We saw the StarWars thingamajig ice sculpture of Darth Vader and the storm troopers and the other stuff that was cool even a Yoda. After that we met with Izzy who likes coffee vodka and we went skiing down the bunny slopes in Kiroro the next day after we had a short visit with the singing bartender who is known as Hokkaido Rose and he makes my grasshopper fly high!http://instagram.com/p/y1wHzZNn9b/?modal=truehttp://instagram.com/p/y3FAo8Nn6X/?modal=truehttp://instagram.com/p/y3_H0vtnxj/?modal=true
travel
Are we driving on the sidewalk?………………..AGAIN?
Konnichiwa!
On driving in Japan:
So this pretty much sums up the excitement of recent driving adventures 🙂 We have taken some evenings to drive around, explore, try new foods (Steak and Hamburg-very tasty and an homage to Lindsey Hamburg!!), sight see, etc. So aside from trying to drive on opposite sides of the road/car…we can’t actually read any signs. This ones means stop…
Plus there is writing all over the roads. Have no clue what it says. 
Now, this is a typical stop light and street sign.
If you are interested in looking at all the various road signs…there are MANY then follow this link
http://www.yokota.af.mil/shared/media/document/afd-100329-005.pdf
We have managed thus far to navigate fairly easy despite being illiterate. And many thanks goes out to the lovely google maps for being most helpful finding our way around. However, the one thing google maps doesn’t seem to indicate…is what is and isn’t a sidewalk…and if it allows vehicles (which come on, they usually don’t). The first time we mistook a sidewalk for a road was when we were driving past Kozoji station. We followed directions indicating to go straight, then turn left. We reached a dead end, and turned left. It wasn’t until I got to the end of the “road” when I realized we were on a sidewalk. Luckily the honda fit fits in between posts.
Tonight, we hit sidewalk #2…at least I think it was a sidewalk. Again, google maps said to go straight (oh and did I mention trying to avoid large ditches on the sides of the road…usually on streets that are “2-way traffic” but really only one car fits at a time…so narrow that I have to push the automatic button to close the side mirrors…ya. Just saying.
So maps tells us to go straight, and turn left ahead. It was dark, pitch black actually and I see a bunch of flashing, moving, circling lights up ahead. Apparently the road ends, and you can only go left or right. Directions say to go left…so I do. Other cars ALL go right. As I am driving down, I realize there are no more road paint (many roads have words painted on them) and there is an older couple walking down it. To the left is the river…to the right is the ditch? Not sure, but both sides were pitch black and deep drop offs. I stop…Paul, is this a sidewalk? In the end, I reversed it all the way back (go me, I kept it straight), and went the other way. We of course made it where we were going…but seriously. I need to learn Japanese (Kanji, katakana, and hiragana. Look it up). So, I have become fluent already in sidewalk driving. If you want a lesson, let me know.
Now, the first day of school!
Kids weren’t supposed to arrive until 8 and for the first day only they came straight to the room. Glad I was there early because several showed up at 7:45! BY 8:45 all kids were here. I met most of the parents, only those whose children came in on the bus (which actually pick up students from the local train stations! So the kids come from allll over!) I didn’t meet. I have a very talkative group. Teachers know that usually the first day is quiet. The kids are excited, but nervous and maybe sleepy. Nope, not here. They were vibrant and wide awake.
I received some cute gifts from a couple students-you probably already saw the skull bracelet. It was cute. I promised her I would wear my other skull jewelry so she would know that I really did like it. When she saw me today, I could tell she was eager to find out. I showed her my bracelet and earrings, and she grinned big time and hugged me hard. It was precious!
My day was relatively short. Because we are a small K-12 school (350 kids), we have crazy schedules. The kids were with me for only 15 minutes before we had the welcome assembly in the commons. Following that they went to music. From there, they split into Japanese classes. Then, we went to lunch/recess. I finally had them with me at 1:15, but on Wednesdays it’s early dismissal, so they left at 2:00. We hardly got anything done, but had a great day.
Today was day 2, and they came in just as eager, but followed directions and listened better. That was nice. I was sleeeepy today. Today I had them until 1145-they had lunch, then Japanese again. After Japanese, I had them until dismissal at 3:25. Dismissal is strange! No bell, no announcements. Just watch the clock. Some parents start hanging out by the door, and when we are ready, and it’s close enough to 3:25, I send them off with their parents. Then one group goes out my back door to car riders, and the other group out the front door towards buses. It’s strange, but it works.
Tomorrow they have art, lunch, then PE back to back. Will I ever get used to this? This is just the week 1 schedule. Next week is a week 2 schedule. It alternates all year.
Overall it’s been great having the kids. I have been so excited to move here, and learn, and experience the food and culture…but I came to teach. And finally, that’s here.
The kids are fairly quirky, and come from all over. I know many of you have been waiting to hear about my class makeup, so here goes.
About 4 from USA, 2 Korean, 1 Dutch, 1 South African, 1 British/Japanese, 1 Korean/Japanese, 5 Japanese. They come with so much knowledge, and fascination with everything. This will certainly be an exciting year!
