New Grace 

Old Grace 

Detour

Due to unforeseen circumstances I will not being seeing Narnia opening night (which is only two sleeps away). My Japanese friends would rather wait a week and avoid the crowds and need to rush to get tickets in advance. So it is again 9 sleeps till I see the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I am disappointed in having to wait again and trying to console myself that it will be a good time of fellowship with the ladies when I do go. If I spoke Japanese or was brave I think I would try to got to Namba and get the tickets by myself but I am not.

At Last

I have great happiness in sharing the following news: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is finally being released in Japan. Only nine sleeps till it is in theaters. I’ve been waiting (not always so patiently) but its almost here. The plans are to see it with a few my students, Steve, Tiffany, and Hitomi. It is still unclear if it has been dubbed into Japanese or there will be Japanese subtitles, either way I am going to see it. Though I would prefer to watch it in English, it would help with general comprehension and overall enjoyment.

When renting video it is always important to know if the videos has subtitles (therefore in the original language which 95% of the time is English) or has been dubbed. Normally you have to look on the side to see if the characters say "dubbed" or "subtitled". I can’t actually read the characters I’ve just learned to associate symbols with either "English" or "Japanese".

However tonight my "knowledge" was of no help. I picked up an older VHS (When Harry Met Sally because I’ve never seen it). The cover was discolored and the printing faded. Looked for the "this is English" characters on the spine -nothing. Searched the back and got very confused. After a few moments of staring blankly at the box in vain I decided to take action. This meant seeking the guidance of the friendly video store staff (who may or may not be able to speak a single word of English). Up until tonight I have avoided asking questions in the store out of fear and the confusion and frustration it might bright.

Trying to be brave I placed the box on the counter looked at the nearest worker and said, "Sumimasen (excuse me) Eigo (English?)" He picked up the box turned it over few times. Placed it down and looked at me very confused. Then the thought ran through my mind -Crap, I left my cell phone at the apartment. I can’t even call someone to help translate- then I started to laugh. Why not try again, "Eigo" (Jen, I forgot the desu ka). Only this time I made talking movements with my hands. He picked the box back up, looked a little less confused and said, "English version-toe". Yes, progress! He called a co-worker over talked in rapid Japanese (all Japanese sounds rapid to me). Turns out neither of them had a clue if it in English. There were a few other customers helped in the midst of this, so I just smiled and waited. Finally the second worker returned to the counter and said, "five minutes wait, please" He went upstairs, I think to the play the movie. He returned some time later with a smile handed me the video and proudly announced, "English". Success! After paying and receiving my movies I said "Arigato (thank you)" He said an English thank you. So for some reason said thank you again in English. As I walked out of the store I could hear the entire staff at the counter bursting out in fits of laughter.

Word Up: Arigato –Thank you. To be polite add gozaimasu at the end.

Indirect and Overly Polite

Learning something in a textbook and experiencing something in the real world are two very different things. There are things a textbook can’t teach you or truly prepare you for, like culture shock, language barriers and living in polite indirect societies.

For indirect communication saying "no" is not an option. So growing up members of the society learn the cues and how to read between the lines. If you did not grow-up in the culture its hard to pick up the cues and various signs. When don’t speak the language it feels next to impossible. Japan is a polite culture. People don’t want to embarrass others or make them uncomfortable. Indirect communication is always used. Confrontation is often avoided to keep peace.

Last week I sent home a notice to the parents which had the children’s names on them. One of the mothers came to Kayoko and said that there was a typo, that her daughter’s name is Reina not Rena (it would be similar mistake to writing Ann instead of Anna or Tim instead of Tom). The thing is I’ve been calling Reina Rena since I started teaching in September. I’ve been teaching the preschool class for the past five months. I’ve sent home activity sheets, crafts, notices and newsletters all with the children’s names on them. In December, I had parent teacher interviews and gave out report cards, which had the children’s names on them. Everything had Reina’s name as Rena. Yet I learn about the mistake five freakn months later! I’ve been calling my student the wrong name every four-hour-class, every week for the last five months. All because they didn’t want to hurt my feelings. AHHHHHHHH!

