LOL!!

So the guy that ripped my head off?

He just called me.

Ripping head off guy: Jade, 直前、ごめんね。(Jade, sorry about before)

Jade：　いいよ。忘れてね。 (It's OK. Forget about it.)

Rippin head off guy: じゃあね。(Bye)

And he just hung up! I stared at my phone with my mouth open and just laughed!

Guess Japanese people can get straight to the point sometimes!!

LOL!

Japanese Culture

When I came to Japan, I was advised to absorb as much Japanese culture as possible.

And what do I get for showing an interest?

My ear bitten off - that's what.

Basically a friend of mine told me that he was going to a wedding. I went to a wedding last year but was told it's not custom for people who do not know either the bride or groom to attend the actual ceremony. Because it's rude. Going to the reception is OK but not the ceremony.

So I asked another Japanese person about it and got my head RIPPED off! He was like 'Of course a stranger can't attend the ceremony if they don't know the couple!' It's so rude to do that. We don't invite other people if they are complete strangers otherwise people will wonder what they are doing there. It's bad manners!'

He was practically shouting at me! It completely threw me and as tempted as I was to give some serious attitude bad, I remarkably managed to restrain myself. I just explained that I didn't understand because I'd heard 2 different things and was JUST ASKING!! I told him I didn't understand why he was getting so angry.

And then he went into a rage about how foreigners come to Japan and think that they can just do anything they like with no respect for the Japanese culture blah blah blah.

WTF?! I was just asking about weddings and now I have no respect for the culture?! He told me that I shouldn't have gone to the wedding party at all but soon shut up when I told him that I was personally invited by the bride AND groom a month before.

After that he just stomped off. I have no idea what the hell he was on. I was asking a very simple question and he just went crazy! Obviously had some dodgy run in with foreigners before.

Everyone has some issues with Japanese culture. The way they do things here can be so frustrating!! But I still like to think that I'm trying to understand - even if no one else even notices! But I still believe there was no reason for that guy to react the way he did. It's not like I've ever done anything to him.

Damn!

Blogs and Facebook

It struck me as really interesting that when I'm blogging, people never leave comments on the blog.

Instead I get Facebook messages on my wall, private facebook messages or messages sent directly to my email address. All about things that I've blogged about.

Why is that?

It's not like any of the comments are private or offensive or anything like that. Surely it doesn't take a second to leave a comment on the actual blog right?

I mean, I don't mind - I was just wondering. And I find it interesting that people choose to give feedback on Facebook instead.

Anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks for all the comments by the way!!

xx

Marshmallows

Marshmallows are not to be messed with.

You get excited about eating them. Light and fluffy and melting in your mouth.

And then you go and eat too many. And end up feeling so sick. And hating on the massive amount that is still left.

Now i've ruined my dinner.

:-(

Bless!

One of my kids gave me his 'special' marble today because he told me I looked sad. He told me it will make me happy.

I badly didn't want to take the marble. I wasn't sad - I was just tired and had a teeny weeny hangover :S But then he looked so sad and thought I didn't want it so I had to take it!

Bless!

xx

A cook or a cock?!

The whole cook/cock thing has always managed to bring a smile to my face and today was no exception.

Just a quick explanation for you back home! So in Japanese, the word 'cook' is pronounced 'cock'. Something that I'm sure has provided as much amusement to other English teachers as it has to me. Especially when other teachers proudly announce that their brother/sister/son/daughter is a cock.

Hehe.

So I was teaching my 11-12 year olds jobs today. Of course when I held up a picture of a chef, they all shouted out 'cock!' I managed not to laugh as having to explain what they were really saying would have been far worse in the long run. So I just made sure they used the word 'chef' instead of 'cook'. That way, there would be no confusion.

A group of boys came up to me and the end of the class. Giggling and pushing each other forward they come up to me and asked me 'Do you cock?'

Now because they were laughing so hard, I think it was fair to assume that they knew what the word cock meant. I guessed that they were trying to ask me if I have sex. I was trying to decide what the best kind of answer would be and decided that it wouldn't be a good idea to encourage these boys. So I said that I COOK food every day at home.

Then they just looked confused. And then I was confused that they were confused. And then one of them just turns round to me and says:

'How do you cock food? That's disgusting!'

And then they all gave me a filthy look and walked off.

Great. Now my students think I do dirty things with food at home.

Doh!!!

So, so tired

It doesn't matter what time I go to bed - I always wake up exhausted.

And it stays with me the whole day. Yet when I get back home I never go to sleep. In fact I wake up.

And then it gets to this kind of time and I'm thinking that I should go to bed early so I don't feel so tired in the morning.

Sod that logic. It doesn't happen like that. This week my bed times have ranged from 11.30-1am. Either way the result the next morning is the same.

No win situation.

*sigh*

London, London, London

Over the last couple of days I've been watching 'Secret Diary of a Call Girl'.

And it got me thinking about London.

I really miss the British accent!! Or more specifically the various London accents!!

And I miss going to West End clubs with my girls, jumping queues, never paying and being marched straight into VIP. OK...not quite marched but you get my meaning!! What we don't have here are those really nice sophis lounge bars. Sinking back into a bit fat squishy sofa with an apple and cinnamon martini.Ooooohhhhhhhhh I REALLY want one of those!! Those kind of places must exist...maybe in Roppongi but I need one here!!

Fat chance!!

I wouldn't mind a trip back just to go shopping. I adore shopping in London. King's Road and Oxford St are undoubtedly my favourites!! Normally sales shopping on Oxford St drives me mad, but when I was back in London last Christmas, I LOVED it! Because I took my time and relaxed instead of getting irritated and feeling rushed.

Although, those crowds and vultures are enough to push even the most patient person to the limit!!

That's what I've been thinking about today. That and the fact that it's typical for it to change into perfect sunbathing weather now that I'm back at school and don't have as much free time to go to the beach!! Grrrrr...

That's not stopping me though - I went on Monday and am going again tomorrow!! Let's face it - everyone looks better with a tan!

Yay!!