It's A Surprise!

But in the end, it wasn't. A surprise, I mean.


What I mean is-- I was observed by my company on Friday.


But before I get into that, I wanna give a shout out to Josh, the JET who I interned under last summer. Watching his high school lessons, I used one of his on my 3rd years (9th grade).
The activity I was to make for them was to cover a couple of grammars for review- "I have/have never, I just___, I have been___" and such.


Josh's original lesson was a comparison of Japanese vs. American high school. He made sentences, cut up the words individually, and would put each cut up sentence in an envelope. The kids would get into small groups, and figure out how to put the sentence in the right order together, then write it down on another piece of paper. Each envelope was marked with a letter 'A', 'B', etc, and they would write the sentence next to the letter on the worksheet. Once they had gotten all of the sentences, they had to arrange the sentences in the right order as well. This could be done by looking at the beginnings- like "First, Second, Lastly, And then, However" etc.


Those kids had a great time with it and were enthused. For mine, I left out the arranging sentences part, since I knew the first part would take long enough and I wasn't sure if they've learned connector words like that. 


So I made several sentences about a popular idol here, who is a part of a huge, huge musical group, AKB48 Takamina. She's the leader of Group A, and the leader of the whole group overall. I don't really care for the music, but I knew everyone would know who this is. I put things like 'I have been to America once." and such. It went over pretty well. I had each group write one of the sentences on the board, then we'd go over it. My teacher T-sensei liked it and she said it was good so I'll be doing it again tomorrow with another class.


Now at the end of this class, one of the girls came up and mentioned one of the other English sensei's, M-sensei. She said he really likes AKB48 and particularly one of the group members that he "loves". T-sensei and I were surprised, we had no idea. M-sensei is 42 and married, mind you. Yet at the same time, I thought like it's normal, probably should've known. xD


Now on Friday after my observed class (I'll get to it!), I had a class with M-sensei. We were working on he vs. she-- something Japanese does not tend to often use, so you have to make sure the kids get it right in English. xD He pulled out a picture of the AKB48 group member, and indeed, said he "loves" her. I couldn't help but laugh. I'm still not sure weather he does this for laughs or if he's serious. xD Still, one student asked "but sensei, what about your wife?" to which he said "Well my wife loves the Arashi guys". (Arashi is a really famous group and has been for quite a few years). 


I may have to cogitate this further. And share with T-sensei. xD






Now as for my observation, it was supposed to be a secret from me.


Back in April, when I went to Sayaka's house for a BBQ with her family, she did me the favor of telling me that I was to be observed in June. Now we are all told from the beginning that we "may be recorded for future use and reference," but it really doesn't hit you right of the go like that. Others from other branches have been talking recently about how they've been observed and gotten good/bad feedback. I've been nervous about it, of course.


I don't know why they told this to Sayaka, she has nothing to do with my schools. She is an employee under them but still. Since then it had always been at the back of my mind but I never actually thought that the day would arrive- it just seemed like a story as opposed to real life somehow. 


Also this is totally out of nowhere-- but I've decided that next winter or summer or sometime-- it would be after next Spring-- if I can save the money, I wanna come back home to visit!!! So y'all better get ready for it (even though you have at least a year xDD). I've got a year or so to save the money for a round-trip plane! YOOOOSSSHH.


Anyway, T-sensei dropped the bomb on me on Thursday. She said as we were headed to a class that tomorrow someone was going to come and record me. Now she wasn't supposed to tell me-- it was to be a secret. However, she said she thought it was too mean for me to be ambushed like that. Really I can't thank her enough, I'm really glad she told me.


So what I did was make a fortune teller activity. The grammar to practice was "will". Not "will be," just "will". So I got a worksheet...that I think I'll just upload-- way fast than explaining. I can't actually upload it, so follow the link and then open the attachment.

Clicky!


So I tweaked a few things on that sheet, like making it 20th birthday instead, but it's pretty straight forward what the activity is. It's self-explanatory for us, but I used myself and T-sensei as role models for the activity for the kids. I got colored paper, printed out a bunch of answers for each fortune, and glued them to the corresponding colored paper. The kids lined up and went to both of us for the fortunes, and got normal and/or funny answers. xD Once they were all done, they were to use English to collect their classmates' answers. 


