Do all Americans own guns? Yes they do.

Classes have begun! And ZOMG I am getting my dose of children for a very long time.  You think I was hesitant to have children before (hesitant meaning loathe), well I have seen enough bodily fluids ejaculated from enough children to serve me well for another few years.  Sometimes children make me want to vomit. I mean, its not their fault really... but theyre SO GROSS!!!

That being said, I am actually enjoying my kid's classes.  I had 11 classes when the schedules were first created and now I have *15*. I hear this is high, since most of my friends have about 10.  I am also going to really far schools- as I pointed out in my last blog.  Nonetheless, I have gotten my Ipad up to speed and can play games and chat with a speedy interweb connection and I am happy on my lengthy commutes.

I've learned the more I prepare the easier the classes are.  Kind of a DUH thing to say really, but I want to procrastinate then I remember how much better they are when I don't and I get myself to buckle down and get things done.  Thus far I can honestly say that I have good kids.  Only one kid sticks out in my head as being annoying- kinda unruly- and one as completely shell shocked when it comes to speaking out loud.  Otherwise, if they see I am trying to keep them entertained, they usually go with the flow.  I've had no serious mishaps with behaviour yet.  Please knock on wood now.... Also, I must say, KEW training (kid's training) really kicked my arse but I am falling back on it tons now that the madness has begun.  Props to my trainers. ^_^

2 students of note: One is a Voyager level 1 student.  That is the highest level you can be at ECC.  He studied here at Waseda U. which is one of the best colleges in Japan, then went to England to get his Masters and PHD in Engineering.  His is an ENGLISH MASTER! Actually, he is just a boss at life.  And you guessed it, he's my age.  I feel SO STUNTED when I talk to these people! *jealous pout* Anyway, he's interviewing for a position at the top local university so I said I would edit his powerpoint presentation this week.  Welp, I just read it.  It's really good.  A few errors here and there but no more than I would find editing a native speaker's paper.  Ah genius.  I love it.

Second student is in her 40's.  She's a factory worker.  Didn't go to college.  She says she didn't really have ambition to do anything.  She's been studying English off and on for a while now and SHE'S REALLY GOOD! It's so rare that you find someone that's only been learning a language from a book, that can speak it so natively.  Anyway, she's been a level 3 since I've met her and I'd been trying to get her to level up to 2- also Voyager level- but she's been nervous.  This past Saturday though, she came in to take the test WITH ME! ^_^ She lives a good 40 minutes from the school I was teaching at on Saturday but she spoke to the other school, found out where I was, then set up a lesson specifically with me. ^_^ She said had one point left that she could use for a lesson or a level up test, and she wanted to take the test.  Also, she wanted to take it with me because she knew my English better than anyone else's.  She passed the test easily.  Now she's a Voyager! To think, she's a factory worker.  She has such an aptitude for language though... it's amazing.

So psychology says that after about 4 months in a place you start to get homesick.  The place no longer seems magical and you start to notice flaws.  Well I certainly do not feel homesick.  However, I've been keeping a list of things that I find odd about Japan.  I think because Japan in particular is really a developed and advanced country in so many ways, these anomalies catch me off guard in a way that is shocking and most times humorous.  like hysterically humorous. like, i dont want to laugh in your face japan... BUT WHAAA? THAT kind of funny.

Question: "Do all Americans own guns?" Answer: "Yes." Its almost a resounding "yes" for Japanese people.  They have seen so many of our movies and news shows that they honestly think we are living in some sort of wild wild west.  Japan just doesn't have shootings. When they see our gang shows or news shows or movies... they think we're all gun wielding folk.  When I tell them I am from California and in California... most people do not own guns (unless they own illegal guns)... they are confused.  Some have even SCOFFED AT ME! LIKE I'M LYING! It's pretty hilarious.  Then I explain that only people in backwards states... like Oklahoma or Kansas or Alabama or something own guns in abundance. ^_^

Next question: "Do you like McDonalds hamburgers?" Answer: "Yes" So I told a girl that I was a vegetarian... Then we continued with the lesson and she came to this and asked me, "do you like McDonalds hamburgers?" To which I replied, "No, I am a vegetarian and don't eat hamburgers.  And when I did, I didn't eat McDonalds." She was confused two fold.  First, she didn't make the connection that being vegetarian meant not eating hamburgers.  Then once she did, she didn't understand how I still did not enjoy McDonalds hamburgers.  BECAUSE ALL AMERICANS MUST LIKE MCDONALDS HAMBURGERS!! She's just one example though. I've had many just like this.

