Ryukyu Star Fall 2012 - Discovery by OkiJET

ryukyu star

the

Editor

Kathryn Strong

Visual Editor Jd Banks

Prefectural Advisors Grant Minagawa Elizabeth Reuter

Published by

Okinawa Prefectural Government

ryukyustar@ajet.net

1-2 Editorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Notes Kathryn Strong Jd Banks

3-4 Notes from the Kencho Grant Minagawa Elizabeth Reuter

5-6 PA Journal: A PAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Life Grant Minagawa

7-8 How to Ask for Help in Japan Adam Nakama

9-10 Discover Sake Benjamin Martin

11 Self Discovery Cherri Zhang

12 7Sketches Derick Fabian

13-16 Find Someone who will Travel to the Ends of the Earth with You Tim Franklin

fall 2012

17-20 A Guide to Okinawan Wildlife Tom Becskehazy

21-22 Making Warm-Ups Great Adam Nakama

23-24 Toto la Bebe Restaurant Review Anna Hatton

25-26 Bollywood Dreams Restaurant Review Anna Hatton

27-28 Benri-ya Restaurant Review Tom Becskehazy

29-30 Games

Sudoku Where in the World is Rekio the Lion? Word Search

31-32 Announcements Next Theme Call for Contributions Contact Us Game Answers Calendar J.E.T. Book Trading Club

from the editors Those who elect to participate in the JET program are naturally daring, so it makes sense that they have some great stories to share. Okinawa lends itself to discovery, with a unique culture, beautiful scenery, and cafes hidden around every corner. I know I rarely go a day without finding something new about our home. In this issue, Ben Martin highlights a unique Okinawan (or at least Kume Jima) tradition, Tim shares with us some of Okinawa’s breathtaking scenery, and Anna and Tom make our mouths water with reviews that may help you find your new favorite restaurant. Through his comic, Derick brought me back to my first days on Okinawa and the realization that sweat was going to be a constant part of my summer life here. Adam’s article on warm-ups provides insights into effective classroom techniques, and his article on asking to help can illuminate some lesser known parts of Japanese culture.

kathryn strong, editor It must be fall. The summer dampness has left the

air, leaving sunny days with crisp cool breezes. The grocery stores are filled with fruit—apples, peaches, persimmons, my favorite nashi, and the very first mikan which make my students crinkle their eyes and yell supai when they first bite in. Undoukai is over, and the halls of my junior high school echo constantly with singing as students prepare for their choral competition. Perhaps the best evidence of the season change is on my desk though. The first mug of Earl Grey is cooling a few inches from my fingers as I type this, my first note as editor of the Ryukyu Star. As you can guess, the theme of this issue was particularly consonant to me. Taking over the reins of the RS, I have discovered a lot about the process involved in producing this magazine. I feel very privileged to have had this opportunity, and even more so to have been the first to get to read the articles included.

In addition to the more instinctive discovery that goes hand in hand with moving to a new location, many JETs find that the program causes them to look inward at themselves and how they have been changed by their experiences here. In this issue, Grant gives us a glimpse of how he felt on his first days on the job as the new Ken PA. Cherri gets even more personal, generously sharing her story of selfdiscovery. I know that reading these articles caused me to reflect on how I have changed in this past year. Putting this issue together has been a fantastic experience, and I can’t wait to get started on the next one. That being said, it takes a village, and so I’d like to thank everyone involved in the process. First, of course, Jd, our lovely visual editor, who consistently takes a random selection of text and images and creates a beautiful magazine. I’d also like to thank our regular contributors, Anna, Adam and Ben, for making sure that I always have something to print. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue, thanks to the PAs for their continuing support, and finally, thank you to all of our readers. I hope you enjoy this issue, and that you discover something new in the reading.

Nothing says, “Welcome to a new place,” like the word “discovery”. For the newer ALTs, you’re probably getting into the swing of things—where’s the best places for groceries, what’s Kokusai-dori, and how to get from one place to another without street names. Older ALTs have their routine down to a tee; yet, we’re all flying in the same plane. Okinawa has many things to discover, and even when you discover them all, you find something new in its neighbors—namely mainland Japan, China, Korea, and the Philippines. Wherever we planned to go, when we all first arrive in Okinawa, we arrive with only a few ideas about these islands. “They’re part of Japan, so they can’t be too different, right?” we thought. But here in Okinawa, the culture is completely unique.

jd banks, visual editor

For this issue, I decided to go with common images of Okinawa: a traditional Ryukyu dancer, eisa, an Okinawan sanshin player, and a karate master. Instead of using Illustrator to draw each figure, I drew them by hand, scanned them, and converted them into vectors. It’s easier for me to hand draw something, which is why I’m not so great with digital media (I’m a traditional artist, after all). What inspired me this time was the Okinawa JET T-shirt design contest. I used the same figures from the design, save for the color changes. And since the shisa is such an integral part of Okinawan culture, I simply made the Ryukyu Star’s logo (essentially, a sunny shisa) larger.

