I think by the end of this month, I`m going to be sick of parties.

Alright guys, it`s been a while since my last post. I`ve just been too tired and busy lately. But now that I have nothing to do while I`m at work, I can post! Yay! =P

Dec. 13 Sunday

Today is the Christmas party at the storybook library/museum for the elementary and nursery kids! I volunteered to help out but there really wasn`t much for me to do except look after the children. So all the volunteers all had little Santa aprons and hats on and because I didn`t, I decided to be a reindeer with snow on it. I wore my reindeer ears, a brown tank, and brown leggings with a white fluffy poncho like thing(shawl?) that represented the snow. =P I got there and people weren`t expecting me to be all dressed up, so they were all like WHA?! lol I love dressing up for the occasion so I couldn`t pass it up. The kids thought I was funny and liked to play with my ears because I was the only reindeer. There were lotsa santa`s helpers and santas though. haha. Several of my high school girls also decided to volunteer at the party. So it was a jolly good time bonding with them! I normally don`t talk to them very much at school, but I was happy to be able to talk to them now. They`re sweet and happy children.

I felt so popular at the party because I knew basically every kid! They were all my students. When they came in through the doors and saw me, all smiles. I love them, my babies. I met a lot of the nursery kids parents and they all already knew who I was. I even got invited by one of them to go over for dinner. Turns out she`s the wife of one of my cool high school teachers that I actually talk to. Their son, Genshuu, is seriously adorable and loves English time. ^^ Anyways, when it was time to do a dance together,(I think I must have lost all shame by now) a couple of the kids came over to hold my hand because they wanted to dance with me. haha, cute!!! And I was the only one going all out on the little cute dance because I had to keep up my image of a fun wierd exciting teacher for the kids. haha. -Seriously, at school, I`m quite the wierd teacher and sometimes even the teachers are like "What...are you doing, Theresa?" Or they`ll just laugh at me because I do weird actions. It`s all for my kids. Oddly enough, by me being my weird crazy self, the kids respect me more. The class becomes more fun and lively that way. I like it. The teachers get a kick out of it too. And by chasing students down and poking them until they finally say hello in English to me, I`m getting the students to be more into speaking it (cuz they have to, otherwise they`ll be poked endlessly >D). But that`s mainly only at my elementary.-

Anyways, the kids all had fun at the party and went home happy and with presents. I hung around and went to the otsukare party afterwards with my high school girls. But I didn`t feel right staying there too long and eating the food because I really didn`t do anything to help, except clean up and mind the kids. But they all still gave me a present and homemade cake which is very good btw! ^^

Dec. 16 Wednesday

So, I found out yesterday that my high school has a dormitory. I was like, really?! A dorm in high school? It`s my first time hearing it, but I`m sure there are other high schools like this in the states...i think. It`s located right behind the school. It`s super nice and cozy and has 22 students living in it, seperated into the boys` dorm and the girls` dorm. Although there are only 5 boys living there. lol The boys` area was super dirty compared to the girls even though they clean the dorm everyday after school! Dedication! But they had a PS3 and Grand Theft Auto! I was like, "DUDE! You guys realize I`m coming over here more often now, right?" It also had a cafeteria in it with the cafeteria ladies. The ladies told me about a party happening Wednesday night for the students and teachers in this dorm for Christmas! They invited me to come! I was super excited and said yes because I wanted to spend more time with the high school students and come back to this dorm because it`s awesome! And then I realized that I`m going to be having Christmas party overload. This month is the month of Bounenkai`s or End of the Year work parties and Christmas parties. Parties galore to be exact. I have two more parties tomorrow night to go to too.......

So at first on this night I wasn`t sure if I wanted to go because I was super tired after work today, but I`m quite glad I went. Actually, the free food enticed me to go. haha. So when I entered the cafeteria, all the kids were like "OMG, Theresa!" And were all excited! One of the boys was even like "Tension agatta zo!" which basically means the atmosphere is getting more exciting, for a lack of better translation for this...lol The food was soo good and I got to eat Japanese pizza. I had one with shrimp and mayonnaise and one with raw ham on it (proscuitto?) But food was so damn good and my kids loved talking to me. And then the boys decided to go dress up or cross dress and came in wearing sexy dresses and evreything. haha. They were sooooo skinny! More than some of the girls! I took pictures. =P Afterwards, we played some games like bingo, charades, and quiz games. It was pretty fun. I kept getting the "Kawaii!!~" from all my girls too. And then they all asked my if I had a bf and when I said no, all the girls were super surprised and was like "Wha? But you`re so cute!" lol Thanks girls. You make me feel special.　So the night ended at 9pm and was wonderfully fun. Mainly because the dorm was really comfy feeling. Woot.

Dec. 17 Thursday

A hectic day of partying. Seriously, no joke. I had two Christmas parties today, one starting at 6pm and one at 6:30pm. Yes....they were basically at the same time. And I had just finished teaching at the elementary school today, running around and playing with the kids, so I was already ready to just pass out. But since I payed for the 6pm one, which is for the 30 years old and under workers in town crew I wanted to get my money`s worth. And I promised my Taiko kids (the party at 6:30) that I would be there to exchange presents and play with them. So I first went to the 6pm one at really hot nabe (hot pot) really fast, burnt my tongue, and then at 6:25 went over to the club hall for the other party. Actually, I would`ve been able ot eat more and a little slower if there weren`t so many speeches before eating. That`s about the only thing I don`t like here that people have to give long speeches before eating taking up precious eating time and letting the food go cold. Just kampai and lets eat! >.< At the 6pm party I didn`t really talk to other people very much except for Su because she`s the easiest to talk to for me and the funniest. So I was actually pretty excited to go to the 6:30pm one with my kids.

At the club hall my kids and their parents had already arrived and were sitting down at the tables waiting for the teachers to all arrive. I was second to last to arrive and felt pretty bad, but my kids were excited to see me and my girls were like "Theresa-sensei, come sit next to us!" And they even said, "It`s good isn`t it? Theresa-sensei is sitting with us!" I felt more glowy and happy. It was much more comfortable sitting there with my students and their parents and the taiko group rather than the 6pm party with people who are the same age as me. Either, I`m really just a kid at heart or maybe the atmospehere was better. I don`t know. It made me wonder though. Anyways, we played a fun and cute game with stuffed animals and Bingo and then did a present exchange. Most of the gifts that the parents got were all given to the younger kids because the presents were mainly fun kids things. I got 2 nice pens and cute erasers from one of my 1st grade boys. I was quite happy actually. I need them! ^^

Then after sitting and playing with my kids for a lil while longer, I was called by Su and other peoples at the 6pm party to go back because they want to start the present exchange. So as much as i hated to leave my taiko party, I had to because, one I was still hungry for more food, and I paid for the thing, and I didn`t want to be rude to them. So I bid my kids farewell for the night and went back to the other party. I actually got lucky and got this huge apple pie made by the local bakery. It looks so damn good, but I can`t eat all of it, so I think I`m gonna give some to other people, or just Su since she eats so much anyways. lol After the first party ended, there was a second party to go to, which i wasn`t sure if I should go or not. But against better judgement i went. I drank no alcohol though because I was driving. And I didn`t want to drink anymore after all the drinking in Sapporo. I wanted to give myself time to rest and let my liver recover. lol So I stayed there and talked to everyone for a little bit and then left at around 11pm. I was quite exhausted to say the least. And now I`m at work writing my blog update. I`m really quite tired right now, but pumping myself full of coffee to keep me going throughout the day. Hahh.....I have more parties next week too...3 more to be exact. One on the 22nd, 23rd, and 25th. Luckily, on my B-day, the 24th, I can just stay at home and chill. Or, maybe go out and party......

Otsukare-sama! Pics willl will will be up soon. There will be about 300 or so pics so just be warned. Love you all!

English Competition

Alright....my posts are getting farther and farther in between. I just keep not having the time for it anymore. I feel terrible. And freakin facebook is not letting me post my pictures!!!! >.< I don`t know why though. Anyways, I really will try to post up pics soon as soon as I discover why freakin facebook won`t take it.

October 20th Tuesday

So today is going to be an awesomely fun day in my opinion. I get to be one of the judges for the English Speech and Performance Competition in Shibetsu. Willing junior high kids from all the schools in Shibetsu (there are about 4 of them I think), the one middle school in Wassamu, and my one middle school in Kenbuchi do speech recitations from the textbook and performances and are judged based on that. My kids and I have been practicing non-stop everyday after school from 3pm until 6pm sometimes 7 for this thing. So in the morning I dressed more formal than usual in my cool white long sleeve button up top and my vest and made sure my hair was perfect and sexy and then left for school. I got to school way earlier than I usually would because my 2nd year kids were practicing their script at 7:40am. Ugh, early, but it`s for my kids, so it`s okay. We gathered all the props and stuff and at about 8:40 we piled everything and everyone onto the little bus and headed off the the Shibetsu community center.

When we got there I saw a tall white dude with blond hair and was like "You must be an ALT" and he was like "Oh,yeah. I`m Jonathon, the Wassamu ALT" and we did our lil intros. At first he didn`t really talk much to me and I was like..hmm...he`s not much of a talker, but his kids seemed to like him. He`s from Australia. Then I saw another tall kinda burly white dude with a brown beard and figured "You must be the Shibetsu ALT, Collin right?" And he seemed to be the nicest fun-loving teddy bear teacher. I immediately took a liking to him. He really reminds me of Santa Claus. lol Nice man. He`s from Australia as well. Both of the ALT`s are from Sydney and they`re super super tall. I felt like a little kid standing next to them even in my heels. So, anyways, Jonathon just married a Japanese teacher last year and has been working as an ALT for 8 years. JET only allows you 5 years. And so he worked for JET for 3 years, went to a different city not on JET for 2 years, and then was rehired by the Shibetsu peoples on a private contract. That was amazing. I was like, Dude, I`d definitely like to do that. Anyways, all the other students from the other schools were surprised to see me as an ALT cuz I was Asian looking and it`s been a while since they saw a female ALT. haha. The, uh, young 2nd year boys from Minami-Shibetsu seem to have taken an interest in me from my interactions with them. haha. Minami-Shibetsu`s kids were all boys, and mine were all girls, so Collin told me that they should stay away from each other. lol Cute. And of course I had the best looking Japanese English teacher among all of them. Yes, Mr. Shibata! He really looked good in his suit. haha.

