R-E-S-P-E-C-T My favourite thing about Jishukan is how much they care. They show so much repect for themselves; always modest. They show a lot of respect for their teachers and they show alot of repect for their property. They have bins all around th school and in every bathroom for paper, plastic and normal waste. They also have a jar for bottle top lids. They also have shoes for different parts of the school. Students have out going nice looking shoes, White shoes for the hall and gym, and they have shoes to walk around inside the school. I found it amazing at how they work so hard to keep their school super clean.
Even though most students didnt speak english, they always tried to talk to us. Many of the students were super polite, They would introduce themselves to us or bow and greet us in the appropriate greeting of the day. This helped us to make many of the friends we have now from japan and also those who took us out during our stay. Even though they didn't speak english they always made an effort and tried their hardest to talk with us. We made lifetime friends that we are always going to remember. Still today, we keep in contact with them. The students are also polite. One little bump into each other and they will bow or hug. To me this was so beautiful. 😁Arigatou & Meitaki Ma'ata😁 😊Thank You😊 Memory
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TanabataSTORYTIME!
Once upon a time.... There was a princess named Orihime. She was a weaver who made beautiful pieces of cloth by the heavenly river, also known as the Milky Way. Because Orihime spent most of her time weaving, she became very sad and felt that she would never find love. Her father, who was God of the Heavens, introduced Orihime to a good young man who lived just across the Milky Way. His name was Hikoboshi, a cow herder. The two fell in love instantly. But their love for each other was so deep that they neglected their duties. The God of the Heavens became very angry and forbade the two lovers to be together. But he he arranged that they could meet up once a year if Orihime returned to her weaving. This day became the 7th day of the 7th month. Every year they cross over on a bridge over the Milky Way It is said that when it rains on Tanabata, the magpies do not come to build the bridge and the lovers have to wait another year. So on this day, ladies dress up beautifully wearing yukatas and men wearing kimonos. There are also many food stores and fun games that you can play. There are also many cultural dances and show cases that happen. Unfortunatley I wasnt able to watch any. My family wanted to take me to a restraunt dar from where we were sooooo of course I was going to chose food. My favourite part was writing a paper wish. Why Paper Wishes? When Tanabata first arrived in Japan from China in the Heian period (794 – 1185), aristocrats in the imperial court would write poetry while gazing at the stars to celebrate the lovers. It wasn’t until the Edo period (1603–1868) that Tanabata was celebrated by all the people of Japan. It was during this period that the tradition of writing wishes on tanzaku, brightly colored pieces of paper, and hanging them from branches of bamboo became part of the celebration. So people started using a tall and straight bamboo to hang the strips of paper with their wishes, hoping that their hopes and dreams would be sent to the heavens. 😁Arigatou & Meitaki Ma'ata😁 😊Thank You😊 Memory Today i'm going to go to school and i'm gonna take it slow...YEAH RIGHT, i can wake up now.
No offense Sir, but excitement filled my body when I saw Mr Pierce. And I stood there and asked my self "why?" Because It means that Mr Ali is here and that means I get Wi-Fi. I hug Mr Ali, actually missing him and shake Mr Pierce's hand. Ono Sensei tells us about the ceremony we are about to attend. I get a little nervous... With our buddies we walked into the school hall with everyone clapping. Then the school orchestra performed a set of theme songs from Disney movies. Such as Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast. Then the norms. Yasui Kouchou Sensei and Mr Pierce said their speech and Ando (school President) said his speech.They all made us feel very welcome and their orchestra was such an awesome experience. We then were guided up on the stage with our buddy's, where just the New Zealand students said a speech in Japanese which we practiced for 8 weeks. I just wanna point out Chris. I was proud of him. He did an amazing job, although added his twist, being the youngest and fidgety of the group he really pulled through. Hes the little brother I never wanted but Mr Ali forced us to have. We are thanked at the end of the ceremony before we head to our second period classes. Second period we said goodbye to our buddies and along with Mr pierce and Mr Ali we headed into first grade english glass. They were super cute. We were seated in the back as they settled and then stood for the formal starting of "Kirits (stand), Kiotsuke (stand straight), Rei! (bow) "Onegaishimasu (please teach us well)"...Chakuseki (sit)...shisei wo tadashite, mokuzou (sit straight and meditate)...Mokuso-yame (stop meditating)" After a introduction we sit down into 6 separate groups. The first graders were instructed to ask us questions to help with their research. "Where do you live in New Zealand?" "I live in Auckland", "What type of food do you eat in New Zealand?" "Most common foods include rice, beef, chicken and veges." "What are some famous places in New Zealand?" "Rotorua because all the many funny things you can do". After answering their questions I was instructed to share more interesting things about New Zealand. I found this very fun. I enjoyed communicating and being able to share my culture with people that were fascinated with it. Although communicating was a little hard, we were able to complete the task with a smile. After the period ended I went back to my home room, 4D. We had our 10 minute break and then it was time for period 3. 2 periods past and we are departing from Mr Ali and Mr Pierce. Since it was Mr Pierces first day, I said we will show him to the cafeteria (so he can buy us lunch..i mean who? when? what? why...). But lunch time was around the corner and One Sensei reminded us that we had to have lunch with our buddies in their homerooms (classes) so sarcastically Mr Pierces says "looks like ou guys are busy, i'll get you shaved ice at Kamakura Memory, Sound good?" I laughed as we went our separate ways "I'll hold you to that sir!" 😁Arigatou & Meitaki Ma'ata😁 😊Thank You😊 Memory I open my eyes still in shock i’m in Japan. I Sit there absorbing my surroundings.
