Either you're starting to get really bored with these and need something different or you have so much spare time that you're keeping up with me. Either way, I have something for you -- photos!!
I bought a camera that fits in my pocket that I'm taking with me everywhere. Now while I still feel a little silly taking photos, I have began. Mostly I've taken photos of my apartment, the surrounding area and a few other shots that have caught my interest. Let me know if there's any that you don't understand or anything that you're curious about.
Where are these photos you ask? To the right of this page! There is a link to my photos. Otherwise if you get stuck finding the link, you can go directly there... http://picasaweb.google.com/naomi.c.palmer/
While in some ways it doesn't feel like you're (I'm) far away at all - I am interacting with many of you just as much as when I'm at home - I still miss you! Thanks for keeping in touch and all the little messages. I hope you feel like you're part of what I'm doing - I am thinking of all of you!
Remember there is plenty of room at in my apartment (you know this as you've now seen the pics) and you're welcome to visit.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Americans, food and tatami bugs....
Actually I've got nothing interesting to write, I just thought I'd write a few lines because I don't feel like making dinner.
I now have internet! I thought it was difficult to organise a plan and understand what they were saying when they spoke English. Now when they speak Japanese - that's really difficult! In between a few different staff and a nifty computer on display that could translate Japanese/English we organised something. I have internet, it works, at the end of the day that was really what mattered.
That means I'll be much easier to catch - in between Skype, facebook, email and photos I put on Picasa everyone should be able to keep in touch. I'll be sending an email with some of these details in it, but if you have any probs let me know.
On a cultural note:
Have you noticed how loudly Americans talk? It is like they have no awareness of the situation and their level of noise. I'm wondering if they just talk at the same level no matter the situation. I do occasionally feel a little conspicuous walking down a street (or through a shop or on a bus) with them . I wonder what the Japanese people think about these gaijin (foreigners) who talk so loudly in another language.
I mentioned this to the other Aussie, he laughed and agreed , so it's not just me :)
Japanese people are really nice. I'm impressed that they never give off the "I'm sick of dealing with this person who can't even speak properly" vibe. The salesmen who assisted me with organising internet for me were so patient. They always come across as wanting to help as much as they can, and nothing is too much trouble. I think Australian's sometimes let those negative feelings show when dealing with customers.
A number of people have asked me if I like Vegemite. I typically give a "oh, yeah, it's not bad" type answer, but I'm thinking of changeing that to be a little more affirmative. Especially as I thought Vegemite on toast would have been really nice this morning, or even better, a cheesy-mite scroll from Baker's Delight (Ben, have one for me sometime). It would appear that Vegemite and Tim Tams are seen to be our iconic foods in Australia.
While we're on the topic of food.. I bought a loaf of bread yesterday; 6 slices, no crusts and slightly sweet. Still, it was nice for a bit of variety.
I guess the only other item of interest is that it would seem that I have bugs in my tatami mats. Tatami mats are very finely woven from some sort of reed. They are made into mats which cover the floors in the bedrooms. Unfortunately there are a few drawbacks to having them: you can't leave a futon (matress) on the floor, but have to put it away every day so that it doesn't get mouldy; it's rather delicate so you have to be really careful about what furniture you put on it; it's really not a good idea to spill food or drinks on it and yes, they sometimes have bugs. They are microscopic but do bit (equivalent to a mozzie or flea bite). My supervisor bought me some "Danni killer", so we'll see how well I follow the picture instructions and hopefully I don't need to know any of the written instructions!
While writing this has been rather fun (as always), I'm starting to get hungry and no-one else is offering to cook me dinner (where's a husband when you need one?). So, I'll catch you all later!
I now have internet! I thought it was difficult to organise a plan and understand what they were saying when they spoke English. Now when they speak Japanese - that's really difficult! In between a few different staff and a nifty computer on display that could translate Japanese/English we organised something. I have internet, it works, at the end of the day that was really what mattered.
That means I'll be much easier to catch - in between Skype, facebook, email and photos I put on Picasa everyone should be able to keep in touch. I'll be sending an email with some of these details in it, but if you have any probs let me know.
On a cultural note:
Have you noticed how loudly Americans talk? It is like they have no awareness of the situation and their level of noise. I'm wondering if they just talk at the same level no matter the situation. I do occasionally feel a little conspicuous walking down a street (or through a shop or on a bus) with them . I wonder what the Japanese people think about these gaijin (foreigners) who talk so loudly in another language.
I mentioned this to the other Aussie, he laughed and agreed , so it's not just me :)
Japanese people are really nice. I'm impressed that they never give off the "I'm sick of dealing with this person who can't even speak properly" vibe. The salesmen who assisted me with organising internet for me were so patient. They always come across as wanting to help as much as they can, and nothing is too much trouble. I think Australian's sometimes let those negative feelings show when dealing with customers.
