Another day at homestay, but this time, it's different. No longer am I bored, but frantically trying to get my things packed, getting laundry done, painting my fingernails and deciding what to bring and what to dump. lol today's the last full day at my host family's house and needless to say, I will miss them. The three kids are too energetic for me, but I've grown to like them. The only thing about them that makes me feel uncomfortable si that they like being close to me, a little TOO close. Don't worry, no rated PG-13 or above kinda crap, but the son always sits on me and the oldest daughter always hugs me and I'm not usually the kinda of person who likes receving affection. Sure, I'm probably the only big sister they'll have for a while and I do kinda spoil them like I do Gigi, but like I said, I don't like receiving affection, but I'm fine with giving. Anywho, aside from their overly closeness to me, they're still pretty good.
Ok, weirdness aside, what I've done these last some days... Well, I went to school with the two youngest. They go to a an international kindy school (kinda like preschool but with english). I was bored to death, but the kids seemed ok with me. Kosei seemed to like showing me off towards the end. There were about 20, maybe less kids in the school and three teachers, two of them were japanese with minimal english and the other was an american, who's name was Erica, who had been there for some months now. During what freetime we had from the kids, we talked and she told me that she was from kentucky.
Before coming to japan, she and her husband were in china teaching english there. She misses china a lot, but when she became pregnant with her son, they decided to go for a change and both found jobs in japan teaching english. She hasn't been back to america since having her son and her husband hasn't been back for three some years. Anyways, I found our conversation more enlightening than the kids because all of them gave me blank stares and were wary of the asian american.
The kindy is split up into two groups, those who are aged two and three are in the younger group and those who are four to six are in the older group. At the beginning of the day, the kids have freetime to do crafts and the like while other kids are getting dropped off. I helped on eof the two year olds do a small puzzle game. Then they're split up with one group learning english from Erica (taught in almost the same fashion as our camp does) and the other taught in japanese by miss tatami (one of the japanese teachers). I switched off from between the two and even got a present from one of the girls because she brought back presents from one of her trips to some city. Then they switch into pool time outside.
During pool time, one of the teachers stays in to clean while the other two watch the kids. It was REALLY hot outside and I didn't put sunblock on so I stayed in and helped Erica clean (it was her turn to clean first today) Afterwards, they come back in and switch into either english or japanese. I went to the japanese one with the little kids but they were as dead as they come and even Aina was quiet, but she had been quiet the whole morning, so I went over to the older side where they were having english and stayed there until lunch. the kids kept staring at me and seemed really surprised that an american was eating japanese food out of a bento (that my host mom prepared for me which I thought was really nice of her to do so). It was really uncomfortable and the girls I sat next to looked at me like they were afraid I was going to shop their heads off. I'm a good american! I don't shoot little kiddies!... unless if they're bad. (^_~)
After lunch, they go outside and play for 40 some minutes, but during this time, the younger kids have nap time until their parents come pick them up. The older kids opened up to me a little more and even had me play with them. Kosei kept dragging me around to do things for him. Anywho, I got darker (dammit!) and after the kids went in and took a nap, I went to the storage room (it was so goddamn packed and hot there! AGH!) to get my book to read, but in doing so, I noticed a book on erica's bag (in english might I add) and started to read the back when erica walks in. She told me I couldn read it during the kids' nap time, but I refused. We ended up having a chat for the rest of the time until my host mom came to pick us up. It was weird talking with her in that cramp and hot room across a shelf, but it was one of my better conversations that I've had with another american since homestay.
Later that day, we also went shopping for food and then went to Yuka's english lesson with her english teacher. He was a some 50 year old american from oregon. Perhaps one of the weirdest americans living in japan that I've ever met. He refuses to go back to america and looks down with disgust upon the presidential elections. I find him kind of funny, but... weird. Just really and absolutely plain weird. He has an obsession with spiritual healing and is doing some sort of research with frequency and healing. Sounds interesting, a little... weird, but I hope he gets somewhere with it though I'm not too sure Japan's ready for an american like him to conduct tests on their people. Oh well, nice guy though.
I expressed a desire to go to an okonomiyaki restaurant to my host mom when she asked where I wanted to go. Japanese dramas and anime can only do so much for you. I took a crapload of pictures of okonomiyaki and me flipping it. It was fun and the okonomiyaki was good too. the kids seem to love the place and my host parents told me that they come often. I also learned about monja, which is primarily the tokyo area which they eat it. It's kind of like okonomiyaki but more liquidy and instead of cutting it and picking the food up like you do with okonomiyaki, you scrap it off the pan. Interesting food and it tasted ok.
