I realise it has been some time since my last blog and I apologise for this. Schools have slowly been increasing my workload and expectations, making it near impossible for me to find a moment to myself during school hours. While it is nice to think the school trusts me as a teacher and thereby include me in more responsibilities, I am often finding myself working to the point of exhaustion most weeks. I almost said ‘no’ to a teacher this week, when asking if I could do some extra marking!
So, let me catch you up on all the wonderful events that have occurred since last I wrote…
During the last weekend of May, I journeyed to Hiroshima to see my favourite Japanese artist – One OK Rock. I didn’t know what to expect in terms of crowds and concerts in Japan. Would it be the same as Australia? Far from it!
Japan, as always, were extremely organised. Our tickets had numbered sections in which we would line-up outside ready to enter the arena. We were then permitted to enter, one group at a time, to prevent the inevitable ‘pushing’ and ‘craziness’ that is associated with concerts. As we filled into our block, not once was I pushed or squished like a sardine in a tin. I can’t be at a concert, can I?
As One OK Rock finally made their appearance, the pushing started – for merely one song! Once everyone had found their place, it was as if they were satisfied and stood back to enjoy the show. Not once was I elbowed or stepped on. I couldn’t believe I was at a music concert where no one was showing any indications of violence!!
It was an awesome experience and I loved being able to see my favourite artists live without being trampled in the process! Yet another reason Japanese people are pretty cool!
June has been a rather busy month. Most weeks at school I have felt unsuccessful, with students unresponsive and sleeping during class. It is, however, the rainy season. The weather is humid and wet, and of course, Japan is yet to allow the use of air conditioning in classrooms! It’s little wonder the students are grumpy and tired. I wouldn’t want to sit inside a stuffy classroom listening to someone speak a foreign language to me either!
However, when students respond like this in your class, you can’t help but feel you are the reason why. Is my lesson too boring for students? Do the students not like me any more? Is my activity too difficult or easy for them to do? It is these weeks that give your self-esteem a huge hit. It is these times that you question, ‘what on earth am I doing here?’ or even ‘why did I sign up for another year of this?’
Sometimes though, we need these days or weeks so we can distinguish the good from the bad. As I reflect now, I remember I had some rough weeks, but they also had some very successful highlights. Even just the smallest of improvements in my students can lift my spirits ten-fold. And that is when I am appreciative of my bad days. That is when I realise those bad days had to happen for me to rejoice about the good days!
June went by in a flash! It started with the making of a wonderful, if not slightly embarrassing, YouTube adventure. The video was created to help promote our Sayonara party for the leaving JET members. It was a rather silly, but fun day dressing up in costumes and lip-syncing to classics from the past. And yes, you can all watch it here. You should be able to spot me with ease ;) >>
The Sayonara party came about quick and I will be sad to see so many of my newly-found friends leave to return to their ‘normal’ lives. The theme for the night was ‘decades’ and everyone dressed the part! From the 20s to the naughties, people came dressed in their favourite decade (or whatever they could find in their wardrobe to match). Two hours for a party just didn’t seem long enough!
Last weekend, my friend and I decided to take a (slightly expensive) day trip to Nara. I find myself very fortunate to be located in Okayama. It is central to most major cities in Japan. The fact I could take a shinkansen to Nara and home in one day, would almost be impossible for other JETs, let alone people back home.
This was my second trip to Nara, the first being with my family. The deer were still as aggressive as before, often biting at my shirt or pants for me to feed them biscuits. However, this time we did manage to find some more ‘docile’ deer to take some photos with. These were definitely less camera shy than last time. Although, I think they were a little disappointed we had no food to give them as payment for a photo!
Once again, I visited Tendaiji Temple, the house of the largest Buddha statue in Japan. I still couldn’t believe how large this statue was and the structure that held it. The two golden ‘tails’ on the roof of the temple are Chinese symbols of fish and are meant as a protection against fires (obviously because fish live in water!). As one of the largest wooden structures in Japan, it makes sense to have such fire protection!
The Buddha statue itself is 50 metres tall and made from various metals. The two gold statues beside him are his students. They are at the level below reaching the ‘Buddha’ stage. As I have been told, they are dressed in gold and accessories to show they are still learning to be ‘simple’ like Buddha. Buddhism, after all, is about enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
I also finally understand why all Buddhist statues where a red apron or hat. Red is a symbol for harmony and to wear red means you are ridding yourself of bad spirits to allow the good to fill you. Who would’ve guessed that one?
While it was an expensive day trip, it was nice to get out of Okayama and be a tourist for a day - although it certainly is tough going to work the next day. Almost a year has passed since I started my journey on JET. Time has flown and dragged in parts, and I’ve still got another rollercoaster of a year to see through! I hope I can manage more of these small day trips to keep all of you up to date with the experiences I am having. I’m only here for what seems a short time, so I better make the most of every weekend I have left!
See you all soon!!
