Summer Party

A few weeks ago I was hired to plan an American-style party in celebration of summer for Japanese students aged8-12 who are learning English. After two weeks of planning and crafting the day arrived. It began with presentations by the students in English.


Toyoma made "Fish Shaped pancake Stuffed with bean jam." I think these are made for Boy's Day, when fish are all around us. He gave the presentation in English, made two of the delicious treats, and everyone played rock-paper-scissors for who would get to eat it.




Yuri, assisted by Miyoko-san, read from the book "Swimmy."




The older kids presented a shortened book version of Peter pan.





My friend! I don't know her name, but she was sooo eager to spend time with me. Sitting next to me in every game, cupcaking, and all other times.





The youngest kids sang Doe-A-Deer from Sound of Music, their teacher played piano and led. It was suuuuper cute.


After their presentations, we played games (that's what i was in charge of planning). We played Musical Chairs, Hot Potato, Pin the Tail on the Donkey and Simon Says. Then it was noon, definitely time for some sugar. I'd baked 3 dozen cupcakes. The students each got one, and were able to frost it and decorate it. It was interesting. I put the icing on the table, and they just stared at me. American kids would be fighting over who gets the chocolate frosting before the icing was even on the table... They sat there and looked at me until i demonstrated.


One boy's cupcake - took all the different color gel icings and mixed them on.





Then it was time for outdoor activities. We had a waterballoon toss. But the balloons were childproof! They wouldn't pop! So this game lasted along time as all the balloons rolled around the ground. Then it was Pinata. I made the pinata myself...that's why it looks like a balloon, because I papier-mached over a balloon. They had a great time. As I was getting ready to walk to the train station, Miyoko - the lead teacher - asked if I would be interested in doing a regular bi-monthly conversation class for some high schoolers and their parents. So we'll see if that materializes. It was a lot of fun.

The Sign

This was a sign posted on a vending machine we encountered at the Nijo Castle.



By all means, please tell me what it means!?! I asked my conversation student, Osami, what it could mean. This was his response: I'm also not sure the meaning of the sentences in English in the picture. But I could understand its meaning from Japanese in it.
Maybe it means like the following... (please correct it! I also don't have confidence..)
"Please make sure not to bring a PET bottle or similar thing into the park.
If the PET bottle is being capped, you can bring it along with you in the park, however, if not, please don't do that. Thank you in advance for your understanding." (PET is a type of plastic bottle)

My first English class

While in Japan, most wives teach English to Japanese students. Students can be anywhere from 3years old to 70 years old! Last Wednesday and this Wednesday I am subbing for one of the wives in my squadron for two of her classes. The first class is an hour and a half with a lead teacher and 6 women, aging 35-65. It is a beginner's class. It impresses me sooo much that they are looking to learn English! I got paid 4000 Yen ($40) to read aloud conversations from a book, and then practice it with each student, as well as asking what they did over their weekend. They are such sweet women, and think I'm very posh and a big gift to them. I had sooo much fun.

The second class is with Asami-san. He is about 45 years old and has been to America many times and goes to New York at least once a year. We talk for an hour about anything and everything. Last week, we talked about where I have lived, the Somali Pirate issue, Japan's emperor and his succession. And then he paid me 5000Yen ($50). What! Easiest money I've ever made.

Since we've been here, we feel like we've been hemorrhaging money. Between fronting money to pay for living in the Navy Lodge, fronting money to move in to Casa Jardin Room C... And then whenever we eat out, we have to withdraw Yen. Oiy, our bank cards are still steaming from all this use! So having classes that bring in Yen helps us from withdrawing from our own account. Living out on the economy we will be using more Yen than Dollars. For instance, last night I went to the Fish Store to pick up some salmon and lemons and a few fresh veggies. No cards accepted, so I had to fish through my yen purse and pray I had 1340 Yen ($13.40), which I did. Plus, the Yen is stronger than the dollar currently so every 5000Yen I earn, is saving us $3.