What the?!? July

Anpanman to the Rescue!

Of all the crazy cartoon characters here in Japan, my heart belongs to just one...Anpanman. Aside from him being ultra cute, he is quite unique. Here's what I found out about him from Wikipedia:

Anpanman アンパンマン : The hero of the story, whose head is a bun made by Jam Ojisan. His name comes from the fact that he is a man with a head made of bread (Japanese: pan, a loanword from the Portuguese word meaning "bread") that is filled with bean jam (Japanese: an) called an anpan. His weakness is water or anything that makes his head dirty. He regains his health and strength when Jam Ojisan bakes him a new head and is placed on his shoulders. Anpanman's damaged head, with Xs in his eyes, flies off his shoulders once a new baked head lands. He was created when a shooting star landed in Jam Ojisan's oven while he was baking. He has two special attacks called: An-punch and An-kick. When Anpanman comes across a starving creature or person, he lets the unfortunate creature or person eat part of his head.

There are a whole gang of charaters that he hangs around with and fights against:

• Jam Ojisan ジャムおじさん: The father of Anpanman, and a very kind baker. His name means "Uncle Jam".



• Batakosan バタコさん: Assistant to Jam Ojisan. She makes and mends the capes Anpanman and the other heroes use to fly with. Her name means "Butter Girl".



• Baikinman ばいきんまん: The villain in the story, coming from "Germ World" (ばいきん星), he is the leader of the Viruses. His name means "Germ Man". His ambition is to destroy Anpanman and turn the planet into another "Germ World". He has a weakness to soap, which shrinks him to the size of a fly.



• Kabirunrun かびるんるん: These are Baikinman's little henchmen. Their main purpose is to rot Anpanman's head with mildew/mold (Japanese: kabi).



• and the list goes on...To find out more go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anpanman

It's All Over!

I am sad to announce that my birthday was brought to a close today with the arrival of my final presents from Jono (much to his relief). He got me:

"Scrubs" Season 4

and

"The White Masai" movie.

It has officially been my longest birthday celebration...ever!!!

Reading Record (cont...)

Yep, yet another movie book!!!!!!!

19 - "Must Love Dogs"

By Claire Cook

A gorgeous story about Sarah Hurlihy's life after divorce, and re-entering the dating game. Her sister places a personal ad on her behalf in the paper and soon she has so many guys she doesn't know what to do! As Sarah juggles her job as a preschool teacher and the demands of her interfering family, life gets pretty interesting. A great read.

20-"Everyone Worth Knowing"

By Lauren Weisberger

This was a fun read, form the author of 'The Devil Wears Prada' which followed a similar formula. After quitting her job as a banker, Bette takes a job doing PR for a big-time VIP party planning company. Her job soon takes priority over all other non-pressing commitments (like family and friends) and as she mingles with countless celebrities, almost over night Bette becomes the new 'IT' girl in New York. After a very successful start in her new job life gets a bit too stressful and when she takes a good look around her she doesn't like what she sees. Another great birthday present.

Best Pyjama Party... Ever

So, they say that if you look hard enough you could probably find a festival somewhere in Japan on any day, and this week it was Himeji's turn. This week it was the Yukata Matsuri. A Yukata is like a summer kimono and a matsuri is a festival. So for 2 days the streets were lined with food, amusements, drinks and people, people and more people!

Day 1

So as Jess and Liam were here we all bought our yukata's and joined the rest of the Aussies in donning some Japanese costume. Tina had organised some of her students to help tie the Obi (belt that goes around the yukata) in pretty patterns and make the girls look beautiful... As for the boys, we were somewhere between going to bed and the beach, although I must say the lightweight material shorts are the best shorts I have worn... ever. Actually, maybe not the best,but certainly within the top 15.

The weather had been nothing short of miserable Friday so the matusri was in doubt all day... However someone wanted to see Jess and Liam in Japanese costume so they stopped the rain and allowed us all to see it... Liam wanted to buy a head mask and sword and become a full samurai (actually that may not have been true... It may have been Jess and I talking about what Dad would wear if he was here!) We caught the bus and headed to the action...

The main street and park near the castle were full of stalls, stalls and well, more stalls...Despite the inclement weather many people had turned out to participate in the best pyjama party... ever! I'd like to see more effort on the everyday western woman's behalf tying their dressing gown... There really is no comparison compared to the intricate tying and folding the Japanese women do... It was amazing to see the streets lined with so much colour from the kimonos. What was more amazing was that very rarely were 2 ever the same... thousands of kimonos... the majority different!

The Japanese ladies that had helped tie the Obi's helped us order at an Okonomyaki restaurant... so we sat in there and ate dinner, giving Jess and Liam another experience to take home with them. Good food and good company... what more is there to life?

Dinner had taken a fair while so by the time we had left the streets were clearing... One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how quickly crowds clear in Japan... It's almost like everyone knows when it finishes and just vanishes... Maybe they all have the power of Hiro Nakamura and can bend time and teleport themselves... or just maybe they have a public transport system that works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway... a good time was had by all!



