Days 10 & 11

Konichiwa!

July 6th began as a "typical" day at the Japanese academy. We had language class in the morning, followed by our first non-English lunch. We then had film class where we continued to watch clips from Kurosawa's movie Dreams We then rushed back to the dorms to begin preparing for the Language Academy Olympics. We were eagerly awaiting the games, as we decorated our faces with the Japanese flag and other cultural symbols. The entire academy was decorated in red as we marched and chanted around the campus carrying signs and even a homemade dragon. During the Olympics, each academy was responsible for coming up with an event, and presenting it to the other academies in their own languages. There were a total of eight events, including the Chopstick Relay, which consisted of a team of 4 members who were responsible for using chopsticks to move jelly beans from bowl to bowl as fast as they could. This was the Japanese Academy event. Each student from the academy participated in at least one event and were all cheered on by the remaining members. Throughout the games, we proudly cheered not only members from our academy, but from other academies as well. We also performed an intimidation routine and were by far the loudest and most unified academy. As a result we won the coveted spirit award, one of the highest, if not the highest award an academy can be given. We were all ecstatic and continued our cheers even after the Olympics were over. It was a thrilling ending to an exciting day.

Today we woke up with pride from yesterdays Olympics. We continued to strengthen our Japanese language skills, both during class and non-English lunch. We then had our cultural crafts class where we began to make Daruma, which are limbless dolls used to make wishes. They are typically found in Japanese homes and are replaced every year. We then had our recreation period where we had the choice between cardio machines and swimming. Following recreation and dinner, we had an informative culture class on the nature of bonsai gardening. Today was also the midpoint of the academy, but we are all looking forward to what we still have to learn. :)

Sayoonara!

Days 7-9

Konnichiwa Minna-san!

Here at the Japanese Academy, we've been really busy these past three days so we haven't had much time to write a blog entry, but we've done a lot of activities and made a lot of progress :)

On Thursday, we had our field day or Undokai. The Japanese Academy was split into two teams: red and white, who competed in various culture-related events such as a Japan-themed obstacle course. In culture class that night, we prepared for the Tanabata Matsuri with a lesson on Sadou, or Japanese tea ceremony, and how to put on the traditional Japanese Yukata robes. We also had a special lesson on Japan's environmentally friendly outlook.

Friday, the 4th, was packed with activities. In the morning, we painted fans to carry around at the Tanabata Matsuri. We painted these fans with traditional Japanese symbols and/or scenery such as cherry blossoms and dragons. After our daily language classes, the girls all rushed to pick out their Yukata robes to wear for the festival. Even though it was "first come, first serve," all the Yukata were extremely pretty and both the girls and the boys all looked great :) The Tanabata Matsuri was a great success, based on the actual Japanese star festival, we learned traditional dances, saw or performed in a skit performance of a Japanese myth, and ate Japanese sweets and takoyaki (fried octopus).

After our festival, the Japanese Academy, along with all of the other Language Academies watched a fireworks show. It was not only fun for us, but it was a great inter-academy bonding experience. We had a sing-along, took pictures, ate ice cream, and ran around in the festivities.

Today, we had a cooking class where we made Japanese curry rice which was definitely enjoyed by everyone. We also had another practice session for the Olympic competition between all of the academies.

Sore dewa mata!

-Quinci

Days 5 and 6

These past two days we have accomplished quite a lot. We got a chance to do our laundry, an unfamiliar experience for some of us. Yesterday was also many students' first attempt at cooking Yakisoba, a dish consisting of noodles, vegetables, and pork. We worked together to create a delicious, nutritious, and culturally-relevant lunch.

After our bellies were full of noodles, we played soccer and frisbee and ninja, a fun game where students got a chance to bond. That evening, in culture class, we learned about Otaku, a Japanese word literally meaning "someone's house". Culturally, Otaku is a fanatic of anime, manga, or any other popular Japanese hobby who surrounds themselves with their particular interest all the time. We watched a few clips from the Japanese movie Train Man, a story about an Otaku who begins to venture into the real world with the support of his cyber-friends.

Today during arts and crafts time, we painted urushi no hako, or small boxes that hold trinkets. We also created our own personal hachimaki, bandana-like garments with kanji messages on them such as "Strength" and "Japan". Students sported these headbands at dinner with pride.

During recreation time, we practiced for Olympics Day, a competitive series of special games in which all the different academies of the Governor's School compete against one another.

Lastly, in film class, we finished the Japanese movie Ping Pong and analyzed possible meanings of the film. Since we finished early, we watched several short YouTube videos about Japanese culture.

Sayoonara!

Written by Andy

Day 4

Konnichiwa mina-san,

Today we ventured off the campus to Maymont Park and the Japanese gardens to help maintain the beauty of the park. Some of the jobs included mucking the pond, various weeding, transplanting grass, cutting viscous bamboo, and overall cleaning up. Afterwards we enjoyed a lovely picnic on the newly pruned grounds.

We returned to the dorms to rest for a bit before attending our afternoon language lessons. Several students embarked with new teachers and lessons as the academy added a new class for intermediate beginners for the first time.

At dinner we mixed up it up and sat with different people for a new experience. As the days go by, everyone is getting closer.

In film class, we continued to watch Ping Pong and almost got to the end before stopping it to examine primary themes and recurring ideas.

The companies continue to work hard on their individual projects and hold nightly meetings for discussions.

We all appreciate your support in this adventure and look forward to mail call every night (hint hint).

Sayonara :)

written by Halie

Days 2 & 3

Konnichiwa!

The past couple days in the academy we have covered very much. In the beginning classes the students have learned greetings, numbers, and Hiragana symbols so far. In the intermediate classes, the students are learning phrases and introductions and learning Katakana symbols. In the advanced classes, the students are writing autobiographies and presenting them to the class, learning Kanji and writing it, and also reading a Japanese folktale.

In our film class, we have started a movie called "Ping Pong" and are discussing how it relates to Japanese schools and life. We have completed half of it so far and still have some to go.

During our recreation we had two groups, one going to the cardio machines and the other playing badminton, ping pong, and volleyball against the Chinese Language Academy. VCU has opened a new gym facility this year and we have enjoyed it a lot! We also had a group of students go to the pool and enjoy the whirl pool and water slide.

Our biggest recreation event thus far has been the Japanese-Paraguay World Cup game. Supporting Japan for over two hours, we were devastated to learn Japan lost. This was a historic match because neither Japan or Paraguay had made it past the final 16. You may want to send students and sensai care packages to console us.

In our culture classes we learned about symbols and art and how they relate to each other. We covered Japanese gardens and all their aspects and tomorrow we have the opportunity to go to the Maymont Park to visit the Japanese garden and participate in a service project.

The company presidents had their interviews with all the students and chose 5 or 6 members to be in their company. The six companies are in charge of various events and projects for the academy in the next few weeks. They are also working on products to sell at our Global Market for all the language academies.

Students journal every evening reflecting on the day and how they interact and relate with the other students.

Sayoonara!

DAY 1 & 2

Well, Day 1 went by without a hitch. The students seem to be making friends well. In fact, they have already elected 6 student leaders or "Company Presidents." They are Mark Onley, Cristina Berriz, Adrianna Thomas, Lara Bigotti, Olivia Kim, and Josh Naismith. Congratulations to those parents. They will "hire" staff today and given various tasks to complete as a company.

Today, it's all about class- 3 hours of language, study time, film class, recreation, then culture lecture. Wooohoo!!!

Tomorrow!

The 2010 Virginia Governor's Japanese Academy starts tommorow! Hope you're ready!