Apparently my blog has become a question and answer wall now. :) But it's good. Sometimes I can't think of things to write about and it is hard for me to figure out what is interesting from my everyday life. So, if anyone has questions drop me a comment and I will try to get back to you in the next post.
These are also from Abbeyfan...
Q: Do you walk to school?
A: Yes, I usually walk to school. If it is raining I take the bus, though. But I really don't like taking the bus because there are so many people on it.
Q: How far away is it?
A: My school is about one mile away. And on the way there it is all uphill... a really steep hill. It takes about 20 to 25 minutes to walk there.
Q: Is it further away to your school there than from your house to the IHS building? (Maybe you could walk to school here, too....)
A: Haha! That's a good one! Why would I walk when I will have such a willing father to drive me? Besides, you are forgetting the part where walking to school in Ironwood means walking in below freezing weather for half the year.
Q: Do you do any cleaning up around the house, or does you hmom do it all?
A: Yeah, my host mom pretty much does it all. Except for my room and my laundry, obviously. Although sometimes she comes in to vaccume my room for me... I have offered to help, but she always tells me to just go relax. I guess she has her system and I would probably get in the way anyway.
Q: Do you help her cook?
A: Yep! I usually stir stuff. haha. But lately I have also gotten to help by cutting things, too! I'm moving up on the level of trust here. She let's me use knives... But seriously, I like helping her cook. Maybe I will be able to take a few recipes home. :)
Q: Do you watch television?
A: Yes. Sometimes, but only with my host family. I never watch it when I am home alone.
Q: Do you get to watch any Japanese game shows on television?
A: Sometimes I do. Japanese T.V. is pretty rediculous in general, but the game shows are just strange. Nothing has come close to that human tetris one from YouTube though... I wish that was on T.V. here.
Q: Have you been to a sumo wrestling thing yet? Are you going to?
A: I haven't gone to one, and I don't think I will be getting the chance. It is not one of the Rotary trips that have been planned for us.
Q: So for P.E. what else do you do besides get ready for the Sports Festival by marching to the radio? (What's up with that???)
A: Well, to start off with, we don't march to the radio, silly. We to the streching routine to the radio. We march to... a marching song with a really quiet percussion part. Other than that, I am not sure what we will be doing this year. Last year I did volleyball, badminton, and ping pong for about 2 months each. Friday's gym class is volleyball though. I'm not sure why, but I think it has to do with some competition at the end of the year before they graduate. That's what I understood from the lecture, anyway. I understood something along the lines of "you have to learn the rules of the game because we (teachers?) are worried that you will lose because you don't know the rules." But then again, the next thing I understood was about how we represent our school when we wear our uniform outside of school and everyone knows the uniform. So maybe I'm wrong.
Q: Did you switch to your summer uniform yet?
A: No, not yet. I guess we will switch in May. Which means I am going to send a box with my winter uniform and jackets in it home before I switch families again.
Here is a link to a YouTube video of the radio exercises. The one my school does is the level two part (when they are wearing red shirts). Now imagine hundreds of japanese girls that know this by heart and then me trying to follow along in the back. In front of all the parents and school staff memebers... oh, boy.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
School (again)
Well, I guess I am going to write anther post about school. Sorry for being so boring, but Abbeyfan asked about a million questions in the comments of the last post so I figured I would answer them. :) Anything for my biggest fan.
Question: What do you do in cooking class?
Answer: I don't know yet. Cooking class is on Mondays and I was skipping school last Monday to take AnnaMarie, Tyler, and Katie to the airport. I will be sure to let you know if it is anything interesting though. I hope we learn to cook Japanese food.
Q: What do you do in your social studies class?
A: What do I do, or what does my class do? Those can be very different things. (haha) From what I can understand, which isn't a lot because this teacher talks really fast, it is... yeah, I don't know. I think it is mostly Japan, but he did ask me if we have any "coming of age" traditions or holidays in America. We don't. Or else I lied to my whole class... Anyway, during that class (the 2 times I have had it so far) I either try to pick out words that I know or I study my flashcards. The listening practice usually lasts about 10 minutes before I get sleepy or distracted. Then I just study on my own. At least I will learn something that way. The teacher doesn't seem to care what I do anyway, so that's nice.
