Winter is Here. -___-

My friends. Winter is here. Now it's time to do all the ridiculous things to keep warm in Japan. For those who don't know, the kotatsu is a heated table. A blanket is put over a special plate thing( to keep from burning, I suppose), then a tabletop goes over the blanket, and the best part...you snuggle up with the blanket and put your feet under the table. It's a Christmas miracle! Now it's time eat all the mikans and drink all the tea!!!!   Happy Winter, everyone!! Stay warm! 

But We Keep Trying

Me: Hey K.

K: Hey, sensei.

J-How are yooooooou?

K: I'm (japanese I don't understand).

J: Huh? You're not fine? You're sad?

K: Yes, I'm sad.

J: Aww, why?

K: Ahh, many problems.

J: Mmm?

K: Friend problems.

J: Don't worry K. I get yah.

K Really?

J: yeah, at this age there are many problems, but when you get older-

K: So when I become an adult, I won't have anymore problems.

J: Ah..uhmm..ummm...mmm. Actually I take that back. Adults still have problems.

K: (looking defeated and discouraged) Oh.

J But we keep trying.

K: Mmm. We keep trying.

The Islands that Divide

Today, I ate lunch with one of my third year middle school classes. After a year, they have finally overcome their shyness to ask me questions. It started innocently enough, "what's your favorite food, what's your favorite restaurant and celebrity." All well and good. Then it turned serious.
One student asked in Japanese, "Do you like Korea?" I replied with an enthusiastic yes, and that I'd be travelling there this week..

His face crumpled up in slight disgust as I leaped for excitement about my upcoming trip. Noticing that the rest of my current lunch party did not share the thrill I felt, I asked him why.

From what I could gather with my low level of Japanese and his gestures to make me understand he said,

"Korea thinks Japan is bad. And so I don't like Korea."

Another student asked me if I knew about the Senkaku Island situation.

"Yes, I know about it"

They then began to discuss the situation and my friends, the conversation made me cringe and I wanted to hide in the deepest crevice of the Earth and seek confinement away from it.

Korea was bad. China was bad. Those countries are just horrible places.

I became silent then...Of course in English I formed all that I wanted to say, but it proved to complicated to translate into Japanese. I feebly attempted to say, "but we're all humans, right" To this they reflected a bit, but if it had any affect, I don't know.

Then the conversation geared towards everyone's travel plans for the weekend.

I left, put my tray away, and quickly got on the computer to write this.


I don't know the situation with the Senkaku Islands very well. All I know is that there is a dispute between China and Japan and it seems to be escalating.  I thought it'd be something that would blow over soon, but I couldn't be more wrong. The television connection does not work in my home, so I'm unaware of the Japanese media's representation on the matter. Might I assume that it is not a very objective outlook if my students are thinking this? And I also don't know how Korea plays a part(someone enlighten me).

I fear that the conflicts of governments are trickling down to the young and now they're forming dangerous thinking concerning people of different cultures. And people wonder why I concern myself with media representations of racial, gender, and sexual minorities in the States.

However, I don't want to debate the Senkaku Islands.. This is where I open up the discussion and ask for help and advice. The chapter on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is coming up in the textbook and I feel that it will be as important as ever before for them to understand this movement. Because my students are forming negative and destructive opinions about a people, a culture, a country that they have little information on and have never visited. This scares me beyond comprehension.


So, my friends, ALT or not, how can I make this chapter more than just an English lesson? If I can, I'd like to connect the message of Dr.King's speech to the current situation. I'm not looking for an overnight miracle, but I do want them to start thinking seriously about their world. At least a little.


So far I have videos on the bus boycott, "The Long Walk Home," with Japanese subtitles. I also found the movie Amistad, also with Japanese subtitles, that can help give some context to American history and slavery. And after that, I'm stuck....

Feel free to comment on the page, e-mail me, or comment on the facebook post.


My e-mail, Julnoel5@aol.com

Hair DIY!

