Monday, July 18, 2005
Crisis? What crisis?
I've heard so often about how Japan is in a population crisis, what with the aging population, and low birth rate, Japan's population is actually expected to shrink within the coming years. My old Board of Education head (now since retired) urged me to find a nice Japanese girl, settle down back in Toyono, and have lots of babies to replace the low numbers of enrollment my town is having. The picture is generally seen as bleak.
The thing is that, looking around the country, it doesn't seem so bleak. I don't doubt the seriousness of the issue, nor can I speak for 130,000,000 people. But while in Fukuoka this past weekend to catch some baseball games, the stadium had healthy numbers of young expecting mothers, or young mothers already. It's a random sampling of 30,000 people, but who knows? The future might be rosey. Either that or pregant women like going to baseball games so my sample was skewed.
Post script: Don't Japanese women look young? I guess men too. But going back to these prenant women at the baseball games, many looked like they were in their late teens or early twenties. And alot of the mothers of kids at my school look young too. There's the fact that Japanese women seemingly start families earlier than Canadians. There's also the element of, as I said, Japanese just generally looking younger. You could be talking to a 35 ear old, and think they just graduated university.
The thing is that, looking around the country, it doesn't seem so bleak. I don't doubt the seriousness of the issue, nor can I speak for 130,000,000 people. But while in Fukuoka this past weekend to catch some baseball games, the stadium had healthy numbers of young expecting mothers, or young mothers already. It's a random sampling of 30,000 people, but who knows? The future might be rosey. Either that or pregant women like going to baseball games so my sample was skewed.
Post script: Don't Japanese women look young? I guess men too. But going back to these prenant women at the baseball games, many looked like they were in their late teens or early twenties. And alot of the mothers of kids at my school look young too. There's the fact that Japanese women seemingly start families earlier than Canadians. There's also the element of, as I said, Japanese just generally looking younger. You could be talking to a 35 ear old, and think they just graduated university.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Noah's Ark
Going by the old saying that when it rains, God must be watering his lawn (I don't know if it's an actual saying; I just remember thinking it as a kid), God must have gone to the Supermarket and left his sprinkler on, since it hasn't stopped raining here recently.
It's definitely the rainy season here, so I guess it's supposed to rain. But after starting the rainy season off really dry with no rain, I saw a segment on the weather channel that was expalining the dry phenomenon. You knew, of course, that as soon as they made mention of how dry it was, that it would start raining buckets. And it did. I don't think it's stopped raining since that broadcast.
This past weekend was particularily bad; I saw footage of flooding in and around Kyushu, people's homes being washed away, and people shovelling mud and debris from areas that were likely once indoors.
To the big guy upstairs, you've left your sprinkler on. Please turn it off as you are wasting water.
It's definitely the rainy season here, so I guess it's supposed to rain. But after starting the rainy season off really dry with no rain, I saw a segment on the weather channel that was expalining the dry phenomenon. You knew, of course, that as soon as they made mention of how dry it was, that it would start raining buckets. And it did. I don't think it's stopped raining since that broadcast.
This past weekend was particularily bad; I saw footage of flooding in and around Kyushu, people's homes being washed away, and people shovelling mud and debris from areas that were likely once indoors.
To the big guy upstairs, you've left your sprinkler on. Please turn it off as you are wasting water.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
中体連tournament
This past weekend was the annual "chutairen" sports tournament. Students from all over participate in tournaments for their respective sports; the reason that this is the big one is that the grade 9 students will retire from bukatsu. The idea is that they'll now turn their attention to studies so that they can get into good high schools.
Last year was my first chutairen. Although all my school's teams lost on the first day, my heart was nearly broken as the kids lined up, tears streaming down their faces, and thanked us for supporting them. I have great pride for my school anyway, but you sure realise it when you see that.
This year, although confidence in my school's teams wasn't terribly high (my principal didn't even schedule any spectating for day 2, the Sunday), my kids gave it all and competed with their hearts on their sleeves.
I started off watching the soccer team, who ended up getting pasted 7-0. Hmmm, not much to say about that except 'where was the defense'?
My first love is baseball and the baseball team, and I got to watch them play next. When we got there, we were leading 3-0. Keisuke belted a mammoth homerun. Shinji was on the mound, and things were looking good. Then the skies opened up...
