SO! today the Japanese teacher of English (Tsuda-san), along with a few other teachers (about 6 in total) took me and another girl out for our birthdays (hers was sept 1st and mine was sept 7th) to Tsuda-san's favourite restaurant. It was a tonne of fun, and I am SO full...I am also a little tipsy, so excuse any errors :P
Well. I had an experience of a lifetime. I had the privalage of eating raw squid in fish guts and raw horse meat! Yes, Raw horse meat!! It was actually really good, if not a bit fatty. Tsuda-san told the master (the chef) that it was my first time there and both mine and another teacher's birthday, so he gave us I guess a Japanese delicacy. Simmered fish. ie. Simmered fish head. Since it was our birthday, we had the privalege of each having an eye to eat!! actually, it tasted pretty good!! But it was very strange to eat a fish eye. I think it tasted like the rest of the fish, if not a bit slimier. I dont think I chewed it. I dont think Id be ready for that kind of...experience. Im still kinda like "I cant believe I just ate the eye of a fish".
On the way back we took the scenic (and dark, because it was night) route back to the apartment. The ocean sounds so awesome at night, and the smell is just indescribable.
Anyway, that was my birthday dinner!!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Dolphin swimming and opening ceremony
Alright. So this weekend was an interesting one.
On saturday morning, some of the office people from the school and my predecessor's friend and I, went dolphin swimming at about 8am. I was warned about seasickness, but I forgot to take my nausea pills, but I did put on sunscreen...I got on the boat, and I didnt think that the seasickness would be that bad. Boy, did I underestimate that!! Ive never been seasick, and I didnt think I ever would be - this wasnt my first time in the ocean, afterall. So, the first dive. I get in, and instantly I feel awful, but I manage to regain myself, and even to see the dolphins as they swam underneath me. Then we got back in the boat to follow them. Sitting on the boat, strattling the side of the boat waiting for the cue to go back in, I threw up. Then I got in the water, feeling better, washing off a bit, the dolphins were amazing! They were going in and out of the water and were having a lot of fun. Then as we neared the boat to get back in, I suddenly got extremely sick and threw up a good 4 times while in the water (ew), empyting my stomach of the cup of tea and the 3 spoonfuls of pudding I managed to eat in the morning. I sat out the next one, which was too bad, because apparently that one was the best one, because they saw a turtle. The next one I went in, and that was great! The last one I went into because the dolphins were clearly playing around (we werent allowed to touch them), and just as I hit the water I felt ill again and gaged, but with nothing to throw up, it was awful, and I didnt see anything.
So we got back on the boat and started to sail back to Miyake Jima, while I laid down on the boat, trying not to be sick again.
So, all in all, it was good, but would have been amazing had I not forgotten to take some pills.
Then I got home, washed off the salt, and then I noticed it: I was completely burnt from my stomach to my knees. The rest of the night was spent with icepacks and soaking in the tub. I had no will to eat, but I managed to eat about 2 bowls of miso soup. Sleeping that night was not very easy, but I managed.
The next day, Paulette, my predecessor, was over because she was packing her things, which I let her keep at my place til she got organized and when she finished, we went out to buy me some aloe and get some food...
The first stop was the post office. The second at the yoga instructor's place, because Paulette had been sleeping there and needed to grab the last of her things. It was about 30 degrees outside and the humidex was at about 97%. At this time I had eaten 2 bowls of soup and a can of mango juice within the last 32 hours or so,plus I was sunburnt. I started to get a headdache, and just as we were about to leave, I lost my balance and fainted (though I didnt go unconcious and I was completely in control, and I didnt hurt myself or anything...just I have never fainted before). After about a minute or so I got back up and the Yoga instructor's wife gave me a glass of water and some tylenol, as the instructor came back and gave me some aloe leaves to put on my sunburns. I felt fine then, and we decided that we should eat before anything happened again.
So we went to a restaurant and I had this curry-rice fried-chicken thing (which was good, if not a bit spicy), and one of Paulette's friends joined us. Then it was time to go to the ship, where several people from the school were there to send Paulette off. There were SO many ribbons (which I guess is the traditional way of sending someone off by boat), and everyone said their goodbyes as Paulette left towards the horizon to Tokyo, to maybe come back someday.
