The Sensei-tions! Play Place VBall Champs

Well, we placed 3rd, anyway. Even won some money (which couldn't easily be divided, so we just gave it to our local charity). I'm not exactly sure what "Play Place" is, but Jared (the guy with glasses on my right) rounded up some of us Isahaya ALTs (including Colin 'the Tall' and Dean - the Aussie) to participate in a "barebaru" tournament with this social group of young Japanese people. They were all very genki, but man it was painful to watch - I don't even think if there were refs that they would have had a clue as to how to call the game. So we just had fun. At least no one was too competitive. Though the game should have been easy (considering our height and the net's lack thereof!), we used a ball normally reserved for kickball tourneys and if there were lines on the court, I couldn't see 'em. But like I said it was still fun. It just ended up being about 4 hours long, and without having had dinner, we were all a little whipped by the time they snapped this pic. Of course, the night before I did my best to be social (despite the rumors, it really is a stretch for me much of the time) at "Body to Soul" in Nagasaki, so that could also account for the fact I was running on near empty.

Overtime

Even though I often wish that the students and teachers here "had a 'life'" (don't their families miss them a little? I swear - some of the teachers DO actually sleep in their desk at night and pop out the next morning), I do love walking around after school and hearing the constant sing-song of the softball and soccer teams; the grunts from the rugby players (who always seem to be in competition to see who can be the dirtiest and/or most injured); the shrieks from the kendo room (I seriously thought some violent crime was being committed in the gym the first time I heard them!); the yelling and steady taiko drum beat from the ouendan, and the random squeaks, squawks, and bellows from the band.
My work day officially ends at 4, but I'm often here afterwards, and I'm never the last to leave. At least the kids really make it worth my while. It's so nice not to worry about keeping an eye on them all the time...they just do what they're told/expected to do - or they're at least reeeally good not getting caught being naughty!
Today Dean sensei (the Australian ALT here) and I get to do an eikaiwa class (English conversation) at a local cafe/bar called Neutral. Should be interesting - he's hilarious and his Japanese is bang on, but he's allergic to planning anything ahead - and he roped me into this...oh, boy...

walking their humans

...just trying to get a different perspective...dogs usually seem so happy...especially when they're out walking their humans...
(sorry - mind is just blank at this hour...)

Sakura

It didn't hit me until today - the first day of the new school year here in Japan - that this is perhaps a more appropriate time for such a beginning...rather than dragging yourself out from from the sweaty underbelly of summer to become accquainted with everything a new school year has to offer. As I rode home tonight, I noticed that while I was in Fukuoka, Spring has swirled in, dropped her bags, and is now lounging around my little city...scattering sakura blossoms here and there at will...in the bobbing azaleas, you see her nodding her head sleepily (or is that just me? I think I'm falling asleep at my keyboard...)
Remind me to tell you about the "ohanami" - the parties that we have here under the blooming cherry blossoms...
(ps - for the technical photographic record - this is as close as I can get to the infrared/hand colored print that this tree is begging for...)

SBC 'nines

Yes, I missed you, too - hope it hasn't been too "ruff" (groan) on you. Just back from my Japanese language course in Fukuoka.
and Yes, I survived the earthquake - (what earthquake?) - I'm fine...but I actually had a bit of a life in Fukuoka (woo woo - bright lights, big city!) ...all play and no sleep makes Tracey a tired girl. I'll talk to you tomorrow, when, hopefully I'll be able to rub a couple of brain cells together to get a spark.

Rantan Matsuri

Nagasaki's Lantern Festival is held each year here around the Chinese New Year, and I went over to see it on the Saturday after my birthday. I usually like wandering around festivals, seeing the street performers, smelling the food, watching the people. I was amazed to see what they could do with "lanterns" - Kelly, I think this looks like a really good project for Sculpture II/III :) I'll put up more photos later...time for me to sit back and relax for a bit. Had to ride all over Isahaya on my bike in the POURing rain today...
By the way, I leave for a two week Japanese language class in Fukuoka tomorrow, and I don't know what internet connections will be like...
Oh, and I hope you like the sign - it's one of a series, but I didn't think you could handle more than one at a time :)

HTB by Night

I ended up going to the 5 o'clock Circo Luci show, so I was in Huis Ten Bosch after sunset. To be honest, I expected more from the show, but I might very well be unfairly comparing it to the Cirque du Soleil! There was one amazing performer (I don't think I've ever seen such an enormous and man who was so "cut" before!) who did some really cool things with and in both a giant ring and later an open metal cube. At one point, he had the cube (which was as tall as he was) tipped up on one of its corners and was spinning it on his forehead! It didn't even look real. The costumes of the "extras" were quite bizarre, but were entertaining.
Afterwards I wandered around a little more, grabbed a hot chai tea latte from the man selling them in the VW bus (again - random, but cute!), and enjoyed the town as it began to wink on at twilight.

