Awkward Turtle

Last week, I returned a corrected assignment to a student. She had translated some Japanese sentences into English. A Japanese teacher of English (JTE) was walking with us. I complimented the student on her work, but I pointed out some sentences that I didn't understand. Then, I was in the middle of telling her that her grammar was mostly good, when the English teacher told me that she had in fact written most of the sentences. I didn't know what to say.

Awkward turtle.

And why had the teacher done most of the work? >_<

M.I.A.

I think it's time to put up a missing persons ad. After all, a certain Californian neglected her blog for the entire month of October. I would say she's been M.I.A., but missing in action does not seem like an appropriate description, I think.

Because, on the contrary, this Californian has been going back and forth between schools -- coaching students for speech contests and helping students prepare for university entrance exams -- getting involved in the community, and enduring the Halloween madness at schools. (As a cultural ambassador, I am strongly encouraged to teach about Halloween, and expected to be really excited about it. I decided to embrace it this year!) In addition to all of that, I've also been trying to study more Japanese. I started up lessons again. Currently, there's a battle dawning between my inner nerd and my gym rat tendencies. Don't feel sorry for me, though. I make the time to have a little fun here and there. ;)

So, ironic as it may be, I will apologize for being M.I.A. until someone comes up with a better acronym. I would do it, but as you've just read, I have bigger fish to fry. (As a vegetarian, can I even use that idiom?)

またね！

Memories from Taiwan: Every Child is an Artist

“Everychild is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once wegrow up.” - Picasso

While I was in Taipei, my friend Lisa took me to the National Museum of History of Taiwan. The museum featured a temporary exhibit, brought from Paris, of some of Picasso's work. It was there, in the entrance of the museum, that I read Picasso's quote about the inner artist we lose after childhood. I didn't take the time to fully contemplate the quote, but it touched me enough to jot it down.

After the museum, Lisa and I spent our morning trying local food. Lisa showed me from shop to shop, excitedly pointing out her favorite foods and ordering several dishes for us to try. I just as happily savored every bite, while she casually told me about her family and which dishes they preferred. I learned that her grandfather loves brown rice milk, that her family dips a certain pastry into soy milk before taking a bite, and that her mother prepares some of the same dishes we were trying. Trying new food tastes so much better when accompanied by someone else's recounting of memories, and in turn, those flavors remain rich and are easier to lock into memory.

Afterour mid-morning meal, Lisa and I took a taxi to the Taipei 101 Tower. We were short on time, as Lisa had wanted to spend every minute possible being my tour guide before going to work. On the ride over, the taxi driver repeated to Lisa that I was very beautiful. I was surprised to hear this, and I realized that it had been a very, very long time since a male stranger had complimented me on my appearance. Because frankly, Japanese men don't say much in that regard. I could walk around with an air of confidence that would command a doubletake back home, but only cause a few slight glances in this country. Maybe this is one of the reasons why some Japanese women plaster their naturally lovely faces with so much makeup.... Anyways, enough of that.

After the taxi ride, I had to say a quick goodbye to Lisa. My wonderful host was late to work! I gave her a hug and a big “thank you” –just in time for her to catch the last flicker of the green light in the intersection, and rush over to her workplace. I was alone again, feeling especially tiny under that massive tower. So, what did I do?It was all to easy to solve, my high was waiting right in front of me. I went up Taipei 101.

Theview was spectacular, and the fee entrance included a self-guided audio tour. I had a good time listening to the guide and searching in the landscape for landmarks it mentioned. At the end though, I wished someone had been there with me. I have no problem being alone, but there is something unnatural about solitude when coming from a large family. I don't resent solitude, and sometimes I even welcome her,but she is still a stranger to me. Even though we have become more acquainted with each other this past year, that doesn't change. Will it ever?

I headed down from the tower and walked into the posh mall downstairs. I wanted access to the internet, to look up the address of a vegan restaurant nearby. I noticed there was a Starbucks in the food court, so I turned on my phone's wireless internet and headed for the coffeeshop that symbolizes free internet access, worldwide: Starbucks. Before arriving at Starbucks, though, I saw that my phone had picked up a signal from the Mos Burger place to my left. I decided to buy coffee from the place, in hopes that I would be handed a receipt with a WiFi password of some sort. But, it was a no-go. The cashier told me that there was no internet, and referred me to the information desk. I was perplexed, as my phone marked a signal from that fast food restaurant. I opened the internet browser on my phone, and read that there was internet in that spot, but that I needed a Taiwanese phone number or credit card to access it. I could have headed to Starbucks to search for internet, but I already had a cup of coffe ein hand. Oh, the irony. Instead, I searched for a place to sit and drink my coffee.

