My First Visitor!

I just found out the other day that Van is coming to visit me from SF this Saturday! Soo excited to see her! She will be staying from Saturday to Friday...a whole week in lovely Gunma! Haha. Nah, wouldn't want to bore her to death! We'll probably spend the weekend in Tokyo and go from there. I will update later!

Anyway, last night we had our weekly potluck at Jeff's. I think we all ate the most we have ever eaten at any of the potlucks! We had yakisoba, fresh guacamole, cookies, donuts, cake, quesadillas, salad, banana/chocolate/oreo dessert, etc. I fell into another food coma, so what's new? Oh yeah, so apparently I missed out on the gay porn viewing b/c I left early! Dammit! Oh well, hopefully there'll be an encore? Anyway, next week the potluck will be at my place. Can't wait for the gorge feast!

Thought of the day:

Boring thought but here's my contact info in case you want to contact me!

Cindy Ng
Minamigaoka Heights 202
Nitta Kizaki Machi 200-6
Ota-shi, Gunma-ken
370-0321
Japan

Hm Phone: 0276-56-5769 or 050-1124-1427
Cell Phone: 080-3464-3693
Email: ckng7@yahoo.com

P.S. So now that you guys have my contact info, I will be expecting a care package soon. ;-)

Yet Another Sports Day...

Today was my chuugakkou's undoukai (sports day). It was cool b/c I got a chance to walk around and talk to the students which doesn't happen very often when class is in session. They are very shy though so I sorta have to make them speak English. I just keep buggin them until they would at least try and talk to me. Such shy Japanese kids. So cute.

There is an ichinensei, Alan, who is Brazilian and only came to Japan 10 months ago. He speaks very little Japanese...actually, I think his English is better than his Japanese. Anyway, I found out today from the assistant Portugese teacher that he has been missing school lately. Apparently he has just been sitting at home while his parents are at work. He hasn't gone to school b/c he doesn't like it since he can't understand anyone. I think he is having a very hard time adjusting to life in Japan...I'm sure any kid would, especially because he just came from Brazil, where the culture is soo different. He seems like such a bright and good kid though...I hope things will turn around for him. I ended up spending a big part of the day talking to him...he's really sweet. Aww.

I must've heard my name...well sorta my name...whispered and shouted out a million times today. "Shindee, Shindee!" That and "Hallo" are about the only English words the kids would use voluntarily. They would say my name, I'd turn around, then they'd laugh hysterically. I don't get it. Is my name that funny? It's sorta frustrating because I'd try and talk to them after they'd call me but then they'd just say, "Wakanai, wakanai!" and start speaking in Japanese again. I play dumb a lot of times and pretend I don't know what they're saying so they'd have to at least try and phrase it in English. It works...sometimes.

For lunch, we had the biggest bento box I had ever seen in my life. No joke. It was like this really nice wooden-like box filled with squid, eel, another type of fish, pickles, tempura, egg roll, rice, potato salad, etc. It was yummy but I couldn't move afterwards. Sad. Anyway, we were also served tea, Pocari Sweat (like Gatorade), a carbonated drink, and one of them crazy vitimin drinks. (Btw, I drank one this morning and that stuff works! Forget Red Bull, this stuff is the shit!) Please just don't tell me what's in it..like my recommended dosage of caffeine for the entire month??

Anyway, I also participated in a dance today where we switched partners every few steps. It was really fun to dance with the kids...only sad thing was that most of the 12 year olds were already taller than me.

Thought of the day:

If I gorge myself but then go to the gym afterwards, does that cancel each other out? If so, I'm still good. If not, I'm screwed. Jeff, I think we do need to end our relationship soon in order to prevent any need for gastric bypass surgeries in the future. Damn those yummy Japanese desserts!

Sports Day / Child Labor

So, today I invited myself to my shougakkou's (elementary school's) sports day. I'm not sure why they didn't invite me...maybe they forgot...but no matter, I was gonna go to get out of sitting at my desk at chuugakkou (jr. high school). I'm really glad I went b/c the kids are soo cute! By the way, I am totally for child labor now! Go Japan! I'll explain later...

Anyway, I was sitting next to my assistant Portugese teacher and showing her pictures on my camera as the kids were marching to Livin' La Vida Loca. Just as I was about to show her some karaoke pictures of the GGGs (Gay Guys of Gunma), I turned around only to realize that my kouchou sensei (principal) was sitting right behind me! Ahh!