Day 2

Having seen Jess and Liam off in the morning we headed back towards the matsuri in the late afternoon... The weather was so much better. The sun was shining, the birds were singing... There is a common belief here that possibly Jess and Liam had brought and returned with them the miserable Australian weather. (That theory was disproved only on Sunday, when the rain returned!) The Residents of Shirisagi inc. had a small gathering on the patio and worked on obis once more... food and drink were consumed, photos taken and off we went again... At first attempt boarding the bus it was completely full, so we went to find another bus... We found one, and as we exited the bus we found that the place was at least twice as busy as the night before...

Even more kimonos, probably the same number of stalls... it was actually pretty much the same as the night before, although the buzz was a little greater in the air... We had walked the streets, but before the light went we headed to the castle to take pictures... That seemed to take a fair while... By this stage I was feeling a little peckish... There were all the usual suspects as there are at most festivals... fried chicken (leaves KFC for dead!), okonomyaki, okonomiyaki on a stick (Jodi had that), takoyaki, yaki soba, kebabs, meat on a stick... However for me, there was only one thing... Some Bangladeshi curry... was really good, much better than their cricket team... I'm not sure exactly how they work out to get a Bangladeshi Curry stall at the Yukata Matsuri, but all power to them... I may even lobby the Mayor for more Bangadeshi curry stalls at the next matsuri! Top work Tigers!

Throughout the two day-festival, we kept hearing our names being called followed by excited waves and smiles from our school students. It was lucky that they recognised us because we teach so many students it's hard to remember them all. They seemed to be quite impressed that we had our own yukatas on and were only too happy to pose for a photo with us. Here's me with 3 students from my junior high.

The night had passed really quickly and after the really early morning (where I failed to get back to sleep!), I was ready for bed...

Once again... a good time had by all...

VISITORS COMMENTS:

Last day in Japan :( we were sad to be leaving but also glad because we would soon be able to read signs and go into the supermarket and be able to know what we were buying. Luckily for us the Himeji yukata festival was on :) The day started off with a lot of rain so we were quite worried that the festival might not be as good, but luckily the rain stopped and we could go without a worry. The night started off with all the girls getting their yukatas tied up this took along time and effort of the Japanese students of one of the girls for each of them. Then all of use dressed up got photos done. Next we caught the bus in on the way we didn’t very many people dressed up so we were a bit worried that the westerners would be the odd ones out but luckily for us when we got there, there were heaps and heaps of people all dressed up and lots of stalls with food and entertainment. After wondering around waiting for people we headed in a Okonomyaki restaurant which you can't really go into without a Japanese person to translate the menus. After the meal which was delicious. We wandered around some more and then found a photo booth and all got crammed into it and took some silly photos/stickers. As we were on our way home suddenly we saw a group of teenagers all dressed up in some sort of uniforms Jess said look at them and Jodi say don’t they are the ones that cause trouble. A second later it was a shambles and all of the guys started running though us and the group of people we were standing around. A second later I saw why as all of these cops ran past me I stood still as about three cops tackled one to the ground. Earlier Jodi and Jono had said that you can get arrested for loitering around this sort of thing so I quickly walked up the road about 10 meters and waited for the others about a minute later I saw Jono the others had gone across the road. We all re-grouped and headed off home Jessica Jono and Jodi caught a taxi home while the others walked other than the last little event the whole day was a great last day for Japan. Loved every minute of it.

What I do at school... Jodi

Since being in Japan many people have questioned what if any work I actually do. As a picture person, I have prepared a step by step pictographifonium (don"t think that's a word!) of what I do so you can see...

Let's put some perspective in here... I teach (no, more like attend) about 8 x 50 minute classes across Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri, which means that I don't teach 14 lessons over those days. That means I have approximately 6 hours per day, that's 360 minutes, which is 21,600 seconds, per day to keep myself busy (refer to flash card). I am now an expert at it!!

To keep with Jono's style, I have compiled my list of top 7 things I like to do at school to keep 'busy';

7. Look out the window.

I quite enjoy peering out the window from my desk as it looks straight at an identical building, which is parallel, where the majority of classrooms are. While the large majority of students are sitting studiously at their desks and doing their work, there are a minority that keep the teachers on their toes. In terms of Australian standards, Behaviour Management procedures do not exist here in Japan. If a student 'escapes' from the classroom it is up the the teachers to follow and guide them back into the classroom. Quite often I see students wandering along the corridors with teachers in hot pursuit following them. I have even seen students run into other classrooms and come out the other door in an attempt to continue the chase game! While most behaviours are harmless I have seen some interesting things, like as mentioned in Jono's entry, students walking along the window ledge on the outside of the building on the third floor. They do this by climbing through the classroom window (which doesn't have fly screen) and jumping down. They often wave as they pass other classrooms, stop and have a chat and even jump through their window to pay a visit! Quite entertaining!

6. Write pen pal letters.

The girl in the special class has adopted me as her special friend. She has been writing me letters in Japanese and I have been writing back. They are simple letters like; What colour do you like? I like yellow. Yuki is very sweet and even gave me birthday presents and a card. I hear that that is quite rare in Japan, especially for the Japanese teachers.