The inspiration for this issue’s cover!

notesthefrom kencho for new jets

from grant minagawa elizabeth reuter

We’d like to start by welcoming all of the 36 newbies to Okinawa! We hope you’re adjusting to your new lives and having all sorts of great experiences. At the same time, we understand that there are also hardships, culture shocks, and many depressing possibilities that come along with moving to a new country. Please remember that there are lots of counseling resources available to you. Feel free to call any of the following numbers if you need someone to talk to. The JET Line (Mon. – Fri. 9:00 to 17:45) (03) 5213-1729 The AJET Peer Support Line (Daily 20:00 to 8:00) 050-5534-5566 Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) (Mon. – Fri. 9:00 to 23:00) (03) 5774-0992

And remember: your PAs are here to help you too! Feel free to contact us with any questions, comments, or concerns. Our contact info can be found at the bottom of every email we send.

about SDC As summer comes to a close and fall sets in, there’s a special feeling in the air: it’s conference time! The annual Skills Development Conference (formerly known as Mid-Year Conference) is right around the corner. We hope you’ve all received your paperwork and decided which workshops you would like to attend. We have a great line-up of exciting presentations this year! Just remember that attendance is mandatory and will be monitored throughout the conference.

feeling under the weather

The seasons are changing, and Okinawa will soon start to cool down. In a couple of months, newbies will come to the horrible realization that it actually gets COLD in Okinawa! Be sure to dress warmly as the temperatures drop. Remember that cold weather, along with stress, germs, and a host of other factors, can lead to a vulnerable immune system and a cold or the flu. Be sure to wash your hands frequently, drink lots of water, eat well, exercise, get lots of rest, and take a break from the booze (easier said than done during teacher party season). If you do get sick, wear a mask and consider asking to take byokyu (sick leave). Most Japanese people will go to the hospital for everything from a runny nose to heart surgery, and they may assume you will do the same. In Japan, medical services are pretty reasonable considering that 70% of medical expenses are covered under National Health Insurance (remember to bring your insurance card!). If you want to visit a hospital, ask your teachers for a list of those in your area.

The following is a list taken from page 87 of the 2007 General Info Handbook: Medical Care benefits INCLUDE: a) Medical examination b) Provision of medicines or medical care supplies c) Emergency treatment, surgery, and other medical treatment (including emergency dental treatment) d) In-home medical care e) Hospitalization and nursing Medical Care benefits DO NOT INCLUDE: a) Preventative check-ups b) Physical check-ups c) Cosmetic surgery d) Dental check-ups or cleaning (e.g. gold plating) e) Eye exams or eyewear f) (Normal) pregnancy exams Many of you are in the midst of planning vacations or trips home during the holiday season. When traveling abroad, keep in mind that the changes to the immigration system means that you no longer need to worry about getting a re-entry permit before leaving the country. Just bring your gaijin or resident card and passport to the airport, where you will fill out a special leave permit. There is no fee. Those of you planning to stay in Japan as long as you can, remember that your alien/resident card and period of stay have limits!

holiday traveling

If you are planning to use nenkyu (paid leave), be sure to get it approved by your supervisor or principal before finalizing plans and booking flights! Also, before leaving, be sure to leave a copy of your itinerary and contact information with your supervisor or coordinator. Stay safe and healthy throughout your travels and make sure there is a way for people to contact you in case of a disaster or emergency. And lastly, be sure to enjoy your holidays, as well as all your time on JET!

PA journal

a PA’s life grant minagawa, KEN PA

The last few weeks of July are still a blur to me. It was a whirlwind of closing ceremonies, parties, packing, and moving to Naha. In retrospect, I probably should have started preparing to move earlier… heck, I probably should have actually moved earlier! Regardless, I had less than 24 hours to get into my new Naha life before high-tailing it down to the airport for Tokyo. My first act as PA was Tokyo Orientation Group A. I’d read stuff on it and talked a bit about it with R, but I wasn’t really prepared. I was still technically contracted at my school as a regular ALT underling, and I only met the Boss to talk about it a few minutes before we were up. Happily, I didn’t bomb it. There were quite a few questions, but it was mostly logistical stuff that we could look up on the spot. The Group A’s knew their Okinawa. By the time the Prefectural Orientation was over, I’d successfully convinced the newbies that I was a legitimate figure of authority! I took the backseat for the orientation and other Group A stuff, but in a matter of days R was gone and I was in the hot seat on the 13th floor. Just like the first day of classes at a new school in a strange country, I was out of my element. All the emails and planning and talking with people never really prepare you enough for that first day on the job. It’s a bit nerve-wracking; people actually expect you to know what you’re talking about! You kind of ARE a figure of authority. But it’s just like getting thrown into a swimming pool: you sink or you swim. The Group B’s would be my first test. There was no one to fall back on this time and I wanted to make a good first impression with this batch of newbies. When I was a newbie, I thought G did a great job of welcoming us to Okinawa. He greeted us at the airport with beni-imo tarts, showed us around Naha,

