Weekend at Home

So, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I was home this past weekend. And I was free. Well, I had the Nursery School Graduation Saturday morning but that was over by 11:30am. So I came home from that, and the sun was shining and that gave me energy. I cleaned my house properly for the first time in, ooo let's just say a while, and made it look pretty reasonable. That took a couple of hours, and then I did some Electone practice. The reason I stopped practicing? Was scared out of my wits by someone staring at me through the window. I had lost track of time. It was D who had come to visit.

We sat around here in my aparto for a bit. My parents called for a chat and to see if I had received my Easter care package (I hadn't, but it arrived today). Then D and I went to a soba restaurant in Omama where an interesting gentleman and his wife were also dining. His constant chatter - with random outbursts of English - made him the life of the restaurant, much to the amusement of us and frustration of the waitress. After that we came back to mine, watched a bit of Wallace and Grommit and then did the bed thing.

Woke up at 6:30am Sunday (ohmigod) and dozed on and off til about 10ish. At about 12 we messaged L to see what she was doing, and woke her up. Though she said she would leave for Azuma soon. So while waiting for her, D and I decided to go for a drive. We went to Konaka Otaki, which is a waterfall in Azuma with a drop of 96m and is best viewed from a suspension bridge that angels at 44 degrees. Really cool stuff. Then we went and grabbed some food at a local restaurant and headed to Lake Kusaki. L met us there and we wandered along the lakeside for a bit before heading back to mine. Chilled here for about an hour and then went to Denny's for a bite to eat.

It was so nice to be in my house - in my village - on a weekend for once. And next weekend, I can be too. Intending to go to Kiryu markets with S on Saturday, but that's my only committment for the weekend. Looking forward to it.

End of year

It's the end of year here now. On April 1st, new teachers will arrive at school. This year, 7 teachers are leaving my school. That's a fair slice out of the 17 staff members at Azuma JHS. One teacher is going overseas so we had a work party last Wednesday night to say good bye, not only to him but to all the other teachers leaving too. The school secretary is another who is leaving, so we made the most of the night by drinking a few beers. I will miss them all.

Also had the Nursery School Graduation on Saturday morning. The kids are so cute! They each made their mum a bowl and presented it to them, one by one, towards the end of the ceremony. I don't think there was a dry-eyed mother in the room.

So even though I know who is leaving my JHS, I still don't know who is coming. All I know is that the average age of the 7 new staff members is around 25. A very young group - should be cool.

The "short" long weekend

This weekend was a long one - today, Monday, was a national holiday - and the extra day off was fully enjoyed.

Weekend started out as it always does with a trip to Tatebayashi Friday evening. D and I stayed at N's house Friday night, but she's in India at the moment so we had run of the house. Picked up D at the station and headed to Grow for a late dinner before heading to N's.

Next morning, L came and picked us up and took us to the station so we could head into Tokyo. I had my lesson and D wanted to go shopping. We met up after the lesson and did some shopping. We planned on heading out Saturday night in Toks, but the party didn't start til late so we had lots of time to kill. D wanted to go to the Apple store to buy an ipod mini so we headed there. After a bit of wandering around and picking what he wanted, he made the purchase and then we passed the time playing kids' games on the computers.

Went out for food at a random little street cafe not far from Nakameguro Station. Good food, good atmosphere, good magazines. There was even a lady at the table next to us with her dog. Very funky place indeed. So after killing an hour or so there, we headed into Shinjuku for a pre-party drink and then finally it was time to head to the party.

We drank and danced until we could neither no more, and it was 2am. First train left at 5am so we headed to the cafe in the building and managed to pass 2.5 hours there eating, drinking, talking and dozing. At 4:30 we headed to the station, got our stuff out of the locker and went to the platform. We got back to Tutty-B at 7:20am and took a taxi to N's house and crashed.

L came around about 1ish with food (love your work) so we sat there eating and watching our latest addiction - Desperate Housewives. Still hungry, we went to Mos Burger for lunch at 4pm and then headed to AEON to be mall rats for a bit. Wandered around there for a bit and then headed to S's house, who had just gotten home from Nagano.