My host mom took me shopping the next two days in trying to find some speakers because I want it for my cakewalk. I went and bought a smaller suitcaseat the Beisia store too because my bag left bruises on my shoulder for several days. Many apologies to the two guys who helped carry my heavy bag and probably got bruises from it. I also bought some sunglasses and another pair of fake but uv protected glasses. what can I say, I like them. My host mom took me to the mall and I bought two pairs of cross earrings there. There were so many things that I wanted to buy, but I have no room for them in my bag and I didn't want to lug them around for another month and a half! We also went to eat omerice (rice covered with a thin layer of egg and it's tasty!) before picking up her kids from the kindy school.
That night, I think we went for okonomiyaki and then after we got back, my host dad went back to work and Aina wanted her birthday cake made. Her birthday is on the day that I leave, but her mom decided to make it before I left, but instead of making it the next day, Aina insisted that her mom make it that night. After making the cake, we wished Aina a happy birthday. When we finished eating the cake, we played shooter and look up, look down for a good hour before their mom ushered them to bathe and go to sleep. My host mom told me that it's pretty sad for my host dad cause he missed out on Aina's birthday again. He missed out on every one of them because of work. I feel kinda bad for him.
The next day, we went shopping again. We went to Uniqlo (I think that's how it's spelled) and after spending an hour or so there, I finally bought a shirt because I felt bad for wandering the store for an hour and not buying anything. (nothing fits me in japan! Their clothes are made for skinny small people, not fat and stubby asianb americans like me! ARGH!!!! Definitely what I hate about Japan!) Still looking for speakers and a mini fan, we went to Cainz. It's kinda like home depot but without all the food and wood. I finally found speakers there. They were about 10 dollars, which wasn't bad at all and I found a mini fan! My host sibs somehow busted the one I bought in america so I had to look for a new one. Afterwards, my host mom and I went to a ramen shop and it was the best ramen I've ever had! Nothing at all like the packages stuff you find in america! There was also chili pepper (or their version of it) and I put so much in to make up for all the days in japan where I didn't have spicy food (except that one spicy chip I ate and it almost burned my tongue off and there was no water for me to wash it down!)
I am almost out of money. Well, spending money that I brought in cash with me. I've only $100 left in japanese money and $100 in american. I need to stop spending so much, but most of what I bought was stuff I needed. They have no fountains here and I find myself buying a bottle of water almost everyday because I keep misplacing mine. Japan rocks my socks, but it's also hard on my wallet, or rather, my change purse. I hate how they have to have brand stuff on EVERYTHING and that's what makes it freaking expensive. It was hard for me to find a pack of cheap bandaids without all the cartoon characters on it. Man, I kinda miss having cheap generic stuff.
Anywho, today, I'm doing nothing, but getting ready to head off to the station tomorrow. I must have packed, unpacked and repacked a gazillion times now. I'm trying to fit everything in my two suitcases, but it somehow doesn't fit and then it does, but then I remember that I have other things that need to be packed so the cycle continues. *sighs* I have so much crap now, wait until I come back to america. How the hell am I suppose to pack all the stuff that I'll buy later. yikes, I really don't wanna think about that! At least not now anyway.
Okies, this may be all that you get for now because I'm not sure if I can get any internet where I'm going next. If possible at the next place, I'll put up pictures. My host fam's lappy doesn't want to upload pics for me. Also, I tried calling home again with the new numbers that wang got me, but they don't work as well. It's definitely gotta be my host's fam's phone. It doesn't like americans. Racist bastard phone! I'll kill you!!! Clap! Clap! Chi! Chi! Clap! Clap! Bang! Bang! lol (If you know how to play Shooter, you'll understand that part. (^_~)) Okies, phone dead, Mai happy, that'll be it for now. Till then, ja ne! (^_^)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Adventures of Super Mai, Summer 2008 (pt 2)
So here I am, another day in the house of my host family. In the last couple of days, I've experienced and gone places never gone before!!! Well, not really, but I went somewhere at least. Yesterday, I went to the Tanabata festival. I think my friend called it something like the bamboo festival because people write their wishes on a piece of paper and hang it up on the trees. Anywho, I took a few pictures of the place. It's four days long and my host family took me there there the first day after my oldest host sister was done with her swim practice. By the way, if I haven't mentioned it already (mostly because I'm too lazy to look at my last entry) I have three host siblings: the oldest sister being 7, the next is a boy who's four and the youngest daughter will be 3 before the end of this month.
We went walking downtown (Gunma part of Tokyo, even Tokyo's divided up!) and there weren't that many people out but there were many things hung up and they were really pretty. There wasn't really much to see because many of the shops sold things that didn't really pique my interest. Afterwards, my host family and I went to a restaurant and I must say that I was a bit weirded out by it. When we entered, we were told to take off our shoes before entering and placed them inside a box-locker thingy. The key wasn't a key, but a piece of block that told us where our shoe was. Didn't matter what kanji was on the block thingy, to me, all the lockers looked the same. Before leaving, it took me quite a while to remember where my shoes were and which locker thingy had the same characters as the one on my key-wooden blocky thingy.
