Potty-training

As the world turns, countries race to become up to date in the latest scientific and industrial advances while often trying to preserve local culture and traditions.

In Japan, you are going to realize that although it is a modern, seemingly Westernized country, there are still places that retain old-world technologies.

Namely, the toilet.

Now, this is a picture of a toilet as we are familiar with in the United States:
Known as a western-style toilet, it is made of porcelain and is built in the image of a chair in which a person can sit down when necessary. Of course, Japan is famous for taking Western technology, breaking it down and then reshaping it into a better, more efficient version:

Note the built-in sink that allows one to wash hands before it filters down into the toilet basin in order to not waste water. Of course, if that's not enough...


Clearly, the ability to heat the seat, transform the toilet into a bidet or as a separate spout, a "bottom" cleaner (note there is a powerful or mild setting). Some come with so many buttons that it becomes almost a challenge for the foreigner to be able to tell where to press for flushing.

With all this fabulous technology, it comes to a bit of a surprise (to me) that here in Shikoku, the Eastern-style toilet, otherwise known as a squat toilet, is more popular in practice. Also made of porcelain, it is a oblong in shape with an arch covering on one side. This covering is meant to trap the urine from spraying outside the toilet (although other countries sometimes do not have this rather useful device and I don't want to know how messy that can get). The user must squat facing the cove, getting as close as possible. It is advised to keep all loose particles of clothing safely out of range in order to avoid accidents:


Of course, where would a country be if the poor didn't have an 'outhouse' version as well, free of pipes and little more than a hole in the ground:

Love and Peace: Hiroshima

March 20th (Friday) was a national holiday in Japan, the Vernal Equinox. With a three day holiday in hand, a group of eight ALTs decided to go to Hiroshima for the weekend and celebrate the passing of St. Patrick's Day and a bit of freedom that comes with being a city employee.

We boarded the bus for Hiroshima on Thursday night in what would be a 2.5 hour journey at a relatively inexpensive price. We arrived in the city and were immediately dazzled by the vastness of the place, with clear English written underneath Japanese signs and clean streets and trams. We made our way to K`s Hostel for the weekend and checked in before getting ready to hit Molly Malone's Irish pub for some good eating and drinking.(Derry, Chris, Juliana and I giving a traditional Irish toast: Sláinte!)

On Friday the four of us above decided to visit Miyajima island, 40 minutes outside Hiroshima City. The island hosts the Itsukushima Shrine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Records say that the shrine was established over 1400 years ago. It sits on the shores of the island and during high tide, it seems to be floating above the sea.

There is a myth that this is the shrine for the Goddess of Purity. No one was allowed to die on the sacred island so they carried dying people off of it to retain its ... purity? (me goofing around the island)

The island hosts other attractions, but the one people remember the most are the domesticated deer that will walk right up to you and steal the wallet right out of your purse. We picniced outdoors which proved to be a fatal error as deer kept coming up to our table. The boys used interesting tactics to try to ward them off.

That evening was Thai food which drove the Irish/Scottish/British men to tears. Europeans and their spices. The night was suppose to be about dancing but the group was divided and I left with a headache. Traveling with a big group is exhausting when people waste time debating. I woke up early with Juliana and we made our way over to the A-bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Park. We didn't have time to pick it apart and digest it as much as we wanted (we had a bus to catch) and vowed to return at a warmer date. It was upsetting to see Japanese tourists (and foreigners as well) pose with cheerful expressions in front of WWII memorials. It was as if it weren't a reminder of death and suffering but an outing in the park. I couldn't take pictures with myself in them and instead opted to buy postcards. I couldn't find any modern-day photographs that suited my taste and took one to show the contrast of a city that built itself up again.

卒業式: A Junior High goodbye

After three years of Junior High School, the last of mandatory education as stated by the Land of the Rising Sun, one must make the decision as to whether to continue on to high school through entrance exams, or become a member of society. The last month of school, February-March, is full of late night studying and examinations. After that comes a sigh of relief from the third year students (read ninth graders) as they relax until their graduation.