We watched more DHW - until 2am - and then all crashed the night there. S had a lunch date with friends so she left around 10ish (I think?) while the rest of us had a sleep in. Got up about 11ish, went to the conbini for lunch, went back to S's and watched more DHW.

After that, drove L to the station then D and I went 100 yen shopping in Isesaki. Bought some socks with the toes in them and a couple of mugs - have wanted socks like those for a long time. Did a bit more shopping, went back to D's for a bit and then headed home.

And since then I have been chilling out, watching tv, reading mags, playing on the computer and cleaning. On paper (or screen) it doesn't sound that exciting, but this long weekend was very much enjoyed.

Change

It's the time for change. Spring, it seems, has finally arrived, bringing with it peach blossoms and soon, cherry blossoms. Students are graduating from one school and moving on to the next. Teachers will soon know which school they will be transferring to come April. Soon we will move our desks to our new places in the staffroom. Change is a-happening.

I hate cliches, but I agree with the one that goes "A change is as good as a holiday." Change is refreshing, revitalising, reinvigorating. It gives us that boost we sometimes need to get things back on track. It is so easy to fall into routine and to continue on the same path day in and day out. At the moment, I guess I feel like this is me. I know it's coming up to the end of the academic year here, and we always feel like this during the wind-down but it never gets any easier. But what keeps us going is the excitement of knowing that change, being the inevitable thing it is, is just around the corner...

I have no idea what my work life will be come April. How many teachers will stay? How many will go? I already know that my two favourite teachers are leaving. One is transferring to a bigger school in Gunma, the other to Vietnam. I'll be really sad to see them go, and I have already made plans to visit I-sensei in Hanoi. But I also know that there is a huge possiblity the new teachers coming in will be just as awesome.

Let's hoping so.

Weekend

Just had a fantastically hectic weekend. But possibly one of the best weekends I have had in a long time.

It started Friday night with a trip to Tutty-B to attend N's combined birthday with J and D held at our fav hang-out Grow. I rocked up about 2 hours after it had started and the party was in full swing with friends, stalkers and everyone in between making the most of the all-you-can-eat-and-drink service.

When I arrived B - a Japanese man in his, well, let's say prime - grabbed my arm and started calling out to L "boyfriend! boyfriend!" Later on he explained to us that when a Japanese person says boyfriend it means a friend of the male variety. If a Japanese person says lover, it means just that. Love cultural differences.

Had good chats with friends there, meet some fantastic people, got frustrated over logic puzzles, decorated trees outside with poppers and did my best to avoid the stalker with the camera. After a couple of hours it was back to N's that night for an overdue dose of Desperate Housewives.

Into Tokyo on Saturday for my electone lesson. Great chats with my teacher, played through exam pieces and tried to improve my improvisation. Then went and checked into my hotel, had a long, well-deserved bath then headed out for dinner for 1. I stayed in the same hotel I always stay in and went to the pizza place just down the road. I played the role of nerd really well that night as I sat in the corner reading my book (a Kobo Abe novel) eating a margurita pizza. Then it was back to the hotel for a bit before heading out to meet up with a friend who I haven't seen for nearly a year. We went out for drinks, met up with a couple of his friends, ate some yakiniku, had a few more drinks and then went out to some clubs. My intention was to take the last train back to the hotel which meant I would have had to leave around 11:30pm. When the time came to leave, I decided that it was too early still - the night was still young. So we kept drinking and clubbing, and wouldn't you know, it was 5am. Took a taxi back to my hotel, set two alarms and hit the sack.

The reason I was going to take the last train home was because I was to meet a friend at Shinjuku Station at 10am because we were going to an Electone concert together. I was woken by my phone ringing. It was C asking where I was. It was 10:05am and she woke me up. I told her I was still at the hotel but was on my way. Check out was also 10am so I chucked on some clothes, brushed my teeth, picked a pimple, threw my stuff in my bag, ran to the elevator, threw the room key at the lady behind the counter, ran outside, flagged down a taxi, called C to tell her I'd meet her at the concert venue and prayed for no traffic jams. I got to the concert with a minute to spare. I told C what had happened and all she could do was laugh. And tell the other people around us that I had a hangover.

