Demo class

All the new English teachers in the Nagasaki prefecture had a 3 day long meeting at my school. The meeting involved a couple of demonstration classes, one of which Fukuda sensei and I did.

There were many people who came for the demo class..the 20 new English teachers are required to attend, then there were 6 or 7 English teachers from my school, the principal, the vice principal, the head of the board of education of the Nagasaki prefecture. It felt like there were too many people..

The week leading up to this demonstration class was so busy (with business trips etc) that Fukuda sensei and I didn't have much time to go through what we would do. But the class ended up going really well! The students are great (which makes our work much easier!) and we got lots of positive feedback. I'm just glad it's over!!

Later on in the evening, we had an enkai. All the English teachers from my school and the new English teachers attended. I had a good time!

My poor toe..

I rammed my toe into the side of my kitchen counter yesterday, which resulted in my big toe's nail coming off.

Here's a picture for your viewing pleasure....

I dont think I normally have many people stepping on my feet, but it seems like today it happened way too many times.

First, while the students were moving their chairs around in class to make groups, a chair was accidentaly placed on my toe and someone sat on it. Needless to say, it HURT.

Then later on in the evening, during volleyball practice, someone landed on my foot, that's right-the one with the hurt toe.

Other than my toenail coming off, I'm doing well.

Team SEVEN

why 'Seven'? no one knows....it's an English name, so it's cool.

Hirai san came by my place bright and early to pick me up. We met the rest of the group at the Chiwata hospital and from there made our way downtown to Shimin Kaikan where the tournament was being held.

It was WAY TOO HOT. The gym didn't have any windows because.....well, i'm not sure. I know the badminton finals are often held in the same gym, and that the slightest breeze can affect the game so you don't want any kind of outside wind movment. But you always have the option of closing windows when you don't want a breeze...

When you walk into the gym, you are greeted with thick, warm (and not-so-good smelling) air. It felt like walking into a sauna. Without having done any physical activity, you start to sweat...

In this warm and smelling gym, we had 4 games. It was a lot of fun, won 2 games and lost 2. I wish i had brought my camera to take pictures!

When we got home in the early evening, I was all Japanesed-out. Not being able to communicate properly really takes its toll on you..

Happy Father's day, dad!!

Starting to get a little warm

Twice a week I practice regular volleyball (not mini). I practice with a mama san team (all members are mothers). We have a game tomorrow, but since I'm not a 'mama' I can't participate in the game. I'll be playing in a mini volleyball tournament instead tomorrow.

Although people have been saying that the weather is not as warm as it usually is this time of year (thank goodness), it's still getting kinda sticky. After practice today we all looked like we've taken a dip in a pool with our clothes.

I'm not sure how I will be able to cop once the weather gets even warmer than it already is!

English International Day

I spent the day at Isahaya Shogyo (Commercial) High School, with one section of 3rd year students and 8 ALTs from around Nagasaki. This is the fourth time that I've gone to this school, so many of the students I have known since they were 1st year students. Many have done homestays in Canada, Australia or New Zealand, so their English is quite good.

Once again, each ALT was assigned to a smaller group, and we did all kinds of activities.

The highlight of the day were skits that they had prepared. They were hilarious!

These were the students who were in my group.

There's an Australian exchange student who is in this class. I was happy to meet her, because she agreed to come to Seiryo to help with the 'Australia Day' that I'm organizing! About 30 2nd year students at my school will be doing a homestay in Australia this summer. Last year, I had invited 7 Australian ALTs to come and do presentations and activities with the students to learn a little about Australia. It was a great success! The teachers have asked me to do the same again this year. Unfortunately, all the ALTs who came last year are no longer in Japan! I have only been able to find one Australian ALT who will be able to make it. So it'll be nice to have this Australian exchange student come too!

Time flies..

Today went by so quickly at school! Not being at school for 3 days this week has really made the 2 other days crazy busy. Between teaching classes, doing interview tests at lunch and after school, getting through correcting the 300 odd journals, organizing the 'Australia Day', preparing for a demonstration class coming up next Tuesday, etc.. time just flies.

I found out today that I will helping with the prefecture wide testing for new English teachers. Once a year, there's a test that people must take in order to qualify as a teacher. Apparently, it's very difficult to pass. There are three components, a writing, reading and speaking component. The ALT's responsable for helping with the interview/discussion part. There's an information meeting that we have to attend in preparation for this test, which means that I'll be away from school again for one day next week.

I will be going to bed really early tonight.

2 day English Camp (June 13-14)

I left early this morning for Isahaya station where I met up with some other ALTs and a Japanese English teacher. From there, we headed to this camp area where we stayed for a couple of days.

The school organizing this event was Nishi Nagasaki High School. The results of prefectural tests always put this high school way above all others, so as a result the entrance to this school is very competitive.

