restaurant and bar where they bought us beer and appetizers. We got to kampai with the principal (kampai is a formal 'cheers') and it was so much fun!! It was nice I think for both parties - they were asking us questions about the states and how the education system works. It was a great experience because we finally got a chance to get away from the group and do something 'Japanese'. They paid for everything - we repeatedly insisted to pay - but again part of their culture is that if you invite someone you pay for them. I remembered that I had a few dollar bills in my wallet - so I took one out and we all signed it and gave it to the principal. Courtney also had a dollar and gave hers to the lady that spoke english - the principal said that he would keep it in his school because we were all sensei's!
So tomorrow it's back to camp...our team is actually spliting up again and doing two seperate camps. I am part of the team that will be doing the six day camp - while the other half of our team will do two camps in that time at a different facilty. I am what we call a 'floater' for this next camp - meaning that I am not assigned any activity groups, rather I will be floating around from group to group and helping wherever needed. I am actually pretty excited about it. Other floaters have mentioned that it seems like you don't get to connect with the kids as much - but I figure we will have them for six days so my chances are a little better! I am excited to have a little more free time than I have had in previous camps!!
After our six days in the mountains - with the poisounous snakes might I add - I am off to my final home stay. It is a single couple in their fifties, and the mother is fluent in English! I am excited to do some final souvenier shopping and enjoy having no campers for an entire week!!!! Then it is one more camp and I am on my way home!
Oh I almost forgot...I found bed bugs in my bed on the last day of the last camp...and we are going back to the same facility for the next SIX days...ugh..
Much love!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Ｆｒｏｍ Ｈｏｔｅｌｓ ｔｏ Ｂｅｄ ｂｕｇｓ．．．
