The Final Goodbye

It's my last night tonight. I had a lesson with Miss Kei. It is also our very last lesson together. When I told her that I was quitting, she immediately sent an e-mail to our office and said that they should stop me from quitting. How sweet of her...

And now I am quitting. She normally doesn't turn on her video. Since it is the last night together, she opened her video when we were saying goodbye. She was teary eyed.

I will miss her-- Miss Kei. I will also miss other students: Mr. Yoh, Miss Lin, Miss Ellen, Miss Eri, Miss Miyo, Mr. Mits, Mr. Ats, Miss Masumi, and many more! I will also miss my other co-teachers. Though actually, I'm only acquainted with some. I will miss this job. A home-based job, a comfortable job but not a ho-hum.

Tomorrow is the real world. I've felt it already but I will feel more of it. Goodbye....

Good Bye Another Time

If you have read my previous posts, you will know that I will leave this home-based online English teaching job very soon. I will end on the 9th of this month. It's next Monday already. I still teach for the remaining lessons which are very few already.

And I guess, with my resignation as a home-based online English teacher, this blog will come to an end soon also...

It's sad to say good bye but I have too.

More Goodbyes

Yesterday, I received more goodbye messages and wishes from my avid students. Let me share it here. One of my student, Mr. Yoj, told it to me in person during our last lesson yesterday. He said:

Today is the last day... I should say something. Thank you for the lessons. You are one of my favorite teachers. Ganbatte for new job.

The rest are already through chat message.

I got your message. I'm sad but at the same time I'm glad to know you could find another job. Your experience at GNA will help you with your job. I was really happy to talk with you in the lessons.
See you someday. Thank you a lot. --Miss Ellen

It's surprising for me to resign you GNA. I hope you will be happy. Thank you for every lessons. good-bye. ;(---- Miss Masumi 

Thank you for your message.I'm very sad not to see you anymore.I'm very happy to meet you.Good luck and see you in somewhere in the world!--- Miss Miyoko 

Thank you for your good-bye message! I really enjoyed with your lesson. I miss you. I hope your good future, Thank you so much, again.---From my newest student, Miss Kayoko 

Oh... I will miss being a Home-based English Teacher.

Goodbye Again

Unfortunately or fortunately, it's not my last of my teaching nights yet. The management would not let me go handling too many replacement of reservation in their hands. I have to help with that too because my offer has been very abrupt.

Anyway... I have told some students about my resignation. Most of them are sad. Some teachers who are also close to me are also sad about the sudden news.They knew from the students whom I sent a message to. I will miss them all!

Some students whom I gave messages replied to me. Fortunately that the first class doesn't have any students so I was able to cater all questions, students and co-teachers alike. Let me post some of their sad replies with my aliases for them:

I miss you I sent a mail to CNA..".I have a question. Does teacher Zed will leave GNA? I'm very shock! Please stop! She is a good teacher."I don't want to say good-bye.But I had no chice. I waiting for next lesson.--Miss Kei

ohh, I am so sad to hear that ;(.   in the other hand what winderful news to hear you have a new job, I am also very happy to hear that, congratulations !!! (F)--Miss Lin

hi! Congratulations! (clap)However, I am slightly lonely. ;(Please try even the next job hard. Please take care.thank you. (bow) :D (highfive)-- Mr. Melancholic Eyes.

Thank you for your message.
I was surprised that you would leave GNA suddenly.
I have always enjoyed your kind lesson and thanked your friendly personality.
I wish your success in your new job.
I will miss you. --Miss Eri.

I guess I can expect more of this.  Miss Kei's message hit me hard. I hope to see them, somehow.

Goodbye...

today is my last day as an HBOET. unfortunately? there were only two close students i have. i told them my resignation. ms.miu said she will miss me. that was very sweet. mr.ats gave his facebook acct
so i added him. i will miss both of them. for the others... i sent them s message in skype. i said goodbye to ms.aika too via her email.

i'm always bad at saying goodbye but i have to.

posted from Bloggeroid

A Student Cried

I rarely talk about my personal stories with my students, unless they ask me too. I also don't ask about their personal stories and they don't open about it. Some would not just mind and are curious to know some little personal things about their teacher and some would also share about themselves, even complaints.

I just remembered that last night's lesson was the first time for me to talk about a personal story about my Dad. The student somehow asked if what kind of a man is my father and I said that my father is already dead. She was surprised and asked why and how. So I told her about it. And it made her cry.... Good thing that her video wasn't on because if it was, I would cry with her too.

A Very Insightful Message

I have a student who is a volunteer worker in their local library.  I asked her about her job and good thing, she was enthusiastic enough to share about it. I told her that I envy her.

A part of me wanted to be a librarian. For the fact that I just wanted to sit around and check all the books. And also to work with books and be with books Mondays to Fridays. I guess I can say that I am more in love with books than with humans. From a bird's eye view,  but in reality, it's not. Being a librarian is actually a science.

So, when I told my student that I envy her work as a librarian, she told me, "You should have taken the librarian license?" And there was an eye opener for me.

A Hopeful Insight On Omoshiroi Article: U.S. Vows Justice For Slain Ambassador

Recently, we hear all these world news around us and some are in congruence with our own problems with other countries. For example, Philippines have territorial issues with China. So as Japan with China and with Korea too. The most aggressive move we can see, as per world news, is that Chinese people attack anything Japanese in mainland China.

