Take Care, Kids

I clocked out of work for the last time on July 25th at 6:15pm, moments after my coworkers surprised me with a cake. On it, was written (and I translate) "You've worked hard, Sean." It's a difficult translation, because there's no real exact way to interpret the words "otsukare sama desu."
 I think, as it was all happening, that I didn't feel the weight of the moment, so it was all I could do to smile and give my thanks. It didn't really feel like I was leaving.
But that was my graduation party.
 Maybe it's dawning on me very slowly, right now, how finite that moment was, and every moment before that. Until my very last class, I was hauling ass getting crying children into class, pushing them to try things they were afraid to do. I really hope they improve and grow strong, but I may not ever know that, given the circumstances. But I tell myself that, well, what ever happens, it's been a good run.

After three years and a half of watching children come in, grow, and leave, I'm quite happy with the bonds I've formed and connections I've made. I'm happy I was able to make children smile, if nothing else. But as one of my coworkers put it, even if the only thing we change in these kids' lives is to make them realize that there's a world outside of Japan and good people out there, then we've fulfilled our role in helping them grow, and everything asides from that is a bonus.
 I can't honestly say that I was a great teacher, or even a good one. Though I've earned the respect of my peers through hard work, I've worked alongside instructors who could make a child understand they were doing something wrong by simply looking into their eyes, or make a child they've never met before stop crying within a minute. I couldn't work such miracles. But I did study hard, and I did take my job seriously. In my first year, I would spend hours at home doing research on babies and early childcare so that I could better answer mothers' questions should any come up.

"Should I give milk to my baby from a glass bottle or plastic?"
"Either is fine if you don't mind the different weight, but avoid polycarbonate."
Maybe that was the extent of my skills as a children's fitness instructor, asides from my background in (self-taught) gymnastics.

But on that week before I left, as I informed parents I was moving back to Canada, I've had children latch on to me and hold me tight, look into my eyes and tell me they would miss me. I've had a mother thank me with tears running down her face. I've had parents change their schedules so they could squeeze in as many days with me as possible before I left, while others came in unscheduled to bring me gifts. And to some extent, it was so overwhelming that I couldn't put words to my thoughts.
 And as each child or parent did one of those things, it was all I could do to place my hand on my heart and smile, hoping that they understood the gesture to mean everything it did, even if I, myself, didn't know at the moment. But I do now.

 I feel your love.

 I came into Japan fresh out of college, with a degree but no self-confidence, and it was through the kids that I managed to build myself up, dare I say, even more than I had through all my years in school. No one had really looked up to me before I had started working with kids.
 So to some extent, maybe it's I who have grown the most from the experience.

 So thank you, babies, kids, parents, nannies. Thank you for placing your trust in me. Thanks for giving me second chances when I failed you. Thanks for sharing with me your worries and hopes and dreams, and for helping me understand them. Regardless of whether I ever see any of you again or not, I'll be thinking of you and about the men and women you become as the years go by. I consider you all to be unforgettable friends no matter the miles that may separate us.
 Take care, kids.

I'll Just Leave This Here

My company is making promotional videos and there's this kind of unspoken contest going between employees on who can be the most over the top without being inappropriate. These pop up sporadically on YouTube, if you look up "My Gym Japan."

The Darndest Things II

Another year and another list of amazing quotes from the kids (or about the kids!) at my workplace.

Coworker: It's time for introductions, everyone! I'll start with myself: my name is Mama.
Naoya (4yo): You're not Mama!
Coworker: Why not?
Naoya: Because Mama is, Mama is, Mama is, Mama is, Mama is, Mama is, Mama is a woman.

Daiki (9yo): (While on the high bar) Sensei, get me down!
Sean: Why, Daiki?
Daiki: My penis is all smooshed.

Coworker: So I heard something got smooshed last time, eh Daiki.
Daiki: HAHAHAHAH. *punches another kid in the crotch*

Sean: Jump really high and throw your arms up, like you want to punch the sky.
Yassu (5yo): I can jump so high I go into space.

Sean: This is how you do a proper push-up.
Yassu: I can do a million.

Sean: Okay everyone. This is a challenge round. Let's see who can dive over three bolsters.
Yassu: I can dive over twenty of those.

Khanya (5yo, boy, while cupping his Seongjun's face in his hands): You're beautiful, Seongjun.
Seongjun (5yo, boy): Yeah!

Sean: So if I ever drop by Korea, can I drive your car?
Seongjun: No. I will drive. I will drive when I am 75 years old. And I will die when I am 95 years old.

Nagi (3yo): ROAR.
Sean: Meow.
Nagi: ROAR.
Sean: Woof.
Nagi: ROAR.
Sean: Baaaaaah.
Nagi: ROAR.
Sean: Oink Oink.
Nagi: ROAR.
Sean: Honk.
Nagi: ROAR.
Sean: Toooooot.
Nagi: ROAR.
 This went on for a solid two minutes.

