Halloween? (pre-blog)

As an Aussie girl, I don't have much experience with Halloween.  Sure, nightclubs like to run with the theme around this time of year, but the extent of costuming for girls goes simply to slutty "whatever" (as in slutty nurse, slutty witch, slutty police officer etc).  Maybe as a kid I dressed up once or twice, though truthfully I can only vaguely recall my little brother dressing up as seaweed for an under-the-sea themed disco one year.  And there was certainly no such thing as trick-or-treating.  Halloween just isn't the done thing in Oz, I guess.

At school in Japan however, I am expected to be the walking authority on all things Halloween - especially at elementary school where I am charged with teaching Halloween lore and coming up with exciting Halloween crafts/activities for all my lessons.  Much like having to teach Thanksgiving last year (you know, because we foreigners all hail from the States..?!), Halloween always leaves me feeling a little out of my depth.  And it's not only at elementary school that my indulgence in this unfamiliar holiday is expected: every year, as part of our "training", all ALTs are required to spend a day together at a local (high-performing) high school, playing English games with the students IN COSTUME!!!  That's right, last year I had to don fancy dress, drive to a high-achievers high school 45 minutes away and under the guise of professional development, play games all day.  Not feeling particularly festive at the time, I decided to dress as a vampire - which was easy enough in all black clothing, a cape, talcum-powdered face, smeared red lipstick and dodgy homemade vampire fangs.  This year however, I am planning something little different and sooooooooo not my usual style.  Stay tuned for the pictures next week!

School aside, Halloween seems to be a big thing amongst the foreign population in Japan too.  I don't know whether this is because a majority them are from the States or whether it's simply a result of adults getting excited about any chance to get dressed up and run around town like kids...?  Regardless, in this prefecture Halloween is a massive event.  Several ALTs that live in the same apartment building usually host an open house party, then the horde moves on to the local watering holes in the city for further Halloween themed revelry.  Naturally, many of the costumes at these events err on the "adult" side (a far cry from the PG rated requirements at English Day).  Last year saw me dress up as a 1920's flapper for example.  This year, though not attending the Tokushima parties (I'll be heading to a club night in Kagawa instead), I shall also be rocking a not-safe-for-work outfit.  But again, dear reader, you'll have to wait until next week for the scoop and pictures!

Last year's Halloween efforts (L-R): Ashleigh, Natasha, Tori, Claire & myself.