Ａｌａｓ Ｉ ｈａｖｅ ｆｏｕｎｄ ａｎ ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ ｃａｆｅ！ Ｏｕｒ ｍｏｓｔ ｒｅｃｅｎｔ ｃａｍｐｓ ｈａｖｅ ｂｅｅｎ ｑｕｉｔｅ ｓｅｃｌｕｄｅｄ － ｕｐ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ｍｏｕｎｔａｉｎｓ ｆｏｒ ｔｈｅ ｍｏｓｔ ｐａｒｔ！
Ｗｅｌｌ， Ｉ ｄｏｎ’ｔ ｒｅａｌｌｙ ｋｎｏｗ ｗｈｅｒｅ ｔｏ ｓｔａｒｔ － ｓｏ ｍｕｃｈ ｎｅｗｓ！ Ｗｅ ｊｕｓｔ ｆｉｎｉｓｈｅｄ ｏｕｒ ｓｉｘｔｈ ｃａｍｐ！ Ｉｔ ｗａｓ ｏｕｒ ｆｉｒｓｔ ｅｌｅｍｅｎｔａｒｙ ｃａｍｐ， ａｎｄ ｉｔ ｗａｓ ａ ｖｅｒｙ ｗｅｌｃｏｍｅｄ ｃｈａｎｇｅ！ Ｔｈｅ ｋｉｄｓ ｗｅｒｅ ａｂｓｏｌｕｔｅｌｙ ａｄｏｒａｂｌｅ ａｎｄ ｓｏｍｅ ｏｆ ｔｈｅｉｒ Ｅｎｇｌｉｓｈ ｗａｓ ｂｅｔｔｅｒ ｔｈａｎ ｔｈｅ ｈｉｇｈ ｓｃｈｏｏｌ ｋｉｄｓ ｗｅ ｈａｖｅ ｂｅｅｎ ｗｏｒｋｉｎｇ ｗｉｔｈ！ Ｐｒｉｏｒ ｔｏ ｔｈｉｓ ｗｅ ｄｉｄ ｔｈｒｅｅ ｃａｍｐｓ ｉｎ ｒｏｗ － ｔｗｏ ｗｅｒｅ ａｌｌ ｇｉｒｌ ｃａｍｐｓ ａｎｄ ｔｈｅ ｔｈｉｒｄ ｗａｓ ａｎ ａｌｌ ｂｏｙｓ ｃａｍｐ． Ｉｔ ｗａｓ ａｎ ｅｘａｕｓｔｉｎｇ １０ ｄａｙｓ － ｂｕｔ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ｓａｍｅ ｓｅｎｓｅ ｉｔ ｐｒｏｖｉｄｅｄ ａ ｇｒｅａｔ ｏｐｐｏｒｔｕｎｉｔｙ ｆｏｒ ｍｅ ｔｏ ｌｅａｒｎ ａ ｌｏｔ ａｂｏｕｔ ｍｙ ｔｅａｃｈｉｎｇ ｓｔｙｌｅｓ ｉｎ ｓｔｒｅｓｓｆｕｌ ｓｉｔｕａｔｉｏｎｓ！ Teaching ｃｈｉｌｄｒｅｎ ａ ｓｅｃｏｎｄ ｌａｎｇｕａｇｅ ｉｓ ａ ｊｏｂ ｔｈａｔ Ｉ ｈａｖｅ ａ ｌｏｔ ｏｆ ｒｅｓｐｅｃｔ ｆｏｒ － ｉｔ ｔｅｓｔｓ ｙｏｕｒ ａｂｉｌｉｔｙ ｔｏ ｉｍｐｒｏｖｉｓｅ， ｂｅ ｅｘｔｒｅｍｅｌｙ ｃｒｅａｔｉｖｅ ａｎｄ ｅｓｐｅｃｉａｌｌｙ ｉｔ ｔｅｓｔｓ ｙｏｕｒ ｐａｔｉｅｎｃｅ！
Ｕｎｆｏｒｔｕｎａｔｌｙ Ｉ ｈａｖｅ ｅｘａｕｓｔｅｄ ｍｙ ａｌｌｏｔｅｄ ｔｉｍｅ ｏｎ ｔｈｉｓ ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ ａｎｄ ｍｕｓｔ ｅｘｉｔ ｔｈｅ ｃａｆｅ － ｈｏｗｅｖｅｒ Ｉ ｗｉｌｌ ｒｅｔｕｒｎ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ｎｅｘｔ ｄａｙ ｔｏ ｆｉｎｉｓｈ ｔｈｉｓ ｕｐｄａｔｅ ｆｏｒ ｙｏｕ！！！！
Ｗｅｌｌ， Ｉ ｄｏｎ’ｔ ｒｅａｌｌｙ ｋｎｏｗ ｗｈｅｒｅ ｔｏ ｓｔａｒｔ － ｓｏ ｍｕｃｈ ｎｅｗｓ！ Ｗｅ ｊｕｓｔ ｆｉｎｉｓｈｅｄ ｏｕｒ ｓｉｘｔｈ ｃａｍｐ！ Ｉｔ ｗａｓ ｏｕｒ ｆｉｒｓｔ ｅｌｅｍｅｎｔａｒｙ ｃａｍｐ， ａｎｄ ｉｔ ｗａｓ ａ ｖｅｒｙ ｗｅｌｃｏｍｅｄ ｃｈａｎｇｅ！ Ｔｈｅ ｋｉｄｓ ｗｅｒｅ ａｂｓｏｌｕｔｅｌｙ ａｄｏｒａｂｌｅ ａｎｄ ｓｏｍｅ ｏｆ ｔｈｅｉｒ Ｅｎｇｌｉｓｈ ｗａｓ ｂｅｔｔｅｒ ｔｈａｎ ｔｈｅ ｈｉｇｈ ｓｃｈｏｏｌ ｋｉｄｓ ｗｅ ｈａｖｅ ｂｅｅｎ ｗｏｒｋｉｎｇ ｗｉｔｈ！ Ｐｒｉｏｒ ｔｏ ｔｈｉｓ ｗｅ ｄｉｄ ｔｈｒｅｅ ｃａｍｐｓ ｉｎ ｒｏｗ － ｔｗｏ ｗｅｒｅ ａｌｌ ｇｉｒｌ ｃａｍｐｓ ａｎｄ ｔｈｅ ｔｈｉｒｄ ｗａｓ ａｎ ａｌｌ ｂｏｙｓ ｃａｍｐ． Ｉｔ ｗａｓ ａｎ ｅｘａｕｓｔｉｎｇ １０ ｄａｙｓ － ｂｕｔ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ｓａｍｅ ｓｅｎｓｅ ｉｔ ｐｒｏｖｉｄｅｄ ａ ｇｒｅａｔ ｏｐｐｏｒｔｕｎｉｔｙ ｆｏｒ ｍｅ ｔｏ ｌｅａｒｎ ａ ｌｏｔ ａｂｏｕｔ ｍｙ ｔｅａｃｈｉｎｇ ｓｔｙｌｅｓ ｉｎ ｓｔｒｅｓｓｆｕｌ ｓｉｔｕａｔｉｏｎｓ！ Teaching ｃｈｉｌｄｒｅｎ ａ ｓｅｃｏｎｄ ｌａｎｇｕａｇｅ ｉｓ ａ ｊｏｂ ｔｈａｔ Ｉ ｈａｖｅ ａ ｌｏｔ ｏｆ ｒｅｓｐｅｃｔ ｆｏｒ － ｉｔ ｔｅｓｔｓ ｙｏｕｒ ａｂｉｌｉｔｙ ｔｏ ｉｍｐｒｏｖｉｓｅ， ｂｅ ｅｘｔｒｅｍｅｌｙ ｃｒｅａｔｉｖｅ ａｎｄ ｅｓｐｅｃｉａｌｌｙ ｉｔ ｔｅｓｔｓ ｙｏｕｒ ｐａｔｉｅｎｃｅ！
Ｕｎｆｏｒｔｕｎａｔｌｙ Ｉ ｈａｖｅ ｅｘａｕｓｔｅｄ ｍｙ ａｌｌｏｔｅｄ ｔｉｍｅ ｏｎ ｔｈｉｓ ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ ａｎｄ ｍｕｓｔ ｅｘｉｔ ｔｈｅ ｃａｆｅ － ｈｏｗｅｖｅｒ Ｉ ｗｉｌｌ ｒｅｔｕｒｎ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ｎｅｘｔ ｄａｙ ｔｏ ｆｉｎｉｓｈ ｔｈｉｓ ｕｐｄａｔｅ ｆｏｒ ｙｏｕ！！！！
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Smile for zero yen!
