Hi everyone -
This Glossary of Terms blog is an just an idea I've been toying with recently to serves as a one stop, back up information depot for you folks. Below is a sample of what I would provide to those who read my SurfingNiigata posts, as long as there is a demand, of course (^ ^).
So if you don't mind, please check these out and give me your feedback. Feel free to comment directly to the post or send me an e-mail.
Thanks much!
Keep surfing!
Brendan
Niigata - One of Japan's largest prefectures, located 4 hours north of Tokyo on the western seaboard. Niigata is easily spotted as it is next to Sado island -- which is situated in the Japan Sea and is shaped like an 'S').
Surfing Niigata (why on Earth did he coose THAT name?!) - Well, I wanted something that would mix my interest in actual 'surfing' with the Internet term, hoping it might add some zip to the experience of checking out this fine country through my eyes! Pretty sweet, eh?
Sora Iro - 'Sky Blue' is a member of the happy, sun people! They provide hours of relaxing head movements throughout the day light hours when set near a window. A must for the over stressed worker. They were quite popular in the 1990s.
Predecessor - He or she that came before me! In this case, my predecessor is Melissa Curran, also of New York fame. Melissa taught in Maki for two years and has since moved to Oregon in the US.
Omiyage - The Japanese term for 'souvenir.' An important part of entering the work place, people's homes, etc. Gift-giving, from my limited experience, see,s to be quite an art in Japan, in which timing dictates good taste, and quality can suggest the hierarchical structure of a school or company.
JET(P) - Japan Exchange Teacher (Program) -- The title for this trek I have undertaken. A person in my position is often referred to as a 'JET' however, this term seems to be limited to Tokyo and other countries. In Japan, I'm known as an A.L.T.
A.L.T. - Assistant Language Teacher. ALTs are hired to work the classrooms, providing Native English speaking abilities to J.T.Es.
J.T.E. - Japanese Teacher of English
