Round Rock to Japan

The Longest Day - the sequel and Home!!!!

2006-06-29T18:43:00.000-07:00

I have time traveled today. I began in Tokyo with breakfast and then an outing to Akasusa one last time. You know how you hear about the Japanese getting pushed and packed into subway cars? We thought it was just an urban myth until we experienced it this morning. During rush hour, everyone politely lines up in front of the subway car door, then the packed train rolls in and those that need to get off roll out in a sort of human wave. Those in line to get in, are then rolled in a new human wave in the door until no one else can possibly fit, then the train guy in white gloves comes and ever so gently pushes about two more people in and manually closes the door. Personal space has NO meaning and there is no need to hold a grip or rail because you are packed sooooo tight that you just sort of sway against the businessman, the grandmother out for shopping and the student going to class. I know because I experienced it first hand on my last day. In fact, our party of four got separated because two of us were the LAST two in one subway car and and the other two were mashed against the glass on the next incoming train. Definitely only a once in a life-time experience for me. We successfully ended up at the end of the Ginza line in Akasusa for shopping, one last temple hop and one last hundred yen store!

Off to the Narita airport - let's just say about a bazillion hours and two planes, two customs checks, two immigration checks and three airports, I was home! I arrived in Austin 25 minutes after I left Tokyo! Pretty neat huh?!?

Love to hear from all of you - thanks for following along with me. I will keep you posted on the next steps with my follow-on plan.

Timsan OUT!

Sayonara and Arigato

2006-06-27T22:59:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day I am in Japan. I am excited to come home, yet sad to leave Japan behind as there are still things unseen and undone. The past weeks have been packed with activities both planned and unplanned. I wouldn't change one thing about this trip and experience.
We have spent the day watching presentations by all the small groups, Meguro, Itabashi, Ito, Komatsu, Itoigawa, Omura, Aizuwakamatsu, Kennuma, Mutsu and Kushiro. Each group had a unique and rewarding experience. We all found similarities and differences in each Japanese community we visited, but the thread that we have all pulled is the kindness and sincerity of the Japanese people and the care they give to their children and families through education.

I spent the afternoon with Pam, Bob and maria walking around the Imperial Palace trying to get into the Imperial Gardens. Alas, that is something left undone. But I am good with that as I can't do it all and that leaves something to come back and see another day.
Tonight was the Sayonara Dinner. This was both celebration of all that we have experienced and sadness at leaving new found friends and a culture we have come to respect and enjoy. There were the traditional Japanese speeches til the end and food. What would JFMF be without the food? We have eaten our way from beginning to end. Additionally, there was video clips from all 10 group trips and our time together with the challenge to go out and teach and tell the world what we have learned about Japan. We ended with the JFMF theme song, Eagle Flies to the Rising Sun. Ask me about the lyrics when I get home.
Most of all, I want to say thank you and arigato to the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund and the government of Japan for providing this wonderful life experience for me and through me my students, family and community. I could not have done the past three weeks without the loving support of my wife, Lorna and my three kids, Lane, Maren and Reed. Daddy is coming home and I miss all of you so much! Also, thanks to my AWESOME mother and father who raised me to accept challenges and not to be afraid to experience life. My mom and dad have kept my kids these past three weeks and I love you both very much for helping make this trip possible. Finally thanks to my school community, students, faculty and church community. You have all supported me, read my blog, commented, translated business cards into Japanese and given me support and advice in so many ways, I cannot express my thanks enough.

Tomorrow is flight day and I will be traveling in the air for more than 13 hours. Please keep me in you thoughts and prayers that I return home safely.

Keep reading my blog occasionally as I update it with the most challenging part, my follow-on plan of sharing this life event with my community in a meaningful and relevant way.

Sayonara,

Tim-

Of Ryokan, Karaoke, and Happy Cats

2006-06-27T06:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I write this sitting back at my desk in the Akasaka Prince Hotel on the 21 st floor looking over the Tokyo skyline at night. The last 48 hours have been both relaxing and fun as we have begun to wrap up our Japanese journey. Tomorrow we spend the day reporting to all the other groups about our incredible stay in Itabashi. We are going to a David Letterman-style presentation of the top 10 things that made Itabashi special to us all while wearing our yukata and jimbei outfits given to us by Katsue.
When last I left my faithful readers (I hope you have been faithful), we had gone to the city ward offices to an opening of a Mongolian exhibition of work as a Itabashi sister city project. We were recoginzed by the mayorsan for our presence at the opening. It was a wonderful experience and we got to meet the artist who recorded everyday images of Mongolia through the eyes of his camera. After hearing speeches and traditional Mongolian music and viewing the images, we were off to a PTA meeting.
Like all our other public events, it began with a welcome, followed by discussion. Several PTA members from the schools we visited were there for a panel discussion to help us better understand their role in the schools. We found many similarities and some differences. Membership in PTA is mandatory and they have high participation. Unlike American schools, their focus is not on raising extra funds for their campuses. That comes from dues charged to each family on a monthly basis throughout the school year. Interesting. The mayorsan came to say "goodbye" to us in the rain! He also wore a silver dove pin given to him by a JFMFer in our group that had come from Israel and was passed in peace from Israel, to America and now onto Japan. Toeshi, our interpreter is also telling us bye ---- we will truly miss Itabashi and Toeshi!
Back on the bus ---- goodbye to Itabashi------ and onto the Hakone valley and our ryokan! We were driven through the valley and up and down the mountains to see the scenery. This involved one stop at a Japanese truck stop, juice and sandwiches on the bus for lunch and a fog enclosed park where we literally could not see much of anything. No Mount Fuji views for us. Oh well, hopefully next time (Yes, I want to come back to Japan.)
Finally, we arrived at our ryokan (check the link on the sidebar for a glimpse!) It was beautiful! The rooms are traditional Japanese with several people staying in a room. The guys split up and Bobby and I ended up as roomies. Upon getting in our room, we were "sized" for yukata and green tea was made for us. Service with a smile! Ahhhhhhhhh! Next, three of us men, yukated up and headed out for the public baths. The outdoor baths were beautiful set amid small gardens. You can check out the link to the public bath houses in Japan for the other details and onsen rules. We did it just like the Japanese and experienced the onsen a total of four times during our stay. Ladies, I now know the attraction to a spa and you are SOOOOOOOOOOO right about pampering yourself. you have to fill in the blanks for the onsen episode. What happens in Japan, stays in Japan! Kidding.
Our last dinner as a small group was traditional Japanese style. We ate several things we had already experienced and some that were new including the tiny crab that was eaten shell and all. Bobby named him Sebastian (from The Little Mermaid). Yes, campers, you read right, shell and all. I did it and it wasn't bad. This meal lasted quite a while and then we went back to the onsen til late that night.
5:45 am and we were up and out to the onsen for one last soak before our traditional Japanese breakfast. Sweet eggs, miso soup, salad, tofu, etc... you know the rest. After a short walk in the garden and seeing the waterfalls, it was back on the bus to the Akasaka Prince Hotel and the reassemblage of the original 200 teachers. Mommasan, we're home!!!!!
Since we arrived very early due to the least distance traveled, we dropped our bags in the lobby and we back out for, you guessed it temple hopping and shopping. We went to one of the biggest temples in Tokyo proper, Zojoji Temple in Shibako-en. Behind this temple is the Tokyo Tower (Eiffel tower replica). Check it out. Then it was onto Meijijingumae for shopping. Got some great deals including (drum roll please), Happy Cats! These are a sign of good luck and fortune throughout Japan. Check my Happy Cat herd out. NIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
We had to be back at the hotel by 4 pm to "practice" our group presentation for tomorrow and then there was some downtime. For our last night free, we went to dinner close to the hotel and went to karaoke! In Japan, this involves getting a small room for an hour. It comes with two mikes, tamborines, marachas and plenty of pre-programmed tunes. Our Happy Cats were optional, but they participated. We were AWESOME singers of course. No really. Quit laughing!!!!!! It wasn't that funny.
To round out our evening, Bobby (our Pachinko sinsay) took us around to corner to try Pachinko. OK, this is the loudest place in Japan hands down. You pay money to try and get some little metal balls which you have almost no control over, into a hole so the machine plays really loud music. I don't get the attraction, but folks, there are pachinko parlors on practically every street corner. I kid you not!
However, there was tragedy in our group tonight, Bobby killed his Happy Cat!!!! He ruthlessly fell to the floor saving his knees, legs, body etc... and sacrificing his Happy Cat that had participated in karaoke soooooo well. Poor Happy Cat ----- he is now sad, brainless cat. Here is grief stricken Bobby.