So I just found out today that at McDonalds in Japan (which I have yet to have the pleasure of enjoying) (by choice....) you can actually order a smile from your cashier - and it's free! Really, I'm not kidding -
Anyway...I just wanted to say hello! We just finished our first camp of three - and I am worn out! We have one night without campers - and then tomorrow at 11 we start is all over again! Our camp is at a hotel in the mountains of Japan! It is truly an amazing sight! Right in front is a huge lake and we are surrounded by rolling green mountains! When there are no campers - we enjoy wine baths, gourmet meals and nice rooms - however when the campers are here meals are usually rice, a slice of fish (sometimes cooked) and other random items - usually we are guessing what we are eating!
I am actually struggling with what to say...my English feels broken! So with that I will leave a few links to my pictures for you to check if you are bored.
Love to all!
Anyway...I just wanted to say hello! We just finished our first camp of three - and I am worn out! We have one night without campers - and then tomorrow at 11 we start is all over again! Our camp is at a hotel in the mountains of Japan! It is truly an amazing sight! Right in front is a huge lake and we are surrounded by rolling green mountains! When there are no campers - we enjoy wine baths, gourmet meals and nice rooms - however when the campers are here meals are usually rice, a slice of fish (sometimes cooked) and other random items - usually we are guessing what we are eating!
I am actually struggling with what to say...my English feels broken! So with that I will leave a few links to my pictures for you to check if you are bored.
Love to all!
Monday, July 16, 2007
The Typhoon Followed by an Earthquake!
Well, after this morning I can now cross earthquake off my list of natural disasters I have yet to experience! Not to scare you, but minutes after I got off the phone with Sam this morning an earthquake hit Japan - it hit the worst on the west side of the nation - but in Tokyo we ranked a 3 out of 6. It lasted for over a minute and simply felt like someone was rocking the floor. It wasn't shaking the house or anything, just swaying the house back and forth. No damage, except maybe a few cracks on the highway. Honestly if my host mom wouldn't have told me what was going on and every channel wouldn't have switched to earthquake coverage, I probably wouldn't have realized what had just happened. I felt my chair moving but thought the dog had bumped me or something - so really, it was nothing.
Anyway, we went into Tokyo today expecting there to be less people because of the holiday - but in a city of 14 million people I don't think you could ever have a day with few people! We tried to go to the Edo Tokyo Museum but it was way to crowded so we just went to the center of Tokyo and shopped in a few of the different districts. I bought a couple things, but for the most part I just enjoyed looking around.
I also ate many traditional Japanese snacks and candies today - none of which I particularily enjoyed! The candy was made out of soy bean flour and the snacks all had some sort of sweet bean paste in them - and don't worry, I bought some candies to bring home so you can all enjoy the experience!
Anyway, we went into Tokyo today expecting there to be less people because of the holiday - but in a city of 14 million people I don't think you could ever have a day with few people! We tried to go to the Edo Tokyo Museum but it was way to crowded so we just went to the center of Tokyo and shopped in a few of the different districts. I bought a couple things, but for the most part I just enjoyed looking around.
I also ate many traditional Japanese snacks and candies today - none of which I particularily enjoyed! The candy was made out of soy bean flour and the snacks all had some sort of sweet bean paste in them - and don't worry, I bought some candies to bring home so you can all enjoy the experience!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
TYPHOONS AND $200 MEALS
OKAY - IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING WITH JAPANESE KEYBOARDS - THIS TIME I HIT A BUTTON AND THE CAPS LOCK WILL NOT TURN OFF...I SUPPOSE IT WOULD HELP IF I COULD READ THE WORDS ON THE KEYBOARD!! AT ANY RATE, YOU WILL JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS BLOG IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS! SORRY!
SO I SURIVED MY FIRST TYPHOON, ACTUALLY IT DIDN'T REALLY HIT TOKYO - WE JUST HAD A FEW DAYS OF RAIN. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF JAPAN.
