march madness

Awwww my actual last day at my Monday school. It was quite surreal! It turned out I didn't have to do a full lesson, I was asked to only do half a lesson for both 2nd graders. The second half was them saying thank you and handing me a pretty class card. It was really cool. We took some photos, and said our goodbyes. It was sweet, one of the boys who normally runs riot the most in my classes wouldn't stop letting go of me. It was quite cute, they were all shaking my hand, and then he just attached himself to me like a limpet and wouldn't let go. hehehe I stumbled out of the classroom with him while 2 other boys where holding my hands. I guess I can get on with kids on occasion! Lunchtime I went with Marvin to mc donalds..yeah yeah I know..soo bad for you...but hey junk food is sometimes comforting. At least I had something japanese-ish....teriyaki and egg burger...hahahaha only in Japan..I wish they had these in England...it was..oishiiiii. We then played a load of games because we had 2 and half hours to kill. I kicked ass at the animal game, and dots. But unfortunatley Marvin kicked more ass at hangman. Leaving at the end of the day was immensly awkward. The whole teachers room went quiet and waited for me to say something...I went BRIGHT red...or at least I could feel it. It's weird...I can deal fine in a class of 30 rowdy children that won't shut up. But I go shy and awkward in front of a less than 20 well meaning adults, who are actually listening. They all came out to wave me goodbye too and were very suprised that I had my bike there...lol...ghosh...

Next one to go tomorrow. My fave school have actually sent a notification today that I need to be there at 8am for a leaving ceremony. I am terrified...truly. It also means I need to get up at like half 5 in the morning....fun times...

I learnt two interesting facts today!

1. Michigan college (that's university for the non-american people) has finally been able to enter the basketball tournament since the last time in 1998. Yes..random I know...but hey...Marvin was from Michigan college.

2. Eminem is from Michigan! I should probably have known that...but he loived like 15 minutes away from Marvin! how awesome is that?

anyways...as you were!

4-1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday was an awesome day! we ( Joe, Brendan, Doran, Luke, Missy and me) went to Tokyo yesterday. Joe had to go and pick up his mum at Narita later and wanted to have a chilled out day in Meguro first. First stop - Meguro parasitological museum! Truly scary, fascinating disgusting place. The best thing was the tape worm that was 8.8m long. Imagine that inside you...not pleasant. I thought It was interesting that all the parasites either came in the form of worm like creatures or insect like creatures...I guess it's adaption to fit and move around efficiently in the body/digestive system? We also found that Numazu area has shistosomias! ahhhhh scary one! Don't swim aorund in still lakes. I wish they could have had info in english though...there were some pretty disturbing images, yet I didn't know how they were caused...but luckily missy was there to translate a little bit. The weather was pretty rubbish so afterwards we went and sought refuge in a coffee shop until things cleared a bit. We then walked along the river to meet Doran at the station. That place must be beautiful in springtime/summer when everything is blooming. I really thought I could like in that area. There is something with rivers running through a suburb of apartment blocks which really appeals to me. It felt very european...or even german. There were sakura (cherry blossom) trees all along the river bank...so when they are in bloom..it must be amazing. We then went to this tiny tiny mexican bar and had a few drinks. The owner was really happy that I was singing along to her Kt tunstall CD she had on. We then went off to Shibuya to meet with Brendan. I do love that part of Japan. If you want proper stereotype Tokyo with the massive zebra crossings and the lights - go to shibuya. We were trying to find Brendans place that he was going to move to and ended up in the love hotel section...I think it was actually love hotel hill. It's amazing.....technically a seedy place...but actually so peaceful and quiet...and all the hotels looked so cool! There were various themes...like egyptian gardens, even a library themed one!!!!! Totally appealed to the geek inside me! Brendan then suggested going to this posh restaurant which turned out to be one of the themed restaurants in Tokyo. It was gothic themed! I was actually in paradise! All that was missing was Vampires walking around the place in 18th century clothing smiling cheekily. It was so dark and magnificant..with massive glass chandeliers and paintings on the walls. Everything was very chic. The waiters were pretty cool and looked very gothic and androgynous too. If you're in to that kinda thing, I recommend going!

