#2

In Japan they REALLY overreact. I sprained my ankle, so I was sent to the hospital. I was trapped in the hospital for a week, while my ankle healed. Even after the week was up, I had to use crutches to get around inside. However, it was wonderful to be out of that place.

Once a year, the school holds Trash Day. The classes end early, and the students go outside and gather waste that they find on the ground-kind of like a typical Earth Day activity in America. I managed to join the students and teach them the game of I Spy, which they had to name the item they "spied" in English.

I experienced a Japanese New Year and it was really interesting! I joined Mr. C for this year's celebration. First, we went to Mr. C's shrine, a scarlet niche decorated with smooth stalks of bamboo, clipped pine branches, and threads of white rice paper. Mr. C told me to put a coin into the trough and pull the bell to summon the god of the shrine. Then we prayed as a priest shook paper on our heads and a barefoot girl in a silk dress danced silently. After, we drank liquor with Japanese gold flakes in it.

After more prayers and festivities, we went to see the first sunrise, described as the sun goddess. While we waited (it was still dark) we toasted mochi: special balls of rice reserved for the new year.

After struggling to digest the mochi, we discussed what we wished to dream about, because what we dreamed decided our fate for the coming year. A man told me while a snake was bad luck, a fish without scales was even worse. But the absolute best dream was to see Mount Fuji. However, Japanese don't tell others what they see in their dreams.

We awoke to the cry of someone saying, "The sun! The sun!" We scrambled to climb to the mountaintop to witness the first rays coming out from the clouds. We all shouted, "Banzai!" meaning 10,000 years.

#1

Yesterday, I held an English class. The students all are very bright, however, they are trained to act as a puppet. When I ask for their name, they respond almost without life, without energy. They can recite a chapter by memory, yet when I ask for the time, they have no idea. These students have simply studied and memorized. They haven't lived, experienced the English language! This is the only way to learn.

The dress code is very strict for Japanese schools. The boys must wear black pants, a tight black blazer with brass buttons and a high neck, and a pure white, wrinkle-free shirt. The girls must wear a matching navy blue skirt and blazer. They too must wear a pure white, wrinkle-free shirt. In winter, both genders are allowed a blue or grey sweater, but pink and yellow are forbidden. For the boys, the gym clothes are navy blue, the girls florescent orange, both with white stripes down the sides. The shoes are also important. Every student must have at least four pairs of shoes: one to and from school pair, one all-purpose pair, one slip on pair for gym and a special pair for any sports they play. No Velcro is allowed, only laces. As for book bags, the bag must hang over the shoulder; no rolling backpacks are allowed.

Mr. C has been quite kind and friendly to me. Last night, we went to a party in my name at the Lucky Eel in my honor. For two hours, we drank, sang and danced. However, I was left with the bill of 125 dollars.

The students are preparing a performance for spring. Again, this is another forced activity on the students. They say it is beautiful, but on further inquiry, they do not enjoy the festivities at all. Why should something this beautiful be forced upon them?