Coworker 1: She's so cute, isn't she? That girl, Nagi.
Sean: Nagi's a boy.

Coworker 2: I told Nagi's mom that she did a good job today.
Sean: Nagi's a boy.
Coworker: What? Shit!

Sean: Good boy, Nagi!
Ayumi (4yo): You're silly. Nagi's a girl.
Sean: Nagi's a boy.
(Nagi's mother looking dissatisfied in the corner.)

Coworker: Hey! What's your name?
Kazuto (4yo): Triceratops! (runs away.)

(Kazuto pushes his friend, who falls face first and lies on the mat crying.)
Sean: Kazuto, he's your friend. We don't hurt our friends, right?
Kazuto: (Goes on his knees and presses his butt against the wall as high as possible) I don't have any friends!

Sean: Who wants to try this first?
Maria (10yo): Me please!
Sean: Alright, let's go, Maria.
Maria: Oh, no...I thought Daiki would say it louder. I don't actually wan-
Sean: Oh just do it.
Maria: That's sad.

Maria: Wingardium Leviosuh.
Sean: It's "Leviosaaaahh."
Maria: Wait, you know about that video? It's disgusting.
Sean: What video?
Maria: Wait, oh, never mind.
Sean: Swish and flick.
Maria: So you do know!
Sean: What?
Maria: Wait...what? Never mind.
I totally know about the video.

 

Battle Trophies

These are a few things I've received from kids over the last year, which was my second year at the same job at My Gym.
Not pictured:
- A heap of candy and chocolate, almost enough to make me diabetic.
- A handsome origami hippo, very difficult to make show up on camera.
- Five special requests asking that I be the host of a very expensive birthday party.

Thanks kids! You give me strength!

This Doesn't Qualify As News

We put these pictures up for students who've been at My Gym for a year.

Where They Pay to Hear You Rant

When you're a foreigner in Japan, some jobs pay rather well for what is arguably a very trivial task. I don't think of my own work to be particularly easy, taking into consideration the amount of energy that has to be put into it, but there are different ways around to making money in Japan.

Aala's chat table

For example, Aala runs a chat table at a lounge cafe called the Mickey House. His job is essentially to speak to people for a few hours in his own native language, which is, in this case, French. Although they sometimes are, the subjects of his discussions don't have to be particularly educative, and more often than not, we find ourselves talking about things we would've been discussing anyway.
For this, Aala makes 1000¥ an hour, which translates roughly to 13$. Hell, that's not bad, considering he doesn't necessarily seem to have to be nice to people he doesn't like!

The Mickey House has its loyal customers, who I frequently see attending Aala's table, and, quite contrary to what I would've thought at first, many of them aren't even Japanese, but are actually French themselves. Several reasons for this can be taken into account. For one, these people may not have a chance to make much conversation on a daily basis, if they don't have mastery over the Japanese language. Alternatively, they could be hoping to meet Japanese people who are interested in their own culture. And there are quite a number of those, from time to time. Surprising, considering they have to pay 2000¥ to get in (whereas foreigners get in for 500¥.)

The Darndest Things

I've now been working at My Gym for a full 50-week cycle. Most of the 900-some kids have seen my face at some point or another, since I've been moving from location to location, sometimes for extended periods of time. Of the current roster of 25 instructors, only 10 people have been working the job longer than I have, 5 of which are in charge of training newbies.
Throughout the last 50 weeks, I've heard my share of fantastic, awesome things from the kids, so I thought I'd share a few. Because kids always say the best...things.

Sean: "Here's a baton. It kind of looks like a magic wand, doesn't it?"
Hina (6yo):  "Abracadabra. You are a poop."

Sean: "Don't you want to do your forward roll, Mayu?"
Mayu (2yo): "No. I hate gymnastics, and I hate you, too."
Sean: "Ouch."
Ema (2yo): "I also hate you, sensei."
Sean: "But I really like you, Mayu."
Mayu: "I don't care. I can't do it, and I won't do it."
Sean: "That's too bad. Try hard on the next one, alright?"
Ema: "Do you like me, too?"
Sean: "Yes, Ema."

Sean: "Alright everyone. Here's how you do a backrocker. First you want to squat down like this. Good job, guys. Hey, Riku, why aren't you doing it?"
Riku (3yo): "You guys look like you're all taking a dump."

Sean: "What's your name?"
Sarah (2yo): "I'm two years old."
Sean: "But what's your name?"
Sarah: "I'm...four years old?"
Sarah's Grandma: "Her name is Sarah."
Sean: "Hi Sarah! Sarah, would you like to tell me your grandma's name?"
Sarah: "Grandma is one hundred and ten years old."