Well, all joking aside, we are getting down to the end. I am ready to go home and see my family, friends, church community etc....., but at the same time, I will really miss the Itabashi group, especially Bobby, Pam, Maria and Kent. We have had a exceptional life experience and I think going home is going to be a real readjustment for us. Being in Japan for so long, many things have taken on a normalcy that may make home odd for a while. But it is back to the real world of taking care of our houses, making our meals, cleaning dishes and being "regular' again. I will work hard not to be the annoying Japan crazy teacher freak. But know, this has been a life experience that has changed how I view the world and the people in it. It has opened my eyes to the wastefulness of our country and the squandering of its resources especially. Most of all it has widen my perspective of the world and had me form connections with another culture and society. That is what Senator Fulbright dreamed of so many years ago. Read my last few entries as things wind down and head towards America and Austin/Round Rock/Leander, Texas.

Ohayo,

Tim-

Ryokan Introduction

2006-06-25T16:15:00.000-07:00

It is raining this morning - big surprise. We are off to open an art exhibition, visit with the local PTA and then check out the Hakone valley and stay in a ryokan. Check out the ryokan. Check out my homestay entry below and comment. I love to hear from all of you.

Timsan

Homestay

2006-06-25T00:45:00.000-07:00

When you just don't think a trip can get any better, then you go have a homestay. I left Saturday morning to go stay with the Wakabayashi family. Kiyoshi (father) came to pick me up at the Itabashi-ku city ward offices. We walked to the train station and went across Itabashi to his home that he shares with his wife Sachie. After introductions (not long because they only speak Japanese, Sachie made a wonderful lunch of tempura. I think her goal for the weeked was to keep the large American full of food. She did a GREAT job of that. Around lunch time, the rest of the family came by, Kumiko (daughter who speaks ENGLISH!!!!!!!), her kids Kensho (4 yrs.), Nanoko (8yrs.) and her husband Eisuke. We all had lunch together and then Kiyoshi, Kumiko and the kids took me out to a local temple to get my temple book signed. It was a small neighborhood temple and they really catered to us. It was also right next door to Kensho's kindergarten. That was fun to see. When we had seen the temple, we went by Kumiko's father-in-law's stationery store. Kensho is the only grandson out of six grandkids, so he is the apple of his grandparent's eye. He got some colored pencils to use later and we were off the the local mall.

Hadn't been to one of these yet. Quite a place. Five stories of shopping and LOTS of bicycles out front. We cruised the food aisles and ended up in housewares so they could buy a little something for my family. I managed to get them to let me buy ice cream. I am still not sure exactly what rapone cream is, but it was bright blue and tasted slightly of bubble gum.

Once back home, it was time for dress up. Sachie had eyed me at the reception evidently and had gotten me a yomata to wear (summer kimono). it fit great as you can see and she said and I quote "yomata looks better on man with extra tummy." Yeah. Unfortunately that is me. The big American guy. Embrace it and love it I guess. I LOVE my yomata and it was VERY Kind of them to think of me.

Next came Sachie preparing dinner. This woman is a serious cook and everything she made was wonderful. They had invited the rest of the family over for make yourself sushi (she saw I liked sushi at the reception) and birthday cake as it was Sachie's birthday. She got a bento box from Kiyoshi to eat for her birthday. It was a GREAT family party and reminded me of being home with my group. It was loud and fun and LOTS of food! We had a great time eating codfish, octopus, salmon etc... sushi. After dinner, we watched world cup soccer in Japanese along with the news. Then it was off to bed.

I slept in a traditional Japanese room with tatami mats and futon. It was a nice night and sleeping on a futon is not too bad. I get another chance we we visit the Hakone valley to stay in a roykan (traditional Japanese inn and hot springs).

Sunday morning was very quiet and we got up around 8 am. I took a shower which was an experience as a Japanese shower is out in the room. No stall or tub, the water just drains into the floor. You also rinse, turn off the water, soap and shave and then rinse again. Very economical and ecology minded. I didn't even have to wear different shoes like you do when you go to the toilet which is in a seperate place. Cleanliness big time folks!

Breakfast was traditional. Rice, miso soup with tofu, salmon, sweet Japanese egg, vegetable with fried fish flakes and seaweed with green tea. Once breakfast was over, Kiyoshi took me into the Western-style living room lined with book cases and reveal that they were filled with art books of Japanese and Western art! We listened to music and looked at art books until all the grandkids and Kumiko returned. Lunch was okonomi-yaki (favorite burned pancake) which was a Japanese-style pancake. The mixture had octopus or shrimp or korean hot pork, eggs, batter and other ingredients which was placed on a griddle in the middle of the table. Once it was done, you placed it on your small plate and brushed a sauce on it that tasted like barbecue. This was then topped with fried fish flakes, seaweed crushed and mayonaisse. YUMMY!!!!! We visited for a while after lunch and then it was time to come back the the Itabashi Center Hotel. The whole group brought me back to the hotel and said "goodbye." I had a FANTASTIC time with the Wakabayashi family and hope they will take my invitation to visit Texas and the Lowke's in America. They were warm, caring and accepting me into their home and I am very grateful for their kindness and hospitality.

Tomorrow we move on to the ryokan in the Hakone valley. I will be without internet access for a couple of days, so those of you in Leander, Flower Mound and Corpus, don't worry - no email, skype or blog for a couple of days til I return to Tokyo. Someone will call you if I drown in the hot springs or fall off Mount Fuji, I promise. My Japan adventure is drawing to a rapid close and while I am sad at that thought, I miss everyone in Texas and am about ready to come home. Fire up the fajitas Dad and let's tube the Frio!!!

Sayanora,
Timsan

Itabashi City Akatsuka the first Junior High School

2006-06-23T05:44:00.000-07:00

Last school day again-----sort of------however, we are STARS again. Whole school assembly to meet us ---- my adoring fans!!!! We finished with school visitation today by going to junior high school. Itabashi City Akatsuka the first Junior High School is the oldest junior high in Itabashi. The building was very large, but it only had 587 kids. Far smaller than Chisholm Trail Middle School. These kids liked us and wanted to show off, talk at times and know more about us. In short, these kids are very much like the ones I teach everyday. They are funny, warm and very nervous at times about using their English. Girls are hung up on boys or not and boys are just really concerned about sports, the world cup in particular. No autographs today, but LOTS of interaction.

