This will be a 3-fold posting.
The following few shots are from the track n' field day at school. The Undokai as it's called is a chance for the students to blow off some steam and a covert excuse not to have classes. I don't see it serving a real purpose other than that. The grades 1-3 have a chance to "play" running and field events and the Sr. students are suppose to shepard the Jr. students. I think most kids have a pretty good time. I haven't gotten a lot of inspired shots lately, but these were some of my favorites from that day-long event. I have heard from other teachers that this is a much bigger deal at other schools with the parents being more involved and having parties afterwards. Just another reason I think I live in the Japanese equvilant of Plymouth, WI. No such excitement here. I think I saw one parent watching the day's events too.
This boy was accepted to the prefectural all-star basket ball team as a guard, he is also a great judo-"player" and an all around good kid. Since he's in 2nd grade he is one of my more entertaining students.
wonky highjump, kid had some springs for sure.
Must be a 2nd grade thing not to be co-ordinated. Chiemi is one of the popular girls (as far as my limited round western eyes can tell).
This is Chiemi one of my 2nd graders. Good student, not such a good high jumper.
This little sugarpuff is a 3rd grader named Utaro, decent kid and curious. English is aweful, but he's very good at cards and he likes to talk a little so I like being around him. He's begining his "too-cool" phase now conversations are like spilled water in the desert--drying out quick.
Utaro-my little sugarplum fairy
This is Nishi (right side) and Mizuki. Both Baseballer and both small. But with a personality that fills the room. I like them both a ton. Nishi will probably have the least fear of foreigners by the time he's an adult but the most pornographic vocabulary around--he will probably make most sailors blush.
This is Mizuki and Hiromitsu (I call him Nishiyama, because Nishi is his last name and Yama means mountain and of course that means he's one of the smallest guys in class). Nishi also has the makings for the most perverted award. I'm grooming him to be a good High School kid that will raise holy hell with the teachers.
2nd Trip to Nara
My 2nd trip to Nara was as good as the first. Seth (the veteran Teacher from up the hill) took the new guy (Big Mac) me and his girlfriend up to the city for some sightseeing. It was a sweet time. Mac is from Chicago so thusly, as a person from WI, I hate him.
Big Mac Goint through the Buddha's nose at Nara. He's not particularly big, but his name is Mac. He's from Chicago-I dislike him already (FIB) :D
Keiko and big Mac with their little friend.
One of the many friendly deer at Nara. This time most of the deer have had their antlers removed so the atmosphere was way mellower. The does actually were nice enough to just chill out and let you pet them like dogs.
Big Mac and a really BIG bell, if I remember right this bad-boy weighed 16-17 tons.
Keiko, one of the teacher's girlfriend's. Not a great shot.
Teachers are always too busy..my ass.... This one is for the other ALTs that come to my blog. I want to make a poster of this and blow it up. This guy along with many other teachers I see sleeping constantly.zzzzzz..
Yesterday I went to the Hidaka HS Bunkasai (I think that's like School Festival). I took a handful of pictures and none of them turned out. grrr. I had a good time at a lot of cheap and decent food. My only complaint is that the party got out too fast. I enjoyed hanging out with the 3-17 year old English Club girls. They fauned on my every move,..at first I just ignored it but after I realized one of them was always touching me I had to try a bit to keep my puritanical roots from lashing out. I had a good time and I'm still glad I don't teach HS classes, I would be certifiable after one year (just look at the HS teacher...)
crazy?
That's all for now folks, bye- bye...
said...
Derek....is all your beautiful hair shorn off?!!!! I see all's well with you, if you care to email it's
sara_tytor73@hotmail.com
Take care...
sara