Geruma's Great English

This was my schedule on Geruma last week. During my weeks on Zamami and Aka I teach each elementary class just once. I've usually taught two of each class on Geruma as they really like to make use of the English teacher. But when the new teachers came in April the 3/4 teacher started scheduling me three times a week (I didn’t mind, she’s attractive). Then this week she went crazy and scheduled me four times in four days. And the sixth grade teacher apparently thought that was a good idea. The junior high JTE was lenient on me and didn’t schedule anything, but usually I would have two each of 8th and 9th grade classes (or junior high 2 and 3, as it's known in Japan).

The kanji you see on Wednesday and Thursday is for you-chien (kindergarten). That teacher always schedules me twice. It works, her kids know the alphabet (the three-year-olds have already picked up half of it), colors, fruits, vegetables, basic emotions, and most of the days of the week. This is why the English level on Geruma is amazing.

Geruma Undoukai

[I want to see an argument for a more beautifully-placed school in Japan(or the world).]

I wrote a few days ago about how this is a good time of year to visit, but I only cited one reason. There is also the nice weather and the chance of seeing an undoukai. Geruma’s undoukai was last weekend. This is my fifth and they’re starting to get old, so here are just some notes:

I came on the early boat (7:45am versus 10am) to help out. But instead of being thanked I was scolded by two people for showing up wearing slippers (zorries, flip-flops). I changed immediately and then questioned why it was an issue. (Because it’s sports day and you should be wearing shoes to be active.) I gave up my ground pretty quickly since nothing was to be gained, but I did need a break so I went on a walk. I was slightly annoyed because (a) I know when I need to put my shoes on to go running and (b) the teachers can be so anal about such small things! But the walk solved all of this emotional distress.

I pay close attention to gender issues. In this picture the students are lined up by class (Aka students standing behind Geruma students): j.h. third, j.h. second, sixth, fourth, third, second, first, kindergarten. There are also lines of high schoolers and adults from Geruma. In every class or group, if there is a male present, he stands at the front of the line and girls line up behind him. The only instance where a girl stands in front is if she is the only student in the class. This replicates class lists, where boys are always listed first, alphabetically, followed by girls, alphabetically. It bothers me for all the regular gender inequality reasons, but also because (a) the girls are introduced to their inferiority in kindergarten(!) and (b) the girls and women in Japan are so resigned about it.

Here are two of the better pictures of the day:

[This is a contest where old guys make ropes from grass. The winner was about 3m long in 3-4 minutes.]

Another Reason to Learn to Surf

Kyu-chan

Last night we had an eisa going-away party for one of our members, Kyu-chan. I’ve had a harmless crush (when was my last harmful crush?) on her for awhile and she was one of the reasons I joined eisa. When I learned the Japanese to ask a girl if she had a boyfriend, I tested the line on her. She answered yes.

The big news of last night is the announcement that she and her boyfriend are getting married. A moment of introspection for me. We both came at the same time and while I caught big fish and ran fast marathons, she met and got engaged to her future husband. I think we know who had a more productive year.

[I weigh about 85kg. She weighs 42kg. Less than half of me.]

Running Log 9/30 – 10/5

9/30 5:23am: 13k 1:11.43 (heart rate average: 133)
10/1 4:34am: 21k 1:58.32 (HR: 138)
10/2 6:14am: 5k 27.22 (HR: 123)
10/3 5:21am: 13k 1:09.42 (HR: 131)
10/4 skipped my run for the [canceled]1000m race at Geruma undokai
10/5 4:28am: 32k 2:58.20 (13k: 1:12.32, 13k: 1:11.30, 6k: 34.18) (HR: 139)

Yesterday I returned from Geruma’s undokai to a box waiting at my door from my friend Laura. We were on the college crew team for four years, she as a coxswain, me as a rower. She had since taken a high profile consulting job in Boston and gone to Australia on a six-month assignment for them. When six months were up she quit and took a new job at a university, staying in Australia indefinitely. And doing triathlons. So we compare notes.

Inside the box was a package of Bodyglide. It was a magical gift, perfectly timed for this morning’s 32k run. Thank you, Laura. No chafe today, only a great, smooth, uninterrupted three hours of running. Which wiped me out for the rest of the day. Comforting that my semi-casual pace would have netted a 3:50 marathon.

Running here is for the solitary: on Wednesday I passed another runner, the first of the season.

Zamami Matsuri

Anybody thinking of visiting Zamami, mark this week on your calendar as a good time (that would be assuming I stayed for a third year). Zamami Matsuri (festival) was last night and it's our largest 'cultural' event of the year. All the groups prepare their biggest shows for the night. The groups include hula, taiko drumming, eisa, traditional Okinawan (Ryukyu) dance, and our band, The Mammy's.

It was my second eisa performance, but no less nervy than the first in July. Our music was provided by sanshin player from Naha, which was awesome. A lot more traditional than a cd. Unfortunately I made many mistakes, especially during the fourth song which I co-led with the other guy (we had eight girls and two guys). But.. whatever, it was a lot of fun. At least I didn't put a hole in my drum this time.

Here are some pictures I took of the elementary students, who performed before the sun went down:

2009 JET Calendar

Yesterday I got this email:

''Dear David Clumpner, Congratulations! After reviewing the photo submissions for the 2009 JET Programme Calendar, we have decided to use one of your photographs. We plan to feature the attached photograph in the Wall Calendar. Thank you for your submissions! Kind regards,''