English Mistake

On Saturday, a Japanese airline started down a runway at the same time another plane was landing. Apparently, the misunderstanding was an English error on the pilot's part, and it went something like this:

Traffic Controller: Flight 502, expect immediate take-off.
*pilot thinks they say 'IMMEDIATELY TAKE-OFF'*
Pilot: Roger!
*pilot proceeds down runway*
Everyone in the traffic control room: Huh?! STOP STOP STOP!!!
*crash prevented*

I had a similar situation happen to me last week. I was exchanging some used books at the book store. The clerk has an inventory sheet with the books I turned in and says, "blah blah sign here blah blah". I take my pen and sign the sheet where his finger was pointing. He looks at me with a look that says, "What are you doing?" He then repeats, and this time I hear, "blah blah instead of signing here blah blah".

And that's why I don't fly planes.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day in Japan is the exact opposite of what it is in America. First, Japan is not a country to put their women on a pedestal. Men and women have an equal playing field. If a guy likes a girl, he'll ask her on a date. If a girl likes a guy, she'll ask him on a date. So it's no surprise that on Valentine's Day, the women give chocolate to the men. There are the "obligation chocolates", which are given to co-workers, and the "favorite" chocolates, which are given to your sweet-heart.

The women are aware of the difference, too. I had every female teacher at school today ask me to explain the difference between the holidays. They had that look in their eye that little children have when they shout, "Read me this story again!" (But I've already read it to you 20 times...) After each explanation, each teacher would then sigh and say, "Americans are real gentlemen." And yes, I guess that excludes all other countries. ONLY AMERICANS. Sorry guys.

So what did I get for Valentine's Day? Today at school, I had a few 5th and 6th graders run in and give me some gift bags. Also, this weekend Yuka visited, and she took me out to an awesome steak dinner.

Next month, there is White Day, which would be the "real" Valentine's Day equivalent. I will be expected to return chocolates to all the people who gave some to me today. I guess guys are not completely off the hook.

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In other news, why is Japan better than America right now? Because the Wii version of Super Smash Bros. has been out since the end of January. So to the people waiting for the mid-March release date...haha (and it's awesome).

One More Year

Lots of exciting stuff has happened over the past two weeks (well, for me anyway). First, I passed my JLPT! I scored 85% in grammar and writing, and an expected 35% in listening. Now if I could have my teachers provide me with a typed transcript of all future conversations, communication would go a lot smoother.

I have also received my blue belt in karate. Chuck Norris, here I come.

I often find myself speaking before thinking. When I found out JET was going to send me to Okinawa, there was no way I was joining the JET program. Yet, here I am. When I found out I was not getting my transfer to Fukuoka, there was no way I was going to stay another year. Yet, after another Yuka visit this weekend, we've decided it's best to do one more year. The conditions being I have to pay off my student loan and arrive in Fukuoka debt free.

My student loan debt is not large compared to some of the people here. One girl is rumored to be in the $90,000+ range. But the option of leaving in one year with no debt, versus leaving now with debt, is more appealing. In Fukuoka, my rent would be more with my salary being less.

So, one more year of blue skies and white beaches, before moving on to the concrete jungle. *sigh* I'll find a way to get through it.

Transfer = No

Today I received my transfer request decision. I was told by my vice-principal that Tacchi wanted to see me. So I head over to the town hall and I'm ushered into the superintendent's office. Tacchi and the superintendent are standing there with their head's lowered and they say, "Cliff, I'm sorry..." I thought someone had died. Ends up I got the big NO to Fukuoka. No reason was given, only the No box was checked instead of the Yes one.

I have a kindergarten job setup for Apr. '09, so not all is lost. But I do need a job from Aug '08 until then. There is a company that gives 6-month contracts to teach at the university level. So I may do that from Aug-Dec in a place no where near Fukuoka.

Then from Jan-March, I may move to Fukuoka and work on an organic farm. The program is with wwoof, and I would receive only board and food. I'm gonna make exploitation of foreign workers look cool.

Anything could happen, though. I could get that call from the Coen Brothers, saying they saw my robot music video and want to work with me.

I had my first karate test on Saturday. Showed up with everything but my money and gi. Classy. But I was able to borrow money from Vaughn and Taira sensei loaned me his jacket. Too bad his skills didn't rub off. I'm almost positive I passed, since I'm only a white belt. It would be sad, if next Friday, Taira sense said, "Everyone, even this cute little 6 year old, passed...except Cliff. Sorry."

Next week is my Kanji test with the 3rd graders! I'm not quite ready, but I think I will be by next week.

Violation

Japanese children are infamous for a game called kancho. The game is simple: you sneak up behind your victim with both hands formed as if you are having a make-believe gun fight, and you ram your index fingers up the person's butt. A Japanese enema, if you will. Honestly, it's hilarious...until it happens to you.

I'm on my 6th month here, and it has happened to me numerous times. I found the best way to react is not to react at all. So far, this tactic has worked well, I just swipe their hand away and they quit.

Until today.

2nd period. 8 1st graders. They see me once a month, and I could hear them as they ran to my room. They get to the door, shout, "Cliff sensei!", and rush me. This is the standard greeting. However, instead of giving a my a high five, or whatever, and leaving, they all surround me, jumping up and down to get my attention. I thought it would be funny if I play fall over, so I land on my back. They're crawling over me like ants. This is where I make my mistake: I roll over onto my stomach.