Huis Ten Bosch by Day

So on my random, middle of the week holiday yesterday, I wandered around Huis Ten Bosch with the express purpose of communing with the blooming tulips. At the moment, I'll admit to preferring the company of flowers to most people (except the students - they're always like happy, bright flowers!) here. (I do hope that changes soon - I'm just in a bit of a funk since some people think that everything is a fun adventure for me here, and most of the time it's as difficult as a long climb in spinning class. I know I'll be stronger, etc in the end, but sometimes I'd like to just have a friendly face around - one that understands me without my even having to open my mouth. Just someone - just ONE - that could simply "be there" - but I suppose this is all teaching me some kind of lesson. So I'll try be a good student, eh? Any prayers to that extent are gladly accepted :) )
(OK - ranting done now - )
I did, however meet and chat with a delightful young Japanese lady in the the gelato - "gerato" - line; she just moved back from Texas last year. She had her hands full with two gelatos and a two year old, so the conversation wasn't too long :)
The tulips with the quiet whirring of the windmills behind were so peaceful. I liked their almost defiant attitude towards the dull earth - these bright bits just shot boldly up towards the sun, following it as it rode across the sky.
(did you notice the "vanGogh tulip"? the yellow tulip with one red petal...)

Go Bananas

I know I should stay home to study Japanese. But it's such a beautiful day, and we're "yasumi" because it's the vernal equinox, so I'm skipping out and going to see the tulips in Huis Ten Bosch. By myself. Of course. (sigh) I actually had a partner in crime, but she called in sick. Called some other peeps, but apparently they're still sleeping or have other plans. Sometimes this "goin' alone" thing gets a little old - especially when it's so difficult to strike up a conversation with the locals (even if I did speak more Japanese - I'm big, blonde, and therefore scary to most of these inakajin). However, I'll keep trying, as I always, do. Just a little bit down right now. It's not all fun and games here, but overall I know it's a good experience, even if I do live a fairly solitary existence. So here's a funny moment I captured on the camera the other day as I was riding around. Not sure if it's a good or bad thing that I feel like these bananas sometimes...

Sakura

It's cherry ("sakura") blossom time! Actually, since it's been so "warm" this winter, the sakura bloomed early, and they're almost past their prime here in Isahaya, but I'm sure the "hanami" (cherry blossom viewing parties) will be just starting in the rest of Japan. Since I'm so used to seeing trees that stay the same year round in South Florida, it's been quite lovely to see the changing of seasons and foliage here. The flowers are like little surprise presents that pop open when I ride by!

Happy St. Paddy's!

Hope everyone's sufficiently recovered from the festivities!
So I know you're all wondering "how the Japanese do St. Patrick's Day"...well...they don't, really, but thanks to a gaijin from Ireland (aptly even named Patrick!) who organized a gig at the Spot in Omura, I had a small dose of this holiday. Thanks to my Texas friend, Cara, I even had a fabulous get up! Thanks again for the shirt, C, it was a big hit! I even brought some green glitter paint and we had a good time painting shamrocks and the like (ever the art teacher, yo!). I hopped the train up to Omura, and hung out at the tabe/nomihodai (all you can eat/drink) at the Spot till about 11, when I had to catch the train back (had to go to a school function on Sunday morning). I'm not into most things alchohol lately, but it was entertaining watching the rounds of Irish Car Bombs, and, yes, there was green beer. I got on Patrick's case since there was no Irish music to be heard (I should've just brought mine - but you'd think with at least two real live Irishmen...). There was also a TON of smoke - I keep forgetting that Japan isn't smoke free anywhere - gotta say I REEEEally miss that about the States. Anyway, the best part of St. Pat's here was actually the day before, when we serenaded Reiko san (whose birthday is March 17) with "When Irish Eyes are Smiling". Dad sent over a plush leprechaun that played the song, and so I rallied the troops and we sang to Reiko san after she opened her present. Kyoto sensei (the one who's in the birthday photo with me) should really consider karaoke as a second career!

Kansho International Day

On Tuesday, the ichinensei at Isahaya Commercial High School (Kansho - the one I visited when I came here 2 years ago) hosted an International Day. We had a blast with games, skits, snacks, and chats. Here I am (in character) with my fabulous group the PPP (which has something to do with pink, but I was never told what the rest of it meant). Their English was very good, so I hope that you enjoy their comments (which they will undoubtedly be making soon!) below.

