Spraying
I have just been informed that this weekend I will have to remove all food from my desk and take everything that might be affected by bug spray off my desk. I should cover the computer with newspaper. Seems, they are spraying for bugs in the staff room this weekend. I think they may have a cockroach problem....yuck!!! Thank god I am before those little beasties can reproduce and take up residence in my desk. In fact, my contract will be up in 2 months from today.
Thursday, May 29, 2003
My kids
Last night, I needed a much needed break from life in Japan and needed to be reminded of life back home in Vancouver. Which means a trip to Starbucks for a Chai Latte. While, I was sitting there chatting away with some of my friends about students and teaching (translation=complaining about how bad my kids were yesterday), my friend points to the window and says, "hey do you guys know that girl?". I turn around and to my surprise, it is one of my students from 2 years ago, my first graduating class. She is ecstatic to see me. So I run out of starbucks, knocking a chair over on the way out and causing quite the disturbance and give her a big hug. She is a little teary eyed and very happy to see me. She looks the same but older, her hair is dyed and she is wearing make up, but still Iyumi. Iyumi hated English but loved my class. She was great to have in class because she was always genki and would try to talk to me in Japanese. It was one of my favourite classes. Part in parcel to her enthusiasm and the occasional note that the kids would pass to me, written in cute English proclaiming their dislike for English but their utmost love for me.
I was glad that she came up to me and very happy about her very obvious enthusiasm at seeing me. She left with the promise that she would come back to school to visit me before I left for Canada. It is nice to be reminded that you did leave an impression on some kid some where, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...
Last night, I needed a much needed break from life in Japan and needed to be reminded of life back home in Vancouver. Which means a trip to Starbucks for a Chai Latte. While, I was sitting there chatting away with some of my friends about students and teaching (translation=complaining about how bad my kids were yesterday), my friend points to the window and says, "hey do you guys know that girl?". I turn around and to my surprise, it is one of my students from 2 years ago, my first graduating class. She is ecstatic to see me. So I run out of starbucks, knocking a chair over on the way out and causing quite the disturbance and give her a big hug. She is a little teary eyed and very happy to see me. She looks the same but older, her hair is dyed and she is wearing make up, but still Iyumi. Iyumi hated English but loved my class. She was great to have in class because she was always genki and would try to talk to me in Japanese. It was one of my favourite classes. Part in parcel to her enthusiasm and the occasional note that the kids would pass to me, written in cute English proclaiming their dislike for English but their utmost love for me.
I was glad that she came up to me and very happy about her very obvious enthusiasm at seeing me. She left with the promise that she would come back to school to visit me before I left for Canada. It is nice to be reminded that you did leave an impression on some kid some where, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
War is on
When you teach high school students, 400, 15-18 year olds, you do whatever it takes to get their attention and hold it. I have recently noticed that in my battle against inattentive high school students, I have taken out all the stops and am using all the arsenals in my possession to win them over. This includes mimicing their speach. I have taken to using phrases that are no more than 5 words, for example.."you (point at them), tired? (make a laying head down gesture)". My mannerisms and speach now resemble those of a kindergarten student. As well, hairstyles and fashion sense, I am starting to look and dress like them. Don't worry no short high school uniforms yet. However, some the clothes they wear I now think are kind of cute, vs. hideous when I first came. I now sport a very Japanese haircut that I style every morning with hair wax. It has been razored and has become very piecey.
When you teach high school students, 400, 15-18 year olds, you do whatever it takes to get their attention and hold it. I have recently noticed that in my battle against inattentive high school students, I have taken out all the stops and am using all the arsenals in my possession to win them over. This includes mimicing their speach. I have taken to using phrases that are no more than 5 words, for example.."you (point at them), tired? (make a laying head down gesture)". My mannerisms and speach now resemble those of a kindergarten student. As well, hairstyles and fashion sense, I am starting to look and dress like them. Don't worry no short high school uniforms yet. However, some the clothes they wear I now think are kind of cute, vs. hideous when I first came. I now sport a very Japanese haircut that I style every morning with hair wax. It has been razored and has become very piecey.
I think the biggest thing I do is smile at them. It seems like the kids are not used to people smiling and laughing. I mean genuine smiles and laughter. From my observations many of the teachers never smile or laugh at their kids, they just yell at them. I have pattened the tilt my head a little, flash the dimple, and smile move. Both the boys and girls seem to think I am kawaii, which is good in the land of cuteness. Cuteness wins you points and perhaps will allow me to somehow take over the world one day....ha ha ha...(evil laugh)...if not that, then perhaps will make my kids more attentive in class. So far so good, my Gr. 12's seem to have fallen for it.
Monday, May 26, 2003
Earthquake
There was an earthquake in Japan yesterday. Just off the coast of eastern Japan in Sendai. The other side of Japan from me. I felt nothing and did not know anything about it until my friend emailed me to ask if I was okay. I checked the internet today and was suprised to learn that it was a pretty big earthquake The internet was down yesterday all day...perhaps the two are linked......
There was an earthquake in Japan yesterday. Just off the coast of eastern Japan in Sendai. The other side of Japan from me. I felt nothing and did not know anything about it until my friend emailed me to ask if I was okay. I checked the internet today and was suprised to learn that it was a pretty big earthquake The internet was down yesterday all day...perhaps the two are linked......
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