Humdiddly Scrumptious

So I’m writing this as I sit and listen to my host brother play the piano AND I’ve finished all my homework which feels TERRIFICALLY ODD. It’s great to be in a house of music and a musician who knows he must practice and does and sounds great. I remember what it was like to practice and practice for a concert. Actually it was more of prac for a concert. J He must perform on September 20^th completely from memory a piece that sounds a little Bach. But I forget the name. A serenade I think…

I am writing these entries a week behind basically. So Sunday seems to work well to write and I sit at my computer and type away in Word. Then at some point, I find internet (at Gandai or at Sensei’s apartment) and post it up. AND the internet often is squirrely so you get things like what happened with my last entry (“BBQ and BANZAI”) and I think it hasn’t posted because it doesn’t look like it has posted, so I post it again and blogspot ends up with two of the EXACT SAME ENTRIES and then I can’t figure out how to delete it or I don’t have time to or SOMETHING. Overall, Japan internet doesn’t do too well with blogs. I apologize because you’re probably like “WOW. SHE WROTE SO MUCH! YAY! But why did she title it the same…” Sorry, folks.

This past week, it was time for all of us to get excited about the junior high school track meet (Tuesday, 9/1). It was POURING Monday 8/31, so the meet was maybe going to be cancelled. But it wasn’t because the rain stopped!! HOORAH!!! 20 junior high schools, (all in Morioka-and we teach at nine of them! YEAHHHH!), come together once a school year for THE community even to end all community events. It takes place at this stadium some 15 minutes from Gandai (so we all met at Gandai at 12:40pm; didn’t go to host school because of the meet all classes are cancelled and the ENTIRE school is expected to show up; more on this soon…) and rode together to the track meet (with the directions Yuki gave us on Monday in class). Elizabeth and Claire were driven by Yuki and we ALMOST beat them there (not really), but we DID look like a mighty fine biker gang (7 of us plus Sensei cruising down the sidewalk).

The stadium isn’t like the two sided ones you usually find in America (there are SOME exceptions), but this stadium struck me because it was SO inclusive of everyone participating and watching. We, first of all, parked our bikes a little ways away (there were MANY bikes, so I figured it was a good spot to put all of ours) and walked a few minutes to the stadium. It had the energy and volume and feel of a professional track meet/sporting event/concert/you name it. These students had been there since 8am (and it was now 1:20pm) and they were going like they had JUST arrived. The spectators (as in, not from the junior high schools) sit on bleacher-like seats that face the track and field. And completing the rest of the circle, if you will, are bleachers seating the 20 junior high schools (19 because my host school was out with influenza; but our runners still ran!). School size varies from 200something to 600something. So figure the average times 19. WOW. Every student had on their school uniforms (which vary from light and dark green to yellow to crimson to navy blue to teal, etc.); boys were seated on the right half of the student body, girls on the left; all runners were cheered on, supported, showed appreciation.

So we sit down in the spectator bleachers and watch the beauty unfold. 100m dash, long jump, 100m hurdles (WOW). The great thing about any organized activity in Japan is that it is ORGANIZED. When the Japanese do anything, they do it RIGHT. I was watching the students line up to test their marks for the long jump. Girls in one line on one long jump pit, boys in the other. They came out from underneath the bleachers, from a room or gathering area, in a single file line. Each student had a marker they placed down prior tot heir test run/jump. And everyone in line was ALREADY in the order of jumping. That is, the students were lined up closet jumper to furthest jumper. It was BEAUTIFUL. No one needed to ask an adult questions. No one held up the line. No one forgot where to put their marker. No one balked. No one strayed. No one LOST FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND. The Japanese could WRITE A BOOK on concentration, on efficiency, on doing what is the quickest/fastest/most logical. And it is a SHOW to be sure.

Everyone gets to go sit with their host schools and watch with their students and fellow teachers. I sat with Yuki and Kuriya Sensei and Sugiwara Sensei (the woman from the Board of Education who had presented to us at Aiina (library/community center/office building) August 19th). Then, before the 200m started, Yuki wanted me to go back and get our SICE students, so I did (they times me, but I never knew how long it took; probably 8 minutes if that; walked around the top of the stadium as we had done to “drop off” people). We then watched the mile run and the two mile run and the 200m and 100m relays. And this is where the show REALLY began. You don’t know cheering until you’ve seen schools yell in unison (and these are JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS), move in unison, cheer the same thing at the same time, hold up colored cards to make DESIGNS within the group (akin to the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing Olympics 2008)… One school, Fuzoku, had SCROLLING LETTERS (2-3 at a time) spelling “FUZOKU FIGHT WIN” “WINNER” and then a big “F” that changed color because the students would flip their colored cards upside down OR would remove their jackets to have a different colored shirt underneath to create contrast. Schools displayed their kanji (the Chinese symbols that symbolize words), “GO”, “V” for victory, etc. IT. WAS. PHENOMENAL. JAW-DROPPING. SPECTACULAR SPECTACULAR.

