Wednesday, August 17, 2016
August 17, 2016
SUMMER IN JAPAN: The Hamamatsu Flower Garden and the Hamanako Park
It was in autumn last year when I made my first visit to Japan. I came as a first time solo backpacker in the suburbs of Kansai Region, exploring the quaint and charming streets of Nara, Kyoto, Osaka, Himeji and Okayama. Being a first time tourist here, I got lost several times, figuratively and literally speaking. It was a week's travel, I think long enough for a first time solo traveler, but I felt the days have passed by so quickly that I said to myself "I want to come back, hopefully in springtime when the Sakura trees are in full bloom."
My second visit came fast and unexpected though. This time I am here not as a tourist but as a trainee and definitely not on a springtime as I had always hoped for. Rather, it is in summer when the searing hot sun is likely to burn my brown skin. Well, I must confess I really do not like summer (that much) or if I were to choose among all seasons, summer will come as my least choice. Perhaps, I feel I have enough of hot weather in my country or maybe because beaches and sands on hot days are not just my thing. Either way, I'm not sure. All I am certain is that summer doesn't sound so appealing to me. Like a child, I have always fancied springtime, winter and autumn - the ones I never get to enjoy in my beloved tropical country. But right now I am here in Japan this summer. As my host representative warned me before my arrival here: summer in Japan is really hot. And I am saying now: yes, indeed.
The first time I and my co-trainee met with our host representatives in Tokyo in May, they told us that they were giving us straight two weeks summer vacation this August. Hooray, isn't it? So we (my co-trainee and I) roughly planned some itineraries and Mt. Fuji came first in the list. Alas, our yassumi is about to end in a few days and not a hint or sight of Mt. Fuji is seen. Good thing however is that even before our official summer break, we started our summer getaways earlier on, during weekends. As of this time, thankful to have visited a couple of nice places, mostly in and around my prefecture, Aichi-ken. There's a lot of them, but here on this blogpost I'd like to give particular highlight to two places I had liked the most -so far - this summer: the two beautiful parks in a nearby prefecture, the home to Mt. Fuji: Shizuoka-ken. I guess this summer, this is the closest we can get to Mt. Fuji 😁
1. Hamamatsu Flower Garden
This is a European-inspired garden, about 30,000 square meters in size and a home to a hundred thousand plants and flowers like lavenders, lotus and roses and many other varieties, depending on the season. Here, you can go around the park by train ride for only a hundred yen! I was impressed by the greenery and the beautiful landscape. The wide lawn and the beautifully trimmed plants and trees made me remember a childhood favorite movie Edward Scissorhands! Maybe Edward is outthere as the head gardener 😁!
Just a portion of the park's beautiful landscape!
I read that there is a musical fountain show in the park which starts at 5pm but haven't seen it for we have left the place early.
The area where they hold the musical fountain show
Train ride for only a hundred yen!!!
One of the best things about the park is the free entrance. Not only that, they also provide free use of umbrella, baby cars and wheelchairs for those who will need. I give my thumbs up to this park.
2. Hamanako Garden Park
If you visit the Hamamatsu Flower Garden of course you wouldn't surely want to miss the chance to go to another park nearby, just a few minutes ride by car.
The Hamanako Garden Park is another beauty in Shizuoka Prefecture. It is a really nice garden ideal for walking around, biking, family fun and picnic without shelling out money for entrance fees!
At the entrance of the park where kids enjoy the water under the hot sun!
The Hamanako Park just like the Hamamatsu Flower Park is a home to many flowers and plants. Here you can enjoy many adventures like the view from the tower deck (for a certain amount, however), garden cruise (If I remember it right 600yen?), biking and a lot more. Lots of flowers are grown in the park depending on the season. And since its the season of sun, we got to see the sunflower field which by the way I sooo liked! It reminded me of the wild sun flowers in an open space next to my apartment during my college days.
My co-trainee and I at the sunflower field. Lovely isn't it? I mean the sunflowers 😁
The sunflower field at a distance.I think most of the sunflowers start to wither when we came but they are beautiful even so.
I am seeing a number of online posts by friends here in Japan and I was like kind of overwhelmed to realize that there are indeed lots of places worth a visit this summer - many of them I have not gone to - yet - ranging from mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and many others! I hope I can visit them even when summer ends. Our summer break is nearly coming to an end and in a few days, we are going back to our usual work and training (me at the city hall and my co-trainee in school). And I must say that so far I'm thankful for the opportunity to enjoy summer in Japan and I hope to make the best of the remaining days of summer until it gives way to another season. Cheers!
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
July 12, 2016
WHY I THINK JAPANESE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE GREAT
Today and yesterday were quite different. Instead of going to my usual work, I went to a public elementary school here where around 80 kids are currently enrolled (the biggest number of Filipino students in a public elementary school in this city, so far). I joined my co-trainee, Andreia, a school teacher, in observing classes, particularly special classes for foreign students from Brazil and the Philippines.
