The Climb to the Top

Career-wise I still have quite a ways to climb before I reach the top. Yet, this does not stop me from making other climbs along the way. I am talking about one of the highest mountains in Japan and noted as the most active volcano on these islands we call Nippon. Yes, Asamayama (or Mt. Asama in English) is what we call it. A huge group of us (about 20) took the holiday that we had and decided to hike this grandiose mountain on what turned out to be a beautiful day. There was nothing more exciting than finding the place. Apparently we weren’t quite sure where the access to the trail was and because I was the only person in the lead car who could read some Japanese, it was my mission to find out. Needless to say, my ability to read kanji is at about that of a 1^st or 2^nd grade level. You could imagine how far this got us. However, when we stopped to ask for directions, I was all over that and soon enough we found our way. Thus begins the hike, which ended up taking several hours to the top. Yet, as soon as we broke out of the trees, man oh man, what a sight it was. It seriously reminded me of scenes from the Lord of the Rings (so, I guess, New Zealand, then, lol). We decided to rest about halfway and a group of people stopped there. They didn’t want to continue. I did and decided I was going to catch up with the lead group. Joey decided to come with me and so the two of us set off only to encounter something amazing. At first, I thought it was some sort of bear. From behind it had a very broad butt and it was hard to see as it fled away from us. However, it eventually stopped and gave a look back at us, in which case we determined that it was a deer-like creature. Reminded me of the mythical forest spirit in Princess Mononoke with its white beard and high-strung head. Antlers prominently displayed, the two of us couldn’t believe what we had seen. We soon found out that these animals are extremely rare to see in the wild and we were so lucky to have been so close to one.

Our adventure begins...easygoing at first.

If we weren't convinced it was a volcano already.

Yeah, let's play in the waterfall!

Karen sneaks off down the path. Asamayama still far off in the distance.

Just a little ways up and already breathtaking views.

There's the beast, deceptively close.

I think I saw Frodo frolicking about...

Ah, at last, the vegetation dwindles away. Yet, the steepest part is yet to come.

You could spend days taking it all in.

Warning, shhmorning.

Krissy's expression mimics mine.

The crater

Group photo at what looks like the end of the Earth.

Nothing like a good vogue at 8,425 ft. 

Nagano makes me happy!

Yesterday I went to Lake Suwa to see a fireworks competition that was being held there. Absolutely amazing use of fireworks! I took pics but they of course don’t come out anything like you saw them. Right after they finished, it poured. And I mean it poured!!! The trains were backed up because of all the people and I was standing under my umbrella in a pool of water almost up to my knees, trying desperately to keep my bag dry which contained my only other clean clothes, not to mention my camera. It was one of those surreal moments where at first you are like “Is this really happening? This sucks,” and then it just becomes “Holy crap, this is awesome. *splash, splash*.” Needless to say I didn’t bring a second pair of shoes so soggy feet became the theme for that evening and the next day. The next day, however, was great. Erika drove us back to the Saku area but along the way she decided to take a detour and we ended up randomly going up into the mountains nearby. Crazy, windy roads and hairpin turns kept us wondering if we would make it down alive. Yet, the view from up above was amazing and we chanced upon a cosmos farm. Cosmos are these crazy flowers that grow almost everywhere around here and are really pretty. They come in several shades of pink and purple and white, which makes for an interesting display when you see them along the side of the road or in this case by the thousands in a field. Unfortunately it was raining the whole day but still saw many interesting things. No monkeys yet. Although, we did stop at a nice little vegetable stand where we bought crazy amounts of vegetables for practically nothing. Nothing like a day riding through the cosmos to make you wish that you could do that all day everyday.

Junior High Jazziness

So with the English speech contest this past Saturday, I was looking for this student Kengo everyday after school on the 3rd year floor so that we can practice and get him ready for the big day. In the process of searching for him, I would always stop and see what the students were doing after school. With the school festival only 2 weeks away, they are all busy making posters and banners and other fun things and anytime I ask them about it, they are more than happy to explain things to me. It seems a lot better if I go and just chill with them after school than if I were to see them in class. They really do put on a different persona. Anyhow, there are a few 3rd graders who are particularly friendly to me. One of them is Takeshi, who always says hello and makes it a point to answer questions in class. After school, the one day, he asked to have a picture of me. I felt like a true celebrity. I did like how he asked me first unlike the other students who just run up and snap a picture and run away giggling. I think I would like to be friends with some of the 3rd years. I would really like to know what they like to do and where they like to go, really get into the mind of a Japanese middle schooler. Sometimes I think I was destined to be a field sociologist.

Let's see, so yah, on top of that all the students take part in singing various songs for the school festival. They have been practicing since I arrived here and song amazing. I will be sitting at my desk lesson planning and hear the echoes of their songs from across the courtyard or through an open window. It is fantastic, being seranaded while I work. One of the songs the 3rd years chose to sing is We Are the World by Michael Jackson. They are slightly obsessed with this song, I've found.