and monorail-ed us to our welcome party. Call me unoriginal, but I took a page right out of G’s handbook and did all those things too. It was my ticket to a good first impression, and I think the Group B’s agreed. Once things got started, it was a piece of cake to do their orientation the next day, even by myself! Once Group B was successfully sent off, there was time to start settling in at the office. It is, indeed, an office with normal desks, huge piles of paper, and people… lots of people. It takes some getting used to, and I can’t help but feel like a sardine in a can or an ant in a huge colony of Kencho drones sometimes. The workload itself isn’t that bad. There are lots of documents to collect and organize, emails and phone calls to answer, and things that need to be discussed with my coworkers. Things get a little crazy sometimes, but there’s no one breathing down my back (yet), so it’s not as stressful as I expected. The thing that would come to solidify my position as PA was the New JET Orientation. It had to come together from scratch, and my blockhead experience really helped to organize the people and schedules. It all took a lot longer than I expected, especially the proofreading (you’d be surprised how many typos and grammatical mistakes made it past generations of PA’s), but it was really cool to see everything fall into place and go according to plan (give or take five minutes). I say solidify not as an authority figure seizing power (cue Death Star theme) but rather as coming to a realization of what this job is about (cue humble country medley). There are many aspects to this job, but the main one, and the one I enjoy the most, is working for the JETs and the program. It’s only been one and a half months as I wrap this journal entry up, but I think everything will be fine after all! Grant Minagawa, ALT/Ken PA, or GrantPA for short. Grant is from Hawaii (USA) and in his third year as a JET in Okinawa. He wrote the Secret Adventures of Rekio for the Ryukyu Star. When not carrying out his Kencho sentence, he enjoys taking pictures and traveling with his little wooden sidekick.

how to ask for help in japan

from adam nakama 7

Being at the bottom or outside of most hierarchies in Japan, we ALTs have limited means to get things done in a culturally appropriate way. There are a ton of unspoken rules that Japanese people follow naturally, and many more rules of formal etiquette that people may or may not follow regionally. But one of those unspoken rules that we ALTs don’t often get told about is this: asking for help is a good thing. Asking for help shows someone higher up in status that you respect their knowledge and experience and that you rely on them to help you get things done. When you ask for help, it will make others in the office happy and comfortable, and will help them to feel like you are a natural part of the work environment. The catch is that you shouldn’t ask for help with everything. Someone who asks for help too often is seen as a person without ability or spirit, or a rude person who doesn’t think about imposing on others. Most of us will feel overwhelmed at some

point, sometimes every day. Some ALTs react by trying to be super selfsufficient. Others seek reassurance by asking for help with nearly every little thing. Both approaches aren’t necessarily the best way to do things. If you’re the self-sufficient type, think about publicly asking for help on a task from time to time, even if you can do it on your own. The people you receive help from will feel respected, and it will build better relationships with your coworkers in general. If you’re the panic-and-ask-often type, first do your best to get things done on your own. Although new ALTs will receive a lot of patience and leeway in this regard, making a show of putting in your best effort will go a long way towards earning goodwill in the office. Japanese people respect やる気 (a can-do attitude) and it’s expected that you’ll have given it a good 頑張って (your best effort) before you trouble others to help you. If they see that’s true, they’ll be happier to help you out.

Adam Nakama is a first year ALT in Okinawa City. He also is a long-time on-again off-again freelance writer.

discover sake The Japanese word for alcohol is known throughout the world. Sake is not only the name of a specific type of drink, but is as ubiquitous a term as Xerox once was for paper copies. Unlike in the West, where beer was originally created as a food source with a longer shelf-life than bread, Japanese sake has always had a higher purpose. Like many aspects of Japanese culture, alcohol was initially part of religious ceremonies. Like hand and mouth washing, which are still common at temples in Japan, alcohol was originally used to purify oneself before Shinto or Buddhist rituals. Today sake and other forms of Japanese alcohol are consumed regularly throughout the country, but it is still an important part of many religious ceremonies as well. At nearly every festival, funeral, and wedding, offerings of sake are given as a symbol of something produced from hard work, something that can be offered to Japanese gods and the spirits of ancestors past. The evaporation of alcohol is seen as a method of transference, while everyone living enjoys the rest.

Recently, I was surprised by a ceremony that took place in between local sumo competitions. With no announcements that I was aware of, four students holding long-handled fans appeared leading an old lady in a kimono and crown made of plants to an open space near the sumo ring. The ceremony turned out to be one of the last remaining practices of very old series of offerings marking the rice harvest. While the island I live on no longer produces rice, the ceremony called umachii (ウマチー) is still observed along with the Gima neighborhood Okinawan Sumo Competition. In Okinawa, such holidays follow the lunar kyureki calendar, so although the competition took place in August, it is named Rokugatsu Umachii (June Festival). Although sugar cane has replaced rice cultivation here, the place of the sumo competition and ceremony was once used as a storage area for harvested rice. Every year, a priestess would arrive and travel from neighborhood to neighborhood and complete a ceremony before each rice storage area, or gyucha (ぎゅちゃ) in the Okinawan dialect. With the loss of rice harvesting and the modernization of the island, the number of ceremonies has dwindled to only three.