It is really funny to think of English as a foreign language, but that is what it is over here. These kids had the benefit of a native laguage instruction, John from New Zealand to help them with reading and conversation in English. John is part of a teaching team with a Japanese teacher that moves class to class each period working with students to improve their verbal skills in English. Remember kids don't change rooms, the teacher change each period.

In addition to English as a foreign language, students also take math, Japanese, social studies, integrated studies, physical education and depending on grade level, art and music. Ninth graders get to take an elective like dress-making, woodshop, metal smithing, art or music. It was fun to see them all working on VERY detailed and high-quality products during their elective time.

Lunch was served in the classroom by the students. Check out their great serving outfits. We had sobu noodles, squid and fish tempura, cherry tomatoes and milk. Very tasty. My class wanted to practice their English and hear about America and Texas. It was really fun!

At the end of the day, there is time to clean and then onto club activities much like the high school we visited yesterday. Students worked to clean the school building and then went to club activities or to study as they have a test next week. We experienced a tea ceremony again today along with kendo in looking at club activities. We also experienced the Tokyo newspapers sending a photographer to get candid pictures of all of us - maybe Mr. Demille really will give me a close-up? Think so? The day concluded with discussion with teachers on our thoughts about Japanese education and their school in particular.

Several of us went looking in a different part of Itabashi this evening and worked our way down a street we called Kabuki Street because of the Kabuki themed banners on the poles. Some bought storybooks in Japanese. Imagine Hansel and Gretel in Japanese. Looking for a place to eat was a fun because some in our little group want to see wax food before they order, some only want chicken and several don't want their food to look back at them. Picky, picky, picky. We finally settled on a place that was a cross between Denny's and ?????. Ordering madness ensued becuase one in our party wanted to substitute a baked potate for french fries. We found out tonight that substitution is evidently NOT part of Japanese culture. It was really funny to see us try and work this out and when the plate came, it really did have what she wanted!

Tomorrow I move onto my home visit. We meet our families at city hall and venture into the Japanese unknown. I will be without internet service for a couple of days, so check back on Sunday morning to see how my home stay went. I may have ALOT to tell.

Til Sunday.

Tim-

Kitazono High School / Itabashi-ku District

2006-06-22T05:25:00.000-07:00

How fast your star rises and sets. Today we went to high school and guess what? Those kids were not enthralled with us. No autographs, no adoring crowds, just normal high school kids. Oh well, maybe the junior high kids will become an adoring public tomorrow.

We began the day with removing our shoes and doning slippers. Bob, our resident thespian was the official spokesperson of the day and he made his short speech in English over the announcements. No marching band and lights, it is hard to believe. The principal of Kitazono High School then greeted and briefed us on the school. Kitazono is made up of grades 1-3 (equlivent to our 10th-12th grades) and has a current enrollement of 960 students. Students can take a variety of subjects including Contemporay Japanese, English Reading, English Grammar, Home Economics, Mathematics, Art, Music and various Sciences to name a few. Students attend class for 50 minute periods with a homeroom time at the end of the day for cleaning the school. Yes, like the elementary school, there are no janitors to clean, the students do this every day. High school in Japan is NOT compulsatory, but 97% of students DO attend high school. Becuase it is not required, families pay tuition for school attendance even if the school is public and recieves some funding from the city ward. Such is the case with Kitazono.

Class visitation was next on the agenda. I visited Art, Contemporary Japanese, English Reading, Geology, and Information Technology. What I saw was mostly what I expected to find in Japan. The teacher at the front of the room lecturing and kids in rows taking notes and working from the text and the workbooks provided by the Ministry of Education. Even in the Information Technology class, it was mostly lecture with little hands-on instruction. Each class had between 37 to 40 students. Teachers taught from 8 am until 6 pm with only a lunch break. Very different from what we saw at elementary.

After observing second and third periods, we had lunch in the dining hall. Typical Japanese fare here, but much healthier than our school lunches and home cooked ---- Yummy! We also visited with students which was really fun even though many of them could only speak a little English. many of them were reserved until we got them talking, then they were very animated and wanted to be engaged in conversation.

After lunch, several of us were invited to an English Grammer class. We were asked to "help" but I think we confused students more than helped. Many of the text activities they were working on did not conform to our flow of English and the teacher only wanted to really hear the answer that came from the text. It was a good experience for us because it placed us in as close a role to the teacher and his mindset as possible for instructional delivery. I hope we didn't mess up 40 students in English too badly. Next, we met with teachers and the PTA for discussion which really involved us asking ALOT of questions for clarification. I think we walked away with a good understanding of a Japanese High School.

Then the end of the school day brought cleaning of the building and club activities. The impressive thing about both of these events was that there was little to no adult supervision. Students cleaned the building without direction and then broke up into their club groups and got started. Clubs ranged from Japanese Tea Ceremony Club to Kendo or Judo. Kendo is where students dress in uniform and basically beat each other with bamboo swords. There are many rules to the sport, but that is the basic picture. Students also worked in the art room, played instruments and street danced. The street dancing club was way cool as they were doing a mixture of contemporary dance and break dance combined. Many of the students did sports clubs and all this went on until 6 pm. And yes, there is a pool on the roof. We found out that this is pretty standard in Tokyo schools. I venture to say we will see one at the junior high tomorrow. All in all, it was a good day, but tiring.

Not to let a minute pass, once back at the hotel, several of us ventured onto a city bus bound for Tokyo Hands Department Store in another part of the city. After shopping ( I found nothing I wanted), we broke down and ate at McDonalds. It was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't really have any higher level thoughts for today. Much of Japan is becoming somewhat routine after almost two weeks. I still know what it feels like to be illiterate or dyslexic as we can read nothing where we currently are located. Everything is in Japanese. It makes you know what kids and adults with reading barriers feel like. Hope everyone is well. Til tomorrow.

