Do it Again.

(above; Jun-kun happy about winning something. I forget what)

SO! This page took so long to load that I got a call from my Mother during the process. She's in Narita Airport telling me the family has landed etc. so I'll go to pick them up from a closer location soon. I'll hurl this blog up now and probably write another about my family's adventures together in Japanistan.

For those that weren't aware - my parents, brother and sister are coming to Japan for two weeks! Unfortunately I'm working during this time... but fortunately I have a 6 day holiday, followed by one day of work, followed by a weekend. So I think the plan is for them to stay with me for my holidays and then journey by themselves when I go back to work. I don't really know what the plan is though. Truth be told I had no idea what time they were arriving today until Mum called me just then letting me know to pick them up from Utsunomiya later on.

What I failed to mention last post was that I had another sports day with my bigger school (you may recall a sports day from a while back at my smaller school). I'd like to write a big blog on it but it was quite similar in layout, format etc. so I'll try to condense it all down for your reading pleasure. The games were a little different, I had less to do, I ran in the relay again, we lost again. Phew! What a mouthful.



(from left; opening ceremony; kawanishi/watahiki looking stupid; skipping!)

If I had to, I would say that I had more fun at my first sports day in Ogawa because it's a smaller school and I think the students had more fun... and I think the games were better. I still had fun here though but I often didn't know what to do so I would feel a little awkward at times. It was good to see the students enjoy themselves though. As I said I ran in the teachers relay again - we were going ok at the start but then we had a few slow Mum's slow everyone down, and then a teacher wasn't there to take the baton at one stage so he grabbed an inflatable seal and started running with that instead, and then it somehow became an inflatable dolphin by the end.

Only... none of the games on the day required an inflatable seal or dolphin... so I don't know where they came from.

Other than that it's teaching as per normal which is fine. Now that we've got the speech contests on I've been staying back even later to help out. It's ok but it's getting a little boring for me saying the same words over and over again. I recorded my voice onto a cd for the students to practice with so hopefully I can speak a little less. Prolly not.

So I'll write another joy filled post detailing my families stay. You should probably start getting ready for it now - it'll knock your socks off.

'Till next time!

kris.

Working Hard for the Money

Halfway through my first day back at my smaller school after two days at my bigger school. I can safely say I've forgotten many student names, teachers names, and pretty much what to do in a classroom setting. That is to say - I've forgotten a lot of shit that I shouldn't have.

So as expected, the first lesson is always stilted and wierd but after knocking 3 down in a row I think I'm back on track. We've got a speech contest coming up soon which is the big thing for English (as a subject in Japan... just to clarify) and it involves one student from each year giving a speech on a topic of their choice.

At my big school, the thid year topic is about the giant steep hill before entering the school being used as a metaphor for achieving goals. She uses the word 'maxim' in her speech. She's a pretty smart cookie. I recieved a draft of the first years speech which apparently was created by the teacher and I can't say I was surprised but the English was just awful. In any case, it's something to do I guess. Next up is the special education class that has just one student. Jo-kun is never really a happy camper so its nigh on impossible to teach him anything. yeyyyyyy for ME.

Ah well.

Oh and Sally? Everyone seems to think you're my girlfriend. So uh... lucky you I guess?

kris.