Answers to your questions:
1. I did not see any monks at the temple. Sorry Sam.
2. No, I have not seen any robots except for drawings. And I would know if I saw one.
3. San Francisco was overcast and cold. I did not see the bridge or the prison.
4. Japanese TV is not as fun as I expected. I mostly watch CNNJ which is usually in English, but sometimes Spanish. There are a few fun infommercials.
5. The toilets can be dangerous as extended use of the spray function can result in a low level burn. We are encouraged to use sparingly.
6. No, I am not a Fulbrighter. I am a participant in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program that was created as a "thank you" to the United States for the Fulbright Program that gave many Japanese the opportunity to study in the United States.
My Reflection:
After little more than 48 hours in Japan I have learned a few things. Tokyo is not noisy. At all. Even Shinjuku station with all the people and shops and trains was pretty quiet. Cars are not allowed to honk their horns, people aren't on the cell phones talking, radios aren't blasting. It is wonderful.
When speaking about their culture, I have noticed that most Japanese say "We Japanese feel" rather than "I feel." They seem to be more focused on the whole than the individual. What this means, I am not sure. Just an observation.
Gender equality or inequality if you will is more of an issue here than in the United States. Way more. It's not that women are considered second-class citizens, but there is clearly a divide. The Representatives addressed this today, but it seems that the resolution of this issue is still in its early stages. Very early stages. Some of the things said today, if said in the United States, would have resulted in a mass walk-out of the females in the room. Or at least a verbal conflict. "We teachers" remained respectful but many were clearly surprised by some of the comments.
JFMF Teacher Program is really about anti-bullying. We were brought over to Japan by the Japanese Government so that we would know Japan in person. (I am not expressing this clearly I know). Many anti-bullying programs focus on making connections as it is hard to hate someone whose story you know. I think that's why we are here -- to make connections.
A reflection on a personal note. One of the major problems Japan is facing deals with its aging population. Twenty percent of Japan's population is over 65. By 2045 over 40% will be. The United States is also dealing with the issue (I hate to use that word) of how to care for aging parents and grandparents. My parents are facing this now with my grandmother who is 90. One idea shared today was to use robots to care for the elderly. Robots. (I swear I am not, not making this up). Can you imagine a robot taking care of your grandma? Maybe they were kidding. It just seemed like a bad tv-sitcom to me. Evelyn and the Robot. That I would watch.
I am off to bed. We are going to the fist market at 4:30 and I need to sleep.
Thank you for reading.
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7 comments:
I don't know Court, I think a robot for GM is a good idea. You feel like a robot while you are talking with her.
GM - "What time do I get up?"
Robot - "7:30 a.m."
GM "Then what do I do?"
Robot "Get Up, and sit in chair until Bridget comes in."
I bet there would be less elderly abuse. . . Just a thought.
Hey remember that Simpsons' episode when they go to Japan and they are watching an animated cartoon that gives all of them seizures . . . . You reminded me of that when I read your blog regarding what you are watching on TV. In the same episode they have to work in a fish market gutting fish to make enough money to get home and Bart says "Knife goes in, guts come out." And then they get on a Japanese TV show to win airline tickets to go home and the Japanese show punishes people for their stupidity instead of awarding one's intelligence. Funny stuff.
Have you made any oragami birds?
Have you seen any geishas?
Oh yeah, in the same Simpsons' episode, Homer just walks through the paper walls instead of sliding the doors open. I love the Simpsons.
Anyway, I love you and miss you.
I love the blog. Watch out for Japanese animated cartoons. . . . Sam
Hi Sam! (my sister for those of you who don't know her) I even drew a little cartoon titled Grandma and the Robot. I will share it with you. It made me laugh, and our dialogue is very similar.
Some days when I think I am adopted, you remind me that we are indeed sisters. All of my knowledge of Japan also comes from TV and the movies. I think if I reference Tokyo Drift one more time my group is going to leave me.
We did eat at a restaurant with the sliding paper walls and I said to someone as we were trying to get our shoes on, "I'd hate to do a Homer Simpson." No one got it.
Love you!!! Courtney
P.S. I just made an origami crane like 30 minutes ago. Weird. And the geishas? Maybe tomorrow. I am going to Kyoto.
Courtney, have you seen any ninjas? Maybe some ninja robots? Their quiet and stealthy, so maybe you wouldn't even know if you saw one!
Please explain the International Date Line. Unlike you and your sister, I don't relate to the Simpsons. All I can think of is Radar's explanation in the MASH series! Can GM's robot do laundry? Also, how's the weather in Japan?
Take lots of pictures.
XOXO, Mom & Daisy
marian makes a good point about the ninja robots...quit trying to hide the truth!!!!!
wats up ms.corrigan its adolfo hows it been in japan. will u go drifting at any time, you should it looks like fun. als o bring mr. walther something japanees looking..........bye
Hey whats up fo-shizzle?! My nizzle said to dizzle the shizzle for nizzle that shizzle my nizzle. Izzle zzle zle le e....Thats the break down fo- sho. Well anyways; Hows Japan?? You see any Pandas?..Ask to go to the zoo. Bring me home panda...and bring Mr. Walther some Panda Express.
This is Z to the A, A to the C, C to the H, H to the A, A to the R,R to the Y, Y to the Riccio.
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