Tuesday, February 2, 2010
♥ Revelations
No, I have no excuse for not updating, but I do have some interesting musings. A lot has happened, but you will have to survive without an explanation. Mom & Briana came to Japan and it as amazing. I still think about it all the time and I wish the were still here. However, instead you have this in which I realize some things.
I've been thinking a lot lately. A lot of emo-ing, a lot of crying in my bed, a lot of really hating myself. It happens, I'll survive, but at the core of it I couldn't quite understand why. I've done a lot of floundering here. A lot of, okay, I'll go out and get durnk, just because... and then really not enjoying myself. I don't know whether it's from trying too hard or from a raging apathy that has consumed me, but whatever it is, it was really crashing down on me. I was waiting to cross the street to the 7/11 across the way from school when a car passed by (as they are prone to do) and I thought to myself, I wonder what it's like to just be driving around your home, what that's like here, and just like that, it hit me. I've been living here over six months and I still do not think of Japan remotely as my home. I don't see Yaizu as where I live, but more like where I'm sojourning until I leave on my next adventure. Yaizu is not my home, Japan is not my home. I don't see my bike ride back to my house as biking through my neighborhood. It was this emptiness that I didn't realize until that moment when I mused what it'd be like to be in a place you're so comfortable in that you unconsciously see it as your home. To be at ease as you walk the streets. Sure, I know where I'm going, but there is something missing. My heart isn't here and as I crossed the street to get my favorite sandwich, I was comforted by the fact that I would be leaving... most importantly to the places that I do identify with, to the places that are my home.
I don't incredibly dislike Japan, no, but even after so much time I'm not settled. That's what has been bothering me. I've felt like a reckless abandon and it was because of that main solitary factor. I can't rightly rectify this. I have, however, undertaken a different view of how I want to live my life here. I don't want to drink so much, or have to rely on it to have a good time. I need to stop this preoccupation with boys. Seriously. Moreover, and perhaps the most important, I need to be kinder to myself, but by means of pushing myself. I'm going to start going to the gym as much as possible, but at least two to three times a week, and every Sunday morning with Jessie. I'm going to clean more, get out, if even for a walk more, and start eating healthier. I love veggies, I should eat them more than rice and bread, which are quite bad for me. Just because my pancreas decides to work most of the time, doesn't mean it always will. I need to chop the sugary drinks and stick to tea and water. I want to read more, write more, and prepare myself for a life that isn't taking a back seat (even though I don't think I have, I think I'm damn good at getting what I'm going after in life, I just don't want to get so comfortable and lazy that I fall into that).
To this, this all occurred just because I missed the green light at the crosswalk. Huh.
I've been thinking a lot lately. A lot of emo-ing, a lot of crying in my bed, a lot of really hating myself. It happens, I'll survive, but at the core of it I couldn't quite understand why. I've done a lot of floundering here. A lot of, okay, I'll go out and get durnk, just because... and then really not enjoying myself. I don't know whether it's from trying too hard or from a raging apathy that has consumed me, but whatever it is, it was really crashing down on me. I was waiting to cross the street to the 7/11 across the way from school when a car passed by (as they are prone to do) and I thought to myself, I wonder what it's like to just be driving around your home, what that's like here, and just like that, it hit me. I've been living here over six months and I still do not think of Japan remotely as my home. I don't see Yaizu as where I live, but more like where I'm sojourning until I leave on my next adventure. Yaizu is not my home, Japan is not my home. I don't see my bike ride back to my house as biking through my neighborhood. It was this emptiness that I didn't realize until that moment when I mused what it'd be like to be in a place you're so comfortable in that you unconsciously see it as your home. To be at ease as you walk the streets. Sure, I know where I'm going, but there is something missing. My heart isn't here and as I crossed the street to get my favorite sandwich, I was comforted by the fact that I would be leaving... most importantly to the places that I do identify with, to the places that are my home.
I don't incredibly dislike Japan, no, but even after so much time I'm not settled. That's what has been bothering me. I've felt like a reckless abandon and it was because of that main solitary factor. I can't rightly rectify this. I have, however, undertaken a different view of how I want to live my life here. I don't want to drink so much, or have to rely on it to have a good time. I need to stop this preoccupation with boys. Seriously. Moreover, and perhaps the most important, I need to be kinder to myself, but by means of pushing myself. I'm going to start going to the gym as much as possible, but at least two to three times a week, and every Sunday morning with Jessie. I'm going to clean more, get out, if even for a walk more, and start eating healthier. I love veggies, I should eat them more than rice and bread, which are quite bad for me. Just because my pancreas decides to work most of the time, doesn't mean it always will. I need to chop the sugary drinks and stick to tea and water. I want to read more, write more, and prepare myself for a life that isn't taking a back seat (even though I don't think I have, I think I'm damn good at getting what I'm going after in life, I just don't want to get so comfortable and lazy that I fall into that).
To this, this all occurred just because I missed the green light at the crosswalk. Huh.
1:25 PM
Sunday, November 8, 2009
♥ My Apartment
3:46 PM
Thursday, September 10, 2009
♥ Enkai
enkai = welcome/leaving/celebratory party usually involving namihode (all you can drink) and some sort of amusing event.
And the above definition is true, never mind that I wrote that definition. Suck it.
Forgive me, I am writing this after drinking 7 drinks... not entirely sure what... I like 4 ume-shous, 1 lime... thing... 2 apricot liquer things... I don't know. But I have warned you and thus I may continue.