On the other side of the world, we can hear such conflicts also but it deals with religion: Muslim people attacking US embassy in Libya is the latest one I have heard. Still right on with the senseless attacking.

Fortunately, I get to share this article with some of my expressive students.

U.S. Vows Justice For Slain Ambassador (13th September, 2012)

U.S. President Barack Obama has promised to bring to justice to those who killed American ambassador Christopher Stevens in Libya on Tuesday night. Mr Stevens was killed in an attack on the U.S. consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi. Three other consulate staff died in the attack and five were wounded. Mr Obama said: "There is absolutely no justification for this type of senseless violence." U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton asked: "How could this happen in a country we helped liberate; in a city we helped save from destruction?" Libya's interim president Mohammed el-Megarif apologised for what he called the "cowardly" attack, saying: "We extend our apology to America."

There is speculation over what caused the assault on the consulate. Initial reports said a YouTube video trailer for a low-budget film that gives an insulting portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad sparked the protests. Any depiction of the Prophet is prohibited in Islam and greatly offends Muslims. The makers of the film are as yet unknown, but reports say Egyptian Coptic Christians and an American-Israeli are behind it. However, media reports now say the attack was pre-planned to coincide with the 9/11 anniversary. Libya's UN representative Ibrahim Dabbashi said: "This attack…cannot be considered as a defence of Islam. [It] gravely damages the image of Islam."
Source: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1209/120913-us_ambassador.html

There is a very small margin of Japanese who have religion. So in general, my students associate the article with the territorial issue between Japan and China. For them, it's better to talk over disagreements in calm, civilized manner. With that I have to agree with them.

It's barbaric to fight and attack one another because of disagreements in issues--religion, territory, violence, etc. You can even compare it with minor disputes within the family, friends, and other relationships. Nothing can be solved if one shouts and the other hits to make a statement. It just create more disagreements and more misunderstandings.

I know it's such a naive way of looking things but it's better to talk over the differences in a calm, open  manner and hope for the best.

A New Picture

After a year and so, I changed me profile picture in Skype.

And I got nothing but good praises about it. What do you think?

Distaste For Others

It still is a typical work load even if I have a different schedule. It's still summer in Japan and students still complain about the heat. I have already stopped asking them about how they cool themselves or what they eat in summer, except for those whom I got rare chances to have lessons with. After summer, there will be autumn, and I guess it will be still typical for me.

One good thing with my routinely schedule is that, I can grasp those special things or special complaints, I should say, from students. Like today, I had a lesson with a this cheerful student. Let's name her K. She has already mentioned before that she has a particular distaste against Chinese and Koreans. With today's lesson, however, she expressed it vividly. She said that she hopes in the future, we (I guess she is referring to Japanese) will have a safe planet that is free from Chinese and Koreans. I asked her why and she said that she has been hearing and reading news about Chinese and Koreans cause a lot of crimes in Japan. I laughed to myself. I know everyone is entitled with their opinions, that's why I just listened to her while she was expressing her feelings towards that particular race. I just can't believe I would hear it from her, who has a kind and sweet voice and a cheerful character. I asked her if there are any Chinese or Koreans in her neighborhood, unfortunately no. I guess, she has a one-sided view of them. But I didn't expressed my reaction to her opinion.

I believe, regardless of the race, ethnicity, and nationality, people are people. People do bad things wherever they are, may it be there home country or abroad. It saddens me that some people have a general view of others. I guess it can't be avoided. It's just after all human nature.

As I've mentioned, I didn't say my reaction to what she said. It's her opinion and I respect it, even though it saddens me that there is a generalization. Teachers are usually encouraged not to raise controversial topics such as religion. I personally avoid topics about the connection of Philippine and Japan historically. But when I do, I try to be objective as much as possible. Thank God, I haven't met students who do not bash the rare instances of such underground topics.

K talked about it for almost all of the lesson time. I just listened to her and bid her good fortune. In my mind, I hoped her to be open about other races and nationalities because it's not about that that define a person.

Good Schedule!

Hi y'all! I feel so happy today because the schedule that I have is very suitable for me. It took me awhile to realize that.

Recently, I am on the job hunt. Having a late afternoon schedule for my online teaching job is good to compromise with the job hunt. I guess I have not talked about my schedule before, right?

Well, when I started, my schedule starts from 1500-2100. This was from a year ago during my first six months. I remember I applied to some job openings and the having interviews with that kind of schedule is not a good combination. In my next six months, I changed my schedule to 1400-2000. It's an earlier schedule because I need to compromise with what happened here at home. My mom had an accident so I need to help more with the house. And with this second schedule, having some interviews still did not go well because it covers a lot of time during the day. The third schedule that I have now is better because I start late, however, I end late. It is from 1630-2200. It's a better schedule than the previous two because it doesn't cover a lot of time during the day and I can do job hunting freely in the morning.

So, now I just realized that my current schedule perfectly well. It compromises well if I have some impromptu interviews and I don't need to block out our replace many time slots.It's good!

Obon

I'm so excited for the Davao holidays! It's only a few days now. I want to take a rest from having many lessons especially this week. This week is the Obon holiday in Japan for most students so we get a lot of reservations.

Maybe I haven't talked much about Obon last year because I only knew it as a holiday for the dead, like Philippines' All Soul's Day on November 2. And basically, most of the practices are the same: go to the graves, bring food and flowers, light up some incenses, and offer some prayers.  So, recently, I knew that the Obon practices can vary from family to family. But here's the general idea that I learned from some of the students.