We were ushered to a table and when I took a look at the menu, I had NO CLUE what to buy. I haven't been practicing my kanji for almost a year now and needless to say, I couldn't read SQUAT! lol Good thing there was english in small print on the side of the kanji so at least, I could read what the name of the food was. In the end, I ended up ordering a stuffed omelet... with the help of my host mom. It was good, that is, if I didn't listen to the complaints and squealing of my host sibs. They're cute, but really loud! lol
The next day, I tried calling home and for some reason, the call wasn't getting through. I had my host mom try it and she told me that the operator said that the phone card wasn't in service. Dad, Wang, any family who's reading this, that phone card numbers and stuff you gave me doesn't work!!! I tried using a pay phone the next day when we went to the convenience store, but it didn't work either!!!! WAH!!!!!!!!
Anywho, the next morning, while I was eating breakfast, my host mom told me that the egg I was eating came from a vending machine... wait, vending machine? You mean like, not from the store, but from something that you put coins into and comes out, like pop from a vending machine? Yes, something like that, I even took pictures of it later!!! Anyway, it doesn't drop down, but it's tucked in a box and you just open the door of one box and take the eggs out (they come in a bag). Of all the things in japan, I never expected an egg vending machine. lol Where's a panty vending machine when you need one? (^_~)
After my host mom went to pick up her kids from daycare/preschool, she took me to the bank and then we went back home. After Yuka, the older sister, came back home, we went to Kose's, the brother, swimming practice. After that, we went to store to get some things for me and for the family. I ended up buying nail polish (among other things) and we drove home in what was perhaps one of the worst rainstorms I've ever been in since I came to Japan. We were practically going across a river. Later that night, there was a loud clap of thunder that sounded undeniably close and booming that it scared the kids into hiding underneath the table between their dad's feet and their bank accountant who came over to discuss things with them. Also that night, after the thundering went away or grew less, I painted Yuka's and my fingernails. Kose had one fingernail painted, but washed it off later. lol
The next day, which was yesterday for me, Yuka went to english school in the morning so I got up late, at about 10. It was a REALLY hot day and my host mom asked me if I wanted to go to the festival. I said yes, but we decided to go when the weather was a bit cooler. We went to pick up Yuka from school later. At about 4:30-ish, the kids got into their yukatas. I wanted one too, but thought I'd better not because I'd be lugging it around for another month and a half and decided against buying one... for now. We went and it was the most lively and crowded that I've ever been in since the first day we went. There were so many people in yukatas and so many food and game stands. I wanted to participate and try all the foods, but decided against it because I didn't want to look like a pig in front of my host family. My host mom tried feeding me a piece of pineapple the way she was feeding her kids or how my mom fed me when I was little and feeling a little embarassed, I politely refused and she laughed, seeing that she was feeding me like a little child. I saw a KFC there, and took a picture of it. Seeing american stores here in Japan makes me feel giddy, and it looks somewhat out of place for some reason that it's kinda funny.
We went back home and did nothing but laze around the rest of the night. Today, we went to the Gunma Museum of Natural History. Lost of stuff I'd probably see in american museums, but only in japanese. Oh well, it was interesting and even taught my host family a few things I knew. There were robotic dinsaurs there too and it scared my host brother so much that he had to run each time we ran across it and kept bugging his mom where the exit was. When we took a rest outside, I watched my host siblings run after a bird because they wanted to catch it. The youngest sister, Aina, wanted to catch the bird and put it in one of her bags so whenever she saw the bird, she'd rush over to her mom and grab the bag and then run after the bird. It was hilarious watching them run after the bird.
After that, we went to a a sushi bar! AH!!!!! IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!! lol It was like a mini amusement park for me. The sushi move around in a mini conveyor belt and the price isn't too bad, considering that the food fills you up quickly. I was so giddy and excited that I ate nine plates. lol I felt somewhat embarassed about it later because my host dad only had seven and my host mom had about four or five. My host sibs had about three plates. I felt so bad about it and tried giving them money for my share, but they refused, saying that they were treating me. I still feel bad about it. Man, I better give this family something damn good.
I like this family. I always clean the dishes and help my host mom out with the kids that she tells me everyday to quit my job and not go back to america. sadly, that isn't the case. I like this family, but not enough to leave my fmaily and friends back home. I really miss my baby sister most of all. I don't think I can leave her yet for a long period of time. Now, I'm not saying that I want to leave america, well, at least for now, but rather, I don't think I can leave for a long length of time again. I miss my baby sister everyday and hope that I can talk to her at least.
