I realised for all this time that I've been blogging I've never once mentioned how life actually happens for me here. Here's a usual day at a visiting school.
6:25am Alarm goes off. I press snooze. Twice. Then the thought of not having enough time to straighten my hair and finish my breakfast finally proves enough motivation to get a groggy me out of bed. I proceed to do my teeth, get dressed and straighten my hair, slap a bit of make up on and make and have breakfast.
7:35/40am I head out, and kick myself as I pass the rubbish racks for forgetting its recyclable plastics day or burnable rubbish day, but I could never be bothered or I usually have no time to go back to get the rubbish. I get my bike and cycle to school.
7:50/55am I get to base school, and by that time the taxi is usually waiting for me already. I roll in to say my good-mornings to staff room people, get the taxi tickets, say goodbye, roll onto the taxi, and daydream whilst the taxi makes its way to the visiting school.
8:10am I get to my visiting school, faff around, discuss with the teachers what we'd be doing for the day's lessons; go to lessons; play some warm up games; get kids to repeat what I'm saying; walk around and day dream some more when the teacher's doing the grammar explanations...
12:20pm Lunch time! At this one particular school, I have lunch with the kids. But they always take forever to prepare their lunches in their classrooms. They have to dish out rice or noodles or bread, and side dish, and milk, and maybe a dessert to 25 people in the class, get two people to come to the staff room to get me, find me a seat, get everyone to sit down quietly, say 'itadakimasu' (something along the lines of 'I'm grateful for what I'm about to receive'), and eat their lunch, all in 30 minutes. By the time they do start eating there's only about 15 minutes left to actually eat.
1:25pm Afternoon lessons start, and are usually very tough especially after rice days since rice just puts everyone to sleep. Which means I have to be extra animated and loud and crazy. Not fun, depending on how many classes I've had in the morning.
3:15pm (or earlier) Students clean the school and staff supervise. I'm never assigned any particular role in this but I also feel uneasy if I'm just sitting at my desk while the kids are sweeping and wiping and cleaning all around me. So I usually grab a broom and sweep a bit, usually my row of tables; or in other schools I help dry the mugs after the girls have washed them.
3:30pm Taxi comes to take me back to my base school from the visiting school.
4:05pm After sitting around and just faffing for 20 minutes or so I grab my stuff, hop on my bike and zoom down the drive way and go home. Or go to the supermarket.
But today, things were a little different. On Wednesday, I have calligraphy class. But this week, things were yet a little more different. Last week, I was asked to play the piano for the teachers' performance in the upcoming school choir singing contest. And we were going to have a practice. So today I stayed at school and practiced my piano part during the teachers' meeting, then the teachers joined me in the music room and we practiced two songs, me on the piano making an aweful load of mistakes.
So I was quite late for my calligraphy lesson today - an hour late to be exact. But there's no fixed time so I could turn up anytime and stay for as long as I wanted really. Today was especially nice because before I left I told my teacher why I was late and how busy it's been these days and so she gave me a bowl of hijiki-itame (umm meat + seaweed thingy + tofu stir fry) to take home so I don't have to cook!! Cha-ching.
(Carrying on with the usual Wednesdays)
5:20 I get home and change into my PJ bottoms, collapse into the 'couch' and read 2 or 3 chapters of the Bible according to the Bible-in-one-year schedule (although I'm usually a few chapters behind.)
6:00 Dinner, usually in front of the computer watching Hugh Laurie being a genius, American and rude. (Not implying any correlation between the 3 factors)
7:20pm E, a Japanese housewife, comes over, sometimes bringing delicious chocolates or snacks to feed my guilty conscience. We chat for about 2 hours, in English and Japanese, and by the end I'm usually so tired I don't realise what language is coming out of my mouth anymore. She get's the signals, leaves me, I shower, check facebook for the 38th and final time, go to bed.
Sometimes I write useless blog posts like these before I go to bed.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Unused
A few weeks ago, schools around the city have been told by the city's board of education to use ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers - i.e. me) for first grade English only, because "second and third graders need to focus on passing exams". And so for the last 4 or so I was only schedule with the 1st graders. I was used less than 50% of my time in school. I had to ASK the 2nd and 3rd grade English teachers to let me come to their classes. I think it's the first time I've actually asked for lesson time.
What are those office-bound grandpas and grannies at the BOE thinking!? That 2nd and 3rd graders don't need to learn English from native speakers? That 'focusing on passing exams' means they can't learn anything from us? And that whole 'need to focus on exams' thing is so hypocritical - the whole point of hiring us JETs is to give their English lessons something more than just for the sake of exams. It gives them opportunities to interact with an English speaker, to get them to talk and listen to native sounds, to expand their horizons within the classroom, to prepare them for this increasingly multicultural world that we live in. And yet these so-called educationers are going back to what I thought they were trying to break free from - narrow-minded exam-focused youth who are so behind in communicating in the world's one common language - even compared to many of their Chinese and Southeast Asian counterparts. These kids are smart, they have so much potential, and if given the opportunity and incentive they can improve a lot in their language education.
