Feb 03
leesaBABBLE, Observations
So last week.. I found a cell phone (Keitai in Japanese) on the crosswalk near my apartment. I stood there for a bit, contemplating what I should do. “Should I bring it to the police? But I don’t know where it is. Should I bring it to the cell phone shop? Hmmmm… I don’t know the nearest one for this provider. Should I call it? Crap, I don’t speak Japanese.” hahaha so I just decided to pick it up and wait till they called. So maybe 30 minutes later, they called. I asked if they understood english. “Eigo wakarismasu ka?” She replied, “Uhhh ehhhh,” and hung up haha. So then I asked an SFC sister (Thanksss Mayy!) to call the number and talk for me. She chopped it up with her and then I met the girl at the convenient store nearby. I told some students this story and they pretty much reacted the same, “Wow! You’re really kind” They told me that people here wouldn’t do that because they’re scared the person might be dangerous or something so they usually just bring it to the police. That, of course, would’ve been the smartest thing to do. But I’m not smart nor do I speak Japanese haha so ohhh well.
Ok.. let’s talk about trains. Obviously since most people don’t have cars here in Tokyo… trains are the #1 mode of transportation. Rush hours are horrendous, especially on the line I take now. Seriously… I hate it, ESPECIALLY when it’s raining because, it’s SUUPERR musty inside the train! The heat is on, there’s moisture everywhere, people are sweaty and standing, oh what do ya know, 1 millimeter away from you… BLEGH. When I first moved here, I said I’d never fall asleep on the train. Boy, was I wrong. I totally do now! haha well it’s more like half-sleeping. I used to be so dumbfounded at how people would sleep on the train and then when it was their stop, they woke up and got out. I can now achieve this. How do you ask? I have absolutely no clue. However, what I have not achieved and which I do not think I can achieve, is falling asleep while STANDING. Yes, that’s right folks, they fall asleep while standing on the train. It’s amazing! haha Ohhh.. and during rush hour in the morning, there are platform attendants that push people into the train. See pictures below. Yes that’s happens, forreal, everyday.
I didn't take this picture.
I also didn't take this picture
I have 2 new roommates! I live in a share apartment. So they just moved in last week. One girl speaks English, hooray! The other only speaks a little. I haven’t had THAT much interaction yet. But I’ve been pretty mindful on being cleaner than usual in the common areas. It’s like college all over again, except these girls are not my friends and I’m pretty sure we won’t fight. HAHA (Hi Huntington Hotties!)
Okay I promise I will post a blog with pictures of my apartment and the area near my apartment once I organize my room to my liking.
Philippines in 8 daysss!
Jan 25
leesaObservations, Pictures, Reflections
Today was the CFC Leaders’ Gathering for Japan. I was in charge of the Kids! (surprise, surprise right? haha) Anyway, I was super excited (and so were CFC, SFC, etc) because it was like the first KFC activity to have for all of Japan. So I got these talks from Manila, had a whole program script and I even bought prizes! We start trying to teach a song to the kids (Superhero)… and oh man, from the beginning, it was difficult because 1) HUGE age gap.. I mean there were 2 year olds to 14 year olds, 2) Japanese kids’ personalities (I’d elaborate, but my brain isn’t functioning as well as I’d like it to right now), and 3) I don’t speak Japanese.
Praise the Lord for the team though! SFC and YFC! (who are bi-lingual! and good at English haha) They reeeeally held it down. The YFC took the older ones and did separate activities. They were the ones who took initiative. (I really miss working with the youth, btw). I was intending to do 2 activities, but I only ended up teaching 2 songs. It was sooo tiring. Seriously. They had to perform these 2 songs after Communion during the Mass. I was the only person who knew the actions and the songs so I used the mp3’s to teach them. However, during their presentation, the computer wasn’t playing the songs! Soooo I had to play the songs on the guitar in front of everyone. I just walked over to the Music Ministry, “Can I use the guitar?” OH MAN. I WAS FREAKING NERVOUS. Why?! Well, I was the only one singing! And I was playing the guitar at the same time! In front of people! Like 200 people! :O I kept messing up ahhaha but I also told everyone “I think I’m the only one who knows the lyrics so bare with me. Please clap along! Ok here we go” We did Superhero then Every Move I Make. The kids were great! There were a few who particularly enjoyed it (see pictures below). SFC was great because they stood in front of the kids to show them the actions (from what they remembered haha). And as I started playing the songs, the Music Ministry started playing with me! WOOHOO! It ended up going well. (except for the fact that they really only played games and did whatever they wanted except for when we taught those 2 songs haha sigh)
After… I went back to the Kids’ Room because some kids went there during the praisefest. We played on Photobooth and they asked me to play the guitar again. (In Japanese haha I had one of the YFC’s translate for me) Seeing those 2 kids enjoy the songs and become my friend made the day ALL worthwhile. It wasn’t the greatest first step for KFC here in Japan, but it was a step. And that’s what matters.