Hey everyone! I've gone down a new road in my natural hair journey. I don't wanna spend money on shipping cost to get hair products delivered to Japan; so...I'm gonna make own stuff. 

I've been watching a couple of vlogs and I found one that I really love. Thank you, DearNaptural85!. 

What yah use?! 

I didn't know this, but you can use Apple Vinegar! After you shampoo, just smother your hair in it and voila...beautiful healthy hair! Yeah, don't forget to rinse it out. After that, use the deep conditioner( eggs, mayo, honey, olive oil) and then use the regular conditioner to wash it out. 

So, my hair was lookin' tired. I even tried an EVOO(olive oil and honey) hot oil treatment and my hair was just asking for an alternative solution. But I tried this apple vinegar rinse and the egg mayo conditioner and I'm loving it! My hair has rejoined the living and it's not too oily. Wonderful! 

Give it a try! 

Next up, I'll be trying avocado, coconut milk, and flax seeds(if I find some) to make a gel. 

Homemade deep conditioner! 

2 eggs, honey, olive oil, and mayo. 

Tired lookin hair.

Apple Vinegar. It's also good for getting rid of acne!

Messy eggy mix.

Secret

Student: Jasmine-sensei. Senseiiii!

Me:  What, what?

Student: I have a secret.

Me: Uh huh.

Student: I have a hamster!

(Quickly darts a look at his fellow peers to make sure they didn't here. My eyes widen in disbelief.)

Me: A hamster? No way!

Student: Shuuuuush!

Student Sayings: Rapid Fire

TOO MANY QUESTIONS

Lunch with the1st graders at an elementary school. These kids are getting bold....

Sensei, can I touch your hair?

Me: Sure.

Sensei, are all Americans dark like you?

Me: Uhhhhhhhhhh.....noooo

Sensei: Do you have a boyfriend?

Me: I don't have a boyfriend.

Sensei: Do you and your boyfriend sleep in the same bed?

Me: I don't have a boyfriend....

Sensei, why are your ears pierced?

Me: Because-

Sensei, when do you fly back to America?

Me: Next year.

Sensei: You don't live in America?

Me: I live on Iki.

(SHOCK)

Sensei, what language does your family speak to you in...?

Me: French

(CONFUSION)

Sensei: Why don't you and your boyfriend sleep in the same bed?

Me: o_______O  (I whisper a silent prayer) Lord, give me strength.

Sensei, are you having a baby?

Me: NOOOOOO! *make mental note to hit gym more.often These kids think I'm preggers.*

Summer Tunes

My top music picks of this summer. . Santigold, Blue Scholars and Pete Rock


Santigold:
This song brought me to tears and pretty much became the theme song or anthem of my summer. 
Excerpt from Disparate Youth from Master of My Make Believe

A life worth fighting for
Oh-ah, Oh-ah
We know that we want more
Oh-ah, Oh-ah
A life worth fighting for
So let them say we can't do better
Lay out the rules that we can't break
They want to sit and watch it wither
Their legacy's too hard to take
Oh, we said our dreams will carry us
And if they don't fly we will run
Now we push right past to find out
How to win what they all lost
Oh-ah, Oh-ah
We know now we want more



Blue Scholars Cinematropolis 
Excerpts from Anna Karina 

Her mind:'s in the sky, but her feet pretend
when she walks on a beach sparkin a leaf.
but the trees don't ease what she feels within
Sees men who past her, but no matter the way
there:'s no faith like folks who need pastors...

worse case scenario
she'll find herself, in the wrong film
running by all herself. ...


And the rest of my summer playlist...


Date with the Night-Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Y Control-Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Seaside-The Kooks

Pound the Alarm-Nicki Manaj

Say it Ain't So-Weezer

Island in the Sun-Weezer

Anna Karenia-Blue Scholars

Do yah Like-Childish Gambino

When You Were Young-The Killers

Paradise-Coldplay

Slow Hands-Interpol

Teenage Dirtbag-Wheatus

Alors on Danse-Stromae

Te Quiero-Stromae

Neon Valley Street-Janelle Monae

Doo Wop- Lauryn Hill

212-Azealia Banks

FUJI ROCK!!!