So, family in america, if you are reading this, go buy me a phone card!!!! I can't find one here and missed my chance at buying one at the hotel. GO GET ONE FOR ME ASAP BECAUSE I AM DYING HERE NOT BEING ABLE TO HEAR GIGI'S VOICE! Well, yes, I miss you guys too, but I MISS GIGI MORE!!!! So anywho, that aside, that's it for now. I also talked to my friend Cindy for a bit too, but my host sibs came and bothered me while I was trying to talk to her so I had to hang up, but it was good to hear her again. Anywho, I hope I can see some of my friends from my team before camp starts. I miss them alot too, but not as much as I miss Gigi!!!
Okies, that's it for part 2. Until next time, ja ne!
We went walking downtown (Gunma part of Tokyo, even Tokyo's divided up!) and there weren't that many people out but there were many things hung up and they were really pretty. There wasn't really much to see because many of the shops sold things that didn't really pique my interest. Afterwards, my host family and I went to a restaurant and I must say that I was a bit weirded out by it. When we entered, we were told to take off our shoes before entering and placed them inside a box-locker thingy. The key wasn't a key, but a piece of block that told us where our shoe was. Didn't matter what kanji was on the block thingy, to me, all the lockers looked the same. Before leaving, it took me quite a while to remember where my shoes were and which locker thingy had the same characters as the one on my key-wooden blocky thingy.
We were ushered to a table and when I took a look at the menu, I had NO CLUE what to buy. I haven't been practicing my kanji for almost a year now and needless to say, I couldn't read SQUAT! lol Good thing there was english in small print on the side of the kanji so at least, I could read what the name of the food was. In the end, I ended up ordering a stuffed omelet... with the help of my host mom. It was good, that is, if I didn't listen to the complaints and squealing of my host sibs. They're cute, but really loud! lol
The next day, I tried calling home and for some reason, the call wasn't getting through. I had my host mom try it and she told me that the operator said that the phone card wasn't in service. Dad, Wang, any family who's reading this, that phone card numbers and stuff you gave me doesn't work!!! I tried using a pay phone the next day when we went to the convenience store, but it didn't work either!!!! WAH!!!!!!!!
Anywho, the next morning, while I was eating breakfast, my host mom told me that the egg I was eating came from a vending machine... wait, vending machine? You mean like, not from the store, but from something that you put coins into and comes out, like pop from a vending machine? Yes, something like that, I even took pictures of it later!!! Anyway, it doesn't drop down, but it's tucked in a box and you just open the door of one box and take the eggs out (they come in a bag). Of all the things in japan, I never expected an egg vending machine. lol Where's a panty vending machine when you need one? (^_~)
After my host mom went to pick up her kids from daycare/preschool, she took me to the bank and then we went back home. After Yuka, the older sister, came back home, we went to Kose's, the brother, swimming practice. After that, we went to store to get some things for me and for the family. I ended up buying nail polish (among other things) and we drove home in what was perhaps one of the worst rainstorms I've ever been in since I came to Japan. We were practically going across a river. Later that night, there was a loud clap of thunder that sounded undeniably close and booming that it scared the kids into hiding underneath the table between their dad's feet and their bank accountant who came over to discuss things with them. Also that night, after the thundering went away or grew less, I painted Yuka's and my fingernails. Kose had one fingernail painted, but washed it off later. lol
The next day, which was yesterday for me, Yuka went to english school in the morning so I got up late, at about 10. It was a REALLY hot day and my host mom asked me if I wanted to go to the festival. I said yes, but we decided to go when the weather was a bit cooler. We went to pick up Yuka from school later. At about 4:30-ish, the kids got into their yukatas. I wanted one too, but thought I'd better not because I'd be lugging it around for another month and a half and decided against buying one... for now. We went and it was the most lively and crowded that I've ever been in since the first day we went. There were so many people in yukatas and so many food and game stands. I wanted to participate and try all the foods, but decided against it because I didn't want to look like a pig in front of my host family. My host mom tried feeding me a piece of pineapple the way she was feeding her kids or how my mom fed me when I was little and feeling a little embarassed, I politely refused and she laughed, seeing that she was feeding me like a little child. I saw a KFC there, and took a picture of it. Seeing american stores here in Japan makes me feel giddy, and it looks somewhat out of place for some reason that it's kinda funny.
We went back home and did nothing but laze around the rest of the night. Today, we went to the Gunma Museum of Natural History. Lost of stuff I'd probably see in american museums, but only in japanese. Oh well, it was interesting and even taught my host family a few things I knew. There were robotic dinsaurs there too and it scared my host brother so much that he had to run each time we ran across it and kept bugging his mom where the exit was. When we took a rest outside, I watched my host siblings run after a bird because they wanted to catch it. The youngest sister, Aina, wanted to catch the bird and put it in one of her bags so whenever she saw the bird, she'd rush over to her mom and grab the bag and then run after the bird. It was hilarious watching them run after the bird.