After that, some of the teachers and I went snorkeling, which again was amazing - we were out for a good hour and a half! I saw these sea-spider things, a really long fish, some huge fish, other kinds of tropcial fish, and a plethera of other kinds of things I had never seen before. Then I went home to do dishes, laundry and ironing (which was really hard to do, considering the sunburn).
Today was the opening ceremony. There isnt really much to say about it. The whole time it was extremely hot and everyone was staning for the whole thing (standing for half an hour in extreme heat is not easy), and I think one of the students felt ill. First the Principle came up to introduce me, and I said my speech in english (which was just Hi My name is carla, I come from here, this is my major, this is what Id like to do in miyake, polite polite, kaybye! - I spoke in english while 2 girls translated - though I think I could have said it all in Japanese, but I guess the English teacher wanted the kids to translate instead). Then some awards were given out and then we went back. The students were allowed to go home, but the teachers have to remain at school, which is why I am at the school now. I have a meeting today to talk about english classes and how they work, I suppose.
I start teaching tomorrow!
Wish me luck!
On saturday morning, some of the office people from the school and my predecessor's friend and I, went dolphin swimming at about 8am. I was warned about seasickness, but I forgot to take my nausea pills, but I did put on sunscreen...I got on the boat, and I didnt think that the seasickness would be that bad. Boy, did I underestimate that!! Ive never been seasick, and I didnt think I ever would be - this wasnt my first time in the ocean, afterall. So, the first dive. I get in, and instantly I feel awful, but I manage to regain myself, and even to see the dolphins as they swam underneath me. Then we got back in the boat to follow them. Sitting on the boat, strattling the side of the boat waiting for the cue to go back in, I threw up. Then I got in the water, feeling better, washing off a bit, the dolphins were amazing! They were going in and out of the water and were having a lot of fun. Then as we neared the boat to get back in, I suddenly got extremely sick and threw up a good 4 times while in the water (ew), empyting my stomach of the cup of tea and the 3 spoonfuls of pudding I managed to eat in the morning. I sat out the next one, which was too bad, because apparently that one was the best one, because they saw a turtle. The next one I went in, and that was great! The last one I went into because the dolphins were clearly playing around (we werent allowed to touch them), and just as I hit the water I felt ill again and gaged, but with nothing to throw up, it was awful, and I didnt see anything.
So we got back on the boat and started to sail back to Miyake Jima, while I laid down on the boat, trying not to be sick again.
So, all in all, it was good, but would have been amazing had I not forgotten to take some pills.
Then I got home, washed off the salt, and then I noticed it: I was completely burnt from my stomach to my knees. The rest of the night was spent with icepacks and soaking in the tub. I had no will to eat, but I managed to eat about 2 bowls of miso soup. Sleeping that night was not very easy, but I managed.
The next day, Paulette, my predecessor, was over because she was packing her things, which I let her keep at my place til she got organized and when she finished, we went out to buy me some aloe and get some food...
The first stop was the post office. The second at the yoga instructor's place, because Paulette had been sleeping there and needed to grab the last of her things. It was about 30 degrees outside and the humidex was at about 97%. At this time I had eaten 2 bowls of soup and a can of mango juice within the last 32 hours or so,plus I was sunburnt. I started to get a headdache, and just as we were about to leave, I lost my balance and fainted (though I didnt go unconcious and I was completely in control, and I didnt hurt myself or anything...just I have never fainted before). After about a minute or so I got back up and the Yoga instructor's wife gave me a glass of water and some tylenol, as the instructor came back and gave me some aloe leaves to put on my sunburns. I felt fine then, and we decided that we should eat before anything happened again.
So we went to a restaurant and I had this curry-rice fried-chicken thing (which was good, if not a bit spicy), and one of Paulette's friends joined us. Then it was time to go to the ship, where several people from the school were there to send Paulette off. There were SO many ribbons (which I guess is the traditional way of sending someone off by boat), and everyone said their goodbyes as Paulette left towards the horizon to Tokyo, to maybe come back someday.
After that, some of the teachers and I went snorkeling, which again was amazing - we were out for a good hour and a half! I saw these sea-spider things, a really long fish, some huge fish, other kinds of tropcial fish, and a plethera of other kinds of things I had never seen before. Then I went home to do dishes, laundry and ironing (which was really hard to do, considering the sunburn).
