FINALLY got my sushi fix!

Smile!

Before I get into talking about my week, here is my thought for this week (feel free to skip to the next paragraph).  Working with youth on this military base has exposed me to the most diverse group of young people EVER!  I have never been in a setting that had so many nationalities present, and not only are their heritages different, but so is their first languages as well as where they were born.  There are so many interracial families, as well as families where one parent is in the military and the other parent is from the host country.  There are children who speak English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and French, to name a few, and every child really does look different.  But because the group is so diverse, in many ways they are one of the most accepting groups of children I have ever seen.  This diversity has added another dynamic to what I am learning during this internship, and I am very appreciative of this opportunity I have been given.

Week two in Japan was a mixture of orientation and getting my hands dirty.  This internship up to this point has been one in which no one knows quite how to use me, and therefore I am not always sure what I should be doing on a daily basis.  As someone new to CYP, I have just been soaking in everything.  Although what I did on a daily basis this past week might seem random and scattered, I really was able to learn a lot.  Having a Training and Curriculum Specialist as my mentor has been a benefit because it has enabled me to see all aspects of CYP already (except for CDH programs, because we do not have any; and youth sports, because they are based out of the Hario base). 

One of my main projects is working on the Easter celebration in the spring.  I was originally told that I was just going to be working with Jessica on marketing and advertising, and that the event would take place one week after I left on the 21^st.   In just a matter of a week I have seen a lot of the issues that come up with planning a base-wide event.  First, due to major budget constraints, we have essentially no budget, expect what will go towards advertising.  So all of our activities have to come out of what we already have in storage.  Second, I learned that I would also be in charge of the activities (egg toss, three-legged races, etc.), and that I would have NO BUDGET at all for that project.  Oh, and then the date was moved up a week (to the day after I leave…so close).  Now we are working to combine Earth Day events, our Kids Fest, and maybe even a run into this day…and to top it off the Japanese nationals will be invited.  I really wish that I could be here for the event.  Fingers crossed that they move it up one more weekend (but I doubt they actually will).  Hopefully at our next meeting we will be given some clarity on exactly what the Commander, MWR Director, and Marketing really want out of this event.

The road to Hario

  

I also turned in my paperwork and am now an official Girl Scout troop leader, which meant heading out to Hario for the Girl Scout Leader Meeting.  Having only been to one meeting on main base, I really was unaware of how much larger the youth population is out at Hario, and I was happy to see that they are able to break up their Daisys, Brownies, etc. so that they can have age specific meetings.  I think that assisting with the Girl Scouts and helping to grow the 4-H program will be my major SAC focuses over the next few months.

This week I spent some time in the CDC, both doing written observations and just learning the rules and regulations by being in the classrooms.  There are a couple students that are receiving early intervention services and some of those children have caused issues for the teachers, so being able to be in the classroom and observe the student/teacher interactions and then seeing the T&C, Leads, or even the Director try to model new ways to work with these children has really helped me to see the value of each of the different roles.  I have also learned a lot about the Child Development Modules (as well as SAC and Teen modules) that every teacher is required to complete – and it has been eye opening for me how truly limited some of the teachers knowledge is of development.  Granted, I have a degree in Family & Child Studies, and development has been burned into my brain, but when you add the fact that English is a second language for half of our staff we really do have to start from the basics when educating the teachers.  Adult education is its own beast, and I am glad that I am getting some really good experience in it outside of the classroom.

I have also been trying to learn more about the DoD schools on base.  If anyone is a DoD School Expert, please fill me in, because I have been given conflicting information as to what is required of the teachers and the standard of education.  No one I have spoken with about our DoD school has had great things to say about it (at least at the high school level), and the students are constantly commenting on their “F” grades.  CYP programs are tasked with providing quality care and developmentally appropriate activities to the children outside of the classroom, and I really hope that we are not failing our military kids by giving them a sub-par education IN the classroom.

The b-day lunch!

On a lighter note, this week was the Youth Director’s birthday, so the main base youth staff went out for lunch.  I have now been to the Chili’s on base both weeks I’ve been here, and while the food is yummy, I would much rather experience the local cuisine (but most of the staff has been here for years, so it does not have the same appeal).  It was fun to spend time with everyone outside of the youth buildings, and get to know everyone a little bit better.  I also spent a couple of the nights with the teens, and one of the teen activities involved Model Magic.  For those who are unfamiliar with Model Magic, it is very similar to Play-Doh, except that it dries faster and has a more clay like consistency.  There is a yearly art contest that this program enters.  The children can make abstract art items and use them to win various trips.  I am a lover of Model Magic from my child life days (the art therapist at my last program described it as adult friendly play-doh), and I love how using one’s hands is a great way to start a discussion.  The teens were able to talk about their life and I was able to build more rapport with them.  A win-win for all involved.  Oh, and they made some pretty neat items as practice for the contest.

Mini pool table made by one of the staff members.

My ring and marble block...

For my Friday lunch I finally got my sushi fix at a “sushi go round” restaurant.  It was sooooo yummy, and I have a feeling I’ll be visiting this 100 yen sushi place again.  There were so many options, and I left with a very full tummy!  Oh, and Friday was also a day out for the DoD school, so I spent the day with the SAC program.  We went bowling on base, which was a blast.

Very, very yummy sushi!

Love the American Flag!

Hot water so we can make green tea right
at the table.

My Yummy Dessert!

Alicia's pile of plates!

Me the sushi-go-round!

The restaurant!

A view of the harbor from our lunch spot.

(Sorry the entry is so long, but I have to journal for my internship hence the reason I go into so much detail about work.  Weekend adventure blogs should be more entertaining.)