You're in!

Unlike most places in the States, the students here test to get into high school. One test. One shot. It took them the better part of two days, and from what I gathered (mind you, I'm still flying blind here most of the time!) included various listening, writing, and interview sections on all the subjects. On Thursday Kanko posted the test results, and here you see the happy folks who just found out they're going to be the new Isahaya Koko ichinensei in as of April 9. I didn't see too many cameras, but how many people can you find taking a photo with their keitai?

testing...

I've been having difficulty trying to upload photos...Blogger's been doing some changes...here goes a test -
I love riding my bike to school, because I get to see this bridge every day on my way -

chotto matte kudasai...

"Just a moment, please..."
I seem to be experiencing technical difficulties and can't upload any photos...I'll post again when I can!
- "JJBlogMaster T"

Let's do lunch

Yea! I finally got to see the family that hosted me for a night when I visited in 2004. Motoko Honda (center) and her husband live in Konagai, a town part of Isahaya city, about 45 minutes from where I live in Nishi Isahaya (that, of course is my car - it's probably at least 3 hours by bike!). Motoko san's friend, Chieko san and Takako sensei, my JTE from Takaki Bunko, and I enjoyed a lovely lunch at Motoko san's house one Saturday. What feast! We even had some fish that her brother had caught in the bay. Since my Japanese is not even as good as Motoko san's and Chieko san's English, we were very glad Takako san was there - though I'm sure she was tired after translating most of the day!

I know! I know! It's a......?

I have to type quickly, as my computer's almost outta juice.

Pop quiz: What is this object?
a) back scratcher for sumo wrestler
b) vegetable pruning device only used during Sacred Harvest
c) decorative Zen garden rake used for Oshogatsu
d) decorative ceremonial comb for the most celebrated sumo wrestler in history

(ahh, yes - all those years writing FCAT questions has finally paid off - )

Kohai, Senpai

Sorry! I've been a little busy the past couple of days! After the graduation ceremony, all the students went back to their homerooms and it was there that they received their diplomas from their homeroom teachers. It seems that they were then allowed to do little speeches to their parents, teachers, and classmates, and one of the classes was in there for almost 3 hours! It was very emotional (and I didn't even really understand what they were saying!). Outside, however, the ichi and ninensei "kohai" were a bit more celebratory while waiting for their sannensei "senpai". From what I understand, the older students are responsible to be "senpai" to the younger students; they're leaders and mentors, and it's taken quite seriously. So, after graduation, each club waited outside to cheer their senpai members in various ways. Most of them had made boards with the senpai's name and notes to them from all the kohai, though the band members signed the top of a timpani drum instead! In the photos you see the tennis team donning cute "boshi" (hats), but most of the others wore either their team or school uniform. These students are soooo serious all the time; it was refreshing to see them so excited and happy with each other!

Omedetto Otanjobi to me

Just another classic Japanese moment! The Kanko staff had an enkai (formal Japanese dinner party) Friday night to celebrate the graduation and the track coach's national award (I made a post around Christmas - his team placed 5th in the nation on 12/24). HOWEVER, after my very genki kyoto sensei (asst. principal, pictured here) heard it was my birthday, he made everyone stop and sing "Happy Birthday" (in English!). As the rousing rendition was coming to a close, he swooped up one of the flowers from the arrangement in the room and presented it to me. I had a pretty low-key time after that - just met up with some of the other Isahaya ALTs at Bar Mole in the Arcade here (the owner plays great jazz music and is the father of one of my students). Called it an early night, because as you'll see, the day after my birthday was a busy one!

Congratulations to the Grads!

Today was a very happy day here at Kanko! This Japanese graduation ceremony was quite different than what I'm used to in the US, but, it seemed fitting for here. First, all the students came to school as usual, an in uniform. Everyone went to the gym, and for the most part, even with over a 1000 people, unless we were singing, it was quiet. There was no "walking across the stage" either. Kocho sensei (the principal, in the photo here) stood at the podium, homeroom teachers called students' names, the students said "Hai", stood, and bowed to Kocho sensei (and he to them). Only 3 speeches - kocho sensei, a ninensei, and a sannensei. The band and chorus (several hundred students) did several numbers, and things wrapped up with the Ouendan ('cheer' team) performance. I'll show you the "after" grad festivities later. Now I need to wrestle with foreign ingredients and a Japanese oven to try to make my birthday cake for tomorrow!