I spent the evening making things. I bought a plain canvas bag today and decided to paint on it. its turning out pretty cool. I like it anyway. And I found this do-it-yourself computer cozy online so I decided to do-it-myself, but I couldn't find felt big enough, so I had to be a little bit innovative, however it didn't workout so well. I'm going to try to salvage it in the morning, if not, will just make something else out of the felt. Like a little felt board like one of my teachers had in grade school.
Anyway. I had a rather eventful day. Kim and I ate Indian food for lunch it was delicious! I love it! Then we to the Yamato Museum. The famous Japanese warship "Yamato" was built in the Kure shipyards during WWII, so that is our claim to fame. The museum was nice. Very informative. I found out that Kure was completely obliterated by American air raids on Japan during WWII. And I also got to make a little origami spinner like the leaf/seed spinners that fall off the trees. I know you know what I'm talking about, I think I used to call them helicopters...but that doesn't mean anything. It was fun.
Well, I'm going to go to sleep now.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentines Day!
Ok, so more ridiculous/funny things from the students:
Remember the girl (Kanon) who was crying because the boy (Shion) didn't come to class. Well, we were talking about initials yesterday, and I ask everyone their initials:
Kanon: Mine are KY
Misato: Mine are MKK
Shion: Mine are ST....hm, Kanon, Kanon Taniguchi, KT...see, it's a good fit
See, even they know they're going to get married. 7, they're 7.
One of my adult students brought me cake today for valentines day. She was nervous because she made it, and its chocolate, and chocolate cake is much harder to make than a regular cake. So, I thank her and ask her about her weekend. Her response is usually, "It was fine, my kid and my husband played baseball" (it's 30 degrees, and they play outside, insane!) But this week I say, "Did you do anything fun?" To which her response was an excited "Yes" followed by "Rui and his classmates played dodgeball. Oh, and my husband went to the dentist." I'm thinking, what...how is this fun. So I ask, "Why did your husband go to the dentist?" She says, "He was drunk, and he couldn't stand straight, and he fell down and no teeth" And then she laughed for like 5 minutes. it was hilarious! And then she said that Her husband was backing out of the drive way (Not drunk) and the back door was open and he didn't know, so he hit it on the fence and now it's broken. It was a great class. She has been quite talkative lately, which is good. She's so funny.
Another of my adult students came to class 40 minutes late. Class is only 50 minutes. So we had a ten minute class today. I like her.
ST from the story earlier was talking about the girl he likes who's in fifth grade (he's in first) and I said that she was a bit older than him. He responded with "Yeah, but it could work because my dad's 33 and my mom's....well, I can't tell you, she'd be mad."
Remember the girl (Kanon) who was crying because the boy (Shion) didn't come to class. Well, we were talking about initials yesterday, and I ask everyone their initials:
Kanon: Mine are KY
Misato: Mine are MKK
Shion: Mine are ST....hm, Kanon, Kanon Taniguchi, KT...see, it's a good fit
See, even they know they're going to get married. 7, they're 7.
One of my adult students brought me cake today for valentines day. She was nervous because she made it, and its chocolate, and chocolate cake is much harder to make than a regular cake. So, I thank her and ask her about her weekend. Her response is usually, "It was fine, my kid and my husband played baseball" (it's 30 degrees, and they play outside, insane!) But this week I say, "Did you do anything fun?" To which her response was an excited "Yes" followed by "Rui and his classmates played dodgeball. Oh, and my husband went to the dentist." I'm thinking, what...how is this fun. So I ask, "Why did your husband go to the dentist?" She says, "He was drunk, and he couldn't stand straight, and he fell down and no teeth" And then she laughed for like 5 minutes. it was hilarious! And then she said that Her husband was backing out of the drive way (Not drunk) and the back door was open and he didn't know, so he hit it on the fence and now it's broken. It was a great class. She has been quite talkative lately, which is good. She's so funny.