After that, we went to a a sushi bar! AH!!!!! IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!! lol It was like a mini amusement park for me. The sushi move around in a mini conveyor belt and the price isn't too bad, considering that the food fills you up quickly. I was so giddy and excited that I ate nine plates. lol I felt somewhat embarassed about it later because my host dad only had seven and my host mom had about four or five. My host sibs had about three plates. I felt so bad about it and tried giving them money for my share, but they refused, saying that they were treating me. I still feel bad about it. Man, I better give this family something damn good.
I like this family. I always clean the dishes and help my host mom out with the kids that she tells me everyday to quit my job and not go back to america. sadly, that isn't the case. I like this family, but not enough to leave my fmaily and friends back home. I really miss my baby sister most of all. I don't think I can leave her yet for a long period of time. Now, I'm not saying that I want to leave america, well, at least for now, but rather, I don't think I can leave for a long length of time again. I miss my baby sister everyday and hope that I can talk to her at least.
So, family in america, if you are reading this, go buy me a phone card!!!! I can't find one here and missed my chance at buying one at the hotel. GO GET ONE FOR ME ASAP BECAUSE I AM DYING HERE NOT BEING ABLE TO HEAR GIGI'S VOICE! Well, yes, I miss you guys too, but I MISS GIGI MORE!!!! So anywho, that aside, that's it for now. I also talked to my friend Cindy for a bit too, but my host sibs came and bothered me while I was trying to talk to her so I had to hang up, but it was good to hear her again. Anywho, I hope I can see some of my friends from my team before camp starts. I miss them alot too, but not as much as I miss Gigi!!!
Okies, that's it for part 2. Until next time, ja ne!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Mai thoughts...
There are times when I'm here in Japan and I completely forget that I have another family, well, several of them including my family of friends, back in America. I suppose that my family here in Japan whom I've met only two weeks ago have really done a good job on me, but there are times that I really miss my friends and family back at home. Last year I wasn't feeling homesick very much and was enjoying myself in Japan doing what I love to do, helping kids (I refuse to call it teaching, I'll still try to steer away from being a teacher!!!...somehow) learn and I guess I was trying to do the same thing again.
The only problem this time is that one of our teammates calls home alot during our freetime leaving me no time to call home when I'm free and the phone card that my family gave me... doesn't work! Also, the family that I am now with for the next week or so has three little adorable kids that always remind me of my baby sister at home who didn't know or understand that her big sister was going away for two months. I don't know if she cares or if she remembers me.
Last year, she was still very young and didn't remember who I was when I returned to America. This year, I'm not sure if the same thing will happen or not. I want to call home and see if she remembers my name or my voice or even who I am. It saddens me and sometimes I hold back my crying when I see my host parents with their children. It unnerves me that I'm this emotional because I got along fine, but this year makes it a little more harder. I miss my family alot and I want to talk to them and was thinking of using skype, even trying to pay for the three dollars a month just so I could call them via internet to my home phone just so I can talk to them, but my host family's internet won't allow my laptop to use their wireless and they don't have skype! I don't want to download it into their laptop unless if they want it and they don't really seem to want it either so I'm a little stumped.
Hopefully, I find an international phone and can try the number again. My host mom tells me that their phone seems incompatible in making international phone calls so I'm hoping that's it. Hopefully I can try again, but the time difference will be my only problem once I find out if I can use the card numbers or not.
The only problem this time is that one of our teammates calls home alot during our freetime leaving me no time to call home when I'm free and the phone card that my family gave me... doesn't work! Also, the family that I am now with for the next week or so has three little adorable kids that always remind me of my baby sister at home who didn't know or understand that her big sister was going away for two months. I don't know if she cares or if she remembers me.
Last year, she was still very young and didn't remember who I was when I returned to America. This year, I'm not sure if the same thing will happen or not. I want to call home and see if she remembers my name or my voice or even who I am. It saddens me and sometimes I hold back my crying when I see my host parents with their children. It unnerves me that I'm this emotional because I got along fine, but this year makes it a little more harder. I miss my family alot and I want to talk to them and was thinking of using skype, even trying to pay for the three dollars a month just so I could call them via internet to my home phone just so I can talk to them, but my host family's internet won't allow my laptop to use their wireless and they don't have skype! I don't want to download it into their laptop unless if they want it and they don't really seem to want it either so I'm a little stumped.