Best,

Tim-

Kanazawa Elementary School / Itabashi-ku District

2006-06-21T03:52:00.000-07:00

Today we visited our first school, Kanazawa Elementary School. It is a public elementary school that serves grades 1-6. It currently has 640 students in 18 classes and 25 teachers. The name "Kanazawa" along with the school symbol originates from a large powerful clan, called the Kaga Clan, which existed during the Edo period (1603-1867). Kanazawa applies nature to their curriculum through the establishment of a school forest containing over 2000 trees. Each grade level is responsible for two species of trees and they not only nuture them, but they also make products in their home economics class from the fruit. Yes, you read right, home economics. Japanese elementary education challenges many American preconceptions of what they do in the classroom and the curriculum. What I experienced today was a loosely structured, nurturing environment that promotes exploration. Not what we think of as a typical Asian school model of instruction?
We got to school early enough to see the kids arrive. They were wonderful in their matching hats and various umbrellas. Remember, it is the rainy season. As students entered the school, they took off their shoes in the shoe area, very carefully made the transition to the "clean" area and put on their school slippers and went to class. Once the kids were in the building, we did the same and were given shoe cubbies for the day with our names on them see!
Next, we were welcomed by the principal in an all-school assembly in the gym. Speeches were made and the kids sang the school song. We also had to introduce ourselves -----"watashiwa Texas no Tim Lowke des." This translates to "I'm Tim Lowke from Texas." Finally the kids played instruments and marched out of the gym. Their music skills were awesome and I have not seen such an elementary performance in all my years of teaching. Students as young as third grade were playing bamboo flutes, drums, xylophone, and other intruments all under the direction of another student. Pretty remarkable stuff.
After the students went to class, we met with the principal and heard about the school and its programs along with our schedule for the day. We learned more indepth about their school forest program and how science is integrated into the curriculum. We got to see their extensive garden, small area of grass (they are one of three schools in the area with a lawn of which they are very proud,) and about their "green curtain" program. A green curtain is a vine system that is trained on nets, strung on the building over the windows, to naturally cool the building, give students nature to interact, and provide a visual barrier to the city. We noticed that the school had all the windows open and when asked about air conditioning, we were told that the faculty and staff voted to turn off the air conditioning in the spring and summer months to conserve energy and wear less formal clothing. Can we say "wow?"
After what they call school guidance, we were given total control to visit any class in school. Here is me experiencing calligraphy class. The teacher said I did pretty good. This would be like handwriting for us in the States except much more equipment. Japanese children spend the first six years of school learning the 18,000 characters that make up the written Japanese language. Speaking of which, where our students in America attend English class as part of their study, Japanese students attend Japanese to use those 18,000 characters in written form. They also take home economics, art, music, P.E., reading and integrated studies. I attended classes in all thse subjects through the course of the day and what I left with was the knowledge that we are closer in our educational methodology than we think. Kids are kids and teachers are teachers.
Now onto the best part ----- LUNCH! In Japan, there are no lunch rooms at the elementary level. Students go to an elevator and pick-up their moblie kitchen and bring it to the classroom. They then put on really CUTE food uniforms and serve the class cafeteria style. Once everyone has food, today we had a chicken stew, rice with a minnow like fish mixed in, boiled zuchinni with fish paste and milk. All served on real plate, with tiny glass milk bottles and of course chopsticks. I am happy to report that Lowkesan impressed his class with his chopstick skills. I also spent most of lunch signing autographs. Yes, you read right, AUTOGRAPHS. These kds were enthralled with us and each wanted our signature. What is a start to do? I ask you? Really!
When lunch is completed, the students clean all the plates off, sort the garbage for TOTAL recycling and return the mobile kitchen to the elevator to be washed down in the kitchen by the food staff. Now is classroom cleaning time. Japanese elementary schools do not have custodians, the children do all the cleaning. They scrub the bathrooms, clean the classrooms and sweep the floors. With this done, it is back to work. Except for my 5th grade class, they are going swimming in the pool on the roof of the school. They have yet to have lessons due to the rainy season, but the sun is out for a while, so off we go. They each change in the classroom into matching bathing suits and caps. everyone climbs the three flights of stairs to the roof and in a very organized lesson, they get into the pool. This is like water aerobics and the regular ed teachers teach the swimming lesson. In fact, with the exception of art, home economics and music, the regualr classroom teacher does everything including PE. I did not see one teacher who was not a master at doing all those parts. They all play the piano too as part of their education, so music is everywhere in the school
At the end of the day, I took pictures with my class ---- I am ready for my close-up Mr. Demille! Then it was off to a teacher's meeting where we shared preceptions, strategies and thoughts about American and Japanese education. Whew! Full day and I am tired. Dinner, laundry at the hotel and postcard writing round out my day. Hope all is well with each of you. Tomorrow we head to the local high school to see how the big kids learn. Keep reading and commenting. Lots of love to those in Flower Mound, Corpus and Leander. I am halfway done and will be home late next week.

Oyasuminasai (good night),
Tim-

The Day the Earth Shook + Kindness

2006-06-20T01:33:00.000-07:00

Well, it finally happened. I experienced a tremor today in Japan. Getting dressed this morning, the building began to shake slightly and the water on my desk moved back and forth in the bottle. When we went to breakfast at a fine Japanese eatery ----- Denny's----- everyone else in the group had felt it too. One of our members was giddy because she wanted to feel an earthquake while we were here. Go figure ---- I am fine with not feeling an earthquake.
We next went to pay a courtsey call on the Superintendent of Education / Itabashi-ku. We met with officials and after being addressed by his honorable Superintendent, we discussed educational issues on both side of the world from inclusion to class sizes and curricular focus. At the end, we were given a small gift to honor our visit. Tomorrow we visit the elementary school and we are all VERY excited to see kids and teachers in action.
After a quick change of clothes to some that were more comfortable, we were off on a city tour conducted by Mokosan (JMFM guide), Toshi (JMFM interpreter) and officials from the ward of Itabashi-ku. We began the tour at a local buddist temple that has the third largest budda in Japan. Little did Mokosan know we were going to slow the tour so we could get our temple books done. Temple hopping groupies now total about 10 of our group. Because we had so many books, the monks invited us to see the inside of the temple (no shoes please) and to tea and cookies while we waited. NO JOKE. This was an unscheduled event and one that Moko said was unusual. The lesson here folks is that good things come to temple hoppers! The temple was beautiful and they even let us take pictures which is unusual here. Check out the handsome guy next to the buddist monk. Huh, huhhh? The gardens were wonderful so Lorna, I'm getting out the hedge trimmers and my garden is going Japanese when I get home!!!
Next it was onto lunch. Check out the pics of me eating something called Devil's Tongue. It is a potatoe dish and well lets just say that I TRIED it and leave it at that. I think you can see how I feel by the thrill on my face.

With lunch over, we moved onto the Itabashi Art Museum where we were given a tour by one of the three curators. Austin Museum of Art staff, if you are reading, I asked LOTS of museum related questions and you will be fascinated by the answers. One answer I found interesting was visitors to the Museum count themselves with the clicker. Strictly the honor system sorted by adult, high schooler and children. What a country! We were also given a present of museum posters in Japanese of the current exhibit ---- Way cool!
Then we went onto a history museum where we saw traditional crafts of the area on display along with historic houses. We had tea on tatami mats in a 150 year-old, thatch roof Japanese house. Here is Bobby and Stacey having tea and listening to the curator.
Bonsai was the next event on the list. We visited a bonsai master's studio and saw an enormous collection of bonsai. Some were a 100 years old and they were just beautiful. Finally, our tour ended with----- yes------ you guessed it---------SHOPPING! We went to the Happy Road Shopping Arcade. This is basically a glass enclosed street that runs for blocks, lined with shops on either side. Several 100 yen stores were in the retail mix. We walked back to the hotel from there and were told to meet in the lobby at 6 pm for a special meeting.
So 6 pm rolls around and we all gather in the lobby for announcements for the next day. After a couple of announcements, Tania's friend she met on the plane over here shows up to greet us. Tania, a member of our group from Oklahoma struck up a conversation on the plane with this young lady, Katsue Maezama about passports. Come to find out she lives in Itabashi-ku. Tania went out with her all day last Saturday and she shows up tonight to give each person in the group yumata (summer kimono) with sandals for the women and jinbei (imagine pj's) with sandals for the men. 20 sets of clothes and shoes to us because of the kindness shown to her in America and her pride in us visiting Itabashi-ku. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?!?!? After we all got instructions on how to wear our new outfits, we took pictures and then she presented each of us with bags of candies and toys like are given on children's day in Japan. The kindness and respect shown to us just keeps going and growing. It is really hard to process all that has happened in the past few days and how much the Japanese people appreciate the Fulbright program and our roles as teachers. Just when we think it cannot get better, something unexpected takes place. Our questions to each other right now have been, would they be treated the same way in America? Would our society step up and make the Japanese feel as welcome in our country as they have made us feel in their country. Ponder that today as you go about your business and think about do you practice random acts of kindness or a pay it forward philosophy in your life?