Another of my adult students came to class 40 minutes late. Class is only 50 minutes. So we had a ten minute class today. I like her.
ST from the story earlier was talking about the girl he likes who's in fifth grade (he's in first) and I said that she was a bit older than him. He responded with "Yeah, but it could work because my dad's 33 and my mom's....well, I can't tell you, she'd be mad."
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
I love my kids!
So, I have kids say and do ridiculous things all the time here are some of the stories:
2 weeks ago I was chatting with one of my 13 year old students the conversation is as follows:
K:" Molly, how did George Bush become President"
M: "I'm not so sure, why?"
K: "Well. he's not so good at English."
M: "I know, your English is better than his!"
K:"I know. That's bad."
Last week one of my students was sick with the flu so he couldn't come to class. One of the other students cried for the 1st 15 minutes of class because he wasn't coming. They're 7 and I'm convinced they will get married one day.
Today one of my favs (whom I usually have to growl at like a bear, or talk to like i'm a pirate) told me that he didn't live in a house:
M: Is your house red?
S: No.
M: Is it purple?
S: No
M: Do you live in a house?
S: No
M: Do you live in a cave?
S: (smiling and laughing) YES!
M: What color is your cave?
S: It's grey.
M: Are there pirates in your cave?
S: YES!!
M: Is your mom a pirate?
S: YES!!!
Then I pretended to be deathly afraid of pirates. It was awesome, he loved it.
The same kid (5 minutes later) thought it would be funny to pull off my socks. so he steals my slippers and "hides" them in his bag and then starts pulling...but I was wearing stockings, so they weren't coming off. Needless to say he was really confused! So he keeps tugging and then gets the idea to tie my stockings together. I wish I could have taken a picture, but I didn't have a camera. It was hilarious. Then he tied his own together. He's 4.
This morning my one baby came to class and didn't do anything but run in circles and giggle. It was so cute.
One of my newest students accidently said "I like cupeppers" instead of cucumbers. it was cute. She stopped and made a silly face, like "what did I just say?"
Ok, i'm going to bed!
2 weeks ago I was chatting with one of my 13 year old students the conversation is as follows:
K:" Molly, how did George Bush become President"
M: "I'm not so sure, why?"
K: "Well. he's not so good at English."
M: "I know, your English is better than his!"
K:"I know. That's bad."
Last week one of my students was sick with the flu so he couldn't come to class. One of the other students cried for the 1st 15 minutes of class because he wasn't coming. They're 7 and I'm convinced they will get married one day.
Today one of my favs (whom I usually have to growl at like a bear, or talk to like i'm a pirate) told me that he didn't live in a house:
M: Is your house red?
S: No.
M: Is it purple?
S: No
M: Do you live in a house?
S: No
M: Do you live in a cave?
S: (smiling and laughing) YES!
M: What color is your cave?
S: It's grey.
M: Are there pirates in your cave?
S: YES!!
M: Is your mom a pirate?
S: YES!!!
Then I pretended to be deathly afraid of pirates. It was awesome, he loved it.
The same kid (5 minutes later) thought it would be funny to pull off my socks. so he steals my slippers and "hides" them in his bag and then starts pulling...but I was wearing stockings, so they weren't coming off. Needless to say he was really confused! So he keeps tugging and then gets the idea to tie my stockings together. I wish I could have taken a picture, but I didn't have a camera. It was hilarious. Then he tied his own together. He's 4.
This morning my one baby came to class and didn't do anything but run in circles and giggle. It was so cute.
One of my newest students accidently said "I like cupeppers" instead of cucumbers. it was cute. She stopped and made a silly face, like "what did I just say?"
Ok, i'm going to bed!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
So I've been thinking...
Moving to the other side of the planet has a way of teaching you things about yourself that you may not have learned otherwise.
Lesson of the evening:
I'm either completely insatiable or I'm in the wrong place doing the wrong thing.
