Teaching English in Japan :)

My personal experience of teaching english in Japan started off pretty strange. One day I was walking back to my host parents house on a hot day, I was a sweaty mess, my hair was in a big lazy bun on my head, glasses on, and the sweat it was really really bad.. but as I was walking a Japanese man pulled his car over right next to me out of nowhere!
He asked me several times, "do you speak english?? do you speak english??"
I told him I did and he offered me a job at his international preschool teaching english.
I was immediately stoked! A job teaching English, playing with cute kids, and a way to encourage these youngsters to expand their horizons and teach them about America.

So thats how i started working at
 スカイ インターナショナル プレスクール Skye International Preschool :)

http://www.skyein.com/

My class of Japanese Students :)

 This is my class of students! I taught 4 times a week, i would teach basic english to the youngest students (2,3,4 years old) and we would sing songs in english and practice colors, animals, and emotions. It was very fun going to this school because the students loved english and America :) They loved it when I told them new worlds or would say very American things like 'you're silly!' and 'you smell like a pig!' my students loved calling each other animals and our animal games were their favorite part of my lessons.

We taught the students geography and about other countries because their were teachers at this school from all over the world. In this picture above was my coworker Aunrag, he was from India. In the top picture was another teacher named Pingo and he was from Africa. The students were shown flash cards of the flags from each country, and we also had art activities were we made big flags from all over the world.

I was lucky to be asked to teach at this international school. Students and teachers here all loved teaching and learning about the world and all the unique properties each culture of their own has :)

Top Celebrties in Japan

 Japanese celebrities?! Goodie! Everyone secretly stalks the untalented, yet beautiful disasters of the spotlight, and Japan is definitely in when it comes to pumping out good looking young people for the sake of money. Though, not all the celebrities on my list will be actual people; as Japan is the mecca of animation, it wouldn't be complete without some of their animated heroes. Japan idolizes some pretty odd beings(as maybe the rest of world thinks of our Paris Hiltons, and Charlie Scheens) But it I guess it all comes down to our cultural differences.

AKB48 is the worlds largest Girl group with an astounding 158 members. I assume it started at 48... Originated in Akihabara in Tokyo, where they got their name, were instantly popular. A group of young, pretty women, all in matching outfits singing cute songs. This is Japan. AKB48 merch, advertisements, and music! is hard to miss. The youngest member is 13 and the oldest is in her mid-twenties. Member's last long, as the group is afraid they will grow old and frail within a year so they have to send them off to a retirement home after a few shows. Actually that's not completely true.

Here's one of their most famous songs "Heavy rotation" just watched it, pretty scandalous for Japan! 

 Now for not only a Japanese celebrity but the first "Anime Ambassador" of Japan. Doraemon! The great and powerful time traveling cat. This funny looking feline is pretty much Japans mascot. Not very cute(astonishing!) but none the less, hes extremely popular. He was created back in 1969, so not only is he not cute but hes old! His purpose in life(in his anime/manga) is traveling back in time and teaching a young boy by the name of Nobi life lessons. Doraemon has won countless awards, has a manga, anime, movie, modeling contracts/sponsorships, charity organizations, and even a musical. As you see, he has a major following and represents for Japan. Respect him because he has no ears.

Next up is someone you could recognize, this little fella spawns form the most popular anime in Japan, and because he is the only fairly cute thing in it, has succeeded in becoming the most loved character. I'm talking about One Pieces very own, Chopper! These animated characters in Japan gain so much popularity its incredible! Every child loves chopper because hes cute, and adults love him because hes cute, and badass. Because hes apart of a pirate team in one piece, he needs to be able to kick some ass and he proves quite worthy. When hes not busy being cute, he can transform into a big beast form of himself and is pretty strong. Tony Tony Chopper, the moose to rule them all.

