Thanks Obama.

I had planned for my next posts to be catch-up posts, with lovely photos of nice things from my years in Kyoto and surround areas, but with this being the trending topic of the moment and my feelings about it all on a huge roller coaster I thought it best to get it all out on here while it's still fresh in my mind.

President Obama, First Lady Michelle, and their two daughters made a lovely First Family. Say what you want about Obama's agenda, his decisions or his short-comings, but as a representative of the American people and the most powerful nation on this planet, he and his family did it all with the sort of grace and decency not seen in the White House for many a term.

I've read through debate after debate on Obama's policies and what he could've done, should've done better, on why he absolutely ruined The United States and was the worst president ever. And while I get that everyone is entitled to their opinions, I have to say that most of those arguments have little going for them - the ones they really should be upset with are their congressmen and elected officials, but I'm not here to teach civics.

I'm also not here to tell everyone he was The Perfect President either. He was not, and no one ever will be. But for one man whose job it was to represent and protect the rights of hundreds of millions of people, each coming from a different background with differing viewpoints on social issues across the board, he did a pretty damn good job, without even overlooking the oft-forgotten minorities.

He was respectful, he was articulate, but still knew how to have fun. And oh, how I will miss that.

I have tried very, very hard to be optimistic about the incoming president, but going from a man who has shown such love and respect for his partner and gone about his daily life with utmost greatness and honor, to someone who has un-apologetically objectified women, mocked the handicapped, and has made calls for racist and bigoted policies, well... the transition will be rough.

To be clear, I have no political affiliation. My voter's registration card has been "Independent" from the beginning. On social issues I will almost always take the progressive stance, but after what the DNC pulled this past election I have no desire to associate with that party. The extremism that divides parties and ideas is only going to drive the nation further and further apart, which is why, as much as I do not want to see someone like Trump as the leader of The United States, I also cannot condone the extremely negative backlash that his election has stirred. What I see is no different than the extremists who proclaimed The End of Days and protested against Obama's presidency. That is no way to bring about the positive change that the US so desperately needs.

Perhaps we can all learn a little lesson on how to stand up to adversity with as much poise and dignity as the Obamas, to carry on a bit of their legacy. Former Always POTUS and FLOTUS - Oh, how you will be missed!

More Drama Ensues

Crazy Chinese Mother has returned to bring more drama!  So much for her daughter being in another class and not having to deal with her.

So, Thursday morning she came to the school to drop off her daughter as always.  I was going about my morning duties as usual when one of the Japanese staff came up to me and said CCM wanted to talk to me about something that happened yesterday.

Seriously?  Again??? was all I could think.

So, she told me about how her daughter had said that yesterday, in the morning during their free playtime she had fallen, and that I went over and pulled her to her feet and said to her, "何やってんの?"  (Nani yattenno? A kind of rude/slang way of saying "What are you doing?")

Oh, the ridiculousness of it!  I don't think I've ever spoken a word of Japanese to any of the students.  I rarely even speak Japanese to any of the Japanese staff because it's an English school and we try to avoid using Japanese in front of the students and parents if at all possible.

The Japanese staff lady who CCM was using as a kind of go-between, bless her heart, stood her ground and stood up for me and insisted that none of the English teachers speak Japanese to the students, and that she's never heard me speak Japanese either.  CCM hmmm'ed and haaa'ed and rambled and insisted she didn't think her daughter would lie, and finally just told me to "Use my smell to the children."

I just kind of went, "Ohh.. kay."  I thought perhaps she meant something about some 'sense' or something, I have no idea.

"You understand what I say?"

"Umm, not really... use my smell?"

"Yes, use your smell with the children."

I looked at Nice Japanese Staff  Lady for help.

"におい?" NJSL asked for confirmation using the word for smell in Japanese.

"No no," and she pointed to her cheek and made as much of a smile as her permanently angry-looking face could muster.

"Oh, smile!" NJSL explaimed.

"Yes, smell." CCM continued.

I just nodded, saying, "Okay, okay."

She finally left.

Other teacher, who has CCM's daughter, came to me later and said there was a note for me in the renrakuchou.  And what a note it was!  An angry, scathing note questioning why I would say such a thing to her daughter when she fell down, didn't I know what I was saying?, and that I should say sorry to them, "because you should be!"

 I wrote as polite of a reply as I could, explaining that her daughter did not in fact fall, but that she and another girl were goofing off during our morning activities and that I had asked them to stop playing and stand up, and that I never use Japanese in front of any of the students.  

Friday came, and so did her reply in the notebook: I hope what you said is true.

So, again, I wrote another politely-worded but firm reply, that yes it is true, that I have no need to use Japanese at the school as my job is to teach English, which is my first language and what I use naturally anyway, and that I didn't think her daughter was purposely telling lies but that children that young don't always understand everything around them, especially if it's in a new language to them, sometimes they just make mistakes.  