Q: In counseling, do you learn counseling, or do you get counseled?
A: I get counseled. I guess. The American teacher here has kind of taken to being my counselor in the lessons we had last year even though I don't need it at all. We just talk about stuff and if I had any problems I could talk to him during that time. We usually end up studying Japanese anyway. My life is always perfect.
Q: What religion do you study?:
A: Well, I attend a Catholic school, so I am assuming that that is the religion we are supposed to be studying. But yesterday we studied Pablo Picasso. I couldn't figure out the tie to religion myself, but it's okay. The only lesson that I remember actually being about the Catholic religion was the one that was on the parent open house day. Parents could come in and watch the classes. The class is usually pretty fun though. If my Japanese is good enough that day to understand the jokes.
Q: What do you do in PE?
A: I believe I gave a rather thorough answer to this in the last entry... I am not sure what sport I will be doing when the Sport's Festival is over though.
Q: Do you get to show off your massive athletic skills?
A: hahahaha! Only my massive ping pong and badminton skills...
And I will sure try to get around 58 seconds in the 400... haha. Yeah, right! I'll be happy if I get under 80 seconds! If I get worse than that I think I might be banned from joining the track team next year. Oh, and I am runner number 7 of 8 in the 8X100m relay. That's almost the anchor. :)
Question: What do you do in cooking class?
Answer: I don't know yet. Cooking class is on Mondays and I was skipping school last Monday to take AnnaMarie, Tyler, and Katie to the airport. I will be sure to let you know if it is anything interesting though. I hope we learn to cook Japanese food.
Q: What do you do in your social studies class?
A: What do I do, or what does my class do? Those can be very different things. (haha) From what I can understand, which isn't a lot because this teacher talks really fast, it is... yeah, I don't know. I think it is mostly Japan, but he did ask me if we have any "coming of age" traditions or holidays in America. We don't. Or else I lied to my whole class... Anyway, during that class (the 2 times I have had it so far) I either try to pick out words that I know or I study my flashcards. The listening practice usually lasts about 10 minutes before I get sleepy or distracted. Then I just study on my own. At least I will learn something that way. The teacher doesn't seem to care what I do anyway, so that's nice.
Q: In counseling, do you learn counseling, or do you get counseled?
A: I get counseled. I guess. The American teacher here has kind of taken to being my counselor in the lessons we had last year even though I don't need it at all. We just talk about stuff and if I had any problems I could talk to him during that time. We usually end up studying Japanese anyway. My life is always perfect.
Q: What religion do you study?:
A: Well, I attend a Catholic school, so I am assuming that that is the religion we are supposed to be studying. But yesterday we studied Pablo Picasso. I couldn't figure out the tie to religion myself, but it's okay. The only lesson that I remember actually being about the Catholic religion was the one that was on the parent open house day. Parents could come in and watch the classes. The class is usually pretty fun though. If my Japanese is good enough that day to understand the jokes.
Q: What do you do in PE?
A: I believe I gave a rather thorough answer to this in the last entry... I am not sure what sport I will be doing when the Sport's Festival is over though.
Q: Do you get to show off your massive athletic skills?
A: hahahaha! Only my massive ping pong and badminton skills...
And I will sure try to get around 58 seconds in the 400... haha. Yeah, right! I'll be happy if I get under 80 seconds! If I get worse than that I think I might be banned from joining the track team next year. Oh, and I am runner number 7 of 8 in the 8X100m relay. That's almost the anchor. :)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
New School Year
The new school year in Japan sure has a different feel to it than the new school year in America. Maybe that is because they lack the 3 month break from studying that we get in the summer. But, regardless of how it feels, a new school year is here. That's right, I am a senior.
The only things that have changed are these: My classroom moved over 2 classrooms. My grade, which is split into classes A and B, was all shuffled up. I now have some new classmates mixed in with old friends that are still in class A with me. I got a new and improved schedule. And I love my school for it.
