Elementary School Visit

07/17/08 Thursday: Sunny
I can't believe that I only have three weeks left in Tokyo. It makes me so sad. Tokyo has been so much fun; I really don't want to leave. Moreover, my leaving Tokyo will symbolize the end of my summer. I am seriously not ready to be a junior. Can't I go back to Freshman year or something?

On another note, I feel like my Japanese has actually improved. I can now watch TV and make out what is probably going on. I can speak basic Japanese to native Japanese people.

On Tuesday, we went to a local elementary school as part of our culture exchange. There, I received the most elaborate welcome that I've ever experienced. They sat us down on the stage of their auditorium and welcomed us like we're some kind of celebrities. Except we're just Yale students. They even had a band that played the Star Wars theme song for us. It was pretty cool.

After that, we each had an assigned class that we were supposed to teach. My class was a second grade class. I nearly had a panic attack when I found out. First, I couldn't even speak coherent Japanese to adults, how was I going to communicate with kids? Second, I had to teach them a game. That's right, a game. How am I suppose to teach second graders how to play a game in Japanese when I can barely order gyouza in a restaurant.

However, I did the best I could. My students first introduced themselves to me, made me introduce myself, and asked me some basics questions. By this point, I was sweating like crazy because I was so nervous and scared. I felt like I was back in third grade when I first came to America and didn't speak a word of English. Ok, maybe that was a little different, but you get the idea.


They then taught me a game that was similar to musical chairs. I got owned by this fat kid. Man, I was terrible at the game. I think the kids found it amusing, though. After we play musical chairs, I tried my best to explain the newspaper game, where you have groups of 4 and everyone has to stand on the newspaper. Then, you fold the newspaper in half, and everyone has to try to stand on the newspaper again. Surprisingly, the kids loved the game, and they went crazy. It was really fun.

I ate lunch with my students. I have say, I was thoroughly impressed by the disciplines of Japanese kids. There were designated students within the class that day who wore little aprons and hats and served lunch to the rest of their classmates. They were in second grade! In second grade, I definitely was not trained to serve others. The lunch wasn't too taste, but it was definitely nutrious with a good balance between carbohydrates, protein, and fat. During lunch, all the kids asked me interesting questions, such as did I have a girlfriend or what my zodiac was. Haha, such funny kids.


After lunch, they gave me a bunch of hand-make gifts. It included paper frogs, cranes, flowers, boxes, etc. It was the cutest thing ever. I loved my kids. When I was leaving the classroom, they ran after me, crying out "goodbye"s and "we'll miss you"s and chased after me all the way until the principal sent them back to their classrooms. I only spent 2-3 hours with them, and they were so sad to see me leave. I was really touched. I've never been so loved in my life. That was probably the high point of my week. I was content.





Anyway, it was a great day. And it made me love Japan just that much more.

Until next time,
Hans Liang

A month in Japan

07/13/08 Sunday: Cloudy
I have been in Japan for a month now. I remember during the Light Fellowship pre-departure orientation meeting, Kelly said that after a month, I would hit the trough of my language learning experience--that I might grow tired and weary of the foreign culture. However, I have only grown to like Japan more and more. Over past month, I've learned so much about the Japanese culture, society, cuisine, and of course, language. It is kind of eye opening because it is so different from both of the cultures that I am familiar with: Chinese and American. I feel that there are so many positive attribute of the Japanese culture that are worth learning. For example, the Japanese people are very hard-working, diligent, and respectful; their society is highly evolved and efficient. Thus, I am definitely very fortunate to be in Japan.

This week we had our first semester final. It was kind of intense because it was 3 hours. But I think I did ok. I think. Maybe it's me, but I think Japanese is getting easier. At least I didn't have to study 20 hours for this final.

This weekend was fun. I went to my first baseball game ever. It's kind of ironic that my first baseball game was in Japan. It was the Tokyo Giants against the Yokohama Baywatchers. We dominated Yokohama. It was great.





After the game, a bunch of us decided to go to a freaking scary bar where they serve all kind of weird but tasty drinks. Since I didn't eat anything amazingly special this week, I use these drinks as substitutes.




And then Liz ate the eyeball. Gross.



Although Japan is an amazing place, everything here is so outrageously expensive. Some of the SUN students are thinking about going to Kyoto next weekend, but a single, one-way Shinkansen train ticket to Kyoto is $130. That is not cool. I guess everyone who live in Japan must be rich (or how do they afford everything?). Seriously, I feel like I'm burning money in Japan because everything here is so expensive.

Well, until next time,
Hans Liang

Light Fellowship Dinner, Tokyo Tower, Yokohama, and Kamakura

07/06/2008 Sunday: Cloudy
Wow, time has definitely been passing at light speed since I got to Japan. I can't believe I've already been in Japan for 3 weeks! This week was definitely fun-filled. This blog will be less writing and more pictures, because a picture is worth a thousand words. On Tuesday, our lovely Yale Japanese Senseis took us out to dinner, with the courtesy of the Light Fellowship. By courtesy, I mean the Light Fellowship paid for our entire dinner, and we could order whatever we wanted. Let me repeat that...wait nevermind that's not necessary, but you get the message. We went to a restaurant that served a combination of Japanese and French food. We started off the meal with champaign, red and white wine. Then it got kind of intense after that. We each had a six course meal. I've never had a six course meal in my life. I didn't even know what to do with myself, so I just drank my champaign (and then sake after I finished my champaign). Now I could describe how delicious the meal was, but you probably wouldn't believe me. So I'll let my pictures do the convincing. In short, the entire meal, from beginning to end, was like an orgasm in my mouth. It was that good. And free, which made it even more delicious.
















Appetizer 1
















Appetizer 2
















Appetizer 3
















Main Course 1
















Main Course 2
















And Tiramisu for dessert.

But here is the kicker: after we finished our SIX course meal, we STILL had stomach to eat more. So we ordered some lobster, clams, Foie gras, and chicken. Best life choice ever.



It was so good. So good. Thank you so much Mr. Richard Light.

On Thursday, because I didn't feel like doing homework, I went to the Tokyo Tower (an imitation of the Eiffel Tower) with Kevin, Afua, and Rina. You could see the entire Tokyo city at night, which was pretty sweet.

On Friday, a couple of people and I decided to go visit Shawna in Yokohama and celebrate the 4th of July. It was pretty fun, and Shawna's house was HUGE, even by American standards. Not only was Shawna's house amazing, she also had enough food in her house to feed around 8-9 people. Thank you Shawna for you hospitality!

Today, we went to Kamakura to see the Great Buddha and some temple. It was hot, humid, and freaking expensive. And now I'm tired =[ Although trains in Japan are very convenient, they are also very costly. I spent like 30 dollars just on transportation today. Balls. Well, this concludes my 3rd week in Tokyo. Man, I'm really loving Japan. It's such a sweet place.


Until next time guys,
Hans Liang