MY SECOND HOST FAMILY IS TEN TIMES BETTER THAN THE LAST ONE!! THERE ARE THREE KIDS, AGE 11, 13 AND 15. THE MOTHER IS FLUENT IN ENGLISH, WHICH HELPS A LOT! THE FATHER WORKS AS A CIVIL WORKER - I'M NOT SURE WHAT HE DOES EXACTLY, BUT I KNOW HE WORKS REALLY LONG DAYS. I TRULY ADMIRE HIS DEVOTION TO HIS FAMILY - AS HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO WORKS (WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE CASE QUITE OFTEN IN JAPAN). TODAY WHEN THE RAIN STOPPED WE TOOK THEIR DOG FOR A WALK AROUND THE NIEGHBORHOOD - THEY LIVE IN A REALLY NICE AREA! MY HOST MOM TOLD ME TODAY THAT THEIR HOUSE COST $600,000!! IT'S ABOUT HALF THE SIZE OF MY PARENTS HOME! UNBELIEVABLE!
LATER THIS AFTERNOON WE WENT TO SEE HARRY POTTER (IN ENGLISH!!!) AND THEN WE HEADED FOR SHINJUKU - AN AREA CLOSE TO THE CENTER OF TOKYO. WE WENT UP IN THE TOKYO CITY HALL WHERE WE HAD A VIEW OF ALL OF TOKYO, AND THEN WENT TO AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT THAT WAS ON THE 30TH FLOOR. THE VIEW OF TOKYO WAS GREAT, BUT THE MOST AMAZING PART WAS THAT MY HOST FAMLIY DROPPED $200 ON DINNER! I INSISTED TO PAY FOR MY MEAL, BUT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE IT.
TOMMOROW WE ARE GOING INTO TOKYO TO DO SOME SIGHTSEEING AND SHOPPING. WE ARE ALSO PLANNING ON GOING TO THE EDO TOKYO MUSEUM - WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO BE GREAT!
OUR LAST CAMP BEFORE THIS HOME STAY WAS A NIGHTMARE...IT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH HIGH SCHOOL KIDS CAN DIFFER IN ENGLISH ABILITY. THE CAMPERS WERE COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE, MAKING IT HARD FOR US TO BE EXCITED...THEY DIDN'T LISTEN AND WE EVEN HAD A FEW GIRLS SNEAKING OUT AT NIGHT TO MEET UP WITH THEIR BOYFRIENDS. I GUESS HIGH SCHOOL KIDS WILL BE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS, BUT CHASING AFTER 15 YEAR OLDS IN THE DARK AT MIDNIGHT IS NOT MY CUP OF TEA!
WELL, I AM GOING TO WRAP IT UP FOR NOW AND HIT THE SACK! I AM EXCITED FOR TOMORROW!!
I MISS YOU ALL!
SO I SURIVED MY FIRST TYPHOON, ACTUALLY IT DIDN'T REALLY HIT TOKYO - WE JUST HAD A FEW DAYS OF RAIN. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF JAPAN.
MY SECOND HOST FAMILY IS TEN TIMES BETTER THAN THE LAST ONE!! THERE ARE THREE KIDS, AGE 11, 13 AND 15. THE MOTHER IS FLUENT IN ENGLISH, WHICH HELPS A LOT! THE FATHER WORKS AS A CIVIL WORKER - I'M NOT SURE WHAT HE DOES EXACTLY, BUT I KNOW HE WORKS REALLY LONG DAYS. I TRULY ADMIRE HIS DEVOTION TO HIS FAMILY - AS HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO WORKS (WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE CASE QUITE OFTEN IN JAPAN). TODAY WHEN THE RAIN STOPPED WE TOOK THEIR DOG FOR A WALK AROUND THE NIEGHBORHOOD - THEY LIVE IN A REALLY NICE AREA! MY HOST MOM TOLD ME TODAY THAT THEIR HOUSE COST $600,000!! IT'S ABOUT HALF THE SIZE OF MY PARENTS HOME! UNBELIEVABLE!
LATER THIS AFTERNOON WE WENT TO SEE HARRY POTTER (IN ENGLISH!!!) AND THEN WE HEADED FOR SHINJUKU - AN AREA CLOSE TO THE CENTER OF TOKYO. WE WENT UP IN THE TOKYO CITY HALL WHERE WE HAD A VIEW OF ALL OF TOKYO, AND THEN WENT TO AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT THAT WAS ON THE 30TH FLOOR. THE VIEW OF TOKYO WAS GREAT, BUT THE MOST AMAZING PART WAS THAT MY HOST FAMLIY DROPPED $200 ON DINNER! I INSISTED TO PAY FOR MY MEAL, BUT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE IT.
TOMMOROW WE ARE GOING INTO TOKYO TO DO SOME SIGHTSEEING AND SHOPPING. WE ARE ALSO PLANNING ON GOING TO THE EDO TOKYO MUSEUM - WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO BE GREAT!
