ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

Man it's cold lately. I've finally had to turn on my heater and get out the winter futon.




It snowed in Tokyo in november! That's crazy rare, the first time in 54 years. I miss the snow, and I'm excited to experience it here again.

  

When we were in Matsuyama, my friends and I went to Matsuyama Castle! This was very exciting. I loved seeing an original Japanese castle, and the historical features were all really fascinating! I also liked seeing all of the old samurai armor and swords. They were really beautiful in their workmanship and so different from European armor. There was even an area where you could try on some fake armor to see how it felt and how heavy it was. One of my friends tried it on, and got some really great pictures. I was so jealous! I would have tried it on too, but I was already wearing a kimono. Putting on armor over the kimono that I was wearing would have been very difficult, though it might have been funny, now that I think about it. Maybe I will get to try the armor next time!  

Hello!

Today, like last week, I want to talk about another civic holiday in Canada that we celebrate. In Canada we have national holidays, like Christmas or New Years, where businesses close and Government takes the day off, and other ones called Civic Holidays, which we observe, but companies and businesses continue to be open. This holiday, celebrated on the first Monday of August, is called Terry Fox Day, and is meant to commemorate a young man named Terry Fox who tried to run across Canada to raise money to help find a cure for Cancer. In the late 1970's, Fox, who was diagnosed with cancer and had to have his leg amputated, attempted to run across Canada for what he called the Marathon of Hope. He started in St. John's, Newfoundland, and ran 5,373 Km before he was forced to stop due to his failing health.

Canadians today still celebrate his historic run, and marathons and races to raise money for cancer research are held every year in his honour. I remember being in elementary school and running with my whole class to help, and students will go around to local businesses or to people they know to ask for donations to the cause.  

Pictured is my old reading chair from last year. My neighbor had it all along. It was something I had bought out of my own pocket to sit in for the personal library I was building last year before I left. I got it originally from my local Daiki after I went around to several other furniture stores to try out their offerings. I was actually reluctant to settle down to Daiki for my hunt since the other chairs at Nitori and the like were far superior. However, I had to take a realistic stance and accept the fact that I had already planned to leave Japan last year to make my return to academia, so I did end up throwing down my ego and going for this chair here. I spent about an hour in the store just sitting in this chair among the other alternatives on display, getting a feel for its back support by sitting in it in various positions, shifting here and there with various leg postures, folded or straight out or one brought up so that I could read with my head on it. I even remember sitting in it sideways so that my back was supported by an arm while my legs were thrown over the other arm. It is extremely important for someone like me with a long torso and bad reading habits to have a comfortable and ergonomical chair to nuzzle in. My neighbor, who had it the whole time, from last December when I left to just last week when she returned it, even found it comfortable and useful to meet her gaming needs. It isn’t perfect, since the ergonomic curve supporting the lumbar region has too sharp of a gap where its hinge is, and the chair can only be set into three different settings of incline. It’s come back to its original master at the perfect time, as the dropping temperatures will make for wonderful reading weather. I’ve placed it right in front of the window in order to get ample sunlight during the day, and so I can take in a beautiful view of rooftops and mountains during the night, as well as a nice breeze whenever the weather would be so gracious. Normally I would just read on my bed, sprawled on the tatami mats, or on the folded futon couch thing my friend gave me, all far from ideal places to support my reading habits, since in the first two places my supine position would often encourage me to doze off and the last place didn’t give me any comfortable writing surface should it arise that I’d need to make a note on any of my readings. With this chair all of that is fixed, since I now have chair armrests atop which I can place my notebook or book or elbows during my reading sessions. Normally, as I report here in this blog, I would just go to a cafe like Starbucks, Junkudo, or Joyfull for my study needs, but now I have added to that last of haunts my own place!

Oh, and I’ve decided on my kanji name! I’m pretty confident on 恵等詠履媛, or ケイトウエイリエン for Arian Cato. I’ll write on why I’ve chosen these kanji for my name in my next post.  

We enjoyed some of the last nice warm fall weather at Home Stay Club. I gave my students the mission of collecting different colored and shaped leaves. We took a stroll through the neighborhood to collect these items while talking about the beauty of the nature around us.






  

I took a trip by bus to Hiroshima last weekend. It was a bit rainy, but I still had a good time.




I visited the peace park and downtown area in the afternoon, and I ate lots of food as I walked around the area.

I also wanted to find a little known spot in Hiroshima - the hypocenter.




This is the spot directly under the bomb that fell so long ago. Everything in the area was destroyed. But today the only marker is one of the small commemorative stands that dot Hiroshima everywhere. It was on a crowded backstreet, and there were no tourists or school children touring around to find it. In a way it was inspiring to see that this place that was the worst hit by the bomb was now merely a footnote. IT sits next to a parking garage and across the street from an office building. I'm glad I found it.   

I've been really busy lately and trying to save money, so I haven't had much time to go out and enjoy the leaves. Last weekend I finally made it out and took a trip to Hiroshima.




