Welcome to Spring in Ibaraki!

It feels good to be back at my apartment in Hitachi and getting settled once again. I feel lucky to have had so many days off since I returned to get over jet lag and enjoy what Spring has to offer in Japan. This year, May 2nd was the beginning of 'Golden Week' in Japan, one of the longest holidays for Japanese people. Most people travel during this time because they have 3 consecutive days off during the week, and if they take 'nenkyu' (paid leave) for 2 days, they can have an entire week off. I don't have any nenkyu left, so work began for me on Monday. 

I did 3 self-introductions in Oral Communication classes, which all went well. I showed the students pictures of my family, California Disneyland, mexican food, and a bunch of other California stuff. I got asked all the usual questions, like 'Can you eat natto?' [Natto is fermented soybeans, a popular food in Ibaraki] and 'Do you have a boyfriend?' And even a new one: 'Do you know Justin Bieber?'

But my favorite part was when, in one class, the teacher called on a girl to ask me a question when there were no more volunteers. The girl was obviously flustered, embarrassed, and didn't know what was going on. She quickly stood up and her face turned bright red. She looked at me and very seriously said: 'You look like Lady Gaga.' The rest of the class started laughing while the girl continued to stand, still unaware of what was going on. Those are the moments I'm going to miss about teaching in Japan.

An Ibaraki natto postcard.

April 30th, 2011 - Nemophila Harmony at Hitachi Seaside Park, Ibaraki.

 

Children's Day is celebrated in the first week of May in Japan. People hang these fish flags to symbolize good luck and well being. They also represent family. Black fish flags are for fathers, orange/red for mothers, blue/white for boys, and red/pink for girls.
source: http://www.cybertraveltips.com/asia/japan/Japanese-Tradition-Of-Fish-Flags.html