I went to my first music festival at the end of July-FUJI ROCK! My friends, never have I wanted to escape back to a world of music and questionable bathing.

The festival was in the mountains of Niigata prefecture. It was hot, but not the oppressive and suffocating humid weather in Kyu-shu. It reminded me of a California spring. Becky, Owain and I left on Wednesday night and arrived Thursday afternoon. It was an epic journey of boats, trains, subways, and buses. We arrived at the campsite in the late afternoon, got our wristbands and maps and trekked up the hills to find a spot to pitch our tent. We found a spot that was slightly hilly and it was interesting to sleep in. Every once in awhile we would slide down to the bottom of the tent. My first nights sleep was fine, but I was craving the comfort of my futons back home. Thursday night, I secretly wondered what the hell I was doing here and how I would make it for another three nights in tent with three pegs.
By the second night I was too drunk, tired, and too high on the music to care.

(I forgot to count how many pegs we had before leaving and thus we had only three pegs. If it rained at all during the festival, it would have been hell on Earth.)

So, I won't bore you with the detail to detail moments.

There were so many amazing bands and we saw what we could. My favorite act was probably Justice. But then there's Radiohead and that was....mesmerizing. It's true. Music can make you high. And it's better for yah lungs! I fell in love with Ed Sheeran and danced like a maniac during Annie Mac. I loved the Stone Circle where a group of random people gathered and made music with drums and pet bottles. By the end of the festival, I didn't want to leave, but I really wanted a proper shower. 

Ready for Fuji Rock!

Owain is somewhere in there....

Just a bit of the campsite.

Ed Sheeran

The Kooks

I ran into the guy on my right so many times during the festival and  finally introduced myself to him during the final moments of the festival. Maybe we'll run into each other again...it's up to destiny. 

Update on Annoying Menace

Update on Annoying Menace...

I've been reflecting on the latest post. When I wrote 'racism,' I was actually unsure whether to actually call it that in Japan. Would xenophobia be a better description?

Anyway, something interesting happened yesterday as I was leaving from school. I walked by the first year class room on the way out and as I did, I waved at all my students and they did the  silly student things, like waving frantically and giving high fives. I lingered for a bit to talk with them when one of the boys from the baseball club came through the door. All the girls started calling him "black, black, black boy." I was kinda confused. Sure, he got really, really tan during the summer, but it's no  reason to shout at him. Anyway, I told him,

"It's nothing to be ashamed of, I too have dark skin and its beautiful."

He stopped listening. I was going to try talking with him again when one of the girls said,

"No sensei, you're white."

I wasn't quite sure how to react and I gave her a confuzzled look and quickly said goodbye.

Umm, yeh. I'm still confused. I know my students and I are coming from two different outlooks on race and skin color and just everything, but huh? I really wonder what its like through their eyes....

Year in Review

First, Happy belated birthday to my blog! I kept it going for a year! Yaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!

And happy one year anniversary to living in Japan!!  Thanks to everyone who made the first year amazing!! The dance parties, karaoke sessions, enkais, epic journeys across Kyu-shu and beyond, movie nights, beach parties, and festivals... Thanks to my family and friends for their support through the great, the good, the bad, and sad, the frustrating, the shocking and sometimes horrible moments( very, very few of those. Thank you, God!) Here's to another year of more adventures on Iki and elsewhere!!!

Iki life got me feelin like Rita Hayworth in her prime! (Photo Credit: Katherine Brauer via Instagram)

That Annoying Menace....

My friends and family have asked me on several occasions about racism in Japan and what it's like being black here. I've avoided writing a post about it because one-I can barely understand the racism in my home country, let alone the issues of another, two-I felt it wasn't my place to comment since I'm not Japanese and don't plan on building the rest of my life here. I'm just passing by...