Don't get me wrong here, I really have very few complaints about living in Japan. It's teaching me things, I'm having fun, my job is easy, I'm accomplishing my one of my life goals ( to live in another country for atleast a year) **Side note, I'm 22 years old and accomplished all of my goals, pretty kick ass i must say** Anyway, my life here is very comfortable but I think that is the problem. I don't want to be comfortable I personally think that one grows more when they are uncomfortable.
Mom if you are reading this, yes, this is quite close to your out of your box theory. And somehow I've managed to move so far away and yet remain in my box. Not entirely. I mean I've had to make significant stretches in my personality, some people here think that I'm rather outgoing and god forbid, bubbly. So that's out of my box in some ways, but I'm not being challenged.
My weekdays are filled by mindless english lessons, teaching simple phrases like "I want a hamburger. I want a cookie. etc." My kids are fantastic and I love them, but I'm just not making the impact on the world that I feel like I should be.
Danielle brought to my attention that I am still doing meaningful work, I teach children. This comment was not lost on me. I agree, I do see that I am doing something, it's just not what I want to be doing. I'm not learning (mostly due to a lack of self discipline, so that I can't complain about), I make much more than my Japanese counterparts and do probably less than half the work, I go shopping...alot. I spend ridiculous amounts of money on food.
I should be feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, housing the homeless, hearing peoples stories, etc. But then I wonder if I'm desiring those things for selfish reasons? Or is that truly where my heart is...but honestly if I feel so emotional about it, I suppose that is a silly question. I remember telling someone once that I wanted to help people who had significant problems (yes I realize that all problems are significant in their own regard, but you know what I mean) I just don't see not speaking english in an asian country with no intention of leaving as a significant problem.
I need to get away...
Lesson of the evening:
I'm either completely insatiable or I'm in the wrong place doing the wrong thing.
Don't get me wrong here, I really have very few complaints about living in Japan. It's teaching me things, I'm having fun, my job is easy, I'm accomplishing my one of my life goals ( to live in another country for atleast a year) **Side note, I'm 22 years old and accomplished all of my goals, pretty kick ass i must say** Anyway, my life here is very comfortable but I think that is the problem. I don't want to be comfortable I personally think that one grows more when they are uncomfortable.
Mom if you are reading this, yes, this is quite close to your out of your box theory. And somehow I've managed to move so far away and yet remain in my box. Not entirely. I mean I've had to make significant stretches in my personality, some people here think that I'm rather outgoing and god forbid, bubbly. So that's out of my box in some ways, but I'm not being challenged.
My weekdays are filled by mindless english lessons, teaching simple phrases like "I want a hamburger. I want a cookie. etc." My kids are fantastic and I love them, but I'm just not making the impact on the world that I feel like I should be.
Danielle brought to my attention that I am still doing meaningful work, I teach children. This comment was not lost on me. I agree, I do see that I am doing something, it's just not what I want to be doing. I'm not learning (mostly due to a lack of self discipline, so that I can't complain about), I make much more than my Japanese counterparts and do probably less than half the work, I go shopping...alot. I spend ridiculous amounts of money on food.
I should be feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, housing the homeless, hearing peoples stories, etc. But then I wonder if I'm desiring those things for selfish reasons? Or is that truly where my heart is...but honestly if I feel so emotional about it, I suppose that is a silly question. I remember telling someone once that I wanted to help people who had significant problems (yes I realize that all problems are significant in their own regard, but you know what I mean) I just don't see not speaking english in an asian country with no intention of leaving as a significant problem.
I need to get away...
Friday, January 11, 2008
short annecdote
It's been a while again, but my excuse is that I was on a week long vacation during which I actually did feel like I had vacated my life, I did hardly anything but eat, drink, and read books...Oh and then there was the day that Brenna and I walked from the middle of the island to the coast of the island just to find out that the restaurant we were going to go to was closed and didn't open until 6...it was 3. so we walked back. 3 hours of walking total. It was fun though.