So in the competition there are 2 categories: recitation and performance, and they are seperated by grades. There was only 1 person in 1st grade recitation and that was my kid, and then there were 2 groups for the 1st year performance with 2 of my girls. Then about 5 groups for the 2nd year performances. My kids (5 of them) did Urashima Taro Returns and used paper puppets on sticks to narrate the story. It was cute! And then last were my 3rd graders with their coolest performance: Kojiroh. The script was originally written by them in Japanese and I translated the whole thing into ENglish. It was about 8 pages long but they memorized everything! I was super proud of them but I knew they could do it. They`re all smart children so I had faith. I mean, they would stick around everyday after school and practice all the lines with me in their classroom and act out the script and practice the intonations I taught them. By the third time I practiced with them I knew they were going to be able to do it. And they won Best Performance in the whole show!! ^O^ WAHAHAH! And I felt so prideful when the other Japanese Teachers of English and the other ALTs told me how impressed they were with my 3rd year kids and told me I taught them well. HAHAHA!! AWESOME!! eheh. Of course, I only helped a little, it was mainly my kids that did the most of the work.

After that we ate lunch and deliberated on the winner. 1st year speech was my child, 1st year performance went to Shibetsu, 2nd year performance went to Onnebetsu because they did the cutest "Three Little Pigs" story, 2nd year speech-i forgot who, but none of my kids, 3rd year speech went to Onnebetsu, and 3rd year performance were my girls who also won best in show. heheh. WOO!! Two awards! Oh, and at lunch there was a leftover bento and no one knew what to do with it, so Shibata-sensei was like "Well, here you go Theresa, your dinner for tonight." And lo and behold the problem was solved and I had free dinner. =P Thanks Mr. Shibata! We then went back to the competition hall and announced the winners. Then when we were about to leave and I said goodbye to Collin and followed Jonathon out to where his kids and my kids were, I shook Jonathon`s hand and said goodbye and his kids were all like "wooo". haha. Jonathon was like "No, no it`s nothing like that" I just ignored it and went to my kids. eheh.

The bus ride back home was so lively because of the happy atmosphere of all the kids. There was lots of singing and applauding and happiness. Haha. Good times.

October 21st Wednesday

Not much happened during school. After school for dinner I asked if Su wanted to go eat with me at Sawarabi, witch is a very short walk from our apts. She also invited Satomi along. Tomorrow`s Satomi`s b-day so I`m thinking of buying her two cake slices from the local bakery to give to her. She`s helped me with a lot of stuff so I really appreciate her. ANyways, we had Mushroom Nabe/hotpot, and pork kebabs. =P Delicious. And I`ve been watching Ninkyo Helper lately. It`s very good because it has Mukai Osamu in it. haha. I`m a sucker for anything this sexy man does. He`s my #1 ikemen right now.

October 23rd Thursday

So I first went to the high school today. I loathe teaching at the high school. It`s because of the 3rd year boys. Not my favorite kids. The girls are fine, but the boys....The 2nd year boys are awesome though. They`re so much fun and lively! And everytime they see me they love saying Hi to me and trying to remember my name. I like that. The girls in 2nd year don`t talk very much though. But the boys are good. They`re also pretty good looking haha. I can`t wait to teach them next year. oh, and everytime Mr. Gorgeous and I pass by them they would yell out things at him. I kept thinking they were just calling him Eichi or Eiji as his nickname but then later he told me that they call him Ecchi, which means hentai, which means erotic pervert. LOL The boys think it`s funny to call him that, especially when he`s walking around with me. I think it`s pretty funny too cuz I can kinda see it in him. haha. Then it was off to the elementary.

Today I did a presentatino on Halloween for my 6th grade kiddies and they really liked it. My 6th grade girls love me. They love talking to me and everything. I`m happy for that. They also really like my hair, every chance they get they`ll come and stroke my head because they think it feels nice. haha. And they`re used to me helping them clean now, so they`ll always ask me to help them wipe the floors now. The other teachers still haven`t gotten used to me doing these things with the students I suppose. =P Oh, so at lunch break I met Mr. Wonderful in the library. I was already in there with 4 of the girls and then he came in and I was like "Oh shit." He looked really good today. Oh, btw, the 1st, 2nd, and 5th graders had kids with influenza so they cancelled the classes for this week. They`re coming back on Friday though, which is a very good thing. But those teachers now have a lot of time on their hands. Anyways, he came in and then I was at a lost for what to do. He came to check on the books I think...or I don`t know what he came in for cuz he doesn`t usually come into the library. But he came in this time and I just stood around reading the books over the children`s shoulders and then asked them if they knew what Halloween was and then forgot to explain it to them. I must`ve looked so stupid to him. I don`t know, whenever he`s around I can never properly talk to him or ask him questions or be cool looking. haha. I just get all clumsy and awkward around him. I need to work on that.

So after school was over and everything I went to home to prep for the community badminton activity that started this tuesday and happens every tuesday and thursday from 7:30pm until 9pm at the B&G gym. So when I got there I was very surprised to see one of my good 1st year high school boys there as well. He was also surprised to see me. So he`s a resident of Kenbuchi. Now I know. I never know where all the students come from for the High school cuz they`re all from different cities and stuff. Anyways, I also saw some of my elementary boys playing pingpong there. They were very happy and surprised to see me. I was exhilirated to see them. They`re the cutest 3rd and 4th grade boys ever and I absolutely adore them. I don`t know, this job is making me constantly "moeeee" over them. I`m starting to really really love children. But then again, I think I really love country children, not the city ones just yet. haha.

Otsukare-sama for reading and I promise to get the pictures up and running as soon as possible.

Freakin Influenza!!....>.<

October 9th Friday

So long time no update and no pictures yet. I`m really sorry guys, my life has been ridiculously busy lately what with the Elementary school festival coming up. I`ve been staying at school until 7-9pm helping with the preparations, especially for the 1st graders. Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday after school Yuki and I would help Kitagawa-sensei (the 1st grade homeroom teacher) make costumes, props, etc. for the 1st graders` play. It`s fun, but I start lacking in sleep because then I come home and have to prep for the next day`s lesson and I try to have a decent meal.

Anyways, today when I came home it was f-Ing cold!! It dropped below 40 degrees dude! First time ever in my life to be that cold! So my lil old apt needed heating and I tried to turn on the heater to find out that I couldn`t operate it...I kept trying to push the buttons but the little screen just kept popping up green letters spelling "CL". I was like WTF? I`M FrEAKIN COLD! Work DAMNIT! And so I tried calling Su, but she couldn`t help me because she wasn`t in Kenbuchi; I called Satomi, but she too wasn`t here and so she called Mago-chan to come and help me and she dragged Ayako along. They were at a party when Satomi called them to come and I felt sooooo bad. But they both said that when they heard about my heater situation they felt bad for me and came to help. lol I get the `foreigner-is-unable-to-work-everyday-electronics` pity...But it was the first time for me to work such a heater. It`s not like the American electronic ones...It is electric in which it needs it to turn on, but the heat uses the kerosene oil from the container outside my apt. Oh and fyi, my apt area is like an explosion waiting to happen. Right outside my door is a can (or those large metal tubular things that hold gas) of Kerosene oil for my stove. And then next to my house is the large Kerosene oil container to heat up my water and the heater.

So they came over to help me try to figure out my heater and couldn`t figure it out either. Then they called Soutome-san to come over early tomorrow morning (7am on Saturday) to come and help me fix it. So I spent the night under several layers of blankets freezing as I slept...lol

October 10th Saturday

I woke up at 6:30am on a saturday to greet the dude who`s supposed to help me fix my heater. And let me tell you, my apt was like freezing over. Mago-chan also came over to help me in case I couldn`t understand his Japanese. So the man came to check on my heater and after pushing around buttons he was like "Your heater was on child-lock." Well I felt stupid. And Mago-chan was like "oh, was that the problem?" Yes, so now I know what to do when I can`t work my heater, press the child lock button 3 times. lol And the heater uses the kerosene oil to make a fire. Anyways, my room got warmer that`s for sure. Mago-chan stayed around a little bit and so I made breakfast for the both of us. She`s never had real Peanut Butter before and I just so happened to find real peanut butter in a store so I made PB&J. Woot!

Today we decided to go out shopping for stuff. It was decided last night when the girls came over to fix my heater and discovered that my living room light is dying on me. But before that I went to my 3rd-5th graders cheerleading practice to watch them. Oh! And fyi, cheerleading is a huge sport here in Kenbuchi. It`s the new in thing to do and because my town is so big on it that all the other cities around us come down and over to my lil town for cheer practice. Hehe. All the kids and coaches want me to join them because they know that I can dance. =P But I told them I`m just there to watch. The Cheerleading image in japan isn`t what you imagine in the states. It`s not full of ditzy popular girls or mean chicks or anything like the same image in the states. Totally different. I was really surprised to see some of my girls in the cheerleading team because they`re so different from the image I had. So cheer is actually a good accepted thing here. And it`s so great here that the Japan Representative Cheerleading team came here yesterday to do performances today and tomorrow. That`s cool! But unfortunately I couldn`t make it to both of them. Today`s reason was because I had already promised the girls that we would go out.

So Ayako came to pick us up in her luxury black car that I felt I should be a millionare to ride...Man, who knew the priesstess`s daughter had so much money? lol We went to Asahikawa. We first went to Yamada Electronics store and that place was HUGE!1!! And guess what!? I even saw a LOTUS there? As in the sexy lil sportscar. I was like DUDE?! WHAT!? A lotus!? WTF? But then again, I shouldn`t be surprised anymore. I swear, on the way here I saw several hot and sexy sportscars here and more than my fill of hotass motorcycles. Yes...I`m a sucker for hot vehicles. Even better, hot vehicles with hot men on them. lol Them Japanese people like them crazy looking sportscars and racecars...like maybe for some late night in the parking structure drifting races maybe? lol ehehe. >D Then we went to Toys R Us and it was amazing! They had real American products and stuff there! I was very happy to see all that. I finally bought a picture frame for my 1000piece puzzle. Then we decided to go to Karaoke!!! After 2 hours of 飲み放題 and endless songs we became hungry and went to go find food to eat.

Ayako recommended a Soup-curryスープカレー place. It was small and rundown looking on the outside, but once you step in it`s like your in an Indian cavern. The music was like funky trance Indian music and the waiters in there were all really gangsta looking. haha. Everyone in the restaurant were young and hot looking peoples. And I swear I saw a guy in there who looked exactly like Mizushima Hiro, but he was with his gf. Boo...lol The food portion was HUGE! But it wasn`t my favorite. Asahikawa is famous for its soup-curry, but I`m not too fond of it to be frank. Then we went to Mega Don Quixote!! AND IT WAS F-ING HUGE!!! LIKE DUDE!!! All my ICU EAP-ers should remember the Don Quixotes in Tokyo right? Well think that except twice as big! And it had an arcade and restaurants and brand name items in there too! Like it carried Chanel, Coach, LV. It was crazy! I think I might spend a lot of my time there in the future. haha. After that we went home. Twas a good day.

