My Spring Fling!

So I ran away to Nagoya all by myself one day to see the sakura. In my opinion there are few things more beautiful in this world then Japanese cherry blossoms! I hope that heaven will be filled with them -- their beauty, their scent, swirling around is something that everyone should experience at least once! Unfortunately, my pictures don't do them justice.

*******************************************************

Also on my adventure, I met this "blast from the past"...

...ate sakura ice cream...

...discovered the joys of being in a big city...

...happened upon a "pony cleaners"...

...found a gorgeous tree...

...and somebody to take my picture in front of it!

Graduation!

So, this year, compared to last, I made sure that I had my camera ready for graduation. It was definitely a bittersweet experience to see my kids go...

The day before graduation, the younger students snuck into the the seniors' classrooms and decorated the blackboards.

The second-year girls waited for the seniors at the entrance of the school to present them with flowers -- pink and white for the boys and red and pink for the girls.

Class 3-3 girls. So cute, but so very giggly!! I loved this class!

Some of my favorite boys (for those of you who have heard additional stories, the guy in red glasses is my best singer. The one you can barely see gave a moving speech about his favorite place in Japan being his friend's house. The second from the left, front row, was one of the identical twins -- it took me over a year to realize there were two of them! Beside him is the one who wrote me a love letter, and the one on the far right was the one who gave me the bunny.

In Japan, it is perfectly acceptable for boys to hang off of each other!

At the beginning of the ceremony, each teacher escorted his/her students into the gym. This is one of my favorite teachers! She teaches social studies, can speak English, and is amazingly sweet. Unfortunately, she was forced to transfer to a new school next year.

In the ceremony there was lots and lots of bowing!

The final included all the students singing a special "goodbye" song. In the middle of it, they burst into messages of thanks to their teachers.

Many tears were shed...

At the end, the teachers walked their students falling a special pattern so that all parents could see their graduates well. (Oh, and this social studies teacher is awesome too. He loves to collect random things from around the world and at the beginning of last year he dressed in a burka to show the kids).

She's Here!

After an intensive labor and delivery, including a five-day stay in ICU*, I am proud to announce the arrival of Maigen Amelia（舞弦) Toelcke on Tuesday, March 16th, at 5:17 pm. Maigen weighed 38 lbs and is 65.5 inches long.

*ICU = International Customs Unit

Additional Note: Mai means "dancing" in Japanese. Gen means "strings". "Amelia" was her given name from her original family. Chan is a Japanese term of endearment for little girls.

I Love English in Japan (Official Documentation Version)

Awesome Japanese Food!

Now, I bet you are surprised that I would actually title a post "Awesome Japanese Food." However, the below item is absolutely adorable!!! (I haven't tasted it yet, but I am sure it can't be too bad either :-) Come to find out, this year is the 40th anniversary of Eric Carle's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar or as it says on the package harapekoaomushi (literally "the starving green caterpillar") Anyway, the below baked good is a five-flavored (apple, pear, plum, strawberry, and orange) danish. Isn't it sooo cute????

On Phantoms and Rabbits

I went to Nagoya (the third largest city in Japan) today with my vice principal and her daughter. The purpose of our trip – to see The Phantom of the Opera. The theater we attended, Shiki Theater, was the first to translate the musical into a foreign language (namely Japanese) and uses the original stage, set, and costume designs for the original version. This year they celebrated their 5000th performance, so they are definitely pros at the production! I felt like I was seeing it on Broadway! Completely reiterating the words of everyone who has seen the musical before, the special effects were spectacular!! It is a must watch, just for them. And, since the music is so gorgeous (on a side note, the singers were absolutely phenomenal!) and I read up on the story-line beforehand, I didn’t feel like a missed a thing. (Though the song “All I Ask of You” was a bit of a mouthful for the singers since “I” in Japanese is “watashi”)

Whereas the music, effects, costumes, props, and performers, were amazing I found the storyline to be quite thought-provoking. Did I like it? No, in fact I didn’t. To be perfectly honest, it was quite disconcerting (and the sequel is even more so!) However, leaving the theater, I found myself feeling a little sorry for the Phantom. Now some of you might think that I am going soft, which I assure you is not the case. Please, do not get me wrong, I found him to be utterly stalkerish, disturbing and dark. He made me feel uncomfortable and I do not agree with his methods. But, I did have to ask myself, what was it that he really wanted? In the Wikipedia synopsis it said that he only gives up Christine, because he “Stunned by the kiss, which is the first real human love he has ever felt.” How sad!!! The poor man!! Considered a freak and outcast from childhood, all he truly wanted was love and acceptance by another human being…

