IrishOboe

Not too much happened last week but I’m sure I’ll find a way to go on and on about it. Sunday morning, May 7^th, I decided to see how fast I could run a mile so I went to Dragon park, which has a labeled running track. I could have gone faster since my second 800 meters was faster than my first, but still, I think it’s the first time in my life I’ve run an eight minute mile. In college, ten minutes was pushing it. In high school, I don’t think I could even run a mile . . .We didn’t have Bible study because it’s still technically Golden Week break. It was nice to be home all day and refreshed for the week.

Monday we got the English books I’d ordered from Amazon and I labeled them and set up the English Free Zone corner of the LL room. How exciting! I decided to make the grand opening the following Monday (May 15^th) since that week was a little crazy with the sports days. It also gave me some time to prepare and hype it. I put up posters and had teachers announce it in their homerooms. I didn’t know how well it would be received for a number of reasons. I had my own doubts, but I continually fail at figuring out what’s cool and what’s not as is evident in my lesson plans. Things flop that I think should fly and things fly for no apparent reason . . . Anyway, after day two of the official opening of the English Free Zone (open everyday during lunch and after school Tuesday and Thursday) we’ve had seven distinct visitors, one book checked out (The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe!) and daily visits by the boys who liked to come regularly before. I’m happy with that so far. I’m hoping good word will spread. I am painfully aware that different grades don’t mix and when I see older students I know they are reluctant to join in if there are ichinensei. I’m not sure if there is a nerd factor or a fear factor or a “I’m in love with Janet so I’m too shy to talk to her” factor or a “I hate English and Janet” factor or a “I don’t like the people I’ve seen Janet talk to” or “I don’t understand Janet’s lessons so I don’t want to see her” or, or . . . But of course I can’t let these thoughts get to me. I’m no good at market research so I opened up the place and hoped. If a few people enjoy it and I’m sometimes left alone to read by myself, that’s just fine with me. I hope I have more good news to share about my little brainchild later!

For ICC club we had free time and the students were less excited about the books than I’d hoped, though the third year students didn’t have fun skimming through many of them, my second grade students played scrabble and did quite well. It was a small group because the ichinensei had to practice cheering for the sports days. I wish I could explain better, but I hardly understand myself. This week all the high schools in Yamanashi have big games for every sport. On Wednesday there is no school and kids on sports teams play and everyone else is required to cheer. Don’t think of an American football game. True to form, the Japanese don’t shout randomly and whistle and clap and jump around. No, cheering is a group and uniform matter. Thus it must be rehearsed. Other ALTs witnessed more of the rehearsals than I did, but I had to take a peek when I heard “Stars and Stripes Forever” played over the loud speakers. What? They’re practicing to show school pride so they’re marching to a tune that is as American as you can get? Sure enough, all the ichinensei who are unfortunate enough not to be in a sports club were marching around the field practicing their entrance salute for the opening ceremony. Words don’t do it justice. It’s just bazaar. I don’t think I mentioned another cheering tradition of the Japanese. Someone bangs a big base drum while someone else lens back far enough to fall over and waves his arms madly after the fashion of a drum major and screams his head off in unintelligible mush. I’ve been told it’s English, but even if it is I’m sure it’s Japanese English and wouldn’t make sense to me anyway. Surely I would have better things to say about it if I knew what was going on, but this is one subject where my curiosity failed me. As for cheering in groups at the sports games, I’ll save that for Wednesday’s entry.

After ICC club on Monday (May 8^th) I decided I’d finally try to find where Shirane’s “second ground” was. I knew we had a special field for playing hockey, but I had no idea where it was. With some direction I was able to discover it on my way home. It turns out to be on the river bank near Shirane, but it’s tucked away between industry and trees. Since I was there I thought I’d go say hi to the students and ended up talking with the girl’s team (I guess they were done with practice) and watched some of the boy’s practice game. It was interesting. I took the south bridge home and stopped by the park to do the monkey bars. It feels so good to work the muscles in my upper body. I’m still so tight from music conservatory and typing.

