Ok, so I'm trying to remember everything that happened. Basically, the kids have been difficult since Barry had destroyed all semblance of a classroom setting and one class literally continues to run free around the room. We usually sing a song at the beginning of class, but these kids just run around as soon as I let them get out of their chairs, so I can't even sing the song with them. Finally, one adorable girl insisted on getting up in the middle of the lesson and running around, so I had her stand in the corner. As class neared the end, she still kept fidgeting and inching back towards the table, so I was on a constant watch of her. She couldn't take it and went back to the table, so I grabbed her, screaming and crying, and had to carry her around as I signed their yellow cards (used to show they were present that day). After class, a teacher came in and made her apologize. She was hyperventilating and I finally got an apology out of her in English. The next week (this past Friday) she was so obedient! Every time she was about to act up, I would just say her name, and she would be fine! I was very amazed. However, she has another cohort in the classroom. An adorable kid who has the cutest smile, yet even though he's maybe 3 years old, has the ingenuity of a college student. He knows what he can get away with and tries to push my buttons, so if I have my back turned he might get up or draw in another student's book or get the girl to start being really loud or other things of the sort. The class overall is loud the entire time and I can't get them to lower it enough for me not to have to yell the entire time. It's quite a mess. That's the least of my worries though, right now I'm concentrating on making them obey me! I put this kid in the corner when he's bad and he seemed embarrassed when I did it to him this past Friday, so I hope that it helps. He seems to be my next goal, though, then I can start working on making the whole class pay attention and stop talking the whole time!!!
My other classes have been fine as far as I can remember. I straightened them all out now. I started teaching on Wednesday mornings now until we get the new teacher and I have to take a bus there. I was scared at first, but it's ok now. The only problem is that my lunch break is from 12-1 so I'm usually starving by like 6pm or so. But, she's been letting me leave early Tuesday and Thursday nights to make up for working the morning hours, so that's a plus!
I don't have pictures, but last night (Oct. 13th) Madoka invited me to her house! I was so nervous to meet her parents and I was a little late because my boss wanted me to finish transcriptions and, being the only English teacher on Saturdays, I was completely booked with maybe only an hour or so free to work on them. I apologized and felt really bad because her mother was waiting on me to eat :( Her father had already eaten (I hope that wasn't because of me) they said because he was drinking and he didn't want to eat too much while he drank so that he wouldn't gain weight. We had nabe, which is a traditional Japanese dish where they put a pot on a burner on the table and you watch the things boil right in front of you! Instantly, she would put shrimp in and it would turn pink and the meat cooked as soon as it touched the water! She had the Japanese mushrooms, tofu, and a slew of other delicious vegetables and meat including fish balls and chicken balls (balls as in like meatballs . . . .). It was all cooked in a special onsen water, which is water from a hot spring! It makes the tofu much softer and the water itself was tasty. You dip the elements in ponzu sauce when you're ready to eat it. She also showed me how to make tomago rolls which is kind of an "egg roll" but literally. There's a special pan to make it, and you mix eggs with other ingredients, then fry it in the pan, making it completely flat then rolling it up just as it begins to cook. Eventually, you have a giant egg roll! It was really good. They eat it with mayo but that sounded gross to me so I just ate it by itself. The nabe was so amazing! They asked me why they don't serve it in America and I said probably because it was a health code violation to have your food cooked right in front of you because someone could sue if they pulled the meat out too fast before it was cooked all the way . . . they thought it was ridiculous of course :P I'm not sure why, but that's my logical guess. At teppanyaki tables, the food is cooked away from you so that you can't take it before it's been cooked all the way, so that's what I think, but let me know if you have any other ideas on why they don't serve it in America!
Her parents didn't speak English, but her mom was able to ask me some things like "how old are you?" which was cute. She was so excited to see me! They had me bring the dress I'm going to wear to Tim's wedding and Madoka helped me pick out a hairstyle for it. She's letting me borrow some of her hair things, which was really nice! I had a great time, although it was difficult since Madoka had to keep translating for me and for her mother, I'm sure that wasn't fun for her . . . I don't think she realizes how low my Japanese ability actually is . . . .
Today (sunday oct. 14th) I found they were holding another event called the IMS Art Festa. They had different traditional Japanese snacks and other items, so I looked around. After buying some cheap goods, I noticed that the people were giving the change to an assistant. I looked at their "assistant" and realized that they were mentally challenged. Then I realized that the event was held to help people who are mentally challenged in Japan. I thought it was really cool, so I bought more souvenirs from there :P I went to one booth where the two salespeople were very interested in trying out their English. It was so funny listening to them get excited, saying to each other in Japanese "how do you say this?" and laughing and wondering where I came from, etc. They finally asked me some questions and I told them I was an English teacher. They thought it was really cool, it was so funny.
I also went to the pet store that I found a while back, and lo and behold they had BABY BIRDS!!!!!!!! I wasn't allowed to take pictures, but I came at the exact moment that the lady was feeding one of them!!! I about died they were so cute!! I really wish I could've taken a picture >_< I'm so sad I can't show anyone how cute they were. I wanted to buy one but I can't have pets here, which really sucks too . . . I would've bought them all! :D
I also got Tim and Blake's wedding present finally, and those salesmen were really funny too, so excited to practice English and figure out why I was in Fukuoka and everything. They wrap things so prettily out here, they make things as perfect as they possibly can. I should've filmed him tying the bow, he was so meticulous about it and I'm sure no one will notice haha I kind of felt bad. It was a fun day, and tonight I'm having dinner with a lot of friends! There'll be about 10 people . . . only a few of which I actually know. I hope to get some pictures if I'm not too nervous, I don't do well in crowds . . . but at least one of my friends (Yuka) can make it! She makes me feel more at home.
Until next time, hopefully I won't take so long to send an update!!
Thanks again for still reading, it means a lot! :D
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