Busy, busy, busy!

I met my eager little 1st graders today (Australian equivalent of year 7). Twelve shy little faces looked up at me when I entered the classroom. I saw some familiar faces; those who I had taught in primary school were now entering their next stage in the rigorous Japanese school system. A game of fruit basket later and I’d already picked out the drama queens and troublemakers. And all that shyness went out the window!

This week is a fairly busy one for me. Tonight I have the final taiko practice before the big performance on Wednesday in front of what looks to be like the whole town (hell yes I’m nervous!). With only three lessons under my belt, it looks to be a promising show!

On Wednesday, little Yuni town is welcoming an orchestra from Australia. I’ve been assigned as the tour guide, translator and MC for the day-long orientation and welcome party.

All of this before flying to Tokyo the next morning!

Old and New

So as I sit here on exam day, my new colleagues busily rushing around me, I get the blog rush. This time of year is filled with old teachers leaving, new teachers coming (and parties for each), 3rd graders leaving and new 1st graders arriving! It’s a very busy time of year, and there are many new names and faces that must now be committed to memory.

Last night I went to a welcome party for the new teachers at one of my schools. Amidst passed plates of sushi and cups of sake, each of the new teachers was given over to scrutinisation by the old teachers-‘Question time’ they dubbed it. Keep in mind this was fairly late into the evening, when many a beer had been consumed, and many a Japanese face had turned that familiar shade of pink. Apart from asking the usual getting-to-know you questions, I was introduced to my new co-workers as well. “Samantha, the witch” they’d said. Now that never gets old does it? I was asked a dozen times how old I was and was also requested to ask the new teachers some questions in English (I love being the party-trick). I asked one teacher how many beers he can drink (it's a popular male braggin point you see), to which he replied “I am Beer Monster! I am drunkard. A little bit.” I was charmed, naturally.
I then asked the new Japanese teacher what his favourite English phrase was, kindly reminding him that if he said “Yes we can!” I would turn him into a toad…well; he certainly trumped that with an enthusiastic “Love and Peace!” to which everyone raised their glasses in merriment. Gah, I felt like I was questioning Miss America contestants.

Two hours later and it’s all over for a small (*cough* ridiculously overpriced *cough*) fee. The next day is so quiet you’d never know they were gallivanting drunkenly the night before.

And…I’m set to do it all again tonight.