Adjusting

One of my schools, affectionately known as 'hell school', and features a very large and hairy spider or two or three.......


I have had my first day of summer school. School is out for Japanese students and for those
competitive students, which seems to be all of them, there is little rest and lots of cramming. PKC has it’s own summer program and just as my luck has it, my first teaching position starts with summer school. There are 3 different programs for PKC kids. 3 years old attend with their parents and I have a couple of those to teach, which should be fun, except I don’t know how dealing with the parents will be. I taught my intermediate class for 6- 9 years olds today and these kids were great. Even the boys were well behaved and quite earnest. No troublemakers. And oh so great. One of the girls started to cry because she could not find the answer. The water works ended when I pointed out where Canada was located. It really helps to understand Japanese, even though I am not allowed to speak to Japanese. Because I can understand their dilemmas, distressing moments are quickly ironed out. I am really impressed with their willingness to work hard and practice English. These kids have been really good. My more difficult class came with the older class whose curriculum is geared so that they can pass their English test, the Eiken test. Poor youngsters cramming away at the young age of 10ish. The boys in this higher-level class would no doubt rather being playing. The one girl in the class is struggling and has the unpleasant affair of being the only girl. I dip into my Japanese, so that they can understand what is expected and grammatical issues. The level is too high for these kids and I suspect that their parents have forced them into this level. Even the troublemakers are pretty cute at this point. I actually look forward to teaching them again tomorrow. They are now my kids. I will have over 400 kids. Imagine this. I have accepted that I will never have kids of my own. But with PKC, I now have several hundreds little Japanese minds that I can try to mold and make an impact upon. Fate is a funny thing.
It is a bit stressful at the moment, as I have to figure out where all the schools are and prep the material. There is also the responsibility of the safety of the children. I must be careful not to let any kids escape. This is really stressed by the school. I am the only teacher there and there might be as many as 12 kids. I have heard horror stories of kids escaping and tormenting their teacher. We are supposed to look the door, but this can be difficult if kids arrive late while you are teaching. You are not supposed to let them out of your sight. This can be hard if they are bouncing off the walls. It might be a lot of stress at the moment, but other teachers have told them me that after a couple of months, the job is easy. In fact one burnt out teacher told me he might have a hard time returning to an 8 hour job back home, as he only works 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. I can hardly wait for that day. At the moment, I am out the door at noon and don’t get home till 9. So the commute is sucking up a lot of time, but once I get a grip on the transportation route, I might be able to read, sleep, or listen to music and enjoy the time.
I won’t get a day off until August 4th if I am lucky. It feels like forever since I have had time to myself. Even my last two day offs in Nagoya were filled with packing, cleaning, and moving. It just never seems to end. I can’t wait to spend a day to myself in my Leo pad. Hopefully, if my day off request goes through, I can attend Kodo’s Earth Celebration on Sado Island. I think it will be a well-served vacation, if only for two days. I need a bit of time to organize that, so fingers crossed that I will pull it off. It would be a totally awesome experience for me and, really, one of the reasons that I cane to Japan to check out.




A beautiful flower near my pad that I often walk by. There are many beautiful flowers around....









So I was just watching TV and was really engaged in a program about Okinawa. It looked so beautiful. They showed this Tokyo woman who married and Okinawa man and she spends her time glass blowing when the kids are at school. They live in a school bus that is extended into an outdoor dining room and kitchen. It looked so amazing and like the perfect life. Really amazing. They showed some musical excerpts with this 80-year-old woman who played sanshin, sang and danced. She had a hibiscus garden where she collected the flowers to make hibiscus tea. I was blown away. They show bits around Yomitan, where I would love to visit, as there is an awesome taiko group there. I must find a way to go there and spend some time in Okinawa. Oxens pull beautiful hand carved carts with their horns adorned with beautiful hibiscus flowers. There is a birthday special by Japan Airline, where you can travel for a hundred dollars around the time of your birthday. So I have decided that I will be spending my birthday on Okinawa. The special is extended to four other people. Any other takers?















Cigarette Vending Machines

Japanese TV is showing a lot of educational programs for students that must cram away. I caught a history course that was really engaging. Then there was an instructional piano show. Learn piano by watching TV! Hamamatsu is the headquarters for all the big musical instruments companies like Kawai, Yamaha, Roland, and others that I can’t remember right now. I’m not watching tons of TV; it’s just that I get home around nine, tired sweaty and hungry. I like to unwind with some TV before I crash. The best is “Tonari no Tootoro” – cartoons. Yippee. Now there are showing people at an onsen, ok men, featuring long interviews conducted in the baths, and it’s all quite natural. There will be a bunch of specials around the Hiroshima nuclear bombings coming up next week. There are always tons of shows about food. Last week featured a show on bananas. Oh, and there was a feature on the deer problem in Nara. The deers are sacred (they belong to the Emperor – correct if I am wrong) so they do as they please. And they do a lot of damage around town. They have a penchant for plastic and vinyl and paper, amongst other things. It is not uncommon to find them strolling into the train station and nipping at folks bags. I have to check this out. Lots of deer poop all over town as well. List of places to visit? Nara is there.
That is it for the moment.