For those following my FB posts, you might have noticed me posting about yoga. This is only my second time ever doing it, and it’s led by our new secondary art teacher. She does a nice job, I feel relaxed in there with everyone. There are only about 7 of us who go, and everyone else has a bit of experience. I am proud that I am able to go, and somewhat keep up. I try what I can, and when I can’t, I watch and stretch. It’s super hot in the area we do it, but there are lovely views of the mountains. And it does help me relax. If nothing else, right now, that is nice. I took a nice walk around the neighborhood the other night. I really enjoy looking at the houses. It’s so peaceful here. Quiet, and peaceful. It’s strange though, some of the houses. It’s a mix…mostly traditional Japanese houses, with private driveways with gates and lovely gardens. Then, peppered every so often, is a pastel colored, victorian modeled house. Complete with pointy tower windows and scalloped siding. I mean, really? Strange.
Last weekend was great exploring Nagoya castle and seeing traditional Obon dancing. I am looking forward to visiting another castle soon, one that is older and un-touched. Less touristy.
I made my first Asian dish…an attempt at Pad Thai. I successfully located fish sauce and soy sauce (you wouldn’t believe the amount of sauces they have!), got everything for it…I thought. Apparently, what I thought might have been tamarind paste…was in fact some extremely hot sauce paste. SO it looked right, but it was missing that other taste. Still ok though. I was just excited to have found the right sauces!
That’s pretty much it for now. Late night, long hours prepping…and trying to fit in some me-time to balance it all out. I usually am only work work work-so let’s hope for some relaxing through yoga and walks…and maybe a bike ride. I am getting the courage up to try it out!
For now,
Oyasuminasai
おやすみなさい
K + P
ps-Paul is doing pretty good. Trying to figure out his schedule too…they keep changing secondary. We have figured out a bit of a system…he goes home after school’s out and picks me up about 615. That works for now!
Pss-Please view the pictures below for more tales from Japan. See foods, sightseeing, and a hostess dog named Chester.
I think people were carried in this. Ummm…I am waay to big
Ok, it’s messing up. More pictures later! Look for second post!
Y
Why isn’t there an Undo button??
こんにちは
So I had just spent 45 minutes telling you what’s happened so far this week with some GREAT stories and descriptions. And I somehow deleted the WHOLE freaking thing. Really? UUGH. WHY isn’t there an undo button? Why doesn’t it save automatically??? SO, here is the recap.
We are alive. Doing very well. Very well fed. Lot’s of meetings at school this week. Lot’s of freedom to teach/plan/decorate/monitor how I want. Yay.
Went downtown. Shopped, ate. Drank-ladies night, all you can drink, 1,300 yen ($13). Like whoa-great night. Somehow we made it home from downtown on the trains/bus by ourselves 🙂
Temples. Ancient, full of history, beautiful. Swanky coffee bar/cafe (no booze, but treated like it was). I think the owner was Yakuza. Made friends, took pictures.
Drank beer/wine and had pizza and sushi at school last night for official welcome back dinner. Drinking at school. Wowza.
Yummy coffee today at Pelican. Love that place. National holiday so school “closed.” Spent most of the day there. It was nice…my own key-no alarm. Decorated-organized. Getting there.
Yoga-did it at school for the first time today. New art teacher taught it. Very relaxed. Might go again.
Paul fixed dinner. MMM.
See photos below and make your own stories.
Good night. Maybe more pics tomorrow when I don’t feel like throwing my computer and cell phone out the window.
Sayonara
さようなら
Last week in the States…
Konbanwa!
こんばんは
I can’t believe I am saying that! This whole summer has been leading to this week…the last week. I am ready to go, no doubt…
but I found myself saying, “Oooh, Paul I have to do this before we go…or eat here one last time…”
It’s a strange feeling really. People trying to get their last visit in before the going away party…and me turning them down because I have family coming in and just being out of time. It’s strange.
It’s strange to say we leave next week. That this time next Monday we will be somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.
Its comforting to know that my dad will be tracking our entire flight…24/7. It’s what he does 🙂
Mom’s nervous about the plane…seeing as all the problems lately. It will be fine!
Thursday night was spent celebrating great friends and good food with my coworkers from Norton Park. It was a special evening of goodbyes. I have known those ladies for 7 years, and we are all close. It was Asian food themed, so everyone brought something Asian to eat that was their favorite 🙂 Lot’s of yummy food!
I even won $30 playing BUNCO (a great game, look it up if you don’t know it)!!!!!
Yesterday was family pictures-and boy was it hot! It was a fun evening trying to pose, but not look like we were posing…with sweaty faces and frizzy hair. Hopefully the sweat and the frizz can be edited out!!
Tonight we had turkey and dressing…a Thanksgiving in July! And, I made coconut macaroons for the first time! They are pretty good too, even if they didn’t set up perfectly…they are close!
I am really enjoying the family time I get to have.
