Nagasaki, Japanese & Kids Training

Happy sightseeing!!! I went to Nagasaki on Sunday to meet up with Elle`s friend Steve, and had an unreal day! It was so good to have someone to go sightseeing with - much more fun that going on your own. And he was actually able to find his way around really well (as compared to me who could get lost in Ballarat!), and he had the lonely planet guide, so it was like having my own personal tour guide! Very cool!

We checked out the Atomic Bomb Museum, which was pretty confronting. It`s so hard to imagine that sort of suffering! And so hard to comprehend why people in positions of power would deem such a devastating thing a good idea! After that, we moved on to happier places - the Peace Park was cool. Also rode up a cable car to a look out, where we got a great view of Nagasaki city. Checked out Dejima - a little museum with the history of the Dutch influence on Nagasaki (very interesting, but would take too much room to write about it all), as well as China town and a few Buddist temples. Ended the day with a drink down by the ocean - a nice relax after all our walking. It was a great city, and thanks to my guide, I was able to feel like I saw all I needed despite my limited time.

I caught a bus back to Sasebo, and while waiting at the bus stop there for my bus home, I had my first real conversation in Japanese!!!!! A little old lady was sitting next to me, and started chatting. She spoke NO English, so we were just yabbering away to each other in our own languages, using big gestures, and really not communicating much. Then suddenly, I recognised something, and was like - wow, I think she`s asking where I live, and I know how to answer that in Japanese!!! And then, I recognised a few more words, and got to answer another question about how long I`ve been in Japan! Didn`t understand the rest of what she said, but it still felt unreal, being able to communicate 2 small things at least! Very exciting!

Kids Training....
On Monday I got trained to teach kids classes - not sure whether I`m excited or nervous about actually doing it! But oh well, I`m sure I`ll survive. The cool thing about the training is that it was on my day off, which means I`ll get a day in lieu in July, and can have a 3 day weekend! (I finish work at 5:40 on Sat and won`t have to go back til 4pm Wed, so 3 and a bit days!) Yay!! Contemplating whether I should pop over to Korea or travel around the island of Kyushu and see a volcano, go to some hot springs and visit Lyndal who I flew over with. Hmmm... decisions, decisions!!! Will keep you posted!

Ps - suggestions for Special Voice topics welcome!

More students...

I had an interesting Voice class the other day. (Voice is free speech - a teacher and how ever many students turn up, and there`s no lesson plan, you just chat or play games.) Just me and one student who is very talkative. And on this day, boy did she talk!!! She is always very open, but with just the two of us, I got just about her life story!! She told me all about how her husband used to beat her, but doesn`t since she threatened to divorce him. And about the time he had an affair, and although she was very sad, it was also intriguing for her, cuz she spent two months researching it, and didn`t confront him until she knew all about it and everything about his mistress! At one point, she was even shedding a few tears, and I was on the verge of tears myself! Who misses Neighbors when you have students like that!?!

I have another student who I love. A 12 year old girl, who is very low level English speaker, so at the moment, she pays extra for one-on-one lessons. Not sure if its just coincidence or scheduled that way, but so far i`ve been her only teacher. I just love her! She`s so cute! And it`s so much fun seeing her become more confident and speak better each time I see her!

Newy no longer!

I can`t believe I`ve been here for a month already!!! I`m already 1/12 of the way through my contract!!! Feels like I just left you all the other day, and yet also feels like I`ve been here forever. And I`m no longer the new kid on the block! Two new teachers arrived in the last week. So you all know, the teachers here are:
- Jason (US) - married, so not in Nova accomodation - The Boss!
- Girls flat #605 out of town
- me!
- Martina (Ireland)
- Francie (Canada) - leaving next week
- Rachel (UK) - not actually here yet - moves in 2 days after Francie leaves
- Guys place #602 in town
- Matt (US)
- Brian (US)
- Mike (Canada) - has applied for transfer, so will leave sooner or later
- Guys place #401 in town
- David (UK) - arrived Wed
- Kurk (US) - arrived Fri

All the teachers are very cool - I:m very lucky to have instant friends that I actually like!! So, if you thought my drama was funny when I arrived, the 2 new guys had one too! They were supposed to catch the 8:13 train to Fukuoka for Orientation, but they didn`t have alarm clocks, and didn`t wake up til 11am!!!! Doh!! (They were at the pub til 5am! LOL! What do you expect? Good planning guys!) I haven`t heard the end of the story yet! Hope they don`t get in too much trouble!!

Visiting America

Yesterday I had my first trip to the States!!! Well, practically. Valerie signed me onto the US Naval base, and I got to look around. It really is like a mini-America. They have a furniture store, electrical goods store, mini mart, grocery store, cinema, everything! I bought Valerie's text book for her cuz she gets paid in American dollars, and it was just easier for me to pay in yen, and so I got to go grocery shopping on Base with US$20!! Unreal! Bought things like Reece's peanut buttercups, Hershey's chocolate syrup and a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough icecream! YUM! Probably not a good use of $20, but very enjoyable! I'm starting to put on a tiny bit of weight, so I'm gonna have to stop eating so much chocolate and donuts, but you have to indulge every once in a while. *Smiles*

Students...

