Glass of Aloe and Fun Facts

I’ve used aloe of sunburns but a healthy drink?

There was recently an editorial all about Japan’s vending machines. I found it an enjoyable and amusing, here are some of the highlights:

-Japan has 5.5 million vending machines. I’ve been told that is about 1 machine for every 24 people, that’s crazy
-Only 2.6 million sell pop (or soda depending on where you’re from)
-There are machines that sell sushi, soup, and meals with beef, eggs, and fish
-Some machines are programmed to give for free if there is a natural disaster such as an earthquake
-"My Cups" machines let people use their own mugs and reduces waste
-There is even a trail machine for make-up. The thing talks and has a video camera inside. An image of the person is shown to "mock test" which lipsticks are the best
-Like all these cool facts you can read about vending machines in the book "Jido Hanbaiki no Bunka (The Culture of Vending Machines)" by Tsutomu Washizu

Once Upon A Time…

Saturday was the big Preschool Spring Plays. The children were a smashing hit. They sang and danced and told the stories of George and The Three Bears and The Three Little Pigs well. Well, almost well. There was a bit of stage fright so most songs were lipped sink and the lines were mouthed. Even with that it was wonderful and after we had a pizza party –big thanks to Tiffany who made all the food!

Life in Point form

ADDED NOTE: this was posted two days ago but I had forgotten to mention that I did finally see Narnia. One of my students just loved Aslan. For the most part I liked it and enjoyed it. I alway have a hard time accepting movies if I've read the book, nothing beats my own imagination. Thanks Kirk for the warning on the killer beavers.

-I’m back! Internet is here again. Not only that it’s in my room, that’s right I have internet in my room and its wireless. The wireless would be much cooler if my apartment was big enough to actually move around.

-Last week joined Noriko and her children for a picnic and to see the plum blossoms, not as cool as cherry blossoms by Japanese standards but still very beautiful.

-The joy of the past two weeks has been spending time with my Japanese friends. Yoko and I went out for cakes and lunch last week and plan to go out again next Monday. And I’ve been really enjoying getting to know Maki. It’s good to have friends.

-My good friend/language teacher Hitomi moved this weekend to a church over a half-hour away. It’s a good move for her, but I will miss her.

-Weather has been gray and rainy. I miss the sun.

-This coming Saturday will be the Spring Play for my preschool class. I am a little worried.

-Saw a traditional Japanese musical instruments concert thing.

-I think I need a flickr account. Till then below are some pics from the park and concert.

Word Up: Uma –Japanese Plum Blossom

 

The Park

Chesse! 

Noriko and her daughter 

At Sunset

At the concert 

Traditional Harp 

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Last Friday (March 3rd) was Robin White's Birthday. Happy Birthday Robin. It was also Japan's Girls Day/Dolls Festival, these events are unrelated except for the shared date. A few days before the holiday families with daughters set out a traditional eight levels doll set of the Emperor, Empresses, their servants and the gifts the Empresses brought to the marriage called Hina Dolls. Some Japanese believe that if a girl does not set out her dolls she will never find a husband. Noriko took me to visit her friend, whose family had their Hina Dolls on display. The Empresses is dresses in what is known as the twelve-layer kimono. The details on the dolls were gorgeous. During the day girls are often given candies and cards on the day. The celebration has roots in Shintoism. A traditional families leave food and gifts on the bottom steps as an act of worship.

Guys don’t feel left out your day is coming in May and you get to fly kites, which seems much cooler.

New Grace is bigger

No, this is not a new theological stance; new Grace is a building. The building is actually called "Trinity Grace". For the past five months we’ve been waiting with anticipation for the completion of the new facility. We were able to move in this past week. Made life a little chaotic. There are boxes in most classes, with curriculum and resources to organize. Wednesday our first English classes were taught in the new building and today first Christian fellowship was held there. These are exciting days.

Word Up: Megumi -Grace

 

The new preschool classroom. It's bigger! 

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