6am I get ready for school then *foot steps coming down the stairs...knock knock* Yuki comes in "Memory Breakfast" As I head into the kitchen my Otousan greets me in English and I try to reply in Japanese "Ohayogozaimasu". After breakfast my Okaasan hands me my lunch bag, umbrella and pocket money. Yuki tells me about our day and we head to the train station by car. We then train From Chigasaki and bus to Hiratsuka and our school bus picks us up from there. As I walk through the school I’m super excited, learning I’m going to be here for the next few weeks. We walk into their library and our first class is introducing us to some teachers, making name tags and reading about tanabata. We are then given a tour of the school, which is so massive and beautiful. Second period we went into a 4th grade English class. We give introductions in Japanese and then split into six groups. My first thought was “how can they be so cute?” We compete in a quiz, guessing the company for the given slogans. After the quiz we complete a formal ending before lunch. The formal ending starts with a meditation for one minute then commands are given to the students to stand, stand straight and bow whilst thanking the teacher “Arigatou Gozaimashita” Lunch time comes and we go to our designated classroom (seminar room 2) which has been decorated for us. As i open my lunch bag, I get a bento bowl. Different to my lunch in New Zealand but it was definitely sugoi (amazing) and oishi (tasty). We stay here and have lunch together. While eating we reflect on our day. Everyone expresses how tired they are and how much they are loving it already. After eating we walk around school and everyone is being so nice and greeting us. We make it to the cafeteria and they had loads of amazing food and refreshing drinks. I enjoyed being in a different environment, going out of my comfort zone a little more than usual. Today was quite long..."R.I.P" After lunch we head to the bus stop where we catch the bus to Oyama. Here we caught the bus to Oyama. Oyama looked like a small beautiful village with beautiful scenery and many shops as you climb flights of stairs to the cable carts. I made it halfway before stopping. The stairs literally said "Your half way there!" Only half way? I rested with Sakiko Sensei before we returned back down and we walked to the shaved ice shop. Where our buddies were already waiting for us. It was supper fun and different. Something i've never tried but it just tasted like strawberry ice flakes (which is what it is) Then I went home, showered, had dinner, had ice cream and spoke to my Otousan and Oniichan (older brother). Days were always long but I was never tired. Physically maybe, but mentally I never wanted to sleep. Even from my first day, I encourage students reading this, from New Zealand or where ever in the world, to travel and study abroad. Personally, I thought it was going to be scary, I felt nothing but safe. I was always excited because I never knew what was going to happen next. 😁Arigatou & Meitaki Ma'ata😁 😊Thank You😊 Memory HmmmmmmmWhere do we start? Where I've been to an airport five times a year but never flown? When I started crying during take off? When the guy in front of me pushed his chair back and it was a struggle getting in an out of my seat? When I celebrated my seat-belt fitting? When I couldn’t get my carry on from the top because I was so short, on both planes? I haven’t even reached Japan and It was already hard? No need to see to the embarrassing parts
but let’s head into Haneda Japan! We walked out of customs, it still felt surreal! I thought to myself “where am? I am I in Japan? No wait..yes I am... you are! Someone wake me up because this is it even funny!” Like I said grab some popcorn because it’s gonna be good! From this point on we have unlimited Wi-Fi (thanks to Ali Sensei). We had trained from Haneda airport to Shinjuku where We had morning tea. We then walked for four hours. “Jokes” actually 20 minutes but with our luggage we met a colleague of Mr Ali‘s. After resting for an hour or so we then walk to another train station, to train to Atsugi-Shi, where we had more lunch. Again for 640 yen. It couldn’t get better than this. The food was all cheap and tasty. It’s around 3pm now, so we head into our hotel and have showers and prepare before 4 pm. The time comes and we train to Aiko-Ishida meeting Ono Sensei on the other side of the gates. From here we take our (Jishukan High School) school bus to school. My palms weren’t sweating but yah-girls were ankles hurting, she was sweating and her stomach was full of butterflies. “I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’m going to meet my buddy, I’m in Japan, I will be going to sleep alone on a foreign country and not even Mr Ali will be there.” We arrive at this beautiful massive school, up the elevator we go. We walk out, a few unfamiliar smiling faces are in the halls. I pull my suitcase around and one by one, students pop out. I look around slowly to ensure I get the right buddy. Then I hear “Memory! Memory!” It’s Yuki. I can finally put a beautiful smile to a name. We hug tightly then the New Zealand students sit at the front of a room. For the first 20 minutes of meeting Yuki we couldn’t stop laughing and were very nervous. We are all greeted with warm greetings and speeches by teachers and Yasui Kouchou Sensei (the Principal). Next thing I know it...I’m hugging Mr Ali goodbye. I met my Okaasan (host mother), Eliopa’s host family and together we go to dinner. A beautiful Japanese style restaurant. Being Mormon there are certain things Me and Eliopa couldn’t eat, luckily our host family’s were accepting and understanding of this. Sorry Siiiis! But it doesn’t stop there! After dinner we go our separate ways and head home. Me and Yuki take and exchange selfies then after 30 minutes, we arrive at her beautiful house. i walk up the path to my house. through the doors I meet my Otousan(host father). He’s very welcoming and speaks good if not perfect English. They show me to my beautiful room, my bathroom (the toilet and sink automatic) and around the house. Very different to New Zealand. They ask me to unpack and refreshen up if wanted. After bathing and settling in my room I head to bed. It’s around Midnight and I couldn’t sleep. I Think about everything thats happen and allow it to settle in then I lay there wondering “What is jet-lag?” 😁Arigatou & Meitaki Ma'ata😁 😊Thank You😊 Memory Packed my suitcase? Check!
