What a day I've been having. I was teaching at Hagi-Higashi Chugako (East Hagi Junior High) today. I had three classes of 3 nen-sei (14 / 15 year olds). The first class was like an advanced English volunteer class. The only thing was, after I introduced myself, I didn't understand a word! It was entirely in Japanese. I found myself wondering what the point was, but welcome to Japan.
My next class was pretty painful. There were 4 boys acting like little s**ts the whole time (there is no discipline in Japanese schools), so I finally stared one kid down, and got the other three to stand on separate corners of the room for the rest of the class. The teacher did nothing, so it was a little frustrating and I didn't know how far I could go, but at least next time I'll be prepared.
The funny thing is, my next class ran like a dream. The kids listened, asked questions (in English !?!) and got into the games.
I managed to finish by 1 o'clock, unlike poor Jo, who is still there and only had her first class at 1:20.
I then headed to the Board of Education and sorted out when I am taking holidays, went shopping for some bare essentials - a hair dryer, some Ribena and some biscuits and chocolate, then got home and booked my flights for Singapore and Malaysia for Christmas. It's very exciting. . . . And it's only 2 o'clock!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Quick catch up
Its been a good week. I got a free bus ride to the end of the run one day, and ended up having a conversation with the bus driver about New Zealand, Japan, where he comes from and a few other things. I was quite proud considering he had less english than I have Japanese!
I managed to finish school at 2 o'clock each day, but considering most of my schools are up to an hour away from Hagi, it wasn't that early a finish.
My biggest achievement was definitely managing to run all my classes at Oi Junior High (Chugako) by myself, in English and without referring to the textbook, which is an awful resource.
This weekend has been pretty productive as well. Friday we had an impromptu party at Rosie and Dan's place. The supermarket was selling Smirnoff vodka for 1000 yen (about $15), and we couldn't resist!
The next morning (late), I went round to Dan and Rosie's again to help with the clean up, then ended up going with Dan to Hagi-Higashi Chugako to help with speech coaching. One of Dan's students won the regional contest and is going to Tokyo soon, which is fantastic - Dan is so proud!
In the afternoon I had an amazing facial. It was an hour long, and included a skin test; head, neck, hands and feet massages and some free samples for only 2000 yen ($30)!
We then drove into Yamaguchi city and went shopping (did I mention we got paid on Friday?). I managed to get a bag for my travels in December (going to Malaysia and Singapore), some books and a fantastic feather down pillow on the cheap!
And finally, Sunday. Had a sleep in, which I really needed seeing as I'm usually up before seven during the week to catch buses, boats and trains. Then decided I was in a baking mood. Four hours later (and three trips to the supermarket later), I managed two batches of toffee and one disaster. I was quite proud. The toffee is edible, too!
So, this week I've got two days at Hagi-Higashi Chugako, and a different school each other day. Yay.
I managed to finish school at 2 o'clock each day, but considering most of my schools are up to an hour away from Hagi, it wasn't that early a finish.
My biggest achievement was definitely managing to run all my classes at Oi Junior High (Chugako) by myself, in English and without referring to the textbook, which is an awful resource.
This weekend has been pretty productive as well. Friday we had an impromptu party at Rosie and Dan's place. The supermarket was selling Smirnoff vodka for 1000 yen (about $15), and we couldn't resist!
The next morning (late), I went round to Dan and Rosie's again to help with the clean up, then ended up going with Dan to Hagi-Higashi Chugako to help with speech coaching. One of Dan's students won the regional contest and is going to Tokyo soon, which is fantastic - Dan is so proud!
In the afternoon I had an amazing facial. It was an hour long, and included a skin test; head, neck, hands and feet massages and some free samples for only 2000 yen ($30)!
We then drove into Yamaguchi city and went shopping (did I mention we got paid on Friday?). I managed to get a bag for my travels in December (going to Malaysia and Singapore), some books and a fantastic feather down pillow on the cheap!