The concert was good. But I had to leave straight away to get back to Gunma for a dinner date. So feeling like death warmed up, I took the train back to Tutty-B. I realised I didn't have the energy for the dinner date so I cancelled that and instead went and watched N and S in a bowling competition organised by N's work. After taking some wicked purikuri, we went back to N's to chill for an hour before heading out for some awesome okonomiyaki. Tummies full, we went to L's (with a stop-off at the combini) for one more dose of Desperate Housewives and then I headed home.

Really was an awesome weekend. Thanks guys.

Graduation is in the air

Graduation is tomorrow. The excitement is building, the tension weakening, and the practicing being done in ridiculous amounts.

Of course, preparations for the 58th Graduation Ceremony here at Azuma Junior High School have long been in progress. But since yesterday, the final touches and last minute things are being crossed off the "to-do" list, one by one.

Has the dirt field been swept to make sure the dirt is nice and tidy? Check.

Have all the bathrooms, floors, windows, footpaths and everything inbetween been scrubbed? Check.

Have the leaves been shovelled out of the drains? Check.

Have the green mats been rolled out over the gym floor? Check.

Today was the dress rehearsal for tomorrow. We perfected our standing up. We worked on our bows ("1-2-3"). We now flawlessly sit down. We even clap with greater skill and vigour than we did yesterday. All in the name of graduation.

Many of the teachers were holding folders during today's rehearsal, and one teacher in particular would flip through his folder and look around the gym and give a knowing nod. After doing this a few times, I managed to peek over his shoulder and take a squiz at what he was looking at. Each A4 page was a colour photograph of different parts of the gym. The photos showed where the heaters should be placed, where the power cords should be taped down, where the flowers should be positioned, where the teachers should be standing. He was mentally checking off everything as he looked through the photos. Not a thing out of place. Not for the past 58 years.

After rehearsal it was lunch time. And today we were treated to dessert. Haagen-Dazs ice-cream. Sensational.

Ah, graduation is here. I can smell it.

The Hospital

Was woken at 7:15am today by an email from T. "Morning! How's your neck?" Considering it hurt just reaching out to find my phone, I knew it wasn't any better than yesterday. So I wrote back: "Morning! It still hurts. So, what should I do?" His repsonse came fast and full of cheer: "Let's go to the hospital together!"

Managed to get dressed in about 10 minutes - slashed yesterday's record by 5 - and headed into our office at 8:30. My colleagues were very sympathetic again, and cheered me on as I managed to raise the coffee cup to my lips for a sip.

A bit before 9, T said it was time to go. And then he told me that he was going to show me where the hospital was and then leave because he had a meeting. Great. I had been warned about the lengthy waits at hospitals, but didn't bother bringing a book because I thought T would be staying.

Anyway, we went in separate cars and I followed him there. He came in, helped me fill in all the forms, escorted me to the waiting room and said bye. Armed with only a dictionary, it was up to the other patients to entertain me while I waited for my turn. And disappoint, they did not!

There was the old man - possibly a few kangaroos short of a paddock - who kept mumbling to himself, sighing quite heavily and loudly and turning and talking to the lady in the row of seats behind him. I couldn't understand everything he was saying but I did pick up on his repetitious "ahhh, this is boring, so boring. Isn't this boring?" Meanwhile, the lady he was talking to every so often got up out of her seat and moved to one closer to the tv. She was obviously enthrawled in the "Call-in-to-disclose-your-family-secrets" show that was playing. But not long after she moved, the man followed. And he sat next to her. Then it clicked. They were there together but he was giving her the icks so she kept moving away. These two alone provided me with great viewing, watching them chair hop around the waiting room, him chasing her and her doing her darndest to be on the opposite side of the room to him.