Keep in mind as you read this, that all countries have their issues with difference and there is no (at least not one that I know of) country or culture that is washed clean of the issues of discrimination. These are just my insights. Like I love the U.S.A, I l love Japan, despite it's issues. Please don't let this diminish your view on Japan. Every country got problems! 

Well, it turns out I'm not passing by and I'll be here for another year. I'm now considering staying for three (don't tell my parents). Because of this, I'm beginning to throw away reason number 2. I feel it here, racism, discrimination, prejudice, all of it. I do feel that my experiences growing up as a person of color in the States has helped me to be more patient with discrimination I may find, slight or not. I do have my rants though....

 Sometimes, I feel more relaxed in Japan than in the U.S.  Sometimes,  when I'm in the U.S., I feel like the system is out get to me and it stresses me out whenever I have to go city hall or something official. The times I feel stressed in Japan are when I feel like the token foreigner and all eyes are on me. Sometimes I prefer the stress in Japan.....

Like the chopsticks....

Jasmine, you can use chopsticks!

I used them back in the States.

I thought only the Japanese could use chopsticks. They're hard to use, huh? Yeah, for foreigners it's hard. 

-_____-

I think I've been very lucky though. I'm surrounded by people who are caring, kind, and willing to exchange stories with me and other foreigners. My students are wonderful, but some are still intimated by me. It's taken a full year for some of them to even say hello to me. I also think it's hormones. I work with teenagers and damn they're moody! 

One time my students asked the vice principal for help on an English phrase( his English was okay) and he gave them a quizzical look and said

                   "Jasmine-sensei is a native English speaker. Why don't you ask her?" 

And slowly like a timid puppies they walked over to me. 

But I've heard sad stories about foreigners being heavily and overtly discriminated against. And for some it has turned people away from Japan, which is a shame. Japan is really cool place. Give it one more chance? 

However, meeting some people in Japan reminds me of some white friends I had growing up who claimed that were colorblind, but called me "Oreo" or our Asian friends "Banana" and proudly declared they caught "Yellow Fever."  Often times, if a Japanese person says something offensive, they don't realize it...until they see my face. And it's nothing that makes me angry. It's just annoying. 

Like the hair

Sitting at a computer and I feel the slight tug at my roots. Ah, it's the office assistant getting a good look at my hair. 

Honey, if you must, ask first. 

Sometimes people stare like I just dropped out of the sky. And sometimes people avoid the aisle I'm in when shopping. Japanese media is really sad and it turned me off from re-installing the cable. Anything horrible or associated with crime, you can bet the person behind it is a foreigner. I have felt belittled and treated like a child. One time at a school, they were surprised that I cleaned so well during cleaning time. Umm, foreigners clean too....

There are slight annoyances and if I ever experience an extreme overt act of discrimination, you know you'll hear me at the embassy. Believe it.  

But hey, don't feed the fire with hate and anger. Quench it will smile...and if necessary, a protest at the embassy.  =D 

P.S. I'm really only hitting the surface of this. I could go on and on and using all the texts of critical race theory in my mind's library. There are so many layers and I'll attempt to unravel them as this blog continues into its second year.  If you have questions or comments and feel the need to skype with some coffee and a bit of Audre Lorde poetry, let me know!  Or just message me and comment. I'm more than happy to continue to the discussion! 

P.P.S If you don't know who Audre Lorde is....look her up, now. RIGHT NOW!!!!!!

Kyoto-Sensei

I met you, a scared 22 year old fresh out of college and far from home and the comforts of family and friends. You took me under your wing. My age reminded me of your own children and I guess that made you feel inclined to care for me.  I eagerly tried to do everything and you calmly told me to observe and learn. You told me to chill out, which I thought I'd never hear from an old Japanese man. We argued over what makes the best breakfast. I still think toast, oatmeal, and orange juice is the way to go. You stuck with your roots claiming that there is nothing better than rice and miso soup with hot green tea in the morning. You were the first to come to school and the last to leave, even though you were dog tired. I remember hearing you snore at your desk from the staff room computer. I let you sleep.. I thought you could do with a bit of rest.