Check Again...Check! Double Check...Check! This went on for hours before I was tired enough and my excitement let me breathe. In all honestly I think I counted the levels in the school and the flight of stairs more than I counted days till this very moment and now I’m boarding a plane with six awesome people. I don’t wanna keep you here for long. Although this is my first plane ride, I’m going to one of the most incredible places in the world if not the greatest. If you’re wondering, Yes I am scared for my life and it could be over in a flash...Also If I don’t make it out alive I just want to spread my love and gratitude for those who help me on this journey. My family, teachers, friends, also my great friend Lachlann Magele. 😁Arigatou & Meitaki Ma'ata😁 😊Thank You😊 Memory Food, Food, Food and FoodThis day finally came. I was so excited. Today, we the lucky 6 had dinner at Novotel Hotel. It took me forever to get ready! Making sure I looked good...almost made me late. I walked through the hotel doors meeting everyone being the last one to arrive. “Ooops” I am greeted by our wonderful hosts Novotel and Ibis Hotels. I meet Mr Pierce, Mr Ali and the other 5. Everyone looked amazing. We continued to exchange hellos and handshakes before we proceeded to our “reserved” table. We were then told to sit in a pattern, ensuring it was a young person in between a “mature person” (I still need my plane ticket home). We were served an à la carte - A three course meal, long glasses of drinks and a lot of laughter. Today was for us to get to know our sponsors and for us too celebrate our success once again.
Throughout dinner I sat next to Mr Ali happy that he could help me dine and eat properly but Paul, Adi nor Sven weren’t as scary or strict with dinning. I had gotten a crispy pork belly for my entree and I was too scared to cut Into it. But they made us feel comfortable as much as they could. “Get messy with it, tuck in” On behalf of Aorere College, our community, the chosen six, and myself, I would like to thank Novotel and Ibis hotels. This experience may be a once in life time opportunity. I know for sure that this trip will help us to experience many things that no one else may. To be able to live and breathe another way of living will teach us many things that will stay with us for life. This trip may also give us a better understanding of diversity and to help spread the love of all cultures. We are grateful and express nothing but gratitude. May this experience help us grow mentally and mature in the best ways possible. 😁Arigatou & Meitaki Ma'ata😁 😊Thank You😊 Memory CaligraphyAlthough we only had this once, it was very awesome. Writing in Kanji and Hiragana is very hard and as it seems so complex. I never I'd ever be able to write in such way or even get the opportunity to learn. Jishukan is filled with many wonderful things to and learn.
So japan has three writing systems kanji, hiragana and katakana. Kanji is chinese characters but still used for japanese language. Kanji characters have meanings and convey ideas. They can sometimes look like their meaning, for example fire flames or mountains. Hiragana are symbols used to represent every sound in the japanese language. Katakana like hiragana, are symbols used to represent every sound in the japanese language but this type of writing I used for foreign words or sounds(onomatopoeia). It was such an awesome experience. I was able to write the word mind (kokoro), to represent my interest in people, their mind and the world of psychology. The word Justice (seigi) - to represent my interest in law and a fair legal system, one that will not only send bad people away but in a fair measures for everyone. The name Jack - the name of my buddies dog who wants to eat my guts. My buddies name, Yuki whom at the time i thought was just was a beautiful girl who had welcomed me into their home but now I see her a friend and a sister I will never forget. 😁Arigatou & Meitaki Ma'ata😁 😊Thank You😊 Memory |
AuthorHey Guys! My Name is obviously Memory and im a year 12 student. Archives
July 2019
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