Day 16 - 入学式 (entrance ceremony)

April 12, 2011

Today was my school's entrance ceremony for the new 1st years. Like the graduation ceremony decoration, attention to detail was key. Man, when I was sort of setting up the gym with the students, the picture of the earthquake appeared in my mind. Well, I wasn't terrified, but I was somewhat "anticipating" another earthquake when we were setting up.

Ok, the ceremony has started! With the entrance music and the entrance of the homeroom teachers followed by their corresponding "newbies", I regretted not being able to attend the graduation ceremony....=( Well, I guess as some had said, there would probably be regrets either way. True that. Anyway, back to this entrance ceremony. Some of the first year teachers were 3rd year teachers a few weeks ago. It was interesting to see them leading other groups of students into the gym. They were leading school-leavers a few weeks ago, and now they are leading school-comers. When the teachers were leading the students, I was telling myself, "I want to be a teacher! It's so 偉大！". Haha, Yeah, I was in my own little world, as usual. I suddenly felt by setting up the ceremony like that, teachers have such big roles in students' lives! Teachers often bring students to their next stages of lives! Wow.....what an impact. It's amazing seeing these kids going through their next stage of life. They are going to learn a lot, change a lot, perhaps see a lot. Hopefully I can bring something interesting for them... Seeing them entereing a new stage made me all emotional (i am weird..i know..ha). I guess I wonder for myself.....

when and where is my next stage?


What's next?

Day 15 - 1 month... (and let's meet my sister, Grace!)

April 11, 2011

Ok, I cheated a little bit... It's not April 11 today, but whatever.

Hmmmm, I was going to post something else since April 11, 2011 is the 1 month anneversary of the Tohoku 9.0 earthquake. However, I couldn't seem to find a picture for it... Yeah, it has been a month. This month was definitely not the easiest month for many people in the Tohoku area of Japan, especially for those who have lost...something during this catatrophe. Up to today, we've had almost 1000 aftershocks after the initial shock...and the number is still raising. Haha, I am starting to be able to "hear" earthquake before it happens... Although I wasn't here for the entire month, but even the week after the quake gave me a lot of struggle and seeing. It is true. Even though I've only been in Japan for less than a year, I do feel I am somehow a part of this community. I am glad I am back. I do want to somehow help this community. It is sad to see all these happenings... I was watching a special edition show on tv about the quake etc. events. My heart hurt when I saw how helpless and pretty much hopeless the people who live close to Daiichi were... I was talking to our eductational advisor earlier and he said that many of them are coming to Sendai for school, jobs, etc. I hope God will continue to provide the best possible under this sitatuion. May Japan recover soon. I have not had enough of Japan yet!!

Wait wait...yes, my photo of the day. I actually wanted to put this photo as my photo of the day anyway, but I suddenly realized it was a month since 311, I thought I should write something about it. Anyway, back to the pic. Well, students are back to school, but there are no classes yet. Recently, I've been thinking of lesson ideas. Video conferencing was one of items in my list-to-try. Now I love my mobile internet! =) Although reception isn't as great as many stable internet is, it usually does the job. =) In the new school year, I might try skyping someone back home with my students to make an English lesson more interesting. In the lesson, they can practice speaking, listening. It is also a fun way to do some cultural exchange! Well, I guess video conferencing is not new anymore, but I think it still is somewhat unfamiliar in the Japanese classroom. I hope I can utilize this technology into the classroom. I would be fun!

Grace, say cheeeese! =) Haha, isn't my sister cute~~~!!! =P

Day 14 - Getting back to normal...

April 10,2011

I went to town today to grab some food and just to walk around. It is encouraging to see that stores are starting to open again and there were definitely more people on the street. I really liked the feeling of "standing up and walk again" kinda vibe. Well, not all stores were opened, but seeing more stores opening brings a greater sense of hope. =)

I was in town in search of food. I was really craving for 牛肉麫...something I missed when I was in Taiwan. Boooo! One of the Chinese restaurants that has been famous for their gyoza was opened! They had a "cheer everyone up" special today. It was quite a good deal!! You would get 6 pieces of gyoza, a bowl of rice (whatever size), and a BIG bowl of veggie ramen for 480 yen! =) Deal! so I got that. The staffs still provided their good hospitatlity as usual. It was good.

Actually a few stores provided "cheer you up" sale. It was interesting of the ways Japanese people use to bring everyone back together, to cheer people up, and to tell people to be strong. Well, I guess it is also a kind of business tactic..haa! whatever...I guess building up the team spirit is quite important in such situation.

I like their team spirit and their willingness to help each other. =)

がんばろう仙台！

Day 13 - Let's rebuild!

April 9, 2011

Today was just a chilled and normal day. It was nice to see some of the fellow ALTs. I am excited about the possible projects. I definitely hope some or at least one of them would work.