There was a lot more that I went on about, but that's the gist of it.

All my Japanese coworkers have been very supportive of me, which has been nice.  "Don't let her bother you!"  "I know you didn't say that, don't worry!"

Even one of the higher-ups came in on Friday before classes let out, to tell me that she knew I wouldn't say that and that she was going to talk to CCM and explain to her that her daughter had probably picked up that phrase from other kids in the class.

CCM was cordial to me that day when she came to pick up her daughter, but I left shortly after so I don't know what happened after the higher-up spoke to her or after she read my last reply.  We'll see what comes of it on Tuesday I guess.  Monday is a national holiday... definitely a much-needed 3-day weekend as I have also had this really persistent cough all week that I just can't seem to kick!  Did a really thorough cleaning today, which was also much-needed, so the next couple days I can just enjoy and relax.

So, in parting I'll leave you with the lovely view I had from my kitchen window today.

Problem Parents

A "problem child" is to be expected when teaching, and while irritating they are tolerable.  After all they are children, and as such will act like a child.  What is really irritating to deal with are the problem parents, and I had my first one this week!  Basically, the parent of a newer student, who started just a few weeks ago, was all in a huff when she came to pick her kid up after her trial Art Kids lesson (an art class thing offered on Wednesdays after regular school ends at 2pm, when I and all the other teachers go home).  Her daughter was supposedly crying and had a scratch and bruise under her eye.  The girl said it was because another kid in my class hit her (said kid isn't even there for the art class), and the next day mother came in all upset with me and my helper-teacher for not saying anything about it.  In her broken English she told me she didn't think I wasn't "pro".  I looked at her incredulously before having to stifle the laughter and the urge to tell her, "Of course I'm not, do you think this company would fork over the money to pay a 'professional teacher'?"  And then I just felt pissed off and wanted to tell her, "Alright, let's stick you in a class with 10 psychotic three-year-olds and see how you fair." 

Because seriously, that's how it was.  Granted, there were two teachers in that class.. it was chaos when it was nine kids but when they decided to stuff one more new kid in our class this past week that was just kind of the breaking point for me and I told them that having this many little kids in one classroom (and having to actually TEACH them) was just insane.  (I won't go into all the other reasons why I think this company is just complete BS.  That could take up a whole other post..)

But then to have this mother get all pissed with me because "I wasn't watching her daughter", just really f***** me off.  She wrote a long note in the renrakuchou (little notebook for notes between the parents and the school) that she wanted us two teachers to read and write a response to.  Other teacher ended up writing the response, because they FINALLY split our class and that girl is in the other teacher's class, not mine thank God.  Now I won't have to deal with that mother's nonsense.  Though I really did want to be the one to write the response.. other teacher was quite nice in her response, but it might just be that I'm at the point where I don't give a shit anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I completely understand that, as the mother, she would want to know what's going on with her child and if there are any problems.  But then to go off on me with out knowing the situation and to question my capabilities...   Rrr!!

First- when I left at 2pm your daughter was perfectly fine.  She was making her usual goofy faces as we sang the good-bye song.  Her eye was fine, she wasn't crying.  If something happened during the extra hour she was there after I left, well how the hell am I supposed to know about that?

Second- if it did happen during class time with the kid she claims hit her, and I didn't see it?  That's something that needs to be taken up with the company.  I have TEN KIDS to look after, with only two eyes that can only see in one direction at once, and there is almost always at least one kid screaming and crying for one reason or another that needs to be held/comforted, or other kids arguing over toys who need to be talked to, notes that need to be written to other parents, lessons that need to be planned, all while 10 little maniacs run around strewing toys everywhere.  Granted yes, I have help, but she is also trying to do all the things I'm trying to do as well.  Sorry ma'am, I can't watch ONLY your daughter for every bloody second of the day.  If that kid hit her in the few seconds my eyes were averted, and she didn't cry or say anything to me, it must have not bothered her all that much.  They were playing together the whole time, carrying around a basket of plastic fruit together and everything.  They took a couple spills because they wouldn't stop running around, jerking each other about with that basket, but I certainly did not see any hitting.  Ever consider the possibility that your daughter isn't telling the truth?  She is 3 after all.  Kids are good at making stuff up.  I doubt she'd be doing it maliciously to get the kid in trouble, or even intentionally.. Maybe one of those times she fell and bumped heads with said kid, or the kid just accidentally got her in the face while they were playing, but in her mind he hit her on purpose

And lastly- questioning my ability.  Hi, yes.. you have one daughter.  I have taken care of more kids in the past year than you probably ever will in your entire life, under the guidance of licensed day care workers and a child psychologist.  No, I am not an expert by any means and I don't pretend to be, but I've been around kids enough to know how they interact with each other, and how to handle situations like fighting, hitting, etc.  If I had seen something happen, I would have addressed it appropriately.  So please give credit where credit is due.

