First Day Of School

Monday, September 1, 2008; 7:27 PM - Day 06 BI

I knew I was going to like my first school... it is the one I had the best first impression on Friday after all.

Had a little taxi dilemma... meaning he had no idea how to get to my school. I tried to explain that I sort of knew where it was... but, I don't think he really heard or understood since he just kept going in circles. However, I wasn't late so I didn't have to use my phrases I was looking up in the taxi to apologize for being late and that the taxi lost his way... heh heh...

But, yeah... I basically had an idea of what to do... but, since I had the first two periods free... I saved actually planning it all at that point. What can I say... I'm a procrastinator... but, also give my best work when I procrastinate... and sure enough... I think my lessons were pretty successful.

But, I'm getting to ahead... the Principal... who I had previously thought was the Vice Principal (since he was the one that talked the most and led everything... which is usually the Vice Principal's job) started with me introducing myself to all the teachers. Cake... I had said my lines so many times on Friday that I was set. Then they had their faculty meeting and I kind of just stared on and pretended to pay attention and understand... which, in their fast Japanese... wouldn't happen even if I wanted to... heh heh...

After that, I talked to my first teacher... he's a real cool dude. And, hey... I got invited to my first Staff Drinking Party. It's this Thursday, and I said I wouldn't be able to make it since I had to teach that day and then did not have my car yet... so, I wouldn't be able to make it. My two teachers said it wouldn't matter and kind of volunteered/forced another teacher to be in charge of driving me there and back... since he lived in Ofunato too. I felt bad... but, they all said it would be okay... ::shrugs::

After that I began actually planning my lesson (which would be used for both classes). It was introductions... but, not me introducing myself... introducing yourself to people in general. I had this burst of ideas and scribbled them all down before they left me. I then organized my ideas as we were taught... and proceeded to show both the teachers to get their approval. The cool dude professor said it was fine and said he trusted my judgment... and the female teacher (who is very nice) asked if I taught before. It turned out to be a compliment since when I told her it was my first time... he was shocked and said I was very organized... heh heh... funny... me organized.

I prepped little papers for an interview game, and then headed to my first class. It went pretty smoothly, but ended up having difficulty explaining the interview game. They eventually understood... and had lots of fun. The game was supposed to go for 10 minutes... but, they were so into it I just let it run for like 15 + minutes. That and... I think I had reached the game a bit fast. Once the game finished... we tallied the score and chose the winners. I then told them I had a prize for them... and did a little "Chandler-like" dance (for those knowledged in Friends) while saying "Winner winner winner".

Though they didn't actually do it... I did get a lot of laughs and encore dance requests throughout the day... heh heh. Oh, and one little boy in the class... dude, he was like my star pupil. He was always ready to volunteer... heh heh...

I realized I had extra time, so I decided to tie in the introduction lesson to learning the student's names... lucky I'm good at bullshitting... heh heh. Besides... the school really wants me to learn all their names since the school consists of only 66 students.

I then went downstairs to wait to be called for my next class since it was time to switch classes.

I thought my first class was good... the second one was just awesome!

When I got called up by a student (who I learned his name really well), I got greeted by a London Bridge-like arch... for those who used to play the game when younger. I had to duck to go through... but, that was just awesome and set the mood for the class. I also learned from my first class mistakes and did a much better job explaining the game and running the class in general. Even better... I had more volunteers and was actually cut off from moving on with the lesson since I kept getting more and more volunteers for when I was teaching the dialogue. I should also mention that this was a second year as opposed to the first class being first years... so, I guess that has a big impact on volunteers as well. The game ran smoothly again and the kids seemed to enjoy it. And, though the winners were hesitant about dancing... I did get a half-hearted dance from one student and they all laughed at my dance... I think I should dub it Victor's Victory Dance... heh heh. This time... I purposely incorporated getting each kid's names since it went well before. But, it turns out I had 5 minutes left... but, the teacher decided to let the students ask me questions since I didn't really have a self-intro... meaning it worked out in the end.

I then had lunch with the kids... which was a bit uneventful I guess since I didn't get to properly introduce and talk to the 3rd years beforehand. Followed by two free periods. I basically just talked with my JTE's (Japanese Teacher of English) and I shared stories about my experiences in Japan and with the culture. I also showed some pictures. I wanted to see the students clean (since in Japan... they have no janitors or cleaning staff... the kid's are in charge of cleaning the school). And though I offered to volunteer... I mostly got the kids in trouble since I talked to them more and distracted them from their cleaning... 0_o

Afterschool... I was scheduled to help a student at an English speaking contest... and her English is pretty awesome. I hope she wins and I get to help her properly.

I was basically free until my taxi arrived to take me home... so, I hung with the first years and talked to them. I kind of made the mistake of speaking Japanese... but, I felt bad since they weren't understanding me even with some pictures sometimes... so, it just came out. But, I tried to make up by making sure they repeated in English... heh heh...

The good thing is that the Principal was outside seeing me interact with them... so, I think I scored some bonus points... heh heh.

My taxi arrived... I got home... instantly went to shower. But, I then decided to just fill my tub with hot water... and I laid there for a good half an hour or so. It was so relaxing... oh man... and it was good for my muscles. Once I was done... I showered... heh heh...

And yeah... that was my day... pretty good I must say. Anyway... gotta go... was supposed to meet up with Rob at Sun Lia... laterness!