Alex Quinn's Japan Journal

5/6/2005, Mom trip day 10: Mom comes to my school, dinner with my co-worker

Mom comes to my school

In the morning, I went to school by myself.  My mom came and joined me around lunch time.  We had lunch in the cafeteria.  She got to talk to a bunch of the kids.  I think it was a good experience for the kids to talk to an unknown foreigner in English, someone who isn't as used to speaking English that can be easily understood by Japanese people.  It puts English in a different box for the kids.  And, I know my mom enjoyed the school.

After lunch and a little chatting, we went to class.  My mom made a wonderful photo album of pictures from Seattle, especially pictures of me and my family.  There were many pictures of me as a baby or as a teenager.  She showed these pictures to the kids and told them all about Seattle, as well as some stories about me when I was younger.  She did an excellent job.  I think the kids understood quite a bit.  The pictures were great.

I've heard that in many lady's rooms in Japan, they have some interesting machines to cover up the sound of tinkle.  Here's a short story.  A while ago, women were embarassed about the sound of their tinkle, so they'd flush the toilet while they were tinkling, to cover up the sound.  Then, they'd flush the toilet again to remove the evidence.  This wasted a lot of water.  So, a smart company made a device which plays a recording of a toilet flushing, so the women won't waste water to get the sound.  I've never been able to see one since men don't have this problem.  But, at my humble request, my mom kindly took a picture of the device.  Here it is.

Device to cover up the sound of tinkle. (hq)

Dinner with Mrs. Yokoyama

At night, we went to dinner at Mrs. Yokoyama's house in Kamigori, somewhat near school.  Mrs. Yokoyama is one of my co-workers.  She is cheery, effective, generous, and cute.  I don't teach directly with her, but I enjoy her company very much.  She made us a wonderful dinner.  Red rice (sekihan), egg pudding (chawan mushi), clam chowder, green beans, and even some wild boar meat which was killed by her husband.

She kindly let us stay the night in her home.  My mom enjoyed a nice scented bath.  We slept well.

Mrs. Yokoyama's garden.

Mrs. Yokoyama's garden.

Note: Photos marked with "(HQ)" were taken by my mom.

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