October 13th Tuesday

Yesterday was an official holiday, the day of health. So I didn`t have to go to work. But today at work I heard from my boss that some children at my elementary have influenza A H1N1!!!!! So they closed the school for the week, but the teachers still have to go to school. ANd I still have to work. So I stayed in the BOE until lunch time, went to go have lunch and then went to the high school to teach my lazy 3rd years. I really do not like teaching at the high school as the kids are disrespectful and the teachers don`t really talk. The atmosphere in the teachers` room always seems really heavy.

In my 3rd grade class I decided to play hangman with them and divided them into groups. Well, they divided themselves, so there was a group of the most noisy and inattentive boys in the class. When I asked that group to give me a letter they answered with "You`re beautiful" and "Love" and "You`re my wife" ....Hmm...I think maybe it was because I cut my hair and straightened it. lol My friend even said I looked younger, like a high school student. haha. cool. Then after that in the hallways and stuff the other boys would come and talk to me and everything more than they did before....ehehe. Well, I guess my haircut was a good thing. Now I just have to lose weight. =P

After that I went to the middle school to help the 3rd year girls with their play for the English contest on the 20th of this month. I stayed until 6pm.

October 15th Thursday

As usual I had my high school class and as soon as that was over I went home to take a nap before heading over to the elementary school. I didn`t have to teach the 1st year highschool kids today so I had an extra hour. So I took that hour to nap at home. I was dead tired. And then I went to the elementary. At the elementary none of the teachers were in the teachers lounge which was strange because since the school closed for the week there shouldn`t be any classes. So I walked around and found Kitagawa-sensei doing some things in his classroom for preparation for next week. He told me that all the teachers were in the cooking classroom on the 2nd floor. I went up and in and my glasses fogged up. lol It was so warm in the class especially since there was boiling water in a large pot. The teachers were making soba! lol They made the dough themselves and cut it and then cooked it! LOL It was awesome! I decided to help in cleaning since I got there when they were all done. I felt a little awkward at first because I`m never too sure on conversations with these teachers. It`s a little hard for me to talk with the elementary teachers. And plus my Japanese aint that good so it`s kinda a problem. ANyways, I ate the soba and it was very very good! Afterwards I decided to head over to the middle school since there was nothing for me to do at the elementary.

I stayed at the middle school until 5:30pm. And I also found out that 17 of my elementary kids have influenza...the really bad one. I`m really really worried about them because on the news there have been children dying from it. I really hope my children are alright. They`re such wonderful kids.

Otsukare-sama for reading. I promise pictures will come up soon!

High School Festival!!! and more...

October 4th Sunday

いよいよ this day has come. The day of Kenbuchi`s high school festival!!! Oh, but the day before this I went to go get my hair permed damn straight and got a sleek new haircut where my hair is a sharp slanted down angle. I like it...although because I got chubbier and my hair is so straight it makes my head look smaller, my shoulders now look broader and I feel like I look fatter...>.< Well, I guess it`s motivation for me to get skinnier. I also coincidentally met Kubo-san (one of the teachers at the elementary) at the salon. haha. Oh, and I guess being a foreigner helps in the salon because you always get the young hip male owners of the place to do and cut your hair for you. =P

ANyways, so today is the festival and my hair and fashion is all set to go. lol I`m not involved with anything at the high school so I didn`t have to help as a teacher, just as an attendee. Although I think I would`ve loved to teach these kids hip hop. They would`ve been more involved than normal English class. So the kids had been selling yakitori in front of the school entryway that I had just missed when I got there. I had gotten there at 12 and they had started selling them at 10am. >.< It was 4 sticks for 200yen!! やすい！ Ah well. I met some of the past students and teachers. HOT! I was like "Who are these hot men and where did they come from????!" lol I met Yuki in the school entryway and it was actually my first time walking through the students entrance. I usually always walk in through the teacher`s entrance so it was a little wierd at first. haha. =P But the students were very genki today and made an effort to say hello to me whereas during normal school hours it`s rare. I was surprised by how genki they were with me. lol But I responded back with the same enthusiasm. Yuki and I were given free tickets for Marron cake by one of my BOE bosses. So nice!! So we first had some cake to eat and then walked over to the gymnasium to see what veggies and fruits they were selling.

The fruits and veggies they were selling were all grown by the students (hence it being an agriculture school) and these were beautiful beautiful veggies for cheap cheap prices! OH, btw, they sell the veggies that the students grow in a tent next to the school and their greenhouse and anyone can go in to buy it. You just pick out what you want and put money into the tincan. All the veggies are ridiculously cheap!! Like a bag of tomatoes is only 100yen!!! XDXDXD A Japanese pumpkin/kabocha is only 300 yen!!! WAAH! I love this town`s agriculture foods. lol ANyways, at the festival they were selling these wonderful wierd white things that looked like maggot eggs but I`m pretty sure was like popcorn or a kind of seed. It`s sweet and crunchy like the sweet popcorn and the popcorn they were selling had no taste to it whatsoever. lol Yuki had bought the popcorn and I had bouthg the wierd white things. Actually it was via donation for the snacks. So Yuki and I just put in 100 yen each. Yes...we`re cheap, but everything`s cheap here so it doesn`t matter. =P

Afterwards we decided to go to the second floor to see the activities that the kids made for us attendees to do. And found out that the 1st and 2nd years only did a small maze in their classroom that just had pictures of their escapades and activities throughout the year. It was not comparable to the awesomness and darkness of the middle school`s maze. Now that was cool. But nonetheless, good effort. Then there was the 3rd year`s "Horror House". It was actually made very very well. The entire classroom was covered with black trashbags to block out the light. The first room that you go into was very dark and only lit by a lamp and had a bed with blood on it and a desk with a diary that you can read. It would start off all happy and normal and then get distrubing where this guy starts growing weird lumps on his body, and then the writing just gets more and more erratic and larger and messier until there were only two words on the page and then nothing on the pages after that. That was pretty cool and freaky. And then the next part of the room was where the guy had died. So there was a doll that the kids use for CPR or health training that looked pretty real lying on the bed with bloodstains everywhere and freaky-ass pictures on the wall. I tell you, the scariest thing in the entire place were those pictures in my opinion. Those things freaked me out like crazy. Moving on to the next room was the surgery room, more bloodiness, and then lastly the room of death with lots more of those freaky pictures.....I was so happy to go back out into the hallway after that because of those things...Everything else wasn`t that scary, just the pictures. ANyways, I complimented the kids on their work and went back down to the 1st floor with Yuki to watch the performances that all the students were going to do.

First up was the cheer team. They were good! And they had a healthy amount of girls and boys. haha. Then after was some pretty comedic acts. Everyone was laughing hard because it was really really funny. Then some awesome dancing performed by each grade. The dancing was like para-para or johnny`s dances, so not exactly cool like it would be if I could`ve taught them hip hop (hint hint) lol. =P They all did an excellent job nonetheless. In particular was one of the 1st year boys who`s very active in English class. He was very into the dance and because of him the entire audience enjoyed it so much because his face was smiling and it looked like he was having so much fun. The other boys just had bored faces on. I`m pretty sure everyone was watching the active one because he was sooo good! I was very proud of him because he made the audience quite happy with his performance. XD I will try to enlist him in my hip hop routines. lol After all the performances were over Yuki and I decided to head across the street to the Club Hall to view the Judo competition. But it was already over by the time we got there because it happened at the same time as the school festival. But my 5th grade student, Nana, who is the daughter of the Judo master who teaches here won 1st place!! I was so proud of her! My other student had won 2nd! YAY! And then Yuki and I parted ways and went home.

On my way home, I kept thinking how bored I was right now and decided to see if Su was doing anything and rode my way over there. As it turned out Su was doing nothing! ^^ So I was like "Let`s go to Shibetsu to eat and sing Karaoke! And so invite any of the other girls who wanna come along" So only Tama-chan and Mago-chan were able to make it because it`s such a sudden request. I drove Tama-chan and Su to SHibetsu to meet up with Mago-chan who was already in SHibetsu. We decided to go singing first as it would be cheaper before 6pm. We got there at 5pm. We went to a place called Uta-ya 歌屋 where the decor was like that of old historical Japan theme. It was actually very very cool looking inside. AND it was SUPER CHEAP! We ordered the 120 minutes all you can drink set where you can drink all that you like and sing for 120minutes for only 635yen per person! Isn`t that amazing!? Although not as cheap as Korea`s noraebang I have to say.

The room you get is based on the machine you want. There are four types of machines that have different set of songs in them and because we wanted all available songs from different countries we chose the Hyper Wave machine. lol It`s very cool looking and changes colors while you`re singing! hehe. The room we were in was very nice and spacious. The TV was a flatscreen TV and all the mics were sanitized. haha. I have to admit, that`s nice. So all of us took turns singing and drinking crazy amounts of liquids (no alcohol). It was so much fun and I would love to do it again if I can. We then went to go eat at Myu because Tama-chan has never been. At Myu we ordered the ShakiShaki lamb tataki rice bowl シャキシャキラームたたき丼. That was amazingly good and I felt healthy because all the foods had no oil in them. It was basically Lamb tataki on top of a bed of lettuce leaves on top of white rice with strips of the yellow daikon mixed in. SOOO GOOD AND HEALTHY!

WHen all was done, and we had such a wonderful time talking, we all decided to go home. Since Tama-chan and Mago-chan live in the same apt. complex they went home together and so it was me and Su. Su and I decided to go to Seico Mart for ice cream. haha. And then back home to watch my Hong Il Dong drama. I swear that`s all I do at home now is drama watching. =P

October 5th Monday

YAY my beloved nursery kids with the cuties of all cuties. Ooo, I just wanna hug them and hug them and kiss their cute little fat cheeks. o>.
After that I went to the elementary to teach my least favorite 5th grade class. Like I said, it`s not exactly the students, it`s the teacher...I really don`t understand what I`m supposed to do in that class and I don`t feel like I am able properly teach. If I had free reign of teaching instead of having to follow the textbook and not understanding the teacher I would be so much happier. My 6th grade class is so much fun and I teach to the best of my abilities even with the textbook so this class is my saving grace. But today it`s 5th grade. Again, I was confused on what we`re doing and my games didn`t turn out as great because of some problems. Hmm..I just don`t know about this class. I was relieved when it was over. I usually have such great successes and fun in the rest of my classes, just not this one.