My mistake here was getting so nervous that I forgot that unlike an elementary school class, I can write on the board in English and the kids can read it. I had the chalk in my hand and everything, but I didn't go through with it. I should have written the questions and responses for them to use when asking each other their fortunes. Instead, T-sensei went ahead and did it, and then I had them repeat it. I felt really dumb, but you must know I was very nervous:


Not only was I  being recorded, but because the principal was there too. Even worse, he used to be an English teacher. So I was being watched by my boss at my company (basically, via camera) as well as the boss of my school who's English is really, really, really good and used to do my job.


But after that, things went alright. I also got really awkward at the end, but I had been shaking almost the whole time and my brain was losing it so I think that shouldn't be all too surprising. The class I was observed in was actually the same one I had been eating lunch with that week too. One girl said she could really tell my nervousness, and I told her why the camera person was there- that I was basically getting graded and so I was scared. xD But also thanked her and whoever else was listening for being an energetic and good class (as they usually are, but still) because that only ever helps a lot. ^^


So you can see on the WS that there are spaces for 10 friends' info-- I told those who could get all 10, would get a stamp from me--I've never actually issued my own stamps or stickers before in any class, so I was satisfied that it would draw an appropriate amount of motivation. Overall, I was shaky and nervous and my brain was messed up for the rest of the day, but it was still fun. xD I liked telling the kids that they would one day drive a tank. Plus, now they know what "sensha" is in English. See, they learned even more! xD


So the camera lady was just there to record me- but I do wonder if I'll get a call one of these days about it. :/ Anyway, my principal talked to me about it. Overall, he seemed please but told me to work on my realia- (props, materials)- he was talking about when I forgot that the kids didn't know the English to ask each other.... ^^;;;; I told some friends about this, they said they've all done that too. Somehow, even though it's imperative, it's easy to forget. u.u;
But he also mentioned that I worked very well with T-sensei, and he was impressed by the students and how much they like me. He said that one of them came up to him, thinking he would be part of the activity. Knowing the principal was passed his 20th birthday, the kid adjusted the words "What DID you get for your 20th birthday?" Many children often just repeat things, not really grasping the usage or meaning. But it's clear that this kid did. So, the principal said "I got a cake from my girlfriend." I was happy to hear about this, and thought it was really cute. ^^




So now, before this I had a class with H-sensei. He's been sharing his classes with the trainee, Kojima-sensei lately. As I may have mentioned, she's just in college, and this is her training time for a few weeks. Sadly this week was her last which I'm bummed about because she was nice. Though she did say she might visit for when the culture festival happens~ Anyway, it was her class that day, and H-sensei was in the back, working on stuff. Today's lesson was an activity for writing, and it was on Japanese culture. With me there, she had them get into groups and write about Japanese culture. Then they were to come up and present to me on it. (Even though everything they said-- I already know about it xD). 


One group of girls came up and told me about penmanship (so using the brushes to write kanji and such- traditional way of writing), as well tea ceremony. Which is, as they said, fairly difficult. There are many specific ways of doing every single thing. From the tea itself, to how it is consumed, to the position one is on the floor, to how they move, to timing all of that as well. It's very proper and traditional. You have bitter green tea, but sweet bean sweets to counter it. When it's good, proper sweets and tea matches, its really quite good even if you don't like those things separately. Oh, these kids- they have no idea what I know. xD They even still get surprised at my Japanese.


Another group of girls told me about onsen- hot springs. Now hot springs are really awesome- but it's not somewhere I want to go by myself. You go to your gender's locker room, but your stuff away. Then you get to the bath area, wash yourself and get in. And um, you're naked, and you gotta pin up your hair. No one wears anything, and no one cares. Genders either have separate hot springs, or they change the hours available to each. I've only been once- it was last summer with some of the other girls in the group when I did the internship (yes, I was the only intern, but there were other programs happening too). At first we were kinda awkward but then we were like- whatever. You can't stay in too long, because the heat will get to you-- though there was also an outdoor one I tried--really really nice. 
After, there's all kinds of grooming products you can use. Massaging stuff, everything~ super luxury ^^
I'm never going alone though. I'm far too awkward for that. I need one other person at least. xD


Another group told me about natto--this is fermented soybeans I've mentioned. Just look it up. Some people love it, many hate it. I cannot even smell it or eat just a nibble. They also talked about sumo. And described it as "fat people fight". While...accurate, it's also hilarious.


