"Harou!"

Man... school lunches are getting better with the changing weather. On Monday, my school lunch included some curry. On Tuesday, my lunch included a huge bowl of ramen.

Curry, ramen... can lunch get any better than that?!? I nearly 'gasmed in my pants during lunch... two days in a row. Did they know that I would find such happiness and joy in such simplistic lunches?

Anyway, yesterday was the Kesen area Junior High English Recitation Contest. I had students in three of my schools reciting a speech. And one of my students actually placed!

However, I had absolutely nothing to do with that student's success... ::sigh::.

I was asked to help the student and give her pointers... but, I never actually met the student. I was supposed to meet with her that day I went to her school on Saturday to watch the volleyball game tourney, but nobody approached me about meeting with the student and it was obviously difficult for me to go around looking for her... since, I didn't know who she was (nor did I know she was a girl at the time).

The two students I actually did coach did not place... ::sigh::. I thought they did very very well though. I was one proud little coach... but, I felt bad that they didn't place. I actually apologized to one of the students profusely... he just laughed and said not to worry at all. I still felt bad though... ::sigh::

I'm getting more involved with the different school clubs. It has many benefits... one being that I get to actually have fun and play different games with the students... and two (and more importantly) I get to hang out with the students so they open up to me more... ask me more questions... attempt to talk more English with me... etc. I also get to speak and practice some Japanese. I know we were told to speak only English to my students... but, for me at least, it has the complete opposite reaction than we were told. During training, they told us that if we spoke in Japanese, then students will not bother speaking in English. However, in my situation... the students seem to be less shy and attempt more English. I guess it might have to do with the fact that, though horrible as it may be... the students see that I'm trying to speak Japanese. So, they let down their guard and are less worried about messing up.

These past couple of days have been very well with student interactions. More students are approaching me and talking to me... it's so awesome. And, obviously... I like the attention.

The best part of it all though... is hearing them speak English. I'm not cracking on them... but, it just sounds really cute when they speak English. I especially noticed this today when I was walking along the river next to my apartment. I was returning back to my apartment around the time that some of my students were either going home or to the city gym for some clubs. As they began passing me... they all got happy and would yell, "Harou!"

Man, you really have to hear it to see how cute it is... but, "hello" just doesn't sound as warm and welcoming as "Harou!"

And, the best Japanese attempt at English is with the word "sleepy." I've heard both students and teachers say it to me... and it always sounds so funny and cute. I think it has to do with the fact that their facial and gestural expressions are exactly the same too... but, they just look at me with an exhausted, yet smiling face and make a downwards motion while saying, "suriiiiipy..."

Heh heh... I wish I could record them saying both "Harou!" and "suriiiiipy..." but, it's very difficult to know when the expression will come about... heh heh.

Anyway... going to finish cooking. Attempting a sudado de pollo... but, as good as it smells... I know that it won't be anything like the ones my mom makes back home... ::sigh::