During school cleaning time I decided to help the kids clean in which they kept asking me "Are you really sure it`s okay to help us?" and were all really surprised when I decided to help. I`m the only teacher that helps them clean the classroooms instead of just sitting there and monitoring. Actually, I`m the only teacher who does alot of things that the other teachers won`t do with the students. I`ve never had to clean my own school before so I wanted to try it and it gets me to bond with the students better. But the kids thought it was fun and interesting that I was helping them. So I decided to help them clean the floor via a wet towel and running from one end of the room the other while wiping the floor with the towel at the same time. I`m pretty sure it was a funny sight to see. It was actually very difficult and I kept slipping and falling and my shoes kept falling off. I would run from one end of the classroom to the other with my butt sticking up in the air slipping this way and that. Not very attractive, but fun and the kids get a kick out of it. lol

After school, as I was passing by the 1st grade class I glanced over and saw Kitagawa-sensei working on something that looked like the skeleton for a chinese hat. I decided to go in and see what he was making. It turns out he was making the base for a hat for all the 1st graders for their play in the school festival. The kids are doing a play where they`re animals. And so these hats are going to be like their heads and the ears will come on later. I thought it would be great fun to make these things since i had nothing else to do and decided to help out. At the same time, Yuki also came in to help out, so Kitagawa-sensei taught the both of us what to do. I basically spent my evening until 7pm helping out. All the teachers were staying very late in order to prep for the school festival. They were all painting and making crafts etc. Teachers here are amazing!

October 6th Tuesday

Because my high school is on their fall break, which I`m very thankful for, I don`t have any classes there so all day I just stay at the elementary. YAY! =P So today I taught my favorite 6th grade class! THey`re so wonderful and spirited and I am able to be the most expressive in this class. hehe. Even though Watanabe-san speaks most of the time with instructions and stuff and I have to follow the main activties in the txtbk., for my personal games and activities I`m able to explain and talk with them just fine and freely. So today I taught them the "I want to..." phrase where in this context means they want to do an action of some sort. I first started them off with simon says where they only do the action if I say "I want to..". Then we all went outside to play the Harry Potter game. Err...if you don`t know what it is go look it up on genkienglish.net. It`s a really fun game for all the kids to play and it`s kinda like freezetag except using the english phrases. The kids had so much fun with it and were pretty tired afterwards. haha.

After 3rd period I went up to chill with the 6th grade kids and we talked about some pretty funny things. I love spending time with these ones and they`ve all already gotten used to my presence of randomly being somewhere. haha. During cleaning time today I went to look for Anna (one of the 6th grade girls) so I can help clean. Again, she was in the 2nd grade classroom along with Nana and a couple other students. They were like "eh? Theresa-sensei, you`re here to help clean again? Is it alright for you to do this?" I was like "Dude, this is fun and interesting so why wouldn`t I do it?!" ^^ WHen I walked in to the classrrom, however, I heard a "ah! Konnichiwa!" from somehwere and realized that Mr. Wonderful was in the classroom. Of course he would be. It`s his classroom, but I was surprised to see him there for a little bit and was like `Oh no..he`s going to see me being stupid with the kids`, but then was like `eh, f-it. I told the kids I was gonna do it, so I`m gonna do it even if I look weird doing it in front of him.` He was actually also kinda suprised that I`m cleaning and was like "Is it really okay for you to clean?" I told him I wanted to try because we American kids don`t clean our classrooms like how the Japanese kids do it and because it was fun. So again, I did the wipe the floor with the wet towel/me and my body thing. Again, my butt was sticking up in the air, I slipped, but not as much as the 1st time and got faster! I improved! But still prolly looked like a wierd fool in front of Mr. Wonderful...lol And then I decided to help Nana take out the trash and which upon returning Mr. Wonderful saw me with the trash bag and gave a Pffft! laugh and told one of the 5th grade boys to take the trash bag from me and put it in the bin since the teacher shouldn`t be the ones to do that. But at that time I had already placed it in. lol I didn`t think that the teachers didn`t take the trash out, I just did it because I`m used to cleaning at home and doing this kinda stuff...lol The kids just looked at me confused when Mr. Wonderful said that (since they knew that I had wanted to do it) and I too was kinda confused for a bit(because I didn`t exactly understand what he had said at that moment until later), so we were all confused except for him. lol But now I`m a regular cleaner with the kids. haha. They look for me now to mop the floors. =P

After school, I was again walking around with nothing to do when I saw Yuki papier-mache-ing the 1st grade hats that we had made the night before. I was like "HO! Yuki! I too will help!" And she was like "EH?! REally?! Please!!? You`d be a big help since there`s so many of these hats." So again, I spent until 6pm doing this activitiy. THe other teachers were also really surprised that I was still at school helping. I told them that if they need a helping hand I can always do so. Anyways, I invited Yuki to come to my apt Wednesday night for dinner. So I will go find the materials and prep for dinner. Chinese food it is.

Otsukare-sama for reading!! Loves!

Yes....Mr. Wonderful...

Sept. 16th Wednesday

So today was a super fun day at the middle school as it usually always is anyways. Today after English class I told the 3rd year kids that I want to see the final routine all together because I didn't get to teach them the day before since I was teaching at the elementary. The kids were awesome enough to take time out of their busy matsuri/festival prep day to perform for me. AND THEY DID EXCELLENT!!! Well, there were some areas that were a little choppy, but for never having danced before and volunteering to do this in 3 days they were amazing! I was sooooo immensely proud of them!!!! I cheered and shouted and jumped up and downI was so happy. The kids caught on to my happiness and also felt very proud of themselves. XDXDXD When I asked them how was the lesson that Yoneda-sensei taught in my stead yesterday they were like..."Well, we understood the moves, but because it wasn't the real thing (me) teaching it looked a little weird and wasn't as cool. And just now when you were reteaching us the last steps it was totally different looking. Much much cooler!" LOL I couldn't help laughing, because I could totally understand how they feel since I've seen Yoneda-sensei try to mimic my dancing. It looks...interesting. haha But I applaud him for teaching the steps and being able to dance along. He really is an amazing teacher. Of course, he is the PE teacher so there has to be some physical ability in him. =P Anyways, I told the kids they were "awesome" and now they use that word everytime they see me. hehe.

Afterwards I decided to walk around because it was festival preparation time. Outside the teacher's office I saw 4 of my fav female 2nd year students putting up tissue paper flowers as a border decoration for a large board with a bunch of pictures glued together spelling an expression that I was like WTF? And I found out the expression was just a word that the current famous comedians say...I was very confused and was seriously like WTF is this word? Is it even Japanese? lol When I saw the girls I got all excited and went over to them. They were putting the paper flowers on their heads and it looked so cute I wanted one too. So they put one on me. lol They said pink looked best on me. Not my favorite color, but hey, it did look cute on me according to all the girl students who were super excited to see the flower on my head. =P And all my 3rd year boy students were like "dude, even the teacher has one on her head!??" lol But they all commented that I looked beautiful and cute. haha. Good boys. I feel like I'm the only teacher who does these weird things with the students. I like it though. It's fun and I get close with the students. I spent quite a while with the girls decorating. And we had fun talking about stuff. I inserted English here and there, but majority of it was in Japanese. I swear, if I didn't know Japanese I don't think they would talk to me as much. And because I try with Japanese they try speaking English with me too, practicing what they learned that day. I was proud of them. Anyways, so the other teachers who saw me would either give me funny looks or say I looked really cute. haha. =P

Then afterwards, I went through the 2nd year's 80% finished maze. It wasn't difficult to get through, but fun nonetheless. Then I went to help the 3rd years with their carnival activities that they had dubbed "Adventure World". LOL One of the girls was like "Why did we call it Adventure World? It seems like we have some kind of sci-fi attraction when it's just festival activities." lol When they were choosing the name, I had the last say in it because I was there in the room at the time. So I did the "innie minnie miny moe" thing between Adventure Land and World and it ended up being that. Afterwards when i was leaving a bunch of the students were still at school doing more festival preparations! I was amazed at their dedication! Go kids!

At 5:30 was my enkai (welcome party) for elementary since we had yet to have one. And it was not only for me, but also for and Hirano-sensei (the 2nd grade teacher) who is leaving on maternity leave in which the newly come Kudou-sensei (who is very handsome and tall who I will from now on refer to as Mr. Wonderful) will replace. So it was a party for all 3 of us. And it was themed with food. lol It was so cute. All the teachers who were presenting something and us new ones and leaving ones were given props to wear to represent what we liked to eat. I was an uni sushi in which I was given a taped together circular roll of black paper to represent the nori (seaweed) which went around my head so I couldn't see and a wig the color close to uni. lol I couldn't see but still had to present an opening speech with the thing over my head. So I'm not sure if I was able to be clear in my speech. =P Hirano sensei was a bowl of ramen! I will post these pictures soon! You have to see this ramen bowl thing! It's amazing and cool and super goofily cute! And then Mr. Wonderful was a box of curry. lol

We played a guessing quiz game on how well we know the teachers and I knew Takagi-san the best so I was able to guess her part. It was really quite a lot of fun. And I got to sit next to Mr. Wonderful the whole time. And damn, he has a nice toned body. Even Watanabe-sensei (the male 6th grade teacher) was impressed. He was like "Dude, flex your arms." In which Mr. Wonderful did, and Watanabe-sensei was just like "SUGOI!" lol Seriously, his arms were AMAZING!! Like, damn those are nice arms, and his chest too! Watanabe-sensei was also trying to mimic Mr. Wonderful's toned chest. He is seriously fit and not in a bad ugly way! It was because he used to play rugby in school. He's a super kind guy who loves nature and is very smart. His face isn't too bad either. He's one of those almost perfect guys. In a way, he is better than Mr. Gorgeous. Mr Gorgeous is just gorgeous and cool-like and has a nice body but he doesn't think too much of his students which gets me a little down about that because I care for the students alot even if they don't really want to learn English and very lifeless in my class. They don't really try and some of them just give up too easily. So I try to make my classes weird and fun for them. Their happiness makes me happy. So it disappointed me a little about his attitude with the kids.