The last group, all boys, just brought their paper to me, and waited.  I didn't make them say it out loud. It was about H-sensei (who was in the room). It looked like this:


H = Japan culture
H = OTAKU
H = yakuza マフィア (mafia)
H > Ki (sensei)


Otaku basically just means nerd. xD I told them that I am one also, and they were really perplexed. xD (Well I mean, I am) and I also said it's a secret-- they seemed quite intrigued. xD
yakuza is, the Japanese mafia. Now I highly doubt H-sensei is in the yakuza, but it was relaly funny nonetheless. "Ki" is just other sensei, who apparently they don't think as much of in comparison to H-sensei.
All in all, I was quite amused~


Also, real quick, on Tuesday I taught a class entirely by myself at the elementary school- the teacher wasn't there and everything. I dunno where she was, but...well, it wasn't there. But the kids were good, mostly behaved and when it was time for me to go, they were good kids and properly began preparing for their lunch time in an organized fashion as if the teacher was there. Man, Japan- US kids would be going crazy. xD



So aside from all of that, I went to a friend's place as we often do every two weeks or so to watch movies and chat.
As for the rest of the weekend, I've been doing cleaning, and other necessary boring junk. Though I've finally put together my kotatsu~:


Click!


Of course I don't use the heating function right now-- just the table part until it gets cold again.


And that's about it for me~!!


Til next time, I'm on a mission to attain free plastic coke glass from the local McDonalds! (I've always wanted @3@).

Uso Darou!

uso = lie, darou = must be

So this is what I made for dinner on Thursday:

I put oil in the pan with broccoli, salmon, orange and yellow peppers, and quail eggs. This would probably be put on rice or maybe even noodles most of the time but I have rice at lunch every day and it’s getting really tiring, plus I’m usually lazy to make noodles so I just eat it like it is. I was surprised, but it’s actually really quite good! (Quail eggs taste exactly as a soft-boiled chicken egg does—the difference is that it’s really small, no need to cut it or anything).

I drink orange juice all the time, that’s where I get my fruit mostly. It’s mainly because fruit here is quite pricey. There is a shop that sells produce a bit cheaper, but it’s quite out of the way and half the time I end up forgetting about it. Plus where I normally go sells veggies for a fine price- it’s the fruit that’s pricey. Even so, I’ll head out there eventually.

On Friday, I headed to work and had preparation time for 1^st hour which I was glad for, it helped settle me down. This is because I was to go to the close elementary school and teach the same lesson 3 times in a row. I had never done the lesson before. It was an introduction lesson for can/can’t for the 6^th graders. The first class took to it well enough, it was fine. The second class was pretty enthused on it overall. Then the third class were much less energetic, but I did hold their attention. There had been two kids in there that caught my attention. One was sleeping for part of the lesson, and the other looked angry/sad like he would cry. The actual sensei went over to them to try to fix it. In any case, by the ending activity where each kid gets involved in competition, in round 2, the both of them went up against each other and they had become energetic enough and happy looking. Probably most of that is thanks to themselves, but I hope I might’ve had something to do with it too. J

From work I headed to the doctors to get my prescription again. The doctor prescribed me a Japanese inhaler (for some reason no matter what I said, he had it in his head that I used mine everyday and that I’d need another---really I just use it if I need to, my asthma is mild. Oh well, it’s fine).

I drove straight from there to a fellow ALT’s apartment- Maya. She lives close to the train station and even better, there are spots at her place that aren’t assigned so virtually anyone can park there for a while. I parked, walked to the station with my bag, and started my train journey to Tokyo.