I always get comments from Japanese people saying how my Japanese is so good when I've only learned it for 4 years, whereas they can hardly utter a word in English despite the fact that they've learnt it all though junior high and high school and some even in university. Of course, one of the main reasons for this difference is because I am emerged in a solely-Japanese-speaking society. And that's it. If people here were taught English more intensely and from a younger age, more people would be using English, and they wouldn't have zero-English.
I feel quite often that I'm cheating the government's/tax payers' money when I'm being paid so much for doing so little. Use me!
What are those office-bound grandpas and grannies at the BOE thinking!? That 2nd and 3rd graders don't need to learn English from native speakers? That 'focusing on passing exams' means they can't learn anything from us? And that whole 'need to focus on exams' thing is so hypocritical - the whole point of hiring us JETs is to give their English lessons something more than just for the sake of exams. It gives them opportunities to interact with an English speaker, to get them to talk and listen to native sounds, to expand their horizons within the classroom, to prepare them for this increasingly multicultural world that we live in. And yet these so-called educationers are going back to what I thought they were trying to break free from - narrow-minded exam-focused youth who are so behind in communicating in the world's one common language - even compared to many of their Chinese and Southeast Asian counterparts. These kids are smart, they have so much potential, and if given the opportunity and incentive they can improve a lot in their language education.
I always get comments from Japanese people saying how my Japanese is so good when I've only learned it for 4 years, whereas they can hardly utter a word in English despite the fact that they've learnt it all though junior high and high school and some even in university. Of course, one of the main reasons for this difference is because I am emerged in a solely-Japanese-speaking society. And that's it. If people here were taught English more intensely and from a younger age, more people would be using English, and they wouldn't have zero-English.
I feel quite often that I'm cheating the government's/tax payers' money when I'm being paid so much for doing so little. Use me!
Eco-friendly --> Eco-hypocritism!
I haven't blogged in a while. There's quite a lot to be said.
Ever since being in Japan, I've seen big contradictions in Japan's so called eco-friendliness. On one hand, the commercials on TV are always going on and on about new eco-tax-free cars, eco-friendly TVs washing machines air-cons refridgerators vacuum cleaners cellphones coffee farm produce etc as well as TV programmes on eco-friendly exercises and activities around the country etc etc.
Yet on the other hand, there's so much packaging in EVERYTHING. Take a box of souvenir cakes for example. First there's the paper bag, then the cardboard box, then under that is a plastic bag, and then you'll find a plastic tray carrying the little cakes, and you find these little cakes individually wrapped in plastic wrapping, and open the little wrapping you are likely to find a small piece of cardboard paper underneathe the little cake/tart/snack.
I do however, like the fact that the Japanese separate their rubbish in so many categories - burnables (wet rubbish), recyclable plastics, plastic bottles, cans, paper, glass, unburnables (metal and used cosmetics bottles etc), electrical appliances etc. It is quite a pain in the face when I first got here, and another pain in the face since it is impossible to find rubbish bins on the street. But still, great initiative.
Back to the criticisms. Supermarkets in my city have stopped giving out free plastic bags, they're only 3 yen (0.02 british pounds) per bag, and not to mention the clear plastic bags that you put your onions and brocollis in, and the plastic trays you get if you buy meat or sushi or cooked food. Then if you buy a 'sanitary product' they put that 'product' in a separate little paper bag.
Finally, the most ridiculous idea ever - the new government is proposing to make all highways completely free. Highways in Japan are tolled. And then about a year ago the government made it a lot cheaper by promoting the 'ETC' system - you buy this card for something like 30,000yen (200 pounds), and then when you have that you can use the highways all you can like for 1000yen per ride (I think). Come long weekends, number of cars on the road up, congestion up, pollution up, noise up, frustration up. And tour bus companies are going out of business.
Ever since being in Japan, I've seen big contradictions in Japan's so called eco-friendliness. On one hand, the commercials on TV are always going on and on about new eco-tax-free cars, eco-friendly TVs washing machines air-cons refridgerators vacuum cleaners cellphones coffee farm produce etc as well as TV programmes on eco-friendly exercises and activities around the country etc etc.
Yet on the other hand, there's so much packaging in EVERYTHING. Take a box of souvenir cakes for example. First there's the paper bag, then the cardboard box, then under that is a plastic bag, and then you'll find a plastic tray carrying the little cakes, and you find these little cakes individually wrapped in plastic wrapping, and open the little wrapping you are likely to find a small piece of cardboard paper underneathe the little cake/tart/snack.
I do however, like the fact that the Japanese separate their rubbish in so many categories - burnables (wet rubbish), recyclable plastics, plastic bottles, cans, paper, glass, unburnables (metal and used cosmetics bottles etc), electrical appliances etc. It is quite a pain in the face when I first got here, and another pain in the face since it is impossible to find rubbish bins on the street. But still, great initiative.
Back to the criticisms. Supermarkets in my city have stopped giving out free plastic bags, they're only 3 yen (0.02 british pounds) per bag, and not to mention the clear plastic bags that you put your onions and brocollis in, and the plastic trays you get if you buy meat or sushi or cooked food. Then if you buy a 'sanitary product' they put that 'product' in a separate little paper bag.