There was one section of 1st year students (1-1), 8 ALTs, a Japanese English teacher, and couple of other teachers. Each ALT was assigned to a group of 5 or 6 students. We did many kinds of activities, played games, put on skits, sang the camp song etc. It was a lot of fun, but also very tiring.

Around 9:45pm, the organized activities were done for the day. The students then went to a classroom to study. Around 10:15pm they had to write a test. They cannot afford to spend one day not studying just because they're at camp. That's just wrong to have to write a test in the evening while you're at camp!

The day before arriving at the camp, I received an email from the Nishi Nagasaki ALT saying that everyone can bring their own beer for the evening, after the kiddies are put to bed. I was a little surprised..thinking that it was just among the ALTs, I thought it's probably not such a great idea to be promoting drinking at a school event..what if teachers found out. But once at the camp, I found out that it's very common for all the teachers to get together and have a drinking party later in the evening.

When I got back to my school, I was telling Fukuda sensei that I was surprised that drinking at a school event is ok. At the start of the year, all the first year students and teachers will spend 3-4 days together at a camp. During this time, homeroom teachers and students will get to know each other, school rules are explained and enforced (greetings, how to behave etc..). She said that often, the parents of students will send along drinks for the teachers as a thank you present for looking after their kids while at camp. What kind of example does that set for the students?...

It was a fun couple of days, but at the same time really exhausting! I had a good group, the students worked well together, so it made my job really easy.

At the end of the camp, the students gave me a nice thank you card!

Tomorrow, I have many classes because I will be away from school again on Friday. I'm looking forward to getting some sleep!

Mini Volleyball

Every Monday night, I practice mini volleyball. I'd never heard of mini volleyball before coming to Japan. It's played in teams of 4, on a badminton-sized court. When standing at the net with my arms straight up, my fingers stick over the net. The ball is about twice the size of a standard volleyball and is really soft.

A couple of months ago, when Uchida sensei had first told me there was volleyball practices that I could join on Monday nights I didn't realize it was mini volleyball till I went to one of the practices. I was really surprised when I first saw people playing. There's about 16 or so people who come regularly. Although at first it looked kinda strange (at least to me it did), it's actually a lot of fun.

I don't know if everyone who comes belongs to the same team or what. About a month ago, I was asked if I was free on Sunday June 18th, I said yes, then didn't hear anything more about it. I didn't realize that it was because there's a tournament on that day that they were asking. So I ended up being placed on a team, and we'll be playing this Sunday. One of the 3 people I'll be playing with I met for the first time tonight. Suddenly, there's all this new positioning. It's a bit difficult because I don't understand a lot of what people say.

Anyways, Takashima san lent me her uniform for the game. When I asked where the tournament was going to be held, there was a lot of talking then someone said that they'll come pick me up. So I have no idea where it will be held.

I'm not sure what to expect..We'll see how it goes..!

Dinner in Hamanomachi

I went downtown this evening to meet Narumi. Walking out of the parking lot near Hamanomachi, I ran into Shimizu sensei! I was really surprised to see her because she now lives in the Goto islands.

She was the English teacher who was responsable for the English club at Seiryo when I first came. She was transfered to one of the islands this year. She has a 7-year old son and a 4-year old daughter. Her husband is also a teacher, but was not transfered this year, which means that she lives on the island with her daughter, and her husband takes care of their son. As often as she can, she flies to Nagasaki city on the weekends so that they can spend time together as a family. It must be really difficult for teachers to raise a family when husbands and wives have to move every 6 years, sometimes being placed in schools that are so far apart from each other that they can only see each only a few times a month.

Shimizu sensei is a great lady, it was a nice surprise to run into her!


I met Narumi and some of her friends downtown this evening. We had dinner together, in Hamanomachi. Then headed to her place, where I met Narumi's husband who is a French professor at the univeristy in Nagasaki. It was really nice being able to use my French again. Ended up staying at their place till the wee hours in the morning, just chatting.

Made it home just as the 4am Argentina game was starting. Who needs sleep?...

The World Cup has begun!

I watched the opening ceremony and first game. Unfortunately, because of the time difference, the games are on really late (if I want to watch them live). The first game starts at 10pm, next at 1am then 4am.

Makes it a little difficult when I have work the next day!

Kosotai Enkai

I spent the day at Bunko, then headed back to Seiryo to meet up with the teachers going to the Kosotai enkai this evening.

This enkai was for the whole school. In addition to the 70 or so teachers, there were members of the PTA that attended as well. I got to know the new vice-principal better, it's the first time we've ever spoken. Turns out he can speak English quite well!

The evening ended with everyone in a circle, arms around each other, swaying from side to side while singing the school song. The vice-principal happened to be beside me, and pulled out the words to the school song...I thought it was funny that he keeps a copy of the words to the school song is his wallet.

It was a pleasant evening!