Usually, Obon runs for three days. In some prefectures, two days. One student said that it is from August 13-14. One also said that it is only on August 13-14. But it depends on the calendar. So in these days, families can go to the graves or their ancestral houses.

Usually, the first born son, in recent times daughters too as long as they're first borns, handle the commemoration of their dead on Obon. The first borns take care of the ancestral house, thus it leaves them with the responsibility of handling Obon preparations.

Some families prepare an altar of good things. Most importantly, they prepare some vegetables that they make into a horse and a cow. According to one of the students who make this practice, they use a cucumber to be made into a horse and an eggplant is made into a cow. The horse cucumber is the bringer of the souls of the dead. The horse fetches the dead on the first day. On the last day, which is the third day, of Obon, the souls of the dead will ride the eggplant cow. The cow sends them back to the underworld or the world of the dead. They also some incenses. This is to help the souls find their way to their ancestral houses. Favorite foods and fruits of the dead are also put on the altar.

Cucuber horse and eggplant cow.

A Traditional Obon Altar

In general, Obon is a reunion time for most families. Many workers from big cities are given a chance to spend a week or two for holidays. Unfortunately for some, they don't have any Obon vacation but they can take a summer vacation a week or after from the Obon week.

As a foreigner, I somehow look forward to Obon because I can hear interesting things about their culture and practice on this special day. I'm also interested with the special foods and their corresponding meanings. I like this Japanese holiday! Even if it means a busy schedule for us teachers. ^_^

Images were from Google Images...

Annoyed

I don't know I've written something like this... but here it goes.

A student stressed me out a lot today. I thought we will have a fun lesson together but in the end, it came for the worse. I guess she was not that as enthusiastic as before. Perhaps, I have forgotten how irritable she is when she can't get what the words mean. Or maybe I expected so much of her because I know she knows a lot of words and reads between the lines and can understand even the strangest expressions. As always, in the end, she apologizes about that. But the hurt has already been inflicted.

I got annoyed. I almost lost my cool. I believe I have forgotten about handling those kinds of people.
And maybe, after a year and six months of teaching, I still don't know how to teach. Sigh.

I guess I do.

I am now on the point where I am to lax in my job--where the room of improvement is there but I'm not budging any step to take initiative and do it. I have gotten to lazy, pre-occupied of some thoughts. I was very different when I was just starting out as an HBOET. There was a drive to be better but now, I don't know.

There is something wrong with my outlook and there is something wrong now on how I look on things. I guess I need help on how to do this improvement. Another job perhaps? Or maybe teaching in our company office? I don't know. I'm constricted with my time and my mind wants to stay in this constricted mind.

No Voice

I am not working today because I got sick. I got colds and I lost my voice--the worst thing could happen. I don't mind getting sick as long as I can work. But work without the voice, that's a different story and it is one of the bread and butter of my work as a HBOET. Sigh.

I guess, I shouldn't complain. I can enjoy this extra holiday! :D

Coca-cola Ready For London 2012

Olympics 2012 is near! Here's a Coca-cola bottle  with an Olympic logo. This is shared by my student crush. 

Coca-Cola ready for London 2012.

Exerpts from: 'Fat pride' challenges supersize stereotypes.

I want to share an interesting article that I used in some of the lessons that I had a couple of days. I'll just share the parts where I used for the discussions.

Exerpts from: 'Fat pride' challenges supersize stereotypes
Lifestyle Jul.14, 2012 -07:15AM JST (47)
WELLINGTON —
Cat Pause proudly describes herself as “fat,” can live with euphemisms like “curvy,” “chunky” or “chubby,” but baulks at what she believes are value-laden labels such as “overweight” or “obese”.

The U.S.-born academic is a pioneer in the emerging field of fat studies, organizing New Zealand’s first conference on the topic at Massey University’s Wellington campus on Thursday and Friday.

Fat studies, she explains, is an academic discipline just like history, English or political science, but it examines attitudes towards fat people and challenges the assumption that anyone with a bulging waistline is unhealthy.

At the conference, scholars from as far afield as the United States and Australia discussed papers such as “Fat hatred and the Left in the time of ‘the obesity epidemic’” and “The role of diagnosis in marginalizing corpulence.”

“One of the reasons we’re so fearful and hateful of fat is that we believe we can read people’s bodies,” Pause told AFP.

“So when people look at a fat body like mine, it tells them I’m unhealthy and that this is a diseased body. It tells them I don’t ever exercise and eat nothing but junk.”

Pause said the reality is that some people are just bigger than others and fat studies highlighted the need for society to accept the fact, rather than constantly judging fat people and pushing them to lose weight.

Click here for the whole article.

A Lesson With A Choppy Line

Stude: You have daughter right?
Me: Yes.
Stude: How old is she?
Me: She'll turn two this 25th!
Stude: (wasn't able to hear) What will she turn into?
Me: :DD

10 things foreign guys do that make Japanese girls fall head over heels

One of my female students is single. In fact, many of them are single, career women. But this particular single, female student has some interests in foreign men, like how they are very much expressive of their feelings or very respective towards women. And today, I found an article that somehow answers the question in me and maybe this might be an answer for her too.

