Returning to Japan was a little difficult, to be honest. I enjoyed my family time so much, it was very emotional to leave them again. However, upon arrival I was surprised by my boyfriend, Adeng at the airport. He escorted my weary soul all the way to my front door; bless his heart! I wouldn't have made it home without him. My suitcase weight 72 whopping pounds! HA!
I began teaching right away the next day, which was good for me to have something to do. Now the elementary schools are preparing for their sports day event. This is probably the biggest event in elementary school. They spend countless hours practicing games, practicing marching, cheering, singing, and running! Actually I don't teach much in September because they use every spare moment to prepare. Then on Sports Day, Sept. 19th, all the parents will come and camp out around the field, inside of which the activities will be performed. It really does seem like more of a performance than a sports competition. Incredible.
The amount of energy the students and teachers use everyday to run around and practice is staggering. I feel lazy, because I don't do much but watch. However, I am on the yellow team again this year, and I've been given a song to learn. I am also expecting to perform a traditional dance with the 3rd and 4th graders, wearing a costume and all! I feel very comforably at home at my schools. My rapport with my "colleagues" seems to be growing; I'm starting to joke with some of them, and understand their Japanese so much!
The very day after the schools have their sports days, I will be running my first 1/2 marathon ever! It is run around Yamanashi Shi and Katsunuma area. Katsunuma is famous for its grapes, wine, wineries, and grape juice. Therefore, after this race, each runner will receive a bundle of grapes! These aren't just any grapes- they've earned their right to be famous, and rightly so. they are deep purple, juicy, and taste just like a glass of Welch's grape juice. Actually, I have some in my fridge right now....snack break....
This is my latest bulletin board, born from the 4th graders lessons about food. I wrote the Japanese sign all by myself, which asks the students to guess which pictures are American food, and which are Japanese. I used pictures of school lunches and boxed lunches. When they lift the picture, they see a flag of the country from which the food came.
Have you ever seen the art of Japanese Obento? Obento means packed lunch... but Japanese Oka Sans (moms) and artists alike, have taken the traditional obento of rice and veggies, and turned it into an artform all its own. Please, do not miss this cultural opportunity to be amazed...
My new friends Evie (left) and Rachel played a "gig" last Sunday at a cute cafe in Minami Alps. the cafe is owned by a guy from Iowa who married a woman from Japan, and they now live here and operate a cafe/English school. Very hip new place! I will be visiting there more often!
2 comments:
Hi Annie! Love reading your updates (I think I'm finally caught up on all of them), keep sharing your experiences! I tried to share a little about "what I learned in Japan" on my blog page, but it's hard to get it all into words, and I didn't say everything as well as I would like to. Being in Japan was truly a wonderful reminder to be humble as Americans and know we can learn so much from others! Love you! Dad
スごいでしよう！アなたのにほんごをすばらしです。Estoy muy orgulloso de tu! That kanji looks like the real deal girl! I am missing you so much now and pray for you often! Te amo mucho! Dios le bendigas! love ya
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