Why Avril can't make it in Canada or Japan

So as you all can imagine, Japan is all flooded with music. On a regular basis I'm asked if I know the words to a song, or an inquisition to my favourite bands... to which I follow-up, Spice Girls?
Japanese music- it's hard to walk around anywhere and not hear it blasting in the bars, clubs, and even classrooms. In all honesty, I have taken up the liking of many of my students' tastes in music- ranging from mainstream to pop- which is not much of a range of talent. However, I will admit that the music is QUITE catchy- not to mention the titles of these songs and bands. Bands such as GREeeeeeeeN, SMAP and Exile! are a hit, with the majority of praise going to female singers.
Ito Yuna, an American-Japanese singer has just released a new song called Koi was Groovy x2 http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=uuZgdITZqXU
Koi" means "Love" and "wa" means "is"... so I suppose you can fill out the blanks. Without a doubt, my grade 9 students will most likely be singing the song by the end of the school term. At least they can say the sparse English words used in the song- I'm thrilled.
To go beyond the surface of enjoyment of music, the centralization of Japanese music has really been secluded from the outside world (the entire world), ironic, as Western music is just as popular as it was back home. Rihanna and Ne-yo are blasted through the radio stations, however, in asking about the knowledge of starts such as Madonna and Avril Lavigne they had no idea who I was talking about. This shocked me- however, it is a good representation of engrained the Japanese are in their own culture and neglect, however not intentionally censor the outside world. This is just one of the examples of how Western culture has not made it to this part of the world just as much as what we thought.
Maybe it can also explain why all Western artists put out Japanese versions of their tracks and records...not because it is a huge market, but because they need a different appeal than the West.

Momijigari

I never looked at leaves in such a way. Until only recently, I have never appreciated the Autumn season, but by far and large, being in Japan has definitely given me more excitement over the changing colours of fall. In Toronto, the leafs change and then fall- rather quickly. Then we move on with the rain.

The amazing thing about autumn in Japan is that it is appreciated! And for good reasons. Firstly, because all four seasons are distinct from one another, with autumn bringing cooler temperatures and lasting sunshine. This all amounts to perfect weather to maintain great red leaves "momiji" and using this time of year as an excuse to get out, read a book outside or paint a painting. No wonder this season is known as the Artists` season.

There is an entire word to describe the thrill of seeing a read leaf change colour. Momijigari is a pilgrimage people make to spot the best red leaves. And the timing is impeccable! There are news casts which describe and offer the best locations and times of the viewing. If anyone is interested I can show you a map that indicates the locations and the periods which offer the best viewing.

Which brings me to the crowds. A stroll in Kyoto is by far and large a struggle any Saturday afternoon. Add on to that the Autumn season and the tour groups flock! Flocking for the best picture in all of Kyoto, these rather excited and sometimes scary crowds will push for the perfect picture- irregardless of the respect and history of the temple or palace.

I will admit though, there is something rather magical about the changing of the leaves, a feeling I haven't experiences before Japan. I can't wait for spring when the cherry blossoms bloom. I can now say that Autumn is by far my most desired season, well in Japan. And autumn brings delicious foods as well!

Karaoke

I still remember the Thursday nights at the Tir Nan Og, in Kingston- standing on a stage singing to a crowd just awaiting to hear my voice. Of course, this was only enjoyable enough with the right mood, song and crowd, yet the Japanese really do redefine the art of Karaoke. Karaoke is by far the most celebrated event of a Japanese night out, for foreigners and locals alike.
Essentially, this is what the night usually entails. The suggestion is made well in advance to create a spark in the evening events and of course to increase anticipation. Everyone meets at the Karaoke venue. The venue itself is not a bar, but a hotel-like building, with individual rooms and areas to privately enjoy your evening without the disturbance of others. These venues have such names as Cote D'Azure, Shidax, Big Echo, My Pleasure, and so on. The event becomes an 'all you can drink' for the small fee of 3,000 yen (or $30)- well worth the price. These events can easily add up, with profits of nearly 6 or 7 hundred dollars a night to the venue. After about 4 or 5 hours of Aerosmith and Elton John everyone is ready to head back to their respective places of residence. It should be noted that the selection of songs is massive, with hits from the 1980s well up to recent popular songs.
Not only do the foreigners love this event, as it is a great opportunity to bond, the Japanese also favour Karaoke, singing Japanese songs, with a mix of some Western hits. I will admitt that the best night out MUST include some karaoke, as everyone loosens up and enjoys the night. What's even better is combining events with karaoke- hence the photo.