So needless to say, we were on a high from THAT when we left at 4pm or so. People were hungry, so we decided to stop at a soba (noodle) place on the way “home”. Yuki said we could get a plate of gyoza (potstickers) and ramen (noodle soup) on the SICE budget. Some people, like Starving Indian Child Abhi, got two meals (gyoza and fried rice), then we mistakenly were given ANOTHER meal so he ate that too (he tried to pay Yuki extra and she took it, I think). I had gyoza and ice cream (aisu) because you can never go wrong with some good dairy. Gots to get my pyramid requirement you know. We split ways there-some went back to Gandai because they knew how to get home from there (some 5 minutes more), some went home from the soba place because home was close, others went elsewhere and then went home…

Wednesday (9/2) was “Let’s Get Our Alien Registration Card” Day, much like National Chocolate Milkshake Day, but that’s not until September 12^th. Elizabeth and I decided to go together a while ago and we stuck to our plans even though the rest of the group had said they would go on Thursday after class. So after our half days, we met (her host school is right behind my house and she lives a 20-minute walk away) and took the bus together to the shyakusho (city hall), where we had gone on August 18^th and applied for le registracion card. She wanted to stop for a McDonald’s burger, so we did. J Some familiarity is sometimes necessary, though I feel McD’s here is very different.

That’s another thing I like about this place. We take the bus three quarters of the way, walk one third, walk into the office, present our documents that told us to go there (and had other information about us) and they handed them right over, taking them out of a nearby file cabinet. We checked the information against our passports, found no errors, thanked the man who had assisted us, and walked out. No joke, it was less than two minutes. We didn’t wait, we weren’t told to hang on because some woman named Mildred knew where the papers were and she was on her lunch break, we weren’t looked at rudely, not that any of these things happen with any glaring regularity in America. We were treated with respect, efficiency, and thoroughness. It’s all protocol.

We had walked past JTB (Japan Travel Bureau) en route to city hall, so we walked back because Elizabeth wanted to inquire about a train pass for her time in Tokyo (during our independent travel time October 1-5 following our group trip to Kyoto and Hiroshima September 26-30). I then asked about the monkey spa, which confused the woman who was helping us. There is a hot spring where baboons are found, in the mountains, beautiful when covered in snow. Turns out it’s in Nagano, to the west of Tokyo, so I want to go there during the break as well as see Yoko (who is outside of Tokyo in Saitama). It should be doable, I just have to work out the train and bus logistics. Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Ueda, from Ueda to Nagano. Train from Nagano to a small town where the hot springs are. Bus to the hot springs. Yay!

While we were asking about all of our curiosities, Claire saw us from outside, came in to join us, sat with us while we asked about train passes and monkey spas, and then we went to Daiso (hyaku en shoppu) and then through Iwate koen because Elizabeth wanted to take some more pictures, like of this huge boulder with a rope around it that apparently shows a demon’s hand when it rains…

On Thursday (9/3) morning, I ran with Hanako for the first time. Good, but could have gone faster. But was a little sore from it. Spent the majority of my transit time and “free” time this summer biking, not running.

In class, we received feedback from Yuki regarding the host family meetings she and Kuriya Sensei had Wednesday night. Doing well so far. Haven’t done too much wrong. J Before Yuki met with us individually, the two of them gave some broad statements. Many families worried about the picky eating habits of their students, messy rooms, laundry, etc. I have so far LOVED trying new things, keep a very tight ship, and do my laundry once a week. No problems there I think. Tsukie (my host mother) had mentioned food (apparently I was eating a lot or she was wondering if I ate like I do ALWAYS) and me being reserved/quiet sometimes. So when I returned home that night (after dinner at Sensei’s-see below), I talked to Tsukie and Otoosan (father) about the fact that I could do with less food and that when I am tired, I become quiet.

We had all decided to have dinner at Sensei’s apartment after class, so she told us to bring our computers if we wanted to use her wireless (which Abhi set up when we arrived there). The group was going to go get their Alien Registration Cards, but when class finished at 4, Ethan and Mitchell needed to go home and get the sheets of paper one needs if one wants to pick up their Card. So they were going to meet Abhi at Sensei’s apartment. Because Elizabeth and I had already gone and Claire didn’t want to take the bus down there and have to bus back to Sensei’s, the two of them walked and I rode to Sensei’s apartment. Nicole and Tamara and Samantha were going to go to city hall because Tamara knew the way and could lead. I don’t know if they made it in time before city hall closed (at 5pm).

We had a wonderful dinner of okonomiyaki (pancake-like concoction; has noodles, egg, ham, onions, shrimp, etc, at least this version did). WONDERFUL. I checked email and Facebook (a little) and posted my blog and we listened to Kanye West (R&B, hip-hop, rapper) on YouTube. We’re so silly.

