Courtesy of my good friend Tomo, here's some stop-motion goodness for you to chew on while I'm away for the weekend. See you Monday.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Top 3 elementary school moments
5/29/08 edition:
1. After a brief self-introduction, I ask my new first grade students (in Japanese) if they have any questions about me. A girl in the first row raises her hand, and when I call on her, she promptly and confidently shouts "PINEAPPLE!" I tell her "good!" and move on to the next hand.
2. I walk into my sixth grade classroom only to find three separate pairs of boys sitting on each other's laps. One is facing forwards and another boy is sitting on his classmate's back and giving him a massage. Meanwhile, there is a shirtless boy in the back of the room talking to a female classmate as he changes after P.E. class. The teacher sits at her desk and reads a paper.
3. During a quiz game with the fifth graders, I call on a girl to answer only to realize that her t-shirt says "I love 69" in bold letters with a cartoon picture of robots and the phrase "kiss my ass" scrawled beneath it. The absurdity of the situation is lost on everyone but me, and after a two second break to laugh, I continue the game.
Only in the space of three class periods, and only in Japan.
1. After a brief self-introduction, I ask my new first grade students (in Japanese) if they have any questions about me. A girl in the first row raises her hand, and when I call on her, she promptly and confidently shouts "PINEAPPLE!" I tell her "good!" and move on to the next hand.
2. I walk into my sixth grade classroom only to find three separate pairs of boys sitting on each other's laps. One is facing forwards and another boy is sitting on his classmate's back and giving him a massage. Meanwhile, there is a shirtless boy in the back of the room talking to a female classmate as he changes after P.E. class. The teacher sits at her desk and reads a paper.
3. During a quiz game with the fifth graders, I call on a girl to answer only to realize that her t-shirt says "I love 69" in bold letters with a cartoon picture of robots and the phrase "kiss my ass" scrawled beneath it. The absurdity of the situation is lost on everyone but me, and after a two second break to laugh, I continue the game.
Only in the space of three class periods, and only in Japan.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
DJs drink free
A couple of quick photos from Saturday's dance party...
mannin' the wheel with Casey and Josh
apparently this guy enjoyed himself
mannin' the wheel with Casey and Josh
apparently this guy enjoyed himself
Sunday, May 25, 2008
At the plate
Got a special treat this week as The Ugly Men needed an extra hand Friday night for their open mic at Bells. Here's a look at what went down, but don't say I didn't warn you - it ain't pretty.
Two of Us
Stand by Me
Two of Us
Stand by Me
Friday, May 23, 2008
Published.
From the May 2008 Tokushima Kyouikukai:
Read on for the incredibly dull original text.
On Education
I must admit that being asked to comment on the state of education in Tokushima proposed a daunting and far-reaching task for me. As a first year ALT with access to only five of the city’s plethora of schools, I can’t help but feel that I am vastly under-qualified to make any such assessment. However, my naivety and fresh perspective on Japan as a whole, in addition to my background in education, puts me in a unique position. In the eight months since arriving at Tokushima airport, I have played witness to the ken as it is now – a snapshot of Awa life devoid of any and all preconceived notions. The following is, humbly, what I have found.
In my experience, good education begins with passion and communication. One must only peer into Inotani as it serves the lunch time rush or glance down the bustling streets of Shinmachi during Awa Odori to see that Tokushima has plenty of the former. But communication is an altogether trickier beast to tackle. In my work in the junior high schools and high schools of my hometown in America, communication between staff and students was often problematic. Many teachers lacked respect for the students (and vice versa), and the absence of a communal teachers` room only exacerbated the problem.
Thankfully, this appears to be a non-issue in Tokushima. By placing teachers in close proximity to each other and often by grade level, the schools in which I teach have created an environment in which true communication occurs. Frequent meetings between teachers also aid in this cause, and while the ALT-JTE relationship is the only one officially termed “team teaching” in the office, one could argue that, in fact, the entire staff teaches as a unified team every day.
Additionally, the implementation of cleaning time, a phenomenon that is regularly absent from American schools, develops in students a profound respect for the school and humility toward their role in the school community. The result is an environment in which both student and teacher respect and appreciate the other and the part that they play in the school. Perhaps this is why after working backbreaking hours (indeed, many teachers in America will simply refuse to work past 4 o’clock in the afternoon), most teachers can still be seen smiling at day’s end.
And still this says little of passion, which is so ever-present but equally vital in the effective running of the school. Perhaps the best example of this passion I was able to witness just last Friday at the graduation ceremony for Josei Junior High School. As the ceremony ended and the third grade students prepared to make their walk through a tunnel of friendly faces and on into high school, I marveled at the incredible number of first and second grade students who had showed up in support. When I asked my teacher why these students, who weren’t required to be at school that day, were at the school, she simply said, “Because they want to be.” I was touched by the students` dedication toward each other, and I have little doubt that this was a familiar scene across Tokushima on Friday.
