Summary

Friend and fellow ALT, Tom is letting me use his computer and internet! Yay for saving money and thank you Tom.

It makes no sense to start in the middle of a story, does it? So, I’ll start at the beginning!

I arrived in Japan on Saturday, August 29^th. Three people came to the airport to pick me up-Chisato san (who was in touch with me all summer long and played a major role in bringing me to Japan), Mr. Yano (a top dog at the Ozu Board of Education), and Tom (another ALT from Colorado-he’s been here for two years). They were holding an awesome “Welcome to Kumamoto!” sign and waving…something I shall always remember. J

After loading up my suitcases, we went for a tour of Ozu, ate some cake, visited the library, and took my suitcases to my apartment. Etsuko san (the mother of my host family) came there to meet us and she and her friend (…Runi? san…oops!) helped me get settled in. It’s thanks to them that I can work all of the appliances in my apartment that are marked in Japanese! ;)

That afternoon I went with Etsuko san to stay with her family. What a hospitable, generous, and completely lovely family! They were kind and friendly in every way and I felt like I got to understand a bit more about what it’s like to be Japanese by staying with them. Etsuko san has very good English and she told and taught me lots of great things. I got to hear a recorded performance of the family band plus Colin! (It was awesome!!) I also went to a Junior High track meet and Suienji (did I spell it right?) Park in Kumamoto City. The track meet was surprisingly similar to a Nebraskan track meet. Suienji Park was absolutely breathtaking. It was built in the 17^th century and is just what I would have imagined a traditional, grand Japanese garden to look, feel, smell like. Two shrines, a stage for theatrical performances, and koi. Wowzers. My time with this family was absolutely incredible and, thanks to them, an wonderful was to settle into Japanese life.

Monday was my first day of official work, though not at school. I went to “Yakuba”, the Ozu Town Hall. Here we filled out a bunch of paperwork, Mr. Yano and my new friend, Miho (who also has amazingly good English!), shipped me around Ozu doing a bunch of very important errands, and Tim, Miho, Mr. Yano and I got to meet with the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Directors of the Ozu Board of Education. Dr. Dudley, if you’re reading this, the mayor wonders if you are well and would like for me to tell you hello. J Also on Monday, Mr. Yano got me a bicycle! Big, exciting day.

Tuesday was no different; it was my first day at Ozu Junior High School! I had an incredibly awesome day! I introduced myself everywhere I went: My name is nanni nanni, I’m from nanni nanni, my hobbies are nanni nanni, my hopes are nanni nanni…20 times per day, all week. I would be lying if I said that it was thrilling every time. On the other hand, I’m sure it wasn’t all that interesting for the students either! But that was the only even slightly less than wonderful aspect; other than that, there are so many wonderful things that I’ve experienced at school. Walking through the hallways is constantly an adventure of sorts-there is something about receiving 100 smiling hellos everyday that makes me want to come back. :D

Japanese schools are both different and similar to American schools. There are obvious differences: teachers change rooms every period rather than students, there are no janitors or lunch ladies-there are cooks but they don’t serve students. Students and staff do all the cleaning and each class has designated servers for lunch. Also, almost all students participate in some type of club or after-school activity. Of course there are also similarities: teachers have high expectations for their students, some students rise to the occasion while others choose to fall asleep instead. ;) Some students are outgoing and love to talk to the new, terribly intimidating English teacher, while others are quite the opposite. (I swear that I never thought I was intimidating, but you should see the way some students absolutely run away in order to prevent having to speak to me!)

I think I’m going to have some issues with classroom management-every time someone talks out of turn I pine to give them the teacher eye or make them sit up front by the teacher’s desk or something, but “when in Japan, do as the Japanese do”, eh? And in Japan, not all students are expected to be excellent and studious. Teachers focus more on reinforcing positive behavior. If students refuse to participate, then there’s little that a teacher can do other than to try to motivate them. There’s a lot of logic there. Maybe I can change my ways and be more adaptable…okay, I’ll try!

Well, I could go on and on. I’m experiencing a lot of new things and meeting so many friendly faces. I’m GOING to write regularly, I’m GOING to write regularly. I AM. So I won’t have to backtrack like this and leave out all the fun details!

I think about you all a lot. I hope you’re doing so well! And for now, saiyonara!