A number of people have asked me if I like Vegemite. I typically give a "oh, yeah, it's not bad" type answer, but I'm thinking of changeing that to be a little more affirmative. Especially as I thought Vegemite on toast would have been really nice this morning, or even better, a cheesy-mite scroll from Baker's Delight (Ben, have one for me sometime). It would appear that Vegemite and Tim Tams are seen to be our iconic foods in Australia.
While we're on the topic of food.. I bought a loaf of bread yesterday; 6 slices, no crusts and slightly sweet. Still, it was nice for a bit of variety.
I guess the only other item of interest is that it would seem that I have bugs in my tatami mats. Tatami mats are very finely woven from some sort of reed. They are made into mats which cover the floors in the bedrooms. Unfortunately there are a few drawbacks to having them: you can't leave a futon (matress) on the floor, but have to put it away every day so that it doesn't get mouldy; it's rather delicate so you have to be really careful about what furniture you put on it; it's really not a good idea to spill food or drinks on it and yes, they sometimes have bugs. They are microscopic but do bit (equivalent to a mozzie or flea bite). My supervisor bought me some "Danni killer", so we'll see how well I follow the picture instructions and hopefully I don't need to know any of the written instructions!
While writing this has been rather fun (as always), I'm starting to get hungry and no-one else is offering to cook me dinner (where's a husband when you need one?). So, I'll catch you all later!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Work Party - Friday Night
I attended my first work party (compulsory) tonight and I would have to say that it was probably the best work party that I've ever been to!
All in all it was quite a good day. This morning we had a small but formal ceremony (with a lot of bowing) to receive our formal contract. At least I think it's a formal contract as the only things I can read are my name and the amount of money I'm earning. All of the new and old JETs were seated together and one by one our names were called out. When each name was called we said, “hai” (yes), stood up bowed and walked to the front. The man who was presenting the certificates at the front bowed, so we bowed, then he gave us the certificate (which was accepted with two hands – very important) and we bowed again (making sure that we left the piece of paper at chest height), he bowed then we sat down. Like I said, there was a lot of bowing! I need to work on my bowing – make sure I go the right angle at the right time and not bend my neck too much ..... but at least I know when to bow – all the time!!
We then gave a short self introduction to the staff working at the board of education. Today mine went something like this (it changes subtly everytime I give it):
Hello, my name is Naomi Palmer. I'm from Canberra in Australia. I like to play the saxophone. While in Japan I would like to visit hot springs. Nice to meet you.
So tonight at the party everyone talked to me about hot springs! I was surprised and impressed that they a) understood what I said, b) knew which JET said what and able to remember it, and c) were confident enough to talk to me about it. They didn't have much English and as you know, I don't have much Japanese (but at least now I'm using every word I know) but we were able to converse. A number of times while I was talking with a group of people and they didn't understand one of them would call out to one of my supervisors across the room to come translate. The other guy from Australia, Cheng, also did some translating for me.
Did you know that you don't wear clothes/swimmers in hot springs? But men and women are separated (my supervisor thought that was really funny when I asked about that at work, so funny in fact that she repeated it at the work party so that all the other board members could have a good laugh about that too!). We were talking about baths at work because we are going on an English camp during these school holidays. And yes, we will be using public baths – one bath for everyone! There is also one shower, and even I could do that math – most of the JETs (new and old) wanted to have a private shower, (there are 17 JETs all up) there are also some Muslim students who will have their own shower. So we're looking at four hours for a shower?! Besides, now that everyone knows that I want to visit hot springs, I had better get used to bathing naked pretty quickly!
All in all it was quite a good day. This morning we had a small but formal ceremony (with a lot of bowing) to receive our formal contract. At least I think it's a formal contract as the only things I can read are my name and the amount of money I'm earning. All of the new and old JETs were seated together and one by one our names were called out. When each name was called we said, “hai” (yes), stood up bowed and walked to the front. The man who was presenting the certificates at the front bowed, so we bowed, then he gave us the certificate (which was accepted with two hands – very important) and we bowed again (making sure that we left the piece of paper at chest height), he bowed then we sat down. Like I said, there was a lot of bowing! I need to work on my bowing – make sure I go the right angle at the right time and not bend my neck too much ..... but at least I know when to bow – all the time!!
We then gave a short self introduction to the staff working at the board of education. Today mine went something like this (it changes subtly everytime I give it):
Hello, my name is Naomi Palmer. I'm from Canberra in Australia. I like to play the saxophone. While in Japan I would like to visit hot springs. Nice to meet you.
