So it's been a while since I've had the chance to get on here. The days have flown by and Naoko and I have done a lot of crazy things. The worst part is, I still don't have any appliances (or a light bulb in my room). So let's recap:
1) I got a used fridge for 50 bucks. My roommate and I carried it down the street. One day later the fridge broke. I stood outside the repair shop for 30 minutes waiting for the repair man. Finally I left a note. One week later he called, saying he has a new fridge for us. My roommate asked if we could just return it. So exactly one week later, my roommate and I carried the fridge back up the street. Yeaaa. I still haven't gotten my money back (the lights are on, but no one is ever in the shop).
2)I taught my first set of classes and got put in charge of cleaning duty for 12 ni-nen-sei (2nd years - 8th graders). I have never in my life seen such BAD kids. I saw two kids choking each other in the hallway (turning blue). Two girls grappling and then a teacher walks by and the only thing they say is, "Tuck your collar in." SHOCK! I watched a girl take off her fake eyelashes in the middle of class. Took away scissors from a boy who was cutting up his shoes. Took away a baseball from kids who were literally throwing it across the room. During the 2nd years class, most of the time is spent standing and starring at them. I've learned a lot about the Japanese school system and it's not in a very good state right now. BUT! On a positive note, I get to teach my own class of 3rd years who WANT to learn English!!! YEAAAA :)
3) I watched what looked to be military drills during an assembly (literally standing at attention, and then lifting and lowering their arms to get in a perfect line). The teachers then forced them to sit with their knees bent and arms wrapped around them for 30 minutes. They wonder why the kids go nuts (but they don't want to "punish" them because that's too stressful). The fire drill was even worse, but I won't go there.
4) Roomie and I took a train to Ueno, walked to Akihabara, bought a washing machine, ate the SPICIEST food I've ever had (and that was only a 5 out of 10, the 10 is only served cold and separate from the noodles). I went into a shop that sold American products and clothes with sentences that made no sense - supposedly from America, but it said Made in Mexico. Of course no one seems to think there is any difference between America and Mexico (I guess they've never been to Tijuana). The next day we walked to Omiya (a little over an hour walk) and I bought a new fridge. I wanted to buy a printer, but apparently I need a Japanese operating system :( I found the Japanese products are AS expensive or even MORE expensive in Japan. I saw a 106 inch television going for close to 40k. I also watched Ironman playing in every single store we went into.
5) I experienced my first train "orgy." The train was 30 minutes late and 3 trains full of people crammed into one was NOT pretty. And lots of people must not have bathed that morning.
But the day is over and tomorrow I'm getting a shiny new fridge!
1) I got a used fridge for 50 bucks. My roommate and I carried it down the street. One day later the fridge broke. I stood outside the repair shop for 30 minutes waiting for the repair man. Finally I left a note. One week later he called, saying he has a new fridge for us. My roommate asked if we could just return it. So exactly one week later, my roommate and I carried the fridge back up the street. Yeaaa. I still haven't gotten my money back (the lights are on, but no one is ever in the shop).
2)I taught my first set of classes and got put in charge of cleaning duty for 12 ni-nen-sei (2nd years - 8th graders). I have never in my life seen such BAD kids. I saw two kids choking each other in the hallway (turning blue). Two girls grappling and then a teacher walks by and the only thing they say is, "Tuck your collar in." SHOCK! I watched a girl take off her fake eyelashes in the middle of class. Took away scissors from a boy who was cutting up his shoes. Took away a baseball from kids who were literally throwing it across the room. During the 2nd years class, most of the time is spent standing and starring at them. I've learned a lot about the Japanese school system and it's not in a very good state right now. BUT! On a positive note, I get to teach my own class of 3rd years who WANT to learn English!!! YEAAAA :)
3) I watched what looked to be military drills during an assembly (literally standing at attention, and then lifting and lowering their arms to get in a perfect line). The teachers then forced them to sit with their knees bent and arms wrapped around them for 30 minutes. They wonder why the kids go nuts (but they don't want to "punish" them because that's too stressful). The fire drill was even worse, but I won't go there.
4) Roomie and I took a train to Ueno, walked to Akihabara, bought a washing machine, ate the SPICIEST food I've ever had (and that was only a 5 out of 10, the 10 is only served cold and separate from the noodles). I went into a shop that sold American products and clothes with sentences that made no sense - supposedly from America, but it said Made in Mexico. Of course no one seems to think there is any difference between America and Mexico (I guess they've never been to Tijuana). The next day we walked to Omiya (a little over an hour walk) and I bought a new fridge. I wanted to buy a printer, but apparently I need a Japanese operating system :( I found the Japanese products are AS expensive or even MORE expensive in Japan. I saw a 106 inch television going for close to 40k. I also watched Ironman playing in every single store we went into.
5) I experienced my first train "orgy." The train was 30 minutes late and 3 trains full of people crammed into one was NOT pretty. And lots of people must not have bathed that morning.
But the day is over and tomorrow I'm getting a shiny new fridge!
I didn't realize that South America starts at Tijuana
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean to mix it in with south america, but meant to say Mexico :-p which is what they frequently confuse with America (not North America)...changed :-)
ReplyDelete