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Showing posts from January, 2013

What's for lunch?

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“Gassho” “Itadakimasu” “Gassho” “Gochisousama deshita” These words are now permanently inscribed in my mind. Once a day, five days a week I hear these words. The first two before lunch, and the second two proceeding it. A chorus comprised of 30-40 students and 2-3 teachers is giving thanks for the delicious food provided. It’s a non-religious affair. We are giving thanks to the farmers who grew these vegetables, the nutritionists who planned this meal, the staff who prepared it, and the class representatives who donned their aprons, hats and masks, collected it from the preparation area and served it before us. In 15 minutes the entire class will have inhaled it, and we will once again put our hands together in thanks. Thank you for making my stomach full for the reasonable price of 270yen per day. Throw in an extra big thank you if I don’t feel sick from eating too quickly.   As a teacher, I must set an example for the students. Eating everything on m