Third graders at my school are expected to study so hard for their pass-or-fail-life college entrance exams that they get tuesday and friday afternoons off! And that includes me! My schedule for the rest of my stay in Japan is the following:
Monday: English 2, Japanese Expression, Japanese Lessons, Study Hall, Lunch, Cooking for 2 periods.
Tuesday: Japanese Lessons, Social Studies, Calligraphy for 2 periods, Lunch, Go home.
Wednesday: Japanese Lessons, Counseling, Social Studies, Religion, Lunch, P.E. for 2 periods.
Thursday: Japanese Expression, Japanese Lessons, Calligraphy for 2 periods, Lunch, Study Hall, Long Home Room.
Friday: Japanese Lessons, Study Hall, P.E., Japanese Lessons, Lunch, Go home.
Japanese Lessons are just me and one or two other teachers, which change each day. Study Halls are just by myself to study or do homework that may be assigned in my lessons. Seriously, my school is awesome for doing this for me. These teachers definitely have other things they could be doing besides tutoring me in Japanese. All the other classes I have are with my classmates.
Calligraphy, for example, is just me and two other girls from my class. It was actually really good. I think that the 3rd year class is the teacher's favorite class to teach because it is so small and girls aren't in it just because there is no final exam. I am really excited about this class. Starting tomorrow I get carve the stamp of my name that goes on my final works. Out of granite.
Today, P.E. was preparation for the sports festival coming up at the end of May. We practiced marching (lucky I have had all that marching band practice!), then we practiced the "Radio Stretching" routine to music. After that we decided who is going to do what events in the festival. I was chosen/ volunteered to be in 4 events. Which is the maximum you can do. I will be in the 400m dash (my goodness, I hate that race), a massive game of tug-of-war, some crazy one where 6 people link their arms through the person-in-front-of-them's shoulders and then run together (I have a feeling I am too tall to be helpful in this one), and I am also in the big relay. It is the last and most important event of the day. A relay with 8 girls, each running 100m. I have had girls asking me all week what my 100m dash time is. Unfortunately I am too slow to run it in high school track so I have no idea. We did do a practice run and they all started cheering like crazy when I started running. Then everyone told me I am so fast! haha. I guess they have never seen a real track meet, but I don't mind. :)
The only things that have changed are these: My classroom moved over 2 classrooms. My grade, which is split into classes A and B, was all shuffled up. I now have some new classmates mixed in with old friends that are still in class A with me. I got a new and improved schedule. And I love my school for it.
Third graders at my school are expected to study so hard for their pass-or-fail-life college entrance exams that they get tuesday and friday afternoons off! And that includes me! My schedule for the rest of my stay in Japan is the following:
Monday: English 2, Japanese Expression, Japanese Lessons, Study Hall, Lunch, Cooking for 2 periods.
Tuesday: Japanese Lessons, Social Studies, Calligraphy for 2 periods, Lunch, Go home.
Wednesday: Japanese Lessons, Counseling, Social Studies, Religion, Lunch, P.E. for 2 periods.
Thursday: Japanese Expression, Japanese Lessons, Calligraphy for 2 periods, Lunch, Study Hall, Long Home Room.
Friday: Japanese Lessons, Study Hall, P.E., Japanese Lessons, Lunch, Go home.
Japanese Lessons are just me and one or two other teachers, which change each day. Study Halls are just by myself to study or do homework that may be assigned in my lessons. Seriously, my school is awesome for doing this for me. These teachers definitely have other things they could be doing besides tutoring me in Japanese. All the other classes I have are with my classmates.
Calligraphy, for example, is just me and two other girls from my class. It was actually really good. I think that the 3rd year class is the teacher's favorite class to teach because it is so small and girls aren't in it just because there is no final exam. I am really excited about this class. Starting tomorrow I get carve the stamp of my name that goes on my final works. Out of granite.