After the first party ended we went to the nijikai (second party) and sung Karaoke, but it wasn't my best. I actually sung terribly. haha. =P But Mr. Wonderful's voice was beautiful! I was like "Hirai Ken?" Takagi-san and I had a good girl to girl talk and decided to hang out more together in the future because we were the only 2 girls around the same age. lol And she told me to just call her Yuki from now on. YAY! ANd I don't have to use desu/masu with her anymore! Friendship progressing! So we said during silver week we would go do something. WOO! We both do absolutely nothing during our free time except stay at home and surf the internet or other things. lol So we're going to hang out a lot more now! A FRIEND!! ^o^ Anyways, that was the end of our day. And I've decided that I have taken an interest in Mr. Wonderful now because I'm sure he's not married and doesn't have a girlfriend. Or I hope he doesn't have a gf because then I would have to become disinterested in him. My rule that I try to follow. Try. lol

Sept. 17th Thursday

One more day until the middle school festival! I'm so excited! Today I went to the high school to play a game called Landmines with the students that uses English directions. There are pieces of paper with pictures of bombs on them scattered all over the floor. And you have to maneuver around them while wearing a blindfold. One person gives directions while the other does the walking. And I was super surprised that they didn't know what left or right was!!!! I was like...dude you learn that in elementary/middle school! It's one of the most important and basic English words. I was shocked actually. But at least this game will be sure to make them remember. They have to know it to play otherwise they can't and everyone has to play no one is left to stay on the sidelines. Even the kids who thought it was mendoukusai had to play, but I know that secretly they enjoyed it. =P Because it's these kinds of thing you'll rememeber. English class is the only time when they can play games and get up and go to the gym during class time to do weird things. Anyways, all the kids were really into it and enjoyed it. So I was super glad and happy for that fact. Mr. Gorgeous said that it's okay if the students don't seem like they're into it because they have no will and are just stupid. But I said that it doesn't matter in English class, because whether or not you have the will you still have to do it and these activities are games that they will enjoy, not paperwork; so regardless they will join in or cause their teammates shame and not look cool in class.

I'm trying to devise a way that will make sure that everyone in class participates regardless if they really want to or not. Because whatever I do they will do it because they enjoy it. Even the game today, many of the boys and girls, at first, were like "Jeez, this is so mendoukusai (troublesome)" but still did it anyways and were laughing and having fun. They just say those things to seem cool and pretend that they don't really think it's worth their time. But I know they like these little games. Their expressions don't lie. =P I'm glad for that. They had just received their test results back and were really unhappy so this game possibly cheered them up a little.

Then I went over to the elementary school and played the same game. And it was a huge success! Even Watanabe-sensei was so excited with this game. He said it was the first time all year and all the times that he's been teaching that he's had so much fun in class and thanked me. I was so happy and my chest just swelled hearing that. BIG SUCCESS! The kids were laughing and excited during the whole game. They loved it. And were also really happy everytime I play "Theresa says" (my rendition of Simon Says). I did that with directions today. lol I love the kids here.

After dinner today I decided to ask Yuki if she wanted to go out for dessert with me. She had accidentally broke the laminator by feeding the stuff in the wrong side. lol And was feeling very down from that so I thought it might cheer her up. Besides I haven't really gone to dinner or anything with her yet. So dessert it is. We had so much fun talking about random crap and she says she wants to go with me to the festival on saturday. So together we will go! ^^ She also said that her parents told her that I can go visit her house anytime and have dinner with them!!! XDXDXDXDXD I'm so excited to do so! YAY! Anyways afterwards we decided to go see if anyone was still at the elementary at 9pm and there still were! Mr. Wonderful and Ootani-sensei were still there workin away. We snuck up quietly by the windows to peer in so that they wouldn't see us. And when they walked by the windows, we would duck. lol We were so inconspicuous. =P I think I will make some kind of food for them or something next time and bring it to them during this hour because they're always at the school until so late at night and i'm not sure if they've eaten. I think I would like it if someone brought me food while I was still working late into the night. Anyways, we tried not to be loud or be seen and then snuck back to my car and went back home. haha.

Otsukare-sama for reading! I will post more on other good things later and pictures. Oh, and I got to ride in Mr. Gorgeous's car today. It was cute, the interior was sleek, and it smelt sexy. lol But I think I'm starting to prefer Mr. Wonderful over Mr. Gorgeous

Dude, his name is Kyohei....

Sept. 3 Thursday

So I had a failed game with the 1st year high school students called the Meishi game and the students were so lazy and kinda unwilling to play the game but I still kept the spirit of the game going. However, the boys got a kick out of it when I exchanged my meishi with theirs. They would exclaim "やった！もらったぜ！”when they received mine. lol haha. Hopefully that's a good thing. After the game, Mr. Gorgeous told me not to worry about it because the 1st years are still like little kids and are childish so I shouldn't worry about the game not going as planned. He's so sweet and reassuring....DOES HE HAVE A GF!??? lol And then after that I went to the elementary.

Again, I had nothing to do today at the elementary so I ended up wandering around. I went into the 2nd grade class and was very surprised to see not the cute pregnant teacher but a handsome male teacher in the class instead. He saw me come in and was wondering if I needed anything. He's never seen me before because it was his first day teaching today. He's replacing the cute pregnant teacher because she's taking a maternity leave. Aww...I loved that woman too. But it's okay if the guy replacing her is handsome too you know. haha. The kids were excited to see me as usual and I'm always weirdly excited when I see my lil kiddies. But other than that I'm just going to pass the time until my girl's night out with my fav middle school teachers.

At 7pm Hayashi-san came to pick me up in her wonderfully smelling car. It was comfortable too. =P Masutani-san was already in the car and then we went to go pick up cute Iwata-san. And off we went to Shibetsu city. We went to this hole in the wall Izakaya which turned out to be the best izakaya I've been to so far. Their food was ridiculously good. Like I can have that everyday and I'd be happy. We had fried squid rings, beef tataki with wasabi-butter sauce (AMAZING!!!!), soft cabbage with butter and salt (it sounds so simple but tastes like heaven), raw ham salad, and pork fried rice, and thick Taiwan style pork/bacon thingy. It's hard to describe what it is. It' just really fatty with thick meat. lol Just trust me, it's good. AMAZING! *O* And it was all you can drink. So we loaded up on alcohol galore. lol We ended up gossiping like crazy and I found out so many different things about the teachers. We even started giving nicknames to all the teachers with one of them being called "baldy" the other one called "balding". lol

We've also labeled each other. Hayashi-san is the funky teacher, Masutani-san is the abnormal one, Iwata-san is the one who spaces out all the time, and I'm the shiny sparkly one cuz apparently to them I'm super genki all the time and they feel like my aura is always shiny....lol キラキラな感じ。。。haha. I laughed so hard and so much this night I almost cried. Everyone was kinda tipsy especially Hayashi-san. And i dont' know why either, but when I'm with these ladies my Japanese becomes pretty good. =P Hmm..I need to be around them more. Iwata-san said that if I ever have time I can always look her up to go hang out and stuff. YAY! Oh...and then we started talking about penises and how Hayashi-san likes long and hard ones.....XD I love these women. We're so weird when we're all together. haha. Anyways we finished talking eating and stuff at 12am. Yeah from 7:30 until then. We had too much fun. Anyways, since Hayashi-san was kinda tipsy, Masutani-san's husband came to pick us up in his Prius. And damn was he a good looking man. Perfect body, nice deep voice, and is super caring. All the women in the car were telling me about him during dinner. lol Man, Masutani-san's a lucky woman. Her little son who is at the nursery is very smart and active too. Good family. JEALOUS! =P But it was a wonderful wonderful night.

Sept. 4 Friday

Today was another fun day at the middle school. Actually starting thursday the days have become shorter because of the middle school festival. All the students are really busy preparing for this festival. And I'm so crazy excited to be able to be a part of it. I have been asked by the head teacher to come up with a routine to teach 10 of the middle school students which I think will be all girls because the boys are loathe to do anything besides sports it seems, as ikemen as they are. On top of that the elementary festival is next month and I've been asked to come up with a routine for them too....so I've been really busy lately coming up with routines. And to add to that I also have to come up with lesson plans for the elementary school and high school...I haven't had much sleep lately. I'm still trying my best to keep this blog updated, but as you can tell it's been about 3 days since I've updated and that's a long while away from when I usually update. So I apologize for that and any other time this will occur in advance. It's because when I get home I usually just want to pass out I'm so tired. I didn't think I was going to do this much as a JET, but I don't regret it. I love my job. Actually, all my jobs I've had I love now that I think about it. hehe. <3

Anyways, during school time I was allowed to practice my routines and stuff in the second floor music room. While I was practicing I faced the windows so you could imagine the shock I had when I turned around and saw a couple of my students peering in and watching me from the two doors in the room. I was a little surprised to see them and it was during a turn in my routine that I had noticed them and so I lost balance and fell backwards causing some of the boys who were watching me to laugh. But they all gave me thumbs up and clapped in approval. Or I hope it was approval. lol Then when I was sitting in my office and some of the kids came in busy doing stuff for the festival one of the boys who had watched me dance and didn't usually talk to me started talking to me...I was like "YAY!! TALK TO ME MORE!!" lol I love it when my students talk to me in English or Japanese though sometimes I don't know what they're talking about and will just cock my to the side and make a sound like "eh?" lol

After classes were over I decided to call up Su so that we could go to Shibetsu for foods. We went to the fancy restaurant on top of the hill. The restaurant looked like a large modern cottage with lights shining from within on top of a dark hill with no light around it whatsoever. Su said it looked like the saving light of a cottage in the dark woods. haha. The inside was so modern looking and looked like it would be a super expensive place, but it wasn't. It was normal food but with higher quality and a fair price. And lamb with everything. In fact there's sheep grazing outside but it was too dark to see anything. But I know that we're eating the meat very fresh. Su kept saying "little lamb, we're going to eat you now. I know there's alot of you out there waiting to be eaten by us. ^^" lol She's sooo funny and cute. Everytime after that when we see any sheep stuffed animals or etc. she would say "oh we just ate you." =P Then we went back to Kenbuchi.

Ayako (the shrine priestess's daughter who is quite the drinker) wanted to go drinking with us in Kenbuchi so Su and I headed to Sawarabi. At Sawarabi we called up Tama-chan (the 5-6 year old class's teacher at the nursery) to come drink with us. There was more gossip and stuffs and then I was invited to go to the 30 years old and under camping party in Nayoro the weekend after next. It's for all the people who are younger than 30 who work in the town hall. And the youngest is Yuki-kun who's only 20!!! I was shocked! I was like "WHA!? There's someone younger than me there?" He's like a cute little brother then. haha. I started falling asleep halfway in and so decided to return back home. I felt rude, but they said it was okay because I was super tired looking. Thank you girls! Two drinking nights in a row I can take, but it was because I had school and classes those days so needless to say I was pooped.