Tuesday (May 9^th) students and Hirose sensei really enjoyed playing Boggle in class. It’s fun that it’s always such a hit. Well, so I thought. I tried playing with the real game in ICC Monday (May 15^th) but it didn’t go over well. I’ll never figure out what’s interesting and what’s not, so why do they pay me to come up with things I think the kids will want to do? Maybe teachers figure it out eventually (though it looks to me like many have given up), but it seems like there’s hardly rhyme or reason to it! But anyway, class 1-4 really enjoyed playing Boggle and Hirose sensei said it was very fun. More meaningful than the comment was that she searched for words while the students were rather than doing her own work at the back like she often does when students are working on their own.

Sheesh, I knew I’d find ways to say more than I need to. After school I went for a run to the park then cooked myself some delicious dried tofu. I meal can’t get any better (excluding one with company) when it’s easy (boil dried tofu in a simple broth), cheep, nutritious (just as healthy as fresh tofu), keeps well (fresh tofu doesn’t last long), and tastes delicious! The texture is a bit firmer than fresh tofu, so for me it’s easier to eat more of. It’s my knew dish of choice!

I made onigiri (rice balls) for the next day, which I learned later is not what you’re supposed to do. You’re supposed to make onigiri in the morning, but mine taste just find after spending the night in the fridge.

Wednesday, May 10^th was the big sports day. There’s no school and teachers must go cheer. I am once again lucky not to be a real teacher so I wasn’t assigned anywhere but was told I could go cheer where I wanted to. I biked to Kose Sports Park in the morning, which is where many of the events were. They told me the wrong time for the opening ceremony, so with an hour to kill I went to watch tennis. It was fun to watch, though I had to leave when I couldn’t take the pressure. The boys played three games against one school (one double game and two single games) and they lost one and won one so their advancement was to be determined by the second single game. I felt so worried for the one boy with the whole tennis team and other students watching I couldn’t take it. Man, I’m going to be a terrible Mother . . .

It was during the tennis matches that I learned the most about Japanese cheering. Students were quiet for the most part until a play was finished or there was a break. Then one person led the whole group in a cheer something like “Go, go, go Shirane (echoed by the group), push, push, push Shirane (echoed). Go, go, go name (echoed), push, push, push name (echoed).” etc. Of course it’s all in Japanese and all the while this chant is accompanied by claps on the beat. The following is for my reference, but I’m posting it for the few who might find it of interest.

I-ke, ike, ike, ike, ike Shirane. (the first ike is an eighth, an eighth rest and a quarter note, the rest are two eighths, and Shirane is three eighths and an eighth rest for a total of two 4-4 bars)

o-se, ose, ose, ose, ose Shirane. (ditto)

After watching tennis I went back to the stadium for the opening ceremony, but I missed everything except the students fainting during the speeches. Forgive that I have no sympathy. It wasn’t that hot, it was overcast, they were in t-shirts and shorts, they weren’t standing at attention (not at ease, but not rock steady or marching), and they weren’t out there for very long! Of course, the Japanese don’t seem to drink water, and they handed out tea like we hand out water at football games in America.

So, having missed that and the one marching band in Yamanashi (though I heard the mass band play See the Conquering Hero from the tennis courts) I tried to catch kyudo or kendo but they were done, too. I visited the school tents and got a lovely drink of – yep, tea, at Shirane’s tent. The brass bands played more in that area and they all wrapped up their instruments in towels. I couldn’t figure out why. Maybe the sun or the weather, but they practice outside during the whole year!!

While wondering around I chatted with a number of students but one group of boys asked in such great English if I’d buy them ice cream that I couldn’t refuse. It’s a good thing I’m not staying any longer than I am. I started out the year not wanting to spend a cent on my students and I’m afraid in a few years I’d be putting my whole salary up for them!