I loved our inside jokes. The word "try" has a deeper meaning now. I hope you didn't mind when I dared you to eat a glob of wasabi. Thanks for being honest about my Japanese skills. It really does suck., but thank you again, for believing that I can get better.

Nakao-Kyoto-sensei, I miss you. I'm left with wishes that I could have done more, could have said more, a goodbye at least. That last day I saw you, you were going to the hospital. I had no idea for what and how serious the condition was..  Fear and worry glazed your eyes and it jabbed at  my heart for I had never seen your eyes like that before. After the ferry arrived at the port, I hurried off hoping I can give you a sincere "odajani, take care," squeeze your hand and say "ganbare. do your best" However, all I saw were rushing people off to their connections in Hakata Station or epic shopping excursions in Tenjin. You must have hurried off the boat to get the hospital as soon as you could. I waited and you never appeared from the boat.


Now, I make up spiritual bullshit to cope with the fact that I'll never see you again.

I pray at my self-made altar to Mary, mother of Jesus, Maybe the wind will carry my thoughts to you. If I pray hard enough, maybe your spirit will hear. I wait for a response, or a sign that maybe you heard. However, the only movement is the flame from the candle. My faith falters a bit, but I know it's because I want instant gratification, instant relief.  

Hmmm???

I'm trying to think of reasons why I would need a solar powered bra....

Keep em cool in the summertime? 

You and They. 1st Draft.

They.

They will love you.

They will show you kindness.

They will help you, feed you, clothe you.

They will hate you.

They will cringe at your difference

They will insult your native tongue.

You will be they.

They will be you.

You will realize the lines are blurred.

You are not confined within one lane.

You will become 'they' like merging cars on a highway.

7,000 Voices

"....What does it mean to be human and alive? When asked this question, the peoples of the world respond in 7,000 different voices..." --Wade Davis



(If suddenly my ability to speak Japanese fluently happened over night, this is a message I'd want to bestow to my students in some sort of capacity.Maybe by the time I leave Japan, I can translate this into my goodbye speech.) 




To my dear and wonderful students,

 I tackle with the idea that English is necessary. As this world becomes smaller, an international language doesn't sound like a bad idea. At the same time, I worry what we may lose as globalize. The world has gotten by before, right? But in regards to our English classes, honestly, you're not hurting my feelings if you tell me you don't like English. Learning a different is hard. That's true for everyone. You're not dumb in the slightest if you don't understand a grammar point. And yes, I want you to communicate with more people around the world, but I believe we're tricking you into this idea that English is the only way. It's one way, but not the only. By the time you finish your English education, the number one thing I hope you realize is that you're one of the 7,000 voices. Your language, your culture, your history contribute to the great diversity in being human. All the good and the bad. You're a piece of the beautiful mosaic of Earth and you should strive in every possible way to protect that diversity, the voices giving meaning to the human experience. Find and listen to the stories, share your own. 
Don't bound yourself within the strict, yet strangely comforting boundaries of stereotypes. 


Get out there. The world is waiting for you. It wants to hear your voice. 


Your ALT, 


Jasmine-sensei

May Days

Woa. Sorry for the lag in my blog! May flew by like the Shinkansen.  Here's a recap of May.

I turned 23!! Double trouble Birthday Party with Rose and our amazing friends!

                                                                              

Flamenco Debut!

My cousin Lydia got married!! Best wishes to you, my dear cousin!!

Natural Love

I've been natural for quite sometime, but I keep going cray cray and cutting it. Soooo, not much growth. The end of senior year was probably the shortest I've ever had it. Since being in Japan, I've done the minimal with my hair. Braids, then fro, then braids, back to the fro. I've done twists-outs, braid-outs, curler styles, and comb twists. Lots of twists. Rainy season finally hit, so I'm keeping it in...guess what..twists! I've always wanted to do a natural hair journey  post. Here it is!


