06/08/2008: "Ready for that first day of work"

Well, today begins my first day of work. And by "work", I mean shadowing another teacher while he works and supposedly taking notes (considering that teaching is a style, a macro-technique if you will, I find it impossible to figure out what needs to have a bullet point written about it and what is just fluff). Since it's my first meeting with my prospective students (my schedule isn't 100% set in stone, so I'll actually be shadowing two sets of classes until we figure out which set will be mine), I have to dress all super-awesome like. Yep.. we got the dress shirt, dress pants, and tie all set to go. Thank god I packed this stuff in my bag. And thank god I could iron it, at that. Being stuffed in a bag for a week apparently doesn't do anything good for your clothes.

Last night, I was taken out to go see some fireflies. It should be noted that I have never, ever seen fireflies in person in my life. I'm sure this sounds awkward coming from someone who's 22 and already knows everything (seriously.. just ask anyone who knows me. Except my grandfather. But he knows everything +1, so it's really unfair to stack me up against that and get his opinion), but it's really an amazing experience. I completely understand how in a time before we scientifically separate, classify, and analyze everything, one could really believe that these are the spirits of loved ones calling out.

Now, I don't want to make Asia sound backwards or anything.. but the prevalence of folk wisdom still shocks and amazes me. I feel like the Western idiot you see in movies who doubts all the magic and everything.. but seriously, it's not scientifically sound. I can't be sure if it's due to my university background, how I was raised, or due to being in America, but I'm just surprised at some of the stuff I hear that large amounts of people do believe. Now, acupuncture and the like, I can't judge. I know nothing about it. But when someone says "Yeah, if you eat this greasy meat with grape leaves, it cuts the fat in half" (I was told this in Korea). I'm sorry.. but that has as much logic as breaking a cookie in half, hoping the calories fall out. This is, frankly, insane. I'm just amazed by how much of this stuff has carried on, and that when I ask "how does it do that", "why would that work", or "why do you think that", I just get blank looks.

Anyway, I should get dressed all pretty and such to go shadow people today. Then, I need to continue studying that Japanese driving manual (which is, fortunately, in English). I also finally own a briefcase now. My poser teacher image is now complete!

I'll write later!


Jason

On Monday, June 9th, mina mina said:

Awesome!! You're in place complete with tie and briefcase. The elderly gentleman mentioned in paragraph 2 was quite pleased with your observation.

On Tuesday, June 10th, Conker said:

For once in my entire life, I am Envious of someone... so much that it pisses me off. It sounds like you're having one hell of a time in Jap. I truly wish you the best on your Job and whatever else it is that you do. I have nothing else to say other than I seriously and truly envy you... (but not because of what you do in your life or what you have, but because of where you are livng now) You make it sound so heavenly, that it makes me want to leave everything here and just move to Jap. Damn it, I better stop now...

Well, Best of luck to you.

On Friday, June 13th, Kat said:

So glad to hear how things are-yes fireflies have a kind of magic to them. You know-it may have more to do with your education than anything. i don't know. i've heard people here in America at my school say things like that. One girl told me to eat standing up and i wouldn't gain nearly as much weight. First of all i've never been concerned much with weight, and secondly i thought she was joking, but she seriously believed this. i also get the blank stares when i ask people what makes them think this. "It just makes logical sense" she said. hmm...people can be strange *nods*
Hope all goes well in shadowing! Can't wait to hear about the students and the job : )