memories in the making

Feeling a little nostaligic, sappy and sentimental today. Just thinking about having to do the unthinkable and walk away from such special kids. Well, at least a few sluggers that I have really built a strong relationship with both in and out of class. Plus, I was able to get great workouts in at tennis and baseball practice! So, in no particular order of importance, here are some of my fave male students

(all of which are so UNjapanesey of course!)

Of course, Yusho, above, is probably the kid I will remember the most...I've blabbed enough about him so i will just leave it @

He is one of my best friends in Japan.

really gonna miss the tennis team (hideaki, toshiki, naoki, yuto and kiryu)

Daichi, above, has been my motivation in trying to get back into the running scene. He is one of Iwate's top runners and I so enjoy working out with him!

Naoya & Mitsutaka are always good for some laughs...and have decent english skills, which is always a bonus
Seiyu, Kiryu & Yuto...so great they deserve a second shot on here
...and there are SO many others, but in the effort of brevity, Ryuetsu is one that will surely be missed. we ate lunch together most days...sometimes in silence, sometimes in tears of laughter.

im pretty lucky to have so many special students (and these are just my favorites at Taneichi Jr High)....i'll have to post some Shukunohe Jr High faves later this week!

sayonara #1

Part I: Taneichi Elementary School
If pictures can somehow illustrate what would compel someone to never leave Japan, it is shots like those taken today. Today was the last stop @ this school; however, since it is the nearest school to my home, I know I will be dropping in for after school activities in the coming weeks. I just couldn't tell them "goodbye" today. Just look @ these faces, they are so genuinely happy. And the way they get along with one another, call me sappy, but seriously it is so beautiful to watch. I want to adopt Japanese children someday, and/or marry Hideaki Ito (pictured previously on my blog).
The emotions ran high, as the students knew it was my last 'official' visit to their school. The day's activities were extra fun...ranging from an animal barking quiz show to an outdoor art contest to karaoke-inspired dance contest. And I can honestly say the students learned more English, and English in which they can USE and therefore remember, than anything that goes on inside the junior high school english class. It's so rewarding to see students as engaged and excited about English as I am willing to teach them. If this job required 5 days a week @ an elementary school,

I would be staying on for another 5 years. It's too bad the lousy Japanese educational system, and lack of effective teaching technique, scares off people like me who really DO want to teach. BUT on the positive side, if it weren't for people like me who are willing to live in a place as foreign as Japan, many of these kids would go their entire school lives having never met someone who wasn't Japanese. It's quite the responsibility on our part; to be THE first exposure to foreign culture and foreign ideas. I wrongly assumed I would be walking into an English-receptive village. oops.

As sad as I am to say goodbye, I will do so in knowing that every day I gave them my best. I shared my culture, my philosophy, my country and myself. Though I came here to teach English, due to my placement in the most rural of places in Japan, immersion forced me to learn Japanese culture and language quickly. It wasn't what I was expecting, but sometimes the best things in life are made so through the unexpected. I have 92 days left in Japan, and probably another 307 opportunities to make a difference in this community...one day at a time.

s-h-u-s-o-f-t-b-a-l-l

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day. I caught the train about an hour south for one of my jr high school's softball tournaments. With sunscreen and semi-interpretable directions in hand, I set out to find the softball site (aka: an abandoned high school in the middle of absolutely no civilization). After 20 minutes of winding through the 'streets' (smaller and more run down than an 'alley' back home), I came to a fork in the road [enter above picture.] Was it just me and my notoriously wrong sense of direction to question the validity of my directions? This road didn't look the least bit promising: I could see no houses OR an end to the road in sight, and despite the numerous rice paddy fields on either side...even the farmers weren't in the fields. This time, I ignored my feelings of doubt and decided to let the powers that be guide me. 20 more minutes later, I ended up, as luck would have it, right where I was suppose to be. This walk offered reminded me of what it means to live in the countryside of Japan

.....and that there is, indeed, a God.
Shukunohe-chu's softball team is 20-2...#2 in the conference! Way to go GIRLS!
This was one of my more interesting pictures to come of the day...hard to believe that this is a meeting with the coach. Yes, the coach is crouched down directly in front of me. Do you notice that not one player is making eye contact with the coach, or anyone else for that matter. So Japanesey... And this is why I just can't obey every one of these cultural rules. It's STILL foreign to me!
From left to right, the infielders: Chisumi, Ayumi, Satomi and Natsumi.

(And yes, it has taken me a full 10 months to get their names straight.)

にてるね！がんばります！

These are the ichi-nens, who didn't get to play ONE inning, cos they are in their 'rookie' year. Interesting coaching philosophy, eh? Supposedly, softball is learned through observation. Gee, I hope the same isn't true for med-school.