from benjamin martin

The purpose of the ceremony is to make offerings to kami (Japanese Gods) in thankfulness for the harvest and in preparation for the New Year. The priestess is the medium between the kami and locals wishing to make an offering. The ceremony starts with little formality, but great respect. The priestess is served a rice based food, and then the essence of the ceremony starts. In the past, the priestess would be accompanied by several attendants who would chant. While today, the priestess does have some local help, a cassette player stands in for the chanting. The priestess is poured a small glass of sake (in this case it is a local version of rice wine called awamori, rather than the heavier liquor found in the mainland of Japan). She accepts it, but does not consume it. Instead her helper pours it into a container to be offered at a shrine. The pattern continues a minimum of three times, but often many more. The locals continue to offer, hoping to give as much as possible, until the priestess returns a full cup. Though the tradition is fading, it was great to experience a simple, but very old ceremony with a strong tie into local culture. Why sake? In addition to the traditional use as a purifier, awamori is one of my

islands biggest exports. It is something they still make today and, like sumo, offerings mean a lot more if you give something from your own effort.

Benjamin Martin is author of the YA novel Samurai Awakening and runs the blog http://morethingsjapanese.com. He lives on Kumejima.

self discovery from cherri zhang Self-discovery was not one of my priorities on my "to do" list prior to coming to Okinawa. I didn't give too much thought about it. Unbeknownst to me, my 5 months stay in Okinawa so far has led to many discoveries about this wonderful place and myself. I started teaching classes soon after I arrived. Before hopping on the plane to Japan, I was really anxious about teaching and the idea of living in a foreign country. My very first class, I had to step outside of my comfort zone. I realized that this can be accomplished and that teaching is fun. As I became accustomed to my school life, I became more involved with school activities. As we all know sports are a big thing for Okinawan schools. Ever since I got here, it seems like teams are constantly practicing for some kind of competition. In order to cheer on my students I was asked to perform a solo dance on stage in front of 800 people (students and teachers). Dancing had been a personal hobby of mine, but I had never danced in front of an audience as grand as this, not to mention that I do get stage jitters. Once again, I had to step out of my comfort zone and in the end everyone really enjoyed my performance. But I think I had the most fun of all. A month later I participated in relay races with the students on Sports Day.

I have always considered myself a reserved person but in these few short months, I have done things that took me by surprise. I’ve discovered a new self, and that students can really bring out the best of you. I feel as if a new part of me has emerged. I am happy I challenged myself. After all, challenging ourselves and trying unfamiliar things leads to the path of selfdiscovery. Other than discovering myself, I traveled to a few places on Okinawa mainland this summer and discovered how unique Okinawa is. The Shisa, sanshin, eisa, and ryukyu culture (which requires much more exploration) truly mesmerized me. We also have countless amazing beaches. I recently discovered くるくま cafe, and the view is priceless. I think that beautiful and calming scenery is one of Okinawa’s specialties. Prior to coming here, I never paid much attention to Okinawa, let alone its culture. Now I believe that this place is truly one of a kind. Even our soba is different from that on the mainland! I am so proud to have become a JET on this island. So far, I have met amazing people who have welcomed me with open arms. I am so glad I have embarked upon this journey and the memories I establish here will be treasured forever.

My name is Cherri Zhang. I am from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I live in Haebaru as an ALT for Haebaru Junior High School. I graduated from University of Calgary in 2011 from the faculty of Nursing. I have always been fond of the Japanese language and culture so I decided to apply for JET. Here I am! I plan to make the best out of this once in a lifetime experience.

7Sketches from derick fabian

Aloha tomodachi! My name is Derick Fabian and I'm from Hawai'i. I work as an ALT for Taketomi-cho teaching elementary and junior high school students at sixteen different schools across seven islands. Prior to this I was a professional procrastinator, graphic designer, and cartoonist for the University of Hawai'i.

find someone who will travel to the Ends of the Earth with you from tim franklin

Camera Specifications: Camera: Nikon D90 Lens: Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S ISO: 100 Shutter Speed: 1/250 Aperture: f/8

“Pictures have always fascinated me because they allow the artist to freeze a moment in time. They preserve the rare precious times in our lives where we can sit back and reflect on the beauty that surrounds us every day. This is what inspires me—the chance to capture amazing landscapes and showcase individuals engulfed in the beauty that surrounds them. I chose these images because they highlight the beauty that Okinawa has to offer.”

Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Tim is a first year ALT on Minami Daito in Okinawa, Japan. Heavily influenced by the scenic vistas of the United States’ Pacific Northwest, Tim’s photographic style demonstrates the dichotomy between urban landscapes and nature, by fusing the two disparate elements. His portfolio includes images from across the United States, Japan, and Canada.

a guide to

okinawan wildlife from tom becskehazy

Okinawa. Jewel of the Pacific. Arcadia of the East China Sea. Waters clear and pure as a unicorn’s tears. Sublime blue skies arcing overhead with nary a cloud in sight. The air! Why, the Okinawan air is world-renowned (and deservedly so) for its healing, resuscitative qualities. Go ahead, step outside, and fill your lungs! You feel that welling up inside you? That’s life, my friend! Ah, but what of Okinawan fauna? Surely you’re heard of the Yanbaru kuina? The venomous habu? The Javan mongoose? “But Tom,” you scream, “what about the other animals? Teach me, Tom, give your knowledge to me! Give IT to me NOW!” Whoa there, Ace, slow your roll. I can’t just lay my teachings on you like so many slabs of marbled Ishigaki beef. No, this will take time. This will take patience. This will take…beer. Bring me a beer, and then we may begin. (Waits patiently… Pops tab, pours, sips, sighs…) Thank you!

The Okinawan Feral Cat (Urban) (Felinis Roadis Pankakis)

This species may be immediately distinguished by its unique cry. Imagine two human babies, hungry and angry, fighting over a piece of chocolate. They’re really getting into it, wailing and screaming all over the place, and there’s a cold wind blowing, and the moon is blood red, and the old gods are breaking free from their mountain prisons. That’s the sound of a feral cat’s cry, got it? The urban cat may be spotted lounging atop vending machines, leaping playfully about various parks, or leaving paw prints all over my white car, which I just washed and if I ever catch the rassa-frassa-frick-frackin…ahem.

The (Criminally Large) Flying Okinawan Cockroach (FOC) (Blatta Ewis Grossis DIEis) As you may have guessed from the name, this rather ubiquitous insect has wings that allow it to fly. Which it will do, onto your shoulder, while you’re driving your Daihatsu Mira down a Naha side street and trying not to scream. We must, as humans, enter into a sort of pact with the FOC. For example, one morning as I approached my car, I noticed an FOC relaxing behind the wheel - its many legs crossed - sipping a latte and perusing the latest copy of Popular Mechanics (I know, right?). “Excuse me, fine sir, but you appear to have taken up residency in my automobile,” I said. “Why, is this exquisite piece of machinery yours?” he replied. “It most certainly is,” I said, with no small amount of pride. “Ah, you are one lucky gentleman! I was just admiring the fine rust work along your side panels. And these scratches covered with paint of a clearly different color add a sense of mystery to the entire affair. Though, I dare say that the crowning jewel must be your sound system. Its tinny, near-unlistenable quality had me in agony after only seconds. Magnificent, I tell you!” He then tipped his hat, bade me farewell, and flew off to crawl around in some filth. And that, dear friends, is how you deal with FOCs.

The Urban OkiJET (Homo Sapiens Thinkis Centris Universis) This peculiar species resides in highly concentrated urban centers (Naha, Urasoe, etc.) and enjoys convenient access to all that city life has to offer. Such amenities come at a price, however, with habitation and parking costs reaching exorbitant sums and living spaces reduced to matchbox-sized rooms. These JETs chuckle and sneer at such sacrifices, while deep in their hearts they yearn to stretch their legs on a beach on Zamami or at the top of a hill in Motobu. Telltale signs of an Urban OkiJET include: -Driving-in-traffic-induced popping veins. -Bloodshot eyes from lack of sleep due to roving gangs of motorcycle-revving yankis. -Love handles gained from readily available fast food, pizza, and those croissants from that one place in Yogi. -Aching necks and shoulders from craning to catch just a glimpse of the ocean. -Hacking coughs from breathing in bus fumes. Seriously, are those things coal-powered? If you come into contact with an Urban OkiJET, smile and nod politely as they go on about how wonderful it is to live next to Shuri Castle and how they went shopping at Main Place and saw the latest Bond film at Cinema Q. In order to scare off an Urban OkiJET, simply ask if you can stay at his place the next time you’re in town, and watch as he clears his throat and grumbles an excuse about “space” and “parking,” then wanders off to “find that one really cool café that all the tourists and/or foreigners haven’t swarmed yet.” Well, fellow biology enthusiasts, I must regretfully conclude this issue’s foray into the Okinawan wilderness. Until next time, when we will once again brave the wild coasts, untamed jungles, and haunted valleys of this, our island paradise!

Tom B. is a 1st year JET from Arizona, although he's been living in Okinawa since January, 2009. He loves scuba diving, hiking, and drinking beer on the beach. Or on a boat. Or pretty much anywhere, really. You can find him at Shuri HS doing bingata between classes.