Today was the opening ceremony. There isnt really much to say about it. The whole time it was extremely hot and everyone was staning for the whole thing (standing for half an hour in extreme heat is not easy), and I think one of the students felt ill. First the Principle came up to introduce me, and I said my speech in english (which was just Hi My name is carla, I come from here, this is my major, this is what Id like to do in miyake, polite polite, kaybye! - I spoke in english while 2 girls translated - though I think I could have said it all in Japanese, but I guess the English teacher wanted the kids to translate instead). Then some awards were given out and then we went back. The students were allowed to go home, but the teachers have to remain at school, which is why I am at the school now. I have a meeting today to talk about english classes and how they work, I suppose.
I start teaching tomorrow!
Wish me luck!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
so it turns out I really like having a blog. Writing emails is too much work.
I hope that everyone who is interested is reading this, cause I'm not sending emails...I'll get around to postcards, except that I dont think they sell them on miyake (which is wierd cause they have miyake keychains). I wont get to Tokyo until September.
Speaking of September, apparently you can get some major discounts on airfare if you travel within 2 weeks before/after your birthday! SO...if any JETS are reading this...who wants company??
So. this week. Well, monday was tough cause the internet was down. And I didn't have a book on me, so I went swimming...They have a HUGE pool on the roof of the school! And its heavenly to swim in! I had a paid vacation yesterday (I think) and we were supposed to go dolphin swimming, but the captain said the waves were too high and it would be dangerous...so I stayed at home and watched the olympics. My modem came in (yay!), but Im still waiting on something else in order for my internets to start working.
The English teacher and another teacher gave me a present today! An Inkkan!! For those who don't know what this is, In Japan, you have this stamp with your name on it that acts as your signature. They are all handmade and are original, so its really hard to get a duplicate, that being said they are extremely expencive and important in order to sign certain documents, and in some cases, you'll need one to get things like a bank account. It is really such a nice gift. I so dont know how to use it...
Some island information! The good things and the bad, what I've discovered thus far.
I am gonna start with the bad and end with the good. I think that's more optimistic.
The worst thing about the island are the electronic boxes. They go off at 7am, 12 noon and 5pm announcing I think the weather, everyday. Which isn't that bad - I dont need an alarm clock in the morning...Its the other, random times it goes off due to gas warnings. Im beginning to understand them. Paulette says that the sound it makes before the announcement indicates what level the gas is, and then you listen for where the gas is. If its really bad you can just smell it (it gives me a headdache). The language barrier isnt that bad, but I can see it getting to me eventually. I dont have a phone yet, and I tried to get one last week, but I need my gaijin card which I havent recieved yet. Transportation is an issue, because you really do need something to get around faster than your legs...
Now the goods. The people. The people are SO nice and SO accomodating. I manage to get a ride to school everyday by someone, and the JTE put a message on the blackboard asking anyone who has something they can give me to tell him. So far I've recieved a bed (my favourite thing), a table (my second favourite thing), a chest or drawers, a plastic chest of drawers, a rice cooker and a frying pan. I gave the teachers a box of chocolates I bought in Choshi when I went to see Hitomi last week. I think they were well recieved. I wrote a note saying 'everyone, thanks for everything'...in my bad Japanese. I hope it was okay. I am planning on setting out my Canadian candies when school starts so that other teachers I havent met yet can have something too. I am definately becomming more comfortable around here. I went to the store the other day and everyone was like 'Its the new english teacher!' it was kinda nice. The island is beautiful and once I figure out how to explore it I will.
As for people who want to visit me, I give you this advice:
Come in the summerish times...apparently there isnt much to do in the winter (all there is to do is swim, which you cant do in the winter) and I dont know if I will be able to entertain you.
I dont have a car yet, but I hope I will get a moped or a vespa at some point, so again, everything will be by foot, and its a long walk to the good spots, unless you catch a bus, which goes around the island once every hour or two.
The top of the mountain is restricted and no busses go there, so if you want to visit it, you'll have to wait til I get a vehicle.