Hopefully, I find an international phone and can try the number again. My host mom tells me that their phone seems incompatible in making international phone calls so I'm hoping that's it. Hopefully I can try again, but the time difference will be my only problem once I find out if I can use the card numbers or not.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Adventures of Super Mai, Summer 2008 (pt 1)
So here begins our story of our magnificent superheroine, Super Mai! lol Just kidding. I wasn't very good last year in blogging my adventures last year, but I'll try to be good this year. Anywho, let's see, where to start...
On the day that I left, I got to the airport at about 11 or 12. My flight was to take off at about 3 in the afternoon. I waited at the gate where I would depart, unfortunately, I should have mentioned to the team members on facebook that perhaps we should wear something or tell one another how we looked like so we could meet up. So the whole time, I was looking for Tony, whom I went to school with and was coming to tokyo with me on the same plane and team, but I couldn't find him anywhere. Right before I was to get my seating ticket for the plane, Tony comes in (late as always, even when we had class together!) and we also meet someone from our team there, Jewelly, whom I eventually figure out to be someone that had volunteered at Jane Adams where I had worked and volunteered before and she also knew one of my friends who went to the same school with her and had also worked at the ssame place.
On the plane, I met Ger and John who are also on my team. We talk and play cards during our 11 some hours flight to japan (it's a direct flight from minneapolis) and sleep (or try to) most of the flight. Eventually, we make it to Japan and meet up with the rest of our group when we reclaim our bags. Machiko, whom I had worked with last year, is now a Japanese Director (JD) on Team 6 whereas I am on Team 5 this year. Both teams are in Tokyo, and though our orientation and first camps are in the same place, we separated later.
Orientation lasts for about four or five days (can't really remember) and there, we bond quickly as a team and a family because we would be working together, rooming together and bathing together( yes, in the same room, but not co-ed!). The facility that we stayed at had a magnificent view of Mount Fuji... on days that weren't cloudy. My camera couldn't take good pictures so I'll steal them off someone from my team later. On the first day, we also met Guy Healy, the person who started USA Summer Camp. I met him last year and had a chance to talk to him again this year. He still looks the same as last year and was wearing a shirt that slightly resembled my pajama pants that I left at home.
Despite slight... problems that the American Director (AD) had with our team that ended up with our AD having to tell us to stay away from the other team, we ended up having a good time hanging with the American Counselors (AC) from Team 6. I miss them already. I met the sister of a friend of mine and two other hmong girls on the other team.
Our first camp had about 120 students. On the first day, we did orientation with them by having them make nametags, a name for their groups that they were put into and introducing ourselves as well as our team song that we had created ourselves during orientation). After that, we changed groups and did an activity called "one minute drill" where we time the kids for one minute and have them say as many english sentences as they can. The first day, we would teach and have them memorize a sheet of english sentences and the second day, we would start testing them.
After that we did "my story" where the students would write about themselves, hobbies they had or any of the like. Actually, for this camp, they focused on dreams that they students had of becoming a doctor, a lawyer, and so on, and how they would achieve them. then we also had "camp skit" where the students would come up with a short skit and write all the lines, make all the props and the acting themselves. They would perform this on the third day which would be the last day and eigokai which was where they would perform both their skits and my stories to everyone. During the evening, we did campfire. There, the ACs roasted marshmallows witht he campers, sang songs and did short skits to entertain them. I think it went well and we all had a lot of fun.
the second day was about the same as the first but we also did recreational games that we learned during orientation (which is basically a bunch of games we did as children, but they're still fun anyway!) and also played outside doing basketball and whatnot. One different activity we also did was "american carnival" where the campers had a chance to experience an american carnival. It's actually more like a carnival you'd go to at a school. Nonetheless, the students had fun. That evening, we also had dance party and put on a lot of songs like ymca (a popular one that the students knew), thriller, soulja boy, electric slide, chicken dance and some others. that was fun too, but everyone was tired, wiped out and sweaty. Unfortunately, like the first day, my campers only had about 10 minutes to take a bath and we had a long way to run to take a shower. By the way, I also shower/bath with my campers like during orientation.
The third day was eigo-kai. The students studied hard and practiced hard and I could tell that they did it because they did really well.I was very proud of my students, whether or not if they won a place in skit or my story. They did a very good job in the end and had fun, that's all that really matters to me. It was hard parting with them at the end and I ended up crying, yes, I cried. I felt that I realy connected with my groups that I worked with and they really went a long way. Some girls cried too and we waved goodbye to them when they left. I miss my girls already.