Today, P.E. was preparation for the sports festival coming up at the end of May. We practiced marching (lucky I have had all that marching band practice!), then we practiced the "Radio Stretching" routine to music. After that we decided who is going to do what events in the festival. I was chosen/ volunteered to be in 4 events. Which is the maximum you can do. I will be in the 400m dash (my goodness, I hate that race), a massive game of tug-of-war, some crazy one where 6 people link their arms through the person-in-front-of-them's shoulders and then run together (I have a feeling I am too tall to be helpful in this one), and I am also in the big relay. It is the last and most important event of the day. A relay with 8 girls, each running 100m. I have had girls asking me all week what my 100m dash time is. Unfortunately I am too slow to run it in high school track so I have no idea. We did do a practice run and they all started cheering like crazy when I started running. Then everyone told me I am so fast! haha. I guess they have never seen a real track meet, but I don't mind. :)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
AnnaMarie, Tyler, and Katie
Well, the day I have been waiting for for so long finally came... and went. AnnaMarie, Tyler, and Katie came to visit! It was so good to see them! I can't believe how big Katie has gotten. Last time I had seen her she was just learning how to walk on her own, only managing to take a few steps before falling over. Now she walks, runs, dances, and talks like crazy. My host family, especially my host mom, thought she was adorable. My host family's dog also liked her... but I don't think that one went both ways.
It was really nice to be able to talk to family members in person again, especially AnnaMarie. I can't believe it had been over 7 months. At the airport the first thing Kaite did when she saw me was say "Abbey" and then she just let me hold her. She was pretty out of it at the time. It was, after all, about 2 in the morning their time.
Showing off my Japanese skills was also pretty fun. AnnaMarie's Japanese is still better than mine though, even though she hasn't had a chance to use it since college. It was really fun being able to use Japanese together, and we will definitely have to come back to Japan together someday.
My host family was amazing for letting them stay at the house here. It made it so much easier (and cheaper!) than finding a hotel and trying to meet up every morning without cell phones. I think my host mom had a blast cooking for the extra people, as we were never hungry and we usually skipped a meal when we were out on our own.
In preparation for AnnaMarie, Tyler, and Katie coming, I discovered something about Yokohama: There are not very many touristy things to do here. Unless you want to do shopping, which they are going to do when they get to China. Good thing Yokhoama is so close to Tokyo.
They flew in on Thursday afternoon (the 9th) and we got back from the airport by 6:30. Then we had dinner with my host mom at home and they all got to bed early. I stayed up a little and had Japanese lessons with my host mom.
Our first day (Friday) was the only day that was actually well planned (sorry guys!). We went down to Kamakura and then to Enoshima. My host mom went to Kamakura with us and we also met her friend who works at the tourist information center down there. They took us to the bamboo temple (at my request), the big famous temple that I can't remember the name of, and the Daibutsu (Big Buddha). My favorite was the bamboo temple. The cherry blossom petals were all falling off the trees and it was so beautiful. And Katie had a blast trying to eat all the rocks and picking up the little petals. Enoshima was nice too, and there were lots of stairs for Katie to climb.
Saturday was supposed to be our Yokohama day. Because AnnaMarie's computer wasn't working and I didn't have a very good plan anyway, we decided to change plans. In the morning we had a picnic at the park with my host mom, who made an awesome obento breakfast for us all. Then we went to Shibuya to find the Apple Store. From there we found the Children's Palace, where Katie had a good time once she woke up. For dinner that night we went to my first host family's house. I hadn't seen the Nakanos since I had come to the Umezaki's house so it was nice to see them again. Although Toru did ask his dad "why?" when we all got in the elevator to go up to their apartment... hmm...
Sunday morning we said goodbye to my host family and thanked them and went on our way. We stopped at Shinagawa station (on the way to Tokyo) to put the suitcases in lockers and then went to tour the city. We really should have dropped our bags off later so we wouldn't have had to double back, but it all worked out. We went to Asakusa, where there were tons of people because of some ceremony going on. We did end up finding a little temple (?) that was out of the way where Katie had a blast chasing some pigeons. After that we went to find the Emperor's Palace, where we walked around some of the gardens. Katie wanted to stop at every single bush and pebble she noticed so it was slow going.