Sean: "Kento. Now's not the time to play. Let's go back to the red circle and listen to sensei."
Kento(2yo): (Furiously screams at the top of his lungs while punching and kicking me.)

Sean: "Nice swinging, Kento!"
Kento (While on a swing): (Furiously screams at the top of his lungs while attempting at punching and kicking me.)

Sean: "We're going to say bye bye to this beanbag, Kento. We're gonna play a different game, now."
Kento: (Furiously screams at the top of his lungs while punching and kicking me.)

Kyoko (My coworker): "Do you remember my name?"
Aruki (4yo): "No."
Kyoko: "It's Kyoko."
Aruki: "Your name should've been 'A Boobie.'"

Sean: "Hey, nice book! What's this animal?" I point at a horse.
Mion (2yo): "That's a horse."
Sean: "You sure that's not a dog?"
Mion: "That's a horse. You're kind of dumb, aren't you, sensei."

Sean: "Today's exercise worked on our strong arms."
Takehiro (7yo): "Triceps, but also our abdominal."
Sean: "Oh wow. You know your stuff."

Lisa (5yo): "Is this you in this picture?"
Sean: "Yeah! You could tell with the costume?"
Lisa: "You look like a strange old man."
Reina (5yo): "Strange old man!"
Lisa: "Strange old man."

Yusuke (6yo): "You kind of look like Snoop Dog."

Anecdote: Names Rich People Give Kids

Only in my work location in Hiroo, Minato-district, considered to be one of the richest districts in Tokyo, do I ever encounter children (or even people in general) with such colorful names as:

1: Plus
2: Atom
3: Knight
4: Cougar
5: Atticus

Mind you, these are Japanese kids. Those aren't translations of their names, those are their actual names.

 "Takayuki! Kana! Cougar! Get over here!"

Brief Note: Invitation Accepted

Today was my first day teaching English in private, and my students were none other than the children of Kagaya, owner of the Best Bar in the World, who I've gotten to know somewhat better, since I guess I'm quite the regular at his shop. Of course, Kagaya himself was there to assist me with the lesson, providing me a very dynamic sidekick and altogether making the experience more enjoyable. I will be teaching Kagaya's children only once a month for just about 55$ for a 45 minute lesson.

A Rant About Work and Why I Enjoy It So Much

I'm the poster boy!

It's been confirmed that, by the end of this month, I'll be receiving my full-working visa, courtesy of the company. This is good news! The working holiday visa that I'm currently on can only last a total of one year, and time's going fast. Luckily, Big Boss seems to be very pleased with the way I do things, so I should get those papers soon enough.

 Speaking of work, my vacation's come to its end. It worries some of my friends how dearly I speak of the good time I have at work. "You're not one of those workaholics, are you?"
 Eh, in regular cases, not really. But seeing the kids makes me happy. Like it or not, I'm a little lonely in Tokyo, so it's nice to have familiar faces come to play. I'm a big kid, myself, and sometimes this city's a little too serious. As I've often said, I need these kids as much as they need me. As much as I like my workmates, they seem to have a closed circle of friends; one which I'm not part of. So naturally, I relate to the kids better.

My favorite group! The all-girls Champions class!

It's hard to meet people in Tokyo, man. Damned hard. Thanks to Ken, who I'm pretty inseparable with, and the occasional presence of Erika, I ain't completely friendless in Tokyo, but I'm not a long way from there. In this city, no one my age lives on their own. I get it, the place is expensive. But people here live with their parents until their late twenties and early thirties; totally commonplace. The Japanese folk, they're a tough bunch to connect to, and as a foreigner, it's difficult to just integrate myself to the community without maybe murdering a local terrorist or becoming a J-Pop singer or something.
 When people ask me about how people are in Canada, I establish the following comparison: it's easy to make friends back home, but hard to have a meaningful connection. The opposite can be said for Japan. It's hard to make friends here, but I think the bond is deeper. The easy alternative is to make foreigner friends, with the downside being that I won't be learning any of the language at all, and such friendships also tend to be on a shorter term. Unlike myself, most gaijin aren't here to stay. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place.
 So that, my friends, is why I enjoy work. The kids are my buddies. They actually look up to me and that's nice (since no one else in their right mind would.) There's actually this one little girl who seems to be taking after me and wants me to teach her acrobatics. So until I expand my network healthily, the kids will always be around to provide an element of human contact to my life. All I have to do now is sit the fuck down and study hard. 'Cause God knows I won't be making friends if I can't speak properly.

