a badly punctuated stream of consciousness

a lot to say about two weeks in komatsu

There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done,
nothing you can say that can’t be sung,
nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be,
it’s easyyyyyyyyy.
All you need is love (baa baa baba baaa!)

Hi everyone

Well, today is day 13 of being in Japan and things are still going well. The other girls and I had our last couple of days at Komatsu High school last week which was a double edged sword. On one hand, it was scary because it meant we all had to go on to prac and for most of us new host families (cept me and Amber, we get a couple more weeks with our first one), and also the start of our real responsibilities. Last week we were helping the English teacher, which wasn’t hard because we all speak English quite well, and going to various lessons just to see what life is like for a high school student in jay-pan. I enjoyed it quite a lot, specially cos I got to play a trombone one afternoon at “brass band.” That’s in inverted commas because it was actually a concert band. But for some reason they call a band with saxes and clarinets and flutes a brass band. I had a bit of a chuckle to myself about that, thinking about Doug replacing his sax for a tenor horn trying to join Rocky City Brass. It would have been easier if it was that kind of “brass band” eh dougie? Anyway, it wasn’t’ actually a band rehearsal, just sections, but I didn’t care, I was just so pleased to be able to play. I had taken my own mouthpiece along but they said it was fine to just use the one that went with the instrument they lent me. The conductor actually fixed the dint in my mouthpiece for me. Gave me a fright, he didn’t explain what he was doing, just took the mouthpiece off me and lifted this hammer and I think my heart skipped a beat! But then he put this round chisel thing in the end and bashed it with the hammer and it was all nice and perfectly round again! So that was nice of him! And then I went and practiced with the 4 trombones in one of their many music rooms. (twas a good school, I think I counted 5 baby grands! JEALOUS!!!) With the trombones we mainly did technical work, but I didn’t mind at all cos apart from the fact that I do actually quite like technical work (it’s sort of therapeutic, like washing up) again I was just really glad to play. At the end we played through some of their pieces which weren’t to hard to sightread so that wasn’t a problem. And got a photo or two with the group at the end so that was good. Even better though, was that on another day I learnt to play the Koto!!! (Japanese stringed instrument). That was really awesome actually. At first we (Jemima, Tegan and I) were all thinking it was going to be way to hard, them because they don’t really do music, and me because the sheet music was TOTALLY different to anything I’d ever seen. I’d been thinking I’d go in, learn where the notes were and how to make noise out of the thing, and then be able to do it because I can read music. Only the music was completely different. BUT once they explained it, it didn’t take me too long to figure it out and then I could do it. Not perfectly, but enough to impress them lol. It would have been harder if they’d picked a song we didn’t know, but they picked Sakura (about the most famous Japanese song ever) so I sort of used my ear hehe. Anyway, it was an awesome experience and I really want a Koto! Other than that, we did calligraphy and art and cooking and sports. The standard of the students work for all their subjects is so impressive, the art teacher took us on a tour of the art rooms (plural people, plural….like 6) and we were all speechless at how amazing the artwork was. And the maths….well don’t they say that’s the international language? I certainly can’t speak that one.

The cooking was fun, specially cos it was a small class of about 12, and all 18 yr old boys – woot! - (make your jokes about me being a cradle snatcher here!) lol. It was also good cos in every other class, nobody wanted to talk to us! No joke, even the English classes, kids are so shy that they just hardly speak, even to answer questions half the time they speak about as loud as a pin dropping. But the boys, being a bit older I guess, and also being boys, and also being given a bunch of beautiful foreign girls to teach how to cook, were very friendly and quite talkative. And they had a sense of humour! It’s interesting actually, it’s not that Japanese are unhappy, or that they don’t laugh, but they just don’t joke like Aussies. At least not around us. I’m sure that in their own groups they have their own in jokes and stuff, but it just struck me that I really enjoyed being in the class with the boys because they were joking and that was somehow different from other classes. Anyway, twas good. And we taught them some words – bugger, oh my god, and (not sure how or why) mamma mia, and they taught us ‘yachimatta’ which apparently roughly translated is oh my god. Anyway it was fun. And then we got to eat the food so that was yummy. :) That was on Tuesday. Then on Friday Jemima, Amber and I had a sports lesson scheduled. Well I wasn’t really sposed to, but it was tennis and Liz can’t be in the sun too long and I wanted to play tennis so we swapped. Anyway we went to the oval and found the teacher and it turned out it was the same class of boys again. So that was great because we already knew them, whereas in every other class we had to introduce ourselves and everyone was shy and it was a bit annoying cos we never saw anyone more than once. Plus, I’d been really looking forward to tennis because I have discovered this year that I really quite like sport! And so I was looking forward to being active and just having fun and playing tennis. And the fact that it was the boys we already had met was just an extra bonus. So that was about the best lesson of the week, what with the laughter and jokes and endorphins. Hahaha and then when the bell went, the boys all took their shirts off on their way to the changing rooms, and I was so distracted that I said ‘Beee’ instead of ‘bye’! It was the funniest thing to have happened all week, and I don’t think I’ll ever live it down! Lmao!