Tommorrow we get up early and go off to our elementary school assignement to see the kids walking to school. It sounds like it will be another incrediable day in Japan. Til tomorrow folks! Stay tuned!

Sayonora,

Timsan

Itabashi-ku Part Two

2006-06-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks for tuning in to part two of the Itabashi-ku saga! When last you tuned in, your fearless American teachers were about to go to Itabashi-ku City Hall to pay a courtesy call on the mayor. Little did our heros and heroines know what awaited them. No less that 75 city employees lined main walk to city hall clapping and taking pictures of us! Can we say STARS? It was truly an AMAZING experience. We were escorted upstairs where we were greeted by the mayor and his staff. We each sat down behind a name plaque with one side in English and the other in Japanese. The mayor welcomed us, and told us about Itabashi. Then we were served tea and a question / answer session ensued. At the end of this, photographs were taken and each of us was given a beautiful plaque in calligraphy hand created by the mayor himself. It says, "When you learn, there is no end. Learning is a life-long process." We also received a Japanese photo album. Talk about a feel good moment. I have never experienced such a moment and probably won't again in my lifetime.
After a short rest at the hotel, it was off to the welcome reception and meeting our host families. After introductions, I met Kiyoshi Wakabayashi and his wife (see the picture above). They are very nice and very excited to play host to a teacher from Texas. I was quizzed about what I like to eat and drink. They have six grandchildren, some of whom speak English. Their son also was an exchange student who went to two years of high school in Anaheim, California. He is 43 and on a business trip to Singapore. Mr. Wakabayashi is in the printing industry which is one of the things that Itabashi is known for as a major industry.

So ends another amazing day in the land of the rising sun. I will be visiting schools all this week. Tomorrow we pay a courtesy call on the supertinendent of Itabashi schools in the morning and then move onto a tour of the city in the afternoon. Til the next post, stay tuned to the continuing adventures of 200 American teachers in Japan.

I wish all those in American education could feel the way I have felt these past few weeks. I am truly indebted to the Government of Japan and the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund for the life experience I am getting and will be able to share with my students. If you are reading my blog, please take a moment to comment. I love hearing from my students, friends, colleagues and community members in Texas while I am in Japan. Advance art students, you materials are in the mail. Be patient, international mail can take time. Special thanks to Bobby Clubbs, my new colleague and sometimes blog photographer.

Best,

Timsan

Itabashi-ku Part One

2006-06-18T23:17:00.000-07:00

Today started on a quick note. Several us went to a Shinto shrine right after breakfast to see if we could get a page in our temple books. We had to be at the hotel ready to board the bus at 8:10 am. Yea right. At 8:05 am, we were crossing the street coming back as our group was walking to the bus and we hadn't even gotten our bags from our rooms yet. Luckily, being the fast Temple hoppers that we are, we ran, got our stuff and made the bus. The Japanese are VERY exact about time and are VERY intolerant about tardiness holding up the group. I won't be Temple hopping before a departure again.

Next, we were onto Tokyo Gakugei University. This is a teacher training university. We were greeted by faculty and learned lots of information about teacher preparation in Japan. For example, pre-teachers have to do two, three week sessions of student teaching under the guidance of a faculty member. They also have to work in a nursing home facilty or with the aged as part of their certification process. Due to Japan's rapidly aging society, the Diet made this element of teaching training mandatory. After the lecture, we go to visit with a student. My student was Hiroto Araki and he was 19 years old. Best of all, he is an art education major working towards certification for elementary and high school. He currently works part-time and takes 10 classes at the University. he was very interested in the social aspects of teaching in America and we got a better understanding of teacher prep in Japan!

After the Univeristy visit, it was off to lunch in Itabashi-ku. We are now truly our group of 20 and out on our own. We have a guide (Mokosan) and an intrepreter. I am updating mid-day today, because we have about an hour before we make a courtesy call on the mayor of Itabashi-ku after checking inot our new hotel for the next several days, the Itabashi Center Hotel. Check out the businessman's room. It is very tight. I have had walk-in closets at home that are about this size. Remember, everything is on a tighter and smaller scale in Japan. it makes me realize just how much space Americans take up in this world and how wasteful we are about our resources. We got here and we were trying to figure out the lights (you put your key in the socket to turn the room on), the air (which is on your headboard and turns off when you leave the room) and internet connections (sad, but true, it isn't free and you have to set up the modem yourself). But all in all, it is good. Next, we go to a reception in our honor at the local cultural hall where we will meet our home stay families and the principals of all the schools we will visit in the next three days. Check back later for the griping tales in Itabashi-ku Part Two.

Tim-

Moving Day

2006-06-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it was bound to happen..... 200 American teachers in a REALLY nice hotel. It came to an end today. The staff was sooooo sad to see us leave, they all came out to wave "sayonora." They were sad to see us leave..... right? HA! We will be back to the Akasaka Prince as we leave this beautiful country. So today, it was uncircle the wagons, pack the bags and head out towards Itabashi-ku. Our 200 became small groups of 20 as we all loaded on different buses and headed out to multiple parts of Japan. Some flew north to fishing villages on other islands, others to the south. Then some of us aren't really leaving Tokyo. But watch out....... here we come.
After loading our stuff on the bus, we were taken with the Meguro group off to a "western buffet." No my little Texans, this lunch did not include a side of beef on the barbacue. It simple meant, food that looks like what we get at Golden Corral at home. Guess what though? No salmon.
After lunch, it was off to our new hotel for only tonight. We are staying at Hotel Mets in Musashi-sakai. This is close to the university we will visit tomorrow. The best thing we can say about this hotel for me is......... help me here campers......................FREE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET!!!!!! Too bad it is only one night. We all have business men rooms which shall we say are much more intimate than our posh digs at the Prince Akasaka. Pretty good none the less and after all, FREE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET!!!!!!!
Once we dropped our stuff in the rooms, we were done for the day with JFMF, so the troops (Bob, Pam, Tania, Maria and I), went to the National Museum in Ueno Park. We now know we moved out of tourist land, because the english has begun to disappear from signage at this station. We rallied and made it back into to city proper and found the Ueno district. The park was beautiful despite the rain. Oh yea, it rained all day today. Rainy season remember.
Pam and I took our Temple books and temple hopped before and after the Museum. We visited Rinnoji Temple, Kan-ei-ji Temple and Gokokuin Temple. Before leaving Rinnoji Temple , the monk taught Pam how to ring and respect the gods. At Kan-ei-ji Temple, we got to go back to where the monks work for them to sign our book. Very cool. However, at Gokokuin, nobody was home, so no page filled. Bummer.
Dinner was a fun experience. There is a department store across the street from our hotel. In the basement of department stores here is where the supermarkets are located. We went and bought bento boxes at the market. It was even more fun than last night as this was a full scale market. Very, very crowded. However, you will be relieved to know that there are sample ladies just like our local Sam's Club, HEB and Wal-Mart. These wear cuter uniforms. So as the crazy Americans, naturally we wandered around and yes, you guessed it, took pictures in the supermarket. Check out the $27 dollar watermelon or the nearly $8 canalope. Tokyo is very expensive to live. No wonder every available piece of dirt has a tomatoe plant in it. Oh, and I also found my microphone I have been looking for, so I can call using Skype and my FREE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET!!!!!!! Well, people are up at home, so I am going to go call home. Brooke Clubbs, thanks for your comments. Your hubby is very fun and we are going to try and keep him under control. No promises though. FREE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!!
Best,
Tim Lowke