Other random stereotypes: 

- All Americans eat sandwiches- all the time and always for lunch.  Not a bad one really.  Honestly, I didn't realize just how much I like sandwiches before moving here. hahaha. 

- A Japanese student asked my friend if blond hair actually grew out of her head. Naturally. lol.

- If you are living with a roommate of the opposite sex, you either are having sex with them OR you WILL BE! OR if you have no intention of having sex with them, and you are female, you'll probably just get raped. True story.  I polled like 30 people. lol

Things I've noticed about Japan thus far: 

- They use a LOT OF MAYO. WHY?? ITS SOOO DISGUSTING! EEEEWWW!!! but they do. they use it a lot. and copious amounts of it.  ugh.  On random things, like french fries! or salads! 

- A LOT OF THE GIRLS ARE PIGEON TOED! wth? is that something you're born with? I didn't think so! is it learned?? why?? do they think its cute? I keep waiting for one of them to trip on their own feet.  When I finally see it happen, I will laugh.  Then possibly take a picture or two.  

- All the girls look like they've walked out of the SAME STORE! James said this is called "fashion" but I refuse to buy anything in a beige, light brown, or dark brown this year.  THEY ALL LOOK THE SAME! LIKE THERE'S ONLY ONE STORE IN ALL OF NAGOYA!!!

- Bad fashion. I don't know who thought it was a good idea to promote McHammer pants in 2012 but they're here.

This was then. 

This is now.  

Arguably, she is much prettier and thus the pants don't look like a -90 on the ugly scale... but whoever thought this was a good idea should be slapped.  It's like when girls thought it was cute to wear rompers.  If you're older than the age of 3, you should not be wearing a romper!

Ok. Rant over. lol.  Anyway, moving on... speaking of moving on! I am moving! Soon! lol.  I am still looking at Osu Kannon... because that's the area I enjoy the most... but I am looking at a bunch of places really.  I turned down the room in Freebell with the hopes of finding a place in Osu even... Freebell is in Nagoya and its referred to as the gaijin (gaijin = foreigner) ghetto because of all the foreigners who live there... It's not completely off my list but it's near Nagoya station... which is a bit further away from Osu than I live now... Still keeping my fingers crossed for that perfect place though!

Dating news.  Yohsuke was over other the other day and he tried cheez-its for the first time! He didn't want to try them because he said the box looked boring. -.- He also said if he saw them in the market, he'd walk right past them! Well! He was wrong! He loved them! lol.  Ah yes, it feels good to share the joy of cheez-it.  I feel like I have done a good deed.  

Speaking of which.  I went through 4 bags of Goldfish AND 2 boxes of cheez-it in 2 weeks! *gasp!*

I can't tell if I am supposed to refer to Yohsuke as my boyfriend.  Relationships scare me a bit... and I am a bit hesitant to jump into one... but its been a good long while since my last... but ugh... relationships. UGH. Between the two of us, I'm the one holding back... but people here get into relationships and then just get married or something! That's too intense for my feble mentality.  Donno.  

The other day I got to sample what it's like to date a working Japanese man, when his work meeting ended up running *6* hours OVER and ultimately canceling our plans.  He ran to my apartment to give me something he'd bought for me, then ran back to work. Literally.  I'd forgotten what it's like to date a workaholic.... you know, I've been dating slackers as of late. muwhahaha.  lol.  And really, Yohsuke isn't even a workaholic... but by American standards he probably would be.  

And done.  Ok, so that was super long. Still planning things to do for Golden Week... but I hate people... and crowds.... hrm.... Oyasumi! (good night!)

where are my red ruby slippers?

in one of my lessons, i asked my students to ask me some intro questions but the stipulation was that they couldnt ask me anything generic like; when did you come to japan, do you like japanese food, etc. i got some really interesting questions.... like:

what was the happiest moment of your life?
who do you admire the most in this world?
if you could adapt to land, sea, or air, what would it be?
if you could spend a day with your favorite actor or actress, what would you do?
if you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be?
and of course, if you could have one superpower, what would it be?

some pretty good questions from my mid level english students. i had to really think about some of those questions... but the super power question is something that i always know the answer to. id want time travel. no question. i always want to do so many things... and can never find the time to do them all... imagine... i could nap during my ten minutes between classes! i could make it to my sisters graduation without having to take any vacation time! oh the things i would do! lol.

last week was pretty awesome. i finished the end of my stint at kariya and i got to talk with the guy who is taking over my shift there. gave him a bit of a heads up on the students so he would have an idea about what ive been teaching the kids and how he can effectively take over. i was sad to say goodbye but i was so very excited when the kids were able to introduce themselves and follow my commands easily. ^_^

i went to the midland party last saturday night! it was fun! =) i got to say goodbye to a bunch of friends there and hang with some people that i am fairly certain will continue to be close... yohsuke was my date for the night. it was kinda funny since we were at an izakaya (tavern) and neither of us drank at all. he drove and like a good boy he did not even take a sip of alcohol. he was really responsible. i was impressed. it is especially difficult with all the pressure there is to drink! ...not to mention we *were* at an izakaya... lol. i did a toast but since i am also not a fan of alcohol, i drank mostly oj. there was tons of food and some party games. quite a lively event. =)

after the party yohsuke and i hung out for a while more... he drives - which isnt so rare in aichi since many car manufactures are in the area. i must admit though, driving in japan scares me. they also drive on the wrong side of the road. yes, them. not us.

i am pretty sure we are dating now... though i am not so good with things unless they are explicitly stated clearly, plainly, and without confusion... and i am pretty (very) dense when it comes to guys, but i have gathered this is the case. yes i know, i like labels. it keeps things straight in my head and me free from potential mishaps. we took a nice photo on saturday night but its on my phone and i am too lazy to upload it at the moment. ^_^ donno where this will go but i am keeping an open mind... its been like 6 years since ive dated anyone really - officially anyway - so its different. but change builds character right? i think hes a nice guy. aside from communication errors, we seem to get along well.

communication error example: in japan they use a thing called mixi. its like facebook but people are not required to use their real names and people are always using mixi to hook up with other people.... so if you have a lot of mixi friends and youre single, chances are youre a play girl/guy... yohsuke just started using facebook and doesnt have too many friends... anyway when he saw my profile, he thought i was a playgirl. -.-" yep, he thought i was hooking up with all the random people on my facebook. could you imagine me a playgirl? i would be such a TERRIBLE playgirl... i can barely keep information straight on one person! on myself even! it was funny. we laughed.

in other news, i might have found a roommate. its odd because here in japan people dont really have roommates since most people live at home with family. its even stranger when a guy and girl room together... so more than one person has commented on the idea of me having a male roommate here in japan. ive always had male roommates though... guys are so easy to live with! lol. now that jennifer has made her way back to kyoto though, i need to figure out what i am going to do... and soon!

also my schedule is mostly finalized for next year. it is as follows: mon- kuwana, tue- ozone, wed- handa, thurs- tsu, fri- off, sat- handa, sun- off. i am including a map so you can see what this means actually. kuwana and handa are about 40 min away in different directions. tsu is 80 min away. T_T and ozone is about 20 min away.

i am looking into plans for my ipad... hopefully i can find a cheap enough one for my journeys. on the nights i work in tsu, i wont be home until like 1130 which is crappy but at least i dont work the next day. i also really like handa school. yohsuke lives in mie prefecture also (where kuwana and tsu are) so maybe i can hang with him while i am there... ozone is cool too. its a smaller school but the staff is very nice. =) all in all, it should be an amusing adventure!

its now officially wednesday. i have training later today and tomorrow. then one more week of shuffling around and the new year begins! i am really excited! ^_^

ok, i didnt study japanese tonight but i should sleep now so i am not too tired tomorrow... because i will need to study japanese tomorrow... -.-

happy hump day!