Chopsticks Anyone?

******The favorite game system is Wii!!!!!!

When I looked at the schedule for today, it was pretty empty except for a meeting with Tama City Superintendent and a chopstick making workshop. However, that was not the case. One of the best things about doing this blog is that I can review my day by looking at the pictures I took. A friend, Aaron from Minnesota, told me about a new way to put the pictures on and I'll be trying it soon. I have downloaded the program, I just need to work on using it correctly. Until then... This is a picture of Aaron exchanging meishi (business cards) with a school board member. The correct way to do it is to turn the card so that your name is readable to the receiver. NEVER, EVER put the card in your back pocket or quickly stow it. Never, write on it....at least, while they are within your sight!

This morning I slept in until 7 am! The sun rises here really early (like 4-ish) and it is hard to sleep. I guess that is why Japan is called the "Land of the Rising Sun." I have really heavy curtains at this hotel, so they helped. I dressed in "professional walking clothes" and went to breakfast. Let me tell you about a typical Japanese breakfast. It includes vegetables (usually steamed broccoli and cauliflower), fish, seaweed, rice, soup, salad with dressing, breads and fruits. They do have some sort of egg, potato, and limp bacon-ish meat too.
We started off with a walk to the Parthenon. It is modeled after "the" Parthenon. It is a stone structure that is the entry to a beautiful park. The park is much like Central Park is in NYC...a big green space in the middle of a big city. (Let me clarify, however, that Tama City is a much slower-paced city than Tokyo). We walked through some trees to a pond and old, old house. It is called the Tmizawa House. It was reconstructed on this site facing a different direction. It was originally built in the late 1700s they think. There are only a few nails in the entire house. It is all notched together. Wherever there is a nail, the nail has been covered by a sun symbol. The are intricate carvings of carp on the pillars and frame. In this house, we first removed our shoes (of course). Something to note, so far, someone has always turned our shoes around before we leave so we can step right into them. We were seated on the tatami mats and were treated to a tea ceremony. It was very beautiful to watch how they made the tea, served the tea cake, served the tea, ate/drank, and then cleaned their tea bowls. The tea was a green tea and the cake (very small) was made of sugar, rice flour, and soybeans. You eat it before you drink the tea. It tasted like very dry frosting. The napkin is placed on your left hand and the bowl of tea is placed on top of it. With your right hand, you turn the bowl and run your finger around the top to find the best place to drink the tea. In three and one half sips (large sips) you drink the tea...guiding the bowl with your right hand. After finishing, you wipe the rim of your bowl with the napkin, fold the napkin, and tuck in your shirt, kimono, pocket, etc. It was really a lovely event.

From there, we went to the Tama City Museum. We went into the Magical Music Room where they had many unique instruments. All of them played without a person. They were all old and most were made in the US. They were "priceless." We were able to listen to quite a few of them.

We loaded onto the bus and headed to the Blue Lotus for lunch...salad, spaghetti, salmon, cake, and fruit. I didn't even take a picture because I ate it too fast.

From there, we went to the school administration building. We were told not to jump around too much because the building would shake! We met with the superintendent of Tama City schools and some of his staff. He told us about his school system and then we asked questions. They had questions for us too...and it seems that our problems and successes are very similar. One thing that I heard for the second time was the term "Monster Parent." I asked for a definition of a Japanese Monster Parent and the supervisor said that they also call these parents "Helicopter Parents." These are parents who hover over the school, watch everything that is going on and if they don't like it, jump in right away. The guy in this picture reminded me a lot of Dr. Koonce.
We were treated to something that turned out to be so much fun. Two men from Obama City (they commented on the "famous" name) came to show us how to make laquered chopsticks. 40% of people use their hands only to eat, 30% use chopsticks and 30% use knives, forks, and spoons. They company makes 80% of the laquered chopsticks sold. Most Japanese people have their personal chopsticks at home...much like one would have their own toothbrush. The chopsticks that this company makes are made from bats that professional baseball players have cracked in a game. I have noticed that this society is really conscious of recycling, reusing, and reducing their waste.

So, we were all given a set of chopsticks and taught the correct way to use them. Now, I really can't use them! There is a correct size for each person. We were shown how to measure for our own chopsticks and then we cut them to the right size, sand the top so it was round, and then painted them. We all addressed an envelope to ourselves and in a couple of weeks, the company will send us our chopsticks. They are going to laquer them. I used HMS colors and wrote my name in Japanese. It was a lot of fun.

Tomorrow, we are going to an elementary school and talking to a group of parents. I am giving the opening remarks (thanks for the help Mom!) I hope these are not "Monster Parents!"