On the weekend following the school tours in Isahaya, we stayed with a Japanese family. This is a photo of the restaurant where my Japanese host mother, Motoko, and I had lunch. I felt like I stepped back in time...and the food was "oishi" delicious!
Friday, July 22, 2005
Thursday, December 02, 2004
English spoken Here
I had a great time visiting a communication class at the high school we visited in Isahaya. These classes received the postcards my students made, and are looking forward to corresponding!
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Isahaya Thanksgiving
Here's the whole Isahaya FMF group sharing a meal to celebrate Thanksgiving. (Yes, once again - on the floor!)
Hope you all had a lovely day. I thank God for blessing me with so many wonderful family members and friends (and students!).
Hope you all had a lovely day. I thank God for blessing me with so many wonderful family members and friends (and students!).
Time for turkey?
I know many of you were wondering what I ate for Thanksgiving - obviously not turkey! Can you guess? (Yes, this was ALL I had - and it was plenty!)
Contact!
Through his broken English, my limited Japanese, and a lot of hand gestures, I think I managed to make contact with a teacher who will write back the American students who sent postcards to their Japanese counterparts. Here he is with some sample cards and the pictures of the students who made them.
Japanese lesson
This looks just like our English classes at home - only in Japanese, of course! Notice how the letters are read and from right to left in columns.
Spectacles Bridge
This is a landmark in my host city of Isahaya. It's set in this adorable little park, and if you look at the bridge and its reflection in the water, you can see where it got its name!
Cranes for Peace
Look closely - you'll see that these are tiny paper origami cranes that people have made and donated to the Atomic Bomb Museum in an effort to promote peace.
Walking on water?
After a visit to a local museum in Isahaya (my host city in Nagasaki prefecture), we found out that much of the land surrounding us had once been part of the sea! Look on the model to see how much land they've "reclaimed" from the sea.
Nagasaki Peace Statue
Dedicated as an appeal for lasting world peace, this statue was given to the people of Nagasaki on the 10th anniversary of the devastation to their city by the atomic bomb. The right hand points upward to symbolize the threat of nuclear weapons, the outstretched left hand is for peace and tranquility. Divine omnipotence is seen in the sturdy physique and serene countenance, and a prayer for the repose of the souls of all war victims is represented by closed eyes. Also, the folded right leg symbolizes quiet meditation, while the left leg is poised for action in assisting humanity.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
May I have your autograph, please?
I am totally amazed at how much the students revere the visiting American teachers. I could barely get down the hall - much less get out of a classroom - without students surrounding me to sign something - anything for them. I even signed shirts, shoes, and bookbags! Why is it my students in Florida don't treat me like this? :)
To my students who made the hands postcards - I have a nice surprise for you from students here; you'll see it when I return.
To my students who made the hands postcards - I have a nice surprise for you from students here; you'll see it when I return.
Name that food
Today we visited an elementary school in Isahaya. I was invited to lunch with the 6th graders and this is what I was served. Any guesses on what I ate?
One note to my students - the students here served the food and cleaned up & washed all the dishes afterwards. And all seemed happy to do it!
(sticky rice, cucumber salad, fried chicked, egg soup, whole milk, orange - but you couldn't eat the orange till all your food was eaten.)
One note to my students - the students here served the food and cleaned up & washed all the dishes afterwards. And all seemed happy to do it!
(sticky rice, cucumber salad, fried chicked, egg soup, whole milk, orange - but you couldn't eat the orange till all your food was eaten.)
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Good Vibrations
There was a festival at Nagasaki University when we visited. All in all it was a festive atmosphere - all sorts of student food vendors, students dancing, and this group of students performing rock music on a stage.
Nagasaki University meeting
We were fortunate to be able to meet with sereral influential people at Nagasaki University. The American teachers (after taking off our shoes before we entered the meeting) spoke with the Dean of Education and several other teachers, students, and administrators about perceptions of American and Japanese education. Some points I found interesting to note: in general, education is seen as being VERY important to Japanese parents and students; low birth rate in Japan is providing for fewer teaching positions; students who are falling behind have to attend "cram schools"; schools don't have guidance counselors (but some will be getting some in January); immense pressure for students to succeed on entrance exams (for high school and college); Japanese are implementing environmental education based on their observation of such programs in the U.S.
At the conclusion of our visit, the university presented us with a gift of a little ceramic cup made by special education students.
At the conclusion of our visit, the university presented us with a gift of a little ceramic cup made by special education students.
Welcome to Nagasaki
Monday we left Tokyo and went to our host city, Isahaya, in Nagasaki prefecture (prefectures are a little like our states in the US). On the plane ride our group leader, Meg, gave us an assignment: we had to learn how to introduce ourselves in Japanese. Watashi wa Florida no Boca Raton kara kimashita Tracey Petruff desu. Watashi wa ko-ko de Bijutsu wo oshiete imasu. Meg said I did really well on the assignment. :)
(I said: "I am Tracey Petruff from Boca Raton, Florida. I am a high school art teacher.")
(I said: "I am Tracey Petruff from Boca Raton, Florida. I am a high school art teacher.")
Monday, November 22, 2004
Kamakura Buddha
This is Kristi, my partner in crime for the day. We hopped a train to Kamakura and sought out this huge Buddha. My guide book said that this site had been a refuge for battered wives to get away from their husbands; unfortunately unless they made it into the sacred grounds, their husbands still "owned" them and could do with them as they wished. (?!!!) It's a very different place today! It was a nice stop.
The incense still lingers on my clothes...
The incense still lingers on my clothes...
Kamakura trolley
I've been taking photos of all the different kinds of transportation for especially for my godson, Bernie. They seem to have taxis in every hue (I wonder if the drivers get to pick their color), and not as many bicycles and mopeds as I would have expected. Fortunately for me, the mass transit system here is awesome - it's just a trick trying to navigate when all the signs are in Japanese!
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Ali and me
On the way to the metro train, I saw this sign in the station. Can you see me in the photo? And when you can tell me what the sign says, would you post it in the comments? Arigato gozaimasu! Thanks!
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