Every day one of my schools has me give an English dialogue with the students right before everyone eats lunch. Over the intercom. At first this was terrifying, but I quickly realized about 99% of the school has no idea what I am saying anyhow, so there is really no reason to be nervous. Its just that the kids say something in Japanese, and I repeat what they said in English, then the kids repeat what I said. Its incredibly comical. And I have now taken to simply trying to get them to laugh on the intercom while being broadcast to the entire school. I use funny accents, or dance like a maniac behind them while they talk. Today one of the girls completely lost it, and had to have a friend step in to finish. She hit me over the back of the head, but I pretty much deserved it. Besides, she was in sixth grade, not much behind those slaps.
The reason I mentioned this to be slightly terrifying, is due to the process. They come find me after my last class just prior to lunch.
They say (in Japanese) "It's time for the special English lesson."
I stand with a petrified look on my face, as they hand me a sheet full of Kanji and Japanese words. They expect me to know what it means. At first I would then run to the other teachers who barely spoke English, and they would explain to me the vocabulary. Today however, was different. A incredibly quiet kid from my favorite 6th grade class came to find me. He hands me the sheet and we go through the usual routine.
"Its time for the special English lesson." He says.
"Hai. Wakarimasen." I reply.
Then he points to the sheet, and in perfect english says "What vegetables do you like? I like Bamboo sprouts, and cabbage." Which was the line I should be repeating.
WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN IN CLASS!?!? I haven't taught 'Vegetables', 'bamboo sprouts' or 'cabbage', let alone how to string all of that together in a sentance. in fact about all we have gone over is "Like." He never says anything, and he speaks more English than any of the teachers in the school. I was stunned.
The novelty of "Scotti Sensei" is wearing off in my Junior High. They still enjoy me of course, but as I was discussing with Stuart this evening, they seem to be reverting to their supposed 'Usual Behavior' now, even when I am around. Sleeping in class, rolling their eyes when asked questions. Usual Junior High responses, I suppose. On top of that we have received a bunch of Student Teachers from Hiroshima University to help at the school. One of them is a young man. He (thankfully) has distracted the girls in the school. I now laugh at them when they giggle as he walks past. The student teachers are at a lower end of the totem pole than even I am within the teaching staff at Yoshida Junior High. Although, Adam was commenting that perhaps we are on an entirely different totem pole. These kids bow like maniacs when I come in, and essentially treat me like one of my students. It really is uncomfortable. And for some reason of all the people I have met in japan (Japanese people that is.) No one seems to give me their name when I introduce myself. I really can't explain this. Maybe they just expect me not to remember it? If so, they are right. But still, I wouldn't mind getting a vague idea. I have teachers I work with quite regularly who at this point would undoubtedly be offended if I came at them saying I don't know their name. I don't know how to rectify this problem. It will hopefully work itself out.
I won't be able to afford to come home this summer. I am letting that sink in. Part of me is oddly thankful. Although I am terribly lonesome for home, it seems a little silly to spend my break back there, when there is so much to see here. It is weird to admit that I literally have no clue when the next time I go to the states will be.
The Oil spill almost brings me to tears to think about.
Although, there is a lot here that brings me far more joy than I expected. Teaching in and of itself is wonderful. I have been writing constantly...obviously not here. But in Brynn and Jason's wonderful present. I have been running a lot. In fact, last night I went for a run through the mountain. I was gone for about a half an hour, and pretty deep onto a old road in the woods, when I hear a scream and rustle in the forest. I immediately stopped, knowing it had to be monkeys. The way they moved, even the smell reminded me of the monkey enclosures at the Zoo's i visit. I began making my best impression of monkey noises, and jangling my keys in an attempt to get them to come out of the woods. it was night so I could not really see anything. However, it was working, they started coming back towards me. Just as I was sure they would break the refuge of the forest wall a lone car drove past, caused another outlandish scream and they took off again. This morning in my Elementary School, I was discussing local animals with a teacher who lives just behind me. She said on her drive home the other night she saw a bear. I can't shake the feeling that a bear thought it might be close to enjoying a tasty monkey as I stood in the road making squeaks and cries.
Last weekend brought thousands of visitors to Hiroshima for a Yukata festival. Summer Kimono's. The kimono's where beautiful.
As was the company I kept.
More to come on that. It's late.
My Backyard. He is developing his "C" shape nicely.