I've noticed that kids in Japan have a lot more responsibilities put on them as compared to kids back at home. I was amazed at all the things they had to learn and do for sports day alone: march in unison, play the popular SMAP song with various musical instruments, referee the races, serve the audience hot green tea on a hot sunny day so that they can faint from dehydration, perform interpretive dance routines, ride on unicycles, form pyramids as if they were cheerleaders, twirl batons, announce the whole program, battle with fake swords (San Diegans, can we say Zero Tolerance?!), and the list just goes on. The best thing was that even lil' Timmy was involved. How sweet! I was really happy that he was in it as well, although I'm not too sure how much he appreciated the teacher pulling his wheel chair every which way. Ouch.

Anyway, I had lunch with the shougakkou teachers which was really nice. We had spaghetti and mini-salted dried up fish. Sounds bad but it's actually really good! Then again, I like chicken feet, so yeah. It turns out that my chuugakkou called my shougakkou to make sure they had prepared lunch for me as well! Aww, I guess they ARE aware of my existence! And to think I was fooled this entire time. Good one, guys.

At the end of the sports day, everyone was exhausted. That's why they gave all the teachers them crazy vitamin drinks during lunch. (I didn't drink mine and took it home. I'll let you all know how it is when I drink it.) So unlike assemblies or what not back at home, it turns out that the students and the teachers are the ones who have to clean up here! Argh. We did everything. We carried the chairs back to the gym, disassembled the canopies, just everything. It was great that we had the students' help or else I'd still be at school carrying poles to the back storage area. It was cool that all the teachers just ordered the kids around and said, "Carry them rusty, 50lb poles with your bare hands...NOW!" Ah, thank goodness for child labor in Japan.

Thought of the day:

Teachers in Japan wear the most casual outfits ever! It's like they just woke up from bed and rolled into school. T-shirt and shorts...that's the most common outfit I've seen at school in Japan. Here I am wearing my slacks and blouse everyday when I don't think it really matters, right? Or does it? Do I have to dress up because I am a gaijin(foreigner)? Well, I am technically Asian by ethnicity (or my parents are Asian, according to Ann's philosophy), so doesn't that make me Japanese when I'm in Japan even though I understand nothing? Hmm...

Fatty

Kay, so what've I done this long weekend? EAT. I think that pretty much sums it up. I am feeling very gross right now. Last night I went out to dinner in Yabuzuka w/ Jeff and afterwards, we literally bought one of every snack at the konbini (convenience store). We then proceeded to his apt and made out while eating Crunky. Good times in Yabuzuka. Haha. Actually, we did eat all the chocolate we bought but I also applied some Mint Julep Masque to my face while I was there. Just what I needed...some chocolate and a good facial mask. See, I told you he wasn't really my boyfriend. Well, if he was, he'd be the best boyfriend ever! Let's have another Mint Julep night, honey!

Tonight was fun as well, although I don't even want to think about the calories I've consumed. I went out for some Indian food w/ Jenny, Sean, Jeff, and Veronica. Mmm...Indian food...how I miss thee. Naan...samosas...curry...orgasmic! Anyway, after dinner we went to the konbini and I had a Haagen Daaz green tea ice cream sandwich! Soo good! After that, we went drinking and ate again. Yes, again. Oh, and I'm not even done! Before we caught our last train home, we stopped by another konbini and bought some yakisoba! Can you understand now why I feel like shit?! Anyway, I am drinking my much needed herbal tea right now so hopefully that'll do it. Lisa, you know how tea always does the trick! And I don't mean make poo, people!

By the way, no thought of the day today because I am currently in a food coma.

Connected to the World

Kay, quick update. I just got Yahoo BB tonight! Soo excited! Now I can watch my Gilmore Girls and chat, chat, and chat! I just spent who knows how many hours chattin w/ my boyfriend Jeff when we see each other all the time! I love the Internet! Hold on, let me rephrase before I get a million emails from you guys. I've been chattin w/ my not-interested-in-females boyfriend, Jeff. Kay, there.

Anyway, we had another Ota potluck last night at Veronica's apt. I love my Ota Crew...such fun people! Ann, you should just move down here...you know you want to! Good food as well! Pasta it was again. Very good though. We do love our carbs here in Japan b/c we all know we don't get enough of it! Next week we're having the potluck at Jeff's. Mmm...can't wait for some yakisoba and guacamole! Oishiine!

