Pretty (expensive) Kimono!

MONDAY, AUGUST 30

I stumbled out of bed exhausted. I had used an online train schedule (in English, god bless the internet!) and looked up the time I'd need to catch my train the night before. As luck would have it, I missed the rapid service by two minutes and had to take the local, which meant I got in about 5 minutes late to Nishi. See, as part of getting to school, I take the train, then walk for half an hour. I would also like to point out that it was over 100 today. On the bright side, I didn't get lost, got to where I wanted, and walked past a castle.

Oh, on the train, there was a girl with the most interesting Engrish bag. I did seriously consider asking if she'd let me photograph it, but I thought that might be seen as creepy. I can't remember it all now, but it was something about South Carolina and even managed to get the word “repugnant” in there, although I don't think the writer knew what it meant.

Also, people stare at me all the time here. And it's disconcerting. I know it's probably because I'm a gaijin, but it does mean that I start second guessing myself when people blatantly stare. (I had a guy at the store this weekend give me FOUR double takes. I counted.) That's when I start looking to see if I have a hole in my shirt, food on my face, forgot to put on pants...

I got to school sat at my desk and started sorting thing. Eventually, one of the teachers came over and said she was surprised to see me so early, apologizing, because she wasn't expecting me since she'd said I didn't have to be here until 10am. I do not remember this conversation, but I wish I did, because I was certainly chugging the caffeinated tea during much of my day there. Honestly, I feel like a lot gets lost in translation.

I met the other English teacher I'll be working with and had a quick chat with him. He seems young. And he's only been working here since April. But, I've given up on guessing ages in Japan.

The teachers looked over my lesson plan. They said it was good, but they would never say it was bad. I've asked bluntly for suggestions, but they really haven't offered any. I do personally think it's decent. So, we'll see how it goes. The main thing now will be that I have to make up my self-introduction powerpoint.

I ate lunch with only one teacher asking about my food. They let me go early, and I was glad of it. Got home and took a nap, although it was fitful with the heat and a heavy rainstorm that felt wonderful misting in through my open screen before I realised the tatami probably couldn't handle it.

Also, today is the first time I've ever taken a bath as cold as the water would go and still couldn't get cool. Really... if I'd had ice cubes (and I don't, since my stock pile was unfortunately melted when I forgot to put the tub BACK in the freezer after de-icing it) I would have started dumping them in. Really, 100 degrees and humid is HOT. And walking over a mile from Nishi to the train station meant that I was dripping sweat in a most unglamourous manner.

I had some leftover curry for dinner... I really need to figure out how to intensify the curry and spices, although I might gamble that that would just involve dumping more in. I fried up some more tofu to go with it. Really... I'm getting fond of tofu. Maybe it's because, unlike everything else here, it's actually pretty cheap.

Then I went to the kimono school. Mama had said she was planning to go, but she never showed up. I admit, as brave as I am, I wish she'd been there. The two teachers were quite nice, but my Japanese is barely worse than their English.

I did end up signing up for classes. And they ended up being pricier than I expected. See, the classes are only $100 and they loan you a kimono and an obi for class (those can be pricey!) but you have to buy your own undergarments (which makes sense... who wants used undergarments?) But, with a kimono, this is quite complex. So, my whole undergarment kit (which includes numerous pads and strings, and ropes and socks and such) is $300. I've heard as much from Mochi at SCA back home and I had been considering buying it anyway, so I just swallowed hard. It does mean, though that I get to keep these lovely items, which will be nice.

Much of the talking was in Japanese, and I figure that what I worked out later, carefully, diligently, painfully, was probably covered by them, in more detail, briefly during the talks. Everyone knows I can't speak Japanese and I do feel a bit troublesome being in the class, but I have agreed to hand over a large amount of money and they have agreed to accept me in the class knowing I don't speak Japanese. If nothing else, I'll have a full-immersion setting in which to learn some Japanese.

We then tried tying little obis in the type of bow you use for a yukata. I'm happy to say that I knew this bow, roughly, from what Olivia had taught me. However, they were MUCH pickier with it than Olivia was. There were many careful folds and steps that we kind of glossed over. I'll be honest, I couldn't really tell a difference, but I'm not Japanese. Also, the bow was on my back. The interesting thing about not speaking Japanese, though is that the teachers treat me a bit like a child. I can watch and imitate, but they're much more likely to just lean over and do it for me, perhaps because I can't understand the spoken instructions. I will say that I prefer them being overly careful of me to completely ignoring me.

After I handed over $100 and got a recipt, I got to pick out a kimono to take home. I had the two senseis and another students mothering me during this process, holding different ones up to me and having me look in the mirror. My options were limited by the fact that I have to have a large-size kimono and there weren't many. Cursèd skinny, tiny Japanese women! Many of the large ones were plain, but I got a pretty dark pink one that's still rather mature looking. Not a child's kimono, for sure! Once I had chosen, one of the teachers, put it in a bag for me to take home, presenting it to me saying “present” which, I don't think it quite is. I have to return it in three months. I could have paid an extra $10 to rent a prettier kimono, but this one will do JUST FINE.

Stayed after a bit to attempt to talk to the teachers. They were quite friendly and we even laughed a great deal as we all struggled with foreign languages. Everything Olivia taught me has both been immensely useful and immediately vanished whenever I need it. All the more reason to study harder.

Got home and tried to calm down from spending (and promising to spend!) so much money. I have to be very careful from now on. I have ten days until my pay check and only about $250 left in cash. But, you know, I don't regret it. I'm quite excited for these classes to begin.

Ate some cookie dough. Chatted with Alan. Alan, unlike my parents, is actually caught up with this blog.