Here's the article:

10 things foreign guys do that make Japanese girls fall head over heelsBy Steven Simonitch

LIFESTYLE JUL. 10, 2012 - 05:47AM JST ( 180 )TOKYO —
While marriage rates in Japan have been declining overall, a growing number of Japanese women seem to be giving up on their male counterparts and dating foreign men.
So what is it about foreign guys that draws Japanese women to them? Kanae Hara at Gow Magazine writes: “Just this year, I’ve had one friend get married to an American and another to an Australian. Both of them moved overseas with their partners. They both tell me that foreigners are more expressive with their love and make them feel happy to have been born a woman.“

Hara continues by sharing 10 ways foreign guys express their affection that make their Japanese girlfriends fall head over heels. We’ve translated the list below, so be sure to take notes if you’re looking for some pointers on how to woo a Japanese girl!

1. A real proposal
“His proposal was amazing! He actually got down on one knee and, while looking straight into my eyes, said: “Will you marry me?” Then he handed me a diamond ring!” (31-years-old/Japanese, 34-year-old/English)

2. Flattering text messages
“His texts always start with ‘To the most beautiful girl in the world’. I think being able to use a phrase like that naturally is something only foreigners can do.” (26/Japanese, 29/Spain)

3. Makeup flowers
“He sends a bouquet of flowers to my apartment or work after we get in a fight. It’s embarrassing but I think it’s sweet.” (29/Japanese, 27/English)

4. Mornings just like in the movies
“On days off he makes breakfast for me while I’m still in bed and wakes me up by kissing me while saying ‘Hurry, I want to see myself in those beautiful eyes’. It’s like something from a movie scene, I never thought I’d experience it myself.” (33/Japanese, 37/French)

5. A flower for every occasion
“Our first meal together, the first time we held hands: he uses every ‘first’ we share as an opportunity to slip me a flower.” (30/Japanese, 28/Greek)

6. Leaving his love in a letter
“Since he has to leave for work early in the morning, he always leaves me a letter with a short message. I feel his love for me in his handwriting.” (28/Japanese, 26/Chinese)

7. Saying “I love you” on the phone
“He always says ‘I love you’ before hanging up the phone. I still haven’t gotten used to it and it’s embrassing.” (29/Japanese, 26/American)

8. The first and last bite
“He’s so kind, it drives me absolutely crazy for him. I was especially surprised at how he always gives me the first and last bite when we share food.” (32/Japanese, 27/Korean)

9. Eat, sleep, breathe, kiss
“He kisses my over 10 times a day while whispering words of affection. It’s just natural for him.” (36/Japanese, 32/Italian)

10. Pet names
“There are many different words to express affection in his language. Even when simply addressing me, he tenderly calls me ‘my love’ or ‘my treasure’. (34/Japanese, 38/French)

By contrast, Japanese men are known for being shy and inept at expressing their feelings to women. Therefore many Japanese women fear that dating a Japanese man will bring them a life of monotony, with no romantic proposals (some Japanese men propose by asking “will you make me miso soup for the rest of my life?”) and never once being told “I love you”.

So what do you guys and girls think? Are Japanese girls getting too worked up over cheesy romance or should Japanese guys start taking lessons before it’s too late?

Source: Gow Magazine
RocketNews24
External Link: http://en.rocketnews24.com/2012/06/28/japanese-guys-take-notes-10-things-foreign-guys-do-that-makes-japanese-girls-fall-head-over-heels/

Source:  Japan Today

August Holidays--OFFICIAL

Just hot off the press! This is our official schedule of the APPROVED HOLIDAYS FOR AUGUST!


AUGUST 19 =  KADAYAWAN [Davao Holiday - Special non-working Holiday]

AUGUST 20 =  EID UL FITR  [ Legal Holiday ]

AUGUST 21 =  Ninoy Aquino Death Anniversary [ Special non-working Holiday]

AUGUST 27 =  National Heroes Day [ Legal Holiday]

I'm so HAPPY that it can't be contained with caps!

August Holidays

The staff posted the approved holidays for the month of August and it is my favorite month! One, it is my birth month. And two, August has a lot of holidays!

APPROVED HOLIDAYS for the month of August 2012
AUGUST 20 =  EID UL FITR  [ Legal Holiday ]
AUGUST 21 =  Ninoy Aquino Death Anniversary [ Special non-working Holiday]
AUGUST 24 =  KADAYAWAN [Davao Holiday - Special non-working Holiday but Tentative might change date]
AUGUST 27 =  National Heroes Day [ Legal Holiday]

Before I don't post the approved holiday schedules here in this blog but now, my notepad information has a lot of information of already. I'm too tired to scroll down or hit find. Sometimes, it doesn't find the right things or it shows a lot of unrelated things. I guess it's better here and you can see our Davao holidays too.

By the way, what's your favorite month?

Nicknames

When I ask students if they have nicknames, they will always say "Nothing" or a short version of their names. I already know that but it's interesting to know their answers. In rare case, though, some will say they have nicknames.

One of my students last night will go to Thailand within this year for business. I told him that Thais like to have nicknames. (I got the information from one of my other students. He was given a nickname by his Thai friends when he was working there.) I also told him that Filipinos like to have nicknames. So, if he would come here his nickname would be No-no, taken from his real name. He smiled at the suggestion and asked, "If Thais will ask me what's the meaning of my name, I cannot explain it." "Just say, no, no," I told him. He laughed.

Generally, students say that nicknames in Japan are only for children. Well, except in some rare cases like those two students mentioned. I remembered that one of my elementary teachers said, the sweetest name one can have is your own first name. I guess somehow, that's the way for Japanese....