Thought of the day:

To squat or not to squat? I know, I know...not such a good topic after talking about food. Anyway, I can't decide if I like squatters (a.k.a. Japanese style toilets) better, or regular toilets. I got pretty used to the squatters in SE Asia and they ARE much more sanitary b/c I don't have to touch anything. But, the regular toilets are so good as well, especially in Japan, where they have all these buttons and music so that no one can hear you doin your business. What do you all think?? POST A COMMENT SOMETIME, DAMMIT! I KNOW YOU PEOPLE ARE READING MY BLOG!!!

Being Eaten Alive!

Omigosh, I just got bit 4x in 4 different places in the past 2 minutes! Damn mosquitos. I thought that they had gotten used to my blood already and would go away...I was wrong. Arghh...I can't stop scratching now.

Anyway, nothing's really new. Just went to Aeon (biggest and only mall in Ota) yesterday and ate way too much as usual. Didn't see the HOT Starbucks guy either so that was sorta disappointing. I guess it's fine anyway, b/c he's probably only 18 years old. Eww. We don't really know his age so we can just pretend he's older. Damn, he's hot.

We had a lesson on housework/chores in class yesterday. I asked the students, in English, what types of chores they do at home...

Student A: "I wash the dishes."

Student B: "I clean my room."

Student C: "I massage my dad!"

Umm, wtf?! Hmm, someone needs to look into that.

Thought of the day:

Is Kizaki Chuugakkou (jr. high school) secretly dangerous? My vice principal just came over and gave me a personal panic alarm. I am supposed to carry it around everywhere I go...even outside of school. Are they not telling me something?? Every teacher has one as well. Apparently I am supposed to return it to the school once I leave Japan. At first, I thought it was for me to call for help in case I fell into the squatter or something, but now I don't know anymore.

Long Weekend

This past weekend just flew by. On Friday night, I went to Grow Up Cafe for a welcome party for the new ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers). It was cool because I also got my assistant Portugese teacher from my school to go. Saturday was the most exciting night I've ever had in Gunma! Um...maybe not. A few of us drove from Ota to Kiryu and had a late dinner at an empty Italian restaurant. Afterwards, we went to Denny's. Ahh, Denny's. We were sitting next to all the grandmothers in town. Just so you know, Denny's in Japan isn't the same as back at home. They actually have a really nice menu and yummy-looking desserts. The ambiance is totally different. Many couples go on dates there...so I've heard. We didn't see any on Saturday night though, just grandmas. We did see some Japanese people with beautiful hair in the salon across the street. They were open till midnight. I'll try and remember that the next time I feel like getting my haircut at 11pm.

On Sunday, I went to a Japanese BBQ up in Kiryu. It was awesome!! They had good food and entertainment. It was cool to see a group of senior citizens with their own accordion band! I wish I had brought my camera. After the BBQ, we headed to Tokyo to go clubbing.

(Small note: I didn't go to Paradise Ball. I'm sure I missed out so I better get the full scoop from you, Jeff! I want stories and more stories!)

We first headed to Shibuya. This was the first time I had gone clubbing anywhere in Japan! The first club we hit was GasPanic in Shibuya. The music was good and all but there were just waay too many POSERS! It was an embarrassment to see all these Japanese people thinking they are Black. Very sad. Next, we went to Vanilla in Roppongi. Roppongi is a huge clubbing scene in Tokyo. This is where all the foreigners go. There are, of course, Japanese people as well. Vanilla has three separate rooms, each played different types of music. We mainly stayed in the hip hop room, being the Americans we are. The clubs here are open till at least 5 or 6am, not like in SD, where they close like at 2am. Anyway, long story short: we were up all night and slept for a few hours that morning in a hotel nearby. It was fun, although I'm feeling really tired at school right now. No matter, I will take a nap later.

Thought of the day:

Why do Japanese guys think they're black?! When we were at GasPanic, there was a Japanese guy that wore an over-sized shirt that read "I'M BLACK." When we were at Vanilla, a Snoop Dogg-looking Japanese guy wore a shirt that read "Compton." I just want to drop these guys off in Compton and see what happens. Maybe they'll get compliments on their shirts.