Train, Bus, Temple + Nature

2006-06-18T04:46:00.000-07:00

Train, bus, temple, nature and return. That is what I did today. Kind of like the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles without the disasters. Saturday was our "free day" so six of us decided to go to Nikko in the Japanese countryside. We all wanted to experience something totally different from our stay in Tokyo, so we left at 6:30 am this morning, hopped on the Ginza Line to the edge of the city and took a Limited Express two hours out into the countryside. The added plus is we got to see what we passed on the train. We saw rice paddies, villages, mountains, rivers and graveyards to name a few things.
We arrived in Nikko in the mountains and proceeded to the local visitors center. We experienced our first non-western toilet here, so we took pictures. One of the things we discussed at length today is the role reversal we are experiencing on this trip. In America, we are the majority, not the minority. People always make fun of Asian tourists because they take lots of pictures of what we feel are the oddest things. Now the roles are reversed. We took pictures of a toilet folks and found it incredibly interesting in function and form. Our everyday expectations of society have been altered. Japan is known as The Quiet Society. They take less personal and physical space everywhere they go. Americans spread out and take lots of room. They are quiet in voice. Americans are much louder. The Japanese try to live lightly in the world. America is built as a consumer society. Case in point, there are almost no public trash cans in Japan. In America, they are in every corner of a public space. Yet, this country is EXTREMELY clean. Not a cigarette butt, candy wrapper or soda can to be found. Public spaces are swept daily often times by hand. People carry their trash with them and dispose of it at home. Recycling bins sort everything in public spaces from the plastic cup lid to the hamburger wrapper. As a culture, the Japanese do not eat and walk - ever. Food is taking only sitting. It is simply amazing.
Moving on, we went to a Shinkyo Bridge. This was used to get people over the river and to the temple and shrine. Is this not what you think of when you think of Japan. Beautiful! The river is run-off from the mountains and is crystal clear. We next went to the Rinnoji Taiyuin Temple. This is an HUGE complex of buildings. We saw three golden Budda in different stages. I also got a Temple Book. This is an accordion fold book that is taken temple to temple and you can take it to a monk and have their temple signature placed in your book as a record of your visit. He even put my name in Japanese on the cover! Score!
Another unexpected surprise was that we happened to visit the temple at the time of a Buddhist wedding. It was really interesting. Take a look at the bride dressed in white. The entire family processed into the space and met the priest, then music played and the wedding began.
After the temple, we stopped at a gift shop where several people made purchases. One of our party who shall remain nameless, decided to buy a wooded pagoda to show in her classroom. She THOUGHT she was paying $27 for said pagoda, BUT when she came to proudly show us her purchase, we told her she had just spent $270 on the pagoda. We quickly found out that Japan does have a return policy.
Next we got on a bus and went to Kegon Falls about 50 minutes outside Nikko proper. This is the largest waterfall in Japan and flows from Lake Chuzenji. It was beautiful as you can see. It was while we where at the falls that we found ICE CREAM! Remember, we move from one food event to another. The lake was just down the road and we saw these funny swan boats out on the lake. Check out the mountains in the background. This lake is formed from a inactive volcano and is 900 feet deep and very cold. No swimming for me.
Back on the bus, we made hairpin curves by the dozen to get back down to Nikko. Talk about vertical driving. These drivers do not slow down at all and make these curves very quickly. At the bottom, there was a little more shopping and best of all ----- DINNER! We shopped in Japanese grocery and got bento boxes for the trip home. These are box lunches with chopsticks. We had the best time buying food we could not identify. I had a bento box and sushi, some kind of pastry fill with a light yam cream , Pocky (chocolate cover breadsticks) and chilled green tea that is nothing like we have in America. Here I am with my bento box waiting for the Limited Express. Two and a half hours later, we were back to our hotel. I had to pack all my shopping up in a bag to be left at the Prince Akasaka as we move hotel tomorrow in preparation for our university visit on Monday. All the bags have to be packed and loaded up as this show goes on the road. Next stop Itabashi-ku!
Hope all is well in Texas. Keep reading as I enter week two.
Timsan

Chicken of the Sea

2006-06-16T06:27:00.000-07:00

Another early day today. I went to the Tsukiji Fish Market at 5 am. Since the typical Japanese diet is composed mostly of fish, vegetables, rice and chicken, the fish market is one happening place. Since I did the subway last night with Bob to the kabuki theatre ---- I led a group who hadn't gone yet to the fish market. Can we say SUBWAY MASTER ---- thank you, thany you very much (use Elvis voice in your head when you read this). Remember, it is the rainy season here, so it POURED on us all morning. The fish market was a visual feast as you can see. Look at the size of the tuna. That is one big can of Chicken of the Sea. These babies go for 100,000 yen and more. We got to watch the auction in progress. Afterwards, I roamed the stalls and saw alot of different sea life that later in the day will reappear as my lunch. Yum.

Once back to the hotel and the fish smell washed off, there was breakfast with the ever-present salmon, art teachers and off to workshops we went.

I took a three-hour workshop on Peace Education in Japan. We heard from hibakushas, first and second generation survivors of the a-bomb attack on Hiroshima. Emotionally moving does not even begin to describe what these people have experienced. The first-generation hibakusha told how he and his 21-month old baby here very close to the hypocenter (area bomb was dropped) and how his wife was outside the home and how burned she was from the heat wave. An atom bomb has three phases of destruction: heat wave, explosion wave and the radiation wave the comes afterward. The heat wave took the flesh off many people and burned them badly. Most deaths came in the next days due to the radiation exposure and lack of understanding about what had happened at Hiroshima. We heard how many survivors blamed themselves for their survival and that many thought they should have died with their friends and family on that day and the weeks after from radiation exposure.

Survivors were discrimated against in Japan for decades after the bomb dropped. Many couldn't get jobs, they were shunned and could not marry except other survivors because the rest of the Japanese population thought there was something wrong with them. Even the second generation still have problems associated with the after-effects today. Onde speaker was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in February 2006. Second generation survivors have certificates that entitle them to free care for certain illnesses associated with the after-effects of the a-bomb. Before the atom bomb was dropped, 350,000 people lived in Hiroshima. 140,000 died in the days after the bomb hit. The rest of the workshop focused on how the peace education movement follows Senator Fulbright's wishes that through global education and educational exchange, the seeds of peace are sown to avoid conflicts in the future through human-to-human understanding. JFMF follows that charge. Wow.

Lunch was yummy and then it was off to the afternoon workshop on Art Education in Japan. Through a translator, about 100 of us worked with a local art educator on typical Japanese art projects and discussed the state of art education in Japan. We made kakurebyobu (changing picture books). Way cool! This along with some other ideas will make up material I will cover with students in the fall as part of my follow-on plan. After workshops, it was off to meet with Mokosan (our prefecture leader) and the rest of the Itabashi-ku team. We discussed activities for next week while we were in Itabashi and got spokespeople for each school visit. We also got more information on our home visit and our ryokan stay (traditional Japanese inn). We are the only group going to see the Hakone valley which is the area around Mt. Fuji. AWESOME!