Tanabata, Ochugen, And Oseibo.

July 7th is Tanabata Day in Japan. Happy Tanabata Day!

Tanabata is the day when the Cow Herder Star crosses the Milky Way to meet his love, Weaving Princess. This is also a day for children to write their wishes on a small strip of paper and hang it on bamboo trees.

I asked my students about it and they don't really celebrate it anymore 'cause it's for children (that's also because my students usually are adults). One student said, it's also the time when young people can dress in their nice yukata and stroll to some food stall set-up in parallel to the Tanabata Festival. One student also said that in malls there are some Tanabata decorations, like the bamboo, where people can hang their wishes. But basically, Tanabata is for children.


On the other note...

I also learned from another student about a time of gift-giving, which they call Ochugen and Oseibo. Both are terms for the culture of gift-giving in Japan. First comes Ochugen that happens in the early days of July and Oseibo in the early days of December. As per the student, there's no decided date for the gift-giving but it usually happens on the first days of the month. Such celebrations, of course, are signified by advertisements.

The student also mentioned that Ochugen and Oseibo are usually observed by adults who are married. They give presents to the important people in their lives who have helped them or played a great role in their lives. Aside from parents, it could be the relatives, teachers, bosses, or other important persons. Single and young people don't really storm in Ochugen or Oseibo areas, only adults he said.

There's no usual item to give on Ochugen or Oseibo because it depends on the favorite things or the things the receivers want to have. The student said that his wife usually gives an apron for his mother-in-law. This time, he said, he sent out some good beer to his relatives.


An insight...

It's interesting to know that there are festivals and celebrations in Japan that matter age. Tanabata for children, Ochugen and Oseibo for adults. I guess we don't really have that here. Maybe it's celebrated differently.

For example birthdays. For children birthday parties, there are games and a lot of children foods like sweets, ice cream etc. For adult birthday parties, there are drinking parties, alcohol, and maybe for the more older adults, healthy foods, I suppose. But there is always cake. So, in conclusion, even if birthdays are celebrated differently in the Philippines, birthdays are for children and for adults alike.

I guess Japanese celebrations and festivals are like a reminder of one's childhood and old age. The more  you age, the less happiness there is. But I don't know. This is the magic of the Japanese celebrations and festivals.

Once again Happy Tanabata~~~ And Ochugen! !^o^!

Belated Happy Mother's Day and Father's Day!

I know it's too late to post something for Mother's Day or Father's Day but I'm posting anyway because I'm always reminded how patriarchal and masculine the Japanese society can be and I cannot get away the thought of not posting it.

Two Sundays ago, it was the Father's Day and I supposed it was well commemorated in many countries, including Japan. Unfortunately though, it was a day that wasn't really a big deal for many, not so much when they talk about Mother's Day.

When I ask students about the usual presents for mothers on Mother's Day, they have many things to share. From carnations, which is the usual flower for mothers on Mother's Day, to jewelry and things that mothers want to get. And when I ask students about the usual present for fathers on Father's Day, they don't really give a unanimous answer.

One student--a Father--somehow said that the Japanese commemorate the Mother's Day more than the Father's Day because children are always with their mothers at home. The fathers are always out of the house for work and go home late at night. Fathers do not really bond with the children. So Mother's Day is more important and well remembered. He also added that he did not receive any presents from his children or his wife but that's okay. (Our lesson was in the afternoon. I was quite reassuring him that it's not yet too late to get a present. :D )

Japanese society is evidently a patriarchal and masculine society but the matriarchs dominate the homes. Mother's Day in Japan bear witness to how strong women can be, though they are still flourishing in other fields. And if Japanese women are given more chance to thrive, they might do a better job than men. Don't you think so?

Well, anywhere in the world, mothers and fathers alike are important. But like what our pastor at church said, "A home can live without a father but a home cannot live without a mother."

Belated Happy Mother's Day and Father's Day!

A Present From Japan With ♥

Oh my! Today, I just received the parcel from my student. She sent me a Totoro Towel. How nice of her!

See, it really is from Japan!

My student lives in Osaka. Of course, the specific address is smudged for the privacy. ^_^

She put it inside a very cute box too. She said that she's going to put it in a tissue box. I guess this is not a tissue box. 

She put a note also. It said: 

Teacher Zed ♥ 

Thank you very much for teaching me English very well. I really like your lessons!!

Aika.

P.S. I hope you'll like it. :)

The towel is inside this lovely bag. I felt I was opening one of those Russian dolls.

See the embroidery? How can I possibly use this? 

A happy face.

I'm still speechless up to now, I don't know what to say or to say thank you. Hmmm.... I'm thinking of sending something Filipino to her too.

Sigh For The Rain

It's June again... time for the torrential rains to start. I suppose, it already has started at the end of May. For online jobs, I believe rain means intermittent connection, slow connection, choppy calls, or no connection at all. I believe I can also say that it applies both to wired and wireless connections. 

I just had a share of mishaps in my schedule. Since we had bad weathers, I experience such and sometimes to a point where my lessons had to be replaced because of a bad connection. 

Internet connection is a very important tool when working online. It is the base of your bread and butter. No internet connection= no work= no pay. It is very different here in the Philippines. As would some people say, internet connection here is like a dial-up connection in first-world countries.  Unless, you would want to pay a hefty price for your sole internet connection. It's impractical for home users to pay such.

We're strongly considering now to change our provider. But we cannot just do that since I don't want to be absent even for a couple of days. Sigh.

