In my Element...

I have finally returned to my place in this upside down Japanese world. After a whole three months away I came back to my elementary classes. I’m at Rakuo today, which was my old base school last school year. It was nice to see all of my kids again. And in response I think they were happy to see me too. Even kids I have no idea who they were, were saying “That’s Lee Sensei, the English Teacher.” And I don7t like to brag but it was music to my ears.

I was somewhat reluctant to come to Rakuo because of the demonic sixth graders, (last years fifth graders). Well they weren’t that bad compared to my other school but they could get under your skin really fast. I walked into my usual English teaching room, and when the kids came in I was super surprised. They were acting like, “nice kids.” They all came in somewhat quietly; all of them gave me very enthusiastic “Hi’s” and waited for my instruction. I guess the teacher really has a big influence on the way the students act. Last year the fifth grade teachers were all push over types and the kids totally walked all over them. This year they moved up the old fourth grade teacher and one of the male teachers and the class is totally different. And it’s not like the teachers are Nazis or anything, I pretty sure that all they did was put kids in their place when they started to act all crazy. All I know is that I think this year is going to be much better than last year. And the best part is that I’m only at my first elementary school out of the 7 that I have. Things can only get better right?

Well the past few days have been pretty interesting. On Saturday we went to a friend’s house to celebrate her boyfriend’s birthday. It was a nice little party that had many people drinking and having fun. We played a few drinking games that I’ve never played for thus my very drunken state Saturday night. Than early Sunday morning (12:00 pm) we had another kickball day. The kickball days have been more frequent due to the Kyoto-Fu JETs calling us out. Kyoto-Fu are the JETs placed in the country part of Kyoto, Japan. Anyway we Kyoto-Shi (city JETs) are taking the kickball tournament to be something very serious and fierce. Anyway we had planned on going to the field to do some scrimmage but not enough people showed up so went carried on Plan B. Plan B was to have a small barbeque right there on the field. The barbeque was lots of fun and totally delicious! We had barbeque chicken, sausages, hot dogs, and beef. Man was it good, oh and yeah we had some vegetables…

But anyway the two Sakata girls should be coming in a few days now. Haven’t really started cleaning but just a few minutes ago Krystal looked at me seriously and said, “Tomorrow, definitely, we have to clean.” Sigh… again… sigh…

Oh and on a side note, we have been watching Family Guy and on one of the episodes, they do a spoof of Willy Wonka but it’s about a brewery not a chocolate factory. And here’s how the song went, sing to “Pure Imagination.”

Take a drink and you’ll sink to a state of pure inebriation
You’ll be tanked like the whole Irish nation
When you drink enough of my beer, you will find this magic rule
Make your every joke a jewel, you’ll drive drunker than Oksana Baiul
Go on buds, drink my suds ‘til you reach that pure inebriation
Though the beer may be free, you’re just renting it from me…

Hahahahaaha, that Family Guy show always cracks me up!