Speech Contest

On Friday, we had our jr. high school speech contest for Ota. I was very excited about my kids going up and giving their English speeches but also very scared for them b/c I would pee my pants if I had to memorize and recite a 5 minute speech in Japanese. One of my kids didn't even have the speech memorized the day before! Slacker! Anyway, the speeches were actually very good. I almost teared up during one of the speeches. Jeff, your girl rocks! She should've gotten first place but instead, our supervisor's daughter got first place. Can we say conspiracy? Anyway, they had a separate category for kids who've lived abroad. This one girl was pretty much fluent in English since she lived in the states for 6 years. She was totally bashing Japan in her speech and saying how Japanese people discriminate against foreigners and that they are narrow-minded people. Whoa...it was intense, but I'm sure most of the Japanese people there had no idea what she was talking about. Sad that she feels that way about her own country though. I guess we all have issues with our homeland. My kids didn't end up placing but I gave them all gifts for their effort and hard work. I was soo proud of them!! They seemed happy in the end as well but it was sorta funny how they were sleeping through the finalists' speeches.

Update:

The day has arrived...I am FINALLY getting Yahoo BB!!! I got a letter from them on Friday saying they will arrive sometime this week to set it up. Yaay!! It's strange though because I also found out on Friday (from my friend Ann who lives in Kiryu) that they discovered a dead body in the river there. Umm, I know I said someone needed to die in order for me to get Yahoo BB but I swear I didn't do it!! Don't ask Ann either, she will say nothing!! No conspiracy here.

Let's Studying Japanese!

Okay, so my Japanese has pretty much gone downhill since I've arrived in Japan. I hang around foreigners most of the time so I am constantly speaking in English. I keep saying I'll hit the books soon but that has yet to take off. I better start doing something about it or else the whole year will pass by and I would know the same amount of Japanese as when I first arrived! The more time I have to myself, the more I think about what I want to accomplish in my time here. It's really easy to just hang out and let time pass, but is that really what I want from this experience? Ah, too much thinking, Cindy.

So, last night we had another potluck, this time at Angie's apartment. The food was awesome! We have pasta every time b/c it's easy to make and it can feed lots. Hm...what should I make when it comes time for the potluck to be at my place? I might need help with this one since you all know that I can't cook to save my life. Sad, since my mom and dad are such the awesome cooks!

Yay for the two long weekends coming up! I'm excited! Yay, Japanese holidays!

Thought of the day:

Why no food at the vending machines? So as you all know, there are a million vending machines at every corner in Japan. They sell sodas, tea, coffee, beer, cigarettes, underwear, etc. I'm sure they sell food somewhere, right? Well, please let me know if you see one that sells food b/c I can't find any. Sometimes I just want some Pocky from a vending machine. Is that too much to ask for? Oh yes, and there are like 6 vending machines near my train station and none of them sell water! Why don't Japanese people ever drink water?? How do they survive drinking tea and coffee all day long to dehydrate themselves even more?! I'm super happy now that I have my Brita, which by the way, cost me $30! No matter...it's a long term investment. =)

Time flies

I can't believe I've been in Japan for a month and a half already. It feels like I was just in San Diego yesterday yet I feel very settled here. I absolutely love the people in Ota and I know I am VERY lucky to have been placed here. I don't really feel homesick but sometimes I do miss talking to people at home who know me. There are so many layers to peel through when you first meet people. I love getting to know all my peeps here but it's also nice to talk to people from back home. It's cool b/c Lynnette is just a prefecture away so I can always talk to her. Thanks, girl!

Hmm..what else. So I've been super tired the past couple of days. All of you who know me know that I love my naps! I've been taking my naps after school but I'm still so tired during the day! I need to start drinking them crazy vitamin drinks. Sorta scary though.

I am very excited for the Paradise Ball in Tokyo this weekend! I can't wait to see Jeff go wild!! It'll definitely be an experience to see tons of gay Japanese men gathered together and partying it up! Oooo...fun fun stuff! Since we're gonna be there all night long, I'm sure I'll be sleeping all of Monday. Ah, sleep.

Thought of the day:

Why is communication in Japan so expensive? My cell phone plan sucks (it's already at $120 this month) and I just found out that calling from my home phone is expensive as well! How will I talk to people from now on? This is why I REALLY need the Internet.

Ouch! And Clinton?

Why do I fall into the most embarrassing situations?! The other day I went out to lunch with a couple of friends. We were chatting and eating our yummy desserts when I pointed to someone outside in the parking lot and said, "Ooo, that guy almost got ran over!" That's when it happened....to me, of course. I suddenly felt my chair buckle beneath me and I was wobbling and waving my hands in the air. I saw myself falling in slow motion but I didn't think to stand up. Damn my slow reaction time!! Before I knew it, BOOM!!!! I fell straight to the ground and boy was it loud!!! My friends had a concerned look on their faces for literally 2 seconds before they busted out laughing hysterically. Thanks, Jenny and Jeff. Hehe. J/k. I was laughing just as hard! Weird thing is, all the Japanese people in the restaurant pretended like nothing happened. For goodness sake, half the leg of the chair broke off!! Our servers just passed by really quickly and switched the chairs as if they had done this before! Hmm, I really need to go to the gym. Apparently I am too heavy for chairs in Japan. Sad.