There was a rain delay for about an hour as we all took cover. We really wanted to get the game in, since we hadn't played 5 innings yet, if the game were to have been cancelled, the score would have reverted to 0-0. Not that we couldn't have taken Matsubase anyway, but hey. The weather cleared, the field was drained (I helped with that; nothing like a little work in the mud for the benefit of the boys), and we continued. We went on to win the game 4-1 and advance to the semi-finals on Sunday.
Although I wasn't gonna receive a time-in-lieu day off from my school, I wouldn't miss the baseball game on Sunday for the World. Toyono pride runs in my veins after all. Shinji was on the mound again, and despite a first inning homerun, he settled down and started to mow down the opposing batters. Still, down 1-0 we needed to get the bats going. It's weird, back home when I was playing baseball, you'd pitch for maybe 3 innings at the most, then a new pitcher would come in. And you didn't often throw back-to-back games, not to mention that bench players would get to see some action. Well in Japan, there's no thought of potentially burning a kid's arm, thus Shiji could get back-to-back starts. And just like the pros, when you get a start as a Junior High School pitcher, you are expected to go as deep into the game as possible. And bench players have about just a chance of seeing game action as Steven Seagal has of seeing an Oscar in his awards case.
Anyway, Shinji settled into a groove, and we ended up scraping 1 run around the 6th inning. After 7 innings, or a regulation game, the score was tied 1-1. Shinji had now thrown 14 innings in less than 24 hours (the rubber-armed wonder, or a future Tommy John surgery candidate?). After 8 innings, still 1-1. In the 9th, Shiji beaned the leadoff batter, then got an out before being pulled in favour of a fresh Yohei. Outstanding work, 8 1/3 innings, 1 run given up. That's crazy. Yohei ended up escaping the inning without further damage. In the 10th inning, each time was given an opportunity with bases loaded and no outs. No worries. We surrendered 3 runs, making the score 4-1. It was our turn. But we could only muster 2 runs before our luck ran out, final score Tomiai 4, Toyono 3.
Outstanding work guys. You are my heroes. You make me proud to be your teacher...Great game, and what a great bunch of guys.
Last year was my first chutairen. Although all my school's teams lost on the first day, my heart was nearly broken as the kids lined up, tears streaming down their faces, and thanked us for supporting them. I have great pride for my school anyway, but you sure realise it when you see that.
This year, although confidence in my school's teams wasn't terribly high (my principal didn't even schedule any spectating for day 2, the Sunday), my kids gave it all and competed with their hearts on their sleeves.
I started off watching the soccer team, who ended up getting pasted 7-0. Hmmm, not much to say about that except 'where was the defense'?
My first love is baseball and the baseball team, and I got to watch them play next. When we got there, we were leading 3-0. Keisuke belted a mammoth homerun. Shinji was on the mound, and things were looking good. Then the skies opened up...
There was a rain delay for about an hour as we all took cover. We really wanted to get the game in, since we hadn't played 5 innings yet, if the game were to have been cancelled, the score would have reverted to 0-0. Not that we couldn't have taken Matsubase anyway, but hey. The weather cleared, the field was drained (I helped with that; nothing like a little work in the mud for the benefit of the boys), and we continued. We went on to win the game 4-1 and advance to the semi-finals on Sunday.
Although I wasn't gonna receive a time-in-lieu day off from my school, I wouldn't miss the baseball game on Sunday for the World. Toyono pride runs in my veins after all. Shinji was on the mound again, and despite a first inning homerun, he settled down and started to mow down the opposing batters. Still, down 1-0 we needed to get the bats going. It's weird, back home when I was playing baseball, you'd pitch for maybe 3 innings at the most, then a new pitcher would come in. And you didn't often throw back-to-back games, not to mention that bench players would get to see some action. Well in Japan, there's no thought of potentially burning a kid's arm, thus Shiji could get back-to-back starts. And just like the pros, when you get a start as a Junior High School pitcher, you are expected to go as deep into the game as possible. And bench players have about just a chance of seeing game action as Steven Seagal has of seeing an Oscar in his awards case.