making warm-ups

great

from adam nakama Most ESL teaching resources agree that a proper hour-plus session of language learning should start with a short 5-10 minute warm-up. The goal is to get students in an “English Zone,” using simple mood-lifting activities and the comfort of ritual to get students excited about the upcoming lesson. Even though it cuts into the time you have available for instruction, warm-ups have become a vital tool for ESL teaching. Still, “do a warm-up every class” is vague in a lot of ways, and complicated by factors like how often you see a particular class; your teaching style; student expectations of a lesson with an ALT; how academic or game-like the day’s lesson will be; and many other things besides. So what’s the best approach to warmups in class? Most ALTs will go with a game like “Telephone” or “Simon Says”. This is a pretty good approach. Students at all levels tend to prefer a game over the dry lessons that fill their day. In addition, some games are pretty adaptable to whatever they are currently studying in their normal classes. “Telephone” in particular is great for improving pronunciation and recognition of current vocabulary words, while “Tateyoko” can be adapted to just about any skill or knowledge, from content questions on the current reading to vocabulary recall to basic conversational English. The trouble with this approach is that it can quickly become boring to students to play the same game all the time, especially if you see them often. Rotating a set of games doesn’t particularly help, either, unless you’re in the sweet spot of seeing the same class once a month, which is just long enough for the same game or suite of games to feel like a novel treat

rather than a repetitive chore. My own style is to start with the same thing every class: about seven or eight minutes where I travel the room and ask students simple questions that should be just within their English ability. I also make sure that I use questions that I have asked in previous classes, and will repeat a new question with another student to reinforce the new language they’ll have picked up. My goal is not really to quiz them, so much as provide fluency with basic conversational English, so I’ll usually orient my questions along those lines. I’ve done this with every class in every school. In my worst classes, I started with only “How are you?” and used that question alone for months until they were comfortable before moving on to other questions. Now, students who were previously shy or even angry when encountering me in the hallways will greet me and engage in that basic conversational ritual with no delay, and often with enthusiasm. With students from my best classes, I feel comfortable engaging in light conversation with little expectation of the gaijin panic that occurred when I first arrived here. The reason I use this approach is not just to stave off the death of the novelty factor; it has other advantages too. For one, I have to worry less about uncooperative students. Although I’ll try to engage some of them in every class so I don’t end up neglecting students without confidence, there is often a student who looks on the verge of bursting into tears if English is spoken in the near vicinity. Whereas in a more active group game, I would have to try to keep them from bringing the class down with non-participation and risk a power struggle, with this I can just read the

situation and use my judgment. Another advantage is that I can use well-known but little-used psychology hacks to improve student performance. The most major is the spaced-repetition effect, which tells us that people learn best when they encounter the same material often but at long intervals. I see my classes anywhere from once every couple of weeks to once every couple of months, but it is definitely long enough to take advantage of this effect with my warm-up. I remember to repeat essential questions that I want them to know, and the longer it has been since I’ve seen them, the more recycling I’ll do. This approach also builds motivation by letting students demonstrate knowledge of simple English and placing it in a social context. They get rewarded with my approval by engaging in easy conversation, they enjoy social approval by having their classmates see them doing it (which also normalizes to everyone that using English is a good thing), and they earn the knowledge that they are capable of using English—and then transition to using it in a less-structured environment like the hallway, and hopefully the world outside of school. Perhaps the greatest advantage of this approach is that it takes English outside of the forgettable game lesson or the dry grammar lesson and brings it back to its actual intention: a living language used for social transactions and communicating with real people. By asking simple, usable questions and getting authentic answers, I show that language is more than just another set of material to memorize so that you can pass a test. More importantly, language is not an all-or-nothing skill to master. Putting in the effort to know even just a little can go a long way towards enriching your life. This is not to say that my approach is the only way. You can put a lot of this into a more game-oriented warm-up, and I’ve tried to point out some of the advantages of that style already. But if you take some time to think about and refine those opening minutes of class, no matter your approach, you can take a throw-away but fun experience and craft it into a useful teaching tool with effects that resound far outside the classroom.

telephone

Make lines of students. Have the first student in each line receive a single whispered word or phrase. The students then whisper the message to the next student in their line, who does the same, and so on. The last student will come to you and repeat the message. It’s up to you to determine how strict you want to be in judging whether the message was accurately transmitted.

tateyoko

Tateyoko, a.k.a. Criss-cross, is a short classroom game of huge popularity in Japan. The idea is simple: a row of students stands up. Ask a question. The student who can answer it first sits down. Continue until one student is remaining, and then have his/ her column stand up. Repeat until you feel like finishing. Adam Nakama is a first year ALT in Okinawa City. He also is a long-time on-again off-again freelance writer.

restaurant reviews Throughout the ages, many have pondered the meaning of existence. Why are we here? What is our purpose? What word comes after “iya sasa, hai iya” in eisa songs? Apparently, one of my purposes is to write the restaurant review articles when Katie tells me to. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.

toto la bebe So we begin our culinary adventure up north of Nago, where I live. If you’ve come up to Churaumi Aquarium or Ocean Expo Park in the past six months or so, you’ve probably passed this tiny burger cafe without even knowing it. Going up the 449, you should start seeing red and black banners with a little cat on the bottom, reading ToTo la Bebe / ととらべべ - follow these! The easiest way is to turn at the stoplight that also has a sign for Sakimotobu Elementary School. They have their own parking lot, too, so no worries about crowding up the tiny street. ToTo la Bebe is pretty quickly recognizable – just look for the building painted black. Be warned- they generally close by 6pm, and take Thursdays off completely. Despite the dark paint outside, inside is mostly white with a hardwood sitting area for bigger parties. It’s not exceptionally large – It can accommodate maybe 20 people at once. The interior has a very light, comfortable atmosphere, generally strengthened by the couches that almost dare you to nap and easygoing jazz music on the stereo. The menus are hand-drawn in colored pencil, with diagrams of certain burgers’ contents. I was especially excited, though, when I saw the extensive list

