The rundown is that there are 6 groups playing a guessing game. one group puts up its clues on the chalkboard and I read the them. the other groups have to figure out what it is.
Me: "It is a human, that is scary, that is dead, that appears in the night."
kid: "Disco!"
The real answer was "ghost" but he did give a correct answer.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Spiders
Let me first state that spiders do not bother me (as long as they are not scurrying furociousy towards me at terrifying speeds, their only goal to jump on my face). Sure, I may be startled if I see one when not expected, but thats normal.
This morning on the way to the potty, I was greeted by a spider by my toaster over. A smidge bigger than a silver dollar (mostly legs). As I aired out my futon on my balcony, its twin was hanging out in its web between the power lines. On the way to school, I saw a colorful monster spider eating a bug (about 1 and a half silver dolars.. but it had a big body). That's 3 spiders in 2 hours.
On the way home this circus freak was still there. i have never seen such a spider. It has to be poisonous with all that color. I was actually scared just looking at it. So of course I took a picture.
Because I am senstive, I am just posting a link to the spider, so no one has to see the spider if they don't want to. I certainly would not want to be reading someone's blog care-free and then suddenly a giant death bee.
If you would like to see this SOB, click HERE
EDIT: OH MY GOD. While trying to identify this beast I have basically scared myself by looking at so many pictures of terrifying giant spiders. Oh, but my quest has ended. It is a female Golden Orb-Web Spider Nephila clavata (Joro-gumo in Japanese). I do not believe it has reach maturity. HERE are many pictures of its different sizes and shapes. Each one terrifying. HERE is a little FYI about this colorful arachnid.
This morning on the way to the potty, I was greeted by a spider by my toaster over. A smidge bigger than a silver dollar (mostly legs). As I aired out my futon on my balcony, its twin was hanging out in its web between the power lines. On the way to school, I saw a colorful monster spider eating a bug (about 1 and a half silver dolars.. but it had a big body). That's 3 spiders in 2 hours.
On the way home this circus freak was still there. i have never seen such a spider. It has to be poisonous with all that color. I was actually scared just looking at it. So of course I took a picture.
Because I am senstive, I am just posting a link to the spider, so no one has to see the spider if they don't want to. I certainly would not want to be reading someone's blog care-free and then suddenly a giant death bee.
If you would like to see this SOB, click HERE
EDIT: OH MY GOD. While trying to identify this beast I have basically scared myself by looking at so many pictures of terrifying giant spiders. Oh, but my quest has ended. It is a female Golden Orb-Web Spider Nephila clavata (Joro-gumo in Japanese). I do not believe it has reach maturity. HERE are many pictures of its different sizes and shapes. Each one terrifying. HERE is a little FYI about this colorful arachnid.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Nagoya weekend and such.
Ok, I was sick last week, so I was recooping friday. I also cut a large chunk of my hair off. I also have put up another photo section (part 2) on the side where all new photos will be posted (until I run out of room and have to do a part 3!). I also posted a proper Nara write up previous to this one.
Saturday Ed and I went up to Nagoya to fill out more paper work for his stolen camera. It was a wonderful sunny day and little bands were playing in a little area, traffic was busy, and political dudes were making announcements from their car loudspeakers. Unlike in the states, you can drive down the street making very loud announcements about whatever, and its not noise pollution and no one calls the cops.
The band
HERE is a video of that band playing in the park. I took a video mainly of the ridiculous guitar player. Look at that hair. The way he moves and plays, he thinks he is tough stuff!
After listening to his ridiculous solos, we headed over to the brand new ROBOT MUSEUM! Here you can see robots through the ages and then buy robot-related things, such as Roombas, Robo-sapiens, robotic furry sea lions (that appearently are only for cheering up old people and people in hospitals according to the pictures...), robot turtles, robot watches, and high end robot-themed jewelry. Even a robot shaped toilet paper dispenser. I bought a pin.
When you first enter the museum, you can get your outline drawn by a robot! So we did!
HERE is the video of the robot actually drawing us. In the background you can hear a robot "playing" classical music. creepy.
Hallway of old robot book and movie covers.
