And adorable video of a lovely Japanese lady getting an English lesson Santa style.

This is for all of you losers who missed Santacon. Although, even I missed this part since I had a flight to catch the next day and was dragging around a friend who was already deathly hungover.

School children are always in their uniforms.  Even on weekends.  You see flocks of uniformed adolescents on the trains chattering away with their school gossip.  I always figured they were going to or from some sort of school function, like a club or sporting event.  But they even show up in the mall and at festivals in their school uniforms, especially the high school girls.  I just chalked it up to one of those great Japanese mysteries.

But at the English conversation group I help with I learned a piece of the puzzle.  Apparently it’s also a bit of a conundrum to Japanese adults.  One of the men at my table asked a well-spoken high school girl why they were always in their uniform, even outside of school.  She said it was easier than trying to pick out clothes in the morning.  And besides girls at that age are so critical of each other’s style.  You have to wear the right things.  It’s safe to just wear your school uniform because everyone else wears it too.  Teenage insecurity strikes again, universally, cross-culturally.

But then this makes me wonder.  How many sets of uniforms do they have?  And how often do they wash them?

Then someone at the table mentioned a rumor that he had heard.  That there was a prefectural curfew that said anyone under the age of 18 in Gunma had to be in their homes by 10pm. There were no exceptions.  Not even if the kids were accompanied by their parents.  I couldn’t believe this outrageous law.  But everyone else at the table agreed that it was true.  Why couldn’t children go out with their parents?  Someone suggested that it might have something to do with young parents brining their children to bars with them.  Most of Japan’s problems seem to be blamed on young parents, especially young mothers.

I am reposting an email I received.  I don’t work for the company but I thought I’d put it up for the benefit of anyone who reads this blog who does.  And also to serve as a warning to anyone who is thinking about teaching English with a private company in Japan.  They all care about money first and human interests second.  Some are much better than others.  Do your research and try get opinions from people who have experience with that company before you sign up.  It would suck to drag your ass all the way to Japan just to get screwed.

>   Hello all this is Morgan Jones former general
> manager of borderlink.
> As most of you know I have left borderlink due to
> unexpected circumstances.
> When I took this position I only accepted it because
> I was told that I would run human resources they way
> I see fit. Unfortunately I was forced into lying and
> persuading ALTs.
> I am sending this e-mail to as many staff as I can
> to ensure that the promises I made are fulfilled.
> Please keep in mind these following warnings
>
> 1.    The company rules and regulations that you
> have received are not the same as the rules and
> regulations borderlink has filed with the labor
> bureau.
> 2.    Your pay for March will probably not be paid
> in full do to that fact that the schools will end in
> late March. Please seek confirmation from borderlink
> before March to assure your pay. ( in writing or
> text)
> 3.    If you live in an apartment that borderlink
> has arranged you are paying more rent than the other
> tenants in your facility. Meaning that your has an
> add on which leads to you actually paying for the
> set up fees although the apartment is not in your
> name and if borderlink does not renew your contract
> you will loose the apartment and your deposits will
> be kept by borderlink.
> 4.    Your insurance is not legit and should be
> changed to Shakai hoken.
> 5.    Your paid leave might not be paid if you
> decide to use those days in March. Please use them
> before March so you may confirm that you will get
> paid for them.
>
> I have made arrangements with RCS corporation. Now
> that Morikawa is gone it is a much better company.
> Anyone wishing to work as an ALT in Gunma or
> wherever RCS will give you priority on positions
> they have. If you have any problems or questions
> please contact me, I am more than willing to help. I
> would also like to justify my motivations by saying
> that I do not care about borderlinks future. But I
> do not want to be remembered as the guy that screwed
> you over. So please if there is anything I can help
> you with contact me.  Best of luck
>
>
>
>
>                                Morgan Jones 

Remember the newspapers about me that my Friday elementary school did? Well, my Thursday elementary school just completed theirs.

This one group did a list of my likes and dislikes.

Kore wa…