Lots of love from Japan!

LeoPad

My view outside


Here are some pics of my cosy home that dear T-chan has been waiting on 4-ever (gomen, neh). My Leo-Pad caught me by surprise. I was prepared to be living in a closet. Apart from my tiny rv like kitchen, I am pretty happy with my little nest. I have the best deal compared to my colleagues. Here is a view looking out to the door, as I venture out into Japanese society. At the first left is the so-called kitchen and bath area. The next door that is slightly ajar opens into the toilet. Toireto, restorumu works well, but obenjo, a term that I often used is apparently old- fashion and out-dated. If you use this term, like I have in the past, people will laugh at you and wonder why this foreigner is using a term from the graveyard. Even if it is polite laughter, it is still laughter, and one feels stupid.





Turning around and looking in towards the pad, a view I look forward to after work - the central pad area complete with table that is nailed into place. No redecorating here, I tried and once I realize that all the furniture was nailed into place, I sunk into a content resignation. This is it. And this is the way it will be. I tried my best to clean up, which is why it took so long for these pics to happen. The pad just naturally graviates toward a cluttered state. Note the pineapple - killer deliious pineapples that are dead cheap, relatively speaking.



This is the desk that I work from at this very moment. The desk is, of course, nailed into place and the internet cable is very short so that I am trapped in this tiny space, spending a great amount of time squished in here. I don't know the feng shui aspects, but it probably is not good. It doesn't look good and it is not very comfortable, but it is a minor detail. I am very appreciative of my Leo-Net and really should learn more about the digital phone and the internet tv stuff. I am just not that techno-nerdily (note the new mahoo-ism, I wannna copyright on that) inclined that way. note - the pic of mojo on the desk. my lovehound. also note the 'hello kitty' fan - a score from the second hand shop as well as a lifesaver. the aircon is just above the desk. both are going when the heat is baking!


And behind the desk area is this closet, quite spacious really with space above that is curtained off. You can see the ladder that leads to the loft area, the secret to the cosiness of the LeoPad. The ladder also serves as a hook to hang clothes and hats.








My bedroom loft where lies my snuggly futon. It is a very thin futon atop a this pad, by the way. My predecessor apparently had several pads and two futons, creating something of a princess and pea scenario, in terms of mounted bedding. I want to be tough and authentic, so I have stored the spare futon and pads away, and make use of only the bare essential. I sleelp very well and don't mind the barebones feature. There is a window at the back and with that window open and the large front window open, I have a sensurround audio experience of orchestral insects that serenade me throughout the night - and day for that matter. There is a littel alcove where I have my books stashed.



So this is pretty much it for the so-called kitchen. And the space of this text and the layout on this page, pretty much replicates it's geograhy. No doubt, smaller than the kitchen one might find in an rv. I am trying to get used to it, but it is very challenging. This is one of the reasons why I don't cook. Too demanding in terms of oranizing and strategizing - like a war effort. Sorry, all my analogies these days reflect the war. I have noticed. I am not impervious to what is going on outside the LeoPad.



Past the so-called kitchen is the washing maching - an egg, that is what the model is referred to as. Very cute. I love having a washing machine in my pad. To the right of the washer is the bathroom/shower - Japanese style. So my fab friends informed me that the bathroom also functions as a dryer. Of course I will need someone who reads Japanese help me figure out the setting..... same old story.



Here is the not so exciting picture of the toilet, which is closet to the door of the LeoPad, makes it easy to rush to the toilet when entering. Please note the faucet above the tank. This is a standard feature on many toilets, even on the squat toilets. The water that enters the tank flows through here first, in case you need to have a quick rinse. I think this is so environmentally ecological, although I have noted my colleaue's squeamishness, not that I understand it. It is not like you are washing your hands in the toilet bowl. Ahhh, spoiled westerners from the country with a huge water resource.

This brings a close to my presentation of my LeoPad. I have to say that after months of being somewhat homeless and in limbo, filled with doom and gloom, it is such a blessing to have such a cosy, clean, and comfortable nest. The home is where the heart can reside. Without one, it can be hard to feel positive and secure about one's life and difficult to function in our crazy world. There is such stigma that is attached to a person without a home - I have felt it many times. After many years of dealing with housing issues and involvement in the squatting movement as a politcial force for social change, all I can say is that everyone deserves to have a decent home and a clean, warm bed to lay one's soul down. End homeless now! LeoPads for everyone!

