Things in Japan are improving for me. My students absolutely love me, which is good, especially since I am not so much as trying to teach them english rather than to get them doing anything at all. Most Japanese students are robots. They read, momorize, and then take a test.... that is it. Their comprehension and involvement is low for english, but also other things; outside of the memorization a lot of times they are stuck. I have become very active in making them express themselves and it is starting to work. The teachers now say they are more interested in english, speak up and clearly (they mumble a ton), try even if they think they could be wrong, and participate. The main points I am pushing is speaking clear and directly mixed with pronunciation and implementation of what they actually are learning in everyday life. The Japanese teachers can focus on the grammar for now, all you need for that is a book, but flow and often times context is lacking in the text books.
I really have to distract myself due to recent events with Rachel. It's hard to say, but I am single now. It really has me at wits end. So there is the reason for the distraction. Everyone is now trying to hook me up with their daughters or friends, but I am not too interested at the moment, I appreciate their attempts to keep me out of the "gutter" though.
On a brighter note one of my schools that I will prolly talk a lot about in the future has taken a sure liking to me. Miyahara staff took me out to dinner on Friday. It was not a normal dinner, but a nomihodai (all you can drink) and a fancy meal of all you can eat. It was under 50 bucks too, however, I could not pay, they would not allow it. A gift. Was awesome, got hammered off beer and shouchu ( sweet potato vodka-like Japanses moonshine). Was good times all around. Then several teachers and I went and had a wake of sorts to mourn my relationships passage at a nearby pub. I am not sure if I remember everything from the rest of that night. Aren't you proud of me mom?!
A post or so back I commented on pigeons. Today I saw a group of them while I was waiting for the bus. They were milling around a big pile of crumbs. Then two for some reason got really pissed at eachother, puffed up and started pecking at eachother like hell. Feathers were flying, people avoided them by a good margin (prolly as not to lose a leg, hehe), and I think people were placing bets on the bench next to me. Then I think one lost an eye and flew off quick like, the victor held the field. I now know why pigeons don't flee from you in Japan, they could probably kick my ass. Japan pigeons = blackbelts.
It also turns out that I am now the stength training, high jump and shot put head coach for Miyahara Junior High and High School. I was worried at first because it has been so long since I last did it. I fortunately remembered enough and checked up with some books before practice today. I have a group of kids that are all great and two that really have promise. A girl high jumper Chiho and a boy who is a sprinter and shot putter Sataru. They loved my practice as it was hard and challenging, they learned a lot, and was very fun. I look forward to next practice.
I also get to go visit Hiroe in Fukouka next weekend.... I get to take a 700 shinkansen... bullet train baby! The 700's are the fastest kind too!
Oh P.S.: Apparently everyone at Miyahara JHS thinks Luke has played in the NBA. They asked if you did one day and I replied that you could have and that you did play college ball. I think there was a translation error, lol. Now no matter how many times I tell them otherwise, Luke is still an ex-NBA player. Uh, fan club got larger Luke. Sorry.
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