Let's see, what else. Oh yes, the speech contest. It was good but really long. I arrived there at 11am and it went until 6:00 or so. 7 hours was waaaaay too long, especially because I was not told how long it would be and did not pack a lunch. I figured a few hours and I could grab a late lunch/early dinner. Well, guess it's my fault for not asking how long it would be. My students did not place, sadly. But the students of other JETs I know did which was great. I was genuinely impressed by the skill of all the students and wish them the best of luck with their English endeavors. 

After the contest, I went out to eat with Brynn and Emma at a ramen shop. Fan-freaking-tastic! It was some of the most enjoyable food I've eaten thus far and filling too. After that, celebration in Ueda which included doughnuts, alcohol, and good people. Hung out with Kazu, a Japanese guy I had met at Karen's party a while back. I offered to help him out with his English because I know how hard it can be in the company of native speakers (having lived in the Czech Rep.) and try to pick up things when no one is willing to explain context or what was said. He seemed quite excited about this and I'm sure that he will return the favor and speak with me in Japanese. :)

3rd years working on a countdown sign for the festival. Takeshi is on the far left.

Two 2nd years playing table tennis with their hands. They were hilarious.

These are meant to be snacks. Served at lunch, I found them to be disgusting, covered in some light sugary stuff and seasame seeds. Bleh, bleh, bleh. Trust me, don't eat these!

Mika giving her speech on 'Language'

Kengo giving his speech on the 'Nature in Nagano'

All the contestants, judges, and honorable attendees

Thursdays Take the Cake

So I've decided to not post day by day anymore because it is tough to do and I'm a bit lazy. Fear not, there will be plenty of content to fill the column of my blog and keep you satisfied with la vida de Ricardito.

That said, I am going to post about the last week by event/subject. The first is about my Elementary school visits. They rock. My first one was two Thursdays ago at Kirihara Elem. School. I was on my way to school by bike when I ran into a bunch of the kids walking to school. I got off my bike and walked with them. They were soooooo excited to be hanging out with me, showing me this huge ass bug that they caught, introducing me to everyone in the group, asking me all these questions, and hanging all over me like monkies on a banana tree. (Oh, bananas don't grow on trees, btw, gotcha, hehe) Anyway, I got into the school and was given my schedule, asked many questions, and gave an introduction. I then watched them exercise together which consisted of what I thought was an army drill and marching. For a country without an active military, they sure do train their kids to march well.

Went to my classes and gave self-introductions and got the kids jumping, clapping, spinning, and doing all sorts of things fun and interesting. The hardest part was getting the energy to do it all over come my 5th class. Talk about a workout. Lunch there was great as I got to talk to the students in Japanese which is great practice for me. They also loved that I helped them clean the room. I even played hide and seek with a bunch of the girls. Funniest part is that they all hide in the same spot practically so when they find one, they find them all. I just shook my head and thought to myself, "they really don't quite get it, do they?" and then laughed and ran to hide again with 2 of the girls following me and waiting to hide next to me. 

In one of my classes, this one little boy spent the entire class writing me a thank you note and then putting it in the romanized writing for me. I will include a picture and translation of it.

The kids were sooooo cute, you have no idea!

My other school visit this past week was at Usuda Elem. School, the biggest of the elem. schools that I will visit. I taught 6 classes that day (talk about exhausting!!!) and only 3 grades, 1st, 3rd, and 6th. This was an interesting mix but worked out well. Some of the older kids kept asking me what the English word for "the brown stuff that (and they gestured someone pooping)." I had to laugh. I told them I wouldn't teach them this word until they got to junior high. They were relentless though. And they kept saying things like "Beg pen-us," which I took as them trying to say 'big penis.' Boys will be boys, lol. 

Let's see, also, this one kid in 1st grade named Yuuta became my buddy. I will point him out in the picture below. He was such a cool kid, asking questions, loving the photos I brought, jumping all over me, and just really happy in general. By far the cutest kid I had met thus far.

They are just so cute. And the one boy snuggled right in next to me for the pic.

They were too serious in the first pic so I told them to smile and be wacky.

Practicing for Sports Day...in America things like this would be a lawsuit waiting to happen.

My favorite class thus far. 1st graders and Yuuka, the coolest, cutest boy ever. He's going to be a heart throb when he grows up.

Picture of Elem. students serving lunch in the classroom.

They found out I was taking their picture.

Everyone wanted to be on my phone.

Thank you note from a 4th grader. Click to read it.

TV I Can Understand

Here are some programs that I decided to film for you to see a little bit of what Japanese TV is like for kids. Enjoy.

Jump...Spiiiiiin!

Captured especially for Berç (sorry I didn't catch the end)

Uh yah, sure, why not.