Anyway, I can elaborate on that later although there isn't much to tell, so we'll see. Today at work is what the entry was inspired by. I have this little emotion face thing, its basically like a little smiley face flip chart made of construction paper circles folded and glued together with faces representing different emotions (angry, happy, sad, and sleepy), well some of my kids were fighting over it the other day and they ripped apart two of the circles, soooo, today I decided to glue them back together. I got out this glue:
(which I remember having in like 2nd grade). I guess it had never been used before, but at the time I didn't know that, so I was squeezing it, but no glue was coming out. So I unscrewed the lid and examined it, I could see that there was a plastic thing covering the hole so I'm trying to poke it with some scissors and a razor knife but its not working so I just squeezed it and boom, off pops the little plastic thing and glue shoots all over my face and into my hair. of course.
i swear, my life is ridiculous.
Anyway, I can elaborate on that later although there isn't much to tell, so we'll see. Today at work is what the entry was inspired by. I have this little emotion face thing, its basically like a little smiley face flip chart made of construction paper circles folded and glued together with faces representing different emotions (angry, happy, sad, and sleepy), well some of my kids were fighting over it the other day and they ripped apart two of the circles, soooo, today I decided to glue them back together. I got out this glue:
(which I remember having in like 2nd grade). I guess it had never been used before, but at the time I didn't know that, so I was squeezing it, but no glue was coming out. So I unscrewed the lid and examined it, I could see that there was a plastic thing covering the hole so I'm trying to poke it with some scissors and a razor knife but its not working so I just squeezed it and boom, off pops the little plastic thing and glue shoots all over my face and into my hair. of course.i swear, my life is ridiculous.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Merry Christmas Eve Eve!
It's almost been a month since I typed a blog. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, I can't believe it! In some ways my friend and I decided Japan is more Christmasy than home...which at the time seemed true, but I just realized he's from Canada, so I guess we can't really agree on that can we? Thats hilarious. Oh well. It's real weird that it's not really cold here and I haven't watched A Christmas Story. I did walk by a church today and saw a nativity scene. That was Christmasy, and there is Christmas music playing in the streets of Hiroshima, but it just isn't the same. I think part of it has to do with the fact that I actually have to ask my students if they exchange gifts or even celebrate Christmas. Some of them don't, to them its just another day. Which I understand, but that doesn't make it any less strange to hear.
My friend Megan had her baby! Mallory Claire. I'm so sad that I couldn't be there with her! =(
Her baby will almost be a year old when I get home, that's so bizarre! Aww, sad.
Work is fine, Japan is still fun. I'm going to Tokyo next week! I'm leaving Friday actually, I'm so excited! WHAAA!
Last weekend I was hanging out with my friend Niko in Hiroshima, we decided to go
on a search for ridiculous t-shirts (an ever so popular commodity in Japan) **I'm pretty sure it's a major stretch to use commodity there, but I'm going to do so anyway** Anyway, this is what we ended up with. Niko's has the same santa face, but sometimes blurred. And mine says " The hippopotamus barks at the rainbow". Just think about that for a while.
The weekend before that, I went to Miyajima to hang out and on my way, I had a little adventure (some of you have already heard this, but here it goes again): It's a beautiful, slightly chilly day, I'm wearing my fantastic bright green skirt and a sweater and a jean jacket and some black winter boots. I've spent the first part of the day being a kind person taking my new co-worker out to lunch for her birthday. But my friend Patrick (who lives like 5 hours away) is visiting Hiroshima, so I'm kind of in a hurry to go and see him and my other two friends. So after lunch ends, I scurry on over to the station and see that a rapid train, which will get me to Hiroshima in 20 minutes instead of 45, is about to leave, So I run down the stairs and get there just in time to see the doors close and the train leave. This lovely old Japanese lady sees this misfortune of mine and tries to comfort me in Japanese, I assume she's saying something like "oh no, it looks like you just missed it, oh well, another train will come my dear" but I have no idea really, so I just say "Hai, hai, ok, desu" (yes yes it's ok or I'm ok, or something is ok) and take a seat. Not 2 seconds later another lovely old lady comes and offers me an orange. So I sit there with two old ladies and eat an orange. It was so cute.