Hair Routine


I shampoo my hair once a week. Usually I just use conditioner, but I just bought an all natural shampoo and that's doing wonders! Now that the summer is almost here and the weather is getting humid(ugh), I two-strand twist my hair and keep those in for a week. I also put curlers to add a bit of shape. I try not to straighten or blow dry my hair too much. Pretty much a simple routine because I'm trying to grow out my hair. I learned the hard way that my hair will stay short( from breakage) if I keep doing crazy stuff to it. Oh and lots of hats...for those lazy days.

Product List

If I can't eat it, I don't use it. However, I break this rule for Shea Moisture products. I'm pretty sure if I ingested that by some freak accident, I'd still be okay. It's that natural.

Olive oil (Just add to my hair every other day for moisture and shine.)
Honey (I mix olive oil and honey for a deep condition.
Shea Butter
Shea Moisture Curl Enhancer
Shea Moisture Hold Mist Spray

(I LOVE Shea Moisture products! I just started using this line and it's wonderful. All natural and it smells so nice.)

Here's my Japan Natural Hair Journey! (Pictures taken via instagram).
                                                          

                           

Student sayings....Part 1

My students crack me up. And I say part 1 because this is only the beginning....
And all of this is in Japanese when it happens...well broken Japanese on my part.

One day at the kindergarten....

Student: Jasmine-sensei...your skin!
Jasmine: Huh?
Student: It's dark. We need to go wash your hands.
Jasmine: Ah, no, no. This is my skin color.

(He doesn't listen, grabs my arms and leads me to the sink. We proceed to wash my hands and when were finished I show him my hands again.)

Jasmine: See, this is my skin color.
Student: OOOH! Oh. Okay, let's play.

At an Elementary School:

Student (1st grader): Jasmine-sensei....are you black all over?
Jasmine: Yep!
Student: No way!
Jasmine: Yes, way!

Student(A 3rd grader): Jasmine-sensei, what juice do you like?
Jasmine: Well, I like orange juice and apple--
Student: I like apple, orange, banana, pineapple, grapefruit and grape, and, and and, and and.....
Jasmine: -____________-


At the Middle School

I approach two of my students during the lunch break to collect their activity books.

Jasmine: Did you finish the Spring break worksheet?
Students: Yeah!
(They go to their desks and bring their activity books to me.)
Jasmine: Thank you!
(As I'm walking back to the teacher's room, I glance at their worksheets. It's all in Japanese when clearly they were supposed to write in English. I walk back to them.)
Jasmine: This is all in Japanese.
Students: Huh?
Jasmine: You wrote it all in Japanese. It's an English activity, yah know.
Students: Oooooh, naruhodo(really).
My face:  -______-
Jasmine: You have until today. No. Tomorrow.
Students give me the "life sucks" face. 

During lunch one day....
Student: Jasmine-sensei, do you have kids?
Jasmine: No.
Student: Oh. ( And continues to eat his lunch in silence)

At a tug-o-war event. I was at a vending machine when a kid came up to me and started to mess with the buttons as I was trying to buy a drink.

Jasmine: Unnnh uhh! This is my drink!
Kid: No! It's mine! I want that tea.
Jasmine: I don't like that--stop messin' with the buttons!
Kid: Meeeeeh! Heeey, are you Japanese?
(I'm a bit taken back by his question. Usually it's "what country are you from?") 
Jasmine:. Yes. I'm Japanese.
Kid: No way! Cool! I've never met a Japanese that looked like you!! SUGOIII!
Jasmine: I'm joking. I'm not Japanese.
Kid: Oh. Chinese?
Jasmine: Guess again.
Kid: Korean?
(Is he pulling my long leg? Does he go to school? One of the ALT's must have taught him at some point!)
Jasmine: Noope.
Kid: NAN DE??!?!
Jasmine: I'm American.
Kid: WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH! I've never seen an American before.
Jasmine: Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu (Nice to meet you.)
Kid: Yoroshiku Ongeaishimasu!

(And we bow.)

Random Questions

Student: Do you have a boyfriend?
Jasmine No.