I've decided I love my shougakkou (elementary school)! The kids there are actually interested in what I have to say! I had been doing my self intro all week long and I was getting tired of talking about myself. But when I got to my shogakko on Friday, the kids were soo excited in looking at my pictures and listening to me that I could've gone on and on! It felt so good! As I walked around one of my classes with my family picture, this one kid kept asking "Where's Clinton? Where's Clinton?" He said this in Japanese so I just pretended I had no idea what he was saying. But Clinton? Um, I'm sorry, but I don't think Clinton is in my family tree. Wait a sec....does he know something that I don't???

Update: This past weekend I went to Kamakura, Yokohama, and Tokyo. The big Buddha was pretty cool and Chinese food in Chinatown ain't bad! Too bad I didn't have time to take the ferry though. Next time. Oh yes, it was also great to see Mika, Ayumi, and Lynnette in Tokyo!! It's so strange to see all of them here. The whole time we were thinking that Tea N' More was just next door! Aww.... Tea N' More. I miss boba. It just ain't the same here.

Thought of the day:

Why do the kids at school have to pick up the teachers' crap? The have a designated "cleaning time" when the students throw away the trash, sweep the floors, wipe down the stairs, etc. around the entire school. That's why they don't need janitors here. They leave it to the kids. I guess it teaches them something. I guess. Last week my 8 year old third graders served me lunch. Nice.

Japanese School Lunch

Mm...school lunch. How I miss those days. Um, not really. Fortunately, I prefer school lunch in Japan a lot more than I do back at home. Today I had fish, rice, soup, and pickled salad. I had to scarf it down b/c I was starving!! I was about to eat my hand at 11am and lunch was more than an hour away. Thank goodness I didn't or else typing this would be very difficult with just one hand. Anyway, I was eating my lunch when I realized that someone was playing the JAWS theme music in the background. Strange. Very strange.

Thought of the day:

The Japanese teachers here are so good about brushing their teeth after lunch. What for??? Their toothpaste doesn’t even have fluoride in it!!

First Post!

Okay, this is for you, Lisa! So, this is the first time I`ve ever posted on this blog. I am at my desk at school in Japan at the moment and there is a typhoon just outside. Fun stuff. I`ve been stuck at home the past two nights and I am seriously wasting away from boredom of not having the Internet or any DVDs to watch. I can only take Japanese t.v. up to a certain point. Anyway, Sean (one of the JETs in Ota) is having a potluck tonight so that should be fun. Food always makes for good times. I have soo much to say since I have already been here for over a month. Can you believe that?! Anyway, I`ll start with today and work my way back.

Hmm...so I had to do my self intro to the ichi nen sei (first years) today. I was accompanied by two JTEs (Japanese Teachers of English), one of whom is a lady who`s forty and looks like she`s 28 and the other is a guy that is a year younger than I am. Did I forget to mention that he is cute? He seems reserved though so I don`t know what that`s all about. Anyway, after my self intro, I asked the students if they had any questions. One girl asked me if I like the Backstreet Boys. Um...is it bad if I said yes? Hehe. Then a boy was trying to form a question and at first I couldn`t figure it out but he was trying really hard to ask it, even looked to the lady JTE for help. Finally he said, “How do you think about Watanabe Sensei?” Um...this is the cute JTE he is asking about. I`m sure the students are thinking many things in their heads since we are so close in age. What should I have said? "I think Watanabe sensei is cute but I just wish he was more responsive?" Haha. Nah...I just came up with a generic answer: “Watanabe sensei is a kind teacher.” I`m sure the kids were impressed with my answer.

Okay, I promise to make my page a bit more interesting once I get the Internet at home! Apparently I have to wait for someone to die or to move out of my town before I can get Yahoo Broadband. I better look at other options...

Thought of the day:

Are Japanese people actually listening to speeches when they`re sitting there with their eyes closed? I can`t tell because they usually look like they`re meditating or something. It is very common to see many people with their eyes closed when someone is giving a speech. Are they actually just sleeping??? Haha...this would be great if it was accepted back at home! I could catch up on my naps!