Under the weather

I have been sick for the past few days. Yesterday I broke down and called in sick. I had a never-ending cold from mid-November through mid-December and just dealt with it. But this time is got worse rapidly and there was no way I should have gone to school, so I called. Those who know me well know that I do NOT go to a doctor unless I see no alternative. On the one hand, this is a good thing because I am not immune to antibiotics. On the other hand, this is a bad thing because, well, it is just not good to never see a doctor. I have been especially nervous about seeing a doctor in Japan.

My supervisor picked me up and gave me three options for where to see a doctor. Option 1) the clinic in my town; Option 2) a large clinic in Toyoto with two male doctors; Option 3) a clinic in Ozuki with a female doctor. At one of those orientations in Tokyo or maybe pre-orientation in Chicago, I recall someone saying that if you live in a small town you should avoid going to a clinic in your town or else everyone will be more in your business than they already are. So I opted for the female doctor.

We walked in the door and the receptionist was obviously taken aback by the sight of my non-Japanese face. She wasn't horrified, more like suprised and slightly amused. I can understand enough Japanese now that I could tell she was asking about me, my country and why I was in Japan. She didn't seem so concerned about why I was at the clinic, which I thought was strange. My supervisor helped fill out the forms and told my ailments. I had to take a urine test, which was kind of awkward, as my supervisor (my supervisor is a male) led me to the proper toilet and told me where to put the pee cup after I had finished my business. About 10 minutes later a nurse took me to a room and my supervisor stayed in the waiting room. The room was very open to the staff, not private in the slightest. She didn't speak a lick of English. All I could say was "Nani nani ga itai," as she wrote down my ailments. On the table under glass was a prayer of health, one version in Japanese and another in English. I was suprised and comforted by this. About 3 minutes later a kind-looking, older woman in a white coat came around the corner. She said, "Ohayo..." before looking at me, then when she saw me said, "Oh!" as her eyes got bigger. Oh no, I thought to myself, how will I ever explain myself. But then...she started speaking English. Thank God! It only took about 5 minutes, then another 20 to get medicines. I paid (the amazingly cheap price of approx. $16) and we left. A very painless adventure.

In America when you tell someone you have a cold, few people really care. So throughout the day, I was suprised by all the well wishes from people here. I received emails from both JTEs at Kikugaw Jr. High, three people from my office, and my neighbor who offered to make me food. All inquired about my health and asked if I needed any help. The head of my office told me I could rest today. But my supervisor informed me that if I did not go into work today it would be considered nenkyu. So I was honest with my supervisor's supervisor (we have a very informal relationship) and told him I didn't want to use nenkyu and that I would most likely go into work. He understood.

I needed to go to school today. I was scheduled to go to an elementary school today, which I knew was an important visit. This school only gets an ALT visit two times a year, and I knew how disappointed the students would be if I didn't come. Also, this was also one of the few time I got to be in control over ALL the material in ALL the lessons, so I was pumped about the opportunity. I am so glad I went. The teachers and students were all as lovely as they were the first time, and we had a nice time. My supervisor thanked me for coming in, despite me not feeling well, and told me that after I was finished at 1pm, I could go home and not return to the office. Wow. Does that ever happen in Japan?

Some of you may wonder why on earth I have agreed to re-contract when I live in the inaka with no car and where it takes 1,300 yen round trip just to go to Shimonoseki (that 1,300 really adds up). Well, it is honestly because of the people in my community. I have earned their trust and respect, and they genuinely care about me. Likewise, I have developed a deep affection for them. Not to mention the town children know me and are excited to see me, rather than scared and nervous like they were at first.

Here are the lovely meals my neighbors, the Fujinos, prepared for me yesterday and today.

I love the pumpkin soup! It looks like mustard but tastes so good.

5th graders at school today. I know I look like death here. One should never wear black when s/he is feeling ill. It only makes you look paler than you already are. Learn from my mistake.

Some suggestions, please

Two of my brothers are visiting Japan in 3 weeks. I am meeting them in Osaka and we are staying in Kyoto for a couple days before heading back this way. I thought about us going to Mt. Aso in Kumamoto, but after looking at how many hours in transportation it will take us to get there, I don't think we will have time. Does anyone have a suggestion for a place we can go to, maybe for just a day trip or for one night? Please let me know.