 I should try to add in more actual human-being celebrities, but its hard. Japan really has a thing for these animated critters. Hentai. So the next celebs are not crazy popular like chopper, doreamon, or AKB48 but non the less deserve a spot on this list for their neatness. Golden Bomber is a punk rock comedy band that actually doesn't really play music. None of them can play any instruments, they just "air" play and other people play for them. I'm serious. These guys are known for being so un-Japanese and doing the most outrageous things. They just wanted to be popular...


Kumamon
Kyari

Nagasaki: The Historical Hub of Japan

The city of Nagasaki on the west side of the island of Kyushyu is the cultural hub of Japan. When most people hear Nagasaki they think of Pearl Harbor and the atomic bombings of this city; however what most people don't know is that when Japan went through an isolation period of 200 years, Nagasaki was the only port in which anyone could enter or leave the nation.

From about 1641-1853 the Tokugawa shogunate enforced an isolation law that was made to keep outside people's and industrialization out of japan and from threatening Japan's livelihood at the time. 

Because of this long period of isolation in most parts of Japan, Nagasaki was inhabited with lots of worldly growth. Settlers, explorers, missionaries, and scholars came from all over the world to learn of Japan's culture, and to spread knowledge of their own. Most notably the Portuguese and Dutch had a large influence on Japan at this time because of their medicinal/industrial knowledge but also the Portuguese's brought Christianity to Japan as well during this time. 

The atomic bomb that the USA targeted Nagasaki with was purposeful in destroying such a historical city of Japan. The devastation of the 1945 "fat man" atomic bomb can still been seen thought the city today. The atomic bomb museum dedicated to preserving the memory and the people who lost their lives to the bomb and its after affects is located exactly where the bomb originally hit. 

Nagasaki is an amazing city with an extremely cultured past and present. This city was home to the emperor at one time, was the only port in japan open for 200 hundred years to the rest of the world, and was victim to second and last atomic bomb to ever be bombed for real. For these reasons I believe Nagasaki to be the most historically important city in Japan. 

Top 5 places to see in Nagasaki!

The city of Nagasaki, the city of slopes, has many historical sights, top cityscape views in the world, staple foods, and unique cultural events :) because Nagasaki is so amazing I made it a goal to see everything (and eat everything) on my travels when I stayed there for my year-long study abroad. The things I have chosen are the things that were most fun, beautiful, and seen as a must by the locals.

1. The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

The atomic bomb museum is a must see for locals and foreigners alike. The devastation caused by the atomic bomb is out of this world and horrifying. The Nagasaki city website says that the museum serves as a powerful reminder of the true nature of nuclear weapons and of the pressing need for world peace. Seeing what it was like for the people in the vicinity of the explosion after the bomb is well documented in this museum, the struggles some people went through to survive, and a representation of the destruction caused to this area in Japan. Close to the museum is Nagasaki's peace park. Also a symbolism of peace after the bomb.

2. Mt. Inasa sights!
Mountain Inasa is a hill to the west of Nagasaki in which all of Nagasaki and its boat harbor can be seen from. There is a rope way travelers take from the shrine at the bottom of the hill to the top. Your view from the top is breathtaking. The night cityscape view is what made mt. Inasa famous, making it one of the top views in the world to see at night!

3. Pray for luck at Suwa Shrine

Suwa Shrine is the biggest Shinto shrine in Nagasaki. Not only is this place enormous but it's very traditional, old, and all major festivals and Shinto related events always have a celebration at the shrine. However, to get to this shrine please be in shape! The stairs are never ending and the only only water at the top in cleansing water :D

4. Seaside park, Dejima
Seaside park outside of the Dejima wharf is an amazing park that always has its fountains on, grass green, and families playing around it. The park is located right on the seaside and there is no better place to stop and relax. Big festivals like hanabi, and kunchi are celebrated here

5. Glover Gardens
Is a park in Nagasaki that was built for Thomas Blake Glover because of his work in shipbuilding , coal mining and other fields. The gardens are built on a hillside in an area with old restored Meiji period European homes. One of the most unforgettable aspects of these gardens is the giant koi pound at the top of the hill, a pound with hundreds of funny koi dying to play, is a dream here that needs to be experienced :)