Sept. 5 Saturday

Asahikawa goodness today! Su decided to show me the way to Asahikawa via my car today. We left at 12 and got to Asahikawa at 1pm. Now I know how to get there. Yay! But it really does take an hour. If I could drive like my normal speed in the states it would only take me 1/2 an hour. But I don't mind. The scenery is beautiful from Kenbuchi-Asahikawa. We went to Aeon/Jusco. The large-ass one. Like we spent 5 hours in there it was so huge. lol We went to a variety of shops, looked at shoes and clothes and ate wonderous foods. We had amazing ramen for lunch, then had chestnut and green tea ice cream crepes, takoyaki and then individual parfaits. Man...I'm going on a diet after this day. I need to be good to my body if I want to look sexy in those heels that I will be buying after payday. Yeah, I swear I'm going to buy like 3-4 pairs of shoes. They're ridiculously cute and unique. Lately, all I've been wearing are heels unless I'm practicing my dance or working out of some sort. So i'm getting used to wearing them again. And those clothes too! Losing weight now. lol

So I went to Tower Records and found the sexy limited edition DBSK book of hot love!!! It's their photo album from when they were in Saipan. The book is Korean with Japanese and English translations. Yay for that! But the English translation is adorable, it's not really proper English. You can totally understand what it's aying, but it has the Asian feel of cuteness to it's translation. haha. I don't know how to describe it, but that's how it is. =P I didn't care that it was 4560yen. I just wanted it. lol So then I went up to the register to check out. The guy at the register looked like Mizushima Hiro! He's the guy who was Nanba in the Hana Kimi drama and was also in Mei-chan no Shitsuji as the butler. The guy at the register was pretty hot I have to say. So my eyes were wandering around and I saw his name tag. And get this, EAP buddies, his name is Kyohei!!!! It was written in romanji! He had it in Kanji and below it romanji so I was able to read it! DUDE! Kyohei!!! I was like, "seriously?" You're the first guy I thought was hot all day (even though there were alot of ikemen at AEON) and your name tag happened to have Romanji on it and I happened to look at it and I happened to have done the drama where the bad boy type's name was Kyohei and you are Kyohei!!! LOL I just couldn't help but keep smiling after that. I thought it was funny. So that is what a real life Kyohei looks like. If I have a son, I want to name him that. haha. It's a hot name I think and if he'll grow up to look hot and be a bad boy type than I'm down for that name. haha. *sigh* I feel shallow...lol But I think it's funny.

Anyways, after AEON we decided to go back to Kenbuchi...and then wanted soft ice cream. So we searched around town and then decided to go over to Shibetsu to see if anything was opened and found the cafe that sold these beautifully delicious parfaits until 9pm! We were like YES!!! I had a matcha zenzai parfait and Su had Chocobanana. I LOVE MATCHA! Anyways, today was a superfun but tiring day of alot of driving. Oh, and speaking of driving, the gas for me for a full tank from empty was only 2780yen! I was surprised and super happy! Yay for a cheap car! lol Just don't break down on me now...

Anyways, good days. Now I'm heading off to sleep and will post more about monday the 7th tomorrow. G'night and otsukare-sama!

Ah, kids and boys.

Sept. 1 Monday

Today I had no classes at the elementary school again, but had to stay there until 1pm. I don't mind really. I actually quite like being at the elementary school. The children here are really very sweet and friendly. And love me. haha That's the best part. XD I also have a lot of freedom of movement here and it's not awkward for me to just walk into a class like it is for middle school and high schools. So I figured out some scheduling stuffs and lesson plans and then went to go visit the different classes again. This time I went to the second floor to visit Ootani-sensei's class. The children were very surprised to see me and happy. They wanted to know when i would be teaching their class. Sadly I only teach 3rd and 4th grade once and if I'm lucky twice a month.:( But they were excited to have me just stand in the class nonetheless. I then went back down to visit the 1st graders, and I have to say, they're my favorite class here at the elementary. Well, favorite as in of the classes I don't teach. lol Though i really do wish I could teach them though. I teach the nursery kids which are right before elementary 1st graders so I dont' know why they don't really have me continue. But I guess it's for time constraints and stuff. Oh, and for lunch today we had bibimbap, a chinese type soup, and this amazing tasting yogurt. It was soooooooo good. Damn, if I ate this well in the states when I was a kid maybe I would be skinnier and healthier...or fatter. haha.

The first graders are absolutely adorable and cute and still have baby fat cheeks. The boys and girls are very grabby still and would crowd me during break and grab my hands and tap me and try to pull me to whatever it is they want to show me. And when it's art time they all drew something for me! It was soooo cute! I'm going to put it on my desk to show off proudly. They drew me weird items and people, but I thought they were funny and wonderful because it was made by the cuties. XD They even asked me when I would be teaching them English and I wasn't sure how to respond to them so i just said whenever I come in I will teach you an English word because I will never be able to actually have a class with them. Boooo..... They asked me to speak English and were absolutely amazed at the fact and they just kept saying "sugei!" lol Cuties, absolutely, every one of them. They were learning math when I came in and it was just wonderful simple math: using unit blocks, they count them out to equal numbers 10 or above. Ah, back in the day. The teacher for this class is an amazing man and patient and wonderful. Well, I suppose you have to be to teach 1st graders. Although again when I witnessed the discipline of these kids in class I'm just amazed. The class has two little student leaders, as does all the classes; a boy and a girl. And they lead the class in morning greetings and closings. The minute that happens all the kids become attentive and quiet. It's crazy! Although they would keep glancing back at me and smiling. haha. Anyways, getting back to the original sentence...if only the teacher was handsome or ikemen and not married, perfect candidate for a husband. =P

I know, I'm always on the lookout, but not exactly interested to have one. I just like looking or evaluating them men. lol Well, afterwards I went to the high school. At the high school everything was still as usual. Mr. Gorgeous came to talk to me about lesson plans today and he was in his suit as good looking as ever. lol We were going to do my self intro game that I had thought of that would get the kids using their English and being active. I like to see them having fun when I'm here. Not just a droll English class as it so often is. So I had them make business cards for themselves and draw a face and decorate it. At first, they were really confused as to what to do and their English really is lower than that of the junior high students. On a side note, Hayashi-san from the middle school told me it was because many of the students in high school are not from Kenbuchi because you have to get tested to get into it. Kenbuchi is specifically for social welfare and agriculture so the students aren't as into English as the junior high kids. Although in high school I don't use any Japanese whatsoever, but in middle school I still use it alot. Which I'm not sure if I should be or not with the students. Otherwise they don't really understand me and they don't know what to talk with me about. But I will start using English everywhere now, except for elementary and the nursery.

Sorry for digressing so much, but back to the main point of the English class. So at first when I walked into the class everyone was so not into it and some even fell asleep before I said anything to them. Mr. Gorgeous just let them be. And so I did too because I felt that it is not my place to discipline them as this is not my culture but theirs. If they have a different way of disciplining, then so be it. I'll let the teachers handle it. Although, I did get them to wake up and pay more attention when I had them decorate their cards and have fun doing it. =P The girls got really into it and because of that they really started talking to me and asking me questions. I'm glad that my fun activities are making them open up to me more. Though, the boys I will have to work on. Don't worry I'll use my Theresa charm! =P haha. Gotta lose some weight for that to work. Mr. Gorgeous was so cute about making his cards, he was having fun making them too. He was standing next to me writing it and he would say out loud for his personality description that he was cool and deep. LOL He is pretty cool... and gorgeous for that matter. >D

Sadly, however, the class ran out of time to even start the game. So we held onto the cards until thursday when i see them again. After class ended I walked around for a while with nothing to do. I decided to go buy some ice cocoa from the vending machine. It tasted amazing! Like seriously good! The milk in it is Hokkaido milk so you can imagine the richness and everything. Strangely, I haven't actually gained weight from all the sweets that contain milk from Hokkaido. I've actually lost some. Hmm....it can't be for reals. Something this rich tasting can't help you lose weight...lol After I finished my drink I started wandering again. And I heard these three obviously the cool kids boys sitting on the hallway benches chatting away. I walked past them and said "hello" and they were like "wha? whoa..hello?" and then started laughing. lol I walked up the stairs to the second floor and as I did I heard them trying to say "ALT" in English and laughing about it. I decided to help them out as I peered over the balcony to talk to them. They then started to try to say things in English and talk about me. lol I left them as they were and wandered around again. I feel like that's all I do alot of times. But I'd rather wander around with not much to do instead of being stuck at my desk in a silent teacher's office with nothing to do.

When I went back downstairs I heard the boys talking again. I came down the stairs on the opposite side of the hallway where the boys sat and overheard them trying to say some things in English and talk about me, though I'm not sure what they were saying. They were surprised to see me as I walked by. haha. They were then like "wait, what's your name?" I told them and they were like "ooo". Apparently they're 2nd years so i don't ever teach them, although i would like to. They seem to have the best looking boys like these ones and the most outgoing ones. Well, nothing else really happened this day besides going home to cook myself some good meat and planning my hip hop routines for the elementary kids.

Sept. 2 Wednesday

FREAKIN COLD!!!!! I don't know why but this morning was ridiculously cold! I was freezing! ANd I still had to bike all the way to the middle school. And then in the afternoon it got really hot....I don't understand. lol But Yay for the relaxing fun atmosphere of the middle school. First thing that happens in the morning when I get there is that two of the female teachers were playing on their DS's with each other. hahah. I went over to look at what they were playing. It's called "Friend collection" And is kinda like tamagotchi but with the pets being your friends. lol They would all play with that and then when a student came in they would quickly hide their DS's. lol

Today I went to teach the 3rd, 2nd and 1st years. In the 2nd year class there's a new transfer student who's quite the personality. No problems for him. In the third year class we reviewed stuff and then we played the game that I had suggested to help students with their listening and comprehension skills. However, Shibata-sensei (the JTE I work with) would explain everything to them in Japanese and I barely got to say anything! I was surprised and not pleasantly...I wanted to tell the students the directions in English to check their listening ability, but I wasn't able to. Everything was in Japanese and it sounded as if he was the one who came up with the idea. I was a little miffed but I kept it in and kept cordial about it with him. Afterwards I had a consolidation with him about the class today and I has asked him if it was okay if next time I could first say the instructions in English and then he can translate if they don't understand. He said "of course, it was just because of time constraints that we couldn't do that today." So I let it off. I really would like to play more games and get the kids more excited in learning English, but they way he teaches, as cool and funny a teacher as he is it's just so droll for the students. It's basically passage reading and then answering questions, but in a non creative way. I want them to have fun with English when I'm there. I just feel like a tape recorder. So I'm going to try and see if I can talk to the teacher about implementing more fun activities and games.