Anyway, Shinji settled into a groove, and we ended up scraping 1 run around the 6th inning. After 7 innings, or a regulation game, the score was tied 1-1. Shinji had now thrown 14 innings in less than 24 hours (the rubber-armed wonder, or a future Tommy John surgery candidate?). After 8 innings, still 1-1. In the 9th, Shiji beaned the leadoff batter, then got an out before being pulled in favour of a fresh Yohei. Outstanding work, 8 1/3 innings, 1 run given up. That's crazy. Yohei ended up escaping the inning without further damage. In the 10th inning, each time was given an opportunity with bases loaded and no outs. No worries. We surrendered 3 runs, making the score 4-1. It was our turn. But we could only muster 2 runs before our luck ran out, final score Tomiai 4, Toyono 3.
Outstanding work guys. You are my heroes. You make me proud to be your teacher...Great game, and what a great bunch of guys.
The team
Yohei
Shinji
MaeShin
Aki
Monday, July 04, 2005
Live 8
The series of global concerts aimed at educating people and pressuring G8 leaders wrapped up yesterday. Let me say, I am thoroughly impressed at the power of one man to change the world. Perhaps some people think "what can I do to help Africa?" or "my contributions are insignificant in the grand sceme"...well I look at Bob Geldof, with help from friends in high places, and I feel inspired.
Too often is Africa the forgotten continent, the place that people ignore all together, the place that is brushed off as "it's not my problem". I've been made aware of my ignorance, and my eyes have opened in a big way. I would have flown to Tokyo to attend Japan's installment of Live 8 had I not had a special day of work on Saturday. But spending an afternoon at a concert, rocking out and enjoying the vibe is easy. The real work begins now, in a real continent that has real problems.
Thank you Bob Geldof, for opening my eyes and showing me a deeper, greater understanding of the plight of Africa, and for showing me the power one man has to change the World. Let the work begin...
Too often is Africa the forgotten continent, the place that people ignore all together, the place that is brushed off as "it's not my problem". I've been made aware of my ignorance, and my eyes have opened in a big way. I would have flown to Tokyo to attend Japan's installment of Live 8 had I not had a special day of work on Saturday. But spending an afternoon at a concert, rocking out and enjoying the vibe is easy. The real work begins now, in a real continent that has real problems.
Thank you Bob Geldof, for opening my eyes and showing me a deeper, greater understanding of the plight of Africa, and for showing me the power one man has to change the World. Let the work begin...
Saturday, July 02, 2005
The Grand email error
If you needed to see with your own eyes why we should be careful when emailing to a list serve, check out this email from this afternoon (names changed and personal info not included).
Miss C,
This is Mr. L. Maybe you recall going to karaoke with me and 3 other ALTs last night? It was the first time that I enjoyed Karaoke in about a year. I came late, and for some reason you had to leave early. Whatever the reason, it is not important. Although, as a participant, we expected everyone to pay their even share. I'm not sure how much you recall the events around the time of your departure, but one fact remains clear. You didn't pay.
I don't know what your intentions are/ were, but I am very disappointed in you as a PA, and more than upset with you at a person. I paid your share, seeing as the other ALTs are all leaving the country in a few weeks. That was not the last memory that they were hoping to have. I kindly hope you will pay me the 5000 yen that was given on your behalf.
Please contact me through my keitai:
I hope we can settle this in a timely manner,
Mr. L
Hahahahahahaha. Ouch!!!
Miss C,
This is Mr. L. Maybe you recall going to karaoke with me and 3 other ALTs last night? It was the first time that I enjoyed Karaoke in about a year. I came late, and for some reason you had to leave early. Whatever the reason, it is not important. Although, as a participant, we expected everyone to pay their even share. I'm not sure how much you recall the events around the time of your departure, but one fact remains clear. You didn't pay.
I don't know what your intentions are/ were, but I am very disappointed in you as a PA, and more than upset with you at a person. I paid your share, seeing as the other ALTs are all leaving the country in a few weeks. That was not the last memory that they were hoping to have. I kindly hope you will pay me the 5000 yen that was given on your behalf.
Please contact me through my keitai:
I hope we can settle this in a timely manner,
Mr. L
Hahahahahahaha. Ouch!!!