Well, John, you want to know about the students...

They come in all shapes, sizes and ages. A lot of housewives, a few students and business men. I had a very funny one yesterday - this 13 year old kid, who I think has to be there cuz his parents make him. He'd had a big day at school, and it was the last lesson - 8:20 to 9:00pm. He started to fall asleep when he was supposed to be looking at the book! It was so funny!! And he was really struggling with the lesson - I would ask - 'Where did Janelle go?' and he would answer 'Where did Janelle go?'. I would say "Yes - where did she go? Look at the picture." His answer? "Her boyfriend" "No," I say, "that's who she went with. Where did she go?" "Where did she go?" he responds. AAAARRRRGGGHHH! I gave up, shut the book and started talking about a party he is going to soon.

But my last student tonight was great. A housewife, who is a much higher level, and was quite chatty. We managed to get through the lesson, and have plenty of time to chat during the lesson. She remembered what we'd chatted about last lesson two days ago, and warned me that I might want to change my plans cuz its gonna rain on the weekend! Cool! I had fun, and stayed to chat a little more after the bell.

But yeah, you get the whole range. It's cool - keeps the day interesting and broken up! :)

What do tofu and aloe vera yoghurt have in common?

Answer: They both end up in Heather's smoothies!

That's right - aloe vera yoghurt! Bizzare! And for all those who think tofu is gross, I agree with you, but if it's mashed up with lots of fruit, you can't really taste it, and since I don't eat much meat, I thought I should eat tofu. (Meat is hugely expensive here, and I'm not a big meat-eater anyway.)

Having a bliss day today - one of those days where everything just makes you feel happy and smiley! I made myself pancakes for breakfast - yum! American style. And a big fruit smoothie for lunch. It made me feel so happy and healthy! And I spent some time thinking about and writing down my priorities. Very refreshing thing to do - you should all do it soon!

Anyway, just wanted to share my bliss with you all! I'm gonna go feed some fish!

Love 'n' hugs 'n' beetle bugs to you all! XXOO Vi

Sunday yellows

Yay!!! A happy Sunday today!! Decided I didn:t want to go home straight after church, so made up my mind to ask Valerie, Heather & Richie if they wanted to go out for lunch. Missed Sunday school cuz i couldn:t be bothered hurrying, but really enjoyed church. We have a visiting preacher for 3 weeks, and the sermon was really good. And there was a potluck lunch after church which I:d forgotten about. That was cool. There was heaps of food, so I didn:t feel too bad about not bringing any. Sat with the above mentioned 3, and had fun with them even tho nobody else talked to me - oh well, there:s always next time. And Heather invited me to the beach with her and Valerie on Wednesday! Yay!!! I don:t start work til 5pm, so there:s heaps of time to go! Big smiles!

Went home feeling suitably socialised, and watched The Last Samurai (the opening scene was shot at 99 Islands, next to Sasebo!). Went back to church eagerly at 6pm, and was not disappointed - the guy spoke on God choosing us and David:s advice to Solomon in 1 Chron 28:9,10 (I think). Cool how God chose Solomon to build the temple - the son of David and Bathsheba - He doesn:t hold grudges! And He uses people that people might not normally consider the best choice. Cool statement he made (unrelated to the sermon):

I refuse to miss the joy of today with worries of what might happen tomorrow.

I liked that. I wanna live like that. (He was talking about when his wife was dying of cancer, and she used to say that a lot, and lived joyfully for about 6 years longer than the doctors predicted she would live!)

I`m about to go meet up with some workmates now. So it`s been a happy, sociable day. Thanks everyone for your letters, emails and blog comments. I have REALLY appreciated them, especially on the days that have seemed a little lonely.

May you all enjoy your today!!

Sunny days

Well, it`s really starting to warm up over here, even tho they say that it doesn`t get bad until July and August! Went to my first Japanese lesson today - it was just sort of an introduction thing. I met my teacher, Fumi (F is pronounced very gently - almost Humi), who seems really nice, paid my fees and chose a text book. Next Friday will actually be a lesson. Yay!! Can`t wait to be able to communicate! I feel very rude not knowing the language. I also took Valerie along, and she signed up too. That`ll be cool, to have someone to learn and practice with.

I don`t start work til 5pm, so I had a good 4 1/2 hours to kill. Couldn`t be bothered going all the way home, and after buying a bus pass for the month and paying for my lessons, I had virtually no money left, so couldn`t go shopping. I went for a wander over to the park by the river and just sat there for hours! Unreal! Dozed a tiny bit, and studied my Hirigana and Katakana. I want to know them before my lesson next week. It was so nice and relaxing, and perfect temp. My work day starts shortly, but is only 5 lessons, then I get to go home again! What a pleasant day! Yesterday was pretty cool too - 8 lessons, but no one showed up for 4 of the periods - 2 voice classes and 2 lessons with only one booked in! Easy day!