So while there are perceptible problems with Tokushima’s schools that I fail to address here (some having to do with the implementation of ALTs in the English classroom), they are ultimately readily addressable because of the strong base of communication and passion that underlies our city. The state of education in Tokushima is strong, and as long as the community continues to support its schools, I am confident that any issues that arise can be remedied. It is often said that teaching is a winning profession because, unlike the banker or the stockbroker, one who teaches is investing in people, for which there is always a reward. If this is true, and I believe it to be so, then education in Tokushima will continue to prosper. For this is a community which has a firm investment in its youths, and I look forward in great anticipation to see its returns.
Read on for the incredibly dull original text.
On Education
I must admit that being asked to comment on the state of education in Tokushima proposed a daunting and far-reaching task for me. As a first year ALT with access to only five of the city’s plethora of schools, I can’t help but feel that I am vastly under-qualified to make any such assessment. However, my naivety and fresh perspective on Japan as a whole, in addition to my background in education, puts me in a unique position. In the eight months since arriving at Tokushima airport, I have played witness to the ken as it is now – a snapshot of Awa life devoid of any and all preconceived notions. The following is, humbly, what I have found.
In my experience, good education begins with passion and communication. One must only peer into Inotani as it serves the lunch time rush or glance down the bustling streets of Shinmachi during Awa Odori to see that Tokushima has plenty of the former. But communication is an altogether trickier beast to tackle. In my work in the junior high schools and high schools of my hometown in America, communication between staff and students was often problematic. Many teachers lacked respect for the students (and vice versa), and the absence of a communal teachers` room only exacerbated the problem.
Thankfully, this appears to be a non-issue in Tokushima. By placing teachers in close proximity to each other and often by grade level, the schools in which I teach have created an environment in which true communication occurs. Frequent meetings between teachers also aid in this cause, and while the ALT-JTE relationship is the only one officially termed “team teaching” in the office, one could argue that, in fact, the entire staff teaches as a unified team every day.
Additionally, the implementation of cleaning time, a phenomenon that is regularly absent from American schools, develops in students a profound respect for the school and humility toward their role in the school community. The result is an environment in which both student and teacher respect and appreciate the other and the part that they play in the school. Perhaps this is why after working backbreaking hours (indeed, many teachers in America will simply refuse to work past 4 o’clock in the afternoon), most teachers can still be seen smiling at day’s end.
And still this says little of passion, which is so ever-present but equally vital in the effective running of the school. Perhaps the best example of this passion I was able to witness just last Friday at the graduation ceremony for Josei Junior High School. As the ceremony ended and the third grade students prepared to make their walk through a tunnel of friendly faces and on into high school, I marveled at the incredible number of first and second grade students who had showed up in support. When I asked my teacher why these students, who weren’t required to be at school that day, were at the school, she simply said, “Because they want to be.” I was touched by the students` dedication toward each other, and I have little doubt that this was a familiar scene across Tokushima on Friday.
So while there are perceptible problems with Tokushima’s schools that I fail to address here (some having to do with the implementation of ALTs in the English classroom), they are ultimately readily addressable because of the strong base of communication and passion that underlies our city. The state of education in Tokushima is strong, and as long as the community continues to support its schools, I am confident that any issues that arise can be remedied. It is often said that teaching is a winning profession because, unlike the banker or the stockbroker, one who teaches is investing in people, for which there is always a reward. If this is true, and I believe it to be so, then education in Tokushima will continue to prosper. For this is a community which has a firm investment in its youths, and I look forward in great anticipation to see its returns.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Scranton east
Just got an email about this today and had to check it out. Funnier if you understand the Japanese, but still possibly better than the current season of The Office.
Sneak preview
Saturday, May 24 2008
Ingrid's International Dance Dance Resolution Party
Set 1
Jurassic 5 - Back 4 U (3:17)
Estelle - American Boy (4:05)
Kanye West - Stronger (5:15)
Michael Jackson - Rock With You (3:41)
Jamie Lidell - Out of My System (3:58)
Rock Kills Kid - Paralyzed (3:05)
Common - Be (3:59)
Jay-Z - 99 Problems (3:55)
Mark Ronson - Stop Me (3:59)
NERD - Lap Dance (3:39)
Alicia Keys - Teenage Love Affair (3:10)
Sean Kingston - Beautiful Girls (3:44)
Lupe Fiasco - Superstar (feat. Matthew Santos) (4:51)
Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Till You Get Enough (6:05)
Jordan Sparks ft. Chris Brown - No Air (4:24)
Ingrid's International Dance Dance Resolution Party
Set 1
Jurassic 5 - Back 4 U (3:17)
Estelle - American Boy (4:05)
Kanye West - Stronger (5:15)
Michael Jackson - Rock With You (3:41)
Jamie Lidell - Out of My System (3:58)
Rock Kills Kid - Paralyzed (3:05)
Common - Be (3:59)
Jay-Z - 99 Problems (3:55)
Mark Ronson - Stop Me (3:59)
NERD - Lap Dance (3:39)
Alicia Keys - Teenage Love Affair (3:10)
Sean Kingston - Beautiful Girls (3:44)
Lupe Fiasco - Superstar (feat. Matthew Santos) (4:51)
Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Till You Get Enough (6:05)
Jordan Sparks ft. Chris Brown - No Air (4:24)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Why I love Japan - Entry 6
Behold the capsule hotel! Allowing males everywhere to live out their boyhood rocket ship bed fantasies, and at roughly 2500 yen per night, an absolute bargain. Most are men only, which provides for a real boys club atmosphere complete with crowded bathing areas and yukata clad men sitting silently around a TV sipping beers, but it hardly matters anyway. A true find in Japan.