Graduations in Japan are very formal events, with teachers wearing black suits (white tie preferred) or traditional Japanese hakama in muted colors and students in standard school uniform. There are various speeches made by the principle, the PTA president, the class president, the student representative of the second year students, as well as guest speakers. There is a ceremonial way of bowing as diplomas are collected across the stage, two students at a time, as the Principle (wearing pristine white gloves and coat tails) gives the appropriate salutations. The event ends with singing, from the whole school to just the third year students.

(Here, students are practicing for the main event)

The third year students then return to their classrooms where they spent the last year learning and receive a sendoff-address from their homeroom teacher. Parents crowd the rooms and try to take as many photographs as possible.

Afterward, they march outside and leave the school gates as the rest of the student body cheers for them. 

It is really quite poetic, especially when students cry during the singing; the men shoving their fists into their eyes in an attempt to remain collected while the girls hide themselves with their hands or handkerchiefs. (These girls stopped me on my bike ride how and asked me for a photo :D)

My Funny Valentine

Japan has a way of being enthusiastic about American holidays but making them their own traditions. St. Valentine's Day, held annually on the 14th of February, is the perfect example.

In the U.S., it has mixed meanings. There are those who feel that it is the most romantic day of the year, where one can snuggle with their sweetheart and exchange gifts (diamonds anyone? Forget chocolate and roses), hold candlelight dinners and spend the evening in various states of undress. For others, it is seen as the Hallmark™ Company's holiday bent on world domination and making everyone feel pressured to buy a card, write a soppy greeting, and acknowledge the people around us. For children, it can be seen as a popularity contest and/or a way to show friendship and affection for those around them. Candy is a bonus.

In Japan, there are two such days. First is on the 14th of February, known as St. Valentine's Day, where females either prepare or purchase chocolate to give to the male of their choice. This is a popular day for girls to confess their love to the boy they like. Teenage boys sometimes anticipate and even compete over who will get the most chocolate. Women may also give out chocolate to friends, co-workers, or supervisors as an expression of gratitude. In stores, booths are set up especially for this event, with flocks of females scouring chocolates from various confectioneries and hotels and making purchases that can exceed $100.

The second day is held on the 14th of March, named White Day. It is when boys reciprocate the gifts they received on Valentine's Day. Again, booths are set up for the cause, but this time bath products are also a popular selling item.

For the holiday, I decided to give all the students (and teachers!) at one of my junior high schools traditional American valentine cards used by primary school children. I secured a list of every student in the school, as well as a list of teachers, and wrote out their names onto over 200 valentine cards, attached over 1000 stickers and temporary tattoos, and finished with a signature. I WANTED TO KILL MYSELF.

Seriously, who's bright idea was it to give myself carpel tunnel in order to show students that Americans are hip when I'm so exhausted from staying up all night and a nice poster could have done the trick?

Oh yeah, <-- this guy.

I also bought chocolate for my principle, vice-principle, and head teacher, some of my closer male friends and even baked a chocolate heart fudge brownie cake for my supervisor and boy friend. Below is a snapshot of my homemade chocolate:

The exciting thing was I received chocolate from some of my teachers (which I gave away) and a box of strawberry sweets from Juliana. Delicious. I also received some letters (oooOOOOooo) from male and female persons and was delighted to read that one of my 7th grade students gave a chocolate to a boy and he accepted her feelings! Perhaps they'll date but the real jewel is she felt it important enough to write her English teacher a note and ask whether I will do the same because it's love love!

For White Day, I purchased some chocolate to give back to my teachers and received white-chocolate covered strawberries from David, my RA. I also received homemade chocolate from a Japanese high school boy and girl who I meet once a week for English conversation. Very fun.

South Korea is the new Japan (con't)

December 31th:

Woke up hot from the heat of the bathhouse. The sleeping room was like a sauna. Spent the day on a tour bus to see the famous sites of this tourist town.

Korean pyramids from the Silla period:

Oldest observatory in Asia:
Seokguram Grotto with famous Buddha (a truly impressive sight):

After the grand tour, Juliana and I met up with Juiliana's friend's friends and went to a sushi buffet. I had been sour because of the cold but warmed quite well in the restaurant and ate everyone under the table. Afterward, Juliana and I had to go to the restroom but only the men's was available to we fought over who got the toliet and who was stuck with the urinal. Dinner was followed by donuts and then we headed over to another Korean bathhouse, this one quite nicer. We managed to snag coves in which to sleep which gave us more privacy than the last place where were were stuck in a room full of women on the floor.

