on the topic of PANTS
I love the first few weeks back at school. The leaden silence, the stale air of the office always reminds me of how much worse my job could be without the students and teachers who brighten each day. I've made plenty of games, flashcards, and worksheets already, with fresh ideas for class springing into my head as suddenly as the blooming cherry blossoms spring from the trees. I was told today that I was acting more like a head teacher instead of an assistant - a double-edged compliment, but I'll take it. ;)
We have an AET drinking party Friday evening, but on Saturday, I'm hoping to persuade folks to look at the cherry blossoms with me. I'd love to get over to Takamatsu Pond this year - the blossoms there are said to be some of the best in the area. Also, I'm hoping to go see a movie, any movie on Saturday - if only to see the trailer for Mr. Miyazaki's next animated feature, Ponyo on a Cliff By the Sea. It comes out in July, so I'll be able to see it before I leave! :) Best farewell present ever.
The new AEON Supercenter is almost finished. It looks like it will be a large department/grocery store, with a restaurant, foot baths, laundromat, and other amenities. Basically, a combination of a very fancy rest stop with a large department store. They are also currently building the new gas station in front of it. So, I can still watch the construction workers every day!
You see, Japanese construction workers are special. They have these PANTS. And oh, what PANTS. (Yes, it most certainly does demand capital letters.) Your average Japanese construction worker under the age of 40 is dressed like so: he wears a tank top, or a long sleeve shirt, or a shirt and jacket/vest with multiple pockets (like a short safari jacket), and he wears these long, billowy PANTS - snug around the waist, ballooning outward, until they close snugly around the calf. The calf section is tucked into the boots - the boots are tabi boots, with two forked toes (think of the boots you see ninjas wear in the movies!) This same worker may also have a bandana on his head during hot weather, to stay cool; in cool weather, he might wear a knit cap. The effect of this costume is to make the average Japanese construction worker look just like a PIRATE!
Seriously, every time I see them, I expect them to whip out a knife or a cutlass, put on an eyepatch, plug in a few gold teeth, and buckle some swash! ARRR, matey!!!! *shakes fist*
Hence, I love all the construction that happens in my area, and watching the construction workers. I swear, someday, there will be an epic construction worker-turned-pirate battle, and I will be witness! Just you wait and see! :P
In the meantime, here's a link to an article on construction worker fashion in Japan, so that you can all see what I'm talking about - since I have not been brave enough to ask the local fellas if I can take their picture:
http://www.pingmag.jp/2006/01/18/construction-worker-fashion/
We have an AET drinking party Friday evening, but on Saturday, I'm hoping to persuade folks to look at the cherry blossoms with me. I'd love to get over to Takamatsu Pond this year - the blossoms there are said to be some of the best in the area. Also, I'm hoping to go see a movie, any movie on Saturday - if only to see the trailer for Mr. Miyazaki's next animated feature, Ponyo on a Cliff By the Sea. It comes out in July, so I'll be able to see it before I leave! :) Best farewell present ever.
The new AEON Supercenter is almost finished. It looks like it will be a large department/grocery store, with a restaurant, foot baths, laundromat, and other amenities. Basically, a combination of a very fancy rest stop with a large department store. They are also currently building the new gas station in front of it. So, I can still watch the construction workers every day!
You see, Japanese construction workers are special. They have these PANTS. And oh, what PANTS. (Yes, it most certainly does demand capital letters.) Your average Japanese construction worker under the age of 40 is dressed like so: he wears a tank top, or a long sleeve shirt, or a shirt and jacket/vest with multiple pockets (like a short safari jacket), and he wears these long, billowy PANTS - snug around the waist, ballooning outward, until they close snugly around the calf. The calf section is tucked into the boots - the boots are tabi boots, with two forked toes (think of the boots you see ninjas wear in the movies!) This same worker may also have a bandana on his head during hot weather, to stay cool; in cool weather, he might wear a knit cap. The effect of this costume is to make the average Japanese construction worker look just like a PIRATE!
Seriously, every time I see them, I expect them to whip out a knife or a cutlass, put on an eyepatch, plug in a few gold teeth, and buckle some swash! ARRR, matey!!!! *shakes fist*
Hence, I love all the construction that happens in my area, and watching the construction workers. I swear, someday, there will be an epic construction worker-turned-pirate battle, and I will be witness! Just you wait and see! :P
In the meantime, here's a link to an article on construction worker fashion in Japan, so that you can all see what I'm talking about - since I have not been brave enough to ask the local fellas if I can take their picture:
http://www.pingmag.jp/2006/01/18/construction-worker-fashion/