Now this was interesting. It was a creepy looking wooden doll and book. It was a tea-serving robot and its plans. As it turns out, I believe it was made in 1658. Now THAT'S creepy.
Other neat things
Robots clean up traffic accidents in the future!
Cute robot lamps in the shop. They also appear on the shop bags.
No one can stop our new robot overlords!!
(so what if we were having a little too much fun!)
Sunday was a lazy day, and met up with some people to go to a Thai restaurant. I don't like Thai food, but I'm willing to give it another (3rd) chance... it failed... again. Anyways, two of the fellows who work there names are "god" and "porn" (the Thai spelling, I dont know). I just found that highly amusing.
This week I am back at my junior high. I ony have to give my intro presentation 4 more times an I'm done forever!!! (honest to god, that will make it 46 TOTAL times I have done it. If I have to do it ever again, I'm going to lose it...). In my last class today, a kid trying to be tough in the corner kept saying the F word. I ignored him as I didn't want give him any anger to work with. After about the 15th time however during our number review I said, "That's not a number, please stop saying that!" and kept on rolling. Later on in my presentation, I give out stickers to only children (they don't know it until that moment). Junior high kids think me excitedly giving out stickers is hilarious, and I think some are actually embarassed to get them. This interrupter in the corner happened to be an only child, and when I ran at him yelling "WOO! NO BROTHERS! NO SISTERS! ALRIGHT! YAY!" he was very surprised and the class lost it. Some had their heads down laughing hysterically, one kid actually fell out of his chair from laughing so hard. The kid didn't make a scene the rest of class. It was great.
I also had a special ed. class today, only 3 kids. Nothing as severe as the elementary school, I think they are just a little slower. We had a good time jumping around and drawing Halloween pumpkin faces and coloring Halloween pictures. It's kinda interesting, the slowest shy girl, has really great artistic skills. I really enjoyed it (and the smaller class), I hope I can work with them more.
I will leave you with some Engrish* from my kids today:
"I like hand!!!"
"I like TVgerm"
"I want to work for an airforce. I want to be an airforce to help many people. I want to fly in the sky. So in the future, I want to fry around the world. I like to fry."
*"Engrish can be simply defined as the humorous English mistakes that appear in Japanese advertising and product design. Engrish can be found all over the world, but the vast majority of the really funny and creative Engrish is from Japan." from Engrish.com.
Saturday Ed and I went up to Nagoya to fill out more paper work for his stolen camera. It was a wonderful sunny day and little bands were playing in a little area, traffic was busy, and political dudes were making announcements from their car loudspeakers. Unlike in the states, you can drive down the street making very loud announcements about whatever, and its not noise pollution and no one calls the cops.
The band
HERE is a video of that band playing in the park. I took a video mainly of the ridiculous guitar player. Look at that hair. The way he moves and plays, he thinks he is tough stuff!
After listening to his ridiculous solos, we headed over to the brand new ROBOT MUSEUM! Here you can see robots through the ages and then buy robot-related things, such as Roombas, Robo-sapiens, robotic furry sea lions (that appearently are only for cheering up old people and people in hospitals according to the pictures...), robot turtles, robot watches, and high end robot-themed jewelry. Even a robot shaped toilet paper dispenser. I bought a pin.
When you first enter the museum, you can get your outline drawn by a robot! So we did!
HERE is the video of the robot actually drawing us. In the background you can hear a robot "playing" classical music. creepy.
Hallway of old robot book and movie covers.
Now this was interesting. It was a creepy looking wooden doll and book. It was a tea-serving robot and its plans. As it turns out, I believe it was made in 1658. Now THAT'S creepy.
Other neat things
Robots clean up traffic accidents in the future!
Cute robot lamps in the shop. They also appear on the shop bags.
No one can stop our new robot overlords!!
(so what if we were having a little too much fun!)
Sunday was a lazy day, and met up with some people to go to a Thai restaurant. I don't like Thai food, but I'm willing to give it another (3rd) chance... it failed... again. Anyways, two of the fellows who work there names are "god" and "porn" (the Thai spelling, I dont know). I just found that highly amusing.