Below are few of my notes and impressions, based on the information I've gathered and seen and experienced first hand. The school is a 35-year old infrastructure, so the building and the facilities are quite old, but in terms of discipline and cleanliness, wish ko sana ganito din ang mga pampublikong eskwulehan natin sa Pinas:
1. In addition to regular classes, this school holds special classes for foreign students from the Philippines and Brazil, who cannot understand and speak Japanese language very well or are just beginning to learn Japanese. In a special class composed of 10-12 children, there are two teachers assigned, along with 3-4 school assistants who also serve as interpreter for the kids (Portuguese and Tagalog);
The number of school assistants almost allows a one-on-one tutorial with the kids
2. The school has its own swimming pool where regular swimming classes are being held every summer season (I've learned that all public elementary and junior high schools here in Japan have swimming pool facilities);
Swimming class about to begin
Swimming class just finished
3. Lunch is provided by the school and served inside the classroom by the children themselves - this is for the following reasons:
* to ensure proper nutrition (menu comes with soup and daily supply of fresh milk). While in school, children do not have access to any junk food (sana ganito sa Pinas!)
*to teach and train children table manners and discipline and give them sense of duty and responsibility (kids are trained to clean up after eating, to arrange and stack neatly the used plates and chopsticks and segregate their wastes properly)
NOTE: On my second day, I was informed that I can have lunch with the children inside the classroom but since I'm bringing my own bento (baon) I instead ate at the pantry together with other faculty staff. Hindi pwede na kasalo mo ang mga bata at may dala kang sweets or iba ung kinakain mo. Ehe).
No, they are not going to the Laboratory Class. They are the group of children who are scheduled to serve meals (lunch) to their classmates.
4. For all teachers and faculty staff who are having lunch inside the pantry and are not joining the kids inside the classrooms, they, too, eat the same meals. After lunch, they (including the principal) clean up and stack their own trays, put back the utensils, segregate wastes properly , etc.
Note: and because I'm bringing my own bento, I was obliged to keep my own trash inside my bag because the waste bins provided at the pantry are only intended for the cover of the fresh milk bottles and other expected wastes generated from the assigned menu that day...ay... Kaloka haha
5. Inside the classroom, all bags are properly arranged in a cabinet at the back portion. (btw, they have standard school bags here) and all water bottles/containers are properly arranged at one side of the classroom. Children are not allowed to drink every now and then especially while having class (except of course during emergency cases, I think. Ehe)
The standard school bags properly arranged at the back portion of the classroom
This is how a regular classroom looks like. One kid was changing clothes after a swimming class. Blurry face intended.
6. Children are trained to stand up and say the usual lines in Japanese before and after each class (usual lines at the end of the class contain words of thank you for the lesson/learning)
7. Take off your shoes. This is observed not only in Japanese homes but also in schools. They have shoe rack at the entrance. This is same with school children. They have their separate shoe cabinet and bicycle parking space.
This is not a shoe and bicycle store haha. This is the shoe rack and bicycle parking space inside the school where school children leave their shoes and park their bicycles
This is the shoe rack for guests/visitors situated at the school entrance
Without mentioning the quality of education in public schools here, indeed the list reflects the efforts of Japanese schools to uphold discipline, and instill discipline in children. Sugoi desu ne.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
July 02, 2016
THE JAPAN INTERCULTURAL ACADEMY OF MUNICIPALITIES (JIAM) (Part 2 of 2)
In my previous post (http://www.mhystories.com/2016/06/the-japan-intercultural-academy-of.html), I talked about our Japanese training at the Japan Intercultural Academy or the JIAM and how I feel about the month-long stay at this facility, based on my own experience. As I said, I would write a second part containing my fond memories of this place.
Here is my list of memories, in no particular order:
JIAM now reminds me of daily breakfast and lunch buffets served at the dining hall;
Croissants are my fave part of breakfast 😃
Aside from daily homework and the regular weekly tests, JIAM reminds me of the mini-tests and exercises given daily and right after every Japanese Class;
JIAM reminds me of newly-found friendships, of the beauty and chaos of putting trainees with different nationalities, cultures, languages and backgrounds altogether in one place;
During Andreia's bday celebration at the 5th floor lounge.
JIAM reminds me of laughters, long talks and brief conversations at the lounges, in the hallways, over breakfast, lunch and dinner at the dining hall;
JIAM's dining hall - my second favorite place at JIAM, next to my room, haha!
JIAM reminds me of group study mostly after dinner, and the independent study hour after lunch which allows me to finish one or two of my daily homework;
During the independent study hour
JIAM reminds me of the importance of keshi gomu (rubber eraser);
JIAM reminds me of the head chef at the dining hall who exactly knows what fruits I like!