View from the loft

Kakegawa, Shizuoka

Kakegawa Station Southside

July 24, 2006

I now find myself in Kakegawa, Shizuoka, where I will be living for my year’s contract with PKC. As I arrived by Shinkansen, I was surprised to find a fairly large town with a thriving looking downtown. Well, that is a bit of an exaggeration. The tall buildings with billboards give it that big town feeling, but it is pretty much a one large main street kind of town. The first day was very busy, as I had to apply for my alien card and open up a bank account. I tried to get a cell phone, but there were some hitches and so that will have to wait until early August.

LeoPad

As I was taken to my apartment at Leo Palace21, I found myself in rural like scenery. Farm like patches and cows painted the picturesque aspect. I am in my fab Leopad, as I have christened it. The building is fairly new and much lager than I expected. The bedroom area is a loft and this helps to create a larger space. I love it. I expected a closet like space, but this is far and beyond my expectation. I think I really lucked out. All the appliances are new and include stove, microwave, fridge, and washer. The basic furniture included are: table, TV, vacuum, and desk. The former teacher left two futons behind, so I am set up for guests. The space is quite small and so it is a challenge to cook and clean. I have not figured out how to dry dishes, as there is no rack. No drawers, but I guess I will figure it all out soon enough. It even comes with pots, plates, bowls, dishes, cups, glasses, utensils and cutting board. It is so wonderful to have a home. It feels like forever since I have had a home and I can’t wait to really settle in, which might be a while since work is pretty intense right now. I have not had time to properly unpack and my guitar is still all tied up. If I can get a bike, things will be really rolling. Everyone has one (or a car) so that walking around as I do really sets you apart as a foreigner.

Walk from Leopad to train station. Rooster = Rural

Free internet with Leo-net and I think that I have a free digital phone, but I am not sure how the Leo-phone works. This is Leo-love. I absolutely love my Leo air conditioner. When I turn it on, bits and pieces start to move to help circulate the air. This is the lifesaver, although I am trying not to run it all the time. Without the air con – I would probably die, as it feels like Mexico every day. The sun beats down under blue skies and it is oh so humid. I am surprised that I haven’t lost all my bodily fluids because rivers of sweat flow off me. I kid you not. I go through 3 sets of clothing a day. But my health has been quite good - knock on wood.

I am told that there is a foreigner’s bar run by an American, Mal, who appears to have an interesting background (hosted Japan’s CNN and friends to Jazz greats such as Miles Davis and Stevie Wonder, and living in Japan for 30 years) and runs a jazz club here in Kakegawa. I also found out that Hamamastu (close by) has the largest population of Brazilians in Japan. I can’t wait to check out the Brazilian-Japanese folks. Make a bet they are very lively, from what I recall of my Brazilian friends.
When I left Nagoya, everyone told me how cool (temperature wise) Shizuoka is compared to the armpit of Japan, Nagoya. But it is hot here. Everyday has been blue skies and beating sun. As I walk to the train station, which I seem to have to do to get to my schools, I drip in sweat. I try to walk slowly so as to minimize the sweating. I have even tried carrying an umbrella for protection from the sun, but still the sweat pours off of me. It really is beautiful and it is nice to catch the rural side of Japan. The little windy roads with rice paddies on either side. The sounds of giant insects. My PS, performance supervisor – i.e. boss, Andrew from Toronto, warned me of poisonous spiders (with giant bodies), poisonous caterpillars and poisonous snakes. I am also bracing myself for giant cockroaches that fly, giant cicadas, giant bees, etc…How can a small island country have so many giant insects? No wonder the Japanese fabricated Godzilla. Yes, I still expect to see Godzilla come stomping through the country/city side. I can’t erase those old Japanese films from my imagination. What I should really be concerned of is earthquakes. The Tokai earthquake has been calculated to occur every 150 years here in Shizuoka – and it is well over due. Such is my fate. Wherever I choose to live (i.e. San Fran, Vancouver, and now here in Shizuoka), there seems to be an imminent earthquake due.

Giant Ciccadas (?) - 3-4 inches long!

they perform wonderful orchestral music!

Nagoya's Temple and Shrines

Entrance Gate to Todanji Temple





I visit many shrines and temples. I find them irresistable. Many of the famous ones are quite old, extending back several centuries. Toganji Temple was on my list of 'to do' in Nagoya and it took me two trips to nail it down. I heard there was a giant Buddha and I was not disapointed. It was my favorite temple in Nagoya, of all the many that I did visit. I enjoyed it's haunting tranquility, peculiar for the fact that it was smack in the middle of Nagoya city in a thriving and happening part of the city.















along the winding path, there are many sights to be seen......
















pet cemetary? shrine with offerings. more animal statues next by, take my word on it.