There was also a curious group of people hanging about. I never got a satisfactory explanation as to who they were or what they were doing. They’re not in high school, but they wear a kind of exaggerated school uniform with long coats and long pleated skirts with lots of decoration and embroidery everywhere. Of course they had crazy Japanese hairdos and it reminded me of the Harajuku girls. They just stood about and took pictures with people. Okay, I admit it. I took a picture, too . . .

I then biked back to Shirane to watch some of the girl’s hockey team. They were getting whipped so I chatted with students and with the ALT of the opposing team. Her students might be kicking mine at hockey (Shirane isn’t so strong in sports, though the boys hockey team one and the girls kyudo got fourth), but my students talk to me in English! She was impressed with how students would come up and speak to me and I was reminded that it wasn’t like that when I came and to be glad I’ve helped them loosen up as much as they have!

After the game the students who were assigned to watch had their papers signed and they were allowed to go home. Ah, the dark side. Yes, it’s interesting for me: it’s my first time, I can watch what I want to, any experience is a cross-cultural one, etc., but for the students, how tedious! Do the sports kids have to go to drama performances? Do they look at student art and listen to their English speeches? While I’m looking at the dark side I noticed more about student life outside of teacher supervision since there were so many students and not as many teachers. I passed many students while biking there and back, too. I saw packs of older boys jeering at lone girls who tried to hide their faces as they went by. I saw girls with skirts rolled up so high you couldn’t really see they had a skirt. The uniforms were so poorly worn I finally gained appreciation for enforcing uniform rules. I saw the outcasts and the cliques even within classes and sports clubs and it makes me feel sad and helpless. I try to reach out, but it seems like the damage is done. However, the majority of my time is not spent seeing and thinking about these things!

On the way home I explored the path on the other side (Shirane side) of the river and got home exhausted. That was about 13 miles of biking in one day. It sure was fun, though. I capped the day off with a Japanese lesson, which was so fun as usual!

Thursday, May 11^th, I had two morning classes but it was a half day because of the sports days. Many of the students were missing for the same reason, so it was a little tough. Classes recently have averaged out to be pretty good. For some reason I have trouble with some classes, and enjoy every minute of others. One class was nearly torturous that day and the next was full of hilarious Show and Tell presentations! If I’ve learned anything about teaching, it’s that I’m not interested in teaching people who don’t want to learn!

In the afternoon I got permission to go out to Kose again and cheer the track team. That turned out to be lots of fun and I also got some good English conversation in with the rest of the team as they watched.

That evening I biked into Kofu for the English department enkai, which was delicious and fun, but that brought the total number of miles on a bike during a two-day period up to 30! I was exhausted, but some of my students do 30 kilometers a day just getting to school and back!

I wasn’t too tired to stay up and talk with my sis a bit and listen to Jonathan talk about cheerios and milk. Hmm, cheerios and milk. I haven’t had that in about nine months! I’m starting to get excited for the time at the Maggie P. this year. Certain smells and sounds remind me of it, and I’m starting to look forward to it with yearning! What does that have to do with cheerios and milk? That’s a good question. I guess living in another country messes with your head a little . . .

Friday, May 12^th, it was hard to keep up my confidence in the students’ ability to work on projects of their own during the third-year class. Some kids are doing fine, but many are, well, not really doing much. I’m trying to be patient until the mid-term projects come in . . .

This was the second Friday I’ve taught this school year (as opposed to the same week’s Tuesday which was the fifth time). I was happy and sad to discover that what had been my favorite class after the first lesson is still a wonderful, willing, excited class. The sad part is that I see them the least of all classes by so much! And in case you were wondering, they’re not in the “top” class and we did the whole lesson in English!

I went for a long run (5 miles) after school, which again felt great. I’m starting to get addicted. In the evening I had router problems, but I don’t want to think about that . . .