Word Up: Sumimasen –sorry/excuse me

Classic Kid Conversations

There are four children in my preschool class: George, Yuu, Ryou, and Reina (who is the only girl). The following is a conversation I had today with my preschool class during lunch. To set the stage, George has just said something in Japanese that made everyone laugh and Reina the hardest and wouldn't stop:

Liz: Reina, what’s so funny?
Reina: I don’t know.
George: Yuu!
Liz: Yuu is funny?
George, Reina and Ryou: Yes!
At the same time Yuu yelled: No! Liz is funny!
Liz: I am funny?
Yuu: Yes.
Liz: Why am I funny?
Yuu: Face
Liz: I have a funny face?
Yuu: Yes. (and other children begin to laugh again)
Liz: What makes my face funny?
Yuu: Ears.
Liz: Ears?
Yuu: Yes. (more laughter)
Liz: I have funny ears, what makes my ears funny?
Yuu: Lion.
(Everyone laughs, I couldn’t help but join in)
Liz: I have lion ears?
Yuu: Yes
*Conversation ends*

I have lion ears? Who knew?

A little while later Reina looked at me and said "omoshiroi". I asked Kayko about it. She says the word in that situation is/could mean "You make me happy" or "I like being with you" or "Being with you is interesting/fun". It was an interesting noon hour.

Word Up: Omoshiroi –interesting, funny. The word has a positive connotation. Depending on the use it could mean "you make me happy" or "you make me laugh".

Traditions and Holidays

Happy St. Valentine’s to you, which is a very Japanese/Engrish way of saying it. (Or International Toater Day for the more cynical).
To celebrate I’ve posted some pictures from December. The day of our Christmas play I lacked a camera because I was silly and forgot to pick up batteries (with no time to run to the nearest vending machine). Wise people who had cameras and batteries have recently shared their photos with me.

The day was surprisingly wonderful for me. I got flowers! Before anyone jumps to conclusions they are not from a “special someone”. George, one of my preschool boys gave them to me with some help from his mother. Yesterday, Tiffany and I got together and baked shortbread and sugar cookies for the preschool Valentine’s day party and this morning I made some pink playdough my students. The children had fun eating their goodies, making a few crafts, and exchanging cards. Then tonight, my friend Hitomi came over for supper and a Japanese lesson. She taught me to say, “could you say that again?”


In Japan, Valentine’s Day is the girl’s day to give out chocolates to boys. The boys might just be friends or people they have a crush on. For the last week different students have been asking me which boy I was sending chocolates to. Then on March 14th is “White Day”. Boys repay the girls by sending marshmallow gifts or jewelry. An unspoken rule is the present given should be three times what the girl gave, I think that’s a little unfair.

Word Up: Mo ichido onegai-shimasu –could you say that again?

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, jingle all the way. 

Eating sweet potato...yummmm! 

Merry Christmas (either very late or super early) 

Tongues, New Food, and Half Way

Today was the half way marker; Melvin the Moose and I have been in Japan six-months and have six to go. It feels like days and weeks are flying by. At times I still feel like I’ve only just arrived yet other days it seems like I’ve lived here forever and Canada was just a dream.

Part of the reason it still feels new that almost every day I am learning something new about the culture or language. This week I was introduced to a Japanese desert called dango. There are three balls served on a small stick (like a shish kabob). One is pink and cherry flavor; the second is white not sure what the flavor was suppose to be but it was good. And the last ball is green for sweet grass.

For the most part I love Japanese food but there have been a few things I don’t like. The same day I tried dango, I confirmed that I have a strong dislike for mochi. It’s a very strong dislike close to detest. Mochi is a soft, mushy, rice paste. The type that I had was filled with sweet, red beans. The taste is okay but the texture is makes me gag.


This week I also tried some Korean foods. There was a rice-thing cooked in a stone bowl, and beef grilled on a BB-Q built in the table. I ate cow tongue. The thought of eating a tongue was actually the hardest part. It was surprisingly very good, tasted like beef just chewier.

Word Up: Gochisosama deshita –It was a nice meal

Crazy Cars

Japan could be renamed "the land of cute". Seems everything has a cute character or cartoon to decorated it. It is uncommon to pass a car with a few stuffed animals on the dashboard. Then there are a few cars that stand out. My friend Maki’s car makes is in this last category. It makes me smile. She likes Disney especially Toy Story and Stitch.

Monday Steve, Tiffany and I spent the day with Maki, driving around in the alien-mobile. Steve made the suggestion that we (the three foreigners) should adopt the Toy Story aliens as our mascots because the direct translation for "Gaijin" is alien. What do you think?

Sunday Joys

God's been encouraging me today.

-I woke up and He was the first thing on my mind.

-Felt His presence as I gave the message in our morning Bible Study/Fellowship. The messages was God speaking to me as He was speaking through me.

-Connected with my friend Maki, we're going to go somewhere tomorrow and do something (that's all the details she gave me).