Then there was the two old ladies sitting next to me. The one closest to me was there to fulfill the supporter's role. So when her friend went in, she decided I was the perfect candidate for her attention. She, too, started with the "Isn't it boring to just wait like this?" I agreed, and told her how I didn't even bring a book. I showed her my dictionary and said I didn't really want to read it from cover to cover. She chuckled. We were actually sitting in an unusual place. There was one row of chairs that faced all the others, and we were in that one row. So we started chatting about the people's faces. She went into some speech about how Japanese and foreign faces are different, drawing diagrams in the air to illustrate her point. I didn't fully understand but did my best to keep up. That conversation ended with a "You are a nice looking guy". So I bowed and said thanks. Her friend came back not long after that.

And in Japan, what hospital scene would be complete without people you know? Two of my students and their mums walked up to me as I was studying the cover of my dictionary for the 29th time and asked me what was wrong. I explained it all to them and they nodded with that look of concern they have perfected as mothers.

Anyway, in amongst all this I saw a doctor. He sent me off for x-rays which came back showing nothing. A good thing. So he gave me some drugs to take for the next week and if the pain doesn't go away by then I have to go back. But I think I'll be fine. It seems to have taken some affect already.

So that was my first experience at a Japanese hospital. 4 hours all told. Looking forward to school tomorrow.

Ouch

Called in sick for the first time today. Well for the first full day anyway. Woke up this morning and couldn't move. My right shoulder and neck seemed to be fused. It felt like all the muscles in my neck and shoulder were knotted together and just wouldn't budge. After struggling for 10 minutes, I finally managed to get myself out of my futon. Then after another 15 minutes of mishap, I was dressed. But I was already running late on my morning schedule, and I knew I realised my presence at school would be of no benefit whatsoever, so I made the call.

I felt a little silly calling in to say "Yeah, I hurt my neck. No, I don't know what I did. Me? Play sport? ha!" but felt better about being able to relax and rest. Took a long bath and then emailed T to see if he knows where the closest masseuse is. Turns out he doesn't, but he does have a friend in Akabori who is a masseuse. So he asked me to head to our office first and we would work it out there. So, after another 15 minute struggle to get dressed and reversing my car out of my carpark using only mirrors, I made it to our office.

Everyone there - all 8 of them - poked and prodded me and gave me their own diagnosis. They all concluded that I didn't have knots in my muscle, but rather a kinked neck. Another call to the masseuse and the appointment was cancelled. Apparently it would be bad to massage a kinked neck. So T put a hot patch on my shoulder and told me to sit and rest at my desk for a bit.

The tea lady - god love her - made me a cup of coffee. My bow was very shallow when I said itadakimasu and then the smile I made to accompany that bow turned to a smirk as I picked up the cup. Couldn't raise it to my mouth. Got it about 10cm away and could get no closer. M laughed and suggested I lean my body back and pray for accuracy. The tea lady offered to get me a straw. I said thanks but no thanks to both suggestions and left my coffee there.

Finally got up and left the BOE with more of those patches under my arm and under strict instruction to go to bed, to not move and to stay warm.

And so I spent my day doing just that. Well, for the most part. The problem was I wasn't tired nor sick so I got bored very quickly. Enduring pain, I positioned myself so I could type with my left hand while lying down and so I could also watch tv. So that helped pass the time.

And now, it still hurts. But not as much. I don't think I'll need to go to the doctor tomorrow, but I'll make that call in the morning.

But yeah, OUCH.

Beginnings and Endings

Today seems to be one of mixed emotions. I arrived at school today to find a little package on my desk with a photo of a baby attached. The PE teacher's wife gave birth to a cute little girl a few weeks ago, and today we all received some sort of "Osewaninatta" present. I haven't opened it yet - will save it for later. But it made me realise that this young baby is at the very beginning of her life. She has nothing behind her and everything in front of her. What an awesome position to be in. I know we have all been in that same spot, it's just we don't have the memory of being there. Being able to watch someone experience things for the first time is priceless.