Saturday, May 13^th, I worked on my taxes (I get two extra months because I’m living abroad) and studied for Hippo. I worked on a short track (1 minute) where Sonoko makes a phone call. I managed to remember the English version and some of the Japanese and German versions. They were so excited at Hippo to hear a native speaker speak part of the story line and they helped me get through the Japanese version. What fun!

I biked to Sakaori station again for Bible study. It rained all day so it was a bit of a pain, but I discovered it’s possible and not so horrible as it could be. Still, I wish I’d realized it was raining before I missed the train to Hipo . . .

At Bible study this time it was just Adden, Leslie and I, but we had good discussion. Church was a blessing as usual!

Sunday, May 14^th, I got some good work done in the morning and then I went with a group of people from church to go hiking in Hokushu. It turned out to be the place we went with Kasia when my parents were here but couldn’t get far because the trail was closed. It was beautiful hiking and lovely weather. We sat on a rock and ate our lunches looking out at the waterfalls. It was lovely except for the way down when my knee acted up again. Luckily, it was fine the next day.

After hiking we went to the Chateraise (ice cream and cake) factory and got to walk through the facilities for free and then eat as many ice cream bars as we wanted! Who wants to do that again?!?!?!

We then rested at Steve and Aiko’s before Bible study. It was a long day, but it was very restful and fun!

Monday, May 15^th was the first bad day in a long time. It started out fine with a Mother’s Day phone call (it was still Mother’s Day in the states), but for whatever reason I had to teach classes alone that day. The first class was fine, we got through using English and the students were relatively respectful, though they’re better when a Japanese teacher is there. The second class was a disaster. It was the class I’d gotten mad at two weeks ago (last week class was canceled) for being rude and they had no mercy on me this time. They wouldn’t do anything I asked them to and I finally got fed up at told them to go back to their seats because if they wouldn’t do the activity they could just sit in silence. Of course, then I wondered why I cared so much whether they did what I told them to but they were already seated and looking quite chastened again. I then rambled in front of them in English/Japanese with long period of silence for 15 minutes. At times I wanted an honest dialogue but I’m sure they thought I was asking rhetorical questions. This is where I am reminded that I am not a teacher. I’m a great teacher when thing go well, but when they don’t I don’t have a clue! One good thing out of that lesson was realizing that my ego is no longer wrapped up in my teaching and student approval. A class like that last year would have devastated me, but I didn’t feel intimidate by the students at all. I could stand up there and know I was failing as a teacher and not become emotional.

I though and prayed during sixth period and managed to put a happy face on for ICC. It didn’t help that they didn’t like Boggle – the one game that I thought would be the most fun for a variety of students!

A good run and an early bedtime helped bring the day to good ending. I tried not to overanalyze what happened in the classroom since there are too many unknown factors. I think the thing that pains me most is that I profess to work so hard at creating a non-controlling atmosphere that allows the students to relax, make mistakes, express themselves, have fun, and realize they know more English than they think they do, yet that class as seen me four times and two times I’ve been upset and created a dark mood. I’m sure they think it’s their fault (yes, they were being rude, but a good teacher would have handled it better) and I’m sure I’ve convinced them that communication in English is nearly impossible. I’ve shattered the atmosphere I’d hoped to create and I probably can’t get it back again. BUT I don’t really know what they’re thinking because I can’t understand them! I can’t tell when they don’t like something or don’t understand or are just being lazy because the same blank face looks the same! I think I’ve realized that they are supposed to give that face when a teacher is at the front of the room, but it sure isn’t nice for a teacher who can’t speak/understand their language!

But surely the Lord gives and he takes way, Tuesday (May 16^th) was a wonderful day at school. I did a lesson on Tongue Twisters (ironically enough with the other half of the class I had trouble with yesterday), which I thought would either go okayish or flop, and it was a roaring success! Other classes went well, too and I had some new visitors to my English Free Zone. I’m a little less happy that I’ve spend an entire evening writing an update that I thought was about almost nothing, but it should simple provide motivation to write more often. Congratulations if you stuck with me to the end!