Now I realize that the Phantom of the Opera is just a deranged fictional character, but what if he wasn’t? What if he was a normal human being? What if he was a neighbor? A co-worker? The homeless lady begging for money on the street corner? The little old man that used to sit in front of Edgewater Publix selling newspapers? You fill in the person…

Now I’m not going to encourage you to run off with them into the basement of an opera house. Nor, am I going to tell you to give them a kiss, but I would encourage you to give them a smile. A kind word. A simple deed. Humans are all the same, we want love and acceptance. As Christians, we realize that we are given that from our Heavenly Father. But it’s the non-Christians that we should truly pine for. They are lost, hopeless, and unsatisfied. They may try to hide it, but deep-down, they are hurting… What I am about to tell you next is not meant to be a chance to “blow” my proverbial horn. I am not trying to glorify myself (for I can take no credit) but instead encourage you that even the littlest things we do can make a difference in another’s lives.

At the beginning of the school year, we had several, as I will refer to them, “phantom” students. These students did not attend regular classes, but instead worked privately in a separate room. Several students would only communicate briefly with specific teachers while one in particular, would literally run down the hallway and hide around the corner when any other students were in the vicinity. He literally would shake while he timidly peered around the corner to make sure no one was around.
Of course, these students brought curiosity from me, but I didn’t know how to appropriately ask about them. Over time, I learned that each one had special needs (not necessarily mental or physical but emotional as well) and they were given the opportunity to work at their own level with the hopes of slowly integrating into normal school life. As the weeks progressed, I, from a distance, was able to see them progress. The little “runner-boy” stopped hiding from the other students – and in fact, now will sometimes interact slightly with some of the other “phantom” students. The little girl who always silently works by herself, attended a concert given by the other students. The “small wrestler” started attending morning meetings with the other kids. In the fall, I was invited to eat lunch with them, and nobody ran away!! In fact, I even got a little bit of English out of them in the process.

Well, this past January, another “phantom” student arrived. He was obviously older than the rest and incredibly shy. He always was polite to my vice principal, but extremely awkward. For some reason, he specifically peaked my curiosity, and slowly I learned things about him from the other teachers. He is half-Japanese, half-Brazilian (not a good combination in a society that esteems pure-blood and in a city that is discriminatory against Brazilians). Some years prior, his parents divorced. The shock of their decision was too much for him, and he had failed to attend school for many years. Also, he had spent considerable time in Brazil and whereas he can speak formal Japanese, he is unable to read and write it well. All-in-all, he lacks the ability to relate to his peers. However, for some reason, he decided to begin attending school. Even though he knew he wouldn’t have the chance to catch up with his classmates before graduation, he has determined that he will work hard and even start attending night school. He doesn’t want the things of the past to affect his future.

All, of these things, I slowly had to piece together, but it was the next bit of information that really surprised me. One of the teachers told me that he really wanted to talk to me, but he was afraid that his English wasn’t good enough. She assured him that I knew a little Japanese and would be patient, and encouraged him to talk to me. After finding this out, and realizing that he was still too nervous, I decided to approach him. First it was a simple smile and “Hello.” Soon, I was getting those two things back! Then he added “Goodbye”, which the other “phantoms” started to imitate. Next it was my turn, with a few simple sentences complete with lots of gestures and a few Japanese words scattered throughout. Slowly, he started to communicate back, asking me one-word questions. When he decided to join the other kids for lunch, we would walk to the class together discussing our likes and dislikes of the day’s menu…

This past Wednesday, the graduating seniors had a bicycle safety course. He was in attendance, looking as uncomfortable as ever. During break, I watched as he sat by himself while the other kids chatted around him. He finally got up and tried to join a group. While the kids were obviously not rude, the also didn’t make a huge effort to include him. Finally, he left (was it from boredom, insecurity, or incapability to understand, I do not know) and quietly sat down again by himself. When I plopped down beside him, a smile lightened his face and we slowly began to discuss the next day’s events – a trip to the zoo. I asked him what animal he liked. He said “cat.” He gestured to me. I replied with “rabbit.” I told him I couldn’t go, but I hoped he had a fun time.

Yesterday (Friday) my “regular” kids excitedly told me all about their trip to the zoo, the animals they saw, and the rides they rode. Several hours later, while I was quietly working at my desk, he walked in and shyly handed me a bag. “Cat,” he said as he pointed to himself. “Rabbit,” and pointed to me. I peeked inside the bag and choked back tears…

On Faith...and Floods

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard: and How can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?... Romans: 10:14-16b

A helidoctor (don't you just love this Japanese word?) landed in my school's field yesterday. Of course, its arrival brought a lot of curiosity from my kids. Although, an announcement was made over the school's intercom for teachers to keep all students indoors, it didn't dissuade everyone from peeking out the windows. Soon, the helidoctor flew away, seemingly without a patient. School continued on as usual, but for one local family, life will never be the same.

It wasn't until this morning that information was shared about yesterday's events. A 2nd grader from the "feeder" elementary school (less than two blocks away) was the victim of a bike/car crash. The helidoctor was called in, but the student died on the scene. This was the second elementary student to die within two days (the other finally succumbing to a brain tumor). Today, the elementary school had a school assembly and the school's counselor was called in to "fix the students' hearts!"

Oh, how my heart ached when I heard this. "Why? Why God?" I pleaded as I did my morning sweeping routine. The families must be utterly and bitterly devastated. They have no one to turn to. No one to cling to. In just a matter of seconds, two precious lives were gone...Oh, how I longed to be able to offer comfort, a kind word, a listening ear to those whose hearts must be breaking!!

Religious faith in Japan is shallow. I can't even describe the emptiness that I see as people pray and offer incense to gaudy gold-gilded idols. I hate visiting shrines and temples, because the spiritual warfare is so pronounced. It is as if Satan is laughing and reiterating his words to Christ "See, I told you that all the kingdoms of the Earth are mine. 'I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours'. (Luke 4:6)"

While I silently prayed for the victims' tragedies, I was reminded of the above verse from Romans. I have been called here for a reason. In fact, I know for certain, that God isn't done with me here in Japan. As a human, the magnitude of the calling can be so overwhelming at times. As far as I know, I am the only Christian in my school's town. Everyone from the kindergartners to the grandpas know who I am...but I hardly know everyone. I am always visible, but oh so unworthy!

Thankfully, compared to the school's counselor who now has the burden of "fixing the students' hearts" I have a far greater comfort. My job is not to change people. I can't! I, a sinner, am completely incapable of saving another's soul. My Dear Heavenly Father, who has brought me here and walks beside me in every step is the only One who can do that. Oh, what joy! What relief!! But what pain, what sorrow I daily see and how hopeless I feel.

If you remember, please pray from my kids, their families, my fellow teachers, and myself. Pray that God would use me mightily in the lives of those with whom I daily come in contact; that I would be open to opportunities to share my faith, and that I will faithfully follow my Father where ever he leads. Japan is a desert. The reality of its bareness is a daily reminder. I, too, find myself parched. Pray that God will send a mighty flood...

Useful Japanese

My graduating seniors just had their big high school entrance exams last week. Several of my students were attempting to get into not only the city's best high school, but also its prestigious English program. To help them better prepare for their English interviews, I practiced with them almost daily. Whereas some school's interview questions remain the same every year, at this particular school, the format and questions are top secret. So, no matter how hard we tried, none of us really knew what the test would be like...

Yesterday, I finally found out the details of the test. One of the activities was for the students to choose and explain several useful Japanese words (which, I might add, Sarah later pointed out that the best answer would have been "Do you speak English?"). My kids responses, though good (and hopefully they will pass) hardly compared to the important word I needed today....

You see, after Japanese class I got onto a really, really crowded bus. I was holding a horribly broken umbrella (with its arms grabbing everything in its reach), two large book bags, and a very delicate piece of cake from my Japanese teacher's wife. Attempting to be as tiny as possible (not an easy task when brandishing an unruly umbrella) I squeezed into the smallest space I could find between several high schoolers. Soon someone behind us needed to get off the bus. Unfortunately, I had no where to go but onto the entrance stairs. I stepped down just as the doors were folding-opening, right smack-dab into their path. This, of course, was an unsuitable location since the doors were automatic. Their sole desire was to open even if it meant smushing me in the process. As I was flattened between books and aforementioned poky-umbrella, I raised my arms in attempt to rescue my cake. This of course, made matters worse since the doors now had more room to continue in their path of destruction. I squirmed. I wriggled. I was flattened even further. Nobody seemed to take notice of my destitute state. I whimpered. I cried. I tried to to think of the Japanese word for stuck but alas it was not in my vocabulary. Finally, in one last desperate move, I shouted "AHHHH!!!!" Well, I'm guessing my response must have been part of the universal language (or maybe it was my panic-stricken face and squashed torso). Needless to say, the high schoolers quickly came to my rescue and muscled the doors closed (and off of me) while the bus driver (seemingly oblivious to my former state) calmly drove away...

Oh How True!!!

I accidentally happened on this quote today and thought it aptly described my Japanese language and cultural immersion experience...

It takes a tremendous amount of energy to try to be in two heads at once.

Home Remedies

I've always been a bit wary of home remedies. I think the aversion came from two very vivid memories as a young child. The first occurred when I was about six. A dear friend of our family's Summer T. (now Summer J.) who, I am guessing was about 10 at the time, decided it would be really cool to create her own line of foot cream. She convinced me that if I would be willing to try her newest creation, I would have a portion of the profits. Of course, it sounded like a fabulous idea to me, and I willingly agreed. Let's just say that the red spots that ensued from her added coloring took weeks to wash off!!! Not too many years later, my mom read that cod-liver oil should be part of any young child's diet. In an attempt to keep her girls healthy (and happy) she bought a big bottle of cherry flavored deliciousness. I will never forget how for hours after every breakfast, I would burp and gag on the stuff. It was, as my dad called it, "wicked" and thanks to his aversion of it, we finally gave the rest to our pet canary to beautify his wings. The experience is something, I would never like to have again (but thanks to Japan, and the occasional codfish for lunch -- the burping continues!)

Speaking of Japan (and the actual point of this post), I have realized that here sometimes its just easier to experiment with home remedies than to attempt to read the boxes and labels on bottles. Can you just imagine the scene-- Emily is looking for some shampoo. She finds a bottle with a girl whose hair is shining. Emily buys the "shampoo." She uses it. She dyes her hair...AHHHHHHH See, these are things that nightmares are made of, and thus makes me rethink the blessings (and cures) of home remedies. So, my point (yes, there actually is one. I am just being Japanese and talking in circles)... Well let's just say I might recommend the home remedy of Apple Cider vinegar to clear a sinus infection. However, before I put my stamp of approval on it, I must make a Surgeon General's Warning: In the case of drinking apple cider vinegar, please research the recommended dose (one tablespoon a day). Otherwise, you CAN overdose!!! A cup of the stuff at a time is not recommended. Memories of staring at the toilet while bent over in excruciating pain will re-flood every time you smell salad dressing.

Oh, and speaking of salad dressing... So, when I first came to Japan, I lost a lot of hair (presumably due to stress and change of diet). Now it is ever, ever so slowly growing back. It also doesn't seem to like Japanese shampoos (the real ones, I didn't actually accidentally dye my hair). So, I decided I would give home remedies one more chance. My research lead me to a website that said that mayonnaise works like a charm. You, know what?!?! It does (assuming you want to smell like potato salad for the next 24 hours)

Please Joke with Me

One of the things that I miss most in Japan is quick-witted (and sometimes cornball) humor. You know, the kind that plays on words and requires random and fast thinking. My brother-in-law Nathan is especially good at this, and I always have a blast joking back and forth with him. I have tried to use it occasionally here in Japan, but often to no avail. Usually, what is supposed to be funny ends up in a long explanation of vocabulary, background cultural information, and finally a restatement of the punch line five different ways.... It just doesn't work cross-culturally! However, today I had an epiphany while putting up a picture of my newest niece (from left to right Madeline Ellyse Mhoon, Elisabeth Irene Polderman, and Clara Suzanne Polderman). These girls below are my "toaster children"! You know "poster children" -- "toaster children!" Heeheehee. In fact I even said it out loud and half expected Nathan to make another quip....

...Okay. After reading the above, maybe humor doesn't work too well in blogging either. With the long drawn out explanations, rephrasing of the punch line... Well, at least I got a laugh out of it (and a piece of toast!)

