While changing this over to the new site, I saw just how diligent I once was at keeping you all informed about my various doings. Even when there really wasn't so much doing being done. Imagine the things you could know about my new and exciting life! But somehow my people based interactions don't seem as writable-about as my little musings and happenings. I will offer for you all a sample of my recent party going and exciting social life and then, if I am still communicative, I will tell you all about my new school. Desperately intrigued? Totally riveted? Mildly flatulent? I know you are.
Anyway. As you can see by the photo that I will figure out how to attach to this post with hopefully a minimum of naughty words and computer-focused anger, I have been out and about dressed in glittery spandex. Why? Does one really need a reason? It was entirely justified I promise. I was at a 70's party being all sociable and stuff. I made four costumes in all. All of which are hopefully pictured here. Darrell and Rebbecca won the best men's and women's costume prizes respectively and I got the specially-made-up-on-the-spot-for-me best designer prize. Zang. The party definitely lived up to the aviators. Indeedy. T'was quite a party. As you can maybe see here.
A few weeks ago now I had my school sports day. My first few weeks at school were spent in obsessive preparation for this terrifyingly well coordinated event. The kids spent the better part of every day yelling their slogans, practising their dances, marching endlessly around the field, painting banners and making paper flowers. Sports day, you see, involves very little actual sport. I put some photos of what it does involve on the site. Particularly notice the scary saluting. This produced a physical reaction in me that is the exact opposite of the inexplicable joy I feel when hearing a large group of people singing.
Righty... some time has passed since I wrote that lot...
Now October has begun and the new JETs have been welcomed at Mt Sanbe in the customary manner. I am still very, very tired. I feel I need a bit of a weekend to recover from this last weekend. Friday we had a quiet wee indoor BBQ at Darrell's, of which I have posted some pictures, then Saturday we all dragged ourselves up a mountain (in motorised transportation) and partied the night away. Due to my playing RUGBY (mmm hm) for what felt like four or five hours during the afternoon, I was messy and in bed at the reasonable hour of oneish. So that brings y'all up to speed on my speedy social life.
I promised some insights into my school life (and intended to post some pictures of my house but it is awfully messy and so will have to wait). School is a completely different kettle of fish to last year. I am at the same school every day and so my lessons are not considered anything special (and certainly not "most very precious time for students") and the teachers don't put much planning into them, we just bumble on with the text book. It is difficult to get used to after being so involved in planning my classes last year and playing games and having routines to follow with the students (which should really be easier here but it is a bit of an uphill battle to even open the class in a consistent manner). BUT it is not all doom and gloom. There are definitely advantages to being at just the one school. I am getting to know the students which is excellent and rewarding in itself. There are some interesting characters and I have a couple of wee fans who show up in the staffroom every lunchtime. I also get to spend a lot more time with the kids who are training for speech competitions and am gaining a much more rounded view of Japanese school life in all it baffling glory.
If I don't put this up now I shall never get around to it. I hope everyone is well and good. It is lovely to hear from people so keep emailing!
Anyway. As you can see by the photo that I will figure out how to attach to this post with hopefully a minimum of naughty words and computer-focused anger, I have been out and about dressed in glittery spandex. Why? Does one really need a reason? It was entirely justified I promise. I was at a 70's party being all sociable and stuff. I made four costumes in all. All of which are hopefully pictured here. Darrell and Rebbecca won the best men's and women's costume prizes respectively and I got the specially-made-up-on-the-spotA few weeks ago now I had my school sports day. My first few weeks at school were spent in obsessive preparation for this terrifyingly well coordinated event. The kids spent the better part of every day yelling their slogans, practising their dances, marching endlessly around the field, painting banners and making paper flowers. Sports day, you see, involves very little actual sport. I put some photos of what it does involve on the site. Particularly notice the scary saluting. This produced a physical reaction in me that is the exact opposite of the inexplicable joy I feel when hearing a large group of people singing.
Righty... some time has passed since I wrote that lot...
Now October has begun and the new JETs have been welcomed at Mt Sanbe in the customary manner. I am still very, very tired. I feel I need a bit of a weekend to recover from this last weekend. Friday we had a quiet wee indoor BBQ at Darrell's, of which I have posted some pictures, then Saturday we all dragged ourselves up a mountain (in motorised transportation) and partied the night away. Due to my playing RUGBY (mmm hm) for what felt like four or five hours during the afternoon, I was messy and in bed at the reasonable hour of oneish. So that brings y'all up to speed on my speedy social life.
I promised some insights into my school life (and intended to post some pictures of my house but it is awfully messy and so will have to wait). School is a completely different kettle of fish to last year. I am at the same school every day and so my lessons are not considered anything special (and certainly not "most very precious time for students") and the teachers don't put much planning into them, we just bumble on with the text book. It is difficult to get used to after being so involved in planning my classes last year and playing games and having routines to follow with the students (which should really be easier here but it is a bit of an uphill battle to even open the class in a consistent manner). BUT it is not all doom and gloom. There are definitely advantages to being at just the one school. I am getting to know the students which is excellent and rewarding in itself. There are some interesting characters and I have a couple of wee fans who show up in the staffroom every lunchtime. I also get to spend a lot more time with the kids who are training for speech competitions and am gaining a much more rounded view of Japanese school life in all it baffling glory.
If I don't put this up now I shall never get around to it. I hope everyone is well and good. It is lovely to hear from people so keep emailing!
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