from anna hatton

of various milkshakes. Selecting a Caramel Banana shake and a ToTo la Bebe Special Burger, I passed the time by reading a Yotsuba To! comic from the shop’s bookshelf. The burger has thick, juicy pieces of homemade bacon atop a Motobu beef patty, with lettuce, tomato, and a special tangy mustard sauce bringing it all together between sesame seed buns. The accompanying fries were nicely peppered and came with a flower-shaped squirt of interestingly sweet ketchup. I’ve heard and spoken with people who try to compare this burger to a Captain Kangaroo burger; these people are fools. While they are both hamburger cafes in Yanbaru, the vibes you get from both place are exceptionally different. One has beer and the other has lovely, thick milkshakes, and I feel like that on it’s own says a bit about each place. Sadly, as of this writing, ToTo la Bebe does not have a filling vegetarian-friendly item on the menu, thus perhaps Captain Kangaroo wins there. ToTo la Bebe may also run slightly higher as far as prices go, but only by a few hundred yen or so. Next time you head up to the Aquarium, stop here instead of Pizza in the Sky. It’s much easier to find, anyway!

bollywood dreams So one thing you may learn about me if we spend any amount of time together is that I love coffee, to a possibly (editor’s note: this is a fact, not a possibility) unhealthy extent. But if there’s any foodstuff battling coffee for a coveted place in my heart, it’s curry. Japanese, Thai, Indian, bold, sweet, spicy, green, red, purple: you name it, I will munch on it with such glee you’d think I’d just been handed a puppy to play with. The way that so many different sensations and flavors can be wrapped in the same delicious name-blanket might make me appreciate curry even more, come to think of it. I’m not sure I’ve met such a dish that I didn’t enjoy. With all this in mind, I’d like to introduce you to Bollywood Dreams, an Indian restaurant in American Village.

Now the issue with American Village is that it’s pretty hard to find or even describe any real locations within its limits, because the whole complex sort of twists and turns and leads you in circles – most likely to get you to shop more, because you’re all disoriented and figure you’re lost anyway and may as well check out all the beads in the strange Americana shop. To get to Bollywood dreams you need to go to the section of stores closest to the ocean. It’s on the second floor and there are signs directing, but it can still be a bit hard to find. Once inside, you’ll be seated on cushy, black velvet-like material and given a tome of a menu with both English and Japanese text. Appetizers and special meal sets are plenty. Vegetarians rejoice here as there are several sections devoted to meat-free cuisine. It takes me forever to come to a decision, because there are so many options. Do I want to try pineapple curry? What about some of these Okinawa-themed originals, including a goya one?! What kind of naan – garlic and cheese, or drenched in honey? Paneer or chicken tandoori? So many choices. My overexcited brain can only take so much. And the problem with that is the giant TV screen set in against the center wall playing Bollywood music videos on loop. The menu loses, my companion loses, I am now enslaved by the bright colors of the dancers’ clothes, the bouncing of hips, the totally random plot points of these five-minute-long songs. Why does this man who looks like

Freddie Mercury in hot pink pants have a gun? I don’t know. I don’t care. I must watch, to see whether or not the giant fat man who got pushed out a window will magically show up again. Wasn’t that girl just in the video played ten minutes ago? Where am I? I’m not part of a huge dancing parade, hopping technicolor through a desert marketplace never actually touching my obvious romantic interest, but making all sorts of eyes at them? What am I doing with my life? The smell of garlic and the intense orange color in the bowl placed in front of me snap me back to reality. I have mango chicken curry with garlic naan. The dish is rich, tangy and lovely, the naan compliments it well. Katie seems pleased with what she ordered, but I couldn’t tell you what it was, because there was a dance number going on behind her in the magic screen. On another occasion, I tried the pumpkin curry- it was thick, slightly buttery, with cut bits of the gourd throughout. I’ve also seen naan come to tables on a special hook, probably meant for 2-3 people, since it was bigger than your head. (Writing this article is cruel and unusual punishment- I want to go there right now.) All in all, I would go here all the time if it wasn’t so far away from where I live. But you might live closer than I do! So by all means, go and explore all these options for yourself. Sit in contentment with a full belly, sip on some lassi, and contemplate piercing your nose – or at least that’s what I end up doing, anyway. Anna Hatton is a Chicagoan and a 2nd-year 小学校 ALT in Motobu-cho. She ends up hopping from stone to stone a lot, and will drink -all- the coffee, if you let her.