I knew I'd be having issues with this woman the first week her daughter was here.  Her daughter was crying one morning and was saying she didn't want to go to school because some kid was being mean to her.  I knew for a fact that wasn't the case.  Said kid hardly even interacted with her that first week.  It was the girl's first week at the school, after having just moved to Japan from China.. of course she's going to be upset having to be adjusting to so much at once.  But mother was so concerned, making a big fuss with me and all the Japanese staff that we have to watch her daughter and make sure she has this and that and is comfortable and happy and rah rah.  

Yes.  Because we don't do that already..

All the other parents I've ever dealt with have been wonderful and understanding, and I've even gotten some really sweet notes from some of the mothers in the renrakuchou..  I know I shouldn't let this old biddy with unrealistic expectations get to me.  I just needed to rant.  

I would like to hear other people's perspectives on the matter though.  From a mother's perspective, or another teacher's perspective?  Or just and outsider's view.

I didn't want to get into it too much, but that just turned into a really long rant.  But, like I said, the classes are finally split so I'll only have half a flock to look after and won't have to deal with crazy mum.  Yesterday was the first day with five kids and my goodness it was a dream!  I didn't feel like wringing their necks every five minutes!  :D

Called in sick today though so I could go to the immigration office (they wouldn't give me the day off for that, but that's another rant I'll spare you), and then it's off to visit my aunt, and my cousin and his family.  Should be a good day ahead.. gotta hurry and get ready.

Exercising My Freedom of Speech

The whole Chick-Fil-A ordeal had pretty much blown over now, thankfully, and people are now starting to move on to other things like.. Pepsi.  More on that in a second.

Now, I kept fairly quiet through the whole thing, and while I don't want this to be a politically-influenced blog I just feel the need to rant about a couple of things. 

First, how on earth did it all become about the 1st Amendment?  I'm sorry but no one's 1st Amendment rights were or are compromised.  The CEO has every right to state his views, and as far as I know no one tried to come in and sue him for saying those things. Why?  BECAUSE OF HIS 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.  And as far as I know, no one is trying to do away with the 1st Amendment either.  So to all who lined up for hours to buy some oh-so-healthy fast food goodness under the guise of supporting freedom of speech- congratulations, you successfully supported nothing but a multi-million dollar company whose rights were never compromised in the first place.  

Yes, everyone still has their freedom of speech.  However, that DOES NOT make you immune to backlash from people whom you offend with your words.  So, boycotting Chick-Fil-A because you don't agree with the CEO's values does not equal trying to take away someone's 1st Amendment rights.  Just to clear that up.

However, if you really went to Chick-Fil-A to show you objection to same-sex marriage, your money could have been so much more well-spent if you had just given it directly to the anti-LGBT groups that Chick-Fil-A supports.  

Which, my friends, is the real issue.

Now, it's one thing to have a differing opinion (though, as the CEO of a large company I think it's quite unprofessional to make such statements against a group of people like that).  While I feel his views are quite bigoted and outdated, whatever.  I get it.  Gay marriage is against his religious beliefs.  Good for him, he's doing such a good job following his beliefs and not getting a gay marriage.  BUT!  Supporting groups whose goal is to take away the rights of the gay community, that is a lot different.  

Let's just try looking at it in a different light.

As bogus as it is, please pretend for a second that Mr. Cathy was not opposed to gay marriage, but was instead opposed to Christianity (yes, I know.. when Hell freezes over, but this is for example's sake).  Now, if he had publicly announced that he was anti-Christian, I can guarantee there would be backlash there.  But, what if in addition to that he was also monetarily supporting anti-Christian groups who were working to take away people's rights to practice Christianity.  Sounds absurd, right?  But there is absolutely no difference.  Oh, you don't agree with homosexuality?  Well, let's just take away the rights of homosexuals!  What, you don't agree with Christianity?  Alright, let's just put an end to that shall we?

Now, in addition to all of the chicken hubbub, I've started seeing this too:

Okay, now this smells so strongly of double-standards I think I might gag.  The people opposed to Dan Cathy's views chose to boycott the company and all these people come out wailing about freedom of speech and blah blah I support you Chick-Fil-A let's buy some chicken sandwiches.  But now here comes Pepsi, not even saying anything against Christianity, but you know hey they don't want to use the word God so let's boycott their God-less cans.  I honestly don't get it.. what happened to the freedom of speech you all were going on about a couple weeks ago? 
[Edit: Apparently this isn't new, but that it's even resurfacing is still very very sad.)

We all have different views and different lifestyles.  We're not going to always agree and that's just fine.  Boycott the chicken burgers or line up for hours to buy them, whatever suits your fancy.  But let's not take away people's rights because you don't agree with them.  So many of my good friends and family are devout Christians, and I would definitely have something to say if there were people out there trying to make sure they could no longer live the life that gives them purpose and happiness.  But, you know what?  Their rights are already protected and are not being threatened.  I only wish to see the same for my good friends and family who are gay.