To be honest, I had made a friend who is from a neighboring prefecture, Yamanashi. She’s from England, and is also a hetalia fan. xD If you don’t know what that is, here’s a run-down. It’s an animated show about countries. Each character represents a country, and the show is about their history and cultural quirks and stereotypes. It’s a lot of fun. America yells about being a hero, Russia is large and scary, people forget about the soft-spoken Canada, etc.

Basically, I was meeting this friend, Robin, in Tokyo that night so we could stay at a hostel and wake up at 5AM. This is because a retail chain store, Animate (what they do is sell everything there is from comics, shows, goods, etc. about all of the popular animated shows) runs a cafe. Every month, they change the theme of the cafe and this month is hetalia. Robin had been once already and from her and the internet, I learned that it was rather epic. 

That night we went and found a TGI Friday’s. And actually, it felt just like being in America! I mean the atmosphere, the amount of (excellent) English used, the food, everything. We sat at the counter, and the guys behind the bar were really nice. They put on a show that involved a lot of juggling, basically. Everyone was cheering and one of the guys had a big Styrofoam hat thing that he put on my head. xD I then put it on Robin’s head. There were these two customers sitting at the bar. These guys were hilarious because they seemed like they were American with how they were acting—everytime the bar guys did tricks, they did that “WHHHOOOOOOOOAAA OOOOOOOOOOOOH” thing that American college guys tend to do..like “OOOOH BALLLLEEEERR” xDD it was really funny.

So what did we do? Like true nerds, we got up at 5AM to be the first ones in line for the 11AM opening. Yes actually, it was necessary. See, there were no reservations for the cafe, although having to reserve is standard for special cafes like that (i.e. maid cafes, butler cafes…look it up). But in this case, it was get in line early enough to receive a spot. Cafe’s times were from 11am to 8pm. But it’s so incredibly popular, that you can’t just show up at 10:30 or something. No no, arriving at 6, we were first in line. By the time it was 9, a really long line had formed from the 3^rd floor of that building and down all the stairs. They began with us, confirming our group name and number of people and that we would be one of the first groups inside. Those who had gotten in line by 9:15 (mind you, still 2 hours before the opening) were able to get spots for the cafe that day. That’s right, those who were the last to be accepted in line got their spots for the evening just before closing. This all happened before opening at 11. That’s how epic it was. (And you get nerdy bragging rights for being first, for sure xD). And people who came like at 9:30 and later, would read the signs an employee had posted that says: "We're very sorry, we have been booked through the entire day and we no longer have any room available." And they'd all go "uso darou" (bascially: "seriously? no way!").

Basically there’s merchandise, collectables, the show playing, a waitress dressed up as a character, and decorations everywhere. The food was a drink with small pastry that differed by country. For example, you could get a coke with cookies- America. I got coffee with a small chocolate cake with a jelly spread- apparently Austria. For the main dish I got little bits of pork and mashed potatoes with a sauce- apparently this is German. There was a sweet bread that was offered representing “big brother France”, and a dessert that was tomato-flavored soft serve. Never heard of it before and yes, it tasted like vanilla soft serve with…amazingly…actual tomato in there, somehow. I’m still not sure how I feel about it, but it was apparently an Italy and Spain theme dessert.

I’m not sure if I can accurately explain why this sort of thing is so awesome to me, but well—everyone needs hobbies. This is mine. xD

We met with Robin’s friend, India, from Alabama. She’s going home next month, but I looks forward to seeing them both again if possible. It was India’s birthday and they all went to a Butler cafe and Hooters. xD I didn’t go, because I needed to get home for Sunday but I’m totally checking that out one day.

Also that morning on our way to the cafe, there were definitely still people outside at that hour partying (waiting for the trains to run again I guess). There was stuff all out on the street and there was even one guy passed out on the ground on a corner by a convenience store!! It kinda freaked me out and I was sorta worried. But later on when we passed by again (and it was raining too!) he wasn’t there anymore.

Also that morning on the way to the cafe I made the mistake of making eye contact with some dude who was standing around. He started walking with us and used some English asking if we wanted to get a drink. Robin had ignored him the whole time, which I should’ve done, but nooooo. >>;; Okay dude, it’s 6AM for one thing, for another, I don’t know you, and finally, I know what you mean by “get a drink”- I've been lectured on this. You mean that as well as.....other things. Uhhh no. Luckily he was really easy to make him go away and not persistent, so there was that. But I’m so not used to being approached by people like that! So I never even think it might happen. 