おわりました。　"Sportsmanship Awards" aren't required in Japan. Japanese athletes use the same consideration and utmost respect both on and off the field. It continues to amaze me. Japan, as a whole, continues to challenge all of my previous philosophies and (mis)perceptions and conceptions of people, culture and .....well, Life.

paybacks

Well, its been a week of paybacks, and I'm officially exhausted and feel the beginnings of a pre-rainy-season cold on its way. Daichi, one of my fave students from Tane-chu, has invited to his home for his mother's MOST delicious meals a few times now...finally, they took me up on an offer to attempt a cooking showdown at my house. She won, it was delicious and I'm stuffed to the gills.

ViOLenCE in japan?

Preface: These pictures were not 'set up'. While viewing some old photos tonite, I noticed a common theme...why are all the boys posing with weapons in hand?! Is Japan more violent than I thought?
Of course, some students can totally pull of this studly showing of masculinity,...
but others are more blatantly badass. Keeps things interesting, but I must say this is the most gentle culture in the world. I never feel threatened, scared or nervous in the community. We are miles and miles away from the few social problems that plague Japan, so it is easy to turn a naive eye to the violence that happens, but is rarely reported, in the country. (ie. The 6:00 News briefly mentions anything negative, if at all. Their weather reports are insanely long (to compensate for the lack of news) and the 'variety' stories are plentiful. Maybe there is some truth to the 'out of sight, outta mind' theory...if you 'ignore' negative, you don't get much negative and everyone is focused on the positive side of life.
I'm told that Japan is quite violent. Look at the traditional Japanesey sports: kendo (swords), judo (intense anything goes wrestling), sumo (getting crushed by someone weighing 1/4 of a ton, and akido (martial arts w/ weaponry that is too scary to even lay hands on). On a semi-lighter side, you have the manga and anime books/movies with tons of shooting, murder and crime.

Kids are not as 'sheltered' from seeing violence as they are in the States. I don't think they enforce the 'movie theater rating scale' over here and it isn't uncommon to see some shoot-em-up movie on TV in the early morning or early evening (time slots usually reserved for 'family television' in the States.) I wouldn't know about this fascination with violence, if not for taking these pictures, as I never watch TV....but now its peaked my curiousity and I want to find out more about WHY a culture with so many people, in such a small space, with JUST as much VIOLENCE in the media at the USA....has just a trifle of crime and murder compared to the States. Why!? What is up with America!? More specifically, what is wrong with our students!? No respect for anyone, themselves included. No conscience for their wrongdoings at times. WHY!? Did I sleep through entire educational philosophy and pysch classes!?

I have only 2 months left in this country and it STILL amazes me how polarized American and Japanese cultures are. Trying to bridge these two cultures would take years and years and years, and the work of thousands of more people just like me (who are fluent in Japanese and have Master's Degrees in Japanese culture!).....and honestly, I'm tired. I'm just too tired to take up the challenge one more year here. So, August 19th I will arrive in Minnesota. Amongst a counry that can be so scary, mean, and disrespectful (oops.....obviously thats a sweeping generalization) BUT won't the freedom feel good!

Gonna take the good with the bad this time around.

PS: Ryuetsu's gun is a 'cap gun' used to start the races for the sports festival. Students won't even bring chewing gum into the classroom...a gun, .........yeah right.

thanks mayumi

ひさしぶりです！たのしかった！どうも！
Finally, I was able to repay 1/100 of the kindness you have shown me this year. My dinners are not nearly as edible as yours, but I'm hoping that 'the thought that counts' mentality in Japan will excuse my lack of culinary skills. Tonite was one of the first nites in a looooooooong time that i was just able to relax and enjoy English conversation...a welcomed change! Thanks for everything Mayumi, you are an incredible woman and friend!

Mt. Fuji...here we come! :)

umizaru

Today, I went to my first movie theater in Japan (along with the always-entertaining aid & company of some students). I had been waiting for the right movie to splurge on seeing...at nearly $20 a show, you can see why I was being selective. We decided to see "Umizaru: Limit of Love". Apparently it is a sequel, but having not seen the first part didn't matter as the story and the music were excellent... Truth be told, the lead actor was especially easy on the eyes (while the Japanese film was a bit heavy on the ears). Ito Hideaki, is the MOST exquisite human I have laid eyes on in quite awhile...oh and he can act too. ps: the story was a bit like Titanic meets Saving Private Ryan.