benri-ya

Benri-ya Gyoza 手作り餃子の店べんり屋玉玲瓏 There is a place nestled within Sakae-machi’s red light tinged streets that has more in common with Chungking Mansions or Shihlin Night Market than Naha Main Place: 栄町市場商店街 (Sakae-machi ichiba shōtengai). Within the market’s cramped alleys and decaying walls you will find Mom & Pop stores selling everything from detergent and toothpaste to awamori and mozuku. There are clothing stores, drugstores, fishmongers, butchers, and izakayas, which are highly recommended (after your dumpling feast, of course). There is also an excellent Taiwanese-style dumpling place called Benri-ya. Since directions within the market are useless, the best thing to do is walk around, soaking up the local atmosphere (watch out for spider webs!) and sooner or later you’ll come upon Benri-ya. The restaurant itself is bare bones. Let me rephrase that: there is no actual restaurant, aside from a small counter directly in front of the kitchen. After the neighboring stores begin to close up, Benri-ya pulls out a few battered tables and chairs and sets them up along the walkways. It is テーゲー (tēgē - Uchinaguchi for “half-assed”) and sets the stage for an uber-relaxed, almost backyard-BBQ dining experience. The menu (a portion of which is provided below) is fairly simple. In addition to the dumplings, they also serve a variety of steamed, fried, and raw vegetable dishes, smoked sliced duck, and various mini-Chinese-style dishes. The dumplings are, of course, the highlight. They are savory and garlicky (but not too garlicky), and juicy enough that it’s nigh impossible to stop eating them. They make them fresh every night; you can watch the women behind a window rolling the dough, forming the pockets, and stuffing them with the pork (or seafood) mixtures. Drinks are canned Orion, awamori, juice, and free chilled tea.

from tom becskehazy

Learn these kanji, for they will serve you well throughout your travels: 焼餃子 (yaki gyōza) 500円水餃子 (sui gyōza) 500円蒸餃子 (mushi gyōza) 500円小籠包 (shōronpō) 550円海老蒸餃子 (ebi mushi gyōza) 700円 How to get to Sakae-machi: From both north and south, take the 330 into Naha until you hit Asato intersection, (where the 330 intersects with the 29) and turn east towards Shuri. There are a number of coin parking lots sprinkled throughout the area (try to park on the south side of 29 as it’s closer to the market). You can also try your luck with the gated Ryubo lot just to the south of Sakae-machi market, but it seems to be fairly well patrolled. Address: 那覇市安里388-1 (Copy and paste into Google Maps, or just follow the above directions) Benri-ya website: http://sakaemachi-ichiba.net/shop58.html Sakae-machi website: http://sakaemachi-ichiba.net/index.html Stuff you need to know: Open from 18:00 – 23:00, Closed on Sundays Take-out available (except for shōronpō) Cash only No English menu Phone: 098-887-7754 Tom B. is a 1st year JET from Arizona, although he's been living in Okinawa since January, 2009. He loves scuba diving, hiking, and drinking beer on the beach. Or on a boat. Or pretty much anywhere, really. You can find him at Shuri HS doing bingata between classes.

sudoku

where in the world is Rekio the Lion? from grant minagawa Rekio the Lion is an awesome little Shisa Ninja from Hong Kong! This time, his adventures have taken him to a very famous temple in Japan. Can you guess where he is?

word search C A T F A A L L A A A V R A balloons daikyu festival karaoke track

C S T E E U C E B R A B K D

C H N I G S O R F K U S N A

E U D S T I T C H Y A A I F

S Y L T F H S I F D L O G E

barbecue darts fireworks obon undoukai

Y K E K A I A R V N C H D R

U I F C B B R N A A A U S R

K A T A AD E V R I E N A R T R O S I K K ROV E R I N E N I O RWS L CNO T L OB R NDOU N T N I I SWH carnival eisa friends orion yakisoba

I C D F A R O L N T R K N E

O I S L Y I A O F O A A S E

Y V Y A A B E C A C L I D L

cotton candy ferris wheel goldfish stitch yukata

Please see page 32 for the answer.

announcements The last few months the OkiJET web team has been working hard to bring you a new redesigned website. Check it out at okinawajet.com!

next theme: warmth What keeps you warm during the surprisingly cold Okinawan winter? Is it travel to tropical locations? Comfort foods from home? Trips to see your family? Afternoons spent at your favorite secret café with a latte and close friends? Help the OkiJET community fight the cold by sharing your stories and secrets.

call for contributions Want to see your name in print? We’d love to put it there! The Ryukyu Star is accepting submissions for our winter issue through December 7th—articles, photos, illustrations, games, anything! Email any contributions to ryukyustar@ajet.net. If you want to take this relationship to the next level, we’re looking for a few more regular contributors. Here are some column ideas: Recipes Arts/Culture Reviews Uchinaguchi Sensei Mini-Class: Photography Travel Correspondent Games Master: mazes, logic puzzles, crosswords, etc. Island Explorer

game answers

Where in the World is Rekio the Lion? Todaiji Temple, Nara, Japan

calendar November 8 – Staff Development Conference 9 – Staff Development Conference 23 – Labor Thanksgiving Day December 7 – Ryukyu Star submissions due 23 – Emperor’s Birthday 24 – Emperor’s Birthday Observed January 1 – New Year’s Day 14 – Coming of Age Day

C A T F A A L L A A A V R A