So I had my welcome enkai with the English teachers (well 7 of the 9 of them anyways, the other 2 were busy with something), and what at first started as incredibly awkward ended with me laughing my ass off and everyone clapping and having a good time. I'm genuinely surprised, but in a good way. Turns out it was one of the second-year teachers who planned this whole thing to me, and we hadn't talked that much... though she did help me find the 100 Yen store and I gave her omiyage for it... maybe that had something to do with it. Anywho. So I got to the restaurant (Bali Hai... which was SO good and the atmosphere was amazing and omg it was so freaking awesome) early, because I'm like that, and after awhile one of the second-year teachers walks up... she is now known as Savvy-sensei for reasons I just explained. She's the one who organized it, and she looks savvy. She's friend with Stilleto-sensei... was that her nick-name? The thoroughly modern lady who is just so damn cool. She has the British accent? (omg side story: she brought an article to me the other day about Japanese "herbivores" and i proceeded to read it after inquiring if it meant vegetarians and she freaked out and was like NOOO! NO no no no no no... apparently it was about metrosexuals... which are called herbivores in Japan. I don't understand this connection. I'm sure many metrosexuals enjoy a nice filet mignon...)
... errrrr where was I? Anywho, so she shows up and we go instead and after like 5 minutes of awkwardly talking and me looking around the restaurant she leaves and then returns with Smiley-sensei, Coldplay-sensei, and another teacher, a third-year teacher whom is dubbed Car-sensei... since he gave me an impromptu ride home my first day. Candy-sensei, Blueberry-sensei, and another first year teacher who is now dubbed Bakery-sensei (since she brought me to a delicious bakery!) will be late because they aren't done lesson planning or helping students. That's cool I guess, I was a little worried, but then I was being hounded about what drink I wanted so that occupied my mind. Damn I need to learn katakana. I pointed to something and wah lah.
I've come to the conclusion that the Japanese have horrid alcohol tolerance. As a precursor.
Food started to arrive and I WOWed and AMAZEDed the teachers by flipping my chopsticks around and using the OPPOSITE END to grab food with as not to contaminate it. Immediately Coldplay-sensei was like "EEEEEEHHH?!?! SUUUUGOOOOI! You can use chopsticks that way?!" And then we had a 10-minute discussion about how beginners hold their chopsticks near the bottom and pros at the top. I was in the middle near the top, but they were so impressed, and when the other teachers showed up (and apologized profusely for being late... no big really to me but yeah, they're Japanese) I was commended on knowing Japanese etiquette that a lot of young Japanese don't even follow. Major brownie points to the gaijin, allll riiiight. So the drinks and food keep coming, we're chatting about all sorts of things (and apparently Silver Week is a gaijin invention, most likely an ALT invention as known of them have ever heard of it, haha) ... fuck, I lost my train of though. Sorry, I was thinking about gum.
Anyways.
I now seem to be connected to the home economics, tea ceremony, and ikebana clubs on campus, as well as some sort of Japanese craft festival/place that Bakery-sensei is going to be taking me to. I mean this is all very exciting, but dear lord that is a lot... not to mention earlier today I expressed an interest in Japanese archery (kyudo?) to the Deputy Principle, which he'll probably mention to our star player.
haha. Oy. I think my life is about to get very busy. Though at least Bakery-sensei said for tea ceremony and ikebana I could "watch" or "try it" not "join" like I wanted to with the home economics club. She was going to look up cooking lessons for me in Yaizu, but this is more convenient, and it's free! We both agreed it was a better arrangement. This all came about because I said I loved Japanese tradition (since America doesn't really have that deeply entrenched of one) and we just all got to talking and they were impressed about how much I knew (which isn't a lot, but a little goes a LONG way here).
At one point we were talking about my trip to Kyoto and they were saying I needed to go to Nara and there was a temple/place/thing there I needed to go to... but it was pronounced nearly identical to a place in Kyoto and like 15 minutes was spent on them all trying to decide which was which. My face must have been priceless because they just kept laughing at how lost I was. I taught them the difference in pronouncing desert and dessert... and I told them all what a sake bomb was. We talked a lot about sake actually. I had the same convo like three times. lol.
Savvy-sensei... oh man she was red. Haha, she kept being like "KRIS! Your next drink?!" And I would pick one and so would she. We were the champions. Everyone else had to drive so they had very little or not alcohol. The men were very interested in Shirley Temples, which I thought was freaking adorable, but I couldn't really explain why it was called one. "It's er... well the syrup is sweet and Shirley Temple was cute... uhm... no, I have no idea."
On a totally unrelated note, I confessed that I didn't like Old Bay, which Bakery-sensei thought was very amusing. lol. Her and Candy-sensei said that their students said today that they really liked me and can't wait for the next team-teaching classes. Candy-sensei also divulged that the students, especially the boys, think I am very cute. And the girls think my eyes are beautiful. I get the eye comment a lot (I like my eyes!) so that was adorable. D'aw widdle high schoolers. Dey sho cute. But they like me! And even some of the older teachers said they've heard I was very good. Yaaaay!
Okay, back on track.
I think the most amusing part was when Smiley-sensei asked Candy-sensei (the youngest teacher) and I a.. question? I don't know, it made no sense and I still don't understand what happened.
"Kris-san and Candy-sensei.. please tell us about human relations..."
Wait whut?
"... making human relations..."
And this is the point that my blank stare turns to hysterical laughter and suddenly everyone understands why I'm confused (someone shouted "About teaching of course!) and/or embarrassed. Smiley-sensei just starts clapping and laughing, saying "Happy! Happy! Happy!" and then we're all clapping and suddenly everyone is thanking ME for the enkai when it was really Savvy-sensei's doing. So I thank her and she's all pleased and then we're getting up and leaving and Smiley-sensei is pointing out all the staues to me and making very traditionally cryptic jokes and I'm like.. hmm I like stairs. So we start to go our separate ways when a teacher makes sure I can get home (I live behind the place practically) and after assuring her I was fine I ended up back here really needing to pee... and still trying to figure out what Simley-sensei meant about Candy-sensi and I telling them about human relations...
And the above definition is true, never mind that I wrote that definition. Suck it.
Forgive me, I am writing this after drinking 7 drinks... not entirely sure what... I like 4 ume-shous, 1 lime... thing... 2 apricot liquer things... I don't know. But I have warned you and thus I may continue.