My team left that same day to go to a hotel and stay there for the night before going to our next facility. Some ACs from Team 6 joined us, as well as Team 7b. Team 7a arrived the same day to do their orientation. They left with us and we went to a creepy hotel that looked like the outside of Rarig, and looked very geometirc inside like tetris and looked like a placce where murder could happen. I'm serious! You could do a murder mystery in there! We ended up drinking that night, but had to walk 15 minutes to a convenience store to get the booze and snacks and 15 minutes back to party in our room. We played president and never have I ever. Needless to say, I learned a lot about some people that I never though was possible! lol
the next day, we went to the next facility and found out that we walked into a death trap! lol well, hear me out. We were told that there were killer bees, perhaps one of the most deadliest bees in the world there that would keep stinging you until you were dead. It'd kill you in a matter of minutes. There was thunder also and if you were out wandering around when there was thunder, it was highly likely that you'd get hit. And the stairs! My god the stairs!!! There were a gazillion of them! It was like climbing, and I quote, the "Great Wall of China." We just had to keep walking and climbing and walking and climbing. I was about ready to die! Never before had I climb so many stairs just to go to take a shower and go eat! lol We ended joking that there were snipers on the hill waiting to shoot us too. lol
the campers came the next day, about 160 of them and that's not the worst part, they could barely speak english! Ok, actually, that's not the worst part, it was the part that there were actually about one fluent enbglish speakers per group. now THAT was the hardest part! the students would turn to the fluent speaker and copy off the fluent speaker and wouldn't even try speaking english to the ACs at all! I had one girl who refused to attempt to speak english with me and was always saying crap about me in japanese and sadly enough,I understood everything she said about me and had to pretend that my japanese was little to none. She was what I really hated about the camp, but other than being complicated and the fact that this was a new schoool to the program as well as having teachers who kep[t changing our schedules and being completely of no help to us, I'd have to say that we did rather well. We got good reviews from what I heard, but I hope we have less students next time and no obnoxious little preteen bitches. FINGERS CROSSED!
Unfortuantely, our ET, the person who evaluated our team as well as the other ACs from Team 6 and 7 had to leave. We would forever be separatd from them! NO!!!!!!!! They were pretty cool and I miss them already too. One of our JCs who was doing her orientation with us was leaving as well and I totally miss her and her vallygirl-like english. aw....
åThe same day (which was yesterday), we went off to our homestays, but mine turns out to be the farthest. Our group split up into three and my group had to take the train for an hour to get to their stop and mine was about another 30-40 minutes. I finally got to my stop at about 9 and met my host mother and three adorably kids. I think they liked me right away because they were pulling me everywhere and kept talking to me. I'm now at their house sitting here and typing this. I'm tired, but the kids want constant attention. I've been detained from them long enough so I have to get back to them.
Anyways, my adventures are done for now. Till then, enjoy yourselves and be good! (^_^)
On the day that I left, I got to the airport at about 11 or 12. My flight was to take off at about 3 in the afternoon. I waited at the gate where I would depart, unfortunately, I should have mentioned to the team members on facebook that perhaps we should wear something or tell one another how we looked like so we could meet up. So the whole time, I was looking for Tony, whom I went to school with and was coming to tokyo with me on the same plane and team, but I couldn't find him anywhere. Right before I was to get my seating ticket for the plane, Tony comes in (late as always, even when we had class together!) and we also meet someone from our team there, Jewelly, whom I eventually figure out to be someone that had volunteered at Jane Adams where I had worked and volunteered before and she also knew one of my friends who went to the same school with her and had also worked at the ssame place.
On the plane, I met Ger and John who are also on my team. We talk and play cards during our 11 some hours flight to japan (it's a direct flight from minneapolis) and sleep (or try to) most of the flight. Eventually, we make it to Japan and meet up with the rest of our group when we reclaim our bags. Machiko, whom I had worked with last year, is now a Japanese Director (JD) on Team 6 whereas I am on Team 5 this year. Both teams are in Tokyo, and though our orientation and first camps are in the same place, we separated later.
Orientation lasts for about four or five days (can't really remember) and there, we bond quickly as a team and a family because we would be working together, rooming together and bathing together( yes, in the same room, but not co-ed!). The facility that we stayed at had a magnificent view of Mount Fuji... on days that weren't cloudy. My camera couldn't take good pictures so I'll steal them off someone from my team later. On the first day, we also met Guy Healy, the person who started USA Summer Camp. I met him last year and had a chance to talk to him again this year. He still looks the same as last year and was wearing a shirt that slightly resembled my pajama pants that I left at home.
Despite slight... problems that the American Director (AD) had with our team that ended up with our AD having to tell us to stay away from the other team, we ended up having a good time hanging with the American Counselors (AC) from Team 6. I miss them already. I met the sister of a friend of mine and two other hmong girls on the other team.
Our first camp had about 120 students. On the first day, we did orientation with them by having them make nametags, a name for their groups that they were put into and introducing ourselves as well as our team song that we had created ourselves during orientation). After that, we changed groups and did an activity called "one minute drill" where we time the kids for one minute and have them say as many english sentences as they can. The first day, we would teach and have them memorize a sheet of english sentences and the second day, we would start testing them.