I visited Mitaki dera, a temple in the suburbs of Hiroshima. The leaves there were amazing! The temple itself was also very interesting, with a river and several waterfalls running through the temple grounds. I'm glad I took the time to go :)



  

I like to study a lot. For years my parents have always asked me what I was studying for, and later admonishing me to “do something” with my studies. “Just thinking” is a waste of time, there are people out there. Even now I think of their words, and what others tell me about how to spend my time and how to divert my energies and how to be. Socialize socialize socialize is the general message. I appreciate the kind thoughts and the concerns from others over my wellbeing and my future. But I just discovered Junkudo, the greatest bookshop in Takamatsu. I’ve always bided my time at Starbucks cafes and occasionally my local Joyfull when I needed some time for myself for studies. What I always tell others about the different experiences with cafes between America’s and Japan’s is that the Starbucks here in Japan are was superior to those in America. Mainly because of the variety of seats available at Japanese Starbucks and the unspoken rule to keep everything at a low volume. People here are just so respectful of others’ space and time. Last time I was at Starbucks, a large group from an international import and distribution company sat down at my table and apologized to me for the noise they were about to make to discuss their current business projects. It is this atmosphere of respect for others and following unspoken rules that I appreciate so much in my ventures to the outside world, and which is why I always go out for my studies. But what is it that I study, you ask? Lots of things. I’m currently working on a poetry book and some essays from my graduate school. My book of poems is in the beginning stages of sketching and organizing. I haven’t written for a very long time, so I’m still getting into the swing of things. I’m reading lots of Wallace Stevens, my favorite poet, including criticism on his work beside my own original writings. I am even studying music now. I ordered a cheap, old electric piano that should be arriving in early December, so meanwhile I’ve been biding my time with just reading music sheets. I have a keyboard as well, but since there’s no stand for it I haven’t gotten into the swing of playing on that. So there are those three projects (poems, essay revision, and music), and the old pastime of studying Japanese and my original flame, psychoanalysis. That’s already five different categories of studies that I try to go through consistently everyday. No wonder I don’t have time for anything! Add to that my gym routine, which is 2-3 times a week. Well, a lot of that burden has been alleviated just a bit now that I’ve discovered Junkudo, the greatest place on earth! Pictured below is a snap of the cafe space there. There’s a view there overlooking a large part of Takamatsu since the shop is on the seventh floor of the building. I haven’t tried it out yet, since I’ve only been there twice, the first time only for 1.5 hours, the second time only for 5 hours. It gets dark and a bit chilly there, unfortunately, but I’m sure I’ll be getting lots of fresh inspirations from the view. Looking forward to my weekends a lot more now!


  

On Thursday there were reports of snow falling in Tokyo for the first time in 54 years. Everyone was so surprised! It is very common in my hometown to have snow in early October! Hearing about the snow made me really miss my hometown. My favourite thing to do on snowy nights is to curl up on the couch with a blanket, hot chocolate, and a book! It's such a relaxing way to spend a snowy day!


  

One of the things we did on our vacation was go to USJ! It was our first time. We've been to Universal in Orlando, Florida before, a few times. We only went on one attraction, Jaws, because we were mostly interested in shopping and seeing the difference between the one in Japan and the one in America. While we were there I saw a few people with a dinosaur hat and my goal was to find it and buy it. As you can see from the picture I bought it! It's so cute, I wore it all day.
  

When i was a young child in Canada, I never understood why adults didn't know what was considered cool by kids. I just thought they were out of touch and not hip. My parents were pretty good on knowing what was popular with kids (when I was young). It would now seem, that I, have fallen to this and have no idea what is cool with kids or what shows kids watch or the music they listen to, let alone Japanese children.

I know that Pokemon is still a thing - it was a huge thing for me when i was a children - so i'm pretty happy it is still a thing for children. I however can't say the same thing about "Yokai Watch" or other related shows. So I guess I'm just a out-of-the-loop-adult. I'll try to research what kids like so I can seem less "out of touch".

See you next week.


  

Yesterday, I went to an onsen for the first time! I was so excited, because onsen are so Japanese, and I really wanted to experience one. I got the opportunity when Gem School decided to take its employees on a retreat to Dogo Onsen during the national holiday. Naturally, it did not disappoint. I felt a little odd bathing with other people, but the water felt wonderful and was very relaxing. The setting itself was also very nice, all smooth tile, plants, and soothing noises. In the outdoor onsen, there were big wooden barrels that you could sink into, like hot tubs! It was incredibly lovely; I felt like I was in a painting. After our bath, my friends and I went back to our room at the hotel, where we hung out and had fun together. It was a really good time, and I can’t wait to try another onsen!  

Yesterday was Thanksgiving in America, and I just wanted to give a shout out to my family and friends back home and say how
thankful I am for each and every one of them! I'm also so thankful for all of the friends and memories I have made here in Japan. This has been the most wonderful experience, and I cannot properly express my gratitude! Happy Thanksgiving!  

