ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

Nothing is better than hot soup in the winter! I had a double hotpot for the first time that was really delicious, and I sometimes go to Joyful just to enjoy some sukiyaki.

Soup in America usually comes from a can. Any grocery store carries chicken noodle, tomato, or green pea soup. I don't like peas or tomatoes, but for some reason, I like them as a soup. I was fed cream corn soup as a kid but I really don't like it.

Japan is upping their soup game and it's great and terrible! Great soups are coming out of the convenient stores, especially Seven Eleven. I think I've liked every single soup that has come out. From pork miso to lobster bisque, Seven Eleven is taking my money pretty often. That's the "terrible" part, I'm spending too much on soups that I find are too small a serving.

I'd love to start making my own soups, but I find the list of ingredients needed too long and daunting.  

Back when I was in university, I took rode trip with some of my friends. While we were driving we came across a sculpture garden. It was on a massive plot of land. The artist had made various art pieces out of garbage and other random items. Among these sculptures were a concrete TV and chair, a hanging house, a rabbit with no eyes, and a teddy bear surrounded by baby doll heads. Some of the sculptures we saw were very weird, but others were really interesting and unique pieces. The best part of this trip was that it wasn't planned we just happened to drive by this sculpture garden.








  

Today was my Baby Club Graduation!! I had six graduating today. My fear about how well they would handle the ceremony was for naught! They were AMAZING!! And definitely ready for their cap and diploma!

The class time before the ceremony was filled with review of letters, numbers, colors and important phrases they would need to thrive in their upcoming Starter/Beginner Classes. They passed with flying colors! But that was nothing compared to the maturity and readiness they showed putting on their caps, coming up to the front of the class with confidence to receive their diploma, and then having to be patient while their mother's and GEM took ALL THOSE PICTURES!! I chose the "Happy and you know it" song to sing before and then after the ceremony. It was a hit- Hurray!! The only glitch to the entire graduation- our graduates were NOT going to throw their hat for nothing or nobody!! They had earned it, and they were going to keep it on their heads!! Hurray for them!

Oh, a special "Hurray" for my 3 remaining Baby Club babies that have just finished the year themselves! They did an amazing job being the "audience". They watched in wonder and clapped when they were supposed to. Their growth since I have known them is also something I need to mention. They have gone from shy, even crying, some of them, to very social and uttering their own share of English letters, colors and words. Congratulations to my littlest ones! Soon you will be throwing your graduation hat too! Or maybe not!! But you will definitely earn that diploma- just keep up the great "English" and one day you will shine like a GEM too! You will be just like your older classmates were today!! Keep it UP!  

This weekend I went to Miyajima where I saw the famous floating tori gate! It was gorgeous!

It was also a bit different than I imagined. It was a little more orange than I thought it would be, and closer to the coast. It made me want to try and swim through it, but I'm sure that that is not allowed.

The temple for that gate was also spectacular. It was also on the water, and more open than a lot of temples I have been to. I could feel how sacred the ocean was to the people on Miyajima, and it also gave me a sense of adventure and longing to take a boat out to sea. Even with all of the tourists around, I was able to get a sense the sacredness of the area.

The island itself was of course also gorgeous and it was a real pleasure to walk around and breathe the air. I would like to go back again soon.



  

Last weekend Cami and I traveled to Hiroshima for a little get away. We left early on Sunday and arrived in Hiroshima around 10. And on behalf of our wonderful friend's suggestion we visited Hiroshima Castle to view an interactive exhibit by teamLab. And it was super cool. They littered the field just below the castle with hundreds of big, small, giant glowing Eggs. The filled the air with a nice ambiance that really let you drown out everyone else and let you get lost in the eggs. It was so much fun.

The eggs ranged in sizes as I said before. Some of the eggs were small enough that you could pick them up. Others were the size of humans that you could run up to and push and lean against. Others were towering over you and you could run in between them like they were trees in a forest. Some of them were floating on a small pond. The water was so still that the eggs reflected so perfectly. But when a slight breeze came the eggs danced around the pond, skating across the surface.

The exhibit started at 6:30 and went to 9;30. And we stayed for the entire time walking around, taking in all the glowingness of the eggs and relaxing in the field. For anyone interested in visiting Hiroshima and seeing the eggs yourself the exhibit is open until April 7.

And now...PICTURES




  

My awesome mother-in-law sent a care box or care package over the mail a week ago. It has finally arrived! What was in the box? First, I saw an assortment of shirts. What's so special about shirts? They are all my size! Hahaha I'm a big guy. Extra large shirts can be hard to find. Now I have lots of new shirts!

Second, I saw Pop Tarts! What are Pop Tarts? These really yummy pastries that have strawberry jam stuck in the crust. It was a popular breakfast when my wife and me were little. In fact, my wife and I still love Pop Tarts! Recently I saw them being sold in Amazon Japan and wanted to purchase a few boxes. Now I don't have to! Is my mother-in-law a psychic? Haha!