I made it back sorta late because I messed up on getting right train at the final transfer so I had to wait like an extra hour. But anyway, I was really happy that I got to go to the cafe and meet friends and chat with them and stuff~ it was cool.

Yesterday, (Sunday) I went with the city’s English club on a tour in a nearby city Komagane. (AND I’M SO PISSED I FORGOT MY CAMERA!! I woke up late so I dashed out without thinking about it, grrr. It’s ok though, others got some pictures so I can attain some).

I drove to city hall to meet everyone. I only knew a couple of them previously. One was Maya, the ALT who’s parking lot we all use xD and her father was visiting from America at the time too~ another was another ALT, Lauren, who I do ahng out with now and again with our friend Elizabeth- they work in Minowa  (north of my town, which is South Minowa) and we watch movies together sometimes, they’re cool. The last was Mrs. Kono, my Doctor’s wife. Her English is quite good, and she’s been very kind to me and just really nice. She says she has kids my age and sympathizes about us ALT ladies and being away from our country and home. So she’s invited us into her house before, and has given me things when I was sick, like bread and such, like my friend Sayaka did.

I met more Japanese people and other ALT’s on the tour. I met Ayaka and Misato, and Chieko. I saw this ALT Molly (who leaves soon) that I had gone to that NagaYES even I posted on a while ago—she’s really nice, it’s sad she’s going. And I met this guy Rex whos funny. I’m glad to get to know more people and make friends.

We first went to Kouzen temple. Basically, it has really tall cedar trees, 3 of them are 700 years old. Also, in the cracks between rocks, you can see glowing moss. There’s really good water, and an old style home you can go in—it’s super peaceful. The tale of the temple is basically that there was a dog who lived there called Hayatarou who defeated a horrible monster and saved villagers. His grave is there at the temple~

Also, there were wild monkeys in the surrounding forest! They were cute~ everything was nice and green and just sweet~

(I'm actually in that middle picture~)

Then we went to this brewery for lunch. When it's a big group meal like that, you just order a bunch of dishes and just take from them. There was pizza, some fish, salads, veggie dishes, and then famous beer. I tried this apple type one which didn’t taste like apple but it was strong yet sweet. I generally can’t stand beer and if even I was able to handle that one, I guess it’s pretty good. We were able to try cherries downstairs—about $8.50 for a pack (this is standard) but actually, if cherries tasted like that all the time, then I’d actually like them. It wasn’t sour or tart at all~

We walked over to this bridge over a wide, fast, river. This is also where I wish I had my camera- the scenery was gorgeous. I hope to be going back next month and get wonderful pictures then. Also, I’m going to check facebook and see if there’ve been pictures put up by other people as well.

After that, we drove to this nearby pond/reservoir. There were a few people fishing, though I don’t know why. I wouldn’t expect fish to be in a reservoir, but whatever.  For the most part we were just looking at the water and one of the ladies had made rice krispie treats- but with rice puffs and less on the sticky marshmallow so it was like a milder form of the stuff you can get at the store, it was really good.

We headed back to city hall and most of us said goodbye. Myself, I followed Misato back to her home- she had invited a few of us over for tea. She lives pretty close to me. She’s a housewife with a rock climbing wall by the entrance of her house. By entrance, I mean the indoor entrance. Yes, there’s a rock climbing wall in her house. Awesome. xD For a while it was just myself and her- the others got lost. But then Ayaka and Lauren showed up. We chatted a lot and had coffee, tea, banana bread, and green tea biscuits. There was black tea, and a Chinese tea made from mushrooms. @3@ It was all pretty good~  Ayaka works at the central hospital nearby- the big one near my house. She’s a mid-wife there, and she’s getting married at the end of summer. Everyone is really nice, I was so glad I went out yesterday~~

Also, there’s a new convenience store that opened up close to my house. Well, the chain isn’t new, but it’s a new location. The mascot is a raccoon and there was a big life-size guy in a costume of it. It was cute, and the place was packed. I dropped in to get a salad and juice, but wound up with a free bread dessert thing, and a free cup of popcorn. Hooray for sweet promotions! The popcorn seemed to be just for kids, but I had chatted a little with one of the workers, and when I came back outside she said there was too much and gave me some. Plus this one is not only in walking distance, but I don’t have to cross the road to get to it~ (unlike the nearby 7/11).