Did you ever wonder what the Advent calendars that count down to Christmas? I usually remember these cute Calendars that had a chocolate for everyday until Christmas. But do you know where it comes from? Well...

Advent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas (or sometimes from the 1st December to Christmas Day!). Advent means 'Coming' in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world. Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas.

Advent has evolved over the years to just be a countdown until Christmas but it's history is quite interesting!

- James Barbosa  

I've been living in Marugame for a while now, and yet I only went to Mimoca, the local art museum, for the first time this week. It was really cool. I went with my friend/Japanese Dad, and the artist they were showcasing used to live in Marugame, and even went to the same highschool my friend did. His name was Inokuma. He had a wide range of styles, from abstract--which are paintings that do not look like anything real--to realistic portraits and sketches, to pop art, which is closer to cartoons. I really liked all of it. What's your favorite kind of art? Let me know.   

I have been in Japan for almost a year now. I can't believe it took me this long to try natto. Since I first arrived in Japan many coworkers and students have urged me to try natto and see how I like it. Well the other day at lunch I saw it on the menu and decided to give it a shot. Natto is not disgusting as some people have described it. But it does have a very peculiar taste. I have tried it, I always try new foods at least once, I can now say natto is not for me.  

I'm not sure if you know what Black Friday is. Every year, Thanksgiving falls on the last Thursday of November. It is a day to give thanks for what you have, and spend time with your family. Black Friday occurs the day after Thanksgiving, and throws every single value you celebrate on Thanksgiving day out the window. It tends to be chaotic and even dangerous, with people fighting each other and creating huge mobs just to get special savings on things they don't really need. I have no love for Black Friday, and so I worried a bit when I saw Japan was going to also start doing it. The behavior of Japanese people is very different from those of many Americans, so I don't think things will be as crazy. At least, I hope not.  

Pictured is a note that one of my favorite students, Mercy in Kokubunji, left for me on my personal whiteboard after one of my classes. If the picture is too small to read, let me provide its translation now: “Thank you. Arian’s lessons are fun!” She was actually one of my original students who demoed one of my classes last year on invitation from her friend, who was also one of my original students, too, another favorite of mine named Lydia. I still remember the first day and the first few classes with her. I could already tell that she was bright from the first day despite all the goofiness she would bring to class. I remember her just sitting on the floor during some lessons listening and participating as much as everyone else, and her always walking in circles around me and her friend when we would sing songs and play games. She was already one of my favorites, her and Lydia, from the beginning, but unfortunately I couldn’t teach them again once they transitioned into another grade and class and day. In fact, I wouldn’t see those two again until the Halloween Event, many months later. Occasionally I would ask the staff at Kokubunji about them, how they were doing, who was their teacher now, and so on. Well, when I saw them again at the Halloween event I cried out of sheer joy. I remember it very clearly. I was working with another teacher, Jill, in the entrance to the Haunted House, when they walked in. I didn’t notice them at first, since I was in character and I was walking from kid to kid. But then when it came time to deliver one of my jokes (“clean up, clean up…” while pretend brushing from the ground up to the air above us—remember, I was the Mad Hatter so I was just playing on words as much as I could) and as I was pretend brushing upwards, it turned out that the two kids that I was pretending to sweep was Lydia and Mercy! They just stared at me and I just stared back in utter shock. They weren’t sure who I was at first, but I remember them saying, “sensei?” I just broke character and said Hi to them, and as they walked by into the next room I just felt a little sad. But now I’m the happiest Tuesday teacher on the planet because I get to teach those two again. So happy that they remained together and will remain together since they’re doing so well that they’ll be moving up a grade with lots of their other friends. Anyways, Mercy, the one who write the pictured note, is still lots of fun, always singing and copying whatever comes out of my mouth, be it strange sounds, sound effects, or random ditties.  

Hello!

This week, I tried to find another holiday in November that people in the English Speaking world celebrate, but I decided instead to talk a little about a holiday that is only celebrated in my home province of Manitoba. On the 3rd Monday of February in most of Canada there is a civic holiday called Family Day, meant to remind us to think of family and remind us of how important family is. In Manitoba, however, this day is meant to remind us of a famous historical figure named Louis Riel. Louis Riel is a very divisive figure in Canadian history. Some people think of him as a folk hero, fighting for the rights of Aboriginal and Metis people in a time when racism and intolerance for those people was commonplace, and other view him as a kind of terrorist, waging a war against the Canadian government at the time. What is important to remember though is that Louis Riel fought for the freedom and equal rights of a group of people who were ignored by their government, and often outcast from society because of their cultural background. I think Manitoba deciding to go against the grain of the rest of Canada, and choosing instead to celebrate some one from it's own history is great, and I'm very proud to be from a province that produced such a person!  

I went to Shodoshima with my best friend to see all the colors of the leaves. It was truly beautiful. After taking the cable car up/down though the gorge, we walked and biked around Shodoshima for the day.