After that we went to an irish pub for a quick pint of guinness (well water for me) in honour of st patricks day which is soon. It was surreal! There were st. Patricks day decorations everywhere! It felt just like being in England! Only that the pub was filled with Japanese people...so no brawling or swearing. Was so good! we then made our way back. Why is the journey back always so much longer...or feel longer than the journey there? we did have entertainment though. The liverpool Man U game was on while we were stuck on the train. Brendan is a huge liverpool fan and naturally I was due to my english ties (martin...you must be SO happy right now). So Brendan was constantly getting updates from the BBC on his phone. He was gettin increasingly frustrated at the amount of tunnels that kept cutting out the internet! Luckily I had the amazing Alex to send me updates. So when the final score came in all that could be heard on the platform was F**** YEAH!!!! F****ING YEAH!!!!! OMG!!!! YEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!!!

hahahah so yeah...that ended the day perfectly....

sad days and not so sad days

I just finished my last 1st and 2nd grade class for my fave school. Again I am feeling pretty sad about the fact that I won`t be here anymore. I do love this school. It`s weird...it feels like the teachers here are less obsessed with doing everything for the kids...but the kids are generally a lot better behaved...and humble..and innocent. Whereas at my other school....everything is done for the kids...I know it should be like that..but it`s more than that...it`s this obsession...of being these happy clowns...almost patrionising for them. But I think it backfires a little....the kids..aren`t that thankful in my opinion...and act more spoilt...and less like they care about stuff....so I don`t know what the difference is, but there certainly is one.

Yesterday I had my last grade 6, 4 and 2nd grade classes at the other school..the hated wednesdays. Of course...they didn`t behave any better...6th grade were all in some mopey pubescent high (aka I don`t give a damn..I am gonna do EVERYTHING in slow motion, just to make the point that I don`t give a damn). 4th grade were actually a little better...they got addicted to my fire water storm game so we played that like 5 times. Though I still don`t get this aversion between the boys and girls which is so high that even at a chance of winning , a girl will lose via free will if the cost is to touch a boy. Strange children. It`s the other way too...but still...guys you are only 9/10 years old....there shouldn`t be any sexual tension between you yet!
Grade 2 were angels...as always, they`re actually a highly intelligent bunch of kids...I am very impressed. I wonder what factors make some classes real good and some not at all....something like the collection of kids that year...along with the teacher`s inlfuence. But they all get taught different subjects by different teachers...so it can`t all be the teachers fault. I guess it`s to do with leaders too. Some children are more natural leaders...and polarise the group in one direction. Whether that is `intelligent good` or `rebellious stupid`...I guess...is probability.

I do wonder what our parents must have thought of our outbursts of drama that came on such a regular basis. To us it must have been very important to make that point....and our parents must have thought what I am thinking on a regular basis; "get over it". I wonder if I`ll be a mean mum as a result. I guess this has shown me a little more about children...and what they are like...not quite as straightforward as a developmental psych class I must say.

Wednesday night club was great again of course. We went for some pasta! But with a twist...as always...we are in Japan after all...so on the menu they had dishes like sausage of frank which I roasted myself". Interesting.....We then went for nomihodae at this bar and all of the durnken young japanese people inside were staring out the window at us like we were some exotic species of bird. One of the guys came out and told Ikumi that everyone inside thought I looked like Angela Aki (popstar who wrote one of the final fantasy songs). HAHA! ohhhh yeah! They then wanted pictures taken with all of us. Take pictures of the strange foreigners with their weird coloured hair!!!!!! Oh I do love Japan.

sad days

Wow....Today I had my last grade 6, 5, 3 and 4 classes at my favourite school. It was very strange. the day was beautiful really, the classes all went well, and the children were on their most chummiest behaviour (if there even is such a word). It made me quite sad really, especially after my joint 3rd and 4th grade class. I do love those kids, they're always up for anything and will try every time. I find myself wishing I could somehow follow their lives, because I want to know how they will do in the future, what paths they will take, where they will end up. I want to make sure they're alright...I guess one would call this awkward emotion "caring".
We took some photos too, I made each class give me a normal smiley one and one where they all pulled faces. Grade 3 and 4 obviously did the best in that exercise. I had lunch with 2nd grade and engaged all my parenting ways to help a one of my fave lil girls to finish her lunch. I made it some exciting thing every time she stuck a piece of fruit in her mouth and counted down. It made her laugh and worked though so ha! So yes strategies to make eating fun.....we enquired as to whether they have this in Japan...we were told no. It's just all about the "gambatte".

I am really going to miss that school...it'll probably be more sad on the 19th when grade 6 "graduate" on to junior high. There's going to be a big ceremony, and we all dress up. I am really glad I get to see them graduate.

the life and death of the pinata

wow...I had my last ever lesson with the handicapped class today. It felt odd...It hadn't occured to me really that it was going to be the last time I see those kids. They were pretty shocked too...I found that The company hadn't informed my schools I was leaving for good. So Today I told them all...tsk...so bad. But one of the kids from handicapped wrote me a quick goodbye/thank you letter and brought it to the teachers room. I was really touched.

