お土産~Souvenirs

A souvenir (French for remembrance or memory), memento, keepsake or token of remembrance. In Japan, souvenirs are known as meibutsu, and I quote Wikipedia:

"Meibutsu (名物) is a Japanese term for famous products associated with particular regions. Meibutsu are usually"..."regional cuisine, although the category includes local handicrafts. Meibutsu typically have a traditional character, although contemporary products may qualify as meibutsu if they are distinctive and popular. They are often purchased as omiyage (souvenirs) to be given as gifts. Sweets intended as omiyage are referred to as miyagegashi."

It took a long time to figure out what I wanted to give to 104 people, but the six day time crunch has ignited a flame under my tush so to speak. I've heard several points of views from too many sources and they all contradict each other. These suggestions range from, "Don't bother bringing omiyage, they understand that you're moving and can't afford it" to, "If you don't get them something nice you will bring dishonor to your family." The second one was a joke, but you see my dilemma.

A question I had asked was, "What can I afford to give 104 staff members that is not perishable, light-weight, small and personal? I have fifty dollars that I can spare and even less room in my luggage." Everyone had lovely ideas, but nothing really seemed to fit. Then it clicked that half of my work could go into the presentation. I am an artist after all, am I not? I hit up places such as borders and purchased a few small things. Even though I was advised not to purchase chocolate I did so anyway and I also purchased dried cherries. Michigan is after all known for it's cherries. I purchased some fancy stickers and salvaged what I could for wrapping and voilà!


These mini packages are magnets in bundles of three with various pictures of the world on them.

These are Russell Stover chocolates wrapped and ribboned with a shell sticker adorned on the top. These are intended to be given to the president and so they will be accompanied by a handmade ceramic magnet made by a Michigan artist.

These are dried cherries wrapped in colorful paper containers.


I purchased 400 Dum Dum suckers to hand out to employees. Even though they probably don't know what that means I'm thinking that I won't hand those out. I wouldn't want to insult anyone. It was a lot to carry anyway.

Pray that they don't have to open the gifts at the airport,

デメルス先生

はじめまして~Nice to Meet You

Hello, my name is Ms. DeMers, or Demerusu Sensei(デメルス先生). I am a fashion designer and illustrator from the beautiful Upper Peninsula. This August, I will be moving from the beloved Michigan I know so well to a city called Ena in the Gifu prefecture of Japan. There I will be working as an assistant language teacher for two elementary and two junior high schools.

Being a recent art and design graduate implies that English is not something I would excel at knowing, and explaining, the intricacies of the language. Many a person has asked me, "Ms. DeMers, you are an artist. What are you going to do with your degree when teaching Engligh?" This is where the blog comes in. I would personally like to follow the rules of the schools I will be teaching at. This makes it hard for me to dress as I would normally like to. ~Example~ Or draw on the chalk boards the same subject matter I would normally paint onto a canvas.

This new acceptance of conformity leaves one in search of different venues for, well, nonconformity. In other words, what can I get away with? On this blog you will find a compilation of lesson plans, helpful videos and sources to make the infamously repetitive teaching curriculum a little less redundant and a little more interesting.

Here's to hoping,

デメルス先生