Third, a lot of socks! I think I yelled in happiness ("SOCKS!!!") when I saw it. I really needed more socks for my size 13 feet! Plus it is colder now so it's good to layer up. Now I have a ton of updated socks.

Overall, the care box was filled with lots of great items. I still couldn't believe my mom-in-law took the time to send that! As I'm typing I just found out my mother-in-law had sent us ANOTHER surprise care box! The tracking number said it should arrive today?! I wonder what will be in it? I can't wait to find out!
  

Living in our new Japanese apartment has made me realize how much I miss having a bigger apartment back in America. I have never seen a toilet and shower located in two separate rooms. Sitting on the toilet feels like I'm sitting in half of a cubical office; no elbow room and every time I open the door, I end up accidentally hitting the wall loudly. I have to squeeze myself in and out of the bathroom every time. The one upside about the toilets in Japan is that the majority of them are heated, which has been life-changing to say the least.





  

Recently, I made some plans with Val (you may know her if you come to the Shikokuchuo school). That’s not too noteworthy, I make plans all the time. However, these plans were thought up months ago but have been repeatedly canceled. Every weekend we try something has happened. Someone has gotten sick, a festival has come to town, or we’ve just been too busy! Finally, after many months and at least three canceled plans, I will have a fun cooking day with Val! Unless, of course, one of us has to take a rain check again. What does that mean? It means to cancel, like how you might cancel an event if it rains. In this case though, we can say “take a rain check” for any reason we cancel, not just bad weather. Usually, it has the connotation of something being unavoidable. So, read my blog again next week to see if we will make yummy food or reschedule yet again!
  

I can't believe it. 91 Volumes already.

I started reading my freshman year of college. In English obviously. It takes me so long to finish these, but it's a fun way to practice the things I learn in my lessons. I pick up the WEIRDEST vocab from manga. Especially from Oda. That guy's got a crazy sense of humor.




If you don't follow it, the whole thing sounds bizarre, but Oda takes a long time establishing what can and can't happen in this world. It's nice to know that the author takes it seriously too, and makes sure the world makes sense. I think that's how he kept so many readers up into their 30s. At this point, I just gotta know what happens to all of these cool people! Even the bad guys!

The last major set piece of the story was an island made of food. Imagine Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, and Lion witch Wardrobe. Queen of hearts runs the show and can suck out your soul, The Godfather is secretly planning her death, Nazi-Power-Rangers are honored guests, and a chef saves the day by baking a huge cake.

....How can you look away from something like that?

Joe
o/

  

Recently, I've been listening to podcasts and reading articles in relation to phone addiction and happiness. As I learned more and more about the topic, I began to think how this could affect people living abroad. I hypothesize that it's quite possible for people who live abroad to be slightly more susceptible to becoming addicted to their phone, which in turn may contribute to a declining view of their own happiness. I know we will continue to employ new teachers in the near future so I thought bringing this to light may be helpful.

Moving anywhere is considered a major life event. When you move, you change many of your routines and adjusting to them may be difficult. Now lets look at moving to a new country, maybe one you may not even know the language. For one, you don't have access to your friends or family for help, and two, everything you were used to in your home country is most likely completely different in your new country such as the food (grocery shopping), the living situation such as space and heating and cooling, etc. Now add a new job, which mostly likely is a change in career for you or perhaps your first job out of college, and you have many major life changes to juggle. Some people may be fine adjusting to new routines and a new way of life, while others find it more difficult. If you are one who finds it more difficult, stay away from your phone.

Social media is a huge problem today. It gives us a high and instant gratification. In other words, it makes us happy. However, this happiness is extremely fleeting and unstable. This is what keeps us coming back to social media for more. If you miss your friends or family, or perhaps feel distressed because you are in a country alone and may not know the language, do not fret. There are plenty of people here who are going through the same thing and are willing to help you through it. Do not waste hours on your phone browsing Facebook or Instagram. The time you're on your phone missing your friends and family could be the time you could be traveling the wonderful place you moved to or meeting your new, close friends. Comparing your life to your friends back at home will do you no good. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday and go up from there. You made the decision to come here and I guarantee you, it will be one of the best decisions you ever made. You just have to make the best of it.  

One of my favorite things to do is read. I'm always reading random articles, poetry, instruction manuals, etc. I love reading with friends too. Some friends and I have formed a Book Club. What is a Book Club? A book club is when a group of people get together to discuss the same book. Even though I'm in Japan, my friends in America still find time to video chat me and discuss 3 chapters once a week.

I'm awestruck by my friends interpretations of the book. Sometimes there is symbolism in a story. What is symbolism? Symbolism is when a person, place or thing represents another object. My friends are much better at catching symbolic moments in stories than I am. I eagerly await their thoughts on a chapter.

I especially love it when a certain chapter puts all of us at the edge of our seat. "Edge of our seat" or "Edge of your seat" is a saying that describes when something is really suspenseful. We all giggle and can't help but express our excitement or shock.