After that we did "my story" where the students would write about themselves, hobbies they had or any of the like. Actually, for this camp, they focused on dreams that they students had of becoming a doctor, a lawyer, and so on, and how they would achieve them. then we also had "camp skit" where the students would come up with a short skit and write all the lines, make all the props and the acting themselves. They would perform this on the third day which would be the last day and eigokai which was where they would perform both their skits and my stories to everyone. During the evening, we did campfire. There, the ACs roasted marshmallows witht he campers, sang songs and did short skits to entertain them. I think it went well and we all had a lot of fun.
the second day was about the same as the first but we also did recreational games that we learned during orientation (which is basically a bunch of games we did as children, but they're still fun anyway!) and also played outside doing basketball and whatnot. One different activity we also did was "american carnival" where the campers had a chance to experience an american carnival. It's actually more like a carnival you'd go to at a school. Nonetheless, the students had fun. That evening, we also had dance party and put on a lot of songs like ymca (a popular one that the students knew), thriller, soulja boy, electric slide, chicken dance and some others. that was fun too, but everyone was tired, wiped out and sweaty. Unfortunately, like the first day, my campers only had about 10 minutes to take a bath and we had a long way to run to take a shower. By the way, I also shower/bath with my campers like during orientation.
The third day was eigo-kai. The students studied hard and practiced hard and I could tell that they did it because they did really well.I was very proud of my students, whether or not if they won a place in skit or my story. They did a very good job in the end and had fun, that's all that really matters to me. It was hard parting with them at the end and I ended up crying, yes, I cried. I felt that I realy connected with my groups that I worked with and they really went a long way. Some girls cried too and we waved goodbye to them when they left. I miss my girls already.
My team left that same day to go to a hotel and stay there for the night before going to our next facility. Some ACs from Team 6 joined us, as well as Team 7b. Team 7a arrived the same day to do their orientation. They left with us and we went to a creepy hotel that looked like the outside of Rarig, and looked very geometirc inside like tetris and looked like a placce where murder could happen. I'm serious! You could do a murder mystery in there! We ended up drinking that night, but had to walk 15 minutes to a convenience store to get the booze and snacks and 15 minutes back to party in our room. We played president and never have I ever. Needless to say, I learned a lot about some people that I never though was possible! lol
the next day, we went to the next facility and found out that we walked into a death trap! lol well, hear me out. We were told that there were killer bees, perhaps one of the most deadliest bees in the world there that would keep stinging you until you were dead. It'd kill you in a matter of minutes. There was thunder also and if you were out wandering around when there was thunder, it was highly likely that you'd get hit. And the stairs! My god the stairs!!! There were a gazillion of them! It was like climbing, and I quote, the "Great Wall of China." We just had to keep walking and climbing and walking and climbing. I was about ready to die! Never before had I climb so many stairs just to go to take a shower and go eat! lol We ended joking that there were snipers on the hill waiting to shoot us too. lol
the campers came the next day, about 160 of them and that's not the worst part, they could barely speak english! Ok, actually, that's not the worst part, it was the part that there were actually about one fluent enbglish speakers per group. now THAT was the hardest part! the students would turn to the fluent speaker and copy off the fluent speaker and wouldn't even try speaking english to the ACs at all! I had one girl who refused to attempt to speak english with me and was always saying crap about me in japanese and sadly enough,I understood everything she said about me and had to pretend that my japanese was little to none. She was what I really hated about the camp, but other than being complicated and the fact that this was a new schoool to the program as well as having teachers who kep[t changing our schedules and being completely of no help to us, I'd have to say that we did rather well. We got good reviews from what I heard, but I hope we have less students next time and no obnoxious little preteen bitches. FINGERS CROSSED!
Unfortuantely, our ET, the person who evaluated our team as well as the other ACs from Team 6 and 7 had to leave. We would forever be separatd from them! NO!!!!!!!! They were pretty cool and I miss them already too. One of our JCs who was doing her orientation with us was leaving as well and I totally miss her and her vallygirl-like english. aw....
åThe same day (which was yesterday), we went off to our homestays, but mine turns out to be the farthest. Our group split up into three and my group had to take the train for an hour to get to their stop and mine was about another 30-40 minutes. I finally got to my stop at about 9 and met my host mother and three adorably kids. I think they liked me right away because they were pulling me everywhere and kept talking to me. I'm now at their house sitting here and typing this. I'm tired, but the kids want constant attention. I've been detained from them long enough so I have to get back to them.
Anyways, my adventures are done for now. Till then, enjoy yourselves and be good! (^_^)
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