This week I am back at my junior high. I ony have to give my intro presentation 4 more times an I'm done forever!!! (honest to god, that will make it 46 TOTAL times I have done it. If I have to do it ever again, I'm going to lose it...). In my last class today, a kid trying to be tough in the corner kept saying the F word. I ignored him as I didn't want give him any anger to work with. After about the 15th time however during our number review I said, "That's not a number, please stop saying that!" and kept on rolling. Later on in my presentation, I give out stickers to only children (they don't know it until that moment). Junior high kids think me excitedly giving out stickers is hilarious, and I think some are actually embarassed to get them. This interrupter in the corner happened to be an only child, and when I ran at him yelling "WOO! NO BROTHERS! NO SISTERS! ALRIGHT! YAY!" he was very surprised and the class lost it. Some had their heads down laughing hysterically, one kid actually fell out of his chair from laughing so hard. The kid didn't make a scene the rest of class. It was great.
I also had a special ed. class today, only 3 kids. Nothing as severe as the elementary school, I think they are just a little slower. We had a good time jumping around and drawing Halloween pumpkin faces and coloring Halloween pictures. It's kinda interesting, the slowest shy girl, has really great artistic skills. I really enjoyed it (and the smaller class), I hope I can work with them more.
I will leave you with some Engrish* from my kids today:
"I like hand!!!"
"I like TVgerm"
"I want to work for an airforce. I want to be an airforce to help many people. I want to fly in the sky. So in the future, I want to fry around the world. I like to fry."
*"Engrish can be simply defined as the humorous English mistakes that appear in Japanese advertising and product design. Engrish can be found all over the world, but the vast majority of the really funny and creative Engrish is from Japan." from Engrish.com.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Nara
Ok, the real Nara update! Sorry it's taken a week, I've been ill.
Saturday morning got up and headed out early to Nara. Nara was my first choice in picking a location to live in Japan, so I was eager to visit it again. Nara is a former capital of Japan and was spared during air attacks because of it's history. Thanks to that consideration, Nara now home to some of the oldest art, statues, and buildings in the Japan and the world.
At a train station I found an advertisement for an art showing to the public of old Buddhist art. It happened to be in Nara, near my destination. And it happened to have just started a few days ago! (I originally planned going this particular day because of what I thought was an art show from an ad on the train. Turns out it was for some traditional stuff you had to register and pay for.. oops!)
Ed and I began our trek to Kofukuji Temple, where this art/statue expo was happening, and where I wanted to go anyways. We passed lots of interesting shops and food stands, one of which was selling "Buddha Boogers" and "Buddha Belly Buttons" and "Deer poo" (in the same vein of selling "Moose poop" in Canada).
A building in Kofukuji
Day and Night. 5 story pagoda in Kofukuji. I believe this is one of the tallest pagodas.
We bought a ticket that let us in 4 different buildings, I think all but one are closed off normally to the public. Gorgeous Buddhist statues dating from 1000 years ago greeted us. No photos were allowed and I couldn't even sneak one! I ended up having to buy the postcards of a few amazing works. I bought a book in Kamakura about Buddhist sculptures and their meanings. It was already a great read and helped me plan my Nara tour since it told where to find all these crazy statues. I brought it with me and used it a lot looking up demon kings, and Buddha's aids, etc. While admiring a large Buddha statue, the lady who kept reading the info about the statues to new visitors and keeping me from taking photos, came over to us and mustered in her best English, "Right hand... (motions holding it up) means 'I am always listening.' Left hand... (motions palm out) means 'I can help you.'" I've never heard it put so eloquently. (you can see the pose below in Todaiji)
After seeing history 4 times older than your country, I got hungry. We headed back to a little ma & pa place to eat called "Kame-ya" (Turtle Shop!). I had "oil vegetable", which was a lightly pan fried veggies and sauce. it was really good. After that, it was time to head over to Todai-ji to see the largest Bronze Buddha and largest wooden building. But first we went through Nara Park.
Nara City is famous for hundreds and hundreds of tame deer wandering around. They are believed to be benevolent and sent from the Shinto gods. This may have to do with the fact they will bow their heads at you (mostly to get food from you!)
This deer wanted my sweet potato BAD and kept following me!
We took a detour and headed over to Kasuga Shrine, a very big and famous shrine (linked to royal family in the past).
Mini shrine on the way there.
