Kyouiku Gasshuku

I just got back from the kyouiku gasshuku (education training camp) that my school plans every year for the first year students. It was basically to help us transition into high school and make friends. Also, it got us into the right mindset in order to succeed in school and throughout our lives. One activity during the camp required each homeroom to think of their class goals and present them. It seemed simple enough, but everyone took it to the next level. For the presentations on stage, I saw classes do skits, speeches, sing, rap, and do back-flips to show their goals. I was really amazed by my classmates. They took it seriously and paid attention to detail, all while laughing and goofing off together. Even when just playing games as a class, we had goals and worked together to achieve them. I don't think I've ever seen this much effort come out of high-school students before. It was really heart-warming and fun to be a part of.

Of course, there were parts that were not so fun as well, like practicing getting into different lines, and the correct greeting and bowing sequence. It was actually kind of funny though, because we kept messing up the order of the greeting and bowing, or saying the wrong greeting, and having to do it again.

Overall, I'm having a little trouble making friends, but my classmates are really awesome so I'm sure I'll be fine. By the way, after the class goal presentations, the teachers decided a winner, which was ~*drum roll*~ class 6! Or in other words, the class I'm in! *applause* Thank you, thank you. I know, it was totally my influence that allowed us to win (kidding).

Now I'm getting really excited for our normal classes to begin. During the camp, we started studying math, which for me was really fun. I've learned a whole bunch of new words, like 分配法則 (bunpai housoku), or in English, “ the distribution laws (distributive properties).”

Anyway, since I have some free time now, I'll probably be able to get my pictures all set up sometime soon. Although there's strict rules on what pictures I can show on the internet, so you may see a lot of scenery photos. In other words, look forward to seeing the Japanese landscape! Yay!

Oh and if any of you reading this have any questions about my experience so far, feel free to ask in the comments section. Please don't spam me with questions though. I'll try to answer as many questions as I can to the best of my ability. Also, if you have any requests for future posts, I'd be happy to do a section on that topic. 

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Sentaku (laundry)

The most difficult thing I've had to face in Japan so far would be, without a doubt, laundry. It's the little details that really get me in trouble every time. First, let me explain the whole laundry process step by step:

-Extend the hose attached to the washing machine into the bathroom and put the end (nozzle?) in the tub.

-You don't have to worry about dividing your clothes into lights, or darks, or colors or anything. The colors won't bleed onto your white clothes.

-Put your dirty clothes into the machine, put in detergent, push buttons, you get the gist.

-When it's done, you take out each piece of clothing and sort of shake it a bit (I can't explain this very well without visuals).

-Then you go out on the balcony to hang up your clothes to dry, but don't forget to put on your balcony slippers first!

-Use all sorts of clips and hangers to hang everything up in just the right way so that they'll dry properly.

-Make sure to stretch and smooth out your clothes otherwise they'll get all “shiwa shiwa” (wrinkly), as my host mother would say.

-When hanging up your socks and underwear on the weird clippy thing (again, visuals are needed), put your socks on the outside and your underwear towards the middle to sort of hide them because the neighbor's window is right across from you.

- When you're done, or step inside for a bit, be sure to close the curtains because again, you don't know who could be watching.

-Take in the hangers right away so that the crows don't swoop down and snatch them from you. (I learned these last two earlier today)

Complicated, right? It might take me a while before I can get it perfect.

When I first arrived at my new home in Japan, I told my host family that I would do my own laundry. I thought that it would be easier on them if they didn't have to worry about my laundry as well as their own. However, a few days ago my host mother had a talk with me. Apparently the way I was keeping my dirty laundry was really disgusting. At home in Minnesota, I normally just put my dirty laundry in a basket in my room and let it pile up until it made a full load, so that's what I had been doing in my host family's house as well. Since my host mother didn't like that method, I told her I would bring my basket down to where the washing machine is and wash my clothes with everyone else's after the next load of mine, as it had already piled up. So then I started to unload my clothes into the washing machine, but when I uncovered my black sweater, I shrieked and dropped the basket. Lying dead among the dirty clothes was one of the biggest spiders I have ever seen. I'm talking bigger than a 500 yen coin. I think in that moment I was probably mentally scarred for life. I told my host mother that I would never let it pile up in my room again. Even when I return to America. 

Nyuugakushiki

I woke up late for my new high school's Nyuugakushiki (entrance ceremony) today. My hair was a wild mess, and I didn't even have time to eat breakfast before heading out the door. Nonetheless, I was really excited, and happy to finally wear the necktie with my seifuku (uniform), as it is only worn at ceremonies. Since I'm not actually going to graduate from this school, I wasn't allowed to participate, but I expressed my desire to see the nyuugakushiki and got permission to sit in the upper part with the band. Before the new first year students came in, there was a stretch of probably about 10~15 minutes of pure silence that I have never before experienced. You could have dropped a pencil and the entire five-hundred-and-something people would probably be able to hear it. The entire ceremony was very serious and I could feel the new responsibility as a student settle on me. The principal's speech was very inspiring and, to my surprise, she even announced the arrival of a foreign exchange student (that's me!). From tomorrow on, I'll be a part of the first year's class six, and eventually the chorus club as well. Although the dialect of the prefecture I'm in is especially strong in the younger generation, so I may have some difficulty understanding my classmates. Still, I can't wait to see what class is like and finally make some more friends.

