America Trip
...written on 2001-05-01, @ 7:41 p.m.
Tales of Kim's Life Here (Japan) and There (America)
Tue May 1, 2001
Boy, is this one long overdue. In March, I took a group of 4 Japanese High School students to my old hometown of Athens, GA for an English study tour. Some of you might remember that I felt like a captive in my own country and didn't do much updating at the time. Shame on me for not keeping a running log of the goings on! However, now that I must condense it to one, maybe I have saved you from reading 15 entries about the trip!
Our school has a house in Jefferson, GA where 4-5 groups a year (so far) will go, stay and use it as a homebase to see the sites of Atlanta and the surrounding area as well as visit local high schools, etc.
There were three girls and one boy ranging in ages from 15-17. I was concerned about the one boy and how that dynamic might affect his interaction etc., but it was a needless worry, as he managed to charm two of the girls into a little competition for his affections, and was a very curious and able English learner.
Luggage go-round
We encountered our first bit of bad news at the Atlanta Airport when Mari's suitcase failed to appear on the baggage carousel. I took her to the luggage claim official and gave the particulars he needed. The bag was to never reappear during our 20 day stay in Georgia. Mari had textbooks for the new school year in April ,as well as gifts for her homestay family, not to mention all of her clothes, shoes and etc. in her trunk. I was so hoping for them all to have a good first impression of America. On the way to the house in Jefferson, the students "oohed and ahhed" at the LARGE, WIDE highways and laughed at the condition of some of the automobiles on them.
Meal time
We quickly settled into the house and the routine of morning classes and cooking meals. We each had been assigned a night to cook dinner. When their time came, the students made scrumptious Japanese feasts. My boss, Hide (he-day), surprised me with his rapid and creative cooking techniques and turned out many delicious meals as well. Upon my chosen night, I made tacos and burritos which proved to be very popular.
The Gray Menace
One day Hide went on a long errand and told me to watch the students. I had them collect all the towels, etc. which I then proceeded to wash. I was cleaning the kitchen, when Mari came running towards me, screaming and looking down at her feet.
Alarmed, I looked to see what the matter was. Behind her on the floor, I saw a swirling light gray mass of something pursuing her. I squinted my eyes to try and get a better glimpse of this thing while my mind reeled trying to figure out what this "gray menace" could be. Was there a new pest about in the North Georgia mountains?
After the third blink, I realized it was water coming from the washing machine that had overflowed and was sweeping out all the dust harbored below the churning hunk of metal. At this point we all swung into action. I turned off the machine and the students grabbed mops and dry towels and we commenced the clean-up. I was impressed at how they all helped without being asked and with nary a complaint. It was all taken care of by the time Hide got back.
Rack 'em up
Outside on the front porch of the house, there are two racks for shoes. Yes, in America, in that house, we took off our shoes and kept them outside on the shoeracks and walked barefoot through the house. Not a bad concept if you think about it really. Imagine tracking in all the red GA clay etc. I thought it was a good idea too, until one morning I woke up to a thunderstorm with such a fierce wind that it was blowing the rain sideways and . . . yep, you guessed it, the rain absolutely soaked our shoes. I brought the shoes in and put them by the fireplace. Hide and the students stuffed them with newspaper and they dried fairly quickly.
Kids love to be scared
I taught the students how to play the card game "Killer" and they got really good at it with their surreptitious winks and innocent looking faces when accused of being the Killer. When they found out that I love to tell scary stories, it quickly became the nighttime ritual. Every so often Hide would come down in a Halloween mask and up the spookiness quotient. We also watched both of the Blair Witch Project movies, and even though they couldn't understand the English, they got wrapped up in music and atmosphere and would squeal in all the right places.
High School visits
I accompanied them on their first visit to an American High school and videotaped select parts. They were surprised that both teachers and students would eat during class. That is a big no-no in Japan. I told them that when I was young-er, that students and teachers didn't eat in class either. They also found it interesting how much American students participated in class, giving their ideas and opinions freely. In Japan, they are used to being lectured to by the teacher and sit quietly to take copious notes.
Homestays
Everyday I was checking the airline's online baggage search for Mari's bag with no luck. Homestays were coming up and I knew Mari wanted to give her homestay family something from Japan, so I gave her something I had gotten for my mom (thanks for understanding, Ma), and a few other things I was saving for friends.
The appointed day came, and all the students went off with their families. I left to visit my Mom in South Carolina. Upon my return, I found that the students had had a wonderful time and that it would be their favorite part of the whole experience.
Back in Japan
The rest of the trip went without a hitch and we all snoozed muchly on our way back to Japan. We met the parents at school and they bowed and thanked me for taking such good care of their children.
I had borrowed a small piece of luggage from my Dad to lend to Mari so she wouldn't have to buy a new suitcase. Everything she had fit perfectly. Also, one month later we got the good news that her bag had been recovered.
After an "otsukaresamadeshita" (good job) from my boss, I went home to recover for a couple of days.
Now, for the most part I am back on a Japanese schedule, jet lag is over. However, in a couple of weeks I am heading back to the States for about a week to recruit some new teachers.
If you're interested, drop me a line!