Entrance to the shrine. (I said deer were famous here!) Water is coming out of its mouth because you must purify yourself before entering a shrine. wash your left hand, then right hand, then left hand again, then drink.
the trek up!
Climbing the stairs to the main shrine.
In the main shrine.
After wandering around, we started our way to Todaiji.
Stone lanterns
Peek-a-boo.
To enter the Todai-ji Temple, you must first pass through the huge main South gate.
A deer at the south gate
A view from the South Gate to the outer part of the temple.
To my surprise, there was a ska festival that night at Todai-ji, so it was all decorated and being prepared. The temple and the buddha inside are both national treasures. This is my 3rd or 4th time there, and it never ceases to amaze me. you'll see why.
some info: Todai-ji Temple was built in the Nara period (710-794 AD). The object of worship is Vairocana Buddha (Buddha that shines throughout the world like the sun), so a magnificent temple was built to refect this importance. It is the largest wooden structure in the world. (160ft h, 187ft w, 165ft d) 33% smaller than the original structure (burned down a couple times).
The Buddha that it houses is made from cast brone and plated with gold. Its 49ft tall. Absolutely massive.
You don't even know how big this is.
"I am always listening"
Buddha companion, the Bodhisattva of Space. Very big as well.
One of two poses of the thunderbolt god. Crushes all evils of the world (note the evil entity he is standing on!) This is an extra housed in the temple. Both are also outside, protecting the temple from evils.
This random woman posing dramitcally for her friends, is crawling through a hole in a pillar in the temple. It is the same size as the statue's nostril (should give you an idea of size). If you can pass through the nostril-represtatve hole, you are guaranteed enlightenment (or at least into the Pure Land where its easier to attain enlightenment). I look at it and see complete-claustriphobia.. and I'm not claustriphobic!
After taking in the sheer size and beauty of everything, we had time for one more temple, and things were closing up. At the foot of Sangatsu-do (The March Hall), it looked bleak. But we pressed on, up a whole lot of winding stairs. Every corner started to present itself with more and more beauty.
Higher..
and higher...
and higher...
Until we could see the whole city at twilight.
Overlook.
Eventually we had to leave the city, and it was a perfet day.
City nights reflected in the turtle pond, with the heron taking it all in.
I have more photos of today in photo album 2, Oct ~ ??.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OH! AND, I found this blog that has screen caps of a show I love. I didnt know the title, and Im in awe of one of the comedian gals. She's awesome. (Shes the "Chinese" girl)Talk about ethnic stereotypes!
Its actually a whole show of comedic skits, and when I first saw this come on, they were singing the names of the sushi with the Mickey Mouse song. I couldnt believe they were allowed to dress up like that on tv hahah!
Saturday morning got up and headed out early to Nara. Nara was my first choice in picking a location to live in Japan, so I was eager to visit it again. Nara is a former capital of Japan and was spared during air attacks because of it's history. Thanks to that consideration, Nara now home to some of the oldest art, statues, and buildings in the Japan and the world.
At a train station I found an advertisement for an art showing to the public of old Buddhist art. It happened to be in Nara, near my destination. And it happened to have just started a few days ago! (I originally planned going this particular day because of what I thought was an art show from an ad on the train. Turns out it was for some traditional stuff you had to register and pay for.. oops!)
Ed and I began our trek to Kofukuji Temple, where this art/statue expo was happening, and where I wanted to go anyways. We passed lots of interesting shops and food stands, one of which was selling "Buddha Boogers" and "Buddha Belly Buttons" and "Deer poo" (in the same vein of selling "Moose poop" in Canada).
A building in Kofukuji
Day and Night. 5 story pagoda in Kofukuji. I believe this is one of the tallest pagodas.