After teaching all the classes I went back to my office. And then I walked around for a bit again. I saw my fav. 2nd year class outside getting ready for PE and walked over to the door and poked my face out to say hello. The girls were ecstatic to see me and talked to me quite a lot. The boys were out playing soccer on the field. One of the girls came up to me and asked what I thought about Shibata-sensei. I wasn't exactly sure if she meant in terms of a love interest or in terms of personality. So i asked why and she explained that she doesn't really like him because he talks too much nonsense in class and is strict with them. I do have to admit he is pretty strict with the kids. Even though he tries to make the class fun and is funny. And he does talk alot during classtime where I would really like to talk too. lol As an example: today he gave some sort of sermon to the first grade class about how loud they were when moving chairs and stuff this morning. I felt the lecture was a little too long and some of the kids were kind of getting antsy and unhappy about it. I didn't really understand it and some of the kids kept looking at me to see if I knew what he was saying so that they wouldn't have to face me with those thoughts. I feigned ignorance. This was not business to begin with anyways.

When school was over I walked out to say goodbye to some students. One of the second year girls came over to hug me goodbye. I appreciated it quite alot. XD Hayashi-san (one of the super friendly female teachers) was also there and so I talked with her for a bit. Then the cool and best looking 3rd year boys came out of the changing room where I had peeked in earlier because I just saw people crowding around there and I didn't know what it was...I didn't see anything though. =P When they came out all cool looking Hayashi-san made the comment, "ah, it's the ikemen group." lol Haha. They are, they really are. They saw us and waved to us and we waved back. I told Hayashi-san I thought these boys were cool. And so she went over to tell the boys about what I said and then was like "Ne, Theresa?" I just nodded nonchalantly and said "you guys are really super cool!" And they were all like "Yosha!!" lol And got all bigheaded and happy. lol The hottest one of them waved his hand at me and said "Come! Come to my age!" LOL I wasn't exactly sure what that meant. Maybe that if I was his age he would give me chance? Or that I should like a guy his age...? lol I was confused with the comment and ended up laughing. And then walked back into my office. Man, I wish the high school had more boys like them. I don't think i will see half of these kids in my high school since I'm sure not all of them want to become farmers, etc.

As soon as all the kids had left, the female teachers, of which there are only 4 of us and the one office personnel told me about a dinner plan for just the girls tomorrow night in Shibetsu city. Whoo! Girl's night out! I'm down! lol And they want to go drinking too. haha. I love these women. They're my favorite teachers actually. They're so funny and open. I wish I could talk to them more though. So this will be a good chance! ^^ So because of that we all started exchanging phone numbers and stuff. It was kinda cute to see them all doing that. The guy teachers just kinda minded their own business. lol

So anyways, it's late, and i'm ready to pass out and go to sleep. Otsukare-sama! Thanks for keeping up with me again!



Evaluation of schools:

My new car!!

Aug. 26 Wednesday

So after separating all my freakin trash and throwing it out for the people to pick up, I left to go to the middle school. I really hoped I separated it right. Because if not I`ll get my trash back with a large red tag on it that has a big white X for “you separated me wrong, bitch!” ...eheh…that`s what happened last time with not taking the caps off the plastic bottles. So I got to the middle school just in time before the morning bell rang. I saw a lot of my students running out with a bunch of traveling bags. I was like what`s going on?!! So I went inside put my stuff down and saw some teachers heading outside to where the 2nd graders were standing around with their luggage. I asked Iwata-san and she told me that the students were going on a trip and the teachers were sending them off. NOOOO!!!! My beloved second graders! They`re my favorites! Aww…I wish I could go with them and not go to school too… All the 3rd years also came out to say goodbye. And I have to say that the 3rd year boys look pretty good in their normal clothes. Yes yes, I know, they`re technically 9th graders in high school so I shouldn`t even be looking at them. But they`re already on their way to being total hotties. I can`t help but evaluate. lol I`m not a predator I swear. =P So as they left on their bus it was a tearful-well not really- good bye with lotsa waving. Then the 3rd years went to go pick up trash around campus as part of their morning once a week class of sorts. But I was like "What trash?! Where is it?!" It`s super clean so I doubt there was anything for the kids to do.

When 2nd period came along I went up with Shibata-sensei to teach the 3rd years as the only 2 classes left here are the 3rd years and 1st years. So I feel like a tape recorder in this class. There`s really not much for me to do as I just say words/sentences in English and have the students repeat after me. The rest of the class is all the teacher. But after class I got to talk with some of the students. And I found out that one of the girls liked Mr. Children! I was so happy and so was she! We started talking about it and she said if there`s a concert she`ll tell me! ^^ Another girl came up to me to talk about Arashi. Haha, it was fun. I went back downstairs and did almost nothing except chat with the teachers and go online. Yes, I had no more classes for the rest of the day. So at lunch I ended up wandering around the school and went into the 3rd year class to talk with the people. They`re still a little weary of me, but for the most part they`re warming up. When thebell rang that signified the end of lunch I walked out to find the popular boys of the class lounging outside besides the staircase. I think that`s their fav hang out spot. Anyways I was like "It`s not time for you to go in yet?" And they just stared at me for a little bit. haha. So I pointed to my watch and reittirated. They then understood and was like 5 more minutes! lol And went back to lounging. Haha, I can just see them being the bad boys of the high school now..lol

So I then just returned to my office and continued drawing my art on my post box. It`s taking longer than I thought it would. Seriously. But I finally finished it and all the teachers came over to take a look at it. lol They were amazed. XD So in the afternoon since there was absolutely nothing to do, Sakurai-san and Iwata-sensei invited me to ride over to the high school for some veggie shopping! I was like hell yeah I`ll go! So we rode our bikes out to the high school. It was such a nice day today and the 3 of us had some pretty funny conversations. I really cherish times like these. It`s lovely. So we got to the high school and they were selling eggplants and green bellpeppers outside the agriculture classroom. They just had them sitting outside with a canopy over them and a little can to put money into. The things were ridiculously cheap! Like seriously! One eggplant or bellpepper was only 50yen!! 50 yen for one!!! I bought two fat eggplants. And one of them had a penis-shaped extension sticking out of it!! Wahahaha. I took a picture of it and I just had to buy that one because it was just so absurd looking. Heheh. Iwata-sensei (the super cute female teacher) tried to be more civilized and said it looked like a tengu...but Sakurai-san and I both still think it`s a penis...>D Anyways, we went back and that was the end of my day in school.

After school, though, I decided to ride my bike around town for fun. It`s quite relaxing especially when the sun`s not beating down on you. It`s nice and sunsetty but darker because the sun was already covered by a lot of clouds. I like that. So I rode around a couple of back alley areas to get to know the area better and discovered a pen where 3 ponies were grazing! Cute fat little things! And there was a little girl standing there staring at them as well who turned out to be one of my younger elementary students! She saw me and said hi and ran over to the house next door to get a 1st grade boy to come say hi to me. Hehhe. I ended up feeding the ponies tufts of grass with her. Then 3 more girls from 5th grade rode their bikes over and was super surprised to see me there. haha. They were like "Wha? Theresa-sensei?!" They had bowls of leftover fruits and veggies to throw into the pen for the ponies. I fed them too! So cute and fat! And the little kiddies were having fun too. Then their grandma came and talked to me for a little bit and told me there were more horses down yonder. It was alrady 6pm so I bade everyone farewell and rode over the the horse ranch to see them. There were about 7 horses. 2 in each pen and 1 lone one. I then rode around more and met some old people and started talking to them. I love talking to old people, though I don`t understand a word they say sometimes...lol I baked one of the fat eggplants for dinner with beef steak strips. Yummers.

Aug. 27 Thursday

Off to see Mr. Gorgeous at the high school. I taught the 3rd year oral class and 1st year English class with him today. Though I felt like a tape recorder for a little bit. The students have started to warm up to me more so I`m happy. The first year students are really lively but the 3rd year class is totally dead....I`ll think of something for them to do like getting up and moving around. Anyways, so afterwards I went back into my office desk area and just sat and did nothing again. Well, actually, I tried thinking of something active for the students to do...but I`m not sure if what I thought of was too basic or something. Because their English level isn`t as good as I think it could be. So I think I`m just going to play some kind of self-intro game.

So Mr. Gorgeous would periodically come over and pull up a chair next to me and talk with me. I really really enjoy that because just being close to him makes me squeally. haha. I`m such a sap. And I get to know more about him. Heh, anyways around lunch time I went over to the elementary to eat lunch with the 6th graders. This is my first time meeting them. I went up to eat lunch with the kids and sat in one of the boy`s regular seat while he went to go do something else. I sat across from Ryo (the boy I met at the bonodori) and next to Shinpei, and diagonal from Kana. My goodness, Ryo is going to be an absolute hearthrob when he grows up, no joke. He`s outgoing, sporty, has the hair, and you can totally tell by his looks that he will look absolutely handsome as he gets older. Such a cutie. Same with Shinpei. Absolute cutie! His hair is cute and he wears little black frame glasses. It makes him cuter! Doesn`t really speak to me too much but loves to laugh when I talk to him and helps me with opening packages of my foods. I was a retard and couldn`t open a bag that contained my bread...lol He laughs a lot and I quite like that. Kana`s english listening ability was excellent for her age and grade. I was so impressed with her and so were the boys at our table group.

After lunch I went back downstairs as there was an hour before I started 5th period teaching with them. So I went down and just chilled for an hour before going back up. One of the boys from the 6th grade class saw me coming and shouted to the others "She`s here!" and then came out and said that right now I can`t go in because everyone`s cleaning. So I just hung around outside and played with the random stuff they have out in the halls with this cute little boy. He would periodically go to check on the class and finally, I was able to go in. As I walked in the students started clapping and on the board in big colorful letters with multitudes of drawings and pictures was "Welcome Ms. Theresa!" I was absolutely stunned and overjoyed. All I could say was "OMG, subarashii!" I love this class!

I then started to do my self-intro with the projector and then started taking questions from the kids. The kids were happy that I love video games and anime. Something to talk to them about. And the girls were really happy that I like the HYD drama Japanese version. Then we played a game that involved my likes and dislikes. And then aftewards we played a tiring game of simon says. I totally wore the kids out because I made them do physical activities such as sit down and then getting up and then sitting down and then getting up for 5 times. Haha. >D It was funny and the kids absolutely loved it. Will play this game again that`s for sure. Then that was the end of class.

I went back to my office desk and discussed the next class activities with the teacher. The problem is that there is a textbook I have to follow so I can`t really do much games or anything like that independently. It`s sad. >.< But it`s okay, I`ll try my best with the kids. So then all the teachers left me again to go have their meeting and so I decided to wander around the school until I heard some students voices. I found a couple of girls in the gym playing volleyball. When they saw me they were like "Theresa-sensei!!!" And ran over to me and hugged me! Such a wonderful feeling to be loved like this!! They asked me if I wanted to play hide and seek (kakurenbo) so I was like yeah! lol We played for a little bit, but when the actual warm up time for the little volleyball club started I joined in on it as well. It was fun and the kids seemed to love having me there. I`m glad.