And finally, Sunday. Had a sleep in, which I really needed seeing as I'm usually up before seven during the week to catch buses, boats and trains. Then decided I was in a baking mood. Four hours later (and three trips to the supermarket later), I managed two batches of toffee and one disaster. I was quite proud. The toffee is edible, too!
So, this week I've got two days at Hagi-Higashi Chugako, and a different school each other day. Yay.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Just another day
Yesterday at one of my schools, I got a blood nose. I know, exactly what you want to read about.
I got up at 6am and caught the bus at 6:50 out to a tiny mountain school in the middle of nowhere with 8 students and a fantastic English teacher. I mean, this guy is great. He only speaks english in the class, he's patient and funny. And the students' english reflects that. They are really fun to teach.
Anyway, I'm sitting at my desk just going over my lesson plan, when my nose starts running. It's really rude to blow your nose in public, so I just keep sniffing. And my nose keeps running. Eventually, I start to get worried / annoyed, so I grab a tissue and wipe my nose. I look down and the tissue is red. Me being me, I didn't want to cause a fuss, so I just sat there with a pile of tissues until it stopped. It made me paranoid for the rest of the day, too.
In the end, I decided it was because of the stress I'm under. I mean, yesterday, I didn't finish until 2 o'clock in the afternoon! Hello? How am I meant to deal with that sort of pressure!?! But seriously, it's pretty good here. Everyday is different, that's for sure. Some days I finish around noon, others I'm still at school at 5. The worst thing is, I don't have a lot to do once I have finished lessons for the day. I usually prepare lesson plans at home where I can check text books and the internet for ideas, etc. but its really bad form to not do anything at work. My biggest challenge is not to fall asleep! Like I said: pressure!
I got up at 6am and caught the bus at 6:50 out to a tiny mountain school in the middle of nowhere with 8 students and a fantastic English teacher. I mean, this guy is great. He only speaks english in the class, he's patient and funny. And the students' english reflects that. They are really fun to teach.
Anyway, I'm sitting at my desk just going over my lesson plan, when my nose starts running. It's really rude to blow your nose in public, so I just keep sniffing. And my nose keeps running. Eventually, I start to get worried / annoyed, so I grab a tissue and wipe my nose. I look down and the tissue is red. Me being me, I didn't want to cause a fuss, so I just sat there with a pile of tissues until it stopped. It made me paranoid for the rest of the day, too.
In the end, I decided it was because of the stress I'm under. I mean, yesterday, I didn't finish until 2 o'clock in the afternoon! Hello? How am I meant to deal with that sort of pressure!?! But seriously, it's pretty good here. Everyday is different, that's for sure. Some days I finish around noon, others I'm still at school at 5. The worst thing is, I don't have a lot to do once I have finished lessons for the day. I usually prepare lesson plans at home where I can check text books and the internet for ideas, etc. but its really bad form to not do anything at work. My biggest challenge is not to fall asleep! Like I said: pressure!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Hagi Lantern Festival
It sounds exciting. It sounds like a fun night out for all. We were looking forward to seeing the Lantern Festival. Word of advice: If you get the chance to do this, don't. We arrived at seven, just in time to catch the last few minutes of dancing. We then ended up wandering down streets that had bamboo poles with candles in them set in the drains (which are about a foot deep).
I think Dan put it best when he said: "Without the bamboo, this would just be another street." We ended up going back to Dan and Rosies and watching Family Guy. This was an improvement on the the earlier entertainment.
I did learn one thing, though. Apparently it is bad to whistle after dark because it encourages snakes! Considering I've only seen 2 snakes since arriving, and neither of them in Hagi, I have been unable to test this theory.
Carved bamboo with a candle in it - woohoo.
I think Dan put it best when he said: "Without the bamboo, this would just be another street." We ended up going back to Dan and Rosies and watching Family Guy. This was an improvement on the the earlier entertainment.