I was walking along ichiban cho and saw a bunch of newspaper for people to read. Tanabata festival, the biggest festival in Sendai, is still going to take place as scheduled! =) In fact, Sendai has the most elaborated tanabata festival in Japan. I was fortunate enough to experience it last year when I came to Japan. It was very festive! Initially I thought all the festivals would be cancelled because 青葉祭り which was supposed to take place in May will be cancelled. This was the festival that I was going to play taiko... =( Oh well, there's still time next year. =)

I am looking forward to this year's tanabata! It will mean so much to the people here! especially the ones who are greatly affected by this catastrophe. Instead of a pure celebration and tradition, this year's tanabata theme is to "revive.." and something else. Well, I guess the basic idea is to bring everyone together and fight this tough time together. There has been a lot of "cheer you up" commercials (or propaganda) on tv. Well, I certainly hope Japan can fight through this tough time too.

add oil.

Day 12 - 東北がんばろう！！！

April 8, 2011

There was another big earthquake yesterday at around 11:50pm. It was a 7.4 aftershock. The epicentre was, again, quite close to Sendai. It was a 6 at Sendai. I was at home...on my bed. I planned to sleep early yesterday because I think I caught a cold. Well, the earthquake totally woke me up. Initially I thought it's just another strongish after shock, BUT it started to shake like crazy!!!! I started to hear things dropping at my apartment...

Hmmm, you might be thinking..."what did you do during the quake? dig and cover?? open the doors???" Haha, um...nope. I..um...continued to lie on my bed. I figure unless the house collapses, my bed might actually be a pretty safe place...XD There's nothing heavy on top of me. Hmm, well, I guess next time (but I certainly don't want a next time...) I will open the doors so if I had to leave, I could. Immediately after the quake, I went to turn on the light, take out my important stuff once again, move some of my furnitures again, and turn on the tv. Man, this tv is tough!!! I got it for free before I arrived Japan. From the last quake, the tv dropped on the floor w/ the screen facing down. Yesterday I actually found out some cracks on the side of my tv, BUT it still worked fine!!! =) I instantly saw the news talking about the quake. It was the strongest after shock so far (and I centainly hope it will be the only one...). However, I was fortunate enough to continue to have power, water, and gas.

Again, it was very hard to make phone calls, so I went on fb using my phone to update my status. Haha, I was actually pleasantly surprised that I still had gas! I went to take a shower immediately because i didn't know when would be the next time I could do that. It was my first time washing my hair and body in 4 minutes. Luckily I live by myself. Just in case another if another huge after shock would happen, I didn't close the washroom door. It was a goooood 4 minutes tho. =) Soon after I finished taking a shower, both my sis and supervisor called me to make sure I was safe and sound.

Ok, I guess back to my photo of the day. I was going to work this morning and found out the train was not operating, so I could stay home for the day. I was glad that I could rest today because I was sooooooo tired (!!)...from the quake and my trip. Yes, add oil arrrr, Tohoku! I really wish all these quake, tsunami, radiation problem will end soon!!!! 東北がんばろう!! Signs like this are everywhere in town. Every other commercial on tv was about telling people to trust Japan's strength and to go through this tough time together. I like this team spirit building aspect. I guess that's one of the reasons why people are willing to help each other, and patiently wait in line for things instead of complaining.

Another realization from the quake:

do what you want/need to do when you still have the chance because you never when you will lose the opportunity.

Well, I guess this can be a food for thought for me and everyone. =)

東北,がんばろう!!!! 日本，加油！！

Day 11 - 不倒翁

April 7, 2011

so I'm back to my Sendai home and it means I'm back to my photo a day thing. I was going to take one of those "がんばろう東北！！" signs that are everywhere, but I was too lazy. Well, this is a good photo too. I got this from a friend and I totally love it! =) No matter how you put this, it will never fall and it will stand staight again. That's why it's called "不倒翁". I hope Japan will be like this (well, I think Japan will be like it.) Well, it is also to encourage all of us to be a 不倒翁. No matter what happens to the circumstances, just stand up again.

Well, just an aside, Sendai is a lot better than the week after the quake. Many stores have opened. Although they don't have as much stock as they used to, or they tend to have shorter hours, food and water are a lot more accessible now. I went back to work today. I was glad that the staffs were very nice and they were worried about my well-being than any other thing. Initially I was a bit afraid to "face" them because I seemed to have left during their down times, but I was pleasantly surprised at the atmosphere in school today! =)

Seriously, I can only say I am a very blessed person. I had such a great time w/ amazing people in hk and tw. Now I'm back to Japan, and I found out that all my utilities and means of transportations have come back!!!! How fortunate I am!!!!! God is soooo good to me. Tooooo good in fact. =) Gas was actually back ON THE DAY that I came back.

Hmmm, there's a possible exchange project that would be very interesting; however, I guess I was a bit tooooooooo ambitious. Well, doesn't hurt to try eh? =) Let's see how it would turn out. =)

take care everyone. Remember to be a 不倒翁~ =)

Back to real life.

I'm about to head back to sushi land. Let's start documenting my adventure there in a bit! It was an awesome vacation and I am truly blessed with all the people I have seen and met. I love you all~ =)