warning: not for the claustrophobic
inside the alien craft
my home in A32
the view from within
warning: not for the claustrophobic
inside the alien craft
my home in A32
the view from within
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Yakyuu
I took a time-out during my trip to Hiroshima to catch a baseball game and some home comforts (real hot dogs!), and I've got to say I wasn't disappointed. The hometown Carp mounted a ferocious late game rally to win 8-6, but the real excitement happened in the stands. Here's a look at the frenzy from my standing position.
first inning action
the crowd entranced
a ghostbuster?
nope, just the beer guy
seventh inning stretch - time to blow up the big pink balloons!
and then this happened
victory for the home team
first inning action
the crowd entranced
a ghostbuster?
nope, just the beer guy
seventh inning stretch - time to blow up the big pink balloons!
and then this happened
victory for the home team
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
City and colour
Dallas Green is City and Colour, and City and Colour is good. Bring Me Your Love is Green's second studio release under his side-project moniker (Dallas = City, & Green = Colour - get it?), and the stirring results couldn't be more different from the screamo sounds of his post-harcore band, Alexisonfire. Opting for sparse arrangements consisting of little more than an acoustic guitar, a harmonica, and the occasional hand clap recorded in equally stark and open spaces, Bring Me Your Love oozes warmth and sincerity. A glum affair, sure, but also a genuinely intimate one, and my favorite album of 2008 so far. Watch the video for first single "Waiting" below:
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Return of the game show
acid trip
-noun Slang.
a psychedelic experience induced by ingesting the hallucinogen LSD.
[Origin: 1965–70]
-noun Slang.
a psychedelic experience induced by ingesting the hallucinogen LSD.
[Origin: 1965–70]
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Hiroshima by night
As vibrant as Hiroshima is during the day, I prefer it at night, when the candles are lit and Peace Park really stays true to its name. Lights will guide you home...
winding down the flower festival
a field of lights
visitors' messages of peace
candle art in honor of the hana matsuri
riverside concert opposite the A-bomb Dome
winding down the flower festival
a field of lights
visitors' messages of peace
candle art in honor of the hana matsuri
riverside concert opposite the A-bomb Dome
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Hiroshima by day
Finally back from my long weekend and in a mood to share. Two days in Hiroshima taking in the history and the annual flower festival, and a day spent roaming around Miyajima Island and it's famous floating torii, "officially" one of the three most picturesque views in all of Japan. Here's what it looks like on a computer screen.
monument for victims of the a-bomb
a brighter view of the peace museum
the A-bomb Dome
Hiroshima castle from afar
kids love wild deer
the Seto Naikai from Mt. Misen
the floating torii at high tide...
...and at low tide
THE WORLD'S LARGEST WOODEN SPATULA (!!)
If I ever come across a real tanuki, I pray he looks
like this and is surrounded by tiny aliens.
monument for victims of the a-bomb
a brighter view of the peace museum
the A-bomb Dome
Hiroshima castle from afar
kids love wild deer
the Seto Naikai from Mt. Misen
the floating torii at high tide...
...and at low tide
THE WORLD'S LARGEST WOODEN SPATULA (!!)
If I ever come across a real tanuki, I pray he looks
like this and is surrounded by tiny aliens.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
In focus
Greetings from Hiroshima! In town for a little solo re-centering retreat - just me, the camera, and a notebook. If I had to sum up the trip in a word, it would be "important." This is a city that lives; five minutes in town and I was already in tears. The resolve and overwill goodwill flowing in and out of this place is remarkable. It's no wonder I've taken over 100 pictures already and not a single one has me in it.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a baseball game to catch.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a baseball game to catch.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Goodbye to Sakura
With the onset of May, the beloved cherry blossom season in Tokushima has officially come to an end. It was a fleeting love affair, but thankfully I managed to capture some pics before the break up.
family Christmas card, Ryoan-ji, Kyoto
Ueno Park, Tokyo
hanami in the rain, Tokushima Park
family Christmas card, Ryoan-ji, Kyoto
Ueno Park, Tokyo
hanami in the rain, Tokushima Park
Thursday, May 1, 2008
More musicians doing cool stuff
Taking a page out of the Thom Yorke playbook, Coldplay released "Violet Hill," the first single off their soon-to-be-released album Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, for free on their website this past Tuesday. The song rocks, but that seems a given. What really rocks is having a band considered amongst the biggest in the world (and the cornerstone for the entire EMI label) decide to give away a single for free a full week before the song's official release. The song was downloaded by over 600,000 people in its first 24 hours online, but that's nothing in comparison to the number of appreciative fans who will go out and purchase their LP when it drops in early June. Sometimes good will and good business really do go hand in hand.
To download "Violet Hill," just follow the link: http://www.coldplay.com/song.html
To download "Violet Hill," just follow the link: http://www.coldplay.com/song.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