So ladies, do you want to see his 'acting skills'?
1. click on the link above for the movie website ....and then....
2. Under the "Special Movie" tab click on the "PLAY" tab
(you'll get about a 4.5 minute blurb)

shu-chu enkai

きょうわとてもたのしいかったです。 乙からさまでした。 ありがとうございます ！

and the (free!) dinner was extra appreciated: beer, pizza and a chocolate sundae!

shukunohe's sports fest

Shu-chu's leaders broke the rules by opting for flashy red undershirts (how Backstreet Boys of them?) This schools' semi-shy students really came outta their shells today and I couldn't have enjoyed the festival any more because of it. Today was, by far, the greatest student festival I have attended in Japan. It was so well-planned, well-rehearsed and well-received by the community. i could feel the energy of the students and their intense determination NOT TO WIN or SHOW OFF, but simply to do their best. japanese culture is so 'classy' like that.
Again, yes favorites are bad, but Shouji is the cutest kid ever. He has this perma-stud-grin on his face all day long and despite being the cockiest student I have at any of my schools, he can walk the talk (fastest runner and best baseball player in the town), so all I can do is applaud his efforts and envy his skills.

will i miss the militaristic ways of japanese schools? while its easy to mock and criticize the stark contrasts between japan and western schools, with only a couple months left, im finding myself strangely impressed and fascinated by the apparent differences. the precision of the students and meticulous attention to detail and always striving for the 'not-so-impossible' state of perfection in every facet of school life, is actually quite beautiful to see played out.
...one more of Shouji winning another race. and not the least bit camera shy! this was rather impressive. we do 3 legged races, they do 22 legged races. see what is possible if everyone has the 'team mentality'!
the "soran" dance is very traditional and beautiful to watch. having seen it practiced and performed a gizzilion times, it still was able to nearly bring tears to my eyes today. maybe its the passion of all students @ shu-chu, or just the way this school works together like a family ( a small one, only 89 kids @ this junior high school!). the students are so respectful, focused and driven. lucky teachers and lucky me for getting to see a school that is so close to 'perfection' its almost surreal!
there are SO many more pictures from the day...about 200...but i was told to send them off to all students, teachers and parents at the school. so by clicking on the link above you can check them out too. today, was one of the last sports festivals i will see in Japan. it was unforgettable. at the risk of pouring my heart out for another 10 pages (and another 2 hours of your time), and my inability to articulate this incredible dose of daily fascination - i will leave it like this:

"They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel."

~Carl Buechner

"It is certain that memory contains not only philosophy, but all that appertains to the use of life."

-Marcus Tullius Cicero

time-goes-by-so...quickly

Today, was a day like every other. In an effort to leave Japan with no regrets, and to keep my students and friends happy(ier) about my departure just 2 months away...I have gone from busy to insanely busy. Things like sleeping, eating and studying Japanese are on the back burner, being with the community is now front and center. I didn't realize the immediate reprecussions of this schedule change until last nite, when I was trying to get comfortable in my 3-inch-cushion-bed and pondering the day's events. "Where did the day go!?" I asked myself. Well,...

After semi-wasting my 'working hours' at Shu-chu (all students/teachers were doing a complete run through of Saturday's sports festival) and having no classes, I left 'work' feeling extra underutilized. This of course could be dealt with in several ways: 1. go home, catch up on emails with those that do appreciate my efforts while emptying several Asahi's. 2. throw in the towel, admit defeat and give up on the Japanese educational system altogether (a nice defense mechanism in having to deal with the shock of leaving Japan too). OR 3. fight back.

Fighter that I am, it is days like today where I seek out other ways to get involved and make a difference in this anti-english community. And here is what I came up with, yesterday...

4:15 - work finishes and there is no time to twiddle thumbs...

4:30 - bike up to the Taneichi-chu's sports facility w/ weapons in hand (glove and raquet)

4:45 - do a short warmup w/ the track team

5:00 - play catch w/ the baseball team, taking some flies and grounders

6:00 - off to tennis practice (gee, im really glad these kids have 3 hours practices following thier already crazy long 9 hour school days, so i can accomplish all of this in one nite)

6:30 - bike to the grocery store, grab ingredients for...

7:00 - dinner w/ Yusho. Yusho (above) came over to dl some tunes, snap some pics and for some writing tips on love letters (in English) to his girlfriend (whatever it takes to peak their interest)

10:15 - Yusho is out, 8 new emails are in (3 from Japanese friends, 2 from back home, 3 from students) 5/8 are written entirely in Japanese, and after 15 hours of translations, I'm a bit spent.

BUT, がんばります、I reply to each email, I plan for tomorrow's classes。 (thankful their IS something needed to be planned for)。 and then i hit the hay/er rice bag "bed"...playing back the day's events. "Where did the day go?!!"