EXCUSEMEmasen

So, not everything in Japan co-exists with food, but I'm sure you can relate this next entry with food somehow. Apologizing. I wish I could just stop there and say that the Japanese apologize.... a lot! Excessively? I've yet to determine whether it is sincereity or rather customary, however, in any regards they apologies as much as the Canadians talk on their cellphones (In Japan it is customary to txt).
In the English language we use the terms "Excuse Me" and "I'm sorry" to show our apologies. "Excuse me" translates into "Sumimasen" however, it is also used to describe one's apolgies and thank you. Sumimasen should be the first word anyone devout Japanese language student learns because it is the most recognizable and used, as often as the English word "the". I don't think I go without a day apologizing to someone or for something.

For example, when calling someone on the phone it is customary to apologies for making the call, for all of their troubles. And when ending a call you must say at least 5 Sumimasens before ending the phone call.

"I'm sorry" or "Gomenasai" on the other hand expresses sorrow or in a troubled situation. You must be pretty apologetic when using this term.

What do you get when you say 10 Sumimasens?... A SUPERmasen

More Than Just a Fruit

I think many of you would agree that one of the best parts about Christmas time is the season of clementines. Clementines galore. There are days I could spend an entire evening snack munching on clementines. Well.... in Japan, I have found the jackpot! I was wandering the supermarket yesterday and I couldn't resist purchasing them. Who cares if they are double the price than those in Canada (everything is!). Not only is this a new excitement, but the timing couldn't be any better. Mid-October is the beginning of the season for mikan or Citrus unshiu in English. 2 Months before the clementine season, I can enjoy a mikan or 10 for a meal. Not only are they quite similar to the Maroccan equivalent, but they are also one of the most delicious of fruits.

A personnal connection to this fruit- my teacher read aloud the fortune of the day yesterday to the students. My fortune was read to me, which predicted my happiness if i ate a mikan on that day. And luck had it, that I ate one that morning! It was love from the beginning. Now if only I could have my own personal truckload of mikan every day. The food gets better everyday.

Specialties of Japan

The specialties or characteristics of a place are seldom spoken in some areas. However, as a Canadian I can attest that every area has its specialties- the East Coast for its Lobster, The North for its Inukshuks and Montreal for its Smoked Meat (sorry if I've missed any place). Well, that being said, the Japanese go crazy over local specialties. Every, I mean, every locale has its claim to fame. There are a multitude of specialties, and I only know the ones from my own prefecture! Fukui is known for its hand-crafted chopsticks, Soba noodles (made of buckwheat), lacquereware, Koshihikari (a delicious type of rice) and Echizen crabs (which are in season in December.

Furthermore, with the Japanese love of travel- facilitated through convenience and rather inexpensive prices- comes the giving of gifts. If one has spent some time away from his or her place of origin it is only customary to purchase the local specialty for friends, co-workers and family. You can only imagine the monopoly therefore presented to local shopkeepers due to these circumstances.

On being asked where one has been, you will receive a follow-up question of , "Did you try/buy any _______". I was quite amazed at first at the Japanese knowledge of local goods.

I'm planning a trip to Nara this weekend and can only await the local flavours that will be pushed at me and already have congured up ideas for my gifts to friends and co-workers.

The crabs in the picture are a specialty in Obama. They have blue claws and travel up from the Atlantic coast of South America.

What's Your Blood Type

Westerners have the astrological horoscope while the Japanese have their blood. Bloodtype, or ketsueki-gata in Japanese, has become a popular myth and/or sometimes truth to gauge or predict a person's personality or temperment.
Prior to arriving to Japan I was asked by my Japanese teacher, Howe-sensei, what my blood type was. To this day I still do not know my own bloodtype, however, I have never wanted to know more than now. It's true that Japanese are fascinated with what bloodtype everyone is- however, it is sometimes predictable rather than asked. I was asked by my fellow-teachers, supposing their estimates were indeed correct. I was told I MUST be an A blood type as I am creative, sensible, eager and overcautious- which are indeed true of my personality.
Not only does this predict my personality or blood type, it also is a great match-making gauge. A blood types are best compatible with O blood types.
They say the Japanese have the most number of O blood types, as it is the 'oldest' of all blood types- refutable at best and that most Americans are either B or A. No wonder so many foreigners marry in Japan. Not to worry O blood types are vain, careless and optimists.
The origins date back to the early 20th century with Takeji Furukawa's paper 'The STudy of Temperment through Blood Type' and has since become widly popular.
So I am not afraid to ask... what is your blood type?

