|
Overview
Shiiba
Village
Adventures
in Shiiba
Schools and Government
Offices
Shiiba Village
(Japanese)
Official
Homepage
for Shiiba Village
(Japanese)
Folklore Museum
Links
Japanese Workbook
Japanese Events and
Holidays
Japan Exchange
and Teaching (JET)
Programme
Background
Resume &
Bio
Erik Kassebaum
Site Sponsor KASSEBAUM
CONSULTING
|
Adventures in Shiiba - November 1994
by
Erik Kassebaum
Oh No! Not Another Undokai
On October 9, I went to yet another undokai. This time it was
just for Shiiba Village. As I had just gotten over a cold I was not ready
to do a lot of running. My goal for this event was to walk around, talk
to people, and eat some good food. I managed to do a pretty good job up
until 2 pm. At 2 pm a friend from my office came to me and said "Erik,
I need you to run anchor for the B.O.E. relay team - onegai shimasu."
Well to make a long story short I ran anchor for my office's team in a
very strange relay race. My team used a broom and a bag of garbage as
a baton. Another team used a chainsaw, and still another used a large
box. Comedy race? Yes!!!
Well, as per tradition I was the last person to cross the finish line.
Though I am tall, I am not fast. After the race many of my Junior High
School students said to me in English "Erik you run slowly."
Their parents were more polite and continued to tell me in Japanese that
I was very fast. It's been more than a week and my students are still
trying to find new ways to joke in English about how slowly I run. The
undokai was a lot of fun and I am glad that I went. I am even glad
that my students are telling a few jokes about me in English.
Privacy
When English teachers who are new to Miyazaki-ken ask me about life
in inaka I sometimes joke with them and tell them that it is like living
in a fishbowl and that privacy can only be found in a dictionary, or a
different prefecture. I try to keep current with respect to issues relating
to Japanese who are about my age and the notion of privacy is a common
theme. I come from a place where privacy is regarded as being very important.
Sometimes, when people move to villages where relationships with neighbors
are closer, problems can develop. This is due to the fact that both have
different ideas as to what privacy is. Interestingly enough, many people
who move from villages to big cities find that they miss the feeling of
being connected to one"s community. As an outside observer, it looks
like the Japanese concept of privacy is changing.
Driving With Your Lights On
Driving with your headlights on during the day is not a sign of insanity.
In Canada and Sweden all cars must have their lights on when driven. Currently,
Australia is studying whether to adopt a "lights on" policy
with respect to all motor vehicles. In America, motorcycles are required
to drive with their lights on and there are many roadways where cars must
drive with their headlights on. Police and driver's license agencies throughout
America and Europe acknowledge that it is safer to drive with your headlights
on. It is especially important to have your lights on when driving on
narrow twisty roads, during bad weather, before the sun rises, and after
the sun sets.
Procrastination -- Hobby or Disease?
Sorry!!! Ran out of time, I'll try get to this topic next month. I hope
you understand.
|
