Second Day

Written in my journal whilst in school at 2:40 PM... transferring it now.

I am currently in my second school of the week. I had three classes back to back. But, now, I'm stuck "planning," even though I have no more classes today and bascially am a little unsure fo how the rest of my week is supposed to go. I know I'm goin to my special needs school, but, other than observing my class(es), I don' really know how my day is going to shape out... nor do I know what the company wants me to do and when they want me to do activities, have a break, and go home for that matter.

Wow! a little ADD-ish, but there is a huge butterfly in thye staff room... and I mean HUGE! Earlier there was a huge dragonfly that just flew in and chilled in here for a bit. Nothing like it in America... heh heh...

Back to my lack of knowing how the reast of the week is going to be like. I thought I was going to return on Thursday and Friday to this school, but I was todl that there will be no English classes, and that the third year students (or some students) will go to Tokyo as a class trip. So, I really don't know what's going to happen. Really need internet and my phone already!

Man, it's hard to look busy when you really have nothing to do. I tried reading my textbooks, but I noticed more frequent yawns, and even began getting sleepy. That is why I decided to start writing this entry in my notebook. It's funny though, I'm writing this in really horrible cursivel... just to make sure nobody understands what I'm actually writing about. I even have a textbook open and make often glances at it just to look busy. I think, for the most part at least, if you're writing and look busy, people'll leave you alone. But, since there are 3 JTE's (Japanese Teacher of English) here... and 1 happens to sit next to me... I'll keep with the cursive cover-up... that and it wastes more time for me to write in cursive.

Well... it's just 3:00 PM. Guess I'll explain my day today. Today started with a special ceremony that included me quickly introducing myself in front of all the students. I basically just used the English version of my Japanese Staff and BOE intro. I wasn't nervous and think it went pretty well.

I then had planning for 1st period. I decided to organize and plan how I'd actually give my self-intro to my classes. Figured yesterday's warm-up of "How are you?/I'm good/fine/great!" would be a good way to start things off. It went pretty well... especially since usually in the warm-up, I can't get the kids to copy my "I'm great!" gestures and energy (picture Tony the Tiger on speed... heh heh...). But, in my third year class... I actually got two boys to stand up with me and say it. It was awesome. I wish you guys could see it... it's pretty hilarious... I think at least. After I proceeded to introduce myself. Then I would have a game, called "Victor Quiz Time!" In teams, students took turns answering T/F questions about me. I made little game cards where Os meant True and Xs meant False. I made it so teh two first year classes would have everyone win, and the third year class would have a clear winning team. Then I'd do the Victor Victory Dance... heh heh... which again... nobody really did... but, laughing occurred. My last class (first years) gave teh best reaction... "Eeeeeeeeeeee~?!?" which I guess it's kind of like having them say... "Whaaaaaaaat?!?" It was hilarious... but, mark my words... I will get someone to do the Victor Victory Dance by the end of the school year.

I think I got good reactions from my third year guys... but, it'&s mostly thanks to Gabie... not me. See, what had happened was... I had extra time after the students asked me questions, so I busted out with the pictures Gabie and Jenny gave me. As class was dismissed... I got bum-rushed by like 7 or so male students who wanted to look at the pictures again. They kept pointing at Gabie and saying きれい (kirei... meaning pretty/beautiful). I told them her anme and they kept asking if she will come to Japan. I told them that I didn't know, but they made sure I told them that I'd tell her to come... so, Gabie... come to Japan... heh heh. I think I might have just started you a fan club here. The funniest part was when a boy ran out and dragged a friend to look at Gabie... he responded with, "Wow! Very beautiful... SEXY!" As he left I heard him say very loudly, "I hate Japanese girls!" in perfect English. How funny that everyone has some English motivation. I just laughed nervously since my JTE was next to me. But, yeahb... come lunch, I was invited to eat lunch with the boys... I guess I was their hero for knowing Gabie... :shrugs:

I had to decline though since I was already invited by my third class (first years). I couldn't say no... they were my best class today. But, that's not to say the other students were bad or that it was their fault... having the same lesson 3 times in a row... I basically already knew waht worked and fixed what didn't work. I just feel bad since my first class doesn't have an amazing class like my last one. The class was good, but it was better for my second class... and just amazing for my last class.

Well... it's 3:40 PM now... I've managed to spend an hour writing this in my journal. Students are cleaning now, so that means that they should start with their clubs soon. Hopefully I can mingle with some kids and waste time until my taxi comes... Okay... later!

____________________________________

Typed now:

Afterschool clubs was pretty cool. I was waiting for my first year JTE to come since she was happy I wanted to see her basketball club. So, while I waited... I shot some hoops with two kids who schooled me bad. I made no baskets... not surprisingly. I then joined some girls for some volleyball... which I'm much much more skilled at. We did practice bumps and volleys... until the JTE came. She explained the different clubs and we talked for a bit. I then noticed my taxi should be arriving soon... but, she said if I still had time... her girls wanted to talk to me.

Hey, ever need a quick ego boost... talk to some JH girls... not sure if it's all girls just yet... but, I know that the JH girls are quick to dish out compliments..

They started with, "Bikutaa is bery kayuto (cute)." Heh heh... that was awsome. Then they asked typical girl questions... "Are you married?"/"Do you have a girlfriend?" Answering no to both of them opened their eager eyes with excitement. See... my JTE is 25 and they knew I was 23... so, they instantly (one girl in particular) started motioning that I should go out with her. The JTE obviously did the "subtle" unsubtle Japanese thing where she walked up to the main rallying girl and began walking against her in a shoving manner until they were in a corner... it was funny... mostly cause I knew exactly what they were saying... heh heh.

I then tried to learn their names... but, man... Japanese names are just so hard. I've always been good with names... but that's not the case in Japan. After failing miserably... I said bye and got set to go.

So, pretty fun day overall... not including the moment before I began writing this entry in my notebook... heh heh.