OUR LAST CAMP BEFORE THIS HOME STAY WAS A NIGHTMARE...IT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH HIGH SCHOOL KIDS CAN DIFFER IN ENGLISH ABILITY. THE CAMPERS WERE COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE, MAKING IT HARD FOR US TO BE EXCITED...THEY DIDN'T LISTEN AND WE EVEN HAD A FEW GIRLS SNEAKING OUT AT NIGHT TO MEET UP WITH THEIR BOYFRIENDS. I GUESS HIGH SCHOOL KIDS WILL BE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS, BUT CHASING AFTER 15 YEAR OLDS IN THE DARK AT MIDNIGHT IS NOT MY CUP OF TEA!
WELL, I AM GOING TO WRAP IT UP FOR NOW AND HIT THE SACK! I AM EXCITED FOR TOMORROW!!
I MISS YOU ALL!
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Back to Camp!
Tonight is my last night at my first home stay. I am pretty excited to see everyone from my team tomorrow!! The past four days have been filled with sightseeing, festivals, playing with my seven year old host sister, and the ocean!!
The mall was definetly huge...I didn't buy much, just a towel at the 100 yen shop (1 dollar) because the towel that I brought is too big and never really dries....it started to stink! Friday my host mom and I were joined by one of her friends who spoke fluent English - we ate a traditional Japanese lunch (sorry if I spell it wrong) - okonomiyaki, it's kind of like a pancake but with cabbage, meat (or baby squid in my case) and other unknown ingredients! We also had octopus balls....I made a deal with myself prior to coming to Japan that I would at least try anything once, I can tell you for sure that the baby squid meal won't be happening again!!
Saturday Anna (my host sister) didn't have school so I brought her to a festival close to her house. It was a festival put together by the neighborhood moms for kids. Anna played a few games, ate some watermelon and then we went to the park. Anna taught me some Japanese playground games that I might just use with my younger campers in the coming weeks! Saturday evening my host mom, Sumire brought me to another festival. I can't remember the name, but it was a celebration of the prince and princess meeting in the milky way . It is celebrated on July 7th every year and people write their wishes on slips of paper and tie them to trees everywhere. Tradition has it that if it is a clear night the prince and princess will meet and all the wishes will come true! Anna wore her kimono, and we walked up and down the street (a tiny street with thousands and thousands of people) playing carnival games. Anna and I won three goldfish and a couple bouncy balls!
Today we went to the ocean! We swam in a part of Tokyo bay - the beach wasn't very nice but nonetheless Anna and I had a great time!
Tomorrow morning I am to be at the train station at 11 and headed back to Tokyo. It's about a 40 minute ride from my host family's home. On Wednesday we will have another group of 120 high school students join us for USA Summer Camp - and then on Saturday I will go to my second host family who lives right in Tokyo.
I am learning a lot and stepping out of my comfort zone quite often! I miss the comforts of home and am already sick of living out of a bag, but I know this experience will affect me in wonderful ways - that will hopefully be reflected in my classroom and even my day to day life!
Until next time....
The mall was definetly huge...I didn't buy much, just a towel at the 100 yen shop (1 dollar) because the towel that I brought is too big and never really dries....it started to stink! Friday my host mom and I were joined by one of her friends who spoke fluent English - we ate a traditional Japanese lunch (sorry if I spell it wrong) - okonomiyaki, it's kind of like a pancake but with cabbage, meat (or baby squid in my case) and other unknown ingredients! We also had octopus balls....I made a deal with myself prior to coming to Japan that I would at least try anything once, I can tell you for sure that the baby squid meal won't be happening again!!
Saturday Anna (my host sister) didn't have school so I brought her to a festival close to her house. It was a festival put together by the neighborhood moms for kids. Anna played a few games, ate some watermelon and then we went to the park. Anna taught me some Japanese playground games that I might just use with my younger campers in the coming weeks! Saturday evening my host mom, Sumire brought me to another festival. I can't remember the name, but it was a celebration of the prince and princess meeting in the milky way . It is celebrated on July 7th every year and people write their wishes on slips of paper and tie them to trees everywhere. Tradition has it that if it is a clear night the prince and princess will meet and all the wishes will come true! Anna wore her kimono, and we walked up and down the street (a tiny street with thousands and thousands of people) playing carnival games. Anna and I won three goldfish and a couple bouncy balls!
Today we went to the ocean! We swam in a part of Tokyo bay - the beach wasn't very nice but nonetheless Anna and I had a great time!
Tomorrow morning I am to be at the train station at 11 and headed back to Tokyo. It's about a 40 minute ride from my host family's home. On Wednesday we will have another group of 120 high school students join us for USA Summer Camp - and then on Saturday I will go to my second host family who lives right in Tokyo.
I am learning a lot and stepping out of my comfort zone quite often! I miss the comforts of home and am already sick of living out of a bag, but I know this experience will affect me in wonderful ways - that will hopefully be reflected in my classroom and even my day to day life!
Until next time....
Thursday, July 5, 2007
American Summer Camp
Hello to all!!! My apologies that it has been so long, however this is no vacation!