We bought a ticket that let us in 4 different buildings, I think all but one are closed off normally to the public. Gorgeous Buddhist statues dating from 1000 years ago greeted us. No photos were allowed and I couldn't even sneak one! I ended up having to buy the postcards of a few amazing works. I bought a book in Kamakura about Buddhist sculptures and their meanings. It was already a great read and helped me plan my Nara tour since it told where to find all these crazy statues. I brought it with me and used it a lot looking up demon kings, and Buddha's aids, etc. While admiring a large Buddha statue, the lady who kept reading the info about the statues to new visitors and keeping me from taking photos, came over to us and mustered in her best English, "Right hand... (motions holding it up) means 'I am always listening.' Left hand... (motions palm out) means 'I can help you.'" I've never heard it put so eloquently. (you can see the pose below in Todaiji)
After seeing history 4 times older than your country, I got hungry. We headed back to a little ma & pa place to eat called "Kame-ya" (Turtle Shop!). I had "oil vegetable", which was a lightly pan fried veggies and sauce. it was really good. After that, it was time to head over to Todai-ji to see the largest Bronze Buddha and largest wooden building. But first we went through Nara Park.
Nara City is famous for hundreds and hundreds of tame deer wandering around. They are believed to be benevolent and sent from the Shinto gods. This may have to do with the fact they will bow their heads at you (mostly to get food from you!)
This deer wanted my sweet potato BAD and kept following me!
We took a detour and headed over to Kasuga Shrine, a very big and famous shrine (linked to royal family in the past).
Mini shrine on the way there.
Entrance to the shrine. (I said deer were famous here!) Water is coming out of its mouth because you must purify yourself before entering a shrine. wash your left hand, then right hand, then left hand again, then drink.
the trek up!
Climbing the stairs to the main shrine.
In the main shrine.
After wandering around, we started our way to Todaiji.
Stone lanterns
Peek-a-boo.
To enter the Todai-ji Temple, you must first pass through the huge main South gate.
A deer at the south gate
A view from the South Gate to the outer part of the temple.
To my surprise, there was a ska festival that night at Todai-ji, so it was all decorated and being prepared. The temple and the buddha inside are both national treasures. This is my 3rd or 4th time there, and it never ceases to amaze me. you'll see why.
some info: Todai-ji Temple was built in the Nara period (710-794 AD). The object of worship is Vairocana Buddha (Buddha that shines throughout the world like the sun), so a magnificent temple was built to refect this importance. It is the largest wooden structure in the world. (160ft h, 187ft w, 165ft d) 33% smaller than the original structure (burned down a couple times).
The Buddha that it houses is made from cast brone and plated with gold. Its 49ft tall. Absolutely massive.
You don't even know how big this is.
"I am always listening"
Buddha companion, the Bodhisattva of Space. Very big as well.
One of two poses of the thunderbolt god. Crushes all evils of the world (note the evil entity he is standing on!) This is an extra housed in the temple. Both are also outside, protecting the temple from evils.
This random woman posing dramitcally for her friends, is crawling through a hole in a pillar in the temple. It is the same size as the statue's nostril (should give you an idea of size). If you can pass through the nostril-represtatve hole, you are guaranteed enlightenment (or at least into the Pure Land where its easier to attain enlightenment). I look at it and see complete-claustriphobia.. and I'm not claustriphobic!
After taking in the sheer size and beauty of everything, we had time for one more temple, and things were closing up. At the foot of Sangatsu-do (The March Hall), it looked bleak. But we pressed on, up a whole lot of winding stairs. Every corner started to present itself with more and more beauty.
Higher..
and higher...
and higher...
Until we could see the whole city at twilight.
Overlook.
Eventually we had to leave the city, and it was a perfet day.
City nights reflected in the turtle pond, with the heron taking it all in.
I have more photos of today in photo album 2, Oct ~ ??.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OH! AND, I found this blog that has screen caps of a show I love. I didnt know the title, and Im in awe of one of the comedian gals. She's awesome. (Shes the "Chinese" girl)Talk about ethnic stereotypes!
Its actually a whole show of comedic skits, and when I first saw this come on, they were singing the names of the sushi with the Mickey Mouse song. I couldnt believe they were allowed to dress up like that on tv hahah!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Vitamin P
Many kids at school have been coughing and hacking last week. I upped the OJ intake, but to no avail. I could feel my body crapping out on me. So I went to get some vitamins. Upon seeing the selection, I found some Hello Kitty vitamin C pills. I paid more for the brand name, than the actual product.. but it came with a free sticker! While inspecting these immune-boosters.. I noticed they were also fortified with Vitamin P. Uhhh.. what? With a little research, I found out Vitamin P is really a grouping of bioflavinoids, called a vitamin for ease. yea ok. the more you know!
