Education in Japan

Japanese do not like confrontation and this is something I experience on a daily basis when I go to school. Whether its about discipline or saying what you really mean, the Japanese are certainly really good about keeping up polite appearances, even if how they feel inside is the EXACT opposite.

As a teacher back home, I would certainly feel comfortable telling my students to "Pay attention" or "stop talking"...but here the teachers seem to simply ignore these things and it drives me a little crazy!! I mean, shouldn't students listen to teachers and learn rather than draw on each other and talk to their neighbors? Now, don't get me wrong...the bad kids only make up about 2% of my students, but they certainly know how to drive one a little mad.

As for more important educational issues, I am intrigued and interested in how teachers approach lesson plans, greet each other in the morning, and dress so casually its almost funny. Teachers here wear track suits and sports clothes for school and I almost feel overdressed in my polo and black jeans...I really couldn't resist but to chuckle at my JTE's attire the other day...I almost felt like the entire staff was prepping for a marathon, rather than an English lesson.

Prepping for lessons with my JTEs (Japanese Teachers of English) is really fun...it's a constant "what?" and "I don't get it...let me look this up on my translator..." experience...but after awhile, we all seem to be talking the same language. I really like in the elementary how we inciorporate fun games at the end of each lesson to really hone in on the skills we are teaching the kids...

The other day, I played "Fruit Basket" game and the kids absolutely LOVE this game...they learn the names of the fruit and then we play a sort of musical chairs type game as I call out the names of the fruit and then they run around like chickens with their heads cut off until the last kid is standing because he was too slow to get to a chair...it's HILARIOUS!!!

I am really excited about teaching in Japan and commuting by bike instead of driving 45 minutes one way to get to San Ramon...it's a whole different way of teaching here...I am the assistant rather than "Numero uno" and that certainly takes some adjustment...I want to lead and instead, I need to follow and do as I'm told. Often I feel like a tape recorder because I'm told to "Read this" and "Say this"...but I know it's valuable for students to hear native speakers because the JTEs cannot create that authentic experience for their students.

More on this later...

Kyoto with Karen

Two weeks ago, I visited the amazing city of Kyoto. It is both old and new at the same time, having the Gion Geisha District, and modern restaurants along the river. Actually getting to see the real Geisha up close and personal was like walking onto the movie set of "Memoirs of a Geisha"...their make-up, beautiful kimonos, and very very tall sandals were almost unreal. They walk with such grace and timidity and they are very difficult to capture on camera.

During our stay in Kyoto, we saw the beautiful Golden Pavilion Temple, Imperial Palace, and many other beautiful zen gardens. There are so many gardens and temples to visit, it's almost too overwhelming. But, I think we were lucky enough to see the main highlights...I wouldn't recommend going in the summer, or at least this summer...it was SO hot that sweat was more present then I would like to admit or remember ;)

My favorite place was probably the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, Tenru-ji Gardens...the bamboo grove there is almost spiritual and well-worth the visit, or the Inari Shrine with its hundreds of orange gates. Kyoto is a special place that everyone must visit before they die...even if that sounds corny, it's true because you can really get lost in the beauty that Kyoto offers.

As a side trip, we visit Nara where we could pet wild deer in the park and visit the largest wooden building in the world. Inside is an impressive golden buddha statue. My trip to Kyoto was definitely memorable and I hope to go back again in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom :)

In one of the photos, you can see me eating soba noodles with scrambled egg on top from the oldest soba noodle restaurant in Kyoto..this place has amazing food and sits on a little side street off of the main boulevard...so unless you know about it, you ain't gonna find it ;)

So, for your future trip to Kyoto, GO EAT THERE...you won't be disappointed.

xoxoxoxoxo

OLD VS MODERN = TOKYO!

I HEART TOKYO!

I spent the weekend in Tokyo two weeks ago and it is an amazing city to say the least. It is full of vibrant character, snazzy bars, fashionable Japanese, and beautiful historic temples and palaces. Despite the intense heat and humidity, my friend Karen and I were still able to enjoy walking around, taking pictures of the Imperial palace, and seeing the many neighborhoods that Tokyo has to offer.

My favorites of the weekend were: walking around the crazy electronic district with tons of neon lights and electronic stores for miles...this is where most people like to buy electronics for discount prices. The music coming from these stores might make you go temporarily noise deaf for awhile ;)

Tokyo night life is also an amazing way to see the city: word of advice to everyone who wants to see Tokyo at its best, go to the Hyatt in Tokyo and sip a martini at the 52nd floor in The New York Bar. The prices are steep but the live music bands are amazing and the view even more amazing. My friend and I spend four hours in here because the surroundings were beautiful and the feeling of being on top of the most amazing city, even better!

Senso-ji Temple is another highlight of the trip. This gigantic temple is hot spot for worshippers that come just to drink the holy water and make a prayer or two inside. The garden out back is very beautiful with a pond and gigantic orange fish. The temple is very impressive and the shops that stand in front of it sold many beautiful crafts (fans, kimonos etc...) to tourists. Avoid going on a weekend...way too many people!

The parks in Tokyo are amazing and beautiful and every visitor should have tea when given the chance. We had cold green tea in the park called Hamarikyu Park in the tea pavilion, which was located in the middle of the lake. This experience was spiritual, relaxing, and very Japanese. When you go inside the pavilions, you must remove your shoes and expect to be waited upon by soft spoken Japanese women who are more than happy to serve you tea on the tatami mat floor in a serene environment. (After awhile, if you are not use to this...your legs will fall asleep) ;)

Tokyo is such a big city and I have only begun to explore it...one weekend in this city is certainly not enough to really capture its full flavor and character...I still want to experience its nightlife, museums, and more enchanting shrines.

I didn't have time yet to visit Ueno Park or Meiji Shrine, so that will be my next "To-Do" things next time I am in Tokyo later this Fall.

Hope you enjoy the pictures from Tokyo! xoxo