Earlier Today and Taiko!

Entry written in my notebook at 11:45 AM whilst in school:

Kill me now.. cause i am extremely bored at the moment. It's not that I hate my Wednesday schoo... it's just that I only have one calss in that school. So basically, I'm stuck "planning" all day. And as of now, there really isn't much to plan. I did, however, manage to plan a lesson for my two third year classes on Friday... but, I must be getting really better at planning lessons... since yeah... not much time lapsed while I planned. Even with me being OCD about having my plans being all organized (I basically had a rought draft, second copy, and final draft) I still took no time at all. Stupid Victor with your rocking lesson creating skills... you don't have to rock at everything... ::shakes maniacal fist::

On a positive note, the teachers kept me occuppied and entertained earlier on. I attended the cool, funny teacher's homeroom class. This man is cool people. I then was able to watch the students participate in life/work skills training. Basically... it's the equivalent of American elective classes. First, I saw the students in a carpentry class. They were building stools... it was very interesting. next, I went to a ceramics class where the students were making cups. I also saw some of their previous works... including (if I understood correctly) chopstick holders in teh shape of animals. Everyone seems very skilled. Next was home economics wher ethey were cooking in one room, and sewing (old=styled... where you use the over-under technique in alternating manners). The patience these kids have... need I restate that this is the special needs school! Let that give you an idea of how skillful the Japanese people are... incredible!

Well... after that is when I got escorted back to my desk in the staff room. I was happy since I wanted to sit. But after about five minutes, I was struggling to come up with things to keep me "busy" (i.e., keeping myself from passing out from the mere boredom). ONce again... writing an entry has saved me. Lunch time should be near now... woot woot! Then my 5th period class consists of a Welcome Party! Yes! Then if I manage to survive another hour... all should be fine. I just hope that later on, "planning" time will actually consist of planning... and not me at the point of slitting my wrists just for the pure excitement of knowing something is actually happening... how harsh... I know... heh heh...

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Written in my notebook at 1:15 PM:

Waiting for them to call me for my class/party to begin. Just had lunch. It was my full intention to pay to get school lunch, but the students who were cooking earlier brought the food they made to sell... and a teacher bought me some pizza, potatoes and a cinammon bun. It was delicious... oh wait... another teacher just bought me a piece of cake. I said it was okay, but after refusing the cake for the required 3 times, I thought it polite to simply accept... heh heh... now for class!

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Typed now:

The welcome party was pretty cool. I met each student individually... but, there weren't many though. Then, the funny teacher was called up... and seeing from everyone's reaction (students and teachers) I'm not the only one who likes him and thinks he's mad cool. He talked to me in English a bit to get the students loosened up and to see it's okay if their English is not perfect. He then went on to explain how I knew hiragana, katakana and some kanji. He then put me on the spot to write... and I basically wrote the title of this blog... except substituting the gaijin part for English. Everyone was impressed... so, hey... they make me feel like my Japanese isn't horrible... heh heh.

After that, some of the students and teachers did a taiko (Japanese drum) performance... it was awesome! Now I can say that I don't just like the arcade game... but, actually like the real thing... heh heh.

I was then released and ended up going to the cool teacher's afternoon homeroom again where he had some Japanese testing for me... which consisted of spelling in hiragana. I pretty much passed... then gave a little statement at the end in Japanese... and he really seemed impressed with my Japanese... heh heh.

I was basically done afterwards... at least according to my schedule... but, wasn't sure if I was allowed to leave since it was still 3 and we usually have to stay until at least 4. I felt boredom coming again... but, then heard some taiko drums and went to investigate. It turns out that that's where all the teachers were... no wonder I was alone in the staff room. I watched them performing and practicing... and it was pretty cool. Then, after a while and once all of them realized I was watching, I was approached by a younger male teacher to join in.

Let me just start off with stating that I suck... horrendously. But, I did catch the beat from time to time and it was really fun. I hope this is a weekly thing the teacher's do... and hope to continue to join... I want to get a hang of playing the taiko. There's actually a Taiko festival next month... and I really want to go and see it. And who knows... the way the teacher's were practicing... it might be possible that they'll be participating in it... that'll be awesome. Not just to watch it... but, to see people I know actually participating in it... can't wait. Anyway... laters!