Well, the real work started @ 4:30, and with my newly learned patience, I am able to accept the fact that internationalization and education, in my village,

is probably best realized outside the classroom.

'Time Goes By So Slowly...' uhm, guess Madonna never lived in Japan.

おはよございます

The Land of the Rising Sun

SUNRISE: 4:17 AM

SUNSET: 6:42 PM

hirosaki castle: さくら

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Dear Mom,

I'm sorry we couldn't be together today.

You are an amazing mother and friend and hanging out with you

is always such a great time.　　The hangouts will resume shortly...11 weeks left!

Instead of moping around feeling guilty about you spending Mother's Day childless---some pals picked me up for a roadtrip to Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture. It was so fitting for me to be amongst gorgeous flowers and cherry blossoms, as you enjoy the nature scene so much. "Sakura" is a special time in Japan, symbolizing new beginnings and spring. Hirosaki is THE best spot to view sakura in Northern Japan and I was fortunate to have friends to bring me there...6 hours in a crammed car wasn't all that lovely, but I snapped some pics for you. The pink, white and lite purple sakura were incredible (despite missing their 'peak' by about a week...) I was quite impressed by hundreds and hundreds of cherry blossom trees....too innumberable to count, it looked like a blizzard of blossoms. Hope you enjoy them ( I will post a link to all the other shots soon) and enjoy your Mother's Day in Minnesota!

あいしてる！　I love you! 　~anne.

Taneichi pals: Junko, Hatsumi & Taira

taneichi-chu sports fest

ConGrAtUlATiONs

The sports festival is held every year to 'build relationships bewteen the grades AND teach teamwork.' Having spent hours and hours practicing the events (for an entire week's worth of afternoons) that are based more on 'luck' than actual skill. The military style of 'training' / Japanese education, had never been more apparent. The students are required to march on and off the playing field at the blow of a whistle. The rigid, ceremonial style of 'festival' is not meant to be a casual imitation of the Olympics, but rather an intense series of bootcamp activities that put everyone's skills to the test.
Also interesting to note, there were no solo events. Fortunately, everything was relay or team style races, because all students must participate in all events. And naturally, there are several students who lack all coordination and athletic ability. Yet they instinctively do their best, hoping to blend in with the pack and not draw attention to their weaknesses. It is these students, those who do not excel at sports, (in a school of 200...maybe 10% fall into this category), that I was most worried would fail miserably. Wrong again, I was so surprised and proud of their decent efforts! And unlike so many of those 'mean kids' from our past childhood, who would find this an opportune time for taunting and teasing, Japan doesn't seem to have them. Everyone is so supportive of one another and understanding/respectful of their differences, their strengths and their weaknesses. Back home, teachers need to 'practice' this mentality in school and actually 'teach' respect classes etc....but in Japan its intuitive and maybe inherent. And when you combine 'team-oriented' students, with their passion for excellence and add their unbelievable work ethic, you get a **** teacher's dream job. ****
During each event, the students who are not participating must cheer...and with NO teacher supervision, everyone cheers. Japanese students are interesting like that, they accept responsibility, often saying "its my duty". As a result, the students stood in their ultra-perfect lines, doing the same cheer (the EXACT same melody) for 6 hours. While my own patience has considerably improved this year, the monotony is too much for me to take at times and I simply must make some attempt throw a curveball in their routine...not to be fecitious, just to show people what it means to be human. And remind them that you simply can not plan for every possible situation. They really are missing the element of surprise over here.
Atsushi & Naoya were 2 of Team Yellow's leaders. I was on 'yellow' team, but wore a red track suit. This through all students for a loop as I had already broken Cultural Rule of Conformity #284, (although I chalked it up as a personal victory in Individualism.)
There were plenty of relay races, 3-legged races and whatever the race below is called. The picture above shows Yusho leading the pack. Yusho's my favorite student--oops favorites are 'bad' in Japan....

wow 2 personal victories in ONE day!

Seiyu & Yuuki are a couple of the leaders for the Team Red (which won by a bit of a landslide).
Tire races...these were interesting and sorta resembled something the Marines do. 2 lines of students with a row of tires in between. Run to the tires, try to get the tires back on 'your side' while the opposing team plays tug of war with you. When you have a set of tires, build a tower. Pile them as high as you can and the tire tower left standing after the whistle blows are the champs. Great teamwork games, and some actually required some strategizing and dare i say 'higher level thinking'. not just rote memorization and rehearsed activities that they are subjected to daily.
2 of my favorite sassy girls....Akane and Sumika.
Go RED.
Go YELLOW.

fight fight fight