My evening was spent nagivating the subway to Harajyuku. This is a shopping district with a HUGE 100 yen store, Oriental Bazar and kimono/yukata store. Here I am with some of my purchases outside the 100 yen store. I have to staqy out of the 100 yen stores now - they are too dangerous. Dinner was in Harajyuku and then the subway home. We move hotels on Sunday (your Saturday) in anticipation of our university visit.

Arigato (thank you) for reading my blog. Hope you are enjoying seeing a little of what I am up to this week. I am reading everyone's comments, but can't respond to comment postings from here.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is our only free day and I am going with two other people to Nikko. This is an Edo Period town about 3 hours in the country outside Tokyo. We are taking a rapid transit train early in the morning and coming back on the last train of the day to maximize out time. There are many shrines to see and temples to visit. This is also a national park area and we will see the mountains, lake and several dramatic waterfalls.

Oyasuminasai (good night - 10:30 pm Tokyo time)

Timsan

Believe It or Not

2006-06-15T05:26:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not - I met the Minister of Education in person. Shook his hand and everything. We went to the Diet today. This is Japan's version of Congress. We saw school kids for the first time taking a field trip and we also got to see the House of Representatives. Here is my question though ---- if they call their assembly of politicians the Diet, what do they call a diet to lose weight? Of course, I have yet to see anyone that is overweight, but surely there is a word for it. These are the life changing thoughts I have at 10 pm at night. In front of the Diet is a small grove of trees made up of gifts from all the prefectures. It was interesting to see all the various forms that trees can take in Japan in one place.

After the Diet, we went to Asakusa. On the way, we passed the Emperor's palace. The largest green space in all Tokyo and only two people live there. You would think with all that room, they would have at least invited us in for tea. No way ------ they have the Imperial Household Agency to run the place and it looked to hold a small army of servants----but no tea. Maybe our invites got lost in the mail. In Asakusa, we toured a shrine and temple. The difference between these two is that a shrine is Shinto (original Japanese religion) and a temple is Buddism (imported from mainland China). This was one happening place. People come to pray. Check out Japanese daycare coming to the temple. Aren't the green hats cute? First they cleanse themselves with water drawn from a flowing fountain. They wash their hands and mouths. Then they progress to the incense which they wash before themselves to cleanse. Then they enter the temple to pray and offer money to the gods of the temple. Lunch was outside the temple at a tempura restaraunt. Check out the food.

In the afternoon, we heard from two Diet members (one from the House of Representatives and another from the House of Counselors). After a short break, we got to hear about Japanese economics. Did you know that pachinco (game) is one of the largest service industries in this nation? And we don't see the Japanese as fun. There are pachinco parlors on virtually every block in the business district. Stress relief or work avoidance, you decide.

At the conclusion of the day, Sunmark Publishing gave all 200 of us presents. Three books to take home by noted Japanese writer, Kenji Miyazawa. Very cool!

Finally, I went with Bob Clubbs, another JFMFer to the Kabuki-Za Theatre where we saw, Migawari Zazen (The Zen Subsititute). We rounded off the evening with a trip to Mickey D's to see how it compares to home. Very close, but portions are smaller and mayo is more like yogurt. All for now, I got Skype installed on my computer (thanks again Mom and Dad) so I can call home over the internet. Way cool! Lorna says it was 104 at home - keep cool guys and make sure you water my tomatoes.

Sayonora,

Tim Lowke

Crazy, Busy Day One in Japan

2006-06-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

It was a crazy, busy day in Japan. If you read the last post, (there is another posted from today), you have the scoop so far. Yes, read it, there is good stuff there. I would not tell you a lie. Heeeeeey! Just read it.
Anyway, I went to bed at 10:30 pm and promply woke up at 3:40 am. Guess what, the sun was coming up----- yes, the sun------so I went ahead and got out of bed and went running around the Imperial Guesthouse. Once I got back, it was time for a shower and breakfast. JFMF staff had us sit in our state groups this morning which means my first breakfast in Japan was with TEXANS! Take a look at my plate. There are potatoes, green beans, seaweed, salmon (shows up at alot of meals), japanese salad, eel, a slice of pork, miso soup, rice, Japanese omlette (which tastes like corn pudding) and lost more. The breakfast emphasis is on vegetables. And we wonder why Japanese people outlive our population by several decades on average. There are LOTS of choices each meal.
Our morning was spent with a keynote speech on the state of Japanese education by the President of the National Institution of Academic Degrees. In a nutshell, they experience many of the same issues and challenges that American education possesses. Lots of data on their compulsatory schools. Very interesting stuff if you teach for a living. Very dry if you don't. Then when he was done, guess what, we ate again. Yes, another buffet. I feel like I am on a cruise of sorts. Eat, eat, eat. So much for the Japanese weight loss theory.
After lunch, which was REALLY good, we got to learn about the No Theatre and Kabuki Theatre. Performers from the National Theatre came and gave us a first-hand lesson by perfroming two pieces and having the Kabuki actor, put on her makeup and kimono for us. This took most of the afternoon, but it was really a wonderful experience that most Japanese don't get to experience.
Next there was a reception (see previous post) with more food and drink. Afterwards, several of us went to the 100 yen store (think dollar store on steriods) and bought some funny Japanese items for students and family, etc...
Tomorrow, I am getting up at 4:30 am and going to the Tsukiji Fish Market before breakfast. It is supposed to be smelly and visually incrediable. We are also going to ride the subway back during rush hour and get "pushed" in the cars with the rest of the Japanese commuters. Fun times. Stay tuned.

Tim Lowke

From Short and Sweet to the Longest Day Ever

2006-06-14T01:36:00.000-07:00

Ohayo gozaimasu (Good Morning). I say that because as I am writing this entry it is 3:34 am in Austin and 5:35 pm in Tokyo. We are on a break before our reception tonight with the American Ambassador to Japan and the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Technology. So much has gone on, I will try and catch you up.

We left San Francisco on Monday, flew 10 hours to Narita and arrived on Tuesday - crossing the dateline made us lose Monday night. Once at Nartia, we were greeted by the staff of JFMF and worked our way through Immigration and Customs. Once we collected all our luggage (here we are waiting on people), they bussed us to the hotel. We drove over an hour. Tokyo is majorily HUGE. Big, Big buildings everywhere you look. Here is our hotel. Can we say swank? We are staying in the Akasaka area of Tokyo, just down the street from the Diet, National Theatre and Imperial Guesthouse.