The Munchkins

My work has recently provided me an opportunity to work at a bonafide elementary school once a week. But it's occurred to me that I've never really went into what it is I actually do on a daily basis. So here it is!
 Note that I can't actually take pictures of the kids. The best I can do is post up pictures of pictures. Eh, whatcha gonna do.
 "My Gym" is a fitness center for kids that actually exists (and originated) in North America. We in the Japan branch also teach all our lessons in English. Groups are separated by age, and contain up to 10 kids (at the gym I usually work at.) Our youngest are 6 weeks old. Our oldest can go up to 13 years (but our current oldest is 8.) We follow a rigid and packed schedule; the kids come in, play a bit, and then gather around as we do introductions, sing a song, do a dance, and then go into gymnastics and so on and so forth. Of course, what types of gymnastics we teach varies by age, and can be as simple as forward rolls and as complicated as front flips.

 Once in a while the gym also hosts events and camps during holidays. The last camp had us going to a zoo.
It's interesting to note that there are actually behavioral differences between Japanese kids and North American kids. Being children, both like to tease. North American kids do so by calling people names, eg: poopy-face, big fat meanie, etc. Japanese kids poke people in the butt and run away.

All in all, I love my job. I relate to the kids more than I do to my coworkers, and it's great to be paid a more-than-fair sum to jump around and play all day long. Granted, it's tiring, and I've lost my voice a number of times already, but I can see myself doing this for quite a long time still.






Last but not least, I'd like to share a drawing one of the kids made of me. Whether she intended that huge black mass on top of my head to be my hair or my hat is up for debate, but it's quite precious regardless.

Interesting Tidbits: Work Ethics & Community

This pose was unrequited.

The other day I was invited to my first work-colleagues' outing. Despite my company having many foreigners and half-breeds like myself, it's still run by Japanese, and therefore a rigid Japanese work ethic applies. For instance, any amount of lateness is completely intolerable, and three unjustified late arrivals within the space of two months would result in my possible termination.

 However, most Japanese work communities are tightly knit. And in my case, I don't just mean my fellow fitness teachers and I, but also the PR department, the receptionists and the top brass.
From what I hear, it's quite typical of whole companies in Japan to go out together and enjoy themselves.

 That being said, we all (those of us who could make it) went to Kart-ing together (as in, go karts) last Thursday evening, and that was quite fun. I won't go too in depth about the activity itself since it's not something at all unique to Japan, but I will say that I kind of suck at it. But all in all, it was really fun to get together with the company and do this kind of thing. I wouldn't have imagined myself racing my boss on karts before going and doing just that.

Left to right,  Nobu, Carlos, (bottom) me, Kota, Kenzo,
(squatting) Yuka, Nana, Kyoko, (top) Imre, (bottom) Kaoru, Villy, Rafai.
Notice I'm the only one doing something retarded.

And So It Began

So as of today, I now work full-time at My Gym!
You know that feeling you get when you finish your first day at a new job and wonder how the hell you're gonna keep doing it for the new few months/years? That didn't happen.
Today was totally fun and I can see myself learning quickly and doing this for quite a while.

The Yokohama Gym is the smallest one.

What exactly is it I do? Well, for starters, I'm an English Fitness Teacher. Parents enroll their kids to the program if they want their children to develop English listening and speaking skills, as well as flexibility, strength and cardio. My Gym has courses for children from ages ranging from six weeks to thirteen years. The principle is simple; by the time they're done with the program, the kids should have at their disposal better than average balancing skills, flexibility, the ability to do basic gymnastics such as cartwheels and handstands, the ability to climb and fall without getting hurt, the ability to throw and catch properly, good reflexes, good cardio, and the list goes on. The setting is friendly and involves games and music and props. We're not training kids to become master gymnasts, but encouraging them to develop active living skills. We don't do crazy intense drills.
 That being said, I should be able to pay my living expenses really easily with this.
 However, this also means I'll probably be updating the blog a bit less often. Don't get the wrong idea, though. The adventuring doesn't end here. I've plenty to do, including a few bigger trips to Kyoto, Mt Fuji, and eventually Okinawa. Keep in touch!

Ohohoho. Oh yes.

I had that job interview today (I know it's hard to keep track of them.) It went well.
Exceedingly well, I think.
I've been hired on the spot, with my one month paid training period beginning in the first week of January.

The specifics of the job are the following;
 I am to be a fitness teacher for children ranging from age 0 to 12. All courses are given in English, and are mostly comprised of fun activities in a jungle-gym kind of setting.

For the first month, wage is around 15$ an hour, but should increase to a little over 18$ once I learn the ropes, with good possibilities of further raises in bounds of 1,25$ for each "rank" obtained. I'm very enthused about it already. The best thing is, they can offer me a full-time job. Should I keep the job for 6 months, they can also sponsor my visa so that I may remain in the country for a longer period than my working-holiday visa can offer me.
 Mark my words, folks. If this job is everything it's set out to be, I'll be moving into an apartment by the middle of Winter, and own a television wider than I am tall by the beginning of Spring. There's my objective. Until then, ENTRUST ME WITH THINE CHILDREN.