Kid: Can you me buy some tea?
Jasmine: NO!

Student: HEY JASMINE! Give me money?
Jasmine: No.

Student: Are you married?
Jasmine: No.
Student: But whyyyy?

Jasmine: Are you ready to play a game?
Students look at me with "fml" written all over their faces.

Student: Do you like Japan?
Jasmine: Yes!

Naked

Laundry must be done.

Lessons to plan.

Well, the groceries are bought...

Damn, I deserve some time off. 

Off to the onsen!

Soothe these aching bones.

Good conversation with the wise.

It's feels good to be naked. 

World Autism Awareness Day

"It must be hard having a brother like that...?

What do you mean like that? With Autism?

Yeah, that. You know..you can't like...talk or anything. It must be hard.

Ah, well no. No, it's not."

Words may fail at times, but there are ways beyond speaking. Even though Paco cannot say many words, he can surely find a way to communicate through his drawings, playing music, and his enigmatic facial expressions. He is certainly not afraid to protest when he's upset, or cry when he's sad. I think a common stereotype associated with people who have autism is that they're these emotionless voids trapped in some far off world. No. My brother is present. He is human.

Paco and I connected through the movies we watched. We'd watch a movie or a show and then reenact it. Paco loooooves to re-wind his favorite scenes from movies. Heehee, I think he picked that up from me. Together, we'd act out scenes from Alice and Wonderland, Jurassic Park and countless Disney movies. We had dance parties to the song "I Like to Move It" from the movie Madagascar and pretended we were the silly penguins. If one of us wasn't up to playing, we knew something was wrong. Words were not always necessary.

But when we were happy, we got lost in worlds of the Jurassic age and Dr. Seuss. Side by side, we read our school books and did our math equations. We picked out Christmas trees and lit up the house during the Holiday season. Autism does not inhibit our family from loving one another and growing together. We'll all here for Paco and he's here for us.

I dedicate this blog post to my little brother Paco, who's not so little now. He now towers over me at about 6'4. I pray for all the researchers and teachers who work with people with autism. To the families, I pray that you stay strong, stay patient. Every day, we found out more about autism and how we can help our loved ones. Hang in there!

Thank you to my lil bro for teaching me to keep the imagination alive and to keep constant love in our hearts.

Happy World Austism Awareness Day.

To learn more about autism, please visit the Autism Speaks Website.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/

It's a Woman...Thing?

About a week ago, my lovely lady cycle paid her monthly visit. Dudes, I promise this isn't graphic at all, but it is vital to know this bit of information for this story. And most of my friends know, I have no problem saying I'm on my period....

Guy friend: Hey Jasmine...Are you okay?

Me. No! I'm on my period.

Guy friend: Oh.....

Back to the story....

On this particular sunny day, I went to work at one of the elementary schools. Auntie Rose came a knockin' that morning, but no big deal. I was wrong. By the afternoon, I was almost bent over my desk in pain. The pain became so unbearable, I knew I couldn't make it till 4:30 and left two hours early. When I got home I slept for FOUR hours! When I finally awoke from my deep slumber, I told myself that it was probably a good idea to go to the store and buy some pain killers so I wouldn't be suffering the next day at work.

I slolwy get out of bed, gather my purse and keys and then drive to Daiei. I do a little food shopping and head off to the drug store counter. Now, I remembered at this point that ibuprofen is pronounced a lil differently in Japanese. Well, at least to my ear it sounds the same, but there's something in the word, for when I say it, Japanese people just blankly stare at me as this pharmacist did.

I go up to him.

"Sumimasen, (excuse me). I-bu-pro-fu-e-n....arimasu ka?" Do you have any ibuprofen?

"Hm.?"

He kinda jerks his head to the side, bringing his ear in my direction as if he can't hear me.

I repeat and he still doesn't understand me.

So, I start throwing words like "itai desu" It hurts.