I am currently at my first homestay. I am living with a 45 year old woman who has a 7 year old daughter. Her husband lives in Seoul and she rarely sees him. Her English is very good - and Anna (my host sister) is so cute!!!
First and foremost I have to give credit where credit is due...my team - Team 6 - is amazing! I have never worked with a group of people that meshes so well and for that I am truly thankful!!! There are 11 girls and 10 guys on my team of counselors and we all get along great, preform well under pressure and function as a group and team like no other team I have ever been on. I am surrounded by great people - and for that I am extremely thankful!
We just finished our first camp session (out of nine.) We had a group of 120 high school students come for three days after five days of training. During training we experienced many firsts, squatty potties and public bathing making the top of the list!!
Many things are extremely unorganized and lacking detail which is frustrating...but it's part of the experience I suppose.
Our first camp went very well for it being our first time. We work with the students on several different English speaking activities and then give out awards for the best performances. Camp is very busy, we are with the kids 24 hours a day - waking up at 6 and going to bed at 11. This past camp I slept in a room alone with 17 girls. ...ugh... I am happy to have a break from camp and actually have the opportunity to see some of Japan. On a different note, when we ended the camp yesterday we put the camper through a graduation ceremony. About half way through the ceremony all the girls in the audience were crying. At first we thought there was no reason for tears as they had only been there for three days - but then after talking with the campers we realized that it was because of the impact we had had on them in those three days. Most of the counselors ended up in tears waving good bye to the buses...
I don't have access to a computer while at camp but hopefully I can use my home stays as an opportunity to catch up with all of you. My email wont let me send emails out but I can check it, , so if you want to say hello I would love to hear from you!!
Tomorrow my host mom and one of her friends are taking me to the biggest shopping mall in Japan. I'm not sure I need anything, or have room to put anything, but I'm sure it will be a sight!
I am currently at my first homestay. I am living with a 45 year old woman who has a 7 year old daughter. Her husband lives in Seoul and she rarely sees him. Her English is very good - and Anna (my host sister) is so cute!!!
First and foremost I have to give credit where credit is due...my team - Team 6 - is amazing! I have never worked with a group of people that meshes so well and for that I am truly thankful!!! There are 11 girls and 10 guys on my team of counselors and we all get along great, preform well under pressure and function as a group and team like no other team I have ever been on. I am surrounded by great people - and for that I am extremely thankful!
We just finished our first camp session (out of nine.) We had a group of 120 high school students come for three days after five days of training. During training we experienced many firsts, squatty potties and public bathing making the top of the list!!
Many things are extremely unorganized and lacking detail which is frustrating...but it's part of the experience I suppose.
Our first camp went very well for it being our first time. We work with the students on several different English speaking activities and then give out awards for the best performances. Camp is very busy, we are with the kids 24 hours a day - waking up at 6 and going to bed at 11. This past camp I slept in a room alone with 17 girls. ...ugh... I am happy to have a break from camp and actually have the opportunity to see some of Japan. On a different note, when we ended the camp yesterday we put the camper through a graduation ceremony. About half way through the ceremony all the girls in the audience were crying. At first we thought there was no reason for tears as they had only been there for three days - but then after talking with the campers we realized that it was because of the impact we had had on them in those three days. Most of the counselors ended up in tears waving good bye to the buses...
I don't have access to a computer while at camp but hopefully I can use my home stays as an opportunity to catch up with all of you. My email wont let me send emails out but I can check it, , so if you want to say hello I would love to hear from you!!
Tomorrow my host mom and one of her friends are taking me to the biggest shopping mall in Japan. I'm not sure I need anything, or have room to put anything, but I'm sure it will be a sight!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Japan!
I made it!!! I don:t have much time - just wanted to let everyone know that I am now in Tokyo! I will write more when I can. I:m not sure how much I will have access to a computer - but I will try my hardest to keep you updated!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
I Love Kimchi
Just wanted to share a few pictures with you!
Cars parked on the sidewalk!
Kimchi Jigae
Kimchi Jigae
I'm not sure what this was...but it was good. As you can see I am perfecting my chopstick skills!
We ordered chicken and rice and got CHICKEN BUTT
Street in Gangnam
My fealess host!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
I Forgot Hello Again!
My first weekend in Seoul was spent exploring the city - both the tourist attractions and those places one would only know after living here for several months (Thanks Adam!) Adam has found my first reactions to Seoul refreshing as he has become used to this city and no longer views certain things as unusual! He said that it is nice to remember how he felt when him and Jasmine first arrived in Seoul.
Friday I spent the afternoon at school with Adam and have a new found respect for what he does! His job as a seon-saeng-nim (teacher in Korean) is truly one that I would find very difficult. After speaking with Adam and Jasmine it seems as if much of their time is devoted to discipline and order - but they both find time in their hectic days to appreciate the phenomenon of a child learning and growing due to their efforts! It put a smile on my face to see "teacher Adam" interact so lovingly with his kids despite the fact that he has the most challenging class in Sullivan School - he is a great teacher!
