T5B: 1) I got to message Jerod. 2) The elders got my pedals fixed for me! 3) I got to visit with the elders when they stopped by. 4) My tutoring session went well (she bought me a cookie!). 5) Crisis averted! (Story below)
basal temp: I can't remember ... I think I forgot to take it.
Morning:
- SO exhausted, vivid dreams, not enough sleep
- got ready, rode the bus to school
- funny exchange with Oikawa-s
1st - taught 2.3 (juniors in hs), went well
2nd - prepped like CRAZY
3rd - taught 1.6, mean girl made me cry
4th - taught again, 3.7 went SUPER well
Notes: When I walked in, Oikawa-s came up to me. I had sent him a copy of the worksheet so he could see it ahead of time. Today they were practicing for the Eiken (big English test). Part of it was choosing the correct picture. Well for the section with pictures, I made copies from the Eiken practice book and just decided to tape them onto my master. So, Oikawa-s comes up to me this morning, "Uh, Anikku-sensei, do you have pictures?" Me, straight=faced, "No, they have to guess which spot I mean." (There were lines for them to write the number of the sentence.) LOL He's a really funny guy and he knew I was kidding. Not only that, I was in the process of putting the pictures on the master when he walked up. "Kidding, I'm putting them on now." LOL He laughed really hard. Golden moment. -- So 3rd. I am exhausted. I feel crappy. Today was SUPPOSED to be cold so I layered up. Today was SWELTERING. I shed as many layers as I could, rolled up my sleeves, but it was HOT. So I was sweating a little. This girl in the back made a HUGE show of plugging her nose with both hands and making noises like she was throwing up. It was SO hurtful. It was downright cruel. And I didn't reek. Then she would say things in Japanese while doing that every time I walked by. I have no way of knowing FOR sure if she was talking about me, but considering the snickering and sideways glances at me from the surrounding students... WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? It makes me want to cry all over remembering it. In kindergarten (when I had to listen to phonics tapes at recess to help me learn English), the kids were so mean to me. It just reminded me of that. Although I knew a lot more English back then and I know a whole lot less Japanese. It's just hurtful. So ya I cried. Luckily not IN class, but ... let's just say I counted how many times I have to teach that class again. (18 if they reschedule for missed Mondays, 15 if not.) -- 4th, luckily (well with the Lord's help) was AWESOME! It was all practice for the Eiken. I taught with Oikawa-s. He was really supportive and I have done stupid things in the past (just not being aware of their level of English), but today was perfect. The students worked hard and they did really well. It was really fun too. That class is just so much fun! (They are the only sport class that treats me like they're happy to see me.) At the end of class, Oikawa-s had this HUGE grin on his face. He kept saying how well the class went and how well the students did. HUGE boost for me (especially right after that other nightmare).
Afternoon:
- ate lunch
5th - corrected 160+ worksheets
6th - had a short funny chat with Oikawa-s (more wksts)
7th - corrected another teachers' worksheets
- cleaning time, crisis averted
- work, bus ride home
Notes: My short funny chat? Oikawa-s (who just got back from more than a month in the hospital on the 30th of September) said to me, "Anikku-sensei, how was your weekend?" "Well I was pretty sick. I threw up most of the time. I was in bed a lot." "Oh really!?" "How was your weekend?" "The same!" "Well let's both have a better time this coming weekend!" Poor guy! Then he goes on to tell me his head is still spinning. *Wince* That poor guy! I have so much respect for him. He's my favorite teacher with whom to teach. -- So crisis averted needs some back story. When I was running around like crazy trying to get all the right documentation to the Japanese government so they would allow me into the country, I got to spend some time with Stephen. Stephen works for Interac in Utah. I got to ask all kinds of questions. One thing I asked him, "I prefer to wash my hair every other day and usually on the second day I will put it in two braids. Is that ok or too inappropriate for Japanese schools?" He sucked air through his teeth and said, "Well, give it six months and then go ahead and do it. That way they'll be used to you. They will know you're not being disrespectful (etc)." So I've finally hit more than 6 months. I wasn't planning on doing braids until the Spring (because of the cold), but as I mentioned above, today was HOT. So lacking my big clip to put my hair up, I went to the bathroom, bit the bullet, and braided my hair. When I got back to the office, I noticed the VPs noticing me. They didn't smile or frown but seemed surprised. I decided I would proceed as though everything was normal. (Not act guilty) Well after cleaning time suddenly Sato-sensei is at my desk. "What do you call it?" Gestures to my hair. With a sinking feeling in my gut, "Braids?" "In Japanese, Okage or okagegami." Me: waiting in misery for the trouble, "Inappropriate?" Sato-sensei: "When I meet my wife at university, she has the same hair. I love okage. Very pretty." Me: "... Thank you!" WHEW! It was AWESOME. Man the Japanese are so solemn. I was sure I was in trouble. LOL YAY!
Evening:
- ate a quick dinner
- got to message Jerod (after school and into the evening)
- went to tutoring, went very well (she bought me a cookie for standing me up last week)
- got back home, elders showed up
- they got my bike fixed! (the pedals needed help)
- we chatted for a bit, now I'm writing this
Notes: It was nice to chat with the elders. They're so sweet. They got me a seat cover (since the one I have hurts my .. shikyu no ie! - hahahaha! That seems like a nice way to put it. "Uterus house.") They got the pedals fixed and grabbed me some oil. They also didn't tell me the full price - they told me how much they would accept. Oh! And yesterday, SHEESH, here I'm thinking this blessing the Tahitian elder is giving me in French is going to be awesome (it was) and I said, "My name will be said correctly!" Ya, not even CLOSE. He didn't worse than the American and Kiwi elder! He anglisized it and .. ew. LOL It's FRENCH! Anyway, the blessing was nice. Afterwards the elders figured out I had a fashion degree and started asking me all kinds of questions (they're SO funny). So tonight when the elders came by, they had to show me the clothes they bought and get my input. It's really flattering and very cute. Very funny too. They're my little brothers! I hope none of them get transferred. :/ Course that doesn't mean we'll get "bad" missionaries, we just have a really great bunch now! I've only not gotten along with one. -- He was kinda mean to me. :/ Oh well, too focused on going home I guess. Doesn't matter now! Hope you all have a great night and hope I can sleep! Love you! XOXO, A
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| A student's worksheet: writing about a friend's favorite TV Show. Erotic seems too specific to have been written in error. WHAT THE!? Me: "0.o Really!?" |
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