So I had my welcome enkai with the English teachers (well 7 of the 9 of them anyways, the other 2 were busy with something), and what at first started as incredibly awkward ended with me laughing my ass off and everyone clapping and having a good time. I'm genuinely surprised, but in a good way. Turns out it was one of the second-year teachers who planned this whole thing to me, and we hadn't talked that much... though she did help me find the 100 Yen store and I gave her omiyage for it... maybe that had something to do with it. Anywho. So I got to the restaurant (Bali Hai... which was SO good and the atmosphere was amazing and omg it was so freaking awesome) early, because I'm like that, and after awhile one of the second-year teachers walks up... she is now known as Savvy-sensei for reasons I just explained. She's the one who organized it, and she looks savvy. She's friend with Stilleto-sensei... was that her nick-name? The thoroughly modern lady who is just so damn cool. She has the British accent? (omg side story: she brought an article to me the other day about Japanese "herbivores" and i proceeded to read it after inquiring if it meant vegetarians and she freaked out and was like NOOO! NO no no no no no... apparently it was about metrosexuals... which are called herbivores in Japan. I don't understand this connection. I'm sure many metrosexuals enjoy a nice filet mignon...)
... errrrr where was I? Anywho, so she shows up and we go instead and after like 5 minutes of awkwardly talking and me looking around the restaurant she leaves and then returns with Smiley-sensei, Coldplay-sensei, and another teacher, a third-year teacher whom is dubbed Car-sensei... since he gave me an impromptu ride home my first day. Candy-sensei, Blueberry-sensei, and another first year teacher who is now dubbed Bakery-sensei (since she brought me to a delicious bakery!) will be late because they aren't done lesson planning or helping students. That's cool I guess, I was a little worried, but then I was being hounded about what drink I wanted so that occupied my mind. Damn I need to learn katakana. I pointed to something and wah lah.
I've come to the conclusion that the Japanese have horrid alcohol tolerance. As a precursor.
Food started to arrive and I WOWed and AMAZEDed the teachers by flipping my chopsticks around and using the OPPOSITE END to grab food with as not to contaminate it. Immediately Coldplay-sensei was like "EEEEEEHHH?!?! SUUUUGOOOOI! You can use chopsticks that way?!" And then we had a 10-minute discussion about how beginners hold their chopsticks near the bottom and pros at the top. I was in the middle near the top, but they were so impressed, and when the other teachers showed up (and apologized profusely for being late... no big really to me but yeah, they're Japanese) I was commended on knowing Japanese etiquette that a lot of young Japanese don't even follow. Major brownie points to the gaijin, allll riiiight. So the drinks and food keep coming, we're chatting about all sorts of things (and apparently Silver Week is a gaijin invention, most likely an ALT invention as known of them have ever heard of it, haha) ... fuck, I lost my train of though. Sorry, I was thinking about gum.
Anyways.
I now seem to be connected to the home economics, tea ceremony, and ikebana clubs on campus, as well as some sort of Japanese craft festival/place that Bakery-sensei is going to be taking me to. I mean this is all very exciting, but dear lord that is a lot... not to mention earlier today I expressed an interest in Japanese archery (kyudo?) to the Deputy Principle, which he'll probably mention to our star player.
haha. Oy. I think my life is about to get very busy. Though at least Bakery-sensei said for tea ceremony and ikebana I could "watch" or "try it" not "join" like I wanted to with the home economics club. She was going to look up cooking lessons for me in Yaizu, but this is more convenient, and it's free! We both agreed it was a better arrangement. This all came about because I said I loved Japanese tradition (since America doesn't really have that deeply entrenched of one) and we just all got to talking and they were impressed about how much I knew (which isn't a lot, but a little goes a LONG way here).
At one point we were talking about my trip to Kyoto and they were saying I needed to go to Nara and there was a temple/place/thing there I needed to go to... but it was pronounced nearly identical to a place in Kyoto and like 15 minutes was spent on them all trying to decide which was which. My face must have been priceless because they just kept laughing at how lost I was. I taught them the difference in pronouncing desert and dessert... and I told them all what a sake bomb was. We talked a lot about sake actually. I had the same convo like three times. lol.
Savvy-sensei... oh man she was red. Haha, she kept being like "KRIS! Your next drink?!" And I would pick one and so would she. We were the champions. Everyone else had to drive so they had very little or not alcohol. The men were very interested in Shirley Temples, which I thought was freaking adorable, but I couldn't really explain why it was called one. "It's er... well the syrup is sweet and Shirley Temple was cute... uhm... no, I have no idea."
On a totally unrelated note, I confessed that I didn't like Old Bay, which Bakery-sensei thought was very amusing. lol. Her and Candy-sensei said that their students said today that they really liked me and can't wait for the next team-teaching classes. Candy-sensei also divulged that the students, especially the boys, think I am very cute. And the girls think my eyes are beautiful. I get the eye comment a lot (I like my eyes!) so that was adorable. D'aw widdle high schoolers. Dey sho cute. But they like me! And even some of the older teachers said they've heard I was very good. Yaaaay!
Okay, back on track.
I think the most amusing part was when Smiley-sensei asked Candy-sensei (the youngest teacher) and I a.. question? I don't know, it made no sense and I still don't understand what happened.
"Kris-san and Candy-sensei.. please tell us about human relations..."
Wait whut?
"... making human relations..."
And this is the point that my blank stare turns to hysterical laughter and suddenly everyone understands why I'm confused (someone shouted "About teaching of course!) and/or embarrassed. Smiley-sensei just starts clapping and laughing, saying "Happy! Happy! Happy!" and then we're all clapping and suddenly everyone is thanking ME for the enkai when it was really Savvy-sensei's doing. So I thank her and she's all pleased and then we're getting up and leaving and Smiley-sensei is pointing out all the staues to me and making very traditionally cryptic jokes and I'm like.. hmm I like stairs. So we start to go our separate ways when a teacher makes sure I can get home (I live behind the place practically) and after assuring her I was fine I ended up back here really needing to pee... and still trying to figure out what Simley-sensei meant about Candy-sensi and I telling them about human relations...