Time stops.

I can almost hear the neurons in their brains firing in excitement. My heart begins to sink as I realize what I have done. All at once, 16 hands with 80 fingers begin to kancho me like I've never been kanchoed before. Keep in mind, I wear only a t-shirt and track pants to work. I freak, and try to wrestle them off. So much for not reacting, this is more of an reaction then they had hoped for. But it's difficult to get up when you have kids sitting on your arms, legs, back, and head.

I finally get up and slap them away as they chase me. But they're not done. Next thing I know, my pants are around my ankles. I got pantsed by a first grader, in front of all the first graders. I wanted to throw the kid out of the class by his neck. They probably thought they looked cute rolling on the floor laughing. Thankfully, the other teacher wasn't there yet.

That incident behind us, we started class. The kid who pantsed me is actually a really cute kid. I think he's in the running for being My #1 Fan. But today, when we were sitting in a circle, he starts bawling. I have no idea why, but through my little experience, I just ignored him and kept the class going. He ends up leaving and not coming back. I found out from the teacher that every class, it's always him that sits right next to me. Today, some girl decided she was going to sit next to me instead, and moved him out of the way. Accepting defeat, he cries and leaves. Good to know I'm popular among the 1st graders.

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Had another fire drill today at a different school. I got to shoot the fire extinguisher at a target that popped a balloon. It was cool.

Tests and Results

The next few weeks will consist of taking tests and receiving results.

Tests:
Karate - I have been been a 'white belt' since August. My first 'level-up' test (don't know what it's called) is Jan. 26th. I have to perform two kata and some basic kicks and punches.

I am nervous about the test because the kata are difficult to memorize. But because of the test, I had to purchase my own Karate gi! Now I have a slick outfit with a patch that says, "SHUREIDO - Made in Japan, Okinawa, The World Famous Brand From The Birthplace Of Karate".

For those who might be interested, the style of Karate I am learning is called Shuri Shorin.

Kanji Kentei - A Kanji test with the easiest level beginning at 10 and the hardest at 1. The test is designed for native speakers, but foreigners can take it, too. Level 10 represents the kanji learned by first graders up to Level 5, which is the kanji learned by 6th graders. Native speakers have difficulty in the Level 2 range and you have to be part-genius to pass Level 1.

I will be taking Level 8 with the 3rd graders on Feb. 8. If I pass, I think I get a certificate and bragging rights to the 1st and 2nd graders. Actually, I'll be taking the test with some of my 6th graders, who still don't know all the kanji they should.

Results:
JLPT - Took 3-kyu back in December. Because I bombed the listening, I'm not sure if I'll pass or not. Should find out in February.

Transfer Notice - What I am the most impatient about. I have requested to transfer out of Okinawa to Fukuoka. I applied back in November and will hear the results by the end of the month. I am not expecting to get the transfer, because the percentage rate of an out-of-prefecture transfer is very low. But one can dream, right?

If I don't get the transfer, I will not be re-contracting with JET and will have to search for another job come August.

Organic farming, anyone?

Back at Work

I left for Tokyo on Dec. 20 and returned to Okinawa on Jan. 6th. Total travel time: 18 days. The time went by at a normal pace and I never really felt like I was traveling. Probably because I was in Tokyo and Fukuoka each for a full week.

My mom and sister arrived on the 24th. Not much happened on that day. I did laundry. Christmas Day was hectic. They had one day in Tokyo and I was determined to show them as much as possible. Bad idea. We made a complete loop on Tokyo's main train line, hitting almost every stop. Try to imagine walking to a train station and going up and down stairs with about a thousand other people. You jump on the train, ride it for 3 minutes, jump off, and climb up and down stairs to get out of the station. Go see the attraction at that train exit, go back to the station, do it again. By the end of the day, my mom and sister were half dead. So the rest of the trip (1 week) became a recovery session.

After Tokyo, we headed to Kawaguchiko, which has a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji. When I was taking pictures, they came out like all the other pictures of Mt. Fuji. This was disappointing because words can not explain how awesome this mountain is. At around 10,000 feet, it just devours the horizon. Best part of the trip.

Next came Nagoya, which acted as a half way point between Fuji and Kyoto. It has a mediocre reconstructed castle. Nagoya also is famous for miso katsu. It was yummy.

Then we went to Kyoto for two days. The first day, I left my mom and sister to see friends in Osaka. Then the next day was a Tokyo-lite touring of Kyoto. Kiyomizudera is alright, but Kinkakuji is amazing!

The last part of the trip was in Fukuoka, hanging out with Yuka's family for the New Year's holiday. On New Year's Eve, we braved the cold at midnight and walked to the local temple to ring the gong at midnight. We were all bundled up and the monks were only in robes. Hardcore.

My mom and sister left on the 2nd, and I just relaxed in Fukuoka until the 6th. I was taken out shopping on the 2nd, which is the equivalent of Black Friday in America. The department stores were jammed. There were lines to ENTER the stores! We would take the elevator up one floor and barely be able to move. I did my duty and waited by the elevator holding the bags.

Pictures soon.