So tonight at the party everyone talked to me about hot springs! I was surprised and impressed that they a) understood what I said, b) knew which JET said what and able to remember it, and c) were confident enough to talk to me about it. They didn't have much English and as you know, I don't have much Japanese (but at least now I'm using every word I know) but we were able to converse. A number of times while I was talking with a group of people and they didn't understand one of them would call out to one of my supervisors across the room to come translate. The other guy from Australia, Cheng, also did some translating for me.
Did you know that you don't wear clothes/swimmers in hot springs? But men and women are separated (my supervisor thought that was really funny when I asked about that at work, so funny in fact that she repeated it at the work party so that all the other board members could have a good laugh about that too!). We were talking about baths at work because we are going on an English camp during these school holidays. And yes, we will be using public baths – one bath for everyone! There is also one shower, and even I could do that math – most of the JETs (new and old) wanted to have a private shower, (there are 17 JETs all up) there are also some Muslim students who will have their own shower. So we're looking at four hours for a shower?! Besides, now that everyone knows that I want to visit hot springs, I had better get used to bathing naked pretty quickly!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Hey everyone,
Thanks for all those comments, I really enjoyed reading them!
Another group of JETs arrived yesterday so now that we are all here (11 new JETs and 5 older JETs who have stayed on) I think things will start happening. This afternoon we are having an information session about all the paperwork, tomorrow I'm giving my Japanese self introduction and tomorrow night we have our first work party. (Apparently work parties happen all the time).
I'll try and put up a few photos of my apartment....
Thanks for all those comments, I really enjoyed reading them!
Another group of JETs arrived yesterday so now that we are all here (11 new JETs and 5 older JETs who have stayed on) I think things will start happening. This afternoon we are having an information session about all the paperwork, tomorrow I'm giving my Japanese self introduction and tomorrow night we have our first work party. (Apparently work parties happen all the time).
I'll try and put up a few photos of my apartment....
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
some unedited snapshots....
Sunday Lunchtime
But what do I do now? More writing??
I'm looking forward to working and actually getting into a routine.
I think everyone knows me at the local Big W-type store. I had to get them to order in another curtain and went in yesterday to pick it up (I've had my first Japanese phone call – they rang me when it was ready for me to come in. The conversation went something like this:
“Hello?”
“Mushi-mushi” (Japanese hello used when on the phone)
“Mushi-mishi”
“Blah blah blah curtains blah blah”
“Hai” (Yes)
“Blah blah blah”
“Hai, arigato gozimas” (yes, thanks)
I forget where it went after that but you get the general idea. Fortunately in Japan “hai” can mean “yes, I'm listening.”
I guess I could have said to the first person I came to in the shop, “Hi, I'm Naomi.” Instead we tried to explain that I had asked for curtains and they were ready for me to pick up. After a few minutes they said, “Ah, Naomi-sama?” It was easy after that ;) (sama = very respectful)
I had a great little chat with my family – it was really good to feel that I was part of everything which they were dong. Intellectually I knew they hadn't forgotten about me, but it was good to really feel that. Thanks guys.
Later in the afternoon we (me and another guy from Sydney who lives close by) went to a festival. It was amazing how involved the whole community was in the festival. Lots of parades, dancing, yummy food and cups of flavoured ice. Lots of people were dressed up in kimonos and other traditional dress.
I've often heard about how clean Japan is, and while there has not been much rubbish lying around, I only really realised this yesterday at the festival. There were any number of people (adults, children, teenagers all dressed up!) who walked around with a green plastic bag and a pair of tongs, picking up rubbish. Actually there wasn't much around so often it was tiny bits of rubbish like cigarette butts. When the rubbish bin were full, they would neatly stack the rubbish on top. So, everything you've heard about Japan's cleanliness is probably true!
Back to the first question – What do I do now?
I'm very aware that my entertainment in finite. I just finished “Ender's Game” and I now only have one book left! I've slowly been watching Star Gate, but once again, I don't have that much left. One the bright side there were a number of puzzles at my Big-W -like store, which I'm thinking might be a good way to pass the time. I guess that will take up my one item of furniture (dining room table), but it's for a good cause.
There are so few distractions here that I've been washing my dishes after cooking and regularly washing my clothes and stuff. Then again the regular washing has probably got more to do with the fact that I sweat so much I can only wear anything once and I only have 4 coat hangers to dry it on. Washing machine is not real big either!
Anyway, hope this fills in some gaps, I will try and find an internet cafe to put this on the blog.
Monday
Air con was installed today and none too soon. I spent the morning sleeping on and off with a headache, but fine now, especially since it's a bit cooler in here now.
