27 June 2015: Undokai and Birthdays

Today, after the daily Radio Taisou and a well deserved breakfast, we began the day's activities with 運動会 (Undoukai), a sports festival in which students were split into different teams and competed for a grand prize of stickers, candy, and nutrition bars! Events included the creation of a team cheer, Daruma Ga Koronda (Similar to Red-light Green-light), and a scavenger hunt. Following fierce competition over the course of 3 hours, Orange team came out on top with 25 points and took home the prizes amidst the shouts and cheers of all competitors. Later today, students had a chance to access the outside world, so parents, please check your emails! This evening, students and staff had a film night and watched Samurai Fiction.

 

Finally, at the nightly meeting, two students, were given a surprise cake, cards and gifts, as their birthdays are are today and tomorrow respectively.  We also sang a rendition of "Happy Birthday", though of course, as this is the Japanese Academy, it was more along the lines of "OTanjyoubi Omedetou" (Kids, feel free to chant this at your next birthday)! A trio of students also played an instrumental encore to the delight of both birthday girls and to the delight of everybody, there was cake. Lots and lots of cake. Don't worry parents, your children are probably not eating a slice of cake at 9:30 PM. They're eating two. With french fries.

-Joseph San

9 July 2014: GJA 2014 Variety Show!!

7/9

Word of the Day: ikimashoo (Let’s go)

Yahhou!

Wooo, variety show! On Wednesday we, the students, put our talents on display in the academy’s variety show. The show was comprised of 23 acts (including a few surprise performances) which showcased the students’ and the senpais’ musical, theatrical, and artsy talents. Performances ranged from a tae-kwon-doe performance by Michael and Adam (which was interrupted by Brandon, Nate, and Antoine rendition of Rick Astley’s hit song, Never Gonna Give You Up), a recital of poetry by Sharon and Christina, and a human algorithm presented by the academy’s advanced class. To top off the festivities, the academy wished Chung senpai a happy birthday and his company showed a video of them thanking Chung senpai for all the wonderful things he has done for them. The feels were real...

-  Antoine

Nate, Antoine and Brandon "rick-rolling" during the middle of the show

Erik, Antoine, Adam, James and Lindsey singing I'm Yours by Jason Mraz

29 June 2014: Arts & Crafts and Movie Galore!

6/29 

Our First Art Class

Sunday, the students participated in our first art project: paper mâché Daruma. The craft was named after the Buddhist monk, Daruma. He meditated for so long that he lost control of his arms and legs. The Daruma doll traditionally is a red head with exaggerated facial features. Legend says that after crafting the doll, one must make a wish and fill in one of the eyes. If the wish comes true, the creator then fills in the second eye. If the wish is not fulfilled, most Japanese people will burn the Daruma during New Year’s celebrations. After learning about the legend of the Daruma, students created their own. Whether intentionally or accidentally, many students ended up covered in the paper mâché paste! Most only finished sculpting the shape of the doll, but we all enjoyed the activity. We are all looking forward to finishing our Darumas sometime during the upcoming week.

- Lindsey

Daruma doll

Sunday was jam packed with fun activities, including an opportunity to watch a film called Water Boys.  Together, we snuggled up in our PJs with pillows, blankets and a variety of snacks. The film was loosely based on a true story about a male synchronized swimming team. The movie was very comedic and strange as we followed the story of the boys as they trained for their school’s festival.  The swimming team became famous through an unlikely incident.  Their fame is credited to a family who called emergency services to report what seemed like a group of boys drowning, but in actuality the team was practicing their synchro routine. This live action Japanese film utilized physical and situational comedy that was able to appeal audiences around the world. After the movie we celebrated two birthdays of James G. and James M. , with singing, candles, wishes, and cake.   

-Melissa

Japanese Movie: Water Boys