Saying goodbye to the kids when they leave school is always funny on Mondays. Marvin - another ALT is at the school too and of course because he is a boy and I am a girl...we are naturally boyfriend and girlfriend..or married..depending on which kid is asking. Today they went as far as applauding us through the window to the teachers room while I was asking him to translate something for me. All the teachers thought it was amusing. The most embaressing thing is when they try and drag him to kiss me on the playground. They find it hilarious that I have the biggest look of shock on my face shouting "dame dame" (stop). Well it's entertainment anyway.

The weekend was pretty cool and relaxed. Another great escape from reality.

Friday was Jodies birthday party. We arrived at around half 7 to start setting up decorations. I was one of the chief decorators, and got to throw aorund the glittery stuff and spray "Happy birthday Jodie" on the glass window/wall of the bar. It was so cool! I do love decorating (sounding extremely posh).

We were working on a pinata for the mardi gras theme party the week before for 4 days. It was pretty tiring. I didn't do too much of the actual paper macheing (is that the word?) except for at the beginning, but I was responsible for decorating it (theme there? yes..indeed). I got to spray paint it fluroescent blue and draw silverly swirls on it...fun time...the kitchen smelt of chemicals, and made me high.

We filled the pinata with cakes, chocolates and lots and lots of condoms...hahahah very Jodie! It actually worked out well! The pinata didn't die before it was supposed to!

So all in all it was worth it.

randomness

This week is going quite fast!

Monday, school went pretty fast, and handicapped class was alright actually. I think I was still a little pissed from grade 2, so I didn't let them give me any sugar. It worked though, even the over agressive kid didn't dare smack me when I took the annoying noise making plastic bag from him.

Tuesday was Jodie's birthday. We went to this korean grill and had lots of random dishes. Cows tongue? Not too bad actually. But I have to say I loved the pizza there...yeah I know...not exactly japanese..though where else would you get salmon and potatoe pizza?

Today I had no lessons, so I spent the day making birthday cards and materials to hang up around the school. Not that the kids care. I feel a little bit like not wanting to make the effort, because I know the kids won't really look at it. The weather is miserable again, so I cycled in the rain again. I am becoming good at cycling blindly now.

I am watching far too much 'sex and the city' recently. I am really quite addicted to it. It's such a good programme. Although I have to say..the more I am watching it, the more the characters are annoying me. They are incredibly shallow. I am sure most people will at this point shout at me and go "hello??? of course they are..why on earth are you watching that programme?" Well I like the series primarily because I love watching the four girls interact. I think it's so cool to see friendship like that, where they are always there for each other and can just talk so easily to each other about anything. But now..watching many episodes back to back...they really are quite shallow..and harsh...to men anyway. Fashion seems to rule....and men get dropped faster than you can say 'snowblowing' for the most stupid reasons. That's supposed to be the modern woman....fair enough...I guess if it works for them. I'll still watch it. :)

pie zoo three

hmmmmmm...grapes...

So Friday was Mikage's birthday meal. We went to this restaurant called "The blue water". It was a beautiful place! I can't believe I haven't gone earlier!!! The view was cool, the food was good the atmosphere was sophisticated. The meal was cool..it was a small affair really,but that made it good. everyone could chat and banter. We then went to "eightys", which is this small hip bar, and continued our shenanigans there. We had birthday cake and singing too! A friendly japanese guy at the bar bought us all food in honour fo the birthday child, which was really sweet. We then had some banter about the usage of swearing in language and whether it dumbs it down or not...it got quite intense really! I also got to finally use one of my awesome spiderman plasters on a victim. Luke had cut himself and had a boring plaster, so we exchanged it. He was loving it!!! yeaaah!...ehm...cough cough...I know I know..I am an utter child.

The next morning, we spontaneously went off to tokyo for a shopping spree. It was supposed to be retail therapy, but turned in to a "what the heck do we get jodie for her birthday?" spree. It was great though. Pretty relaxed really. When we got back I met up with Joe and some people again and had some chilled drinks. Again late nights! fun times!!!!

Sunday I got to finally sleep in loooong...didn't seem to help though. All it did was make me feel more tired...plew plew plew....but I got lots of things done today..so at least that's a start.
maaaan don't want school tomorrow....really don't.