Labels: beginning, enkai, musings, yaizu, yaizu chuo
9:41 PM
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
♥ In the interim
Well, I was all ready to write a detailed report of the week's past festivities including orientation and the welcome party in Shizuoka, but you'll have to forgive me. I've been put into an odd sort of mood that isn't all that pleasant... and I only have three hours left to do some things before I am gone for another five days at an English Camp in Shizuoka City.
Orientation was fun as was the party. I'm sorry, I suck but some things can't be helped I suppose...
So here is a video of some of the fireworks I saw on friday in Yaizu.
I'll have a better update on Monday.
Orientation was fun as was the party. I'm sorry, I suck but some things can't be helped I suppose...
So here is a video of some of the fireworks I saw on friday in Yaizu.
I'll have a better update on Monday.
1:07 PM
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
♥ Earthquake
A large and powerful earthquake hit my prefecture today around 5:00AM after enduring a typhoon from China and Taiwan. Its epicenter was in the Suruga Bay where my city is situated, and was only 30miles from Yaizu. The earthquake hit its strongest on the coastline where Yaizu, Omaezaki, and other cities and tows are, and the Izu Penninsula. It there spread over the prefecture and traveled into neighboring prefectures and areas, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto areas. Where I live was where the earthquake was at its strongest, a 6.7 on the Richter Scale. Basically 6.0-6.9 is listed as a Strong earthquake and "can be destructive in areas up to 100 miles across in populated areas." Around 120 of these happen per year and my 6.7 one has the power of 16.2 megatons. For a comparison, it was just shy of the 1980s San Francisco earthquake and the Nagasaki bomb only wielded 32 kilotons... I believe a megtaton is 1000 kilotons. I have never felt so small and insignificant in my life, and now have a scary respect for Mother Nature. She is one nasty bitch.
newspaper article link
I am obviously alright, as I am typing this, just very shaken (no pun intended). I have never experienced an earthquake, so after momentary panic I was able to situate myself in a safe position until it ended. My apartment is still in tact, just the contents inside are a bit displaced. To my knowledge nothing major has been broken, I was able to save my microwave, rice cooker, and toaster oven before they were flung anywhere. I have a good bit of cleaning up to do, but there have bene no major injuries reported and while there has been damage, there is nothing catatrsophic. As all the teachers have been saying, we are all very lucky. This was the strongest earthquake any of them have felt in a very long time, if ever, and they said it was very rare for this to happen. Not the most comforting thought, but I suppose if I can get through a major earthquake in my first two weeks, I'm game for anything. So yes... what happened... here we go;
We had a typhoon starting late last night just after I fell asleep. No big deal, it was a heavy rainstorm and that didn't bother me. However I was getting uncomfortable so I decided to turn on the air conditioning.
Shortly after I heard some thunder, and just as I was about to close my eyes again this horrible clattering noise started and then I was flung to the side as the entire apartment started to violently shake. The sound of the rice paper doors rattling in their frames, the chine cabinet glasses clinking together, and the chilling silence above it all is still stuck in my memory. It took me a moment of being tossed back and forth to realize what was going on and I immediately started to crawl frantically to the low table in my living room, curling up underneath it, my glasses askew on my face, my phone clutched in my hand as I grabbed at the legs and support of the table, trying to keep myself still. I look up and see my bookcase and tv, desperatly trying to move the table in case either falls so I wont be hit. Everything keeps shaking as I keep jostling underneath the table, trying to curl up. The worst of it comes and I hit my head on the top of the table, but I don't move, I just keep making sure my head is covered. At the time all I could hear was the noise of the apartment shaking, wondering if it was going to come crsahing down on my, wondering if this was the horrible earthquake that was supposed to hit Shizuoka any year now. I can't really breath, I'm staring at anything I can because I don't want to close my eyes... I still cannot wrap my mind aroun the fact the earth was moving, that it was carrying me with it. The shaking begins to subside and I let go of the table only to be thrown into it again... the shaking slows down and it seems to stop. It starts up again, though not as powerful. It stops again and I stay underneath the table, staring ahead, teeh clenched, chest taking in little breaths as I try to wrap my mind around what has happened. The shaking begins again very softly, and then it is done.
I laid there for a good five minutes before moving. I remember reading that you should stay where you are for a few moments after because it may not be done yet. That and getting under a table were the only things I could remember to do. When I'm sure it's done I pick my head up a little to look around. The bookcase is still up, as is the tv. At the time I didn't notice anything else, instead I frantically opened my phone and called Sally. She's lived in Japan before, she was close, she surely knew what to do. All I hear is a Japanese lady babbling at me. I close the phone and try again. Same thing. That's when I decide to call my mother, if only for the reason I needed some comfort. I shakily mistype in the number and have to do it again. I keep shaking and I don't know if its just my body reacting to the earthquake or if I was just that much in shock from it. She answers happily and I immediatly just start to break down, trying to explain what happened. She calms me down as a mother can and as she tries to assess the situation I hear sirens going off, two different kinds. An announcement is made, but its over a loud speaker and in Japanese and I have no idea. The rain started up again and I'm terrified another earthquake is going to happen. I talk with her for awhile and after hanging up I notice I have a missed call from Sally. I get in touch with her and she makes sure I'm okay, telling me to get outside and see if I can ask a neighbor as to what to do as I heard sirens and they haven't gone off anywhere else. I get out from underneath the table and don't even see the books flung everywhere or things toppled over. She tells me to get my passport, person effects to get outside. Survival mode kicks in and I operate very smoothly, very quickly. I go into the kitchen and see the microwave and rice cooker about to topple over. I save it and see so many things splaye dout on the floor, but I don't have the time. I grab my umbrella and shoes and run outside. No one was out there. I'm still shaking and I look wearily to the sky. It's an odd shade of grey, and its then I look down and see my poor bike hurled against the apartment. I don't pick it up, instead run down to the main street, only to see a boy not much younger than me walk out, look around, and walk back inside. The tv is on in his house, so that is what I decide to do. I go back inside and tur on the tv.