If you think working online and home-based doesn't give you any stress, sometimes it can. 

Being Busy-Japanese Style

I sometimes ask some working students (in our online school) if they are busy. They sometimes say, not really. I also ask if they go on overtime. They sometimes say, they do most of the time. "Then you are busy!", I usually exclaim. "But not so busy", they usually contradict. I always end up thinking what is "busy" for Japanese employees.

Till one new student defined what is busy for them. He said that if a Japanese employee is busy, they go home late, riding the last train at night or driving home at an ungodly hour. If they go home around 1900 or anytime before 2300, then they are not busy, even if they go on overtime for 2-3 hours. He also added that some companies do not offer a paid overtime. He thinks this is so, so that the the employee will have to focus on doing the work on itself and not prolong the work because of a paid overtime. That makes sense now.

"Here in the Philippines, overtime is always paid," I told him. He said, "You are lucky but the efficiency and productivity will not be so good." I have to agree with him on that.

I think I can say that I somehow understand what is busy for Japanese employees. From what my student said, I can somehow conclude that Japanese are very hardworking.

It's being hardworking that I always hope for Filipinos and me to conquer.

posted from Bloggeroid

A Present

Right now I'm posting through my mobile phone. I have become this lazy... not really. I just have no time I guess.

Anyway... one of my avid students just surprised me with a good news! She's going to send me a Totoro item. She showed it to me. It was a small Totoro towel. How cool is that?!

Actually, around second week of this month, we talked about Ghibli films. She said Ghibli films are good films to show for children because of the themes and lessons they can get from it. She mentioned about Naushika or Nausicca Valley of the Wind as her favorite Ghibli film and wants to show it to her nephew. And I also shared to her that one of my favorite Ghibli film is My Neighbor Totoro. Surprisingly, she likes Totoro too!

With the exchange of delight about our favorite Ghibli films and characters, I came about mentioning that she's lucky to be in Japan where Totoro items can be found and bought. She said nonchalantly that she can buy one for me if I want to. And I went speechless.

I didn't know that she's serious, really. That's why she surprised me with the Totoro towel that she found for me. I was so speechless that I just requested her to type her email so I could give her my address. And since we had a lesson together yesterday, she told me that she will just let me know about how long it would take for the parcel would arrive. She really is serious and she left me speechless.

Putting aside the excitement, I was kind of worried if this breaks ouur school's rules. Hmmm... I believe it hasn't. If the theu found out about this conversation through the recording, then I should just stand and defend myself.

Nonetheless, I'm already excited even it's just a towel. I'm already giving a thought on surprising her with a return present.

I hope the parcel will arrive safe so I can immediately send a return present. I will always be so surprised and very thankful of her. She definitely made my week.

posted from Bloggeroid

Thoughts.

My last post was ages ago, right? I'm getting too lazy and pre-occupied with other things that make me not to care about posting something here. Oh well... excuses as you might say. 

Anyway, I mentioned from my last post about one of my avid students. Apparently he did not leave our online school. He said he misses us, his favorite teachers, so he's not going to quit. That's one good news! Another good news is that, he just found a job as taxi driver and he doesn't like it. Too bad but he doesn't have much of choice because he is already way beyond his younger years.

 He realized that it was a bad move for him to quit his previous job. He quit because he's getting too tired doing the same thing. Now, he's going to be a taxi driver and it's way too unrelated with his previous or his skills. He doesn't have much of a choice now since he has been rejected by some of the companies he had been interviewed with. I guess this is his last choice. I just hope him for the best with this new career.

Regarding to me... I don't have much of a news, I guess. As everyday unfolds, I'm beginning to dislike my schedule. I start late which gives me the chance to spend a lot of time with my baby and do things I'm supposed to do. But I end late and that makes me stay up late quite longer than before. It's tiring and sometimes the reservations don't come a lot. I'm now hoping for a better and different job. If that's the end of it all, I won't be posting here anymore....

I'm just ranting out of my head here right now. I haven't organized the things I learned so far because of the laziness. I hope I can reorganize and hope to share it with you. :)

Bitter Sweet

Hi! Nice to see you again! Maybe you'd think that I have resigned from being an home-based English teacher or HBOET already. Fortunately, not yet. I'm still here! I have just been lazy or there isn't any news to share lately, good or bad. Well not today. :)

On the lighter note

So today is the second day of the second half of the Golden Week in Japan. The first half started last April 28th until April 30th. The second half started yesterday, May 3rd, until this Sunday. The Golden Week is a (sometimes) week long holiday in Japan because it consists of national holidays consecutively and sometimes happen in a week, including Saturday and Sunday. It's a good chance for Japanese to travel, relax, and take lessons on the Golden Week. It's a good chance for teachers too because there are a lot of reservation in these days.


On the darker one

I have lost another avid student again. He is a beginner student but has a great enthusiasm when learning English. He struggles sometimes when talking but he always say the English is a hobby for him and enjoys it. He was always kind of down during his last days in our online school. His last day in our online school was on the 30th (of April) and he said that he would be back after everything is fine.


The Golden Week is ending. A student leaves... and another student comes. Let me tell more about it soon. :) This is it for today.

Happy April Fools...

It feels like ages since I wrote something. It's already April and inspiration and some news just came up to me. Have I been busy? No. I was just lazy and was catching up with finishing my favorite American series. And yes, to reiterate, inspiration just came to me.