Obama for Obama

Being in Japan, its sad to say that one of my first tasks was to visit the city of Obama, Japan. For those of you who do not know, this city became a bit of a spectacle during the U.S. Preisdential Elections 2008 Primaries in February 2008. No joke! Not only is the frienship organization named 'Obama for Obama' but the city is plastered with Obama periphernalia and trinkets- everything from Obama cookies, to Yukadas (Japanese male dress), to Headbands and bumper stickers. I hope Sarah finds hers in the mail soon.

The Obama for Obama organization is just that- an organization that supports the Obama movement, whilst promoting his name internationally throughout the Eastern Asian countries. Even though it has brought fame to Obama himself, there is no doubt about the fame that has beenm bestowed upon Obama, Japan itself. This sleepy town of 30,000 has a beach, two festivals and a McDonald's, not more than that.

Now, its September, two months before the election date. I wonder how they will... celebrate? I am Rather hopeful they will celebrate, but there is always that slight chance a one Vice-presidential elect will spurt the Republican devotion. I just hope they don't have to go to any limit to change the name of the city afterwards.

If Obama is elected, the city will truly prosper. Even CNN has made a visit to the city to interview one of the American JETs working in the city. Regardless, I got what I wanted.

Now let's move on to more important things... Japanese politics and a faultering economy.

Life of a Japanese Student

This Monday I had my first experience teaching in a Japanese class. At first glance it looks quite similar to anything I've experience in my elementary and high schools. Students are rowdy, however diligent, attentative and playful- they love to learn and have a tonnes of fun at school. However, if you dig a little deeper you will soon understand that the differences do exist and I haven't even seen them all just yet.
First of all as a Westerner, our schools were based on the British system of an authoritarian relationship between students and their teachers. I think by now every student has walked into the staff room at least once. At the moment I am watching the baseball team file in and out of the staff room, apologizing as they walk through. It's something my supervisor describes as a psuedo-paternal relationship with their students. In actuality, they are more than pseudo-parents. They know every detail about the students' lives- where they have been, who their friends are and what the situation is at home. Quite remarkable indeed!
Next, lunch- lunch is served to all the students including myself- a hearty meal with soup, meat, carbs, milk and maybe a snack as dessert. YUM! Reminds me of a good homecooked Ukrainian meal!
Most surprisingly, students stay at school until 6pm on an average day. They arrive at 8am and do not leave until 6pm- way to talk about a full time job- not to mention teachers usually stay up to a couple hours after the students. My supervisor had to cancel his Japanese class tonight because he was asked to stay late. Might seem a bit harsh, but actually Japanese teachers are one of the most highly regarded!
There is much much more to say and I have only really skinned the surface. Please I admire your inquiries.

Grocery Shopping gone extreme

As many of you know, I am an avid eater! My love for food extends well beyond the Fast Food joints and typical cookie-cutter restaurants of Misissauga. If anyone knows my habits, I love to go grocery shopping at 11pm at night. Therefore, I thought I'd share with you my new experiences shopping for food in Japan.

As Japan has the largest middle-class society (which I just learned) they have the funds to spend on what they do best, EAT! But not so simple for the white foreigner. You walk into the grocery store, always through an automated glass door before being greeted with a loud 'Irashaimase', which literally means 'Hello, how can I help you'- but you are to never answer

Now traveling through the grocery store. It's your best bet to walk AROUND the perimeter of the store, walking past rows of veggies, fruit, tofu, meats, dairy and drinks. Sounds like a Western grocerer, correct? WRONG! What you really want are your favorites, like pasta sauce, curry, bread, chips and xereal which can only be found deep within the centre of the aisles at which point you are sucked into the Black Hole never to return.

And then there is the cost and quantity. For $40 CDN you can eat for about 3 days before you have to run back for either more 100% milk or another head of lettuce.

Presentation is not to be dismissed. With celephane wrapping everywhere, food is kept fresh and tasty until you have to rip through layers and layers before getting to your food. At least at that point you are really hungry for the food that awaits.

Some small details: egg yolk is orange, there are full aisles of soy souce, an apple can cost $5 CDN and good luck finding organics.

I hope you ALL have the experience to grocery shop like this in the near future.