He is the head chef. Sometimes he would go on a sole duty on weekends. This was during a party at the lounge when he approached and informed me that there is a pizza with pineapple toppings on the menu!
JIAM reminds me that boys can finish up their cash card buying drinks such as sakae and beer from the lounge 😁;
JIAM reminds me of colleagues, Tai and Kim, who are really fun to be with!;
JIAM reminds me of Tami, Priscilla and Jessica;
JIAM reminds me of two Chinese doctors in our group, one of whom belongs to SORA Class;
JIAM reminds me of dinner set and lunch buffet which I would oftentimes skip because I still feel full from eating a lot during breakfast lol!
JIAM reminds me that dinner starts at 5:30 pm!
JIAM reminds me of Japanese love for miso soup;
Some times I would get confused which food to take from the buffet. There are sample breakfast, lunch buffet and dinner set which I have particularly enjoyed lol!
JIAM reminds me that it's a difficult thing to do a last minute shopping at the JIAM Store just to spend some good amount left on the cash card!
This is how our cash cards look like. One card (top) was the newly-issued.
JIAM reminds me of all my sensei: sensei Takeuchi, sensei Nakamura, sensei Suzuki and sensei Sawami;
JIAM reminds me of making reservation for weekend meals;
JIAM reminds me of Japan's efforts to keep the waters of Lake Biwa unpolluted by encouraging the use of environment-friendly laundry detergent;
JIAM made me think that Japanese don't spend the 15-minute break in between classes staying and hanging around the hallways and corridors; only foreigners like us do 😁;
I've never seen any Japanese hanging around on corridor or hallways even during breaktime. Japanese guys would often go to the designated smoking area to smoke during breaktime.
JIAM reminds me of free use of computers, printers, copiers and of free supply of paper and materials ;
JIAM reminds me of Mr. Moore and his enthusiasm and efforts to ensure that we had a nice stay at JIAM ;
JIAM reminds me of all the nice CLAIR staff! Thank you!!!!
This is just one of the cold days, before Homeroom. Joe is back from Tokyo and he's bringing some good cookies distributed to the class that day.
JIAM reminds me of my SORA CLASS especially my guy classmates !
JIAM reminds me that I am not sporty enough to play sports or do some fitness activities inside the gym;
JIAM reminds me of the weighing scale inside the ladies shower room where I would always keep track of my weight on a regular basis lol!
The weighing scale inside the shower room where I regularly monitor my weight
JIAM reminds me of the walks to a nearby supermarket after class or during nighttime, mostly with Tami;
JIAM reminds me of the sufficient and fresh supply of linens at the linen closet and of tissue paper at the storage room;
This is the linen closet. Below is a photo of boxes for dirty linens
Inside the storage room. Iron boards, iron stands, vacuum sets are properly arranged.
JIAM reminds me of its house rule to change bed linens and pillow covers every week;
JIAM reminds me of Japan's serious efforts to segregate trash;
JIAM reminds me of the bicycles that I never rode because they are too high for a beginner like me;
JIAM reminds me of the times we laughed at ourselves for our mistakes in class because Nihongo is muzukashi haha!
JIAM reminds me of single occupancy bedrooms;
JIAM reminds me of my cozy bed which makes me forget I (still) had some homework to do;
This is my nook. Below photo on the right side shows cleaning-up time
JIAM reminds me of Maggie, the trainee next to my room, who stayed late at night studying while I was fast asleep 😁 in my own room;
JIAM reminds me of the lounge at the 5th floor lobby which gives a nice view of Biwa-ko and citylights during night time;
JIAM reminds me of the quiet campus lawn and fields where nobody loiters and hangs around;
JIAM, at one angle.
JIAM reminds me of the quiet, charming and clean neighborhood;
JIAM reminds me of many other good things which I will not be able to write all in here.
JIAM reminds me of good memories ☺️
And yes, now JIAM reminds me that I still have some homework to do and send to ARC Academy until November!
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
June 15, 2016
The Japan Intercultural Academy of Municipalities (JIAM)
Almost a month ago, we moved from Tokyo to Shiga-ken and were welcomed to the facility called JIAM to undergo Japanese language training before going to our respective host institutions at the different prefectures within Japan. JIAM has provided us Japanese language classes for almost one month, from Mondays through Fridays, including a real nice and comfortable home stay with facilities and amenities that are user friendly, accessible, well maintained and squeaky clean for everyone to use and enjoy. Today, we are officially saying goodbye to JIAM, though not all of us, as nine (9) of us have to stay for step up/extended study. I feel happy that I am finally moving out. Not that I don't want my stay here but I guess it is very normal for students (like me, in this case) to anticipate and look forward to last day in school. Now it's the day. So I am taking a final look on JIAM.