I guess I mentioned this before... I changed my schedule to a later one. I thought I could get more reservations than my second changed schedule but I was kind of wrong. I still have the average vacant two spots on most days.

Recently, it got worse for the love of humanity. I get more unreserved slots on most days. Though, my night schedule always is full booked. It makes me sad. Like what I mentioned before, no reservation, no pay.

This is like mediocrity...

3/11- A Year From Now

Last Sunday was the anniversary of the the mega quake that hit the eastern side of Japan. It has been a year and wounds have not scarred yet, nor even heal. It still saddens me to see images or read news about it.

I asked some of the students on their experiences about the earthquake and it was all scary for them. I did not have the chance to have a lesson with a student who lives in Sendai, which is one of the areas that was devastated by the earthquake. It would've have been memorable if we had a lesson together.

Although, we did not experience the huge earthquake here, we were also terrified by the students reaction. Some were stranded in stations, some were not answering the calls, some did not logged in. It was a small chaos among us and we were worried too.

Japan has not fully recovered yet and their wounds are still yet to heal. But slowly, they are fighting the pain and the suffering and looking out into the future positively. I know Japan can do it... like they have always done before.

New Sched Again!

I have a new schedule again!

I start late and end late now. I start at 1630 JPT and end on 2200 JPT. It's a very laid-back schedule because it gives my more time to do all the things I want before the lesson. But, I already get sleepy and sooo hungry when 2100 strikes.

For the compensation part, hmmm, it seems the same with the last schedule though. But I hope there would be some improvements.

The good thing about this schedule is that I can meet my old students before and get to know some more! There are more men in the late schedule hehehe.

I guess I'm loving it. XD

Japanese Men

Maybe around last week, one of my students and I talked about the men in Japan. I asked him what kind of man he is, he said he is an herbivore man. Sounds strange right?

I learned from students that there are different types of men in Japan. The basic two types of men are carnivorous men, which they call Nikushoku Danshi and herbivorous men, which they call Soshoku Danshi. From the terms themselves, you can guess what kinds of men they are. Carnivorous men or Nikoshoku Danshi are the aggressive type. On the other hand, herbivorous men or Soshoku Danshi are the shy type of men.

I also learned from an article of Japan Today the exact characteristics of these two types and the different sub-levels of these two types.

Here it is:

Nikushoku Danshi (Carnivorous Men)

“Nikushoku Danshi” refers to men who are active in seducing women. Young Japanese women are said to be attracted to this type of guy whom they find strong and reliable.

Soshoku Danshi (Herbivore Men)

“Soshoku Danshi” are passive types who are shy about relationships. Many do not have a girlfriend and are content just to be friends. According to marriage consulting company PARTNER AGENT’s survey of 400 single men who are around 30 years old, 75% said that they think they are “Soshoku Danshi.”

“Gyoshoku Danshi” (Fish-eating Men)

“Gyoshoku Danshi” are not as aggressive as “Nikushoku Danshi.” They tend to be very patient and will wait until the woman they are attracted to starts to love them. They are usually smart and calm. There are various sub-categories for “Gyoshoku Danshi”—men who have bit of a wild streak are called the “Grilled fish with salt type;” men who think of themselves as all-knowing are the “Teriyaki type;” men who are patient are the “Boiled fish type;” while the narcissists are the “Meuniere type.”

“Rolled cabbage Danshi” (Rolled cabbage Men)

“Rolled cabbage Danshi” look like “Soshoku Danshi” and have a low-key fashion style and appearance (they like to wear cardigans and sneakers). However, their personality is actually “Nikushoku Danshi”—sort of like a hamburger in a cabbage roll. When women get close to them and they go out for a drink together, the men turn into “Nikushoku Danshi.”

“Creamy Danshi” (Creamy men)

“Creamy Danshi” have a sweet smile, beautiful skin and mainly black hair. They are hard workers. They care about a woman’s feelings, are good listeners and give good responses. Though their appearance is soft and sweet, they have a masculine personality also, so they can be relied upon to support women if something happens. They “heal” women like sweets, hence the term “Creamy Danshi.”

“Rikei Danshi” (Science Men)

“Rikei Danshi” think things out logically like scientists. They are defined as telling old jokes, inflexible, thinking logically, not good at relationships with people, and not good at gossip conversation. Their communication is usually predictable and they treat jokes logically, analyzing them. They are not used to communicating with women and don’t keep up with trends and fashion, so they are not good at humorous conversation.

“Biyo Danshi” (Beauty Men)

“Biyo Danshi” are fastidious about their hairstyle and skin. They are defined as loving themselves the best, their way of communication is a little childish, they are moody and carefree about time. They also care how other people think of them.

“Culture Danshi” (Culture Men)

“Culture Danshi” like subculture. They are defined as bookworms, like indie films and minor things, they are not good in public, and care about their individuality. They’re into literature, films, music and the humanities. They are happy when someone sympathizes with their feelings. Japanese actor Joe Odagiri is an example of “Culture Danshi.” He is a scriptwriter and director of the 2009 movie “Sakurana hitotachi” (Cherry blossom like people).

“Fashion Danshi” (Fashion Men)

“Fashion Danshi” love brand new trends and rare items. They are defined as caring how they look, narcissistic, being too proud, chasing ideals, having information and knowledge about cutting-edge fashion and love temporary things such as accessories. They get new things sooner than other people and like to be the first ones to wear or own them.

