Nakatsugawa Moth Attacks Vending Machine, Iide TownThe day of the demonstration was also a day off for most of the students in my town. So our demonstration class (first years/7th graders) had to volunteer their time to be part of our class. Like myself, I don't think they get much of a choice either.
I thought the demonstration class went really well. We were a few minutes early at the beginning of the class... we those minutes seemed to last a lifetime. I used that time to try to get the kids genki (happy). Everyone was anxious: the students, the JTE and I, and all of the spectators. The people who were watching us teach were 40 teachers from around Yamagata Prefecture and other important people. Some of them were JTEs for other ALTs that I knew; so I felt an added pressure to represent us well.
The skit/model dialogue between my JTE and I was hilarious! It was one of those uproars that inhibit you from remembering all of the details at that moment in time: you know there was a lot of laughter - but you don't know how you felt during the laughter. Our skit started off innocent enough, but my JTE insisted on the following scene:
Me: "Do you have any special class [at your school]?"
JTE: "Oh yes we do. Chryssie, wait a minute!"
JTE runs out of the classroom...
ME: "Um... where did he go? What's shabu shabu?"
JTE returns and appears to be "riding" a horse, which is a pair of shorts that have a horse head attached to the front and if you can use your imagination you can understand why this is funny, but so wrong in so many ways!
ME: "Oh my!"
JTE: "We have two special classes: horse riding & chanbara (playing samurais/sword fighting). Do you wanna try?"
ME: "Of course!"
JTE: "Oh wait Chryssie, can I take my horse off?"
ME: "LOL, yes please do!"
JTE & I imitate a sword fighting scene. I am mischievous and trick him...
ME: "Hey, look!"
JTE turns only to be met w/his fate by the edge of my sword.
BWAHAHAA.
The skit had much more before and after, but this is where the bulk of the laughter came from. I'm happy that the students and the teachers liked it. I had to really restrain myself from laughing.
We managed to somehow do everything in our lesson plan, and there was a lot to do. During practices we were sure that we wouldn't finish - but we did! So we were sooooo relieved.
At first it was a little intimidating having all these teachers just watching us do our thing, but after a while I pretended like they weren't there and I even bumped into one on accident.
FEEDBACK
The following day my section chief told me that the junior high's vice principal had just called and thanked me for helping them and that everyone was impressed. Later that day my JTE also called and he told me that all of the teachers really enjoyed our class and they didn't have anything bad to say. Yay! It does feel good to hear some feedback about my teaching. Since I don't have teaching credentials - I have no idea if I'm doing a good job or not. It a great relief to know that they like my teaching style and that, so far, things are good. We're gonna go celebrate later - this should be fun. =) I'll be DD!
I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE MAYOR
Immediately after I said that, two people were on the phone--urgently trying to get ahold of the mayor's schedule. They always make such a big deal about some things. I just wanted to give him something and they turned it into a, "okay Chryssie, breathe. are you ready? are you sure?" kind of thing. LOL.
It was good speaking to him though, and even though he said that I could stop by anytime to say hello - it's not that easy and natural to do.
PRESCHOOL FUN
This week I also went to another preschool: Iide Chubu. The last time I went there was also the first time I went there back in August. So it had been a while and most of the kids didn't remember my name so I had to remind them.
This school has such a cute little girl! And she is tiny! She's three and has this really squeeky voice, but the girl loves to hold my hand and then she very eagerly sings the ABC's. I try not to have favorites, but she is just too adorable.
I played tag with the kids and they can never catch me. I feel bad so I purposely go slow so that they can finally tag me, but at that point they don't want to?! I don't get it.
We also picked sweet potato in their garden. There were so many damn bugs and creepy crawlies. I didn't care so much, but most of the boys try to pick them ALL up. The girls just scream, and every now and then, a boy will too.
I also picked some Bok Choy =), and they let me take some home. Mmmm.
FIRE DRILL!
The next day, at the same preschool, we practiced the fire drill. I was playing with the kids and then the alarm went off and they all jumped on me and were scared. I told them to drop everything and just go outside. Don't put on your shoes, just go!
One of the boys came up to me and showed me a top that he was holding in his hand. I was like... okay that's nice, put it in your pocket and thought nothing of it.
When we were all outside the teachers lectured the students about the dangers of a fire and what to do when there's a real fire. Then one of the teachers says, "Don't take anything with you! Leave it all inside."
Then it clicked in my head.
He [the little boy] was showing me the top because he knew that he wasn't supposed to take it with him and now he was worried that he violated one of the rules. My God! It makes sense now! That poor child! But still.... awww!
As we were heading back inside we saw a really long snake in the grass and told all the children to stay away. It was at least a meter long! One of the firemen just picked it up with his bare hands and it threw it into the next field, which I found to be a bit odd and humorous.
WHY ARE WE EATING SHAVED ICE?
The dessert at lunch was shaved ice. It was already really cold inside and outside, so why are we eating shaved ice!? LOL
DINNER IN THE NEW WORLD?
j/k. Friday night we [ALTs] went out to dinner in Nagai at a place called New World. It was a Japanese joint and a little fancier than normal. I thought the food was pretty good; you kind of order a little bit of everything and share w/everyone.
I saw, or rather one of my teachers saw me at New World. Towards the end of the night I talked to her as we were leaving and she apparently had one too many beers. It's always funny to interact with your teachers when they're drunk. Suddenly, they're not afraid to speak English! And half the time, they are a lot better than they give themselves credit for. She was so funny - she kept apologizing because she didn't have the lesson plan ready yet for next week. Totally different person at work.
MOVIE REVIEWS
- Always: Sunset at Noon ★★★★☆.
- 4.5 -- A Japanese movie that I just randomly picked up. It's post-war Japan and it centers around a "family" theme. There are a lot funny parts - and an equal number of feel good moments. It may seem overly happy at the end, but I liked it - and I needed it to make me feel warm. The actors and the cinematography were great! I recommend it; just put on the subtitles =)
- The Queen ★★★★☆
- My mom sent me this movie; it was on sale. I had heard that it was good and the woman that plays the Queen (I forgot her name), did a really good job. I enjoyed the movie.
A NATURE NOTE...
The leaves are really changing colors! I'm not kidding! Some are red now and some are orange! Amazing! lol. I'm being a little saracastic, but actually as I walked out of work I did stop in the street and just stared at the leaves. A co-worker that caught me quickly snapped me out of it.
CHRISTMAS #4
My mama baked me chocolate chip cookes =) Now that's love! And only 3 broke during the shipment. I got a grip of American goodies including Downey. It makes a BIG difference with my laundry. I just used it and my clothes smell and feel 2345345345x better! Thank you parentals!
NO TAIKO PRACTICE
This past week and next we don't have taiko practice and I'm really bummed. I like going to taiko. For compensation, I beat on my floor at home to practice. No one lives directly below me.
Why did McDonald's change their Apple Pies? I hate the health-conscious trends sometimes...
Nakatsugawa, Iide Town
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