From there we went back to Shinagawa, and then up through Tokyo again on the way to Narita. We found our Hotel and got settled in. Monday morning we took the train to the airport (the next station) and we said goodbye. I miss them already. Especially little Katie. She is such a fun, energetic girl! Everyone that saw her smiled or said how "kawaii" she is. But I will be home before I know it and they will be living in Minneapolis so we can visit a lot! Thanks for coming guys! I love you!!
Picking them up at the airport on Thursday.
Katie in front of a cherry blossom tree at the bamboo temple
Me and AnnaMarie
Me, my host mom, AnnaMarie, Tyler, and a not-so-happy Katie.
Tyler and Katie playing with cherry blossom petals at the Emperor's Palace.
It was really nice to be able to talk to family members in person again, especially AnnaMarie. I can't believe it had been over 7 months. At the airport the first thing Kaite did when she saw me was say "Abbey" and then she just let me hold her. She was pretty out of it at the time. It was, after all, about 2 in the morning their time.
Showing off my Japanese skills was also pretty fun. AnnaMarie's Japanese is still better than mine though, even though she hasn't had a chance to use it since college. It was really fun being able to use Japanese together, and we will definitely have to come back to Japan together someday.
My host family was amazing for letting them stay at the house here. It made it so much easier (and cheaper!) than finding a hotel and trying to meet up every morning without cell phones. I think my host mom had a blast cooking for the extra people, as we were never hungry and we usually skipped a meal when we were out on our own.
In preparation for AnnaMarie, Tyler, and Katie coming, I discovered something about Yokohama: There are not very many touristy things to do here. Unless you want to do shopping, which they are going to do when they get to China. Good thing Yokhoama is so close to Tokyo.
They flew in on Thursday afternoon (the 9th) and we got back from the airport by 6:30. Then we had dinner with my host mom at home and they all got to bed early. I stayed up a little and had Japanese lessons with my host mom.
Our first day (Friday) was the only day that was actually well planned (sorry guys!). We went down to Kamakura and then to Enoshima. My host mom went to Kamakura with us and we also met her friend who works at the tourist information center down there. They took us to the bamboo temple (at my request), the big famous temple that I can't remember the name of, and the Daibutsu (Big Buddha). My favorite was the bamboo temple. The cherry blossom petals were all falling off the trees and it was so beautiful. And Katie had a blast trying to eat all the rocks and picking up the little petals. Enoshima was nice too, and there were lots of stairs for Katie to climb.
Saturday was supposed to be our Yokohama day. Because AnnaMarie's computer wasn't working and I didn't have a very good plan anyway, we decided to change plans. In the morning we had a picnic at the park with my host mom, who made an awesome obento breakfast for us all. Then we went to Shibuya to find the Apple Store. From there we found the Children's Palace, where Katie had a good time once she woke up. For dinner that night we went to my first host family's house. I hadn't seen the Nakanos since I had come to the Umezaki's house so it was nice to see them again. Although Toru did ask his dad "why?" when we all got in the elevator to go up to their apartment... hmm...
Sunday morning we said goodbye to my host family and thanked them and went on our way. We stopped at Shinagawa station (on the way to Tokyo) to put the suitcases in lockers and then went to tour the city. We really should have dropped our bags off later so we wouldn't have had to double back, but it all worked out. We went to Asakusa, where there were tons of people because of some ceremony going on. We did end up finding a little temple (?) that was out of the way where Katie had a blast chasing some pigeons. After that we went to find the Emperor's Palace, where we walked around some of the gardens. Katie wanted to stop at every single bush and pebble she noticed so it was slow going.
From there we went back to Shinagawa, and then up through Tokyo again on the way to Narita. We found our Hotel and got settled in. Monday morning we took the train to the airport (the next station) and we said goodbye. I miss them already. Especially little Katie. She is such a fun, energetic girl! Everyone that saw her smiled or said how "kawaii" she is. But I will be home before I know it and they will be living in Minneapolis so we can visit a lot! Thanks for coming guys! I love you!!
Picking them up at the airport on Thursday.
Katie in front of a cherry blossom tree at the bamboo temple
Me and AnnaMarie
Me, my host mom, AnnaMarie, Tyler, and a not-so-happy Katie.
Tyler and Katie playing with cherry blossom petals at the Emperor's Palace.
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