Danielle- School Visit Adventures

School Visit Adventures!

If I could visit with elementary students at kokurika (school visits) every day, I totally would. The kids are so incredibly welcoming to me, so eager to learn, and sooo cute!

This week, I had my second kokurika (school visit) at a kindergarten. This was my biggest one yet, for an hour and a half, with 4 classrooms of kids altogether - probably 60 or more 6-year-olds all jam-packed in one room, the energy was fantastic!

We played many Hippo games, did a bunch of fun activities with them, and I got to introduce myself to them with my large-print kamishibai (paper theater). As I brought out my family photo (specifically, showing them my eight family members), the whole room burst out with "Ehhhhh?!!" And then I told them that compared to their kindergarten (which had a very large campus), my garden was even bigger than that. "Ehhhhhh?!!" Their reactions were priceless!

I was also amazed at how, when I told them I was from America, they started openly – without hesitation or embarrassment - speaking English to me. My heart melted when they'd look straight at me (a foreign face) then smile and say, "Danielle!" and "Hello!" and "See you!"

Towards the end of the day, I left our Hippo members' meeting room to run to the bathroom (the bathroom was an adventure all in itself, by the way. Pictures included).

On my way out, I was bombarded with those little cuties coming up to me, wanting to play. Handing me origami paper and watching me fold the only thing I know how to fold. Asking me which mold they should use make their playdough creations. Showing me their art albums of crayon masterpieces. Introducing me to Cat's Cradle string games. Taking photos together with my well-used camera that day. Giving me so many high-fives and smiles. I had a hard time leaving them – If I could've stayed and played with them all day, I would have!

Kids are awesome. I know I could learn a thing or two from them. Their welcoming, all-inclusive attitude; not to be afraid to talk to someone new, not to be afraid to walk up and give someone the warmest smile you've ever seen. Not to be afraid by barriers of any kind. If we could all think more like children, the world would be a less fearful place, I think.

P.S. Got on the 5:40-something-AM train to get to the school (which I guess is VERY early by Japanese standards), and I got to sit on every train I transferred to. It was glorious, and I would not mind doing it again. :D

Comments

Maddie- The First of Many New Experiences

The First of Many New Experiences So, what have my first weeks been like in Japan? ABSOLUTELY BUSY! But, also...AMAZING! Truly, it has been a busy couple of weeks here, but not overwhelmingly so. Furthermore, I`d prefer to be kept busy! Too much free time = too much thinking = homesickness. By keeping a full, fun schedule, with some relaxing and downtime, I can keep engaged with my surroundings, make new friends, and stay sane. To prevent a wall of text, let me break down for you some of my recent activities. So far, I have: Presented about my life in Wisconsin to classes of middle school and elementary school students. Eaten kaiten-zushi, or conveyor belt sushi. Been interviewed about my biggest surprise when I came to Japan (it`s bluntness in regards to appearance, people won`t hesitate to call someone fat, or tell you that you`ve gotten skinny since they last saw you. As I`ve seen it, it`s never been malicious, just matter-of-fact). Post filming. To my ...

Daniel- I have Guests!

I Have Guests! [訪れていた] (Daniel) After a trip to the Middle East, my sister and her husband decided to return to the US flying over Asia instead of Europe, so that they could stop by in Japan and say "Hi". Y-A-A-A-A-Y. It felt really good to see some family after seven months away. Unfortunately, the two of them could only stay for 3 days, so we were quite busy during that time. The three of us visited obvious famous places like Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, and Akihabara. But I personally enjoyed going to a park where we did the tea ceremony in a tea house on the park's pond. The two of them found it strange that there were no chairs and the process to drink some tea was so formal. I guess I didn't really think about it, I have become so used to traditional tea ceremonies that they don't seem strange to me anymore. I guess I'm becoming a local I also really enjoyed introducing my sister and brother-in-law to my co-work...

Daniel- Okutama

Okutama　(Daniel) This past week, my eyes were opened to the fact that Japan is much more than a concrete jungle of lights and high-rise buildings. For the first time, I was able to head west to Okutama, a mountainous region on the west side of Tokyo Prefecture. Unlike the city, Okutma is covered with forest and greenery. The abundance of nature makes it a beautiful place to visit in the fall. Not too far from Okutama is Heirinji Zen Temple in Saitama, where I was blown away by the beauty of autumn in Japan. The purpose for my being in that area was to visit a kindergarten and to give a HIPPO presentation along with other HIPPO members. Among them was a younger gentleman nicknamed Tango, whom I hadn't met before. Tango and I got along very well, and he invited me on a hike, along with his friend, the next day. Tango's family owns a very quaint Soba restaurant in Okutama. The surrounding mountains and nature really give it a traditional Japanese feel. The three of u...

Search This Blog