I saw a teenage boy walking by with a towel on his head wrapped in a fashionable manner and was determined to copy it. After pathetic attempts, the Korean man we were with (the friend's friend) hailed the boy over to show me. Afterward I proudly made hats for the three of us. As I did so, a Korean girl was watching with interest. I hailed her over and with gestures communicated that I was going to make her a hat as well. She was adorable.

If that wasn't enough, a mother and her two/three year old daughter came over and she asked the Korean man if I wouldn't make her baby girl a hat too? Of course I complied, showing off my newly-aquired skill: the Ram hat. I promptly fell asleep as the New Year rang in.

January 1st:

The gang. Doesn't Juliana look cozy?

I woke up in the tunnel and drank freshly-squeezed kiwi juice. We met up with the other friend's friend and the friend herself (finally!). We had a traditional Korean brunch and headed off for a day of crafts. We made traditional paper and pottery crafts. We also went and carved a tea set. Then came gift shopping and we received delicious bread as a parting gift. Juliana and I quarrel in the car and end up not speaking for the rest of the night. The trip was over and I was tired of the same face every waking moment.

January 2nd:Us at Incheon International Airport, voted best in the world. We seem to have made up.

South Korea is the new Japan

December 26th:

Took a bus to Matsuyama (2 hours) then another to the airport. It was Juliana's 4th flight in life and she can't handle take offs. I was stuck in the middle seat. It was funny because we were in the emergency exit row and we couldn't read how to save the plane in case of disaster. We land at Incheon airport, #1 rated in the world, and take a bus to our all-female hostel in Seoul (the capital). We get into a small fight and Juliana later tells me just how "Puerto Rican" I am when I'm angry. We went out with another ALT who happened to be in S. Korea as well. We retreat back to the hostel early and Juliana hits her head on the ceiling 3 times because we'er both stuck on the top bunk.

December 27th:

Wake up to a warm room and heated floors. Korean technology is amazing. At 10am we met up with our tour guide Kim Tae Woo, the brother of her friend from college. He showed up with his girlfriend, Kim Eun Mi. She was adorable. We went to Itaewon Market (famous foreign market), Seoul Tower, and a traditional Korean market. Lunch was traditional Korea food with free kimchi. Highlight: on one of my subway rides, a Korean woman sat down and tried to teach me about Jesus.



December 28th:

10am we only met with Kim Eun Mi. Apparently the boyfriend was sleeping in. We headed to Gyeongbokgung Palace. We were able dress in traditional Korean clothing:

Then the National Palace Museum of Korea. There we met Kim Tae Woo. Deoksugung Palace:


Art Museum. Lunch was a horrifying experience of octopus chopped up in front of us. COEX - largest mall in South Korea. There I bought my first CHANEL lipstick! We walked around that night and ate kimchi for dinner at a stall. Met some old disney friends...


December 29th:

Wake up and realize that it sucks to room with all women with one bathroom. The woman took a shower until 5 girls had to use the toilet. Went to visit the April 19th Memorial. Myeongdong shopping district. Bought me some snazzy sunglasses and shoes from Converse. I told the clerk size 7. He brought me size 5. I was like, "I wanted a 7." He replied that a 7 for women equals a 5 in Converse shoes. I shook my head and told him I was a size 9 in women's. The look on his face... it plummeted right to my feet.

December 30th:

Went to the DMZ. Demilitarized Zone. The border between North and South Korea. Very dangerous. No photographs in certain places and South Koreans cannot visit the DMZ without 6 month notice. Quirky English translator with surprisingly good English. Saw Freedom Brige and Peace Bell. Walked through part of the 3rd Tunnel . The afternoon was spent on a 5 HOUR busride to Gyeongju. Met up with Juliana's Korean friend's friends. Had a late dinner and spent the night in a Korean Bathhouse.


to be continued...

Christmas in Nippon

Some sweet children singing in a nursing home:

My friend Jinno dancing as Santa:



Japanese Christmas Carol: