A Return to American Life

Having been back in the States for a week now, these are my thoughts and observations...

I miss karaoke.
I miss using o-hashi (chopsticks) every day...I haven't yet had a meal that would be most easily eaten with chopsticks.
The airports are noisy.
There are SO MANY white people everywhere!
So many people have tattoos.
America is so much more casual than Japan. たとえば: The Zumba instructor at the gym deciding on-the-spot which song to choose from her iPod play list for the next routine...as opposed to my Japanese Zumba teacher, 木村さん, who always has mix CDs cued up with the songs in order. Also, while I was meeting with a staff member at the school district office to sign my teaching contract and other paperwork, another employee walked in and greeted that staff member with a hug.....during work! while she was doing business with me! A hug!?!
I miss karaoke.
Drinks at restaurants are HUGE, and the servers keep refilling and refilling your glass even if it isn't empty.
"Hot, humid" weather in Colorado is like the one cool day of Spring weather in Gunma.
All the TVs at the gym broadcast in English, which means I can understand all of them...and it's information/stimuli overload.
I miss karaoke.
Horrible Japanese fashion has invaded and is being sold and worn in America.
There are so many overweight people. Many very overweight!
Most guys at the gym are huge...with muscles.
Only a few of the people working out at the gym here look anorexic...whereas in Japan, MANY do!
I naturally walked around the gym locker room barefoot while carrying my shoes. ;) Then I realized I had to put them back on because they were the only ones I had...there wouldn't be another pair waiting for me near the gym door.
It felt really awkward to wear my shoes into the dressing rooms at Old Navy and the alterations shop.
People are really nice! (But the ones who aren't are direct about it!)
Life is easy here. So easy. Too easy?
I miss karaoke.
Sales tax is not included in the listed prices of items.
Sales tax is high.
When I get $100 out of the ATM, it is dispensed in 20s or 10s...not a $100 bill. I had forgotten that we don't deal with such large bills here...since people so often use debit and credit cards. I'm used to paying for my 450 yen white mocha with a 10,000 yen bill! I saw a sign at a coffee shop here that says they don't accept any bills over a 20! :O

There will be more to come...I'm sure...

Good-bye Letters from the ２年生 (8th Graders)

These are some of my fav lines from the ２年生 letters. The cover was drawn (painted??) by one of the girls, Sonoko. :)


I like to speak with Mya resting time. -Masao

No Mya no English. -Marumo

The class of Mya was terrible and happy. -Kotomi E.

Thank you very much for English lessons. Since I was an elementary school student. You are a very kind teacher. Please come to Japan again. I miss you. I want to see you again. You are great. That's why you, remember all the names students and teaches. Be active in the U.S. too. -Kohei Y.

When I am in a difficulty, you always teaches me....Your lesson is so popularity. -Shohei N.

I know you go to school by bike evry day. -Shoko

When I didn't like English, I meat you. I like English very much. -Junpei

My Profile
name. Mariko A.
HPB. 1998/2/6
love. ARASHI (嵐), Mya
like. iPod, CDs, DVDs, books

When I talking to you, then was very funny! I will miss you after you are gone to anywhere. -Keigo

Your smile was charming Mya. -Morio

I won't forget that I spent days with Mya. -Ren E.

Thank you maya. I never forget you. -Aoi Tkhs.

Thank you for learning my name. -Mizuki Nghs.

If I can speak English very well, then I have a lot of things that I wanna talk to you more. -Rina

I don't forget a good memory with you. -Takahiro (a.k.a. Robato)

I think you are great teacher. Because Japanese is difficult. But you learn our name. -Yuya Kdm.

Don't forget me! -Yusuke H.

Dear Mya
Do you have to go to the U.S? You can't come back to Japan? I'm so sad. I think you are good English teacher. When I was a boy, you came to Ohrui elementary school, I was so happy. I miss you. Will you come back to Japan, please. We will welcome you, when you come back to Japan. Thank you very much. I love you. 今まで、　ありがとうございました。　お元気で。 -Toru

Good-bye Letters from Class 3-1

Yesterday was my last day at school with students. ;( I'm really sad...but, surprisingly, I wasn't that emotional yesterday. It was a HUGE relief, because I fully expected to be sobbing on stage in front of 550 students and staff while trying to give my speech twice-- once in English and once in Japanese. Giving speeches is stressful. Giving speeches in Japanese is more stressful. Talking while sobbing is embarrassing. Giving a speech in Japanese while sobbing is my nightmare. I am so glad that I was okay. And I was able to just talk from the stage without crying much and without being super nervous. I got a lot of help with my Japanese translation from my good friend, Matsumura Sensei. :) Right before the assembly where I gave the speech, I had my last class. LAST CLASS!??! It was with a san-nen-sei (9th grade) class. Here are some excerpts from their letters...

I enjoyed your class. Because you teach me a lot of things with your smile. I never say "Good bye". Because I will met you again!! -Kazuya

But I love the class of the Mya. -Chinatsu

You are kind and tender. You are cute and good smell. -Chihiro

That is made annoyingly at class and not breathed in always. However, Mya taught always gently...It is lovery Mya and it exists indefinitely. -Riri

I am poor at studying English paticulaly. But thanks to Mya. I am good at English a little. -Yusuke

When the earthquake occurs, Mya didn't return. Everybody was very relieved. We love you very much. -Momoka

I owe like English to you. -Aika

I think that want to you give something to thank. But I can't. So the letter write hard. -Miki

How was your staying in Japan? good or bad? I lived all this while in Japan. It's a very good place. -Seina

Thank you for the earthquake's happening and teaching English though it was serious. -Katsuhisa

えいごのじゅぎょうでこころにのこっているのは、　here と hear　をまちがえたことです。 -Takahiro