It's Summer Vacation! You Don't Exist!

Today was the last day of the first Japanese school semester and the start of summer vacation. Even though I am still expected at work during the break, I've requested enough nenkyuu (paid vacation) to keep me away from the office. In all seriousness, I desperately need a mental break. Japan has a masochistic school schedule with summer vacations only spanning a little over a month; and even when there are no classes to teach (say, during spring vacation), the teachers are still expected at work. 

I sound a bit whiny, huh? 

Truthfully, I am exhausted with planning English lessons, games, and activities. For example, I planned a lesson based on Frozen and had the 4th graders at Ginoza Elementary sing a bilingual version of "Let it Go." A bilingual version of the song doesn't exist, so I had to use my nerd skills to splice together the Japanese and English versions of the song. I also made a handout with the lyrics and, since the kids can't read English, I inserted the Japanese phonetics for the English words. After teaching the 4th graders, all the other grades wanted to learn the bilingual version of "Let it Go" as well. After teaching the lesson 20 times at three different schools (I'm not sure if that's an exaggeration anymore), I wanted to punch Elsa in the face.

It begins to feel like Groundhog's Day, and what's worse is that some students give up without even attempting the activity because of the muri or "impossible" attitude that anything slightly difficult is impossible to achieve. So I have to begrudgingly cheer them on even though I want to shake the sense into them. I can't get upset, though. I just found out yesterday that my 6th graders believe I speak Japanese because they think I'm half Japanese. They just cannot fathom that I studied Japanese. 

Do you see why I need this mental break?

I have a lot of plans for this summer, but my first act of summer business is to ignore my students as though they don't exist.

Just kidding! I'm not that mean! Well, that actually depends on who you ask, lol! 

Super Typhoon Neoguri World!

Last week at Ginoza Elementary, the principal announced that Typhoon Neoguri (Typhoon #8) was projected to hit Okinawa. As a Floridian, nothing under a Category 3 Hurricane fazes me but when they announced that Typhoon Neoguri had the same strength as 1992's Hurricane Andrew, a Category 5 Hurricane that devastate all of South Florida, I knew I was in for it.

Stocking up on supplies was easy and since my apartment is solid concrete, I knew that I wouldn't have any real damage aside from a possible broken window. Moreover, because there is only one window in my apartment, actually a large sliding door, I knew I could take refuge in the kitchen, shower, or toilet room.

As Typhoon Neguri closed in on Okinawa, the typhoon suddenly changed course and the center would slightly miss Okinawa but travel close to the west of the island. Although it wouldn't be considered a direct hit, I knew from experience that the inner and outer bands could cause enough damage to shut down the island. This was a massive typhoon, or so it seemed compared to the tiny, tiny island that is Okinawa.

It's customary in Florida to have the day off before a hurricane strikes in order to party prepare or evacuate. I assume the Okinawa would take the same precautions, but boy was I wrong. The day before the typhoon I was beside myself with anger. The principal called an emergency meeting and announced that if the buses canceled their services for the following day, we were not to come to work but take nenkyuu (paid holiday).

Did you read what I just wrote?

I had to wait for Okinawa's bus companies to cancel their services in order to know whether or not schools would be closed! When the f$%# did bus companies become meteorologists? And why do I have to take a paid holiday off?

No one at work could confirm that school would be canceled. When I asked, their response was 「台風くるかなぁ」　or "Will the typhoon come?" I just mentally screamed, "Will the typhoon come?! The f%&$ do you mean will it come? It's coming people!" I could not handle the bureaucracy and although I love Japan and Okinawa, their vagueness over something as serious as a natural disaster really "tap danced on my nerves." Later that Monday evening, the bus companies canceled services for the following day.



See that long island to the right of the eye? That's Okinawa!

I moved my dead potted plants and drying rack inside and awaited the storm. Later in the night I heard the winds pick up, but I peacefully slept through the night. Tuesday morning, Typhoon Neoguri hit Okinawa with relentless winds. When I looked outside, I saw telephone polls, power lines and trees swaying in the wind. My apartment, which was built to withstand earthquakes, also began to gently sway. My phone rang constantly with emergency text warning various cities to evacuate due to landslides and flood, and it wasn't before long that I lost power.

I spent most of the morning messaging friends and family, but I kept my phone powered by using my laptop and an external Iphone battery. I read books and played DS the entire day until I feel asleep.