The little windy path made it's way to several different shrine like areas, including a pet section, which I of course adored. I am assuming, of course, that it was a pet section from the fact that there were many animal statues around. However, I did not verify with a specialist, so I could be making a fool of myself and I am willing to be stand corrected and have a good chuckle.
Eventually, the path led to the Buddha and I found it spectacular. The moment was quite special as few people were around. I crossed paths with a South Asian couple and we exchanged Buddhist foreigner's greetings (a nod and a smile). I took my time to gaze at the many statues surrounding the Buddha that created a busy scene.

Towering statue of Buddha

A very large Buddha hand - one can sit in it.

Staris to Shiroyama Shrine Entrance Gate to Shiroyama Shrine

After Toganji Temple, I hit Shiroyama Shrine and bought an amulet for a dear friend, special request for a scwhine hundt, from a priest. There were many stairs leading to the shrine, a typical feature that I have noticed, flanked by lanterns. I encountered a priest, once again I am assuming, but I felt quite strongly that it was so, perhaps the bald head, who was running up and down the stairs of the shrine. Penance or a cheap form of the stairmaster? I will never know. I was intrigued though.

Dragon trough at the neighbouring shrine

I came across another shrine as I left Shiroyama Shrine and had to walk through it. I found some great dragons by the water trough that I ritualize as pruification. This shrine was very low key, but from posters nearby, it looked like it might be having a festival soon.

Nagoya-Jou

July 22- Nagoya-Jou

It was upon my third attempt to visit Nagoya castle that I actually managed to enter. I had been distracted by other things, like the Sumo tournament that was taking place next door. Prior to entering the castle, I walked around the perimeter of castle, beyond the moat. Many people were walking their dogs at the time. I was surprised to find some homeless people who appeared to be living there by the small tarp that was pitched and the belongings around the area, as well as several cats that appeared to be living there. I could not imagine living outdoor in the tarp in that overwhelming heat and humidity. Not even a fan to cool off. It seemed inhumane.


Perimeters of the castle featured an area where homeless men were camped with cats. These koi and the swans were in abundance around the moat. The appeared accustomed to being fed as you can see they are not camera shy.













Many lovely views from the castle along the walkway. I think I spent more time around the outskirts of the castle, than I did within the castle walls.

I had to take a photo of this beautiful household shrine. It was in a public area so perhaps it does not belong to a household, but I will not know at this point. And I could not resist this photo of the public toilet outside of the castle walls. I did not venture inside, but I did appreciate the architect. I also found an interesting sign that featured the local birds in the area. Very informative, especially if one reads Japanese.

The castle had been destroyed during the war, so there is little that is original. Still it was interesting to walk about and take in the traditional scenes that were depicted throughout. Some of the gates and small towers are original. There are gold dolphins that are perched atop the castle, that are symbolic of the castle. However, they don’t appear very dolphin like to me.

Golden Dolphin

Outside of the castle but still within the walls, I found an old tea house that featured many paper doll scenes that would take place around the castle centuries ago. They were fantastic and I had to take a bunch of pictures, even though there was glass separating and reflecting, creating a problem taking pictures. Some festival scenes and processional scenes around the court as well as some wonderful music making scenes, that I absolutely loved and wanted for myself. I think I enjoyed this tea house more than the castle.

Nagoya

Sakae at night

Nagoya

My colleagues are all a friendly bunch and mostly Canadians. As soon as we started to arrive in Japan, we were busy introducing ourselves and making plans to explore Nagoya together. Power in numbers, especially when you are the minority in a very different culture and stick out like an inflamed thumb.










Okonomiyaki

We hit the Izakayas together, but eating en masse presented a problem, as people had different needs. I did manage to sneak off to an okonomiyaki bar for lunch with a colleague and it was great. It remained on the tempanyaki while I ate it! I was able to instruct the chef how I wanted it cooked and how much sauce. I was very happy. I have to admit that it was a very hot experience that might be better enjoyed in the winter time, despite the numerous air conditioners that were running. I found it interesting to note that many buildings have several air conditioners hard at work, trying to keep people cool. Seriously, some of the buildings I have seen have a small brigade of air conditioners hard at work. I must take a photo. It is not a sight I am used to seeing in Canada.

We investigated Sakae's nightlife (really we just skimmed the surface, as we didn't have the monetary funds to do justice to Sakae's nightlife) and I was so happy to have a few takers for the ferris wheel. It was tacky, but I loved that slow moving ferris wheel. I had been wanting to have a go since I first laid eyes on it, but wanted to take a ride with others. We exchanged tales of horror after our first real teaching in a class. Some of the kids were pulling the leg hairs off one of the recruits and another kid ended up accidently kicking him in the balls! It was a great bonding experience to have fellow Vancouverites, for the most part, to adjust to Japan within our little bubble of a group.

On the Ferris Wheel