The store is called "Lawson". The pronunciation in Japanese is "Ro-sone". I was actually called Lawson-sensei by a student a few days ago- I was thrilled. xD The other Lauren I mentioned gets called Romen-sensei (which is a dish specially originated from this area of the prefecture), so that's kind of our nicknames. xD

On Wednesday, Maya’s Dad is going back to America (and Maya is moving to Nagano City in August…we’re all sad because it’s kinda far). So Chieko-san organized a karaoke event with them tonight. I’ll be attending as well, I’m not sure who else is going though.

Karaoke here is not like at home. You always get a private room for yourself and your own group. Price goes by the hour and often includes a drink bar (not all alcoholic) some food is extra but it’s not too bad.

It should be fun, I’ll write about it later if anything particularly interesting happens. xD

How About A Nice Nightmare~?

SO this was posted onto facebook by a fellow ALT. He and the the other ALT's whose house this was in live about 3 hours away by car or so, maybe farther. Even my Japanese co-workers haven't seen anything like it around here, so don't freak. But I thought it was interesting.


Besides, if I have to have nightmares about this, then so do YOU.
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Caption: "It very well may have been hissing". 

So it would seem the story goes like this: ALT named Ashley found this at her place right up by the door while she was inside. She freaks out, and is screaming for a while. She calls another ALT, Pete- who is the one to post this picture, for help. He gets there, but she won't go near the locked door, since, well...yeah. So after about 10 minutes of her panicking and him not knowing what to do, he climbs over the balcony to get in. He sees it, and then it's the both of them that are screaming, cursing, and freaking out. xD

They killed it eventually. I don't know what I would've done.

If it was me, I'd be moving.

SWEET DREAMS.

Zombie Dance Off!

(Ok, a Zombie Dance Off didn't actually happen, but...sorta?).

Okay, it's kind of been a while, I know~ you guys know how lazy not lazy incredibly lazy hardcore not lazy I am though, right??


Well...last weekend I went and had a driving adventure. I drove out to where I lived the previous times I was in Japan- Hikone, Shiga. Feel free to Google Maps that. I went from Ina, Nagano Prefecture to Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. For those of you too lazy, it's 133 miles or so, about 3 hours by car. (But you should totally have a look at the map- then you can know where I live!......wait, never mind, you guys are all creepy stalkers so I take that back).


I was visiting my friend there who's doing the internship like how I did last year. We went around the city, had Subway for lunch (it's similar yet different from here, I like it all the same) and ice cream happened at the mall. We also went to my favorite clothing chain, Shimamura. It's like...the prices of Khol's, but everything is waaaaay cuter. I got a pair of really cute shoes, and a hair tie. My hair is starting to grow longer and since it's getting hotter there are days when I really don't want it on my neck. >3> There was also adventure to Starbucks (right now, they're featuring a chocolate chip-strawberry frappuccino and a mango blended drink with the option of pudding at the bottom~) and then wandering through the supermarket. It was all pretty nostalgic for me, and I never really thought I'd ever be back around that area. I was kind of happy, but things have changed up a bit too since then. 


A few shops that used to be around are gone-- like the close convenience store to the school- its gone, and I don't know how the kids are dealing with that. The good 1 dollar shop is gone too, and things have moved around. And at the school, there are so many new teachers- only one is still there from before. 


We went back to my friend's dorm and just chatted and watched youtube. xD I met her roommate too, and we all chatted for a while- it was really really nice, I was happy to be able to talk so much with a friend and other nice people~ I had also met up with this one girl who is really nice- we had been talking on facebook a little bit, since she wanted to ask me about the internship program (I had been the only one to do it last year, and it was brand new last year too, so it was only me people could ask). 