We had a meme off that day. My messages are on the right

The following morning, no one knew what to do about work. The buses had resumed service, but the weather clearly indicated that the typhoon had not completely passed. I contacted my town's middle school ALT, who told me that he was expected at work. If he was expected at work, then so was I. I began to dress for work but half way through, he sent a text saying morning classes were canceled, and that he was sent home. Later, they said he needed to take nenkyuu for going home, even though they sent him home. It doesn't make sense! I was so confused and, since my classes were canceled, I decided to stay home. Around 1pm, the weather cleared but my phone was down to 3%. I made a trip to the BOE (Wednesday afternoons are my BOE days) to charge all of my electronics. I thought they would question as to why I wasn't at work, but they only asked if I was alright. They are too good to me!

I stayed there playing on the computer working until it was time to leave. The power returned, but the Internet was still down until I contacted my Internet service providers, who sent workers to my apartment.

First typhoon of the season and hopefully the last!

#FaithInHumanityRestored

More often than not, I witness ridiculously heartwarming situations that restore my faith in humanity.

Here’s one example:

As I taught the 2-1 class at Ginoza Elementary words to describe the weather (i.e. sunny, rainy, cloudy, etc.), I noticed that Kota, a special needs student, was in attendance. This wasn’t a problem because I have taught him before, but I hoped the lesson would not be too difficult for him. After I reviewed the words, I asked the students to push back their desk and make a circle with their chairs in order to play Fruit Basket. 

Fruit Basket is a game where the students sit in a circle with one person standing in the middle as “It.” After handing out word (in this case, weather) cards, the person who’s “It” calls out a card; for example “sunny.” Those who have “sunny“cards have to stand up and switch sits with the other students who also carry a sunny cards, while the person who’s “It” tries to take an empty seat. Eventually, one person is left without the seat and that person becomes the new “It”. You can also yell out “Fruit Basket,” and watch all the students switch chairs. However, I always eliminate that option because the students would rather say “Fruit Basket” than practice the vocabulary. 

Before long, Kota was left standing the middle, visibly upset as the new “It.” I tried to reassure him, as I slowly reviewed the vocabulary words. However, another boy called out to Kota. I assumed that the boy was going to give up his seat so that Kota would no longer be “It.” Instead, the sitting boy, held Kota’s hands and asked, “何がいい？” or “What is ok? Sunny? Rainy? Cloudy…” The list continued as Kota fiercely shook his head but when the boy said “Snowy,” Kota nodded and the boy instructed him to loudly say the word and run. Kota said the word and was able to find a sit in order to avoid becoming ‘It’ once again.

The interaction between the two really pulled on my heartstrings. It was really touching to see a student helping his special needs friend that I couldn’t help but wonder if that sort of exchange would happen in the U.S. 

(By the way, it's not a secret to his classmates that Kota is a special needs student. They all know and understand that he is limited. Even then, he is not shunned or excluded by any means. What happened to "the nail that sticks out, gets hammered in" philosophy?)

School Lunches: Okinawan #Foodporn

I wouldn't consider myself a "foodie," but lunch time is my favorite time of the day! Elementary and middle schools offer 給食 (kyuushoku) or "provided lunches" to students, faculty and staff. Unlike their U.S. counterparts, these school lunches are well-balanced meals that incorporate all the food groups. Lunch usually consists of a salad, soup, dessert (fruit), milk (although I never drink it), and a main dish (almost always rice, noodles or bread) Sometimes I have no idea what I'm eating but as long as it's not meat (aside from fish; pescatarian in da house), I'll eat it. I'll even eat the foreigner-despised natto or fermented soy beans. Check out some Japanese school lunches below! 

The school lunch above was a themed lunch for Okinawa's Memorial Day. It shows what little foods Okinawans had available during WW2.

Goya champuru (champloo)! Super Okinawan

Notice the lack of fruit? It was grapefruit day! No thank you.

I scraped all the meat off of the tofu! 

Ahh grapefruit! Red grapefruit is ok, but the yellow ones are too bitter.

That little green container has natto! I ate all of it!

Boy Problems

Japanese children are a mystery to me

I'm not trying to promote the exotification of Japanese culture, but sometimes I feel as though I don't know my students at all.

Alright, that is a bit of an overstatement, but let me explain. The younger children are more forthcoming about their feelings and emotions but as they age, they become more reserved and withdrawn. As a female teacher, the girls are at ease with me; and while there are boys who confidently interact with me, the majority are shy. This reservation and fear does not help me understand their personalities and it also does not necessarily help gain respect, as I've had issues balancing kindness while also commanding respect. Let's give some examples!