Other than that we met the mayor last week, which was the only time I really got nervous about making speeches, and I screwed up a bit but it didn’t matter really. And the next day our photo was in the local paper so that was cool! Lol. Very tiny, but still. And we also just did general getting to know Komatsu stuff: went to the train station and info office and planned a day trip to sight see, went to the place where they make pottery and got to paint our own pot (I’m super happy with mine, will try to post a photo when I can), went to Hanibe caves which was a sort of Buddhist sculpture story walk through these caves. And on Friday we said goodbye to Taka-sensei, which was a bit scary cos it means that we are now on our own! Obviously not, because there is a group over here to support us and stuff, and we have our families, but Taka was our go-to because we know him, and when he left I think we all felt rather small and helpless. It’s ok now, I’ve gotten used to it now.

Anyway, so Friday was our last day at the highschool. Saturday we had to go to a fair/open day at Komatsu College, which is where we will spend three weeks after prac checking out uni life over here. We ran an English conversation café, which didn’t really get much business really. It was fun though, although a little scary because there were two boys trying very very hard to pick one or all of us up. They hung around for like 2 hours (most people came in, had a coffee, introduced themselves in English and found out what we were there for and then when they ran out of English they left, which was after about 5 or 10 mins) and kept using the dictionaries to look up increasingly suggestive terms and phrases. Needless to say none of us wanted either a soft or a deep kiss, or anything else they were offering! Afterwards we had a good laugh about it, but at the time it was a little scary lol. There were a couple of other boys (when I say boys I mean male uni students) that came in to chat that seemed quite ok, couldn’t speak much English at all but they tried. They were probably trying to pick us up too, because they did ask us to go to Karaoke with them, but at least they weren’t vulgar. We gave them our email addresses, but I dunno if we will go or not.

After that, we all said our goodbyes because that was the last time we’ll all see each other for a few weeks at least. Tegan and Jemima are at Nata Temple doing work experience, and Kate, Liz, Amber and I are all at different primary schools doing our teaching pracs. So it was sad to part, but I think that we’d spend soooo much time together in the previous week that we were all a bit sick of each other so probably the break will do us good. And it can’t hurt out Japanese because we won’t be speaking so much English!

After the fair/fete thing my host family took me to Nata Temple which I have to say is about the most beautiful place on earth. (Apart maybe from Keppel Island). It’s got some big old wooden Japanese traditional buildings (5 adjectives in a row, huzzah!) and the gardens are breathtaking. It was so green and mossy, and there’s little streams and ponds all over the place so you can always hear water trickling. It was so peaceful and just absolutely beautiful. We got lots of pictures so I’ll try to send some eventually. Otherwise, you will have to just come see it for yourself cos it’s just incredible. I was completely enchanted with the place. Words really can’t describe how beautiful it was. Talk about ‘how’s the serenity’! I just felt so calm and peaceful and inspired. I’ve decided I want to make a little Japanese corner in our backyard at home, or maybe front yard otherwise George will dig it up. Anyway, just a place with some moss and rocks and a water feature where I can just sit and be tranquil. It was so amazing. I could go on all day but I’d never be able to do it justice.

One thing it reminded me of was the beauty and tranquillity of the tea ceremony we did last week. The Japanese really know how to do serenity. The tea ceremony was disciplined and quite strictly structured, but at the same time it was so peaceful and freeing. I loved it, despite the fact that sitting on one’s knees for extended periods of time is hardly comfortable. But the room was quiet and the tea and sweet cake thing was delicious and there was a big glass window looking out onto this stunning garden directly opposite where I was kneeling, and I was just transported to some other realm. The only way I can best describe it is from a word and it’s definition, that I got from the cover of a notebook I bought at a 100 yen shop. It says
“wabi-sabi – refers to a spiritual state content with tranquillity and simplicity. It could be said that it is a set of values unique to the Japanese that cherishes the beauty within more so that outer appearances.”