My one and only class today was the final class for my 3nenseis. We did one final practice sheet before watching the video of the plays they all made a few weeks ago. They were awesome - one in particular had me laughing the entire time. And then Mr S said "Now Grant has something to say." The time had come to say goodbye to these kids; the kids I have been teaching here for the past 1.5 years. My speech was short; I told them that when I first arrived here, I became their teacher. During my time here, I hope I became not only their teacher but also their friend. Now, I am no longer their teacher but I hope I remain their friend. I gave each student a good luck card, and in return they gave me a little book with a message from every one of them. It's amazing. They never cease to amaze me. What an ending to 1.5 years.

After class I went to the Primary School for their 6nensei Okurukai (farewell party). Again, these kids are amazing. Each grade gave a performance as their farewell gift to 6nensei. There was music, singing, acting, storytelling... Then, after 2 hours, all the students and parents made an archway for the 6nenseis to exit the gym through. I didn't see any tears, but I'm sure some kids were on the verge. My schools are very small, so the students build strong relationships with their teachers. It will be hard for them to say goodbye.

And then I came back to the Junior High School to find sekihan (red rice) on my desk. This type of rice is served on special occasions; graduations, weddings, and apparently Okurukais. I guess you could call it celebratory food. Anyway, I didn't eat breakfast this morning so I snuck some of it into my mouth just as I sat down, and man it's good.

So, a bit of a funny day today. After lunch, we have the Junior High School 3nensei Okurukai. Again, each grade will give a performance. And so will the teachers. We will sing.

I wonder what kind of emotions it will evoke?

Our friend, beer

There is nothing like the sound of cracking open a tinny after a couple of hours of hard work. That "psssst" is music to the ears. And sometimes, you don't want the song to end so you keep on creating beautiful music by cracking open more and more tinnies. And then you realise it's 2am. And you have work the next day.

I do yoga at the village's Kouminkan every Tuesday night, but numbers have been dwindling so my mate T who organises the class decided to run a month's worth of free classes to try to boost numbers again. Some of our other mates came for a bit of a laugh and to see if it's possible to stick one's toe in one's ear after one yoga lesson. After bending and stretching and putting left toes between right toes for two hours, we decided that the only thing we could then do was drink. So we went back to Ka's house where his wife Ku just "whipped up" some fried onigiri, fried fish and salad and opened up packets of peanuts, dried shellfish, chocolates, cakes... Watching a J-Drama about a woman dealing with alcoholism, we drank the beer and ate the food until there was no more beer. Ka asked me if I had tried Chinese liquor. Before I could finish saying "No, I haven't", there were 3 glasses on the table and the unopened bottle out of its box. Mixed with hot water and with a little sugar (apparently that's the way it's done) I think I have found a new addition to my "Top 10 Drinks" list. T likened it to Lemon Tea.

So drinking drinking drinking, we suddenly realised it was 2am. And we all have work today.

Eh. I made it here, didn't I?

Midnight Crisis

Last week, I had a midnight crisis. Lying in bed trying to get to sleep, I had this sudden panic that I have achieved nothing in my life; I realised that I had become complacent with life and was riding a flat wave with a known destination. I realised I didn't like this. I wanted a challenge. I needed a challenge. But what?

I emailed my counsellor J, and told her of my crisis. I had reached a conclusion - a solution - to my problem by the time I clicked send. I decided that the challenge of Habitat for Humanity is what I needed.

After a few days of running around, asking for days off work at one of the busiest times of the year, it was all settled. 15 ALTs from Gunma are heading off to the Philippines for Habitat for Humanity and I'm one of 'em.

Now people who know me will know that I love my mod-cons. This trip will be a challenge for me, that's for sure.

But this trip will not only help me. More importantly, it will help people in the Philippines by providing them with a home; providing them with something that many of us take for granted.

Makes you think, huh?

Check 'em out

Definitely worth the read.

http://demasiado.typepad.com/demasiado/

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