I did learn one thing, though. Apparently it is bad to whistle after dark because it encourages snakes! Considering I've only seen 2 snakes since arriving, and neither of them in Hagi, I have been unable to test this theory.
Carved bamboo with a candle in it - woohoo.
the tourist thing
Having been abandoned by the others, I decided I should actually do some sightseeing around Hagi. Starsky (the Abu JET), having nothing else to do, came into Hagi and we made it around a few of the sights.
Our first stop: Mos Burger. You haven't lived until you've eaten here.
Then on to Kikuya's House. This place was pretty cool. There was heaps of old stuff (plates, weapons, coins, toys, books, paintings and chamber pots. The garden was amazing! I could happily spend all day in that garden. These are a couple of the many pictures taken in that place:
Tiny figurines.
A painting of some dude - real pretty in real life.
Starsky and I then walked down to the old Hagi castle ruins. It's more of a park than a castle - only the outer walls and a bit of the moat are still there, but it was pretty cool. While Starsky climbed the hill that used to be castle living space (I think), I sat by the moat and watched these adorable baby turtles swimming around. There were also these giant carp in the moat. It was perfect weather the whole day and well worth all the walking.
Castle battlement and moat.
Giant carp (and turtles, believe it or not!).
Other highlights of the day:
Our first stop: Mos Burger. You haven't lived until you've eaten here.
Then on to Kikuya's House. This place was pretty cool. There was heaps of old stuff (plates, weapons, coins, toys, books, paintings and chamber pots. The garden was amazing! I could happily spend all day in that garden. These are a couple of the many pictures taken in that place:
Tiny figurines.
A painting of some dude - real pretty in real life.
Starsky and I then walked down to the old Hagi castle ruins. It's more of a park than a castle - only the outer walls and a bit of the moat are still there, but it was pretty cool. While Starsky climbed the hill that used to be castle living space (I think), I sat by the moat and watched these adorable baby turtles swimming around. There were also these giant carp in the moat. It was perfect weather the whole day and well worth all the walking.
Castle battlement and moat.
Giant carp (and turtles, believe it or not!).
Other highlights of the day:
Getting a 30 yen (50 cent) fortune and then ripping it when tying it to the tree. I'm told God reads the ripped ones first, but I'm not sure if that was just to make me feel better or not.
On seeing a crane land across a lake from us, Starsky: "Look! A pelican!"
I think that just about sums it up. By the way, did I mention Starsky was American? :)
Saturday, October 07, 2006
The Story So Far
So I came to Japan mid-August (after crying from Dunedin to Waimate). Tokyo was big. The heat hit as soon as I got off the plane: something like 30 degrees. Having just come from winter, it was painful!
After a few days in Tokyo, I flew to my ken (like a state in America) called Yamaguchi. It was 36 degrees and I wanted to die. Got heat stroke pretty bad and went through a 'what the hell am I doing here? Biggest mistake of my life!' kind of moment. Luckily I got through it and haven't looked back since.
Thank god there are 4 other kiwis in my city (Hagi). We hang out alot. Except for this weekend: they've all gone camping and I'm staying behind.
I teach at elementary and junior high schools (6 to 15 years old). Some days are great, others suck arse!
So far I've made it to Hiroshima, Miyajima and a penis shrine. What a life.
Stay tuned for updates.
After a few days in Tokyo, I flew to my ken (like a state in America) called Yamaguchi. It was 36 degrees and I wanted to die. Got heat stroke pretty bad and went through a 'what the hell am I doing here? Biggest mistake of my life!' kind of moment. Luckily I got through it and haven't looked back since.
Thank god there are 4 other kiwis in my city (Hagi). We hang out alot. Except for this weekend: they've all gone camping and I'm staying behind.
I teach at elementary and junior high schools (6 to 15 years old). Some days are great, others suck arse!
So far I've made it to Hiroshima, Miyajima and a penis shrine. What a life.
Stay tuned for updates.
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