Staff advised us to try and make it to 10 pm Tokyo time so we could try and right our mixed up body clocks. After seeing our AWESOME rooms, we met Fulbright alumni for dinner. My Fulbrighter went to school at Boston University and is a Professor Emertis from Rissho University. She took five of us out to a typical Japanese dinner in the sixth floor of a building not far from our hotel. We had 9 courses which were served family style. Each course we were given tiny plates to eat off of and chopsticks. I had fried bean curd for the first time ---- it was very good. We also had chicken cut in small pieces, a Japanese salad with seaweed and pickled cabbage, noodles in a vinegar seawater with dried seaweed and green onion. There was also salmon. I have come to find out that salmon is VERY popular and appears at many meals including breakfast (more on that later). We finished dinner with green tea ice cream which is very different from our ice cream ---- it tastes more like sherbet without sugar. As we were parting, she asked me if I was interested in an international art exchange project that she is a part of in her home city. SCORE!!! This is part of my follow-on plan. She also gave me a stack of origami paper that is beautiful and much thicker than what I can get at home. Kids, guess what we will be working with in the fall. She left us to our own devices and we walked around VERY tired and amazed at the city. Many people were only leaving the office and it was 9 pm! This is evidently very typical. Many people then go hangout with friends before going home. We stumbled onto FedEx Kinkos and they left me to email and do the short previous entry. It was really weird as the keyboard has a number of written languages on it and some keys are in different places, thus some funny spelled words. It was home and nighty night after that excursion. That is all for this entry. Check the next one for my day on Wednesday. Love and best wishes to all. Reed I hope you like today's pictures.

Mata aimasho (We shall meet again)

Tim Lowke

Short and Sweet

2006-06-13T05:31:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. This is a really short entry because I have now been up for like two days and have lost the night crossing the international dateline. Today was the longest plane flight I have ever taken. 10 hours from San Francisco to Narita in Tokyo. I am at a Kinkos using a Japanese keyboard, so excuse spelling errors becuase I cannot figure out wireless service yet. More information later as I just need some rest. Your day is my night. Good night everyone. Stay tuned.

Tim Lowke

The Adventure Begins

2006-06-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

Konnichiwa (Hello), Today the adventure begins. 4 am came realllllllllly early so that I could make my flight out of Austin Bergstrom (ABIA). Yes, boys and girls of CTMS, I did say 4 am. I know alot of you may not know that time exists especially in the summer. If you are anything like my son Lane, 11 am is more your rise and shine time. I got on board at ABIA and journeyed three hours to San Francisco, California. I was one of the first ones in. Remember there are 199 other teachers converging on this city all bent on going to Japan. Ethan was our guy from JFMF. He got 30 of us loaded on a bus and sent us off to the hotel.

We are staying close to the airport because we have to get up reallllllly early again tomorrow to fly for at least 9 hours to Japan. We leave on Monday and because we cross the international date line, we actully get to Japan on Tuesday at 4:30 pm. Anyway, once we got to the hotel, we had an awesome lunch and met lots of people we only knew through email. Try making 200 new friends at once! It is hard to keep everyone straight. After lunch, there were presentations (student intrepretation - classes with speakers) for the remainder of the afternoon. We gots lots of information including: Don't lose your nametag or you will be in BIG trouble, and be on time everywhere you go. Unlike Americans, the Japanese are very punctual. If the bus leaves at 8:30 am and you show up at 8:31 am, you will be finding another way to the airport. Gotta be on time! We also got an agenda for the entire trip. People, I am talking about each day, scheduled to the minute in advance. And for those campers who thought this with a free vacation - I am here to tell you that I will be working alot - not to mention all while wearing a tie.

We also got information on our host families. Mine is Mr. and Mrs. Kiyoshi Wakabayashi of Itabashi-ku, Tokyo prefecture. I don't know much about them yet, but they probably don't speak English - can we say 24 hours of Pictionary? Good thing I can draw well. We also got to hear from some past participants who shared their experiences with us and answered questions. Here we all are waiting for the next session to start. Any of your CTMS teachers will tell you that teachers in general make bad students. We don't always listen well as you can see from this picture - everybody is talking.
When all the speakers had shared, we broke and went to our rooms to change clothes for dinner. Only business wear from now on. Jeans and sneakers are totally prohibited. Japan is a very formal society and teachers are highly looked upon. We were told this afternoon to get used to being the center of attention. When we visit our prefectures, the Japanese papparatzi will be on us and we will appear in the local papers. The schools we visit will have special performances and assemblies in our honor. The clouds will part before us and the light will shine through....... OK, I made that part up. We will meet with local city, prefecture and national leaders. In essence, we will be celebrities. You can all say you knew me when..... and there will probably be no living with me when I get back. Once you have had papparatzi, there is no going back! Do you think I can get Mrs. Negrete to hire me someone to handle my newfound fans? Probably not in the budget. Oh well----- can't blame a guy for trying.
Seriously, evidently teachers have a high role in Japanese society which explains why many of our speakers in the coming week will be for the top ranks of Japanese government. It would be like having Condolezza Rice speak to us. Now that is cool!
At the end of the day, we had a VERY nice banquet. See us all in our dress best. This is how I have to dress for the next three weeks folks. No shorts and sandals for this Texas boy ----- oh no-----ties and jackets rule in Japan. Well, it is very late and my roomie tonight is already sleeping so gotta go! Love to all in Leander, Flower Mound and Corpus. CTMS Cougar artists, hope you are tuning in! Send me some love and comments people - I may really like this Japan gig ----- I know you want me to return. Let me feel the love. I know I like to travel, but I do love home. I leave you all with this parting thought for today. Ich-i-go Ich-i-eh which means "Treasure every moment for it may never return." That is what I am hoping to do these next weeks and I explore Japan for myself and my students, community and family.

Sayanora,
Tim Lowke

Consul-General of Japan + More

2006-06-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

Yeah, here I am in my new, somewhat bright professional wear ready to leave for Houston. Yes, Tuesday, June 6th was an interesting day. I was invited to a reception for the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholars given by the Consul-General of Japan in Houston, Yoshihiko Kamo and his wife. I drove to Houston and was greeted at the home Mr. Kamo and his wife along with consulate staff. I don't know if I have ever been to an event that I did not know at least one person. This reception gave me a taste of what the next few weeks will be like as I will be thrown in with 200 total strangers in a new culture and country. Talk about needing to make instant friends. Several speakers during the course of the reception spoke on the JFMF program and the wonderful experience that we as participants were about to embark upon. I was able to meet other members of the June Cycle and we compared packing notes. More on packing in a later entry ----- packing to go on this trip has become an experience unto itself. The evening events ended with a sushi buffet and informal discussion. This reception gave me just a small taste of some of the differences in culture and only has made me more excited for Sunday to get here and the plane to take-off. I am ready to quit preparation and move on the the main event!

Speaking on the main event, I spent much of this week taking pictures of local places and things I take for granted..... the round rock of Round Rock for example. I also went by and got materials from the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Leander Chamber of Commerce. Thanks for the free stuff to take to my host schools in Japan. I also got a few cougar pins from CTMS to give students in Japan. It will be very interesting to see what schools are like outside the United States and how different or similar classrooms halfway around the world from one another really are!

Tim Lowke

Last Day of School

2006-05-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

Today was the last day of school with students. Everyone is glad it is summer, but I will miss seeing and working with many of my students. Now I can begin planning in full for my trip to Japan. I have been getting more excited each day since I found out I was a Japan Fulbright Memorial Teacher Fund Scholar (JFMF). I leave June 11th to join 200 other educators from across the nation in experiencing Japan for over three weeks!

My students at Chisholm Trail Middle School in Round Rock ISD are excited to participate in this adventure through my blog and other activities I have planned to share this experience with them.

I am currently in the process of reworking my follow-on plan for JFMF to support this study, figuring out how to get my business card produced in Japanese, finding the right clothes and selecting gifts for my host family. The next few days will be very busy, stressful and exciting.

I hope everyone in my school and home community will monitor my travel and post comments / questions as I go to the East for the first time in my life and learn about that culture.

Tim Lowke