And I love that about this culture. It’s not rushed or half done, everything is carefully, neatly, deliberately done. Contemplation, meditation, it’s all so easy to do in these amazing places of cool, calm collectedness. I feel in touch with myself and my thoughts and life and spirit. Once again, I am enchanted. And all the diligence and structure is heaven for a slight obsessive compulsive like me. And don’t even get me started on the stationary! So much stationary, so little time/money/space in my suitcase! Haha.

On Sunday we had a bbq with the next door neighbours which was really good. Got a tad sunburnt cos we were outside for a very long time actually. Just a bit pink on the nose and neck, not too bad. Still, I was cross with myself. But the food was really good and I enjoyed chatting with the neighbours and playing with the kids. Yuusuke, my host brother, is 7 months old and just the cutest thing in the world, and the neighbours had a little boy of 18 months and a girl of about 3 and they were gorgeous and funny and sweet. (I swear I’m not clucky, honestly! ;p). It was unlike an Aussie bbq in that there were no steaks or sausages. But the men did do the actual cooking, (and the women did all the preparation lol). We did have ojii beefu tho, in little tiny chunks that were bbqed (on the tiniest little bbq thing I’ve ever seen!) and then dipped into a honey soy sauce thing which was delicious! And also fried vegies and then some yakisoba noodles, which is a kind of Japanese noodle stir fry thing. Over all it was really nice and laid back and yummy. I’ve decided I have to try as much Japanese stuff that we can’t get easily/cheaply in Oz as possible, so I had a beer, asahi this time, which I didn’t like as much as the kirin beer I had earlier in the week. Will have to try them all and decide which Japanese beer I like the most. So far, Kirin I quite liked a lot, because it wasn’t as bitter as other beers. Still, I wouldn’t say that I loved it. I probably couldn’t manage more than one cos even by the end of the can the taste was starting to get to me. Maybe I need to drink a few more so that I can’t taste anything at all? I think not. Lol. I’ll stick with water :)

Monday was a public holiday, and it was pouring with rain, so we went to an origami museum! It was aaaammmaaaaaaaazing. I can’t believe people can be so disciplined and neat to make all those incredible things out of squares of paper! About anything you can imagine, was made there out of paper! There were the usual animals and flowers and things, and then there were pictures made out of many ,many small flat origami squares, sooort of like a paper crossstich. Sort of. Then there were all sorts of strings of things hanging from the roof, from pokemon and cartoon characters to fllowers to planes. They even made a chandelier type thing out of shiny gold cranes. That was cool, you think you can get them at the auction dad? I think that would go quite nicely with your chandelier collection! Of course there were lots of cranes, and one that you could only see through a microscope (they had a microscope, I saw it, just!) and I just can’t even fathom how they could have made it, it was that small.

But my favourite would be all the diorama type scenes or origami. There were hillsides covered in trees and gardens full of flowers, winter scenes, spring scenes, autumn scenes, summer scenes, there were under the sea scenes and night sky scenes, dancing Japanese kimono-ed ladies and sumo men, a string quartet of frogs (go figure?!? Lol) and my favourite, the scene from the beginning of the lion king where all the animals gather around pride rock as the circle of life is playing. (Maaaaaaaa siveenyaaaa! Flashbacks of band camp red faces acts anyone??) Lol. It was just incredible, thousands of tiny, intricate figures all carefully crafted to make all sorts of pictures. Amazing. Again, you sort of have to see it to get the full impact of it.
We went to maccas and also to a photo booth to get those tiny photo stickers which was fun. And we went home for a nap cos it was a nice rainy day and we were all very tired. I love afternoon naps J I’ve had quite a few since being here because I’m always so tired. It’s not that I go to bed late, more that I have to get up very early. Which has never been a strong point of mine. And I’d forgotten just how very tiring it is being in another language all the time. It will get easier, I know. But right now, sleep is a cherished thing. I also watched totoro that day, which is an anime film. I really liked it, it’s by Studio Ghibli, the same people that made spirited away and other such popular Japanese animated features. So that was nice to just sit back and watch a movie. In Japanese of course, but anime is always better that way. Except maybe sailor moon lol.
Tuesday was the start of prac. I was very nervous, but of course it all turned out ok. I’d already met my prac teacher before, because she came to Rocky in August so that was good cos she was a familiar face. And everyone else has been really nice and friendly and helpful. I feel a bit silly because I can’t really communicate with the children. I’m fine in conversation with adults, but the kids are either way too shy and seiorusly there’s one girl that I just can’t hear, no matter how many times I ask her to speak up. Either that or they are too loud and talk to fast and I just don’t know what their saying. But still, they’re very nice and I appreciate that. My class is mostly boys, who are fairly rowdy, but that’s ok. Except when they don’t listen to me when I tell them to stop running. I don’t think they think I have any authority, because most of the time I just sit in class and watch and don’t do anything. (I am making notes, but I’m sure it looks like im doing nothing to them). And I’m slowly learning their names. Lunch time is always a little nerve-wracking cos I’m worried I won’t like the food, but so far no problems there. Actually, my biggest complaint is that I bit my tongue really hard the other night at tea and now it’s turned into an ulcer and it huuuuuurrrrrrrtttts. L I’ll survive.

