Whirlwind couple days

Where to begin? On Tuesday I was whisked away from school early to go and visit another one of my schools, Koga 2nd. This was a bit of an odd experience, the two English teachers I met there spoke very little English actually. I was warned the students' level was going to be pretty low, but I wasn't expecting to have to struggle to speak to the teachers. Just another challenge to overcome. It was kind of a tiring day, so afterward I came home and wrote some letters, straightened up a little, and then I got a fun little phone call.

The lovely people who left the beautiful flowers called me and invited me to their club. Of course I said yes, and then inquired as to when; of course it was that evening! They called at 6:30pm and wanted to pick me up at 8:00pm. I am so glad that I went because I met some really fun ladies and some hilarious foreigners! This club is called Heartful English Conversation Club. I will be going to meet with these ladies every 3rd Tuesday. All I have to do is go and get everyone speaking; about anything! We talked about what we did on the weekend, the Olympics; one of the women is a competative Ballroom dancer! I am really going to love getting to know more about them and the exciting lives they lead! The other two foreigners that help out with the club are from Australia and Kenya and have each been here for many years. We ended up having a fantastic night, laughing a ton and I truly cannot wait to go back!

Today I visited yet another one of my schools, Sakai West. I will only be at this school until the end of January, but upon first meeting I wish I would be there all year. I met and spoke with one of the teachers with whom I'll be working. She was the most informative and helpful person I have met when it comes to knowing what I am really supposed to do when I teach. I saw some of the school and they have a really beautiful Japanese rock garden. This was a class gift from the 9th graduating class of the high school. They told me that the tradition of giving class gifts has since faded, but this has been a wonderful addition to their school. Sakai West is a very small school, only 187 students and they are planning to close it within the next two years. They are going to take the students from Sakai West and combine them with another, larger school not too far away.

After I was finished being shown around school, one of the other English teachers, Tanako, asked if she could take me to her parents' house for lunch. I said yes, of course (I mean what else have I got to do?) and we traveled the short car ride to the house. I met her father first, he is an old man of about 80 and when he spoke to me it was perfect English! I was really surprised; he told me that he had been practicing and wanted to speak to me in English.

We were actually going to have lunch at a small ramen shop just around the corner from their home. They later told me that this ramen shop was the oldest restaurant in all of Koga! The food was wonderful, and there was a TON of it! At lunch I met Tanako's mother and her daugther, Mio, as well. Her daughter is 8 years old and just started the second grade. After lunch we went back to the house and Mio showed me her drawing book. She is a really good artist and prides herself on making the eyes of all her characters really big! Tanako showed me some of Mio's school books and what she is learning, she also showed me the Home Economics text book for the senior high school. Home Ec is basically a cooking class in Japan; students learn everything from how to cook rice to the proper ettiquete for setting the table and how to seat guests at a dinner party (in both Japanese and Western fashions).

During my cooking lesson, Mio came bursting into the room wanting to play cards with me and Tanako. We played "Old Maid" and I lost! (of course) Then Mio showed me a solitare game that she likes to play; it's really similar to the Pyramid game I like to play, so that was fun. Mio also plays the piano and soon after our card fun we had to scoot because Mio was going to be late for her lesson. When Tanako and Mio dropped me off Mio asked her mother why I couldn't live next door to them and visit all the time!

I am so happy I have met them and cannot wait to lose at "Old Maid" again!


P.S. I put my pictures in a more convenient place, so make sure you check them out often because I am always trying to add new pictures to old albums!