After our little Book Club is over I end up feeling energized. I start looking forward to our next discussion. Overall, there is nothing sweeter than getting lost in a book. Especially when you're sharing a good book among friends!
  

Oh, the joys of trekking to Takamatsu to turn in my visa extension paperwork...so... much...fun...

I don't mind long train rides. It was actually a pretty comfortable trip going. There weren't many people, so I had lots of legroom. The thing that bothers me the most is that the application process doesn't take long. So, for roughly six hours of travel, I was actually in the immigration office for about thirty minutes...and I get to do it again in a couple of weeks. It seems like something so simple could be done through the mail. At least one of the two trips could anyway.  

February 22, 2019


Had a fun time with helping and getting Miyuki’s new school (Ota Gem School) prepared to open in a few weeks.

We built a bunch of shelves, and believe it or not, they were all completed and built correctly, and none of them have crashed to the floor. I am fully convinced that they will be used a great deal and will survive for many many years. The teachers and staff should enjoy them.

The school is looking beautiful, and it is in a great location for the families who will be coming to the Ota Gem school.

CONGRATULATIONS GOES TO MIYUKI…..

Tom Schuck



  

This month, I went to Seto-ohashi Memorial park. I had never been there before, even though I used to live in Sakaide. I had a good time walking around and exploring the park. The weather was cold and cloudy, so there weren't very many people around.

I was really impressed with two of the playstructures in the park. One looked like a U.F.O and the other looked like a ship. I used to play on a wooden structure near my Grandmother's but it didn't look anything like these. Both the U.F.O and the ship had nets under the ropes for safety, which is something I never saw in the U.S. I was a little afraid of getting into one of the tubes--it seemed to small for me to get through! I had a great time running around on those structures and I felt like a kid again.   

My phone shows the weather for the next 10 days to be way warmer than it has been, especially with the snow we recently had! The average forecast shows mid 50's Fahrenheit, which translates to 12-13 Degrees Celsius! Mostly sunny days ahead as well. And the flowers and trees are feeling the warmth as well, as I am greeted with the beautiful smell of flowers blooming as I walk to work now! Finding a good hiking trail is top on my priority list now! We are blessed with a beautiful city which is situated so close to so many!  

Today, a milk salesman came to my door. I was a bit surprised because it was my first salesman encounter in Japan, and milk is not often advertised in the US by door-to-door salesmen. Is that a common thing for people to try to sell here? It was also surprising how many varieties of milk and yogurt things were for sale. He even left us with a sample of milk to try.

Is this a normal experience? I'd like to find out.  

One of the first people I worked with here has left and became engaged! Congratulations! It's a very bitter sweet moment. I'm very happy for her and wish her the very best in married life. But I'm also very sad that she's gone. Going up to work where she use to work is very different as I walk in expecting to see her and realizing that I'm no longer going to see her there anymore.

Over the weekend we grabbed lunch together and were able to say a full goodbye and wished her well in her marriage. We put together a small gift for her with some American chocolate and candy and gave it to her as a goodbye present. She gave us a bunch of giant oranges as a farewell present (which are very juicy and delicious).

We hear that she has a cafe nearby so we're wanting to go up sometime and surprise her and try the food.   

This weekend I took a road trip with a friend. We explored Kagawa, and visited some interesting places. We saw a restaurant made out of buses, visited an old tomb, and saw many other little things. We also made some Japanese friends who bought us udon for lunch. It was yummy! The whole trip was a lot of fun! It is surprising how many interesting things there are in Japan. I am excited to explore the country more!






  

It's a new year and with that comes new beginnings! I have made it a point to pick up a new hobby this year. I've decided to use my free time and learn how to play the guitar! Why the guitar? I was inspired by American rock bands like Led Zeppelin. Plus the guitar is versatile. The guitar can play rough sounds and even sweet slow ballads. Unfortunately my big fingers struggle to hold the chords a bit but I'll get the hang of it. I can't wait to play full songs! I'll practice everyday!  

Upon first arriving in Japan, my girlfriend and I really wanted to explore Osaka. We were lucky enough that our hotel was located directly next to a train station and so we headed out on our journey to explore the huge city of Osaka. We ended up having many challenges and made many mistakes on our first train journey. We overbought train tickets got extremely lost for several hours, and at one point, I accidentally got into a ‘women’s only’ train compartment. We hastily ran into the train compartment (trying not to miss our train completely) and as I was giving a sigh of relief that we had made it, I wondered why there were so many women and no men in our train. I started to read the signs in the compartment and noticed in big white letters, the words "Only Women Passengers". Immediately, my heart dropped and all of the dirty/mean looks I was getting started to make more sense. I tapped my girlfriend's shoulder and told her that we needed to get off the train on the next stop and explained to her that we were in a “women’s only” compartment. I was SO embarrassed and realized that I needed to do some more research on Japan in order to become more cautious about my surroundings.