So far I’m quite liking school actually, apart from that it’s a long day, get there before 8 and leave just after 5, which will be later and later as I actually have stuff to do. The teachers are all really helpful, and so far I’ve been to quite a few different classes just to see them. Went to gr 1 today and omg they were soooooooooooooooooooo cute. They all swarmed around me saying ‘eren sensei’ and patting my arm and holding my hands. Then one of them got his note book and asked me to sign it, and then they ALL wanted me to sign their books. Twas hilarious and gorgeous. So many little faces, and they’re just not afraid at all. They kept saying stuff really fast to me and I had NO idea what they were talking about, except for the occasional word. And I kept saying I didn’t understand, but I don’t think they understood that. Lol. It was funny and oh so cute. J And as they swarmed around me and patted my arm and asked me cute questions, I had the strongest urge to burst out singing ‘getting to know you’ from ‘the king and I.’ twould have been the perfect moment. But alas, it may have frightened the poor dears. Lol. Did I mention yet that I always have a song stuck in my head here? Things remind me of song lyrics and then I’m singing (to myself) all day. Haven’t sung aloud once yet, which is a little painful. But the fact that I want to is a really good sign, because I don’t sing when I’m sad.
Next week is when the real work begins, that’s when I have to start making proper observations of lessons and writing journals about the school and getting a bit more involved. But I’m not too worried because I’m slowly getting used to the school and learning the kids names and stuff so I’m sure I’ll be fine. I just can’t believe I’ve been there a week now. And can’t believe it’s been two weeks since I left Australia. I’ve been reminded of how strangely time works when one is away from home. Snail slow, yet gone before you know it. It’s the watching the clock that does it. At home you don’t think about the hours and days and weeks as much, at least not in the same way. You just get on with stuff and go from A to B to C. But I always find myself counting down the hours to each meal, the end of the day, bed time, ticking off the days in my calendar. It’s a case of a watched pot never boils I suppose, because it seems like time goes so slowly sometimes. But it does pass. And I’m sooooo glad it’s the weekend tomorrow and I don’t have to get up at 5.45 :D Can’t tell you how happy I am about that :)

The last two days have been colder than last week. And it’s getting darker earlier too. It’s still probably only a normal CQ winter temperature (not the one just gone, that was extra extra cold) but that bodes ill for me. If it’s this cold now, what will it be like in a month, let alone two! Going to go window shopping for a nice big puffy marshmallow winter jacket soon I think J Probably will do it tomorrow actually because my host mum and I are going to a market and then there’s a few odds and ends I need to get so I asked if we could go shopping, so that would be a good opportunity I guess. I won’t need it just yet, but may as well get it sooner rather than later. That way I’m prepared. God I hate the cold. And early mornings. But tomorrow I can have a nice big sleep in in my warm futon, yay :)

So far I haven’t gotten very homesick yet. There are times when I think about home a lot, but it’s more a fond memory thing rather than homesickness. I guess it’s still only been two weeks, but I think this time around things will be quite different to when I was in Italy. I can actually speak this language for one thing. And I have a job to do, my time is quite full actually, so I’m not trying to fill hours of spare time with nothing to do except be lonely and sad. And I’m a bit older and more mature (at least I like to think so ;p). Plus, I’ve done it before so I know the tricks that do and don’t work for making me feel better. So although I probably will get homesick, and though I was very worried about it before I left, now that I’m here I don’t think that it will be nearly as bad as I thought, let alone as hard as Italy. So yeah, feeling good on that front too. :)

And 4000 words later that’s about all I have to say! Thanks for listening J
Love to everyone
Hope you are all safe and well
Ellen
xoxoxox

posted by Ellen of Taranganba @ 6:13 AM