Spring Break

I've finished at both elementary schools now. I will start working in two junior high schools, early April. These pictures are from my last day at Edogawa:
The cutest and nicest kid, but his hands were always dirty and he would never let go of me! Look closely, you can see the mischief in his eyes.
Satomi. I could always remember her name, because my girlfriend had a dog named Satomi when we lived in Chicago. I didn't tell her that, though.
I could write a lot about Japanese dodgeball, but not this time.

This is how I got around after the initial hell-fever attack. I've been back to the doctor and I'm not wearing the masks anymore. When I first got here and saw people wearing these masks all the time, it kinda freaked me out. But I have to admit, when I'm riding a crowded train, I like the sense of protection it gives me from the germs around me. If you've ever had a sick person cough on you, you'll understand. It also provides some protection from those with the lethal combination of cigarette/coffee/sushi breath.

White Day

So, it's officially one month after Valentines. The day when boys in Japan return the love and give chocolates and sweets to the ladies in their lives. Happy White Day, ladies. (White Day is March 14th)

Hell-Fever

I thought I was one of the lucky ones, unaffected by Japan's infamous hay fever epidemic. I was, WRONG.

This is the worst outdoor allergy I have ever experienced. It hit me two days ago, like an A-bomb. First you nose starts to run and itch, not an ordinary itch, but a burning, stinging itch, high in your nasal cavity. Then your throat tightens and your lymph nodes stiffen. Soon your head will pulse with vibrant pain and your thoughts will cloud, followed by nausea and exhaustion for dessert.

It's so much worse here, because the pollen is coming from several hundred-thousand hectares of cedar trees. It blows from the forests into the city. The pollen is able to travel much farther distances than the ragweed of the U.S. The pollen would normally absorb into the ground, but in the city streets it circulates with the wind. A large percentage of the population is allergic to the pollen, so there is much attention towards it. The pollen season for the cedars stops at the end of April.

It's most likely affecting me so much, because I have no immunity to this particular allergen. If I am here next year, I'm sure that it won't be so bad. I have medicine, masks and I'm looking into laser treatment. I'll be fine, mom. This is me, ground zero, 5am.

Last Day at Sendagi

Today was my final day at the larger of the two elementary schools I have been working in. I gave my speech yesterday and managed not to make any mistakes, although I was nervous and a little shaky. I got a great response and noticed that the kids looked at me a little differently, perhaps with a little more respect, or so I'd like to think.

I signed my name at least 500 times today, no joke. The kids had me signing everything, their school i.d. tags, books, notebooks, hands, pencil cases and erasers. One girl had me sign every book and note book she had. It took my entire free period of about 30 minutes just to sign my name for the 3rd graders. I felt bad writing all over their stuff, but they were very persistent ('sign, sign please!") and would have me sign my name 5 times or more for each of them, usually in different colors and sizes. I have experienced my fifteen minutes of fame and it was heart-melting. Kids were asking me for my cell phone number and home address, which was cute. I gave them my email instead, so we'll see how many emails I get in Japanese.

Saying goodbye was harder than I thought it would be. Almost every class either sang or gave me a speech in English saying thank you and goodbye. I left with a bouquet of flowers, many notes and origami leis. They made me feel very special and appreciated. It was an emotionally intense day. I felt something I had never felt before, the responsibility to do everything I can to make the world a better place for them. I think I've finally grown up. This was an experience I will never forget. Here are some photos from yesterday.

Speech!

So my speech is tomorrow morning. I've been practicing and I feel pretty good about it. Wish me luck. Here it is, in romaji for those of you who understand. Sendagi is the school name, big thanks to Rina for translating and helping me write this:

Mina-san ohayo gozaimasu! Mo sugu haru yasumi desu ne? Shi-gatsu kara atarashii gakku nen ni narimasu. Watashi wa, shi-gatsu kara chu-gakkou de Eigo o oshieru-koto ni narimashita.

Watashi wa Sendagi de, mai-nichi tanoshi ji-kan o sugoshi-mashita. Itsumo hello to aisatsu shite kuretari, su-ma-e-ru o kuretari shite, ariigato gozaimashita! Honto-ni ureshii katta desu. Issho-ni ge-mu o shitari, janken ya kancho o shiete kurete, arrigato gozaimashita!

Ima watashi wa, Nihongo benkyo shite imasu. Mina-san wa, Eigo o benkyo shite imasu ne? Issho-ni gambarimasho! Itsuka mina-san to, Eigo to Nihongo de hanaseru-hi o, tanoshimi ni shite imasu.

Sendagi no sensei-gata wa, watashi ni yasashiku shite kudasai-mashita. Mina-san mo, sensei-gata to naka yoku shite kudasai ne. Mina-san no koto wa zettai ni wasuremasen! Honto ni arrigato gozaimashita! Mata itsuka aimasho! Sendagi saiko!

Graduation/Goodbye Party

The 6th grade class at my smaller school held a party today since they will be leaving for Junior High after the spring break. All the teachers were there and some parents as well. The students put on a great show with highlights from all their previous years, danced and even sang. The teachers did a song too, so I was recruited to play a tiny tambourine alongside. The tiny tamborine is very effective in making a grown man feel like a total pansy. If you click the first picture you can see what I mean. This is a very small school, with around 120 students total. These kids have spent all six years of elementary school together, in the same class. There is only one class for each grade so the students know each other very well. It was moving and interesting experience and I was very honored to have been included. The kids closed by thanking all the teachers and bringing each of us a flower.

Bowl of Soup

There's an awesome soup shop, called Soup Stock that I try to eat at as often as possible. Fortunately there is one near my work, so I can visit easily. At about 9 USD a bowl, it seems a bit expensive. I'm trying to sample all of the soups they have, this is probably my lamest post yet...

Oh, I learned how to make a Japanese smiley (^_^) and I've purchased some books for studying Japanese. I'm enlisting two of my students to swap English/Japanese conversation with me from time to time. What's funny is that one of my books for learning to write (hiragana) is the same book my elementary students (2nd grade) are using.

I have to make a goodbye speech at one of my schools next week, in Japanese. I'm going to have to have someone help me write it and then read it in front of the 800 students and staff! Please pray for me.