At 4 I went to the BOE to get my car!!! It`s finally here! I`m so happy! My little white box car! I will take pictures of it when the days aren`t rainy. It`s so cute and perfect. But the wierd thing is I didn`t feel any nervousness or weirdness having to drive on the opposite side. It was like the most normal thing in the world! I drove it like I drive in the states except opposite side. Although I did have problems with the blinkers and wipers being on opposite sides though. haha. Su was just as happy for me as I was with my car. I decided to take her to Shibetsu to eat dinner with me in my new car! We were both so excited to finally be able to go to the next city in a car freely! Hahaha. We first drove around the city to explore and then went to the supermarket to buy foods for cooking. We went to the little "hillside box" restaurant. And their softcream was soooo good. I had their macha topped softcream. Su and I talked about a lot of things and gossips. Like about the secret relationships people and teachers were having at the town hall, high school, middle school, and elementary. So funny and unexpected! But as I figured, Mr. Gorgeous does have a girlfriend...or that is what Su heard as a rumor. She could be wrong...lol But someone that wonderful has to of course have a girlfriend already. >.< boo... Anyways we drove back home in the super dark and I felt accomplished. Hahah. yay for today!

Otsukare-sama for reading! Thanks!

And today was going so well....

Aug. 25 Tuesday

Day where there is absolutely nothing required of me to do at the elementary school. I went to the school, sat down, and started reading books about activities I can do with elementary kiddies. There was no class scheduled for me to teach today. So I was pretty much free to do whatever from 8:30am until 1pm. So I sat there for a little bit and then remembered that I wanted to make a little mailbox so that the children can leave me messages/questions/suggestions. I looked for a cardboard box, measured everything, took a knife, and started cutting away. The couple of teachers who came in all looked at me oddly because I was in the office cutting away at a cardboard box. lol Some of the teachers asked me what I was doing and when I told them they were like "wow! That's a good idea!" And then others just didn't bother...let the foreigner do what them foreigners do..lol haha. Anyways, I finished with the cutting and started drawing crap on paper to paste onto the box, but I got a little restless and decided to take a break. I got up to go to the bathroom and ended up chatting with the super nice nurse lady in her office. Such a wonderful woman. Reminds me of my grandma. I then ran into the teacher who invited me to make parfaits yesterday who then invited me to make bead shapes with the mentally challenged students, of which there were 3. It was fun working with them making the little bead thingies that I really wasn't even sure what it was.

Afterwards I went downstairs and ran into the 2nd grade pregnant teacher who invited me to go see what the kids in her class were making in the large playroom. They were making boats out of milk cartons and were going to test them in the pool and try to ride them!!!! Sounds so fun! I wish we could've done that back in 2nd grade...Anyways, all the little kids were seperated into mini groups and all did their part in organizing the cartons, stapling them shut, taping them, and gathering more cartons. These kids were actually really efficient and clean workers! I was seriously impressed! I would walk around to each group and sit and have each of them teach me how to do it. Very patient these kids were with me. And they really seemed to enjoy my company. Or so it seems. Like I said, the girls seemed to respond to me more than the boys. Although the boys in 2nd grade were also really talkative with me. I think the boys 4th grade and under are still in the stage where gender is not too big of an issue. They were all really receptive with me. 5th graders were a little bit more shy, and I'm assuming 6th grade is just gonna be about the same as junior high boys. Ah, puberty.

So after a little while of playing with/helping the students I went back to my office desk and continued with my mailbox project. -on a side note, I just remembered that I forgot the thing at the school and can't finish it tonight..I'll have to make a trip over there to get it.- When lunch time came around I helped the other teachers in the office to serve the lunch. It was a piece of salmon steak (not really that big) fried tofu salad, and miso sponge soup with the purple colored mixed rice. It was very filling and lately, I can't eat too much rice because I've been getting full really easily. I don't know why though. Anyways as soon as I was done eating and washing my dishes I went to visit the 2nd graders. I watched as they all neatly seperated their trash, waited in line to stack their bowls in the right areas and put their tables back the way it originally was without directions or yelling or too much noise. It was an amazing sight to see. 2nd grade kids can do this?!

So after they were done with all that, they all crowded around me and asked if I can play with them. I was like "sure!" ^_^ I can always play with kids. They were like "where do you want to play and what?" I told them anything. So they said to go play with them outside. I was then thinking "oh shit! I only have heels!" But then decided to bite the dust and where my heels out to play with them. It was actually kinda funny, the situation. There are two seperate doors: one for teachers that has our lockers next to them for our shoes and whatnot, and one for the students for their stuff. And so as I was getting my heels on, the kids were plastered outside against the teacher's glass door like little zombies restlessly waiting for me to come out. lol It was quite amusing to see. =P As I ran out the little girls grabbed my hand and started steering me in the direction of the swings. On my way I passed by the little boys who were playing basketball and well on their way to become all-stars. The boys were like "Theresa-sensei! Let's play basketball!" I would say "Yes! Let's play Basketball!" And then get pulled away by the little girls towards the swing. A couple of the boys would then follow us and bring a soccer ball to play with. All the little kiddies wanted me to push them on their swings and would keep calling my name to do so. I tried my best to accomodate them all. And then the little boys called me over to play soccer with them...in my heels...so of course I did. Ah, the sacrifices I make for these children. ^^;

The school bell rang indicating that it was time for the kids to go back in. I waited behind until all the kids had gone ahead except for 3 girls that stuck to me like mochi. 2 of them were originally holding my hands as we walked back and one was behind me. But the little girl on the left asked if the girl behind me wanted to hold my hand and she would hold the girl's other hand so she would not be left behind. I was amazed and touched by the maturity and sincerity of that one sentence. These Japanese kids are teaching me new things everyday about leading a good life. I can really learn alot just by being with children. Their innocence and sincerity is what makes them such great people. Anyways, as we walked back and swung our hands up and down we sung the alphabet song because they all knew it. I was amazed. They even knew the part: "Now I know my ABC's. Next time won't you sing with me." Even the 5th graders didn't know that part! When we reached the student's doors they turned around and asked me how long will I be here for. I told them 2-3 years. And immediately they turned sad and wondered why such a short time. I told them to not think about that and don't worry. For these few years I will always be there to play with them and be with them when they need me. And it made me think about my future for a little bit. But it was just a passing breeze.

By that time, I really needed to make a move on to go to the high school or else I would be late. So I bid everyone goodbye at the elementary and headed off to the high school on my bike. When I arrived it was before 1:15 which was the designated time. I literally gave myself a pat on the back for making it on time. As I parked my bike I heard some boys on the second floor calling my name. I looked up and over and saw a couple of the boys hanging out the windows to say hi to me. haha. It was cute! I guess they saw me ride in on my bike. I walked into the teacher's room and said a hearty "konnichiwa" and just got blank konnichiwas and odd stares...I was wondering what was wrong. I sat at my desk confused until Mr. Gorgeous came over to my desk with a schedule in his hand....And I dreaded something. He showed me the schedule which said I was supposed to be at the high school in the morning. But my original schedule said I would be at the elementary and even my supervisor told me that I would be at the elementary this morning. So I was very confused and now know why all the teachers were looking at me weirdly. It was because I was supposed to be there this morning but was given the wrong info! I felt so bad and apologized profusely. Mr. Gorgeous said it was fine and that it wasn't my fault now that he knows what happened and explained it to the head teachers for me. He wasn't angry or anything with me at all. Just sweet and level headed. After that the teachers went back to being normal with me. I was so scared for a while! I was like "please don't hate me and ostracize me!!" >.<

It was still lunch time at the senior high and so I decided to walk around the hallways. I bumped into a lot of students to which majority had no idea who I was until I said "Hello/Hi, nice to meet you!" And then they would laugh and say hello back. Some of the students would stare at me for awhile because they weren't sure who I was. I guess cuz I'm shorter than all of them and kinda look like them...There were a group of girls that looked a little gangster who I thought were going to beat me up when I said hello to them. They just gave me these cold stares and then once they realized I was the ALT laughed and said hello back to me. I was so relieved. ^^; lol Some of the female students would pass by me and said I was "kawaii". Heh. I would even poke my head into some classrooms where the cool kids were hanging out and say a big hello to them to which they responded with blank stares of confusion and a silent awkward moment. lol And then I left them...lol As I walked down the corridors the boys who I was supposed to teach today saw me and were like "Are!?" and would laugh at me. I think it was because I didn't show up to teach them and am now here....lol Everyone would laugh at me as I said hello or hi to them. It was a jolly feeling. I don't think many teachers walk around like this during their lunch time. I just really want to get to know the students and check out if there are any hot ones of which there are...I just don't teach them. They're all in 2nd grade.

And when I went back downstairs to wander the halls down there I ran into a very important man of whom I still don't know who he is. He just introduced himself to me in English and said something about the prime minister. I knew there were special visitors today, but I wasn't sure who they were. His English wasn't terrible, but I couldn't really understand him that well. I just did a very normal greeting with no flourishes or formalities to a very important man...eheheh....I hope he doesn't remember me...>.> Anyways, come 4pm I left the school partially because everyone had gone to a teacher's meeting without me (which is fine because I wouldn't have understood it all anyways) and it was my off work time. As I was about to leave I heard different boys calling my name this time. I looked up and over and 2 boys were leaning out the 2nd floor window trying to say bye to me. I smiled/laughed and waved and said bye. They kept saying bye to me as I was riding my bike off the campus and around the corner. haha. It was cute and funny. The boys at the school are really interactive. The girls a little quieter. I guess puberty is over huh?

I saw two of the high school boys walking home as I was biking back and decided to bike over to them and say bye. They were really surprised to see me and just did a shocked goodbye. And I rode on ahead. I then heard running footsteps behind me and looked behind to see the boys running behind me. I stopped and wandered what they wanted. They ran up to me and stopped and said a breathless "goodbye Theresa" and that was it. lol That was their whole purpose of running up to me. haha. So cute and funny. And I realize that they actually live near me! Anyways, it was a good day until I had found out that I missed a class, but then the students made up for it. hehe. ^_^

Otsukare-sama for reading! Thanks for keeping up with me btw. I appreciate it muchos. If you guys have any suggestions for games using English or lesson ideas or whatnot, just post it and I'll be much obliged! Luv ya al!