-I am starting to remember the youths names! This is huge it's only taken six months. The pictures are a few of the faces who come out Sunday nights. I'm not going to attempt to spell any ones name.

-There was a new teen at our Sunday night youth group, Natsumi, who is one of my jr. high students.

-God is good!

Energy on Demand

Its late at night your remote dies no more TV surfing. What are you going to do? Radio shack is closed and gas station batteries cost too much. Solution –battery vending machines.

Tokyo Days-Tokyo Nights

ndsJanuary 4th was our day in the city. Jen and I took a bus tour called Cityrama. Our guide was fun, said the oddest things at time and enjoyed giving commentaries on everything from woman in leadership to the similarities between Buddhism and the Catholic Church. We visited Meiji Shinto Shrine and the Imperial Palace East Garden (the only part of the palace open to visitors), Asakuza Kannon Temple, and the Nakamise market before being dropped off in the shopping district.

On our own in Tokyo was exciting. After lunch we looked about at over priced shops. Had a mix up at Starbucks, we paid for two drinks and some how managed to get three. Got to love language barriers. We were able to negotiate our way through the Tokyo metro, all because Kayoko is amazing and gave me very detailed instructions on how to get back to the hotel, deepest gratitude Kayoko. We got to ride a monorail. Our bus didn’t leave the hotel till 11 pm so we did some exploring on the way back. Rode a Ferris Wheel that was 115 meters high, it was the worlds largest until the London Eye was built. Saw some neat cars at the Toyota showroom. Found a Toys’R’Us and a few other neat stores in Aqua City. And that was Tokyo!

Meiji Shinto Shrine 

Gardens in the winter

Worshippers entering from the front gate of Asakuza Kannon Temple 

Tokyo skyline from 115m  

 

Any one know why there is a mini Statue of Liberty in Japan? 

Not Forgotten

So its election time. Steve, Tiffany and I sent in our absentee ballots a few weeks back. It is nice to know that we have not been forgotten by our country. We received the following invitation:

Please drop by the Embassy in Tokyo or the Consulate General in Osaka to watch the real time broadcast of the Election Night coverage. Coffee and tea will be served. Feel free to bring your own lunch.

Sad to say we’ll be missing out on all the fun, the big bash is in the middle classes.

Word Up: Ku –ten. The great thing about counting in Japanese is if you can count to 10 you can count to 99. For 20 you say 2-10 or for thirty-four you say 3-10-4

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

Did you know Mickey Mouse is fluent in Japanese? I didn’t until this year. Yet that is what I have taken from my day at the Japan Disney Resort. After the adventure to make the bus, the ride to Tokyo was uneventful. We arrived at the gates of Disney Resort an hour before the park opened. There was time to change, brush our teeth, and get very confused about what line to stand in. Being an English speaker made a lot of things confusing through out the day.

As we stood in line it was funny to walk these two girls do their hair with a portable curling iron. First on our agenda was food, felt weird eating Mickey pancakes. The only park map we could find was in Japanese, which made exploring and finding rides very hard…we never found Adventureland, and totally missed out on Thunder Mountain. The Haunted Mansion was closed but we did make in on "It’s a Small World" and we didn’t have to listen to the song the whole time. They had changed the ride to be a festive International caroling-thing. I loved the Teacups. Jen was very kind to let me drag her on them!

Best ride of the day was Pooh’s Honey Hunt. You seat in these large honey pots and are taken through a Pooh story. We loved it, even though the narration was in Japanese. There is one room where Tigger sings the "Wonderful thing about Tiggers" and the floor moves so you feel like you are jumping. And there is the dream with the Hefelumps…very well done.

Word Up: Kyu –nine

Yeah for friends!!! 

Sweet as Honey 

Is that one lump or two? 

Cinderella's Castle 

Breakfast 

Every time you hear the phone it’s ringing

I have a cell phone, but it’s not used very often. Calls are normally just to pass on information like change in plans or when I need help ordering at Macdonald’s. So I am always a little surprised when the phone rings, especially when I don’t recognize the number.

This was very true the evening of January 2nd. It was 8:50, Jen and I were waiting for Hideki and Kayoko to pick us up. They were taking us to the bus station to catch our over-night bus to Tokyo, which left at 10:00pm. The man on the other line was speaking very fast Japanese. I said "Hello", there was a pause and the Japanese continued. I tried again "Hello", there was another pause and then more Japanese. So I tried something new, "Ego desu ka?" (English?) There was a really long pause and then the Japanese continued. This time I managed "Watashi wa Canada-jin desu, ego desu ka?" (I am Canadain, English?). I look helplessly over at Jen who is laughing so hard I thought she was going to wet her self. The poor guy on the other side said something in Japanese then there was a very long pause…so long I thought the line had died, so I hung up.

