Shoe Callous...

I think I'm beginning to get a callous on my finger that I usually use to slip on my dress shoes with. Yup, I think I'm a little bit away from just giving up on wearing my dress shoes... it's not like people see me wearing them anyway. I mean, I get to school wearing them when nobody is really there... then immediately change to my school shoes (since in Japan... you can't wear shoes that have touched the outside ground... inside). So, yeah... I think that sounds like a plan... heh heh. I'll save the dress shoes and give them a break. It'll be more comfortable this way too.

Now, moving on to my day. Today I visited my biggest school. Oh man... and it is so nice (which I later went to find out that it was new... or newly reconstructed... didn't quite understand which one it was when I was being explained).

But, yeah... day started off with an opening ceremony in my honor... and I got introduced by the principal... then, went on to give a short English introduction. I think it went well... the Kyoto sensei (vice principal) said so at least... heh heh. Then, a student representative (people kept telling me he was the leader of the students... I took that literally, but then realized he might be like the school president or rep or whatnot) welcomed me in honor of all the students, and they all went on to sing the school song for me... it was really cool.

Once the ceremony finished... I had 4 back to back classes. It was no biggie since it was basically my self-intro... which I really love to do. I get many laughs... and hey, I get to speak about myself for nearly an hour. It's a miracle they don't just shut me up... though, I think the bell does that itself... heh heh.

During my first self-intro, I had trouble writing on the board since it was so low. That was when my JTE showed me the neatest school invention... the board has these two lever things that when you press it, raised and lowers the board. Awesome... I was in such awe and amazement. In fact, everytime I used it, I took the time to turn around to the students... give a thumbs up... and then say "cool!" Heh heh... it got many laughs... and, mostly, it showed how appreciative I was of that feature... which is always a good thing to show appreciation in the school's your at.

After the four classes, went down to eat with some teachers. It was awkward at first since I didn't really understand what was going on... but, eventually a teacher actually focused on asking me questions slowly... and I got to answer them in Japanese. It was really cool... mostly because I got lots of laughs speaking in Japanese... meaning I am definitely getting better in showing off my personality... even with the language barrier.

The rest of classes were then cancelled since the kids were scheduled on an outing to clean a beach. I was free... so, I was invited to go. Though I kind of wasn't down for cleaning under a hot sun, I did want to hang with the students... show myself in good light to the teacher's for actually going and helping out though I wasn't required... and hey, honestly... I really really wanted to see the beach... heh heh.

So, we walked to the beach... which was rather near... by car that is. Heh heh... on foot... it was like half an hour. But no worries... wasn't as hot as I expected. We reached this area that had no lookings of a beach at all... but then I went to notice that if you walk off a little bit... then enter a small little forest... you then come across the beach. Wow!... that's really all there is to state at first...

It was so nice... and the breeze felt really nice. But, though it wasn't hot... I apparently burn more easily here. So, have to remember to buy sunscreen eventually. The sand was also cool... don't know what it's made of exactly... but, there seems to be gold-colored specs in it that make it shine in the sunlight... especially when wet. But, I am pretty sure it's not gold... cause, yeah... that would just make life too easy for me and others if it was... heh heh. It's probably shell bits or something... I did see a lot of shells (and bird skulls too) lying about. I took pictures... but, again... not quite the same as seeing it in person.

When we finished... we all returned... and I was really tired and in dire need of sitting down. But, if I don't see a teacher sit down... then chances are I can't. The students gathered by grades and then the third years (9th grade equivalent) ran off to this nearby building that had like an auditorium-styled roof. A teacher called me over... and at the first どうぞ。。。翔ってください (douzo... kakette kudasai... here, please sit) I got my ass sitting with the quickness. They all split up by genders I believe... and sang this really beautiful song. It was amazing how the girl and guys voices meshed so well together... and each having their own parts made the song even better. I was told the name of it... but, I forgot... sorry. I was tempted to record it... but, we were told not to take pictures of the students... and even though they were far and it should have been okay... I didn't want to risk being viewed negatively. They then rejoined and beverages were served... which I was very happy about. I was hella thirsty... and me taking one bottle of water to school each day doesn't seem to cut it... heh heh.

We then parted ways and I was driven back to the school where I was then able to drive home. It was a very interesting and well... tiring day... but, I had so much fun.

I ended up passing out for a bit after I showered... heh heh. That's how tiring it was. I hope my body gets some back muscles soon to endure standing all day... and my legs... though pretty strong... need some building up too to endure walking so much. (Heh heh... I just got a mental picture of Luis freaking out... "What do you mean build up those montrosities... are you crazy?!?!?") Heh heh...

Oh, and for those who might be wondering or curious... I got a call from Yuka earlier (we traded numbers and talked a bit yesterday) to tell me Jamie was with her. I talked to him for a bit... and everything seems good and cool for him. I might be able to manipulate him and Yuka to come visit me since they basically free until school starts on the 26th for him. ::enter mischievous, maniacal laugh::

Well... that's all for today. Laterness!