On the way back, I stopped at rotating sushi for dinner, and then made the trip home at 9pm. It took a bit longer this time though. On the way back I had to get off the toll highway about 15 miles or so South of the exit I needed. There was construction happening so everyone got herded off. Since it was past midnight though, I guess it's no surprise. Now from there, I had no idea how to get home. Luckily, the toll guy told me to keep left and then turn left. I didn't know if he meant the first intersection or not, but I went with it. Then I saw signs down that way eventually (this was a small road so I was skeptical) which led me right, and then I saw a main road  luckily caught the writing on the ground, which told me that left would take me towards Ina. I was tired but I kept going and eventually I could see the city on my right. I took a random turn in the direction, got down there, took a left randomly because it was by the train tracks and as I had hoped, it led to the stations downtown and yaaay, I was home~ Pretty good for it being dark and rainy and curvy roads and junk. But I handled the hills better than before. It was tiring, but I had a lot of fun.


Friday I had introduced a new game. The first years (7th grade) were learning "What's this, It's ___". So, I used these little cards with pictures of food on it that I had used for a memory game. Each kid got one. They were to ask "Whats this?" to a partner, who would answer and then The partner would ask too. They would switch cards, and then play rock-paper-scissors. The winner would be human. The loser would be a zombie. Zombies had to crawl around on the floor. Humans could interact with humans, and zombies with zombies. It was a fight to become and stay human. They loved it; I'm going to use it with other grammars and classes too, I think.


Today was really great. The first was class was so-so, I had a worksheet for "Why? Because___" with "Do you like ___ or___? Why? Because ___".  I've been told to use less Japanese and more English is class, but  I need to get less nervous with my explanations because then they get all improptu and the kids seem rather confused. xD Still, my comparisons were things like "vampires or werewolves" and "zombies or ghosts". xD I think they were amused, but I wasn't all that thrilled about the lesson. Still, I'm working on it.


During 3rd and 4th hour, there was a concert for the school. Normally this means the kids perform, when you think of a school concert. But no, a group called String Ristorante were performing. I'll just say this- they were really really good. I wish so much there were videos of their performances somewhere. 
Schools here are much more interested in culture and art teachings than we are I think.
Basically, the group has several performers for European instruments, Japanese instruments, and Chinese instruments. You should've seen me, I was grinning so wide while they played. There was cello, violin, piano, koto, shamisen, and an erhu. There was one other instrument, but I cant find info on it anywhere. There were pieces for each indivudual instrument, ones with just chinese, just japanese, just the european ones, and then others with mix. It was fantastic-- the lady who did violin did all these trills and eighteenth-notes and everything-- they were all really really good. @3@


It was clear these people are professionals ^^





Here's some info on the foreign instruments- you've probably heard these sounds before~


Here's the Erhu, Chinese:

Shamisen, Japanese:

(and for you Lady Gaga fans- Bad Romance shamisen:)

And lastly, the koto. Actually, I learned how to play it a little last year. The koto lady actually brought a student up there, and taught her a few simple notes. It was realllly nostalgic- I wanna play the koto again...

This song is actually the one I learned to play last year and the lady played it today-- in a little bit simpler version, but it's basically this song:

Try and imagine these instruments with piano, cello, and violin altogether...it was fantastic~

The students were taught things about each instrument too...so like I said, the international culture learning importance is a lot greater here I think.

Lastly, my last class of the day was not taught by my usual teacher. As of last week, there have been 3 college student girls here, training to be teachers. One is training to an English teacher. Today, she led the 2nd year class instead of the normal teacher. She's just 21, and the poor girl was really nervous, I could tell. She was quiet, and sometimes I could see her shaking. 

Her lesson and the way she conducted it was quite by the book, but I felt she did it well. There was an interview activity, and the students were shy and didn't answer her too much in the beginning, but she got responses as it went on. I was there and read a dialogue with her which I think may have helped the kids to speak more. I told her at the end that I could tell she was nervous, but that she did really well. I didn't get the time to say more to her, but I told of the English teachers that I felt she did well, so she should have more self-confidence and feel freer in her interactions with kids. She said she'd tell her for me. I hope it helps. ^^

Spaghetti time. Tomorrow, salmon.