Thank you for happy 2

My most enjoyable part of the schedule would be this class. Far from the best in English proficiency, far from the best in terms of GPA, these kids wanted to talk and wanted to speak in English.

I've learned about the comedy of Hard Gay with this class. I've practiced "Janga Janga". I've taken and shown photos. I've even taught English and enjoyed every minute of these lessons.

I can't narrow down my favourite student in this class, but I'll make special note of the only boy doing the peace sign. He came to all but one of my lessons, despite having to work on the side, attendance problems, breaking his foot, and a generally difficult time at school. I'm really hoping he'll come to the interview exam before everything's finished. In Japan, 100% of success is showing up.

Thank you for happy

My year is all but finished. I have 2 scheduled classes to go. About two months ago, in the final lesson I taught to my 3rd year Shonan kids, one of my team teachers had the students write me thank you notes. I even got two or three notes that contained some form of English. A team teacher at my other school thought this was a great idea and did the same.

There were lesser moments to this experience, but I'll only focus on my favourite parts...

The "Dear Lyle teacher" book was decorated by, and has a lengthy note from a student who lives near me. She talks to me at the station sometimes, and is a genuinely pleasant person. My mother and sister have met her...although they mistook her for someone 10 years older.

The mickey mouse book has the greatest note I have ever received. Keep in mind this was written by a girl who has little English education, and less opportunity to practice. Correct the mistakes yourself as you read it. "I love Lyle. The mind was broken by Lyle. I'm looking forward to seeing you again!! Your painting is very good. Your cat is very cute (heart) And Lyle is very cool. Please never forgive me!! Thank you very much!!

Satsuki 2: The Quickening

I found my DVD of photos from fall, and it happens to have one of Satsuki. She always looks like that too. When I saw her wearing a turban of head bandaging she still looked pretty much like that.

I had one last lesson with her, and she thanked me for the card. (Actually she thanked me for the letter, than changed her mind and thanked me for the postcard. I'm just happy she knew any English at all to get her point across. I sure didn't teach her anything to help.)

She does have a decent gouge left across the right half of her forehead, but, I was a little sad when I noticed she changed the part in her hair. That was actually the defining moment of my week.

The goofy guy is Yoshinobu, Yoshino..., Yoshi-something, from the kyudo club. Apparently a fairly good player.

The rest of the pictures

Couldn't fit everything in last time.

Drinks and photos

Went out for drinks at my friends' bar, DIVA, last night. They actually have secret identities, so, I just won't mention any names. I was going through some of my school photos with Oyama-kun and the mother, and, as it turns out, one of the girls working there is the older sister of one of my students. Even in Japan, it's a small world.

I got some photos from New Years, the New Years before that, and the Christmas party held at DIVA. One thing is clearly evidenced by these photos, I'm an idiot whatever holiday it is.

Satsuki

A great student of mine, Satsuki, was recently injured. She was doing some weight training when the weight machine she was using fell, and cut open her forehead. She looks fine, but she got stitches and everyone talks as if she were near death at the time. Stitches are scary in Japan I guess.

I drew this picture to give her as a get well card. I'm a little worried if her excellent sense of humour survived the accident enough to appreciate being drawn as a zombie with a scarred forehead. I won't get to know her reaction though as I passed the card on to her homeroom teacher.

Out with the boys...

Last night I toured around Omiya with two teachers from my bigger school. We spent some time in izakaya, where I tried a variety of vegetarian-friendly dishes that I couldn't really identify. We also went bowling. I didn't win the strike game this time, but no one else would wear the costume.

The other photo features the same two teachers, the newest of my team teachers, and my favourite bar in Japan. That was definitely in September, judging by the sweat.

Bowling

I played pretty well last night. It may be one of the last bowling nights, as Mark will be off to New Zealand shortly. Yukie came out this time too. She doesn't quite have the pose thing working yet, but it was her first try after all.

ボウリングの後はいっしょにカラオケへ行きました。私は歌わなかったけど。南与野に帰った時マアクと駅前いざかやで飲みすぎました。今日は休みの日だ。イエイ。