Another train finally comes and I arrive in Hiroshima 45 minutes later. I look at the screen and see that my train is leaving from track one in 2 minutes (I'm at track 4) So I again take off running (which is highly discouraged in Japanese train stations) I make it down the stairs, see that the doors are still open and think to myself "YES!! I have done it, I will make this train," and as soon as this thought goes through my head..BOOOOOOM I fall down to the ground, on my hands and knees. My head phones fly off, stuff
spills out of my purse. All these people are like "diajobu desuka, diajobu desuka" (are you ok? are you ok?) and I stand up and shout "HAI, DIAJOBU DESU! (YES I'M OK!) and run on to the train fully packed with people who just saw me crash to the ground. Oh my goodness it was so hilarious! If could only you have seen it. Here is a picture of the bruises on my knees. They have just now gone away.
Ok, one more quick thing and one more picture before I go. I tried to make cookies.. and I have no oven... the following is what happened... I have no words.
My friend Megan had her baby! Mallory Claire. I'm so sad that I couldn't be there with her! =(
Her baby will almost be a year old when I get home, that's so bizarre! Aww, sad.
Work is fine, Japan is still fun. I'm going to Tokyo next week! I'm leaving Friday actually, I'm so excited! WHAAA!
Last weekend I was hanging out with my friend Niko in Hiroshima, we decided to go
on a search for ridiculous t-shirts (an ever so popular commodity in Japan) **I'm pretty sure it's a major stretch to use commodity there, but I'm going to do so anyway** Anyway, this is what we ended up with. Niko's has the same santa face, but sometimes blurred. And mine says " The hippopotamus barks at the rainbow". Just think about that for a while.The weekend before that, I went to Miyajima to hang out and on my way, I had a little adventure (some of you have already heard this, but here it goes again): It's a beautiful, slightly chilly day, I'm wearing my fantastic bright green skirt and a sweater and a jean jacket and some black winter boots. I've spent the first part of the day being a kind person taking my new co-worker out to lunch for her birthday. But my friend Patrick (who lives like 5 hours away) is visiting Hiroshima, so I'm kind of in a hurry to go and see him and my other two friends. So after lunch ends, I scurry on over to the station and see that a rapid train, which will get me to Hiroshima in 20 minutes instead of 45, is about to leave, So I run down the stairs and get there just in time to see the doors close and the train leave. This lovely old Japanese lady sees this misfortune of mine and tries to comfort me in Japanese, I assume she's saying something like "oh no, it looks like you just missed it, oh well, another train will come my dear" but I have no idea really, so I just say "Hai, hai, ok, desu" (yes yes it's ok or I'm ok, or something is ok) and take a seat. Not 2 seconds later another lovely old lady comes and offers me an orange. So I sit there with two old ladies and eat an orange. It was so cute.
Another train finally comes and I arrive in Hiroshima 45 minutes later. I look at the screen and see that my train is leaving from track one in 2 minutes (I'm at track 4) So I again take off running (which is highly discouraged in Japanese train stations) I make it down the stairs, see that the doors are still open and think to myself "YES!! I have done it, I will make this train," and as soon as this thought goes through my head..BOOOOOOM I fall down to the ground, on my hands and knees. My head phones fly off, stuff
spills out of my purse. All these people are like "diajobu desuka, diajobu desuka" (are you ok? are you ok?) and I stand up and shout "HAI, DIAJOBU DESU! (YES I'M OK!) and run on to the train fully packed with people who just saw me crash to the ground. Oh my goodness it was so hilarious! If could only you have seen it. Here is a picture of the bruises on my knees. They have just now gone away.Ok, one more quick thing and one more picture before I go. I tried to make cookies.. and I have no oven... the following is what happened... I have no words.