Bring aquatic gear. The snorkeling is amazing!!
anyway, Im getting disctracted. The internet is pretty and it soon shall be MINE (at home)
Planning a trip to Tokyo in september if anyone wants to join?
Speaking of September, apparently you can get some major discounts on airfare if you travel within 2 weeks before/after your birthday! SO...if any JETS are reading this...who wants company??
So. this week. Well, monday was tough cause the internet was down. And I didn't have a book on me, so I went swimming...They have a HUGE pool on the roof of the school! And its heavenly to swim in! I had a paid vacation yesterday (I think) and we were supposed to go dolphin swimming, but the captain said the waves were too high and it would be dangerous...so I stayed at home and watched the olympics. My modem came in (yay!), but Im still waiting on something else in order for my internets to start working.
The English teacher and another teacher gave me a present today! An Inkkan!! For those who don't know what this is, In Japan, you have this stamp with your name on it that acts as your signature. They are all handmade and are original, so its really hard to get a duplicate, that being said they are extremely expencive and important in order to sign certain documents, and in some cases, you'll need one to get things like a bank account. It is really such a nice gift. I so dont know how to use it...
Some island information! The good things and the bad, what I've discovered thus far.
I am gonna start with the bad and end with the good. I think that's more optimistic.
The worst thing about the island are the electronic boxes. They go off at 7am, 12 noon and 5pm announcing I think the weather, everyday. Which isn't that bad - I dont need an alarm clock in the morning...Its the other, random times it goes off due to gas warnings. Im beginning to understand them. Paulette says that the sound it makes before the announcement indicates what level the gas is, and then you listen for where the gas is. If its really bad you can just smell it (it gives me a headdache). The language barrier isnt that bad, but I can see it getting to me eventually. I dont have a phone yet, and I tried to get one last week, but I need my gaijin card which I havent recieved yet. Transportation is an issue, because you really do need something to get around faster than your legs...
Now the goods. The people. The people are SO nice and SO accomodating. I manage to get a ride to school everyday by someone, and the JTE put a message on the blackboard asking anyone who has something they can give me to tell him. So far I've recieved a bed (my favourite thing), a table (my second favourite thing), a chest or drawers, a plastic chest of drawers, a rice cooker and a frying pan. I gave the teachers a box of chocolates I bought in Choshi when I went to see Hitomi last week. I think they were well recieved. I wrote a note saying 'everyone, thanks for everything'...in my bad Japanese. I hope it was okay. I am planning on setting out my Canadian candies when school starts so that other teachers I havent met yet can have something too. I am definately becomming more comfortable around here. I went to the store the other day and everyone was like 'Its the new english teacher!' it was kinda nice. The island is beautiful and once I figure out how to explore it I will.
As for people who want to visit me, I give you this advice:
Come in the summerish times...apparently there isnt much to do in the winter (all there is to do is swim, which you cant do in the winter) and I dont know if I will be able to entertain you.
I dont have a car yet, but I hope I will get a moped or a vespa at some point, so again, everything will be by foot, and its a long walk to the good spots, unless you catch a bus, which goes around the island once every hour or two.
The top of the mountain is restricted and no busses go there, so if you want to visit it, you'll have to wait til I get a vehicle.
Bring aquatic gear. The snorkeling is amazing!!
anyway, Im getting disctracted. The internet is pretty and it soon shall be MINE (at home)
Planning a trip to Tokyo in september if anyone wants to join?
Saturday, August 16, 2008
website
Here is an awesome article Rachel (another Izu island JET) found. Its really insightful and a good reference to what the island is/was like!
http://www.outdoorjapan.com/contents/current_issue/1209623441/1217472440?language=english
http://www.outdoorjapan.com/contents/current_issue/1209623441/1217472440?language=english
Monday, August 11, 2008
new address
Okay. so my NEW address is
Carla Weigel
100-1211 miyakemura
Tsubota 2975
Osato jutaku
1-105
So I guess this is where you can send stuff, if you so desire.