Though I cannot understand the Japanese, I see the pictures showing where the earthquake hit and who was most affected. Yaizu is in red and I see how far the earthquake stretched. They show video of Shizuoka City fifteen minutes away being hit and the rattling of the camera and how much it moves makes me feel almost ill. I couldn't believe I had just gone through that. That's when the texts and phone calls start pouring in. Sophie called to check on me, wishing she could come get me, but the trains and roads are closed and none of us know if another earthquake is coming. I fill up my bath tub with water just in case the power goes out and I talk with her a bit, trying to calm down. The next three hours are filled witha ll of us making sure one another is okay. Adam assuring me that the announcements aren't important (more like don't leave your gas on, and such) and that school will go on as normal probably. I keep watching the news, watching the same footage over and over again, trying to decipher what's going on. We had a tsunami warning, but it was only 21inches tall and the walls could more than take care of it. The rain stopped and after checking outside again I turn on the lights to see what damage has been done. Nothing is broken, but things are everywhere. Out of a bit of morbid artistry I take some pictures before cleaning what I could up whilst trying to get in touch with my teachers. Nothing. No one comes to check on me, so I decide to head out, very timid, very humble.
The sky is blue and everything looks so peaceful. It's eerie and I don't like it. As I walk along the road I see people picking up outside, other yards messed up, others just talking in a very gentle manner. Everyone went through this and everyone experienced it in the same awe-struck way I had. Even though it was my first and they knew earthquakes, they knew it was an event that would change their lives little by little. I pass by the barber shop as I do every day and the people there, instead of just a monotone ohayou gozaimasu, they give me one with a smile, bowing their heads a bit more than usual. I gave a small wave before heading on. Outside the school crews are cleaning up and a construction crew quickly rushes to where construction was happening to repair what has been damaged. They've been working hard all day, and very loudly. Every time they use a jackhammer that sounds like the beginning of earthquake I become terrified... but I suppose its just one of those sounds that'll forever stay with you. Once I get in the school everyone in the office looks at me with the same timid expression, though happy to see that I not only made it, but was okay. There was no one but two teachers in the staff room once I got there, and all day there have been less than six teachers at school. A few checked on me (including the deputy principal), even if they spoke no English... Daijobou needs no translation, nor does a hand on the shoulder. I said it was my first one and they sympathized, saying how they thought it was scary too and very powerful, they were very surprised. I talked with mom and sister dear a bit more on Skype and was finally able to calm down come lunch time, if only by placating myself with chocolate.
My supervisor finally showed up and asked me if I was alright, and then asked if I was surprised. Surprised isn't the word I would use, but since I cannot say fucking terrified to him, I simply say scary. He shows me the English teacher's room to get my mind off things, however once we walk in we realize no one has been there to clean after the earthquake. Books are scattered everywhere, practically covered the entire floor. Coming back to the staff room I sit down and talk to a few people, checking up on others. I already love my community here on JET. Even if its a little text message, we care enough about each other to make sure we're all okay. We get an email from the BOE making sure we're all right and giving us a few facts and some emergency numbers if there is anything wrong with our apartment or ourselves. One of the office ladies comes up and through lots of gestures she coerces me downstairs where two large packages are from Mom and Briana.
As Jamie said... "Not snow, nor sleet, nor earthquakes can stop the post office."
It seems true. The train lines are delayed or stopped, the expressway is shut down, but life goes on as normal. The scariest of mornings has turned into a very beautiful day. There is a very nice breeze and the trees have never quite looked so green. Even if Japan gave me a typhoon and earthquake for my birthday, they apologized with two love filled packages from the people I love the most in the world, those who keep me sane; my mother and sister.
I know this may not be my last earthquake, but I hope it is the worst one I go through. Japan has been about many new experiences, and this is no exception. Some experiences we enjoy, others make us feel like the smallest person in the world, but they are experiences that are necessary to drive us forward into a new day. I leave for Kakegawa tomorrow for Shizuoka Orientation, and while our earthquake safety seminar will be a day too late, I look forward to spending time with those who went through the same thing as I did. I hope they had beautiful days, and I hope they understand the power of nature as I now do.
newspaper article link
I am obviously alright, as I am typing this, just very shaken (no pun intended). I have never experienced an earthquake, so after momentary panic I was able to situate myself in a safe position until it ended. My apartment is still in tact, just the contents inside are a bit displaced. To my knowledge nothing major has been broken, I was able to save my microwave, rice cooker, and toaster oven before they were flung anywhere. I have a good bit of cleaning up to do, but there have bene no major injuries reported and while there has been damage, there is nothing catatrsophic. As all the teachers have been saying, we are all very lucky. This was the strongest earthquake any of them have felt in a very long time, if ever, and they said it was very rare for this to happen. Not the most comforting thought, but I suppose if I can get through a major earthquake in my first two weeks, I'm game for anything. So yes... what happened... here we go;
We had a typhoon starting late last night just after I fell asleep. No big deal, it was a heavy rainstorm and that didn't bother me. However I was getting uncomfortable so I decided to turn on the air conditioning.
Shortly after I heard some thunder, and just as I was about to close my eyes again this horrible clattering noise started and then I was flung to the side as the entire apartment started to violently shake. The sound of the rice paper doors rattling in their frames, the chine cabinet glasses clinking together, and the chilling silence above it all is still stuck in my memory. It took me a moment of being tossed back and forth to realize what was going on and I immediately started to crawl frantically to the low table in my living room, curling up underneath it, my glasses askew on my face, my phone clutched in my hand as I grabbed at the legs and support of the table, trying to keep myself still. I look up and see my bookcase and tv, desperatly trying to move the table in case either falls so I wont be hit. Everything keeps shaking as I keep jostling underneath the table, trying to curl up. The worst of it comes and I hit my head on the top of the table, but I don't move, I just keep making sure my head is covered. At the time all I could hear was the noise of the apartment shaking, wondering if it was going to come crsahing down on my, wondering if this was the horrible earthquake that was supposed to hit Shizuoka any year now. I can't really breath, I'm staring at anything I can because I don't want to close my eyes... I still cannot wrap my mind aroun the fact the earth was moving, that it was carrying me with it. The shaking begins to subside and I let go of the table only to be thrown into it again... the shaking slows down and it seems to stop. It starts up again, though not as powerful. It stops again and I stay underneath the table, staring ahead, teeh clenched, chest taking in little breaths as I try to wrap my mind around what has happened. The shaking begins again very softly, and then it is done.
I laid there for a good five minutes before moving. I remember reading that you should stay where you are for a few moments after because it may not be done yet. That and getting under a table were the only things I could remember to do. When I'm sure it's done I pick my head up a little to look around. The bookcase is still up, as is the tv. At the time I didn't notice anything else, instead I frantically opened my phone and called Sally. She's lived in Japan before, she was close, she surely knew what to do. All I hear is a Japanese lady babbling at me. I close the phone and try again. Same thing. That's when I decide to call my mother, if only for the reason I needed some comfort. I shakily mistype in the number and have to do it again. I keep shaking and I don't know if its just my body reacting to the earthquake or if I was just that much in shock from it. She answers happily and I immediatly just start to break down, trying to explain what happened. She calms me down as a mother can and as she tries to assess the situation I hear sirens going off, two different kinds. An announcement is made, but its over a loud speaker and in Japanese and I have no idea. The rain started up again and I'm terrified another earthquake is going to happen. I talk with her for awhile and after hanging up I notice I have a missed call from Sally. I get in touch with her and she makes sure I'm okay, telling me to get outside and see if I can ask a neighbor as to what to do as I heard sirens and they haven't gone off anywhere else. I get out from underneath the table and don't even see the books flung everywhere or things toppled over. She tells me to get my passport, person effects to get outside. Survival mode kicks in and I operate very smoothly, very quickly. I go into the kitchen and see the microwave and rice cooker about to topple over. I save it and see so many things splaye dout on the floor, but I don't have the time. I grab my umbrella and shoes and run outside. No one was out there. I'm still shaking and I look wearily to the sky. It's an odd shade of grey, and its then I look down and see my poor bike hurled against the apartment. I don't pick it up, instead run down to the main street, only to see a boy not much younger than me walk out, look around, and walk back inside. The tv is on in his house, so that is what I decide to do. I go back inside and tur on the tv.
Though I cannot understand the Japanese, I see the pictures showing where the earthquake hit and who was most affected. Yaizu is in red and I see how far the earthquake stretched. They show video of Shizuoka City fifteen minutes away being hit and the rattling of the camera and how much it moves makes me feel almost ill. I couldn't believe I had just gone through that. That's when the texts and phone calls start pouring in. Sophie called to check on me, wishing she could come get me, but the trains and roads are closed and none of us know if another earthquake is coming. I fill up my bath tub with water just in case the power goes out and I talk with her a bit, trying to calm down. The next three hours are filled witha ll of us making sure one another is okay. Adam assuring me that the announcements aren't important (more like don't leave your gas on, and such) and that school will go on as normal probably. I keep watching the news, watching the same footage over and over again, trying to decipher what's going on. We had a tsunami warning, but it was only 21inches tall and the walls could more than take care of it. The rain stopped and after checking outside again I turn on the lights to see what damage has been done. Nothing is broken, but things are everywhere. Out of a bit of morbid artistry I take some pictures before cleaning what I could up whilst trying to get in touch with my teachers. Nothing. No one comes to check on me, so I decide to head out, very timid, very humble.
The sky is blue and everything looks so peaceful. It's eerie and I don't like it. As I walk along the road I see people picking up outside, other yards messed up, others just talking in a very gentle manner. Everyone went through this and everyone experienced it in the same awe-struck way I had. Even though it was my first and they knew earthquakes, they knew it was an event that would change their lives little by little. I pass by the barber shop as I do every day and the people there, instead of just a monotone ohayou gozaimasu, they give me one with a smile, bowing their heads a bit more than usual. I gave a small wave before heading on. Outside the school crews are cleaning up and a construction crew quickly rushes to where construction was happening to repair what has been damaged. They've been working hard all day, and very loudly. Every time they use a jackhammer that sounds like the beginning of earthquake I become terrified... but I suppose its just one of those sounds that'll forever stay with you. Once I get in the school everyone in the office looks at me with the same timid expression, though happy to see that I not only made it, but was okay. There was no one but two teachers in the staff room once I got there, and all day there have been less than six teachers at school. A few checked on me (including the deputy principal), even if they spoke no English... Daijobou needs no translation, nor does a hand on the shoulder. I said it was my first one and they sympathized, saying how they thought it was scary too and very powerful, they were very surprised. I talked with mom and sister dear a bit more on Skype and was finally able to calm down come lunch time, if only by placating myself with chocolate.
My supervisor finally showed up and asked me if I was alright, and then asked if I was surprised. Surprised isn't the word I would use, but since I cannot say fucking terrified to him, I simply say scary. He shows me the English teacher's room to get my mind off things, however once we walk in we realize no one has been there to clean after the earthquake. Books are scattered everywhere, practically covered the entire floor. Coming back to the staff room I sit down and talk to a few people, checking up on others. I already love my community here on JET. Even if its a little text message, we care enough about each other to make sure we're all okay. We get an email from the BOE making sure we're all right and giving us a few facts and some emergency numbers if there is anything wrong with our apartment or ourselves. One of the office ladies comes up and through lots of gestures she coerces me downstairs where two large packages are from Mom and Briana.
As Jamie said... "Not snow, nor sleet, nor earthquakes can stop the post office."
It seems true. The train lines are delayed or stopped, the expressway is shut down, but life goes on as normal. The scariest of mornings has turned into a very beautiful day. There is a very nice breeze and the trees have never quite looked so green. Even if Japan gave me a typhoon and earthquake for my birthday, they apologized with two love filled packages from the people I love the most in the world, those who keep me sane; my mother and sister.
I know this may not be my last earthquake, but I hope it is the worst one I go through. Japan has been about many new experiences, and this is no exception. Some experiences we enjoy, others make us feel like the smallest person in the world, but they are experiences that are necessary to drive us forward into a new day. I leave for Kakegawa tomorrow for Shizuoka Orientation, and while our earthquake safety seminar will be a day too late, I look forward to spending time with those who went through the same thing as I did. I hope they had beautiful days, and I hope they understand the power of nature as I now do.
Labels: earthquake, musings, yaizu
2:09 PM
Thursday, July 23, 2009
♥ さよなら あめりか
I apologize for not writing anything in the past two weeks. Least to say it's been hectic and I'm just trying to get everything settled and situated. I'm 98% packed, just need the computer packed up and need to weigh the bags to make sure they're within limits. For some reason my Tokyo bag is so much heavier than my spare bag even though less is packed in it. Damn you physics. I hate chu. Anywho, I know hiragana now!! Whoooot! Still getting those last 30 or so gojuon, dakuten and handakuten, and yoon symbols straight away. Once I'm really gung-ho on that it is katakana study, then I can actually start really learning the language. Whooot. Always exciting. I'm not very good at language so at the moment I am so happy I'm actually grasping some stuff. あか わいん を ください！ (aka wain wo kudasai/ I would like a red wine please) No kidding wine would be good right now T__T.
Ugggh, see, I'm tired, but I don't want to go to bed... going to bed means this is all really happening. I am excited, don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled, but I always have a nice suffocating feeling before I embark on these trips. It's just nerves, and as I said before, a healthy dose of fucking terrified is always good for the soul. I've never been to Asia before, so that's awesome, but I suppose I was used to being able to blend in if I wanted to. In London I actually got a bit of an accent so by the end I was being approached by tourists, giving them directions, talking with them, gushing about London. In Israel my hair made me look like a local, everyone was talking in Hebrew to me when I wasn't with our stupid group being lead around like pack mules... I suppose that's why I liked just running off from the group with my fellow heathens and rebels, haha, mainly the Lyco crew, and just exploring on our own. I love being immersed in a culture, experiencing it and discovering it for myself. I loved being able to assimilate, and I guess I'm just seeing that as not being a possibility in Japan. Main reason is obviously appearance, haha. Also there is just such an entrenched tradition in Japan that no matter how much reading I do, I will never be able to fully understand. That really intrigues me, and of all the things, I think it bothers me the least. Hopefully I can just make friends who will like gushing about their tradition. We don't have that in America... yeah we have 4th of July and Thanksgiving... oh boy we blow up things and eat a fuckton. The reason I love history so much is because i love learning how things became what they are today, what made humans act the way they did, why the world is how it is today. Sure I go all the way back to medieval, but that was the basis of civilization in my opinion. Things started changing, Europe was being formed and thus the world was being opened (albeit not necessarily willingly). Japan, and Asia in general, has such a rich history and culture, I'm so jealous of it. They have a lot they take pride in.
Okay... well... that tangent is done, haha. If any of you are interested in Yaizu and where I'm living, my pred made me a fabulous interactive map that you can play with HERE!!! . ALT Apartment is my apartment... which reminds me! If you want to send me letters/goldfish crackers/money you can reach me at the following address!
マネンテ クリスチーナ
1169-D Kohiji
Yaizu-shi
Shizuoka-ken
Japan
425-0086
マネンテ クリスチーナ is my name in Japanese (Manente Kristina aka Manesote Kurisuchina ... at least I think that is how it is pronounced... I don't know katakana yet so I was just looking it up... eep... help?)
So yeah, I head to NYC tomorrow, swinging by Philly to pick up the fabulous Jamie and then we head to Jamaica, NY... aka JFK to camp out for two days at a hotel and go to the NY pre-departure orientation and Ambassador's Dinner... ooh la la, haha, yay free dinner.
I should have internet at the hotel, but come Saturday who knows the next time I will get to be on. There's internet in Tokyo, but I don't know how much of a chance I'm going to have to hang out with it, lots to do... not to mention I'll be in freaking Tokyo and I will not be at my computer.
So, until then... じゃね！
2:32 PM
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
♥ The apartment pictures
I promise a legit entry soon, I've just been so busy trying to get everything together that I haven't had the time to just sit down and blabber about everything. On the plus side, this means I've gotten most of the "freak out" out of my system, so you don't have to listen to me whine. Anywho, I will be doing a video soon too... well a few, since I have a lot to catch up on. However I will take this chance to plug a fellow NYC JETs vlog, the lovely Alexis.
In this video she's talking about all the paperwork and such we got. It's pretty much the same, though I didn't get a contract... I assume thye just trust me? Haha.
Anywho, that is not why you're here, you are here to see pictures of my apartment in Nishi Yaizu! (aka West Yaizu... basically Yaizu...) Here I present my adorable Japanese apartment (which is quite large) plus the lovely red bike that shall be mine as well... once I get over my fear of riding said bike. Click on the picture to see a bigger version.
The outside and entrance (I forget the actual name at the moment *shame*) to my apartment. The shoes and bits and pieces you see are my predecessor's naturally. As you see I have two floors, and for Japan that's rather rare, especially for a single occupant apartment. You always point your shoes towards the outside after you take them off.