Friday night after school a group of Adam's co-workers, Adam and I went out for a traditional Korean barbecue. The restaurant had a grill set into the table, on which we cooked galbi and samgyeopsal (beef and pork). We were provided all the raw ingredients for our dinner, one of which was kimchi. Kimchi is (as Adam described it to me) a pickled cabbage mixed with spices and a red paste. At first I did not care for it, but after eating it a few more times this past weekend I can understand why people like it so much. After dinner we went to Itaewon for a few drinks, a part of Seoul that is relatively close to the Army base - so as you can imagine we were not the only group of foreigners!
Saturday Adam and I went to Insadong, an area of Seoul where the street is lined with shops and you can buy anything you can imagine. On our way out Adam directed me down a side street and into a tiny sliding door where we drank "the most amazing cup of tea!" (It was really good) We then decided to make our way to the Seoul tower to see the city-scape at night - a sight I wish my camera could have captured! The Seoul tower provides a 360 view of Seoul, a city so immense the lights don't stop in any direction.
Sunday, one of Adam's co-workers Jonie (who has lived in Seoul for 4 years) brought us to the Korean Folk Village, an attraction of traditional Korean houses, markets, food, artisans, and performers. It was about an hour out of Seoul, but well worth the trip! We saw several shows, my favorite being the traditional farmer's dance. After a few hours in the sun we headed back to Seoul and joined Jasmine and her friend Sean for dinner in Itaewon.
I am slowly learning simple Korean phrases - however in the beginning I had a very difficult time remembering anything. Adam would pronounce "hello" slowly and make me repeat him, but the minute I stopped rehearsing it in my head it slipped my mind! Currently I can say with confidence; hello, thank-you, yes, no and I can tell a taxi driver how to get me home. Not much I know, but enough to survive a walk down the street.
I have also become comfortable with the subway system - I am equipped with a map and Adam has given my very detailed instructions as to what to do if I am to become lost. I plan to make my way to a book store this afternoon while Adam is in school to purchase a Japanese phrasebook. I forgot to pack my Lonely Planet book on Japan and am really regretting it...
Adam has parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday - a bit different from home. His parents will come to school in the morning to observe Adam teaching a lesson and then he will meet with each set of parents individually for about 10 minutes. This being such a big deal Adam does not want me at school with him until after Wednesday - which is completely understandable as I would prove to be a distraction to his students and slow the progress of his routine (which needs to be perfected for the parents). Adam's students come from very affluent homes and a big thing they will be looking for is equal opportunity. If their child does not get to do or say as much as the other children Adam's principal will surely hear about it.
I am slowly realizing how much my experience in Seoul will help me once I get to Tokyo. Although the Korean and Japanese cultures are very different I know that my time spent here will be the perfect introduction to my summer! I have adapted to the time change, I am comfortable with the language barrier and I enjoy ordering food not knowing what I will be served!
Friday I spent the afternoon at school with Adam and have a new found respect for what he does! His job as a seon-saeng-nim (teacher in Korean) is truly one that I would find very difficult. After speaking with Adam and Jasmine it seems as if much of their time is devoted to discipline and order - but they both find time in their hectic days to appreciate the phenomenon of a child learning and growing due to their efforts! It put a smile on my face to see "teacher Adam" interact so lovingly with his kids despite the fact that he has the most challenging class in Sullivan School - he is a great teacher!
Friday night after school a group of Adam's co-workers, Adam and I went out for a traditional Korean barbecue. The restaurant had a grill set into the table, on which we cooked galbi and samgyeopsal (beef and pork). We were provided all the raw ingredients for our dinner, one of which was kimchi. Kimchi is (as Adam described it to me) a pickled cabbage mixed with spices and a red paste. At first I did not care for it, but after eating it a few more times this past weekend I can understand why people like it so much. After dinner we went to Itaewon for a few drinks, a part of Seoul that is relatively close to the Army base - so as you can imagine we were not the only group of foreigners!
Saturday Adam and I went to Insadong, an area of Seoul where the street is lined with shops and you can buy anything you can imagine. On our way out Adam directed me down a side street and into a tiny sliding door where we drank "the most amazing cup of tea!" (It was really good) We then decided to make our way to the Seoul tower to see the city-scape at night - a sight I wish my camera could have captured! The Seoul tower provides a 360 view of Seoul, a city so immense the lights don't stop in any direction.
Sunday, one of Adam's co-workers Jonie (who has lived in Seoul for 4 years) brought us to the Korean Folk Village, an attraction of traditional Korean houses, markets, food, artisans, and performers. It was about an hour out of Seoul, but well worth the trip! We saw several shows, my favorite being the traditional farmer's dance. After a few hours in the sun we headed back to Seoul and joined Jasmine and her friend Sean for dinner in Itaewon.