This weekend! Well, on saturday sugawara-san took me to see the island. We went snorkeling and saw tonnes of tropical fish (we found nemo!), including a blowfish (oooooh), and we went to the volcano (shh, its a secret!) and we went to an elementary school that was destroyed by the lava in the eruption in the 80's! Turns out the volcano eurupts every 30-40 years, and the last euption wasnt one with lava and that stuff, rather sulphur levels became too high which caused the evactuation. The top is really cool. it looks like hell cause all the trees are dead from the suphur, but the branches are all there. it looks like driftwood. But we also went to a convervation area or something of the sort, which kind of showed how beautiful miyake used to be before the eruption.
I bought some fish. Salmon, I think. The only spice I have in my house right now is nutmeg. So I put soysauce and nutmeg on the fish and broiled it... and it tasted really good! I also made up a soup of green onion, fish sauce, soba noodles and soy sauce, which also worked out well. man its easy to cook Japanese food! :)
I cant get over how nice everyone is! One of the teachers gave me a chest of drawers, another gave me a table AND a sofa (that turns into a bed! A bed!! I have a bed now!! yaaay! Before I had a fouton (which is basically a matress and some thick blankets that are placed on a tatami mat on the floor which you have to fold up everyday so that it doesnt get mouldy) that was missing a mattress, so the idea of a bed is fantastic!! gee!!
They are planning on going swimming on the 20th, and I am going to tokyo on tuesday to see hitomi for a few days!
so far, Japan is very nice...I can see myself getting lonely easily if I dont get out of my shell, but I think I can manage! I hope that the other JETs come visit, along with you peoples from Canadia!
I think that's all to report for now!
Carla out!
Carla Weigel
100-1211 miyakemura
Tsubota 2975
Osato jutaku
1-105
So I guess this is where you can send stuff, if you so desire.
This weekend! Well, on saturday sugawara-san took me to see the island. We went snorkeling and saw tonnes of tropical fish (we found nemo!), including a blowfish (oooooh), and we went to the volcano (shh, its a secret!) and we went to an elementary school that was destroyed by the lava in the eruption in the 80's! Turns out the volcano eurupts every 30-40 years, and the last euption wasnt one with lava and that stuff, rather sulphur levels became too high which caused the evactuation. The top is really cool. it looks like hell cause all the trees are dead from the suphur, but the branches are all there. it looks like driftwood. But we also went to a convervation area or something of the sort, which kind of showed how beautiful miyake used to be before the eruption.
I bought some fish. Salmon, I think. The only spice I have in my house right now is nutmeg. So I put soysauce and nutmeg on the fish and broiled it... and it tasted really good! I also made up a soup of green onion, fish sauce, soba noodles and soy sauce, which also worked out well. man its easy to cook Japanese food! :)
I cant get over how nice everyone is! One of the teachers gave me a chest of drawers, another gave me a table AND a sofa (that turns into a bed! A bed!! I have a bed now!! yaaay! Before I had a fouton (which is basically a matress and some thick blankets that are placed on a tatami mat on the floor which you have to fold up everyday so that it doesnt get mouldy) that was missing a mattress, so the idea of a bed is fantastic!! gee!!
They are planning on going swimming on the 20th, and I am going to tokyo on tuesday to see hitomi for a few days!
so far, Japan is very nice...I can see myself getting lonely easily if I dont get out of my shell, but I think I can manage! I hope that the other JETs come visit, along with you peoples from Canadia!
I think that's all to report for now!
Carla out!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Im heeeeere!
I have arrived!! (in advance, sorry for the lack of apostrophes. I cant find them on this keyboard...in fact, any typo you can assume is because of the keyboard - that, and it seems Im already starting to lose my english) Also, this is going to be very unflowy and ADDish because I am still jetlagged.
What can I say? not much is happening, although it seems that I have a LOT of work ahead of me in my house. I dont have any furniture and I have to set up my curtains and things, as well as get my kitchen organized and catch up on my sleep.
the island is really pretty, and so unlike anything Ive ever seen before! There is a lot of greenery, but there are also trees that are completely dead - they look like driftwood, only upright and still in the ground - and there is a constant coo of bugs. There was a cockroach in my cabinet...a bigass thing! It was HUGE! so gross...but it seems the bugs are even welcoming! Yesterday a couple that runs a grocery shop gave me an old rice cooker, and one of the teachers gave me a cup from his parents sushi restaurant on the mainland.