Happy Valentine's Day

If it wasn't for the cake that one student gave me today, I wouldn't have known it was Valentines Day. I am ok with that. Despite the fact that I am usually single on the holiday, I don't dislike it. Most years I join in the festivities and make Valentines for friends and pick out nice candies to bundle up and give as suprises. Last year I was teaching and planned my first class Valentine party. I don't know about you non-US folks, but in American elementary schools Valentine's Day is one of the best days in the year. Your class has a huge party and everyone brings in candy and Valentine's for his and her classmates. Most teachers are leary of having big Halloween or Christmas parties, but who can make a controversy out of a holiday devoted to love? All in all it has been a delightful day. I wore a pink shirt to remind myself that it was a holiday. I gave away Valentine stickers as prizes. And in Japanese fashion, I gave away some chocolate.

Thanks to my mother for finding a website in English to order me roses in Japan.


Cheers to the lovely san-nensais at Kikugawa Jr. High. They are a neat group of kids, not at all afraid to talk to me and are starting to become my friends. I wish I knew all their names. I will be sad to see them go in March.

It's freezing...

literally. It is the coldest morning of the year. I know this not only because of my thermometer, but also because my hot water was frozen. I literally laughed out loud and said, "Oh no no no. I am NOT taking a cold shower when the surrounding air is 33*!" I boiled two pots of water, threw them in a bucket, and proceeded to bathe with that little bit of water. Somehow or other I am not running late. And I am happy that my hair is washed. Things learned: 1.) when it is freezing cold, get up at least 10 minutes earlier; 2.) boil more water; 3.) I am lucky this hasn't happened yet this winter; 4.) hot water has a whole new meaning now and I am much more grateful for it. Have a wonderful day, everyone!

A thin line

A good friend sent me an email yesterday morning telling of some terrible and sad news. Three students at the school I taught at before coming to Japan had recently been shot in their home. Their mother and older sister died, and a two-year-old boy was shot, as well. I did not know any of the children personally, but I remember one of the boys because he was in the same grade I taught (2nd grade). I know he had a lot of problems then; his mother was often in the school to help. And now she is dead. I cannot imagine what those children and that family and school is going through. My heart is grieving with them. How on earth would you go about telling your class that one of its students had been shot and was in the hospital? Those are the kinds of things you don't learn in college.

Many things have happened recently that remind me of just how thin the line is between life and death. The second week of January I walked into a junior high ichi-nensai classroom where one of its students had just died two days prior in a car accident. Wow, that was a sobering experience. The class was as quiet as a mouse. The desk where the girl used to sit seemed to be the most empty desk I have ever seen, and on top of her desk sat a simple flower arrangement in her memory. It is really easy to say things like, "Life is precious" or "Life is short" la la la. But situations like walking in that ichi-nensai classroom and the shooting have a way of hitting you in the face and making you all the more aware of the truth of those cliche sayings.

On a different note, today was a lovely day at elementary school. I go to this school once a month. Today was my last day of the school year, and I received many presents. This school has a really intelligent and capable faculty. It is a joy and pleasure to come there. Thanks to the kids and teachers today for keeping my mind off the shooting.

1st and 2nd grade.


3rd and 4th grade


This was taken three weeks ago at the same school. It is my only kindergarten class. They are super genki and attentive and have the most beautiful pronunciation. Next time I see them they will be first graders. What an exciting time in their young lives!

Welcome to Angie's blog

I have been contemplating beginning a blog for awhile. Back in college the majority of the campus was on an online journal kick, which ended up just being a gossip fest, and I wanted nothing to do with that scene. But some recent events of this week have encouraged me to go ahead and start my own blog, not to mention Becky said, "You should start a blog." So thanks, Becky, for being the final straw. Here I am. Welcome.

Here is a recent Kikugawa sunset I saw on my walk home from school. I practially ran to my house to get my camera so I could get a photo before it disappeared. At times like this I have to stand in awe and say a prayer of thanks for being surrounded by such beauty. I feel incredibly lucky to be exactly where I am at this point in my life.


Five junior high boys here in Kikugawa baked and decorated these cupcakes for me. They were SO nervous to give them to me. I especially liked the one with the big pink lips. The boy who created that one had the reddest face of any person I have seen as he gave it to me. When I go to junior high schools in Shimonoseki, students (usually san-nensai boys) sometimes scream rude and sexual-related comments down the hall. It is a joy and relief to be in Kikugawa Junior High on a some-what regular basis where the boys just turn red in the face rather than be disrespectful.


I wish that this picture could convey just how sweet the students and teacher are at this school. The whole school only has 53 students! Sadly, because I go to so many schools, I won't be returning there until next school year sometime. They hold a special place in my heart.


So here I am. Welcome to my blog.