I am slowly learning simple Korean phrases - however in the beginning I had a very difficult time remembering anything. Adam would pronounce "hello" slowly and make me repeat him, but the minute I stopped rehearsing it in my head it slipped my mind! Currently I can say with confidence; hello, thank-you, yes, no and I can tell a taxi driver how to get me home. Not much I know, but enough to survive a walk down the street.
I have also become comfortable with the subway system - I am equipped with a map and Adam has given my very detailed instructions as to what to do if I am to become lost. I plan to make my way to a book store this afternoon while Adam is in school to purchase a Japanese phrasebook. I forgot to pack my Lonely Planet book on Japan and am really regretting it...
Adam has parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday - a bit different from home. His parents will come to school in the morning to observe Adam teaching a lesson and then he will meet with each set of parents individually for about 10 minutes. This being such a big deal Adam does not want me at school with him until after Wednesday - which is completely understandable as I would prove to be a distraction to his students and slow the progress of his routine (which needs to be perfected for the parents). Adam's students come from very affluent homes and a big thing they will be looking for is equal opportunity. If their child does not get to do or say as much as the other children Adam's principal will surely hear about it.
I am slowly realizing how much my experience in Seoul will help me once I get to Tokyo. Although the Korean and Japanese cultures are very different I know that my time spent here will be the perfect introduction to my summer! I have adapted to the time change, I am comfortable with the language barrier and I enjoy ordering food not knowing what I will be served!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Korea - The Beginning
After 22 hours of travel with no major dilemmas I was welcomed into South Korea by a camera, a smile of excitement and a big hug from none other than my big brother! Adam lives in the heart of Seoul where the smell is not exactly refreshing and cars drive anywhere they please, but his home is comforting and I am slowly adapting to the time change.
My flight from Tokyo to Seoul got my spirits up just when I was dreading getting back on another airplane. The flight was overbooked and evidently I was the lucky recipient of an upgrade to first class! Despite feeling a bit out of place it was amazing! The seats reclined into beds and we were served a three course meal with wine and sparkling water.
This weekend Adam and I are exploring Seoul - but for now I am off to meet him for lunch and spend the remainder of the day at school with him!
My flight from Tokyo to Seoul got my spirits up just when I was dreading getting back on another airplane. The flight was overbooked and evidently I was the lucky recipient of an upgrade to first class! Despite feeling a bit out of place it was amazing! The seats reclined into beds and we were served a three course meal with wine and sparkling water.
This weekend Adam and I are exploring Seoul - but for now I am off to meet him for lunch and spend the remainder of the day at school with him!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Let the Adventure Begin!
I am packed and ready! I leave tomorrow morning for Seoul, South Korea to spend 11 days with Adam - and then off to Tokyo for the remainder of the summer. I am extremely excited to see Adam and looking forward to having him introduce me to his life in Korea! I'll give this blog my best effort so that you can share my experiences of visiting Korea and living in Japan for the summer.
I will be working at an English language camp in Tokyo from June 26th to August 21st - no I do not know any Japanese! As frightening as that seems, that was actually somewhat of a pre-requisite! The point of the USA Summer Camp is for Japanese kids (ages ranging from 5-15) to work on their English language skills - not to practice their Japanese. I'm sure this will prove to be a challenge, but I am ready! My team of counselors is a group of 25 college students from all over the nation. I don't know anyone that's going - but I think that makes it more exciting!
I am unsure of a lot of things at this point - how much I will have access to a computer, what I will eat (I hate fish), how I will ever figure out the Tokyo subway, what a normal week will be like, how hot it really is, how I will communicate etc.... On a slightly different note I am sure that I'm excited! I'm feeling to normal and healthy butterflies - but I know that Adam will be waiting as soon as I get off the plane in Seoul! I am most excited to see him and his world!!!
I leave Wednesday June 13th at 9:30 am and fly into Seoul Thursday June 14th at 9:30 pm (Seoul time - so that would make it 7:30 am on the 14th here)
I will be working at an English language camp in Tokyo from June 26th to August 21st - no I do not know any Japanese! As frightening as that seems, that was actually somewhat of a pre-requisite! The point of the USA Summer Camp is for Japanese kids (ages ranging from 5-15) to work on their English language skills - not to practice their Japanese. I'm sure this will prove to be a challenge, but I am ready! My team of counselors is a group of 25 college students from all over the nation. I don't know anyone that's going - but I think that makes it more exciting!
I am unsure of a lot of things at this point - how much I will have access to a computer, what I will eat (I hate fish), how I will ever figure out the Tokyo subway, what a normal week will be like, how hot it really is, how I will communicate etc.... On a slightly different note I am sure that I'm excited! I'm feeling to normal and healthy butterflies - but I know that Adam will be waiting as soon as I get off the plane in Seoul! I am most excited to see him and his world!!!
I leave Wednesday June 13th at 9:30 am and fly into Seoul Thursday June 14th at 9:30 pm (Seoul time - so that would make it 7:30 am on the 14th here)
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