Well, to this blog I am again authorizing the use of ridiculousness I see and hear in Japan. Why? This happens to me daily and I always forget to write it down- but today you are all lucky enough to partake with me on this journey that has had many ups and well ups!
6:05- I start my run for the day. After placing my running clothes under my sheets last night because my house is so drafty and they get so cold. Who wants to run in cold clothes? Not me! Any who I start. After a few huffs- this turns into a glorious run- a run that clears the mind and reminds me why Japan is so beautiful. I am focused to get to my halfway mark which is starring straight at Fuji as the sun begins to rise. Then I go to cross a road I have many times before and I am almost run over. What you might ask- who is up at 6:07? not many people and for this reason I am very shocked- and also I saw this car coming very slow so why the speed up- was this an attack on my life or just a ridiculous driver up at ridiculous hours- I believe it is the later of the two! Any who, I laugh it off because seriously no one is out that early and I just almost given a ride on the hood of a car..... (I know I would be on of the only ones laughing but you had to be there).
8:00- lets speed it up a little. I am leaving for school- via bike. So I am strapped in when I look up to see people waving their arms around in the lot that is adjacent to my place. There has been a convenience store being built. And the construction workers are dancing??? NO being eaten by fire ants? no there are no fire ants here? Well- they are stretching. All together- a bunch of men doing toe touches, and arm circles- lead by the leader/boss. Stretch before you work- do de do do do do do-(this to the tune of whistle while you work.) I was first of all trying not to turn my bike around- get a boom box and mix up a new CD for those workers. I held back the tears of laughter for about 3 seconds then they were cascading down my windburn face! So should I do this before I teach- Stretch my arm, warm up my voice, maybe sing some ascending and descending chords- well I think I shall try!
9:15- I am reading the weekly English summary of the weekly news. And I stumble on some great one-liners. Ministry mulls aid to Brazilian students- (title) of an article that talks about how the economic downturn has affected Brazilian- Japanese students and they are returning to Brazil. My first question- what ministry and what is mull? thanks to Merriam Webster I know know that this verb could be- to pulverize, or ponder or to heat, sweeten, and flavor- So I guess the title should be Ministry heats up and flavors aid to Brazilian students? Maybe they are giving them snacks to help with the economic downturn? Well that one I will leave up to you!
Talk about snow- The first snow fall on Kofu is "accompanying cyclogenisis was observed across Yamanashi Prefecture." This snow was accompanying "the development or intensification of a cyclone"- Wow I knew that Japan`s weather was varying but at the thought of the intensifying cyclone leading the way for less than and inch of snow is quite serious- I would hate to be where that is- oh it said- Kofu- oh man I better leave while I still can- I wonder if that cyclone has passed through yet??? It`s sunny and cold but oh- no that was just a leaf falling of a tree- no I think I am safe- but who knows.
Last but not least- there is a school whose founder shall named Hypotenuse- The Pythagoras School in Yamanashi- that school has a bunch of triangles I hear- but at least it does`t havne any squares like the Shikaku (square in Japanese) Kofu University. Seriously... (disclaimer- the latter of the two schools is fake- but the first is completely true and straight out of the news paper!) Thanks to Akiyo Jones we shall always have the unabridged summary of the weekly news!
Ok so after the reading of the news- twice or three times! I found these next to happen while in class and thus they shall be listed and lacking in exact time for that would have required me to look at the clock more than 7 times in one period which would make me look like I was bored!
- Did you know- Santa is from Finland- or the North country?- this was told to me by ichi nen sei- first graders- translated by my teacher! And then she asked me if that was true- Like I know where Santa lives- so I agreed and said the North Pole-but seriously- Finland or the North country does sound better!
- After my short summary of the complete Civil Rights Movement- and a discussion of Martin Luther King- my teacher thus points out to me that Obama is the first African American president and that his car is rocket launcher proof. (no exaggeration there- trust me).
-While reading through some paper about - My City- I got various responses. These are the best....
-My town is famous for its old people. There are many old people here. Do you want to come to my town?
- There are many convenience stores near my house. There are many cats near my house. There are many trees in my city. I love my city.
-Its in the temple near the my Yamanashi. (read that one and tell me why I put a question by it.)
Then it comes to the first graders for fun! I get to start class and ask questions to random students. This is fun for I do what I want. Today we focused on animals. I got a few people who like cats and a few who like-s-cats but for the most part they like cats. And when asked what color of cat they like I received- brown, gray, and beige. Japan does really have cool things if they have beige cats- I have never seen a beige cat but maybe I will if I look really close- because a beige cat would blend in really well. And I have a kid who loves soccer, he practices for 1 min a day! I said really (honto)? 1 min- you must practice very hard and fast- and he just shook his head! Of course- then his friend reminded him how long a minute was and that quickly changed- but it was great! I love speaking Japanese- I do it about 1 minute a day! WOW
Well, I hope this hit your funny bone like it hit my knuckles. I definitely got through the day faster when I have as many hits as I did today! I wish this would happen more! Any who anytime you have great things happen you have to write them down!
Remember: If Santa comes from Finland- where does the Easter bunny come from?
~MOlly
1 comment:
I was once in Wal-Mart early in the morning and got to see all of the workers standing in a circle and doing their morning workout/pump up session. That was ridiculous too!
Great post!
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