I ended up buying a puzzle yesterday with a picture from Evangelion (an anime series). It's a little hard, but I'm really enjoying it. It will keep me busy for the week at least.
Almost time to start making dinner. Hopefully it will turn out all right – I don't know how to cook the noodles (instructions are in Japanese). I found a piece of fish to go with it, maybe tuna or salmon, but I'm not sure if it's been cooked/smoked/marinated..... or still raw. Hmm, I guess we'll be doing some improvising!
But what do I do now? More writing??
I'm looking forward to working and actually getting into a routine.
I think everyone knows me at the local Big W-type store. I had to get them to order in another curtain and went in yesterday to pick it up (I've had my first Japanese phone call – they rang me when it was ready for me to come in. The conversation went something like this:
“Hello?”
“Mushi-mushi” (Japanese hello used when on the phone)
“Mushi-mishi”
“Blah blah blah curtains blah blah”
“Hai” (Yes)
“Blah blah blah”
“Hai, arigato gozimas” (yes, thanks)
I forget where it went after that but you get the general idea. Fortunately in Japan “hai” can mean “yes, I'm listening.”
I guess I could have said to the first person I came to in the shop, “Hi, I'm Naomi.” Instead we tried to explain that I had asked for curtains and they were ready for me to pick up. After a few minutes they said, “Ah, Naomi-sama?” It was easy after that ;) (sama = very respectful)
I had a great little chat with my family – it was really good to feel that I was part of everything which they were dong. Intellectually I knew they hadn't forgotten about me, but it was good to really feel that. Thanks guys.
Later in the afternoon we (me and another guy from Sydney who lives close by) went to a festival. It was amazing how involved the whole community was in the festival. Lots of parades, dancing, yummy food and cups of flavoured ice. Lots of people were dressed up in kimonos and other traditional dress.
I've often heard about how clean Japan is, and while there has not been much rubbish lying around, I only really realised this yesterday at the festival. There were any number of people (adults, children, teenagers all dressed up!) who walked around with a green plastic bag and a pair of tongs, picking up rubbish. Actually there wasn't much around so often it was tiny bits of rubbish like cigarette butts. When the rubbish bin were full, they would neatly stack the rubbish on top. So, everything you've heard about Japan's cleanliness is probably true!
Back to the first question – What do I do now?
I'm very aware that my entertainment in finite. I just finished “Ender's Game” and I now only have one book left! I've slowly been watching Star Gate, but once again, I don't have that much left. One the bright side there were a number of puzzles at my Big-W -like store, which I'm thinking might be a good way to pass the time. I guess that will take up my one item of furniture (dining room table), but it's for a good cause.
There are so few distractions here that I've been washing my dishes after cooking and regularly washing my clothes and stuff. Then again the regular washing has probably got more to do with the fact that I sweat so much I can only wear anything once and I only have 4 coat hangers to dry it on. Washing machine is not real big either!
Anyway, hope this fills in some gaps, I will try and find an internet cafe to put this on the blog.
Monday
Air con was installed today and none too soon. I spent the morning sleeping on and off with a headache, but fine now, especially since it's a bit cooler in here now.
I ended up buying a puzzle yesterday with a picture from Evangelion (an anime series). It's a little hard, but I'm really enjoying it. It will keep me busy for the week at least.
Almost time to start making dinner. Hopefully it will turn out all right – I don't know how to cook the noodles (instructions are in Japanese). I found a piece of fish to go with it, maybe tuna or salmon, but I'm not sure if it's been cooked/smoked/marinated..... or still raw. Hmm, I guess we'll be doing some improvising!
I can't feel my legs! (Friday 1st August, 2008, 11:30pm)
There is a reason Japanese people are thin – and it's not just about the food. Steps! They walk up and down steps all day. I don't remember the last time I walked up and down so many steps. But on the upside, I did get some shopping done: curtains, sheets, frypan, drinking glasses, camera :P other bathroom and kitchen things, groceries... The curtains are fantastic – they give a bit more privacy than the brown paper and keep out the sun. The camera is pretty cool too – you might get some pictures now.
My first home cooked meal in Japan was a success (or maybe I was just really hungry!) well, apart from the noodles which didn't go soft. Seafood stir fry - calamari, either sea scallop or muscles (not sure which, it was yummy in a chewing sort of a way), prawns with legs but no heads, and random octopus tentacles. Dan, you had better get used to eating interesting meals.
My first home cooked meal in Japan was a success (or maybe I was just really hungry!) well, apart from the noodles which didn't go soft. Seafood stir fry - calamari, either sea scallop or muscles (not sure which, it was yummy in a chewing sort of a way), prawns with legs but no heads, and random octopus tentacles. Dan, you had better get used to eating interesting meals.
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