Note: The day I write these entries and the day I actually post them may differ quite a bit.

Preview of the pictures to come~

Since I only just now figured out how I'm going to show the pictures I've taken so far, I thought for now I'd just write about the journey to my host family and random stuff I learned along the way. Please keep in mind that what I write in here is based upon my experiences and opinions. What I write in here does not apply to Japan as a whole, and includes only what I have come in contact with and my thoughts so far. As the year progresses my viewpoints could change as well. Also please note that, as I'm am no longer using English outside of this blog, my English will mostly likely get worse as time passes. I think that's about everything, so I'll move on to the trip to my host family.

In case there are those of you wondering about what an 11 and a half hour plane ride is like, I'd be happy to share. The first word I can come up with to describe it is, of course, long. Also, when sitting next to another person for that long, all your reservations go away. I ended up shamelessly sleeping in awkward positions, like with my my forehead smashed against the tray extending from the seat in front of me. I read the letters some of my friends and family gave me as well, but because I'm so manly, I unexpectedly didn't cry at all. (Though a week later my manly exterior cracked and I cried a bunch. I just love you guys too much!)

Setting the plane ride aside, the airport in Japan was really cool. The bus stop place was so nice compared to what I had previously experienced in the airport back in America. There was a wide space of land with which to stand on while waiting for a bus, and even though it was still daytime, there was no competition between the buses and taxi for a spot to pick up passengers. Even customs and such was quick and painless.

After arriving in Japan, I spent a lot of time with the other exchange students from all different countries. At the place we stayed, I also experienced my first communal bath. I didn't really know what to do or where to go though. That's when I came up with my new motto: I embarrass myself today, so that I won't tomorrow. This way of thinking has helped me a lot these past weeks. In other words, entering into a different culture than your own involves some embarrassment. For those of you curious about the correct procedures in a Japanese communal bath: (This is based upon my observations, instructions given to me, and may not apply to every communal bath.) First, bring clothes to change into and two towels, one big and one small, into the changing room. Shampoo and such is not needed as it is already provided, unless you have allergies in which case bring your own products. Leave your clothes, including the ones you're wearing, and the big towel in one of the baskets (or lockers) in the changing room. You can use the small towel for covering yourself and enter the bathing room with it. If a showering station is open, sit down at one and wash yourself. Once finished cleaning yourself, enter the big bath with the others. You must not get any soap into the big bath so make sure to rinse off well. Also, you should tie your hair up to prevent any from getting into the bath. Of course, after that you dry yourself and change in the changing room. This also applies to most onsen (hot springs) as well. Now that I've explained everything, none of you readers should feel embarrassed if you ever come in contact with a communal bath, right?

I also used washiki toire (squat toilets) while I was there. It really isn't something to gasp about. Even after the first time, it felt very normal. You just face the hood of it, squat and go. No big deal.

Wow, this has turned into a long toilet and bath explanation. Don't worry, I'm done. For now.

Random observations along the way:

-It's really hard to take pictures when in a vehicle because there are so many tall barriers along the sides of the roads.

-I normally hold my breath and make a wish when going into tunnels, but the ones I went through in Japan are so long that I'd probably die if I did.

-”Peanut cream” as what what written on the package, is way different from peanut butter. It's sweeter, creamier, and lighter.

-Mori no Ike (Concordia College language village camp) prepared me for this way more than I could have imagined.

-It's normal not to have paper towels in public bathrooms sometimes.

-It's normal in houses and hotels to not have soap in the toilet room. (oops, I ended up talking about toilets and bathrooms again.)

The time I spent with the other exchange students was really fun, and I ended up learning a lot about different cultures. For example, I learned that in Malay they greet each other with “Have you eaten?” I also received a sucker made with goat milk from another exchange student, among other things.

I think that even if you preach about everyone being one as humankind, if you don't ever come into contact with people other than of your own country, you can't truly feel the meaning of those words. After living, eating, and bathing together with people from all different countries, I can tell you that I strongly feel that I am a citizen of the world. That experience really opened my eyes. I don't think I'll ever forget the friends I made there.

To Be Continued~

I'm Alive

After about two weeks I think I've finally done it. I have obtained internet access. So I would like to take this opportunity to say that I'm still alive. However, I'm still figuring things out so I have no pictures yet and no time to write a long entry on my experience so far. I can say that in terms of language I have been absolutely fine. Since coming here I haven't had to speak in English at all, although there are still many Japanese words I do not know. Everyday my vocabulary expands further and I can't wait to learn more once school starts. I'm still getting used to the cultural differences, but I'll adapt soon enough. For now, just know that I am alive and doing well.