On Friday (9/4), I helped Itoh Sensei, the third year teacher whom I will be working with in November, with two English classes, sat in on her homeroom and her 5^th period (with her homeroom class), and helped clean. Cleaning involves moving all the desks back, sweeping, moving all the desks forward, and dusting and washing the blackboard. Every school has designated cleaning time at the end of the day and today was an extra special day because once a year, they wax the floors of the classrooms. So all the desks, bookshelves, etc. were moved out and the students washed and scrubbed and then waxing took place, done by three student volunteers (girls). Itoh Sensei and I talked extensively about the differences between American schools and Japanese schools-the education system in general. Homeroom teachers are very close with their students, closer even than parents sometimes. Police call the homeroom teacher when a child is in trouble, for instance. Also, teachers enter the student’s domain (classroom) and respect the students. Then the students enter the teacher’s domain (teacher’s room) and show respect to them there. They are respectful of the teachers and listen to them and don’t fell ruled by them, in my opinion.

This whole week, we were getting excited about MOUNTAIN CLIMBING because we were set to climb 2000km high Mount Iwate (Iwate san) on Saturday (yesterday, 9/5). Kuriya Sensei and 6 of us climbed Iwate san (Tamara, Samantha, Elizabeth, Ethan, Claire, and myself). The other option, Himekami san, was the choice of Mitchell and Nicole. Abhi chose to not participate and spent his day doing other recreational activities). We were told Iwate san would take about 9 or 10 hours round trip and Himekami san would be 4 or 5 hours. For reference, Mount Fuji (Fuji san) is about 3500km, but my conversion tool on my phone shows that 2000km equals some 65,000 feet and I just don’t think that’s right. Tsukie was to drive Ko (my host brother) and I to Iwate san because he wanted to climb it too (host family members were more than welcome). We woke at 4:30am, left by 5:30am, and arrived at the parking lot/trailhead at a little before 6. The guides (6 of them) introduced themselves and talked a little about how they wanted the climb to go (slowly; if you feel sick/injured, tell them immediately), then we introduced ourselves, we took a bathroom break, and then we set out. I AM SO GLAD KO AND I BROUGHT POLES (called “stock”-sutokku). It became steep and became steeper. When we reached the first rest stop, the leader informed us that there were 10 such stops. This was the first of ten. Tsukie and Otoosan had given us candy (sweets were recommended to keep up energy) and Tsukie had packed 2 onigiri (rice balls with a center of fish or meat, wrapped in seaweed) for each of us as well as an egg. I also took a banana and an apple.

It was tough going. Upwards and upwards. Rocky and unstable sometimes. But the speed was great. The guides did a wonderful job (this company has led SICE students on the Iwate climb and Himekami climb for a number of years) and we arrived at stage 8 at 11:30am, where bathrooms existed and a glacier-fed tap flowed freely. From there, we could see the top, only two more stages away. Food was good to eat here, though at every stage, we had taken drinks of water and sweets were passed around. Good energy, good humor.

The top was an AMAZING sight. In the process of going up, from stage 1 upwards, we went into the clouds. We breathed in cloud. At the top, we could see Morioka in the distance and the greenness that is so strikingly beautiful of the not-so-urban landscape. While climbing, around stages 4 and 5, we could see the parking lot (and cars) and bathroom facilities oh so far down behind us. THAT was cool.

Going down was harder. Controlling oneself on rocks that gave easily was treacherous sometimes. It makes sense why Kuriya Sensei and Erin (Program Associate at Earlham) and Yuki said that it is a difficult climb, that it tests you, that it is one of the more difficult things you will do on SICE. Some people had a great deal of trouble. There were tears at times. There was pure courage at others. The two definitely went together on multiple occasions. To be afraid but keep going, to fear falling but keep trekking, to have your heart pound, but keep putting one foot in front of the other-that is pure inspiration. THAT is SICE 2009. People had aching body parts, sore feet, bugs buzzing around their heads, hungry stomachs, but we all kept going.

We emerged into the parking lot in the gathering darkness (used flashlights for the last 15 minutes) at around 6:30pm. 12 hours later, we had seen clouds and the moon. We saw bright flowers and new growth and changing leaves and we saw ground by flashlight.

My host brother said it was easy, but it was not a walk in the park. I was drenched with sweat, but it felt good to know one has exerted effort. We are both sore today, as I write this. Quads and calves. We both have sunburned faces and my neck is pink too. I also have a great farmer’s tan going on from climbing in a t-shirt.

Today, Sunday 9/6, was a day of homework mostly, with breaks for laundry and an art museum visit with Tsukie and Hanako. It was not draining, time-consuming homework. It is reading and analysis and summarizing and question-forming. Tamara, Claire, and myself “present” tomorrow in “Literacy in Japanese”. We each read one part of a three segmented assignment (various readings in a packet that was made for us for the semester), orally summarize it, and create questions to prompt discussion in class. In addition to it being “our day”, we also had to summarize each reading and write our own comments in a journal that we turn into Kuriya Sensei after class. We have the same kind of packet thing for “Cross-Cultural Education Perspectives”.

I wish I could read all about YOUR lives. I hope they are going well. And if they are not, please do not hesitate to write me an email if you need someone to talk to. J You all keep me going and inspire me and many others on a daily basis. Thank you. May you continue to shine bright and reach high.