Obviously I belong to SORA Class
This is how our syllabus looked like
Back home, I didn't know what to expect when I received via courier some of the textbooks along with several documents stating that my training shall include one month at JIAM here in Shiga. That was my first time to hear and read about JIAM. With much eagerness, I went through the brochures and guidelines sent to me and wondered what the training would be like inside the academy. I know there's so much to find out. So I will never forget the day we were welcomed here and had our tour 'round the campus and the surrounding neighborhood. I know that time, JIAM will be a home - my home - for one month.
What is JIAM, by the way? What does it stand for? JIAM stands for Japan Intercultural Academy of Municipalities. It is the facility where local government workers in Japan are being sent especially before getting specialized trainings in several parts of the U.S. or Europe. Since it is a facility primarily designed for government workers within Japan as the name so implies (Academy of Municipalities), it means that the Japanese has shared the facilities with us foreigners. There's so much good things to tell about JIAM and its dormitory. In its website, JIAM's dormitory is described this way:
| "JIAM's 300 private dormitory rooms together with its Dining Hall, Baths, Showers, Lounges, Assembly Rooms, and Store make even long-term stays on campus comfortable and convenient. (All facilities are wheelchair accessible.)" |
Well, I can say that the one month stay has been comfortable and convenient, notwithstanding the difficult Japanese lessons of course 😁! In this entry I hope to describe my fond memories, what I've learned and what I will surely miss about this place.
We are a group of 28 trainees, and we were divided into 6 classes based on the results of the Japanese language proficiency test and interview conducted by ARC Academy at the Ministry of International Affairs and Communications (MIC) back in Tokyo. During our second day at JIAM, our classes were announced. When I checked out, my name was in Class SORA (Japanese term for sky). My class is composed of 6 people including me, 4 guys, 3 of whom are engineers from their respective home countries, Myanmar, Indonesia and Peru, one (1) guy doctor from China, and one lady from Kosovo. Other classes were a mixture of different nationalities, too. Those who belong to Hana (Flower) Class can speak Japanese very well. They are trainees from Korea and China. Those who are inHashi (Rainbow) Class can speak Nihongo, too. They are mostly from China, except for Jessica, who is from the Netherlands. Umi (beach) Class is special, because there is only one student-trainee, Priscila, from Brazil. I can't imagine what it is like in Priscila's class, only her and the sensei. Wow! I think that's pretty cool!
Our course syllabus is composed of Japanese classes from Mondays through Fridays, two (2) in the morning, and two (2) more in the afternoon. Our classes are separately and simultaneously held at different classrooms at the second floor, just close to the ladies dormitory - to my liking as I could ran to my room anytime during break time whenever I forget something. For one month I had to hurry to my room two times on different dates during break time as I forget to bring some of my stuff. For someone forgetful like me, two times in a month-period is a fairly good indication that I'm getting so diligent not to forget things😁.
During the one hour daily independent study and 15-minute homeroom and PC Workshop once or twice a week,we, the 28 of us, are all together in one class at the lecture room at the 3rd floor (o btw, PC stands for Program Coordinator, not Personal Computer haha). The independent study hour allows everyone of us to do our home work and self study. In my case, I could normally finish one or two homework given during our Japanese morning classes. During independent study hour, we have one sensei supervising us, who would kindly give us help whenever needed. The PC Workshop and home room on the other hand, would allow both CLAIR and JIAM to give or discuss important announcements, clarifications or some special sessions. Unlike during opening and closing ceremonies where we had to sit according to our assigned ID numbers, we had no seating arrangement during classes and independent study hour including home room sessions and PC workshops. In the entire sessions though, I would sit beside Phone, my guy classmate from Myanmar. Behind us was Zhao, the Chinese guy doctor who is also my classmate, and another guy from China who like Zhao can understand Nihongo. So every time Phone and I had questions and trouble with our homework, we would just turn to them during the independent study hour and they would gladly help. They are so nice!
Our JIAM training included one off-campus study at Kyoto Bosai Center - which is really a fascinating and fantastic facility. Wish I can write even a brief entry about this center which shows Kyoto's efforts to promote disaster awareness and preparedness and mitigate risks during emergencies and calamities. We also had two study tours on separate weekends in Kyoto and in Hikone and Hino Town. On two separate schedules, we had two guest speakers, one was from MIC, International Affairs Office, Local Administration Bureau, and the other was a professor in the College of Policy Science at Ritsumeikan University. They lectured about Japan's Local autonomy system and local government system, respectively.
So there, I'm not yet finished with my entry about JIAM - but I am ending this one here. I will come up with Part 2 to be be dedicated solely for my fond memories about JIAM! Til my next entry 😄!
