The Kancho
Hey Glenn, thanks for your comment, I think.
As for yesterday, it was quite action packed. First, I arrived at the office, where everyone greeted me as if I had not been gone a week. I sat at my desk to find my cell phone bill and my absentee ballot. Cristina and I did not go over our minutes and there weren’t any hidden charges as everyone kept on saying there would be. I opened by absentee ballot and some accompanying campaign materials. Within the hour it was completely filled out with a black ballpoint pen as instructed and ready to be mailed. Before I knew it was time for the Monday morning meetings. You would think that having studied Japanese for a week that I would attempt to pay attention. I still chose not to, but began to listen more attentively when they began mentioning a few familiar things. Before I continue, I have to remind you that I took the company car to KAPIC, but also gave Cristina and Laura a ride. I am not too sure how fond they are of this. In any case, during the meeting I heard the phrases “Higashi-Kushira, Osaki and Kanoya” – my destination cities, possibly alluding to my misconduct, if it could be called that. They continued and chuckled never looking my way. I pretended not to be listening or able to understand.
The meetings ended and I had to go to the Uchinoura Kindergarten. The children were adorable (in the beginning). I watched them practice for their sports festival and joined in a few times. Ten o’clock rolled around and the teachers went in for teatime. I thought I would be nice and stay outside with the children. THAT was my first mistake. They were excited when I taught them some English words and songs, but I quickly ran out of material. That is when I was introduced to the kancho. For those of you that are (luckily) not familiar with the kancho, let me explain to you what it is. It begins with one student touching a random, usually non-offensive part of your body by poking at it with one finger – the test. Then, another child will take it a step further and poke you in a butt cheek. Then, one child will put his hands together in the shape of a gun and scream “KANCHO” and proceed to stick where your butt hole would be – NO LIE. The other children will proceed to try to do the same thing. Naturally, I tried to tell them no and shoo them off, but there were too many. When this didn’t work, I ran and stood with my butt facing the wall. Just when you think you are safe, some punk four year old will shape his right hand like a fist and circle his arm as if throwing an underhanded pitch until the fist crashes into a man’s most sensitive area. (It’s ok. I really didn’t want to have children anyway.)
After lunch, I returned to the office when the man who I ask every Monday for Internet told me that the Internet man was going to be at my house around 4:30 or 5:00. I was in shock at the revelation and was not perturbed by the fact that I had already made plans with Cristina, Jill and Kaz to eat dinner in Kanoya. After that, I got paid. Since I had nothing to really do for the rest of the day, I asked if I could go to the post office across the street to mail my absentee ballot and deposit my earnings. (Note 1: My account is at the post office. Note 2: Everyone gets paid in cash.)
Before I knew it, it was time to leave. I returned home to wait for the Internet guy. Cristina, Jill and Kaz postponed dinner to a later hour because of this. Mr. Internet, accompanied by Office Guy, showed up at about 5:45. Mr. Internet who was probably only a few years my senior took off his fancy suit jacket and mentioned to me how hot it was (like if this is my fault). I lowered the air con. He proceeded to try connecting everything and tried the exact same thing about 25 times. He took half an hour just doing the same thing over and over. I was surprised that he did not realize after the third time that it was not going to work. However, since it is customary in Japan to look like if you are trying 100 times more than you really are by appearing to frustrated and to busy to speak to, that is what he did. He probably succeeded in the eyes of Office Guy, but you cannot fool my eyes.
In any case, I left my house at 36 past 6. I met with Cristina, who took me to pick up Jill. Then we met with Kaz who took us to this Indian Restaurant that is said to have the most amazing curry. The restaurant was closed. We went to a chain, Italian restaurant. We caught up on the past week since we had been going our separate paths. Good fun.
This morning, I walk into the office and I find out that the typhoon that has just passed Okinawa has made a 120 degrees turn and is heading straight for us. It is expected to hit tonight and linger till tomorrow morning. Luckily, it will not be as strong as the other ones. And with that being said, I will leave you with a link to more information on Typhoon Meari.