It was strange to wake up this morning at 9:25 and realize that I normally would be at work then…socializing with everyone, setting up my room (or trying to anyway, it’s hard when everyone sits around and talks)! I saw a couple posts of pictures…they had a fun photo booth at school today and everyone was taking silly pictures and printing them out on the traditional strips. I saw a picture and was thinking…someone photo shop me in! Just then, I get a snap from a friend-they are in a group picture and left a spot for me. Yes, I totally started crying and couldn’t even completely tell mom what the picture was.
It was very sweet…I then took a picture of the picture…and drew myself in and sent it back. That made me laugh which stopped the tears. That was a success!
I am so ready and happy to be on this new adventure…to leave the Park was very difficult. It’s hard leaving your home-but I can think about it with fondness as I look forward to making new friends and having new teaching and learning experiences at NIS.
Our official going away party is this Saturday-it will be a Southern Sayonara 🙂 It’s a cute theme…a last hurrah of southern food, potluck style since we can’t get southern food in Japan!
Looking forward to those final goodbyes as we will take off the next day!
For now,
Sayonara!
サヨナラ
K + P
Pictures preview…mummy/daughter ink
A sample of great friends celebrating
This girl. Hearts x a million!
Will miss both so much! #notjustworkfriends
New bags the family got for us!
Morning coffee with hummingbirds
Hello! Fresh hair color!
Selfies in the car with daddio
Mellow Mushroom with my nephews! I think I got Garrett interested in big brother!
First attempt at coconut macaroons=success!
55 Days
Konnichiwa!
こんにちは
Below the 60 day mark. Yikes! I feel like I have done so much…and yet there is still so much to do.
House update: We have some low offers…will see what our options are.
Car: The last of my car dealings will be finalized tomorrow when we officially sign over our title. I am shocked…SHOCKED at how quickly it came in. Loan cleared Wednesday and title was issued from state, and mailed to us, by Saturday. Crazy! But thankful it was fast!
So I guess the biggest news at the moment is about Paul!! Matthew (OUR headmaster) has officially offered Paul work at NIS! He has a couple jobs up his sleeve for the year, but it seems like he will be assisting some special needs students with academics (not sure what this looks like, but I know there are two…upper elementary and middle school). He will also be coordinating and running a SAT prep course over a couple weekends, and finally coaching.
We aren’t sure what sport though. He will talk with high school principal next week about SAT and to the sports coordinator guy later as well.
As for me, we had to let them know what extra curricular activities we wanted to take part in. I sent my ideas and we will see what they put together.
I have several interests…and for those of you who know me…you know i LOVE to get involved. So I will have to see what they offer. All activities are paid with a monthly stipend of some sort…so that’s new 🙂
What I told them:
1st option-Habitat for Humanity assistant (though I would run it if they needed it)
2nd option-musical assistant
3rd option-middle school student council advisor
4th opttion-STEM type after school club for elementary or mdidle
5th option-assistant coaching a sport…don’t laugh! I don’t play, but I organize very well! I mentioned that if they wanted Paul as a head coach for something, I would be his assistant. That would be wild! We did something like that before when I was ASP director. We ran a basketball club after school. Basketball would be ideal for Paul, but baseball/softball or volleyball would be cool too.
Things are shaping up! I am now waiting on two things…
-Visa paperwork-it will be sent to me then I have to go downtown to the Japanese embassy
-Car for Japan-we turned down what was being sold by teachers leaving NIS, so let’s see what our options are now!
I think that’s it for now…I need to post a picture…
well, howabout this. Paul and I shared our 6th wedding anniversary this weekend. Photos of our cemetery Vaults and Malts tour…(does he know me or what? Cemetery tour on our anniversary…I freaking love cemeteries!), plus, I got a t-shirt. Anything harry potter is exciting, so when we found Hogwarts t-shirts at Target…I so needed it!
For now…
Sayōnara
さようなら
Kelli + Paul
Pictures!!
Anniversary in the cemetery
Forgot to post about my awesome send off at Norton Park! It was quiet, and that’s ok. I have a get together with close friends later in July…but here is a picture of my amazing administrators… I can’t post much else…will get teary. Love them!
It’s HERE!
This is the message and picture I got from Paul today while on my way home from a very rainy day of work. I knew exactly what he meant…the IT.
My paperwork from Japan. I have to be honest…I kind of just stared at the package before hugging it and running upstairs like a child on Christmas morning. I am not sure if that’s charming…or pathetic 🙂
I will go with charming! My packet included a letter from the headmaster’s secretary, my contract, our visa applications, heath insurance information and profile sheet, and something about a physical (yuck). Those are the official items.
She also included a Nagoya InfoGuide, March and April’s Nagoya International Community Center Calendar…which is a monthly published magazine with local events, articles, coupons, community bulletin boards, tips, etc.
I also got the NIS (Nagoya International School–please just memorize NIS…) Connections quarter magazine that has load of information for alumni, supporters, and parents…it gives a great snapshot to last spring and this past winter.
What started out as a dismal rainy Monday…ended much brighter! The yummy fruit sangria I made might have also helped 🙂
Oh, and I learned some new words this weekend.
Hai means yes…
Arigatō means thank you…
Come on Rosetta Stone…ready to get this started!
さようなら
Sayōnara
K
North Macedonia: Land of the Sun 