My kitchen and living room (which is longer and has a TV and such at the other end). I enjoy that couch... a lot... I look forward to that couch. The kitchen is rather typical of Japan, if not a bit bigger. I love cooking Asian food, even if I'm not the best at it, so I hope I can actually sharpen my skills over there and be a fabtastic Asian chef by the ime I get back, whenever that may be. Haha. Here's hoping. The odd flooring you see, if you don't already know, is tatami. Tatamis are rice straw mats that are traditionally used in Japanese homes not only as flooring but as a system of measurement. We may use square footage, but they use tatami... so you could have a four and a half tatami room instead of a fifty square foot room. These obviously aren't equivalent, but you get what I mean. You are supposed to walk barefoot or socks only on tatamis... no slippers or shoes of any kind.
Ah the bathroom. Yes, I have a western toliet... thank god. Most people do nowadays. You can obviously see some differences. For instance, the shower and tub are seperate and you're not supposed to actually bathe in the tub, though since its your home you can. Just make sure Japanese Big Brother is not watching you desecrate their tradition. You're supposed to shower outside of the tub (see the drain in the floor?) and be comptlely clean, and then just soak in the tub. You may notice how it's deeper than ours and not as long. I think this tub is slightly more western, but I can't tell from the picture. Toliet is just eco friendly, makes me giggle... in a good way.
And that is my apartment! Wheee! Exciting no?
I promise to put more stuff up soon!!
12:53 PM
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
♥ Yaizu-Shi and the Life Ahead
How do I keep getting so damn lucky?!
Here is all the information I know thus far, which is quite a great deal.
The Prefecture
Shizuoka-ken! Home of Mt. Fuji!
I'm actually quite excited! Chubu was my #3 choice, so I'm really happy that I actually got something I asked for! Shizuoka, aka "Izu" or "Shiz" (my personal favorite) seems to be a fantastic placement and everyone is saying fabulous things about it. XD apparently all the Izu JETs get together in August to climb Mt. Fuji... aaahhhh, I'm going to do it and try it, but there is a saying "You have to climb it once, but only a fool climbs it twice."
Also seems Shiz JETs are known for being partiers XD, haha, ah well, that could be fun.
Now let's just hope that earthquake doesn't hit.
Oh, you didn't know? The Tokai Earthquake happens every 100-150 years and compeltely decimates Shizuoka and the sorrounding area. The power of this earthquake can cause the otherwise sleepy mt. Fuji to erupt, which could cause a tsunami. Know the fun part? The last quake was in 1854... least it say it's overdue, haha. Yessss. I figure if it does happen, at least I'll go out in style.
The City
YAIZU-SHI!!!! It's right by the Suruga Bay and is a fishing city known for their super awesome sushi! It is only 15 minutes by train from the capital city of Shizuoka-shi as well. I got my wish to be in a city (even if it is small), and I'm on the water so that is also completely fantastic. Here's an English website I found... must learn Japanese...
http://www.city.yaizu.shizuoka.jp/english/
The School
I am teaching at Yaizu Chou High School which is the second best high school in Shizuoka, so I'm gonna get smart kids XD! My pred says I will have a lot of free time since oral lessons are only for the ichi-nensei (first year high school) classes, but that's okay. She says the English department is fantastic and that I will have opportunities to eat lunch with the kids and help with clubs and stuff, so exciting!
A few of the English teachers want to get in touch with me, so sometime this week or next week my pred will be emailing me their letters. I'm so excited that they're excited to talk to me and learn about me. I know that I am going to have a fabulous time there and I'm truly very thankful forthis oppurtunity I've been given.
I'm really excited since it seems the students there speak very good English, so I won't have to worry about communication that much since... I can only order drinks in Japanese thus far. O sake wo kudasai? Arigatou gozaimasu. Granted, very useful, but not with children.
I found their website!
http://www.shizuoka-c.ed.jp/yaizuchuo-h/
The Apartment
I've gotten some pictures of it and it is quite adorbale and quite Japanese, haha. I get a nice bright red bicycle from the school, complete with basket, so that is quite nice. The apartment is old, but not ridiculously old... I at least don't have to crank for my hot water, all that is electronic. I'm quickly learning the Japanese do everything possible electronically, I'm quite curious about this... I want to play.
Anywho, I live in a teacher's complex, though the other teachers there teach in Fujieda, the next city over. As my pred put it, this is good in case I'm a bit rowdy or whatnot, it won't get back to the office. Haha. Anyways, here is some more information for the curious...
Here is the adorable blurb my pred wrote about it; "Nestled in the heart of Nishi-Yaizu, this centrally located two-bedroom apartment sits only a two-minute walk to the nearest train station and is within close walking distance to work, supermarkets, and other stores-- you'll be the envy of every ALT in the area! With magnificent urban views (aka other apartment buildings), the apartment features two bedrooms upstairs and a practical kitchen, living area, bathroom, and toilet downstairs. The apartment comes fully-furnished with arrangements for the purchase of furnishings to be negotiated with the current tenant."
Fuck. yeah.
She's selling me the apartment for around ¥45,000 which is quite fair. It has a couch, and actual BED, four futons, tons of amaneities... she bought it from her pred for nearly double that, so she's giving me a great deal. This way I don't have to deal with buying stuff when I first get there. She's also made it nicer, since boys lived there before and well... sorry boys... you're smelly and messy. I'm pretty sure I'm going to take her up on it. Everything seems in great condition and we've talked a lot so I do trust her, which is always good, some people have terrible predecessors. Once again, I got truly lucky and I canot be thankful enough for that.
And to top this all off, my rent for the month? $183!!!! I live in the city and that is all I pay !!! I am only five minutes by bike from my school or an eight minute walk, and I'm two minutes from the train station, fifteen from the Shinkansen. Fucking awesome. There's another ALT in Yaizu, so that is pretty cool too, he's actually quite sweet and we shall hve fun together I imagine. There's two ALTs in Fujieda that are a couple as well as a few private company teachers around Yaizu and Fujieda (not to mention Shizuoka-shi is right there), so least to say I will have a great support group once I get there.
Least to say I am so stoke... I'm so stoked I'm using the word stoked.
4:13 AM
Please comment! ♥