Well obviously he now wants to know what hurts. I begin to motion towards my stomach, but I figured that would say I have indigestion. I'm unsure at this point if I should tell him I'm on my period because last time the topic of women things came up was during my contract reading. My supervisor was going over the terms and when it came to the part dealing with "women matters" he awkwardly looked at me for a bit and said that I was able to read it on my own.

So fast forward to this moment, I'm trying to make this the least awkward for him as possible. So I hold up my arm. It hurts, I say in Japanese, figuring that this might get me to the I-bu-pro-fen.

He nods and brings me to a shelf. Lo and behold, there's medicine for a hurtin' arm.

"Noooo," I say. "koko(here)" and I place my hands over where I think my uterus is located.

Now he thinks my stomach hurts and he's probably so confused becuase the pain went from arm to my stomach. I try to tell him that I'm on my period and I've got cramps. I try to find the Japanese for what I want to say and nothing comes to mind. One thing they never teach you in language classes, "my uterus hurts, get me the meds!"

However, I do know how to say it's a woman thing...or at least I thought I did until that backfired on me too.

"Onna no mono desu........."

He still doesn't understand. My hands are still resting and gesturing towards the location of my lovely and suffering uterus. I slowly indicate where my ovaries all the while saying "it hurts," hoping he'll get the message.

"Your stomach?"

I'm thinking, "Nah, dude, a bit south."

I start to overemphasize that I'm a woman, with woman pain.

"Watashi wa onna desu." I'm a woman.

"Koko, itai desu." It hurts here.

Onna no mono." It's woman thing.

I'm throwing all the Japanese I know into a gumbo pot and hoping for the best.

I think he's finally getting it because he takes me to another counter. Nevertheless, I start freaking out that he may be giving me the wrong medication, so I call Kat, my deus ex machina. She teaches me the pronunciation and then from there all is well. I buy the meds, apologize for my horrible Japanese skills and run off to my car.

Moral of the story, ladies... Come prepared with what you need so that you may avoid awkwardly gesturing towards your uterus and ovaries in the drug store.

Oh, and if you must say it's a women thing in any situation, according to Google Translate, its josei no koto.

Much love!

Count Your Blessings....

I've decided to stay another year on this little island in Japan. Why? You know those moments when you have to stop, take a look around, and say "this is my life?" Everything has been a blessing, the good and the bad. I feel as if I've just touched the surface with teaching and honestly, I enjoy it. I really do and I hope to gain some new skills in my second year.

Other than that, I have nothing major to report. The past few weeks have been a wonderful bliss of every day events. Not life-changing or newsworthy I suppose, but you gotta count the blessings no matter how small.

I've got a couple of serious blog posts coming up in which I'd like to start some sort of dialogue because I'm about to crazy keeping it all to myself. It's just some things that have been in the back of mind since coming to Japan, but until then here's some of my favorite moments from the past couple of weeks.

Cinnamon Challenge Yvonne.

Valentines Day-As I told my friend, it was just another day at work. Except this year I used the holiday to justify the ghastly amount of chocolate and desserts I ate. And, my students gave me cake and presents! I totally felt the love!

Eating lunch with my students. It's been a long road, but I'm finally at a point where the 3rd years and I understand each other and get along! Oh, but wait...they're graduating! Argh!

One of my students made me laugh so hard at lunch that the home teacher yelled at her. I'm sure he was really yelling at me. She didn't care though, she kept on making me fun of me.

Japanese lessons with my JTE.

Mos Burger. Nuff said. I love this place, but I'm giving it up for Lent. Waaah!

Working with the 6th graders on their career projects and the JTE decides to play some American music. It started with Bruno Mars and Beyonce and then changed to Enimem and Chris Brown. After a certain point, I couldn't take it and told him that this music isn't the best for children even if they can't understand the lyrics. However, he claimed that it set the mood for class. Eh???

One of my students made me feel like a star when he asked for my autograph.

Playing free dodeball(whatever that means) while a game of soccer, basketball and volleyball are happening in the same gym. O_O

ALT gatherings and dance parties.

Peace y'all. <3