Day 4 of the Kosotai

No school today! (daikyu)

I went to watch the volleyball finals in Omura. It was best out of 5 games. It ended up going to the 5th game, ending at 12-15. Very close! I still can't get over how high the level of play is. I enjoyed watching them play!

Day 3 of the Kosotai

The boy's game was held in the Omura Shihato Centaa. The third game finished at 24-26 for the opposite team. They played so well and the game was so close...it's a pity they lost!

Kitano sensei and I went out for lunch together, then headed back to the center to watch the quarter finals. The level of play is outstanding.

Kitano sensei came over and we spent the rest of the afternoon/early evening together. When she left, I went to my volleyball practice. Watching the students play has motivated me to push myself harder at practice.

Day 2 of the Kosotai

I went back to Omura to see the girls this morning. They were playing against Kuy Bun (from Sasebo).

Kyu Bun is the number one team in Japan. The captain was named best high school player in all of Japan last year. Whereas with other teams you can see who is the setter, hitter, digger during the warm up, you can't tell with this team. All the players are about 6 feet tall, and they can all dig, set and hit really well. It was just beautiful watching them play, every play was perfect.

Seiryo was no match for this team. They lost both games, but they gave it their best shot!

I went back to Seiryo to watch the boy's game. I thought yesterday's game was exciting, well. It was nothing compared to today! They were playing against a really strong team, they lost the first set and won the second 23-25. The third set was close the whole way, but they won 25-27! The gym was packed, and when they won everyone was jumping up and down and hugging each other! It was so warm in the gym, we were all icky and sweaty from all the cheering and the jumping up and down. They won, woohoo!

Tomorrow will be the finals, at 12 pm. Kitano sensei and I had originally planned to go see kendo together on Monday, but will be going to Omura instead to watch the boy's final.

Volleyball-filled day

I went to Omura city this morning to watch the girl's volleyball game. It was held in the very large Omura Shihato centaa. The girls were playing against the Iki team.

The girls volleyball club has close to 30 members, so they had a large group (made up mostly of 1st year students, and a few 2nd year students) cheering in the bleachers.

The girls won both matches! So they've qualified for the next round of games which will being held tomorrow.

When a game finishes, the team members will go the opposite team's coach, make a half circle around them, then all bow saying 'arigato gozaimashita' (thank you-polite).

From Omura, I then went to see the boy's volleyball team. Because the game was held at Seiryo, there were lots of people cheering for them. The whole baseball team showed up in their baseball attire, the girls' volleyball team, the Kikitsu junior high school volleyball team (hoping to enter Seiryo next year), many parents, Seiryo teachers and Seiryo students. The noise was deafening!!

The schools in Japan have only one sports team per school, as oppose to having 2 or 3 teams depending on the students grade (ie grade 9-midget, grade10/11 junior, grade 12-senior). So the team will be made up of 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students. There is a lot of emphasis put on learning from your elders (not that the 3rd year students are THAT old..). The older students are the models for the younger students, and really take it to heart. The younger students show a lot of respect to the older students. I think it prepares them for life in Japanese society, where the idea of 'sempai' is very strong.

The result of having teams made up of all grades is that 1st year students generally don't play in any of the games, but rather practice as hard as they can everyday after school and try to become as good as their sempais. It is very unusual to have a first year student play during the kosotai.

The boy's volleyball team didn't have many 2nd year students who joined last year, so once the 3rd year students from last year graduated, there were few members. They ended up having 2 out of the 6 players be 1st year students! There's a big difference between 15 and 18 year olds, especially for boys.

They lost the first match, but then won the second match 23-25. Throughout the 3rd game, the score was even, and Seiryo ended up winning 22-25! It was such an exciting game to watch!!

When the game ended, the team members lined up infront of the bleachers facing us, then all bowed and yelled 'arigato gozaimashita'. Then they run to the other side (where the students were all cheering) and do the same. And then the opposite side of the bleachers.

I came home and got ready for my volleyball practice.

Today was all about volleyball...!

I'm now (almost) blond

I had the day off from school today (daikyu) because I will be working on both Saturday and Sunday. Very loose meaning of 'working'... All teachers are expect to show up at a sports event of their choice and cheer for the Seiryo teams.

I've been in need of a haircut for a while, having gotten my last haircut back in December. Since I won't be heading back to Canada this summer to visit my regular hairdresser, I decided to find a place here.

I spent the day downtown doing shopping, and looking for a place that looked decent, preferably somewhere where they spoke some English, to get a haircut.

I found a place called Shinju International (http://www.shinju.co.jp ). Turns out that one of the hairdressers there speaks fluent English, having worked in the US for a few years. All the staff was very friendly and talkative.

Because my hair was in such bad shape....he had to cut my hair really short. For some reason, the highlights look more like I coloured my hair blond. Here I am, having just got back from the hairdresser's. My hair is SOO short!

(before)

(after)

I can't decide if I like this new haircut.