As for yesterday, it was quite action packed. First, I arrived at the office, where everyone greeted me as if I had not been gone a week. I sat at my desk to find my cell phone bill and my absentee ballot. Cristina and I did not go over our minutes and there weren’t any hidden charges as everyone kept on saying there would be. I opened by absentee ballot and some accompanying campaign materials. Within the hour it was completely filled out with a black ballpoint pen as instructed and ready to be mailed. Before I knew it was time for the Monday morning meetings. You would think that having studied Japanese for a week that I would attempt to pay attention. I still chose not to, but began to listen more attentively when they began mentioning a few familiar things. Before I continue, I have to remind you that I took the company car to KAPIC, but also gave Cristina and Laura a ride. I am not too sure how fond they are of this. In any case, during the meeting I heard the phrases “Higashi-Kushira, Osaki and Kanoya” – my destination cities, possibly alluding to my misconduct, if it could be called that. They continued and chuckled never looking my way. I pretended not to be listening or able to understand.
The meetings ended and I had to go to the Uchinoura Kindergarten. The children were adorable (in the beginning). I watched them practice for their sports festival and joined in a few times. Ten o’clock rolled around and the teachers went in for teatime. I thought I would be nice and stay outside with the children. THAT was my first mistake. They were excited when I taught them some English words and songs, but I quickly ran out of material. That is when I was introduced to the kancho. For those of you that are (luckily) not familiar with the kancho, let me explain to you what it is. It begins with one student touching a random, usually non-offensive part of your body by poking at it with one finger – the test. Then, another child will take it a step further and poke you in a butt cheek. Then, one child will put his hands together in the shape of a gun and scream “KANCHO” and proceed to stick where your butt hole would be – NO LIE. The other children will proceed to try to do the same thing. Naturally, I tried to tell them no and shoo them off, but there were too many. When this didn’t work, I ran and stood with my butt facing the wall. Just when you think you are safe, some punk four year old will shape his right hand like a fist and circle his arm as if throwing an underhanded pitch until the fist crashes into a man’s most sensitive area. (It’s ok. I really didn’t want to have children anyway.)
After lunch, I returned to the office when the man who I ask every Monday for Internet told me that the Internet man was going to be at my house around 4:30 or 5:00. I was in shock at the revelation and was not perturbed by the fact that I had already made plans with Cristina, Jill and Kaz to eat dinner in Kanoya. After that, I got paid. Since I had nothing to really do for the rest of the day, I asked if I could go to the post office across the street to mail my absentee ballot and deposit my earnings. (Note 1: My account is at the post office. Note 2: Everyone gets paid in cash.)
Before I knew it, it was time to leave. I returned home to wait for the Internet guy. Cristina, Jill and Kaz postponed dinner to a later hour because of this. Mr. Internet, accompanied by Office Guy, showed up at about 5:45. Mr. Internet who was probably only a few years my senior took off his fancy suit jacket and mentioned to me how hot it was (like if this is my fault). I lowered the air con. He proceeded to try connecting everything and tried the exact same thing about 25 times. He took half an hour just doing the same thing over and over. I was surprised that he did not realize after the third time that it was not going to work. However, since it is customary in Japan to look like if you are trying 100 times more than you really are by appearing to frustrated and to busy to speak to, that is what he did. He probably succeeded in the eyes of Office Guy, but you cannot fool my eyes.
In any case, I left my house at 36 past 6. I met with Cristina, who took me to pick up Jill. Then we met with Kaz who took us to this Indian Restaurant that is said to have the most amazing curry. The restaurant was closed. We went to a chain, Italian restaurant. We caught up on the past week since we had been going our separate paths. Good fun.
This morning, I walk into the office and I find out that the typhoon that has just passed Okinawa has made a 120 degrees turn and is heading straight for us. It is expected to hit tonight and linger till tomorrow morning. Luckily, it will not be as strong as the other ones. And with that being said, I will leave you with a link to more information on Typhoon Meari.
posted by Jesse Montano at
9:27 AM
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