Most of the tables were full, but I noticed a mostly empty table next to the McDonalds. There was only a woman and two children sitting on one end, and an empty stroller parked on the opposite end. I gestured at a seat in the middle of the table and asked the woman if I could sit down, just in case. She nodded her head, so I sat down. The two kids looked up at me curiously, while nibbling on their fries. I disregarded it as a reaction to my foreigness. I took my journal out of my bag and started to write. I looked up for a second, and realized that the family had grown in numbers. There were two more children sitting near me – one in the seat next to me – and both watching me intently as they sipped on their drink and ate their burgers. Then, more children starting appearing around me, trickling towards the table. Soon, the owner of the stroller and her small child joined the group. One by one, the seats around me starting filling up, and before I could understand what was going on, there were ten little faces looking at me -- some quickly losing interest, as others tilted their head in amusement as they pondered over my presence. The empty seats had all been filled, and the two women on opposite ends started chatting with each other across the table. It was then that I realized that the two women knew each other, and that these two families were dining together. I had crashed this family's dining hour. We must have looked very odd together, or should I say, I must have looked very odd among them. The women seemed to take no notice of me, but I'm sure they were aware of the hilarity of my presence. Before I got up to leave, the little girl in front of me gave me a very toothy grin. I couldn't help but giggle, and soon, there were five or six little Taiwanese children giggling with me. My little artists, they had probably created a life story for me as they watched me and contemplated why this stranger had sat down amid their family. Finally, they must have wondered why I had fallen into a giggling fit before departing.

You were right, Picasso. Every child is an artist. And the problem is remaining one as we get older. I tried to take the childrens' curiosity and lightheartedness with me as I explored the rest of Taipei. And believe it or not, this is much easier to do when roaming a foreign city, alone.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, Part 2

Now, I present to you a random collection of photos that describe daily life in Japan. Or moments that made an impression.

Imagine you have no knowledge of the Japanese language... would you know how to work this microwave? If you're like me, then the answer is no, and you too would be very grateful for the little pictures that hint at the buttons' functions. And in debt to your Japanese friend who kindly translated them all for you. As for now, I don't claim to know everything that is written on the microwave, but it has gotten better. Regardless, I will never take an American microwave for granted, ever again.

Clean public transportation! Major win for this country! Thank you, Japan =)

The excitement of finding cookies with the same name as one of your Japanese-American friends =)

Finding clothes with your state's name written on it...

Squatting toilets. 'Nough said.

Wait. I take that back. Instructions on how to use a western toilet. O_o Please, no one confuse it for a squatting toilet...

Fake eyelashes = instant makeover.


A match made in heaven: mochi and green tea.


Scenery on my way to work.


Just another street performace in Osaka. This one got broken up by the police.


I don't trust any hairstylist other than my hairstylist at home. Not a huge problem, but the bangs can get out of hand.


It's actually quite easy to get your five minutes of fame in Japan.


One of my three birthday cakes this year. (I know, I'm a lucky girl! =D) This one was a homemade roll cake from my English club students.

"Th-th-th-that's all folks!" Stay tuned for the pictures of Engrish. Those are too good to not share.

Farewell, Summer Vacation

Summer weather is still here, typhoons and mosquitoes included, but summer vacation is coming to an end. Tomorrow is the opening ceremony at most public schools in Hyogo, and classes will soon recommence.

I will try not to complain too much about the end of summer, it has been a great one! Different in many respects, but one of my most memorable summers. A summer full of firsts: first time spending the entire summer away from home, first time having a full-time job, and first time traveling to another Asian country!

Obviously, I owe you some stories. But not tonight.

Instead, I will leave you with a random collection of mishaps and adventures, perhaps from this summer, but most likely not. Chronology, who needs it all the time? As the Japanese often say (this one is for you Lorrie), please enjoy!

Bits and pieces of Japan, bullet point edition:

• I accidentally made rice using the oatmeal setting on my rice cooker. The outcome: soggy rice. Bleh.
  