A few minutes later the phone rings again. This time it’s a new voice who asks in very broken English if I was "Elle-is-abeto Stew-ee-art-u San". It was the travel company calling to tell us that we were ten minutes late for our bus (the one that left at 10 pm and it was just 9 pm). There was some great episodes of miscommunication. The hardest thing about using the phone is the other person can’t see my gestures. Thankfully Hideki and Kayoko arrived and I passed the phone to them to work out what was wrong.

We were indeed late, and had to rush to make the bus (or the bus’ next stop, that detail was never clarified). The station was about 30-minute drive away. Only when we got close Hideki got lost. We got directions from a taxi driver, who couldn’t take us because he was waiting for a customer. We continued to drive around searching, when Hideki suddenly stopped at an intersection and told us to get out –quickly! Then we noticed next to us was an empty taxi. Kayoko was helping get our luggage into the car while Hideki explained where to take us to the driver. They gave us money for the cab fare shut the door and our driver took off. Minutes later we arrived at the bus station. We were led to our bus. (The trip was my first time on a double-decker bus which I thought was pretty cool.) Found our seats and were on our way to Tokyo.

Word Up: Moshi-moshi –The greeting used when answering the phone, may or may not be spelt that way (I can hardly spell English right getting Japanese would be asking too much)

Down By the Bay

We kicked off the New Year with a wild night of sermon preparation, reading, doing a jigsaw puzzle, and filling out online quizzes. Jen spoke the next morning at our Grace Fellowship service. The rest of the day we played Dutch blitz at Steve and Tiffany’s.

On the 2nd Hideki and Kayoko took us Canadians down to Kobe. The city is about an hour drive north-west (but to be very sure you might want to look that fact up) and is a sea port. The little we were able to explore was beautiful! It was nice to be near the sea, I miss the ocean. We spent the morning on a boardwalk with many cute little shops that was close to the waterfront. Then we went to Chinatown for lunch and a walk down a very crowded street.

Word Up: hachi -eight

The Continued Chronicles of Ochej

Jen returned to Canada on January 7th and preschool resumed on the 10th. This week has been devoted to settling into the routine again, and now I am back with a blogging vengeance ready to recount the travels and adventures from the New Years break (it will take more then one post).

On, December 31st Jen and I set out on an epic quest to Namba, yes an epic quest. We were in search of the Body Shop, which I was sure I had seen on my previsions visit but no clue where or how to get back to it. The trip was an amusing experience; Namba is the heart of crazy Japanese fashion for the Osaka area. This time was my first real chance to window shop. I enjoyed reading the engrish t-shirts, stopping at Starbucks, and these loose-socks that are 150 cm long –crazy! There were a few purchases, the picture is of us sporting our new very japanese dresses. There was a also very competitive game of Spot-the-foreigner". Our combined total was 56, much better than my last score of 11. Proving once again this is a game for two or more people (or to earn a high score it’s best to play when the foreigners are out in droves). We eventually did find the Body Shop, yet sadly they no longer carry satsuma hand lotion. I had to settle for the lip-gloss.

Word Up: Akemashite omedetou gozimasu -Happy New Year. It's a little late but you can save it for next year.

Home Sweet Home

Early morning on January 5th Jen and I arrived back in Sayama after two exciting days in Tokyo. As we walked home from the train station, I looked around at the familiar sights took a deep breath in and thought “it’s good to be home!” This feeling surprised me because it’s the first time I truly felt that I belonged in Japan. Before this moment of “home-ness” Grace was just the place I lived and worked. My heart and hopes were focused on Canada and what I would do when I got back. I only thought of this time as a temporary situation. I still miss friends and crave certain foods but this is my home and will be for the next seven months. I am excited by my change in attitude and am even looking forward to trying hard at language, trying more new foods, and building deeper relations. My love for Japan and it’s people is growing. I guess it’s true what they say home is where the heart is. (Mom, if you read this I still long to sit with you in the backyard on the swing! See you in seven months.)

Word Up: nana or shichi -seven

Tokyo Desu Ka?

Jen and have been on a Tokyo adventure the past two days, now we are waiting in an internet cafe for the overnight bus that will return us to Osaka. There have been many interesting moments that will be shared in the near future. For now quotes from our tour guide this morning:

"I put my shoes on the other side." Used when explaining he likes to take tours when visiting other countries.

"My big boss is a woman. She's not very good looking, but she's alright."

Word Up: Kawaii -cute