Tokyo, Day 4 - The Big Reception

Today's schedule sends us to another campus of Tama University, in Shinigawa Inner City. While it is possible to get there via subway and train, we have been advised to take a taxi, since we will be carrying our computers. The drive is not too long, except that we have to wait for several trains to pass at the crossing just before we get to the campus.

Once there, we find out that "we won't be using the computers very much today - this is a discussion session". Oh, well, it's a chance to work on setting them up and testing wireless network access, so most of us do just that. Those who are veterans have (for the most part) remembered to bring things like extension cords (purchased during our last visits when we needed them before), so everyone eventually gets connected. A few do not have wireless cards; hopefully there will be some wired access available tomorrow when we test.

I have my wireless card, but suddenly remember that I did not reload the drivers for it after I upgraded my hard drive. Fortunately, I also remembered that driver install disks are an important thing to carry, so I dig out the CD wallet and find the correct disk. A few minutes later, I have a working card again, and it swiftly locates a couple of possible networks for connection. One is labeled 'computer-to-computer' - I suspect that it is for internal connections only (no 'Net access), so I opt for the other one, and it works.

While we are describing our paired projects, I use the time to check e-mail and work on getting my webcam running (something that is still giving me trouble). As I sign on to Yahoo IM, my daughter hops on and says Hi; we chat for a minute, until she has to leave for a dance rehearsal. She likes the two pictures that I sent showing the dance team from Tama HS, and I tell her to look for more when I upload pics to Dad's web space. As she leaves, husband signs on.

I have been looking at FAQs regarding Yahoo IM webcam access and my firewall (Zone Alarm) and am busily checking settings as I listen to the other teachers. I know the camera will work; I used it for my online Japanese lessons during April and May. The problem seems to be the difference in security settings between my home network and the public ones I am using now. I don't want to turn off my firewall (which has been suggested), so I need to find a solution that will connect properly through it.

As I read, something catches my eye; a couple of users indicate that Yahoo IM needs to be set up with 'No proxies' to work correctly behind certain firewall products. Hmmm, I didn't think I was using a proxy server, but let's go check....aha! I've got 'Firewall with proxies' checked! (Why did I do that? Oh, yeah, our home network does use an automatic proxy setting, for security purposes - ack!) Change that to 'No proxies' - hey, now I can see me!

Husband is still on, so I ask him to turn on his camera and try to view mine. At last - we can finally see each other. We wave and say hi, then he indicates that he wants to head for bed (it's late there).

After lunch, I return to the meeting area and visit with Jones-san. As I am sitting, someone asks if I am Rebecca-sensei; I indicate yes, and he introduces himself as Matsumoto-sensei, a 'stand-in' for my teacher partner from Dazaifu. My partner became ill this morning and could not fly up to meet with me. I immediately ask if my partner is okay, and Matsumoto assures me that it is not serious; Nakagawa-sensei will be able to meet us at the airport when we arrive on Friday. Whew! That's a relief.

I actually have already 'met' Matsumoto via e-mail; he was the MTP2004 participant from his school and wrote earlier to introduce himself and find out some of my interests on behalf of my current partners. We chat for a bit, then move into the meeting area. During the afternoon session, all of the teachers get an opportunity to describe how our initial BUGS collections went; since Matsumoto was not involved this spring, he described his last collection from the previous fall.

Then it's back to the hotel and time to dress for a formal reception introducing the newest group of JFMF Teacher Program participants (200 of them). The Teacher Program folks have just arrived for their three-week visit and they are excited and nervous (as is to be expected). All of the MTPers have stickers saying 'Ask me about MTP' and several teachers do ask, so we get an opportunity to explain the longer program and its benefits and interests.

Quite a few teachers have already read about our program, but several indicate that they thought only science teachers could apply (because of the science requirement for the paired projects). I assure them that while one has to be willing to do science projects, one does not have to be certified in science, pointing to myself as an example since I teach music. I also explain that in our group of 25 teachers, roughly one-third are not certified in science; our subjects include history, art and computer technology as well as music.

The reception is quite good; we hear Japanese music on koto and shakuhachi and have many kinds of foods (both Japanese and American) to eat, as well as wine and beer, juice and soda, and later coffee to drink. My partner and I enjoy a great dinner, including sushi, and some wine.

Then it's back to the hotel to sleep.