• Mixing natto with cheese. Bad, bad idea. Busted my theory that everything goes well with cheese.
  
• Getting a 10% discount on a desk at a second-hand shop. The employee claimed it was a discount for not needing a delivery service. My friends, who have shopped there before, have never heard of such a thing. Either way, I then proceeded to carry the desk to my apartment on the second floor, without help, without an elevator, and after having jaywalked across a large main street. I'm living life on the edge, mates. =p
  
• Also, I got a 40% discount at the movie theater once. The cashier asked to see my gaijin (foreigner) card, and then gave me discounts for my friends as well. It was another mystery discount, as I have never come across it again.
• I accidentally walked into the men's restroom... on several occasions. I'm sorry, Japan, but blue signs don't necessarily scream "male" in my head. And I must have (finally) developed some aversion to the color pink.
  
• My students often ask me if I have a boyfriend. I tell them it's a secret. This pipes up their interest. They insist on getting a concrete answer. So, I name my imaginary boyfriends as I count them with my fingers. The final count: seven. I tell them that I have one for every day of the week. Never a dull day of the week, I say. I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted when they believe me. And now, I am a legend among the third year boys.
• Kelly, "How are you?" Students, "I'mfinethankyouandyou."
  
• Yes, these could all be detailed blog posts. I realize. I need to blog more. Will work on that. Sorryloveyoubuhbye.

Goodbye, summer vacay! The typhoons can stay, they make for cooler weather. But the mosquitoes, please take them with you. Please, I beg...

Falling in Love, Again.

When I first walked into my current gym, it was love at first sight.

And now, I'm still in, as deep as day one. Lately, I have been very good about going regularly, and my body is thanking me. I feel so energized, despite the heat.

Last week, I managed to go to the gym six times. SIX TIMES! I didn't go on Monday, and that's because my gym is closed every Monday. I know, I gave myself a pat on the back already. And I normally don't reward myself with sweets, because it's counterproductive, but I bought myself cake. I mean, six times! I deserved it...

However, my muscles weren't too happy about the extra work, and as I was stretching on Sunday afternoon, I felt that I could really use a massage. And then, I remembered the massage chairs. Oh, how could I have forgotten about you, wonderful chairs?

I entered the room with the massage chairs, fumbled with the manual a bit, and after pressing a few buttons on the remote control, and inserting my arms into the fancy arm rests and positioning my legs on the foot rest, it was instant bliss. For fifteen minutes, the massage chair worked its magic on my forearms, entire back, legs, and feet. Seriously, how could I have forgotten about you, massage chairs??!?!?! Sorry, my loves, for abandoning you, I'll be back soon to visit. I promise. I'm absolutely smitten. haha

Not only am I extremely pleased with the facility, but I'm also very happy with the friends I have made. My gym support group has positively impacted my personal life, I've realized. While my parents and sister were visiting, I didn't go to the gym. They were here for two weeks, and then it took me one week to get back into the swing of things. So, I returned to the gym after a three-week absence. I didn't think people would notice, but they did. And I could tell that they really cared about me, and that they didn't simply want to gossip about my absence (well, not everyone at least haha). Two of the women looked especially worried. They asked if I had been sick, or if I had been overstressed by work. I told them about my parents' visit, and their eyes lit up. They looked so happy to hear that part of my family had visited. Then, when I told them that I was feeling a bit lonely, one lightly squeezed my shoulder and reassured me that I'd be ok. She gestured at the group around me and assured me that they were my family away from home. Everyone nodded in agreement. I was so touched. A week later, that woman approached me and asked me if I was feeling better. I was just as touched by the fact that she had followed up. My gym friends are really wonderful, and I am glad that they look out for me, and push me to try new classes, and comfort me when I fail, such as when I almost fell during a step aerobics class... But I'll save that story for another time.

Aside from the people who make the gym special, the service is incredible. The staff is quick to fix any problem, and they always have a solution for everything. Today, I forgot my workout pants, and to my delight, I discovered that I could rent a pair by using the points on my account. And to earn said points, I simply have to show up. No problem! I have used those points to rent towels in the past.

