Went to city hall and the bank today. Had to register to become a legal alien. It’ll take until October 6, and only then can I get a cell phone, internet, etc. In the meantime, at least I have a bank account set up. Of course, I would have been able to do none of these things by myself—my coworker Rika helped me out.
Had a pizza hot dog for lunch today, cost only a buck fifty. Who would have thought a hot dog wrapped in dough and covered in sauce and cheese and parsley would be good? It was.
Also went to the internet café, where I accidentally held down shift for 5 seconds, causing everything to turn into caps and rendering me unable to use the enter key. And, not knowing Japanese, I couldn’t get into the options menu to turn it back. NOT FUN.
In better news, I’m also eating white peach jello with actual peaches inside, and it is delicious. And I have coffee! Just need to heat up water in the cheapo pan they gave me—covered by a plate to make it boil since it has no lid—and then use my French press and voila! coffee. My sole American luxury…
Spent many hours at the office today, watching four classes. Much of the same, though there were some 4th and 5th graders who were much more advanced than anyone else I’d seen thus far, which was nice. It’s very interesting to see how the children progress; how coloring at one year differs so markedly from coloring a year older. And how they go from crazy and restless to just bored and chatty while ignoring the teachers in just a couple years.
Also crazy: we have to wipe down the chalkboards, left to right, over and over, like eight million times. And each classroom has its own desks, and if we have to move them for one class or another, we have to move the desks back at the end of the day. Those EXACT desks, even though they’re all the same. Somehow they can tell the difference. What a nutty world this place is.
I also feel bad for Japanese kids, who apparently spend all day at school, then sports club, then a quick dinner with family, then they come back for more English lessons – some until 10pm at night! I always knew many came back for extra classes, but I had no idea some lasted as long as three hours; all so they can do well on college entrance exams. What a strange world, where kids are robbed of childhood and the national collective consciousness seems to be “Work as much and often as you can, so you can be the best” and…make a lot of money? Bring pride to your family? It’s a far cry from the “enjoy life while you can” philosophy, which I happen to subscribe to…makes me think how impossible it might be to meet anyone here, to have anything in common with anyone or to even remotely see life through the same lens. American brainwashing, I tell you—might as well be called Japan Corp.
After work, my fellow teachers Matt and Michael and I went to a Chinese restaurant, which was great, got some spicy kimchi with pork which was the best kimchi I’ve ever had (though that’s not particularly saying much). And best of all—you’re not allowed to tip in Japan! It’s rude! Probably the best crazy social rule I’ve encountered yet. Much better than the “no blowing your nose in public” rule I violated earlier in the day.
Also good: peanut cream. It was used to stock my fridge upon arrival, and I thought it’d just be some delicious peanut ice cream, but it’s just a gelatinous caramel-like substance that tastes kind of like a better version of peanut butter. And now I can relax and watch a Japanese dubbed version of the OC that’s currently on TV. Post-Mischa Barton, unfortunately, but I guess it’s always something.
Oh, but apparently the girl Ryan was into ditched him for some other guy who Ryan later stumbled upon sleeping with someone else at a party—someone else who just happened to be a guy! Don’t even need the English to understand. Awesome.
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