Finally, the most ridiculous idea ever - the new government is proposing to make all highways completely free. Highways in Japan are tolled. And then about a year ago the government made it a lot cheaper by promoting the 'ETC' system - you buy this card for something like 30,000yen (200 pounds), and then when you have that you can use the highways all you can like for 1000yen per ride (I think). Come long weekends, number of cars on the road up, congestion up, pollution up, noise up, frustration up. And tour bus companies are going out of business.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
How to fail at life
I have recently been dipping in and out of a pool of cynicism as I have begun to realise the possibility of life after this JET year, and the pressure of this inevitable decision-making moment that is rolling towards me like a giant tsunami. Right now I'm in the pool. So please allow me a few moments to vent.
It seems nowadays there are quite a lot of ways to fail at life, at least according to certain circles of friends or people near and around me at Uni or in HK.
You fail at life when your As at A-levels don't count for shmizzle after a few short years.
You fail at life when you don't have a 'useful' university degree such as business or engineering or medicine.
You fail at life when you don't graduate with 19 job offers from large multinational corporations all eagerly waiting to take your soul.
You fail at life when you're not aiming to have some sort of 'professional qualification' by the time you're 25.
You fail at life when your job doesn't make your rich clients richer or get your clients' advertising postered all over bus stops and on prime time TV.
You fail at life when your ambitions don't necessarily spell out 'have an excessively comfortable life'.
You fail at life when you're not amazingly good at at least one thing or hobby like playing the violin or photography or a particular sport.
You fail at life when you're not at one point in time studying for some exam for some course or qualification.
You fail at life when you're still living with your parents at the age of 25.
You fail at life when you're not in a steady relationship with someone who is also either already a 'professional' or working towards becoming one.
You fail at life when you don't have a company box for horse-racing and rugby-sevens.
You fail at life when you don't have 'power lunches', 6 meetings a day and don't leave the office until 11pm.
You fail at life when your mileage card doesn't have a million miles from frequently going on business trips around the continent and beyond.
Additions to the list are welcome.
It seems nowadays there are quite a lot of ways to fail at life, at least according to certain circles of friends or people near and around me at Uni or in HK.
You fail at life when your As at A-levels don't count for shmizzle after a few short years.
You fail at life when you don't have a 'useful' university degree such as business or engineering or medicine.
You fail at life when you don't graduate with 19 job offers from large multinational corporations all eagerly waiting to take your soul.
You fail at life when you're not aiming to have some sort of 'professional qualification' by the time you're 25.
You fail at life when your job doesn't make your rich clients richer or get your clients' advertising postered all over bus stops and on prime time TV.
You fail at life when your ambitions don't necessarily spell out 'have an excessively comfortable life'.
You fail at life when you're not amazingly good at at least one thing or hobby like playing the violin or photography or a particular sport.
You fail at life when you're not at one point in time studying for some exam for some course or qualification.
You fail at life when you're still living with your parents at the age of 25.
You fail at life when you're not in a steady relationship with someone who is also either already a 'professional' or working towards becoming one.
You fail at life when you don't have a company box for horse-racing and rugby-sevens.
You fail at life when you don't have 'power lunches', 6 meetings a day and don't leave the office until 11pm.
You fail at life when your mileage card doesn't have a million miles from frequently going on business trips around the continent and beyond.
Additions to the list are welcome.
Sunday, 4 October 2009
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater
Here is a women: orphaned, arthritic, incontinent, blind, with cancer, lying here almost motionless in her bed. In Annie Johnson Flint's biography Rowland Bingham wrote that the last time that he saw her she had seven pillows cushioning her body to keep her supported from indescribable agony.
He recorded this hymn that she wrote in his book:
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace. When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
- Annie Johnson Flint
He recorded this hymn that she wrote in his book:
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace. When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
- Annie Johnson Flint
Ugly works
It's been sitting at the station bike park for a week and my new but ugly almost-turquoise bodied bike was still there when I picked it up for a spin around town this morning! Maybe the lime green lock added that extra off-putting-ness to it.
Win. (For now)
Win. (For now)
Thursday, 1 October 2009
China is 60
Happy Birthday, People's Republic of China.
60 years of communism. Of control and censorship and disrespect for human rights.
60 years of major change and rapid economic development and growth. But also of killing half a million people per year (recent years) with cancer caused by its terrible pollution and industrial wastes.
60 years of an amazing journey from being a country that used to be bullied and forced to buy opium by mean powerful countries and trade with and cede colonies to them , to a mega powerful country that produces almost all consumer products for the world, with a powerful army and navy, producing 100 billionaires in a year...
Happy Birthday.
60 years of communism. Of control and censorship and disrespect for human rights.
60 years of major change and rapid economic development and growth. But also of killing half a million people per year (recent years) with cancer caused by its terrible pollution and industrial wastes.
60 years of an amazing journey from being a country that used to be bullied and forced to buy opium by mean powerful countries and trade with and cede colonies to them , to a mega powerful country that produces almost all consumer products for the world, with a powerful army and navy, producing 100 billionaires in a year...
Happy Birthday.
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