Now, I know that no love is perfect. But I am willing to overlook certain things. Even willing to overlook the comments that some of the elderly people say. Most fresh on my mind is the comment that an elderly woman said last week. She complimented my new workout shirt and said that it made me look slim, and as a result it made my front assets look bigger. I'm sure you can guess what she was referring to. I didn't need to guess, as she was practically touching me. Being able to understand more and more Japanese has its cons sometimes. Rarely, but it does.

Love is blind, and this time I don't mind. I'm currently spending a lot of my free time at the gym, and it feels good. Today's aerobic and zumba class were especially fun, and I even gathered the courage to chat up the zumba instructor before class. A Gipsy Kings song was playing, and I mentioned to him that I sometimes sing it at karaoke. And then, during class, we moved to Daddy Yankee's “Lo Que Paso, Paso.” I have some great memories of dancing to that song with my sisters and cousins in Rosarito, Mexico. Good fun then, and good fun tonight. And to the usual person who gives “un grito” (basically, “makes some noise”) when the songs and the moves get good, I really, really appreciate you! You're so Latino and you don't even know it. =)

As you can probably guess, I'm currently writing on an endorphin high. I find it's the perfect fix for getting anything done on an unbearably humid summer night.

And now, to download some of the songs I heard tonight. Good night =)

P.S. Happy Birthday, Gittel Paola Aguilar!

Lazy Summer Days

My alarm rings, I reluctantly tear off my eye mask and attempt to wake myself up. If the bright sunlight pouring in through the curtains doesn't do the trick, then I reach for my phone and play some John Legend or Black Eyed Peas, in order to bribe my brain into waking up enough to sing along. During the winter, the smell of hot oatmeal in the rice cooker is enough to get me up. But during the summer, I can't fathom the thought of anything hot, since I feel as if I'm slowly cooking throughout the night. Yet, sleeping with the air conditioning feels too cold; it's not hot enough for that just yet. I don't know why, ask my hypothalamus (I had to google what controls our body temperature haha)... Just a typical summer "rise and shine".

School's out for summer, so there aren't many kids cycling to school. They'll come out to play later, but if they're not wearing their uniforms, I wouldn't be able to recognize most of them anyways. Since there aren't any classes, there is no morning staff meeting, so I don't need to arrive early. I can roll in at a comfortable hour of 8:30AM. The extra ten minutes allow me to see some of the post 8:20AM action in the neighborhood around my school. The other day, I discovered a small group of senior ladies that gather in a small residential street to do radio taiso (calisthenics) together. Everyone and their mom (and their grandma) in Japan know how to do radio taiso. It's a radio broadcast exercise routine first introduced in 1928, later banned at the end of WWII for being too reminiscent of the military, and then modified and reintroduced in 1951. If you tune in to the NHK channel at 6:15AM, you'll be able to follow along and have your try at radio taiso. They teach it at school, and some employers have their employees do it together to build company morale. And these senior ladies in my school's neighborhood start their morning with some radio calisthenics, though if they are anything like my grandparents, they have been awake for hours. I wish I could capture the moment into a jar, in order to call upon it whenever I wanted to: the background music, the old women synchronized in their movements, the charming little street and the rice field nearby. Just a typical summer morning in the neighborhood.

I arrive at school, and about half of the teachers are here. Some are on vacation. A few students trickle in and out, partaking in club activities or extra lessons. It's quiet all day, and I sometimes roam the school looking for clubs to visit and students to talk to. I think the broadcasting club now expects my visit every afternoon. Although I think the teachers are not as busy during the summer, they sure seem just as busy. They are pros at this. I feel bad for interrupting their work if they are genuinely busy, but I try to practice my Japanese with them whenever I can. Just a typical summer day in the office...

Today, an English teacher asked me if I must come to school everyday. I let out a sigh and said, "yes, the Board of Education mandates it." She gave me a knowing look and apologetic smile. Don't worry ma'am, it's not your fault. Sigh. I tell her of my plan to clean and rid the LL room of boxes of old stickers that no longer stick, yellow paged magazines, and other English relics of the past. But that's not until next week. I know I sound like a slacker, but there's only so much lesson planning you can do without an active teaching experience with live feedback. And teaching English conversation is all about feedback. I open my Japanese textbook and attempt to study, but I'm not fooling anyone, my longing gaze aimed outside the window speaks for itself... I think I'll just doze off and dream of my summer plans =)

These are lazy summer days, and not the kind I prefer...