One More Day...

Until I am finished with the elementary school marathon 2009. And not a day too soon, really. Again, I realize that people have much more incredibly difficult jobs, that they do and are glad to do. It's more the tandem attack of isolation and a rigorous workday that really break me down. Though I'm not dog-tired at the end of the day, as I was at the start of this experiment (hey, are those muscles?), I am just generally worn out and worn-down.
Here lies Jake's immune system, a loving protector who will be missed.
That's right. After a long struggle against more than a thousand diseased Japanese schoolchildren (this sounds like the making of one of the best horror movies that could possibly be made), I'm sick. But no worries! It's just a common cold. ...Common? Yeah right. I've been pouring snot for the last week, and it just gets worse every day.
I've moved from the American over-the-counter pharmaceuticals to some pretty bizarre Japanese medicines. The top of today's bizarre medicine list? Some strange, bright yellow, bitter powder that you put in your mouth before chugging a glass of water. Only, here's the beauty, in Japan, people drink their vitamins in a condensed citrus liquid. So, a bit of bitter powder drawing all the moisture out of your mouth before you chug a bottle of funny-tasting vitamin syrup.
...It was a new experience.
Anyway, tomorrow's the last day. In a way, I'm almost sad. I've gotten to build something of a bond between some of the kids, and I've gotten a handle on the feel of some of the classes I visit more often. It's a little sad to think I won't be seeing some of my favorite students like "Crazy Eyes," "Smarty Pants," "Too tall," or "Germaine" for a while. So, this one's for you, Crazy Eyes.

On a simply funny cultural note about Japan, and I believe this is something I mentioned before, kids often wear clothing promoting marijuana usage. "What?!" you'll say. "Yes!" I heartily reply. No one knows what pot looks like, because it's like, super-double illegal here. But, the marijuana leaf shape adorns a lot of clothing here in Japan, specifically clothing for really young kids. Everyone just thinks the pot leaf is a symbol for Jamaica, like the Maple Leaf is for Canada! If you ask what they think it "stands for," you'll get answers like "Hanging out with friends!" or "Relaxing and enjoying life!" You poor little things. I wonder how many Japanese people have been stopped and searched in countries with strict drug laws, without understanding why. Preliminary guess? Maybe 1,000.
Anyway, very related note, the Playboy bunny is another such symbol on youngster's clothing. Apparently, it's been mostly stripped of all it's symbolic meaning and is prized only for its aesthetic value. In a country that already sexualizes young women and school uniforms, it's a pretty sketchy adornment. I'm not even really gonna get into how I feel about all that stuff, because that's a whole series of posts. But, today, during an exercise with 6th graders to find out what they like and what they don't like, I had a 12 year old girl (wearing a Playboy bunny hoodie) look me in the eye and tell me that she likes "Lolita," which is apparently a fashion style for young women in Japan.

...Man, I may never understand this place. And with all the weird fetishes and tentacle porn and all that, there are certain aspects that I'm sure I never want to.

On that weird note, gaijin out.