Friday, November 30, 2007
It's that time of year...
Where I begin to turn to Ryan Adams...and all that that entails. It's rather unfortunate that, as of yet, he will not be making to Japan. However, if anyone hears otherwise you had better let me know!
Anyhow, parent observation weeks are officially over! Thank God! I went and got tacos an a delicious little drink after work, I ran in to Yuka and Yuki, that was great! We are going out again in celebration tomorrow night. Hurray!
In my last class last night, I had these two 13 year old boys, they're totally my favorite, anyway. They get on these kicks were they say the same answer for every question, like
Me:" why is the grand canoyon famous?"
K &K : Because it's big.
Me: Ok, why is the Golden Gate Bridge famous?
K & K: Because it's big.
This goes on for like one more question and then i change the topic to the Tokyo tower, we talk for bit, then as kind of a joke, I ask "how big is the tokyo tower" obviously expecting.. "Its big" but no... One of them responds with.." It's 333 Km". Totally random.. who just knows that? Kaito, thats who. Crazy kids.
There's going to be a hairstyle change this weekend! It's about change. I'm so bored with the fact that I have to wear drab working clothes all week, I think i'm going to be as outrageous as possible this weekend. (Mom thats for you).
God, rereading this makes me sound about as interesting as a 2x4.
I'm reading 2 books right now. Thats impressive, yeah? I can't believe I have never read the Chronicles of Narnia. They are so good! My kids seemed pretty excited when I gave them the first section to read . I have two classes that are going to read them. some 10 year olds and 2 17 year olds.
By the way I got to eat three Thanksgivings. I even got to eat turkey, which was clearly not expected, but very well appreciated. And I helped bake a pumpkin pie. It was even kind of good. Brenna and I had to make it super fast. We had one hour until we had to be where we were going and it takes 55 minutes to bake and we hadn' t even started. by the way did I mention we baked it in the microwave? Yes, the microwaves in japan have an oven function. I haven't the slightest idea how to make mine work, but it's there.
Ok, I'm going to go read now.
Anyhow, parent observation weeks are officially over! Thank God! I went and got tacos an a delicious little drink after work, I ran in to Yuka and Yuki, that was great! We are going out again in celebration tomorrow night. Hurray!
In my last class last night, I had these two 13 year old boys, they're totally my favorite, anyway. They get on these kicks were they say the same answer for every question, like
Me:" why is the grand canoyon famous?"
K &K : Because it's big.
Me: Ok, why is the Golden Gate Bridge famous?
K & K: Because it's big.
This goes on for like one more question and then i change the topic to the Tokyo tower, we talk for bit, then as kind of a joke, I ask "how big is the tokyo tower" obviously expecting.. "Its big" but no... One of them responds with.." It's 333 Km". Totally random.. who just knows that? Kaito, thats who. Crazy kids.
There's going to be a hairstyle change this weekend! It's about change. I'm so bored with the fact that I have to wear drab working clothes all week, I think i'm going to be as outrageous as possible this weekend. (Mom thats for you).
God, rereading this makes me sound about as interesting as a 2x4.
I'm reading 2 books right now. Thats impressive, yeah? I can't believe I have never read the Chronicles of Narnia. They are so good! My kids seemed pretty excited when I gave them the first section to read . I have two classes that are going to read them. some 10 year olds and 2 17 year olds.
By the way I got to eat three Thanksgivings. I even got to eat turkey, which was clearly not expected, but very well appreciated. And I helped bake a pumpkin pie. It was even kind of good. Brenna and I had to make it super fast. We had one hour until we had to be where we were going and it takes 55 minutes to bake and we hadn' t even started. by the way did I mention we baked it in the microwave? Yes, the microwaves in japan have an oven function. I haven't the slightest idea how to make mine work, but it's there.
Ok, I'm going to go read now.
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