`You are a fool not to do it, but a fool to do it twice`

I begin with a Japanese proverb- and what a great way to begin to describe my domination of Mt. Fuji this past weekend. This proverb actually derives from the experience many have been so fortunate to describe of their journey up Mt. Fuji. And I couldn`t put it into any better words myself. The climb was an experience, I will put it bluntly like that. The climb up was a daunting one, as we began at 9pm after an 8hour bus ride from Fukui to the 5th station up the mountain. The climb itself took roughly 4 hours, that is for myself and 2 other foreigners. We played a game of `Ten Little Indians`... I had to describe Agatha Christie`s book to one of my friends... and by the end of it, it was only the 3 of us at the summit. Layers were put on as we neared the summit, a short 3770m from the base, but nearly thousands more memories to last a lifetime. There are two goals to the climb- 1. Achieving the summit and 2. Catching the sunrise at the summit. Both, I am happy to say have been achieved.
You would have thought the Japanese had already created an escalator up to the top. However, the most stricking thing about the climb was that 80 year old grandmas and 8 year old children also made the attempt to climb the mountain. It is no Mecca to the Japanese I found out, as not even a small majority of the population has attempted the climb, but I have to give it up to those who do the attempt.
So that summarizes the `fool not to do it`, but the second part of the proverb comes at the descending the volcano. My knees buckled as the great descend came around. I could not be more happy to get off the giant rock, even though it was a once-in-a-lifetime type of experience. And I`ll keep it at that.

One white guy in Shibuya

I made it! Even though I am posting this at 1am here, the jet-lag has really hit me hard, I can still describe rather quickly my initial reaction. Hot. Sweaty. Crowded. Overwhelming.
It was rather difficult to select a picture that would depict the essence of Japan and I cannot adequately say that I have done it justice- however this describes our Western perspective of Tokyo, and let me tell you, you aren't wrong whatsoever! There really are lights, billboards, shopping, eating everywhere.
This is just one of many pictures that will be put up- but this one is in Shibuya district in Tokyo- known for its young hipsters and insurmountable cross-walks.
It was not the easiest trip to make, having to tackle the subway system running past gawking eyes (mine were also gawking). It's a rather euphoric state we are all feeling at this time. 800 Gaijins in one hotel- here for the same purpose ultimately.
Deepa, if MRC opened an overseas office- it would have to be in Tokyo, for sure!
Just thought I would warmly welcome you all to my Japan for the next year or so. I will do my best for you to capture what I see in Japan and maybe even have a session on describing how a Toilet works. For now, its about photos. Enjoy!

The Eve of Japan

Ah, the celebratory first wall post- I've deflowered my well- someone had to I suppose, and it was just a matter of time before I did it.
Okay, to the important stuff... the night before I leave. I leave! I'm actually leaving. Or should that be emphasized more with an exclamation mark? Regardless, I'm leaving tomorrow at 1:20pm. They've asked us to be at the airport of course, 3 hours prior to our take-off- something I never understood.
Regardless, I'm leaving. Leaving with 60 other ALTs (Assistant Language Teacher) from Toronto, all going to Tokyo on a marvelous 13 hour flight.
Regardless- I'll be in Japan in 24 hours approximately.
Where has this summer gone by... furthermore, where has this year, these 22 years gone by? I remember the day I applied- looked over my application- referred it to James of course who then looked at it. I remember Jane sifting through it, along with Sarah to capture the true essence of the experiences I had previously- Kasia with her always wise, yet doubting assessments of my judgement (much appreciated). I sent off my application into the abyss of a slew of thousands of application and to this day question why me- yea, why me? Its not that I'm too bold to wonder why I was chosen, but when I look around- I can understand it. If any of you have read "Stuff White People Like", you will know why (great recommendation by the way- thanks so much David).
However, I'm fulfilling something more than what white people tend to do. I'm learning. I'm living abroad. I'm teaching. I'm becoming engrossed with a foreign culture. Learning a new language. Wait, what is it that's different? That i'm not yet too sure of, but I am sure to find out soon enough and after a year maybe this blog page will be full with inspiration for others, or a wall of just collected thoughts. Who knows?!
Why keep a blog anyways? I wanted to make this wall- not because I'm going on an extended vacation, but to improve my writing skills- thanks for the suggestion Jasmine. And furthermore, to give you the best impression I can of a culture that is completely 360 of what we all know to be what is called home.
Think of some questions- I'll answer them and maybe something might spark your interest.
I'm getting very sleepy at the moment and I haven't even finished tying up those loose ends.

All the best for now and please, remember that Japan DOES have technology- I AM still able to be contacted, even more easily than Kingston to Toronto.

I'm really leaving.