Yesterday when I arrived there were a bunch of people from the school waving Canadian flags to welcome me!! It was so nice, but I didnt know what to do! I kind just stood there smiling awkwardly. Everyone here is really welcoming. Yesterday we just went around to get me a residency card (or something) and a gas mask and things. I will take pictures, but my camera hasnt arrived yet...nor has my big suitcase with all my clothes in it...
Most people here try their best to speak english, so that isnt really much of an issue. the only problem is that everything they can stay in english I can say in japanese, so there is no way to communicate the more complicated things! I cant wait for my DS so I have a dictionary.
I am still very tired, and I really want a day to just sleep off the past two weeks. I actually got my first whole-nights sleep last night! I still have a headdache though, which could be the sulfur (but it doesnt seem that the island smells that bad). They are having a welcome party for me tonight, so I probably wont get much sleep til the weekend.
They werent kidding when they said I only work 16 days! I got to choose my days this month today and I am working everyday (except next tuesday, which I scheduled off so I can do housework) until the 27th! so I am getting 5 whole days off at the end of the month! wh00t!
My registration card wont be coming for a few weeks and I cant say when Ill have the internet at home, but so far I am using the computers at the school.
My house is HUGE! There are 3 rooms!! I dont even know what to do with them, especially since AC is only in one room! The floors were cleaned and the bathtub is new (that was fun to figure out yesterday). Everything is run on gas too, which is nice. I have no furniture, so I might have to go get some of that, unless Paulette still has things to give me, which is entirely possible, so I dont know if I should venture to the mainland quite yet.
Im tired. Im gonna nap. but dont tell anyone. I dont know if its allowed!!
What can I say? not much is happening, although it seems that I have a LOT of work ahead of me in my house. I dont have any furniture and I have to set up my curtains and things, as well as get my kitchen organized and catch up on my sleep.
the island is really pretty, and so unlike anything Ive ever seen before! There is a lot of greenery, but there are also trees that are completely dead - they look like driftwood, only upright and still in the ground - and there is a constant coo of bugs. There was a cockroach in my cabinet...a bigass thing! It was HUGE! so gross...but it seems the bugs are even welcoming! Yesterday a couple that runs a grocery shop gave me an old rice cooker, and one of the teachers gave me a cup from his parents sushi restaurant on the mainland.
Yesterday when I arrived there were a bunch of people from the school waving Canadian flags to welcome me!! It was so nice, but I didnt know what to do! I kind just stood there smiling awkwardly. Everyone here is really welcoming. Yesterday we just went around to get me a residency card (or something) and a gas mask and things. I will take pictures, but my camera hasnt arrived yet...nor has my big suitcase with all my clothes in it...
Most people here try their best to speak english, so that isnt really much of an issue. the only problem is that everything they can stay in english I can say in japanese, so there is no way to communicate the more complicated things! I cant wait for my DS so I have a dictionary.
I am still very tired, and I really want a day to just sleep off the past two weeks. I actually got my first whole-nights sleep last night! I still have a headdache though, which could be the sulfur (but it doesnt seem that the island smells that bad). They are having a welcome party for me tonight, so I probably wont get much sleep til the weekend.
They werent kidding when they said I only work 16 days! I got to choose my days this month today and I am working everyday (except next tuesday, which I scheduled off so I can do housework) until the 27th! so I am getting 5 whole days off at the end of the month! wh00t!
My registration card wont be coming for a few weeks and I cant say when Ill have the internet at home, but so far I am using the computers at the school.
My house is HUGE! There are 3 rooms!! I dont even know what to do with them, especially since AC is only in one room! The floors were cleaned and the bathtub is new (that was fun to figure out yesterday). Everything is run on gas too, which is nice. I have no furniture, so I might have to go get some of that, unless Paulette still has things to give me, which is entirely possible, so I dont know if I should venture to the mainland quite yet.
Im tired. Im gonna nap. but dont tell anyone. I dont know if its allowed!!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
my address
due to popular demand, this is my mailing address. It's actually the school's address, but I should get everything and anything sent to it:
Carla Weigel co: Miyake senior High school
4586 Tsubota Miyakemura Miyake-jima
Tokyo 100-1211, Japan
Carla Weigel co: Miyake senior High school
4586 Tsubota Miyakemura Miyake-jima
Tokyo 100-1211, Japan
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