“Ryori Danshi” (Cooking Men)

“Ryori Danshi” love to cook meals and prepare bento (boxed lunches). They are defined as perfectionists, dislike being conspicuous, have a good planning ability, and work hard little by little. Many of them started to cook to learn better nutritional habits and save money. Now they love cooking. They have various menu repertories, especially for bentos.

Actually, men who make their own bento are called “Bento Danshi.” Japanese actor Mokomichi Hayami is an example of “Ryori Danshi” and he has his own cooking show section “MOCO’S Kitchen” in the TV program “ZIP!” on NTV. He has published cookbooks such as “Hayami Mokomichi ga tsukuru 50 no recipe kimi to tabetara, kitto oishii.” (50 recipes from Mokomichi Hamami that are delicious to eat together) and “MOCO meshi kimi wo egao ni suru ryouri” (MOCO meals to make you smile). Actor Osamu Mukai is another example of “Ryori Danshi.” He plays a French chef in the Fuji TV drama “Hungry!”

“Outdoor Danshi” (Outdoor Men)

“Outdoor Danshi” love outdoor activities and being in touch with nature. They are defined as being strict on themselves, doing things without saying much, good at cooking, and often dress in sports wear. “Outdoor Danshi” include sociable people who enjoy camping, hiking in the mountains and like the sea. They usually can do things by themselves, so they don’t rely on women much. Japanese actor Eita is an example of “Outdoor Danshi.” He says he has liked communing with nature from childhood and mountain climbing since last year.

“Otaku Danshi” (Geek Men)

“Otaku Danshi” are maniacs about their hobbies. They don’t pay too much attention to their appearance, are a bit shy, speak passionately about their interests and talk faster than others. They like to hang out with people who have the same hobby. They are not good at communicating with women unless the woman can talk about his hobby.

“Otomekei Danshi” (Girly type Men)

“Otomekei Danshi” love sweets and pretty things, just like a girl. They are defined as loving sweets, having girly hobbies, neutral appearance, having pretty accessories, and the opposite personality of “Nikushoku Danshi.” They are mild-mannered.

Here, we also have some different types of men but not really categorized interestingly like the Japanese men are. So guys, which type of Japanese man are you? Girls, what type of Japanese man do you like. :D

Taken from: Japan Today Lifestyle

Love Letter

Today, I received a letter of an apology for being absent from one student. I usually get those kinds of letters written in their broken English. Sometimes, they send it to me directly and sometimes they send it through the office and the staff sends it to me. But this letter today is different.

Here it is:

こんにちは。

今日の１６：００のレッスンで、応答がこないと思っていたら・・　ワイアレスのスイッチが

オフになっている事に、旦那さんが帰ってきてからわかりました。

私が　パソコンがあまり使えないので・・。

先生に　またまた　申し訳なかったです。

すみませんでした。

I consulted Google Translate with this and it said:

Hello.

Wireless switches · 4:00 PM I thought today's lesson, the childdoes not respond and

Was found to be turned off, comes back from her husband.

I can not use PC-much.

I did not apologize once again to the teacher.

I'm sorry.

Even though with the translation from Google Translate, it still doesn't make sense to me. I can read some of the characters so I know she is sorry. And I guess, she also said that she knew that the lesson will be at 1600 but the connection was not responding. And she found that their wireless switch was turned on but she still needs to wait for her husband to return. She doesn't use the PC so much, so, she doesn't know about it too well. She also mentioned that she didn't apologize to the teacher, so for that, she is very sorry. Isn't it sweet?

I hope I can read Japanese well so I don't have to consult with translators anymore. Translators can be handy sometimes but not so good with complex sentences. So, still the best resort is to learn Japanese. It can be helpful for students like her and it can be easier to explain English terms exactly.

So, in response to her letter, I gave her private message in English. That will serve as her homework. :D

It's always nice to receive apology emails/ private messages from students who miss your lessons. It makes you feel important and it really shows their eagerness to have a lesson with you. It gives you more inspiration to improve your teaching skills and interaction with the student. And you'll know for sure that the student will definitely book you again the next time.

Another New Sched

I've said before that I have been teaching for a year already. I thought that one year as a teacher equates to popular. Actually, NO. :D

I still get some lazy days, like today. I only have a total of three lessons for the first half of my working time and later, another three. Sigh.

With that, I requested to change my schedule again. It was actually approved around last week and it will be effective on the second day of March. So, from the 1400-2000 JPT schedule, I will work from 1630-2200 JPT.

The new schedule will help entertain interviews and it will also give me chance to handle some night classes. There will be no differences with the compensation though. In fact, it will be 10 bucks short but that's okay. I believe, I will get a higher guarantee of getting fully booked everyday because of the late schedule. And the feeling of the workload is not so heavy since it's just five hours compared to the six hours. I hope I made a good decision on that.

I don't normally inform my avid students about my new schedule. The first schedule was unnoticeable since it only revolves on almost the same time slots. So, no information on that. Only a little later when some students asked whether or not I teach at night. But with this second change, I already informed one because he also informed that he might not be able to reserve me. Thus, making me inform him about my new schedule. And I guess, he had some high hopes on seeing me again. (#^o^#)

Again, I do hope that I made a good decision on the new schedule. I have to adjust on this drastically because it's a whole new change. I hope I can deal with that.

As of now, my current schedule is blah. I get a lot of unreserved times, which is very bad, except on weekends.

And with that, let me take my break. See you!