Yūga

6th grade

 M. Elementary

Yūga is one of the few outspoken boys who actively participates in English class. All the students participate, but he goes above and beyond to learn and use as much English as possible. Also, it's not rare for him to ask me how to say a certain phrases in English so that he can use them during class. In general, he's a good kid. However, last week as I glanced across the room to check everyone's progress, Yūga looked at me and said, "馬鹿野郎 (ばかやろう, Bakayarou or idiot)" assuming that I wouldn't understand. I changed my expression and asked, "Who is?" Seeing the stern look on my face, he smiled, pointed to himself and said, "I am." I told him he was right and walked away. 

Rin

6th grade

G. Elementary

Rin is an outspoken boy who enthusiastically disrupts English class. His participation in class usually depends on his interest in the lesson. I remember my first interactions with him consisted of him repeating the word "China" even though the lesson had nothing to do with countries:

Me: Do you like baseball?

Rin: China!

Me: Let's try again. Do you like baseball?

Rin: China!

Me: Well, I guess we're done here.

I referred to him as the "China Kid" until the 6th girls from my other schools confessed that they were in love with him and with that confession, I learned his name. He is also the only student who refuses to call me by my name. Instead, he either calls me ★のカービィ先生 Hoshi no Kābī sensei (Star Kirby*-sensei) or ★のガービィ先生 Hoshi no Gābī  sensei (Star Gabi-sensei). To retaliate, I call him Rin-chan (Baby Rin), which also makes his name sound like a girl's name.

"Kābī" ("Kirby" in Japanese sounds) a lot like "Gabi."
 If only they knew how much ass I kick with him in Smash Bros.

Last week, the homeroom teacher asked me to begin class without her because she needed to speak with a student in the hallway. I walked into the class and inquired about the day's classroom leaders, who were suppose to lead the English class chant. When the students remained silent, it was Rin who ratted out his friends and told them to hurry up because class had started. What!?!

Maybe he was polite because the English Advisor, who was visiting the school at the time, had to co-teach with me because the homeroom teacher's "talk" turned into a 20-minute yell-fest? Nope! He did it again another day and even told a few a his friends to shut up while I spoke. Weird!

Hyūto 
a.k.a. Kyūto Hyūto (Cute Hyuto)

5th grade

K. Elementary

Hyūto is an another outspoken boy who enthusiastically disrupts English class, but he also actively participates. Does that even make sense? For example, one day Hyūto kept interrupting my lesson, so I asked if he would like to be the teacher for the day and lead the class. I assumed that he would remain silent out of embarrassment but to my surprise, he rose to the challenge and took my place in the front of the classroom while I stood behind his desk like a student. The lesson went well, and I even received compliments from the principal.

Last week while we were practicing the days of the week, I noticed that Hyūto was not only saying the words with me, but also rudely imitating my voice. I gave him a menacing look but he continued until I finished my review. My co-teacher stopped me from reviewing the months of the year and began to scold Hyūto in front of the class. Hyūto was then asked to sit alone in the back of the classroom. After class, my co-teacher called Hyūto to him and began to scold him once more. 

Giving you the stank eye!

Co-teacher: Were you making fun of Gabi-sensei? 

Hyūto: No, I wasn't.

Co-teacher: Then why did she look at you? Were you not saying the words at the same time? Were you not saying the words in a high pitched voice? Like a girl?

Hyūto: ::Silent::

Co-teacher: Well, answer!

This went on for 15 minutes, but my co-teacher used Hyūto's silence to berate him on his lack of respect. I knew it was necessary, but I couldn't help feeling bad when Hyūto began to cry. 

Co-teacher: Now that you understand, what will you do? 

Hyūto: Apologize to the class.

Co-teacher: To the class?!?

Hyūto: And to sensei

Co-teacher: Which sensei?!?

Hyūto: Hirofumi-sensei.

Co-teacher: To me?!? (my co-teacher lost it at this point)

Hyūto: to Gabi-sensei

Co-teacher: That is the only person who you should be apologizing to. Now go apologize!

Hyūto walked over to me, but remained silent as he used his shirt to wipe his nose and shield his face. My co-teacher left the room to speak to his homeroom teacher, but instructed Hyūto that he was not allowed to leave the room until he apologized. While he stood in front of me crying, I glanced around the room in search of tissues. I couldn't find a box, so I succumbed to  standing and waiting for his apology. After 10 minutes, he popped out of his shirt, apologized, and quickly walked back to rejoin his classmates.

Kind of like this, but his face was inside his shirt.

Boy Problems

From these situations, I learned that I shouldn't judge my male students' level of respect for me solely based on their participation in class. Their hesitation to interact with me is an issue but, in the end, boys will be boys. I never take instances of their disrespect to heart, but I will correct it if it occurs. Until then, I will continue to be that "friendly American face."