You Had Me at "Hello"

Its hard to believe that graduation is right around the corner!! In fact, it is a week from this coming Friday! Even though I experienced one last year, this one will be more meaningful to me. This time, I have taught my kids an entire school year. We met some of my goals and far exceeded others. I don't think I ever mentioned this before, but the first time I met these kids, I greeted each class with an energetic "Hello" When they stared back blankly at me, I knew that there were going to be challenges. My dreams slowly changed from being able to carry on a conversation with them to having them not run away when I greeted them. Goal two: saying "Hello" back. Goal three: initiating the "Hello!" Goal four -- well, I believe that each person has individual strengths and weaknesses. So the goal for each, differed depending on their ability. However, coming from a small farming community where most parents don't have higher than a high school degree, what my kids were able to accomplish in a year is actually quite remarkable. First and foremost, they now feel comfortable speaking to a foreigner. They can plan a date and decide on a time, location and place. They can order food from a restaurant and make a corrections if their "tricky" teacher charges them too much. They can give directions in English for taking a train or bus (Do you have any idea where that idea came from??) The can also differentiate (at least sometimes) between rice and lice, and describe in front of a classroom of their peers their favorite place in Japan. Although sometimes it been a struggle, its been an honor to teach each and every one of them. They will be sorely missed....

Last week, some of my kids surprised me with personal messages. Below are some of my favorites (verbatim). The kids who had me at "Hello" definitely touched my heart.

• Thank you for two years. I could many English words.
• Thank you Emily. I like you. You make me happy. Someday I want to talk with you again. Many tanks for 3 years.
• Thank you!! I had a good time!!! Let's go to anyway together. Goodby.
• Emiry and Ms. T (vice principal). Thank you very much. I'm glad to teach English conversation.
• Thank you. Conversation is very fun. Good luck.
• Emily, thank you very much!! I had a good time every English Conversation class. If you meet me, please say "Hello." I say "Hello" too. Thank you.
• Thank you for teaching me English!! I can't forget. I can enjoy "eikaiwa" class.
• I was taken care of by English conversation so far. I was very happy everytime! It was good very much. I taught me the pleasure of the English conversation and thank you.

Oh the Places You'll Go

So, awhile back, I mentioned that I was making copies of Oh, the Places You'll Go! for my graduating seniors. Well, I am happy to say, I finished all 170 of them including hand-inscribing each of their names. Typing the entire book in Japanese and English (which I did) would have needed about 16 pages, so instead I made an abridged version to give to them. Also, (if you are familiar with the story) at the very end it lists a bunch of names. Thankfully, Japanese easily rhymes so I switched the names to Japanese ones. My team teacher (who is also my vice-principal) and I, also each included a special message in the back. Without being too forward, I was really happy with the results, and the kids, too, seemed really touched -- some of my toughest boys were teary-eyed. Below are pictures from the finished product (the cover was printed on light green paper -- though it is hard to tell by the picture).

Chocolate Covered What?!?!

If you have been reading my blog recently, you might remember my Valentine's story and how I mentioned that when I gave my principal his Conversation Hearts, he turned bright red. Well, a couple of weeks ago he went on a trip to Tokyo. In true Japanese fashion, he brought back a little omiyage (snack souvenir) for each teacher. Well, that evening when I was leaving school, I heard someone call my name. Turning around, kochousensei (Japanese for "principal") was hanging out of his first-office window with a small gift. In another true Japanese fashion, he had specifically remembered me on his trip because of my gift to him. In fact, he had bought me a bag of special "White Day" Chocolates (March 14th: the day that Japanese men give women chocolates). Due to his manner of presentation (hanging out of the window instead of giving me the present in front of all of the other teachers), he was obviously shy. In fact, the two of us don't interact much -- I'm too intimidated to talk to him because of his position in the school and my lack of Japanese and I think that he, too, is a little overwhelmed by this crazy foreigner! So the fact that he remembered me with chocolates was really cute...

... even if they were white chocolate covered red-beans!

Spring is Here (and so are the Onions)!

Part of my first-year-students' "life skills" curriculum is working in the school's farm plot. A local farmer donates a small portion of his field and seedlings to the school every year. In the summer the students plant sweet potatoes to be harvested in the fall and then, in the winter, onions are planted for the spring. These vegetables are then sold at local events and the money raised helps to pay for the students' class trips (they take one a year). Anyway, this past Thursday was onion harvesting day...

Sweet onions!Mediation time

(The students take two minutes before each class or activity to mentally regroup. Its actually a really great idea that I would recommend to any teacher!) Harvesting Have you ever heard of flying onions?

When it comes to Japanese, "r"s and "l"s anything is possible!

the kind (albeit masked) farmer

Yummy, yummy!

Guess who was having fun playing with her camera's settings

Yes, the students were allowed to use the sickles with no adult supervision!

Cute boys!

Taking the onions back to school

Drying the onions in the soccer field behind the school

Currently there is a crate of onions in the school's foyer for visitors to take. Also, there are several boxes to be presented to important visitors. Needless to say, the entire first floor smells of onions!