Ok pictures:
The winners of PARTY DONKEY BINGO. 3rd grade.
My elementary office
My quaint tiny little train station
Friday I hopped a train to go to the middle of the prefecture to visit some friends. On the way there, I captured this:
That night I hung out with a bunch of other JETs. We made salad, pasta, and soup, and had some drinks together. It was very nice as you can tell.
I don't remember the conversation, but its not what you think!
Saturday I went to Ueno, birthplace of Ninjas and theres a ninja museum even! Unfortunately, I did not go. The town is full of Ninja-themed things, which is very entertaining!
a ninja lady train! there is also a pink one.
A window on the train
A disturbing ad on a train
A tree in Ueno
Later that night, a bunch of us went to Ueno-castle where a free Noh play was being performed. And free sake was being handed out on this chilly night!
Noh being performed with the castle in the background.
Other craziness seen:
A mohawk hoodie for weiner dogs
A giant pixie (oxymoron?) in a tree
Probably the best little kid PJs ever.
Arrested by Officier Sonic
Sunday I went on a shopping with Ed determined to find some sort of jacket as its getting colder at night. I ended up with "To's Mexican Food" Hoodie.
HAHA GET IT (To's, toes, see his toes?)
The tag that came with it. How could I not buy it? Reminds me of the singing hotdog from the short lived Perfect Hair Forever:
Lalaa laalaaa laa la la laaa
"LOVE BURGER" was a close second, but it was bright green, I can't handle that. I also bought a red hat and red scarf. I'm set for now!
I've been teaching the 5th and 6th graders slang. I think they enjoy it, even if they don't remember it. It practical English to use with friends, not BS lame English.
Here is my 5th graders playing the WEATHER BATTLE card game. They ask eachother how the weather is (pointing to different cards) and then they play rock paper scisors to win the cards off of eachother. how educational!
Tomorrow I got to my 3rd school. I have no been here yet. Ugh. I have to ride my bike up a big hill! It's probably going to be raining too. URG!
As always, more pictures here!
2 months down!
Ok pictures:
The winners of PARTY DONKEY BINGO. 3rd grade.
My elementary office
My quaint tiny little train station
Friday I hopped a train to go to the middle of the prefecture to visit some friends. On the way there, I captured this:
That night I hung out with a bunch of other JETs. We made salad, pasta, and soup, and had some drinks together. It was very nice as you can tell.
I don't remember the conversation, but its not what you think!
Saturday I went to Ueno, birthplace of Ninjas and theres a ninja museum even! Unfortunately, I did not go. The town is full of Ninja-themed things, which is very entertaining!
a ninja lady train! there is also a pink one.
A window on the train
A disturbing ad on a train
A tree in Ueno
Later that night, a bunch of us went to Ueno-castle where a free Noh play was being performed. And free sake was being handed out on this chilly night!
Noh being performed with the castle in the background.
Other craziness seen:
A mohawk hoodie for weiner dogs
A giant pixie (oxymoron?) in a tree
Probably the best little kid PJs ever.
Arrested by Officier Sonic
Sunday I went on a shopping with Ed determined to find some sort of jacket as its getting colder at night. I ended up with "To's Mexican Food" Hoodie.
HAHA GET IT (To's, toes, see his toes?)
The tag that came with it. How could I not buy it? Reminds me of the singing hotdog from the short lived Perfect Hair Forever:
Lalaa laalaaa laa la la laaa
"LOVE BURGER" was a close second, but it was bright green, I can't handle that. I also bought a red hat and red scarf. I'm set for now!
I've been teaching the 5th and 6th graders slang. I think they enjoy it, even if they don't remember it. It practical English to use with friends, not BS lame English.
Here is my 5th graders playing the WEATHER BATTLE card game. They ask eachother how the weather is (pointing to different cards) and then they play rock paper scisors to win the cards off of eachother. how educational!
Tomorrow I got to my 3rd school. I have no been here yet. Ugh. I have to ride my bike up a big hill! It's probably going to be raining too. URG!
As always, more pictures here!
2 months down!
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