Some people came up to me and told me I’m good at the guitar. (Technically, “galing mo sa guitar!”) Seriously… I don’t think so. Maybe they think “good at the guitar.. for a girl” but then just don’t say the girl part? haha Then a Tita said “Lisa! I didn’t know you were so talented!” Ehhhhhhhh… they should meet my friends! Because they are MUCH more talented than I am! (Props to my blog roll! haha) 
I was able to talk to a youth from another part of Japan and he was quite open with me, for some odd reason. He shared about his frustrations in life (not necessarily in detail, but just being Japanese/Filipino/a Catholic/a YFC). I can see his passion is there for service, but I can also see he REALLY needs someone to pastor to him so he doesn’t get burnt out or discouraged. I hope I can help him! I could feel his desire to make YFC grow. I told him I wanted to have a youth camp. We are going to try and have one for the different areas in Japan! (I really hope this can push through before the summer.. and fyi, there really isn’t YFC here in Japan).
Makoto! I had to say his name a million times to get him to stop being malicut. He was so fun. He kept talking to me in Japanese though haha. I kept saying “Nihongo wakarimasen!” which is, “I don’t understand Japanese.”
Yurika! She speaks Japanese and Tagalog. She kept trying to talk to me in both. Naturally, I didn’t understand her MOST of the time. haha But she was really sweet and cute. She wanted to eat dinner with me and she kept singing “Every Move I Make” to me while doing the actions. (Ok maybe it was only the NANANANA part but still! haha)
Makoto has like NO teeth on top haha. You can’t see it in this picture, but you can see it in the one above. I think that made him cuter.
Dec 28
leesaObservations, Reflections
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how I’ve been trying to post a playlist of some kick ass music and came to the conclusion that wordpress sucks because they don’t allow flash. BOO! You’re just gonna have to enjoy this one track.
My Christmas is blessed. On Christmas eve, I went to mass at 9pm. (It was technically the Midnight Mass. Since most people in Tokyo don’t have cars and have to take the train, mass is at 9 so people can catch the trains. The last trains are usually around/before midnight.) It was beautiful. The birth of our Lord! How can it NOT be beautiful. I saw some of these teachers who work at another school so I approached them after mass to say Merry Christmas. I saw one of them a few days later and asked if she normally goes to the parish, but she said, “Oh actually, no I don’t. We just wanted to hear some caroling and we ended up in the front.” I’m not even sure if they were catholic, but it was a good mass so I’m glad they went regardless.
I was praying for the priest during the Mass because usually, and I’m not trying to be a jerk, the homilies are quite boring. Boring as in… I get sleepy practically every Sunday boring. There were loads of people so I kept praying that the homily would be awesome, and it was! Maybe Fr. Callistus upped his game because he knew there were new and old people there. haha but it was good! Sadly, I got sleepy today haha. :S
After Christmas mass, I went to this apartment where a Tita in HOLD lives. She doesn’t own the joint, but her employer travels back and forth from the states so she’s always allowed to have community over. It was super because HOLD cooked and, of course, the food was deliiiciiouus! Steak, ham, turkey, stuffing…. and of course, desserts! I had to leave right after I ate though to catch the last train home.
I really like my parish. I talk to the parishioners I see often and I don’t think I’ve ever done that before (in my life), unless I knew the people from outside church. I’ve been able to attend a few church functions so that has enabled me to build relationships and I’m super thankful because I don’t feel like just a church drone. Experiencing that sense of community within church is kind of new to me, but it’s great! I mean, in the past, of course I loved the parish I grew up in. I loved it because I grew up in it haha, and it was homey, not necessarily because I was active in church functions/ministries.
CRAP. I wanted to blog about something earlier. OH wait I just remembered! haha
Japanese people are so straight-faced. Seriously… non-emotional faces, especially when they’re by themselves. I, on the other hand, am the complete opposite. HAHA I’m usually smiling or grooving to some muUUUsic. (Yeah they don’t even groove). Girls wear booty shorts/skirts in the winter. I can’t fathom it. It’s COLD! Okay granted they have socks/shirts that like create heat. (Yeah HOW these articles of clothing achieve that, I have no clue. The Japanese I tell ya). But STILL! I think Japanese would be hotter if they all got braces. HAHA not to be COMPLETELY superficial. But a lot of people always smile with their mouths closed, well DUH, get braces so you can show yo grill!
Seeing all the cute halfie babies everywhere makes me want halfie babies. But for some reason, I don’t think I’ll have halfies, sadly.
I’m just rambling now so I’m gonna stop.
It’s my goal to upload my HOLGA film. So stay tuned for that!
p.s. hi cheryl and arlene! haha =)
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