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I had a terrific mid-year seminar in Ikaho. The hotel was nice, and the onsens really were great. They were big, there was a variety, and they were beautiful, especially the outdoor ones (though guests on the south side could see us during the day). The food was not very good, but I didn't mind too much. Some of the seminars were really helpful and interesting, and some of them were virtuously pointless. But on the whole, discussions were good. It was also nice because some Japanese teachers (JTEs) came and were interacted. I realized that there are a whole bunch of people in Gunma (183 in JET), and that they have a variety of problems and benefits. Some people were having problems with their JTEs, others were never told anything that was going on at school. A couple decided not to go home for Christmas because their host institutions would not let them leave. This is a big issue for the Christmas season, because spending this holiday with relatives is really important to Westerners. Some of the institutions wouldn't let them have the time off because it was too long, not because there was anything the ALTs had to do. One guy said that his school would only let him have 5 days off at a time, which seems to be the average length of a Japanese holiday trip. One guy had a problem at a school where he was a one shot (thus he was only there 1 day per year). The kocho-sensei (principal) kept smacking his butt and groping him. Once or twice is not uncommon, but this man persisted. He also kept asking questions about the ALT's size and saying that they must onsen together. The kocho also had a favorite boy jr high student that he was very affectionate towards. HE brought him into his office and closed the door. he also gave this boy small gifts. The ALT says that he is sure the boy was being molested, which is really sad, since probably nothing will be done about it. (There was an article in today's papaer about punishiment for school employees). Anyway, there was more than just discussions. There was lots of free time, and I took advantage. The first night I was up until 2:30. I spent the whole night in the hotel going to the onsen and moving from conversation to conversation. That night there were only 5 of us left when I went to bed. I discovered I should have gone to bed earlier because someone had taken my futon. Luckily there was a couch. I grabbed a sitting pillow and a yukata (~thin cotton bathrobe) and tried to get some sleep. It was hard because we agreed to keep the lights on (I was in the "living room") and there was a woman on the other couch who kept talking in her sleep. But I did sleep some and got up at 7:00 for a morning onsen and breakfast. The second night I stayed up until 3:30. A group of people and I played spoons, animal concentration (you make movements instead of saying the animal), played psychiatrist, and told riddles. It ws particularly exciting for me because I met a guy who is like my friend Joe, except successful. He and I both have rambling minds and were completely confusing everyone, even though we both knew what we were talking about. Well, I know that it doesn't sound all that interesting, but it was for me. I was so happy to be around all these people. it is very easy to get bored and/or lonely as a JET. So it was nice to see people and to realize that I am not the only one in this situation.
Valerie Straayer
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