5.Prepare for lessons.

Keep in mind that I assist in 8 lessons during the week at my Junior High, and I do the same lessons in each class, therefore I only ever have to plan / make / photocopy things once. The teacher will give me the focus phrase for the week and I try and come up with an interesting way that they can learn and practise it. This week it was "Have you ever...?". (It's a little bit different to the game "I never, never" which is one we all know and love.) I made a game which simulated naughts and crosses but each square on the grid already had a question in it. When they asked their opponent a question, they marked that box and waited for the reply. The aim, get 4 in a row. They loved it and even I got in on the action.

4. Look through bizarre catalogues.

Every week or so there comes a wad of Japanese home-order type catalogues filled with goods ranging from clothing and footwear to foods and gadgets. I always look forward to scanning through them as I have often found good examples for the 'What the?' section on this blog. Here is the latest in gadgetry in Japan...

It is a breath tester! It has a scale on which it tells you how good (or bad) your breath smells! Who buys these things?

3. Marking

This is purely voluntary! I often remind teachers that I am happy to help mark English papers any time. Ms Kawarai often takes me up on the offer which suits me fine, and keeps me busy for 20 minutes or so! Students complete at least 2 drill sheets per week. Multiply that by 20 students in a 1st grade English class and 18 classes of 1st grade English classes and that is a whole lot of paper! Here is the biggest pile I have had to mark at one time so far. It was great! The one thing I had to get used to here was that a tick mean WRONG and a circle means OK. They also draw their circles clockwise starting at the bottom left. If a whole section of work is correct they do a huge swirl over the top. It looks pretty. I've got into the swing of things now and love marking Japanese style!

2. Reading
This is easily my new favourite hobby. There's nothing better than sitting down and getting lost in a world of fantasy. I get lost in that world for hours a day! Don't you just hate me right now? I do, however, sometimes have to fight my drooping eyelids due to the lack of body movement and stimuli around! Nonetheless I have quickly grown to love reading and am about to start my next book.

Here it is, the big 'ichi ban' (number #1)...

1.Using the computer.

I have just about lived on the computer this year. It is my connection to a world that speaks English...it is my connection to family and friends...it is my connection to the latest world events (thanks to ninemsn.com and Adelaidenow.com) and of course a connection to blogspot.com so I can write this blog for you! I barely feel out of the loop due to the amazing technology of the Internet! Bless it's little cotton socks.

What I do at school... Jono

Since being in Japan many people have questioned what if any work I actually do. Let me state for the record I am very busy at school... I read much more than I ever have in my adult life (I think I've read 17 books so far, the majority at school), I count the roof tiles in the teachers room (200), I attempted to study Japanese but found that doing nothing was impairing my ability to concentrate, I look at the pictures of the sports newspaper (as I can't read the articles), I have 7 fantasy sports teams (NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL, NRL, SUPER 14, AFL (I also participated in the cricket world cup fantasy competition and the premier league one isn't too far away)), I know all the Aston Villa news, both fact and transfer gossip and am waiting eagerly for MON to strengthen the squad... just out of interest Diego Forlan, Wes Sneidjer and a Marlon Harewoodare all rumored to be on their way to the midlands (rumour only!), so as you can see I am very busy!

But, when I have spare time I think and dream of being a tv show host. I think in the style of Letterman because I love his top 10's... So, in between dreams I have compiled the top 10 differences between Japanese and Aussie schools according to me... Here they are...

1. Seniority means less work, not more. Whilst everybody works stupid hours, the Principal sits at his desk in open view and reads the paper.

2. Students are dragged into rooms by the ears... The rest is seen and not heard... In Oz, it would be seen and heard... On ACA and Today Tonight and finally in court!

3. Teachers can poke students up... well, use your imagination... and still have a job!

4. Sleeping is acceptable in the staffroom... If only in Australia...

5. Students in Japan run along the outside of the windows whilst class is on... That is along the third story window ledge... I guess at least they're still on site!

6. Teachers here are disappointed when one student is away... I'm disappointed when only one student is away!

7. Teachers run to class 5 minutes early and walk back to class 5 minutes late... I run to the staff room 5 minutes early and avoid going back to class at all costs!

8.Teachers work extremely long hours here... Usually around ten hours a day... The curriculum is from a text book and students do a lot of the marking. Am I the only Aussie teacher who wouldn't hang around?

9. As with tradition here, it is important to wear the correct shoes inside. I'm stoked if my students even wear shoes!

10. In Japan, my desk is the tidiest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Out of 50 desks, me, my, I own the tidiest desk!!!! The most organised!

Please note... these are the views solely of the author and reflect nobody else's views but my own (although I have a sneaking suspicion others may agree with me, or be really offended and disagreeable!! Also, my teaching stories may have been slightly exaggerated purely for comic effect (I have never seen students walk along the window ledge on the third storey. That happpened at Jodi's school!)! JDG)