Weather's Changing

It's finally cooling off in Tokyo. I'm going to try to make the most of the nice weather before it gets cold. I've posted some more photos from one of the elementary schools in working in. I'm starting to get closer with the other teachers and the students. Each day provides a challenge and lots of fun too. The kids serve lunch and clean up the school afterwards. Very different from my elementary experience. I don't know how it would fly in the States, but I think it works great to give the kids a sense of responsibility. One thing that really hits me deep is how much they help each other. They are truly kind to each other, for the most part.

Respect for Elders Day

Tomorrow is a national holiday. I haven't been able to get confirmation on the exact name, but as far as I can tell it is a holiday to pay respect to our elders. This is not limited to family. In honor of this holiday, I have been giving up my seat on the train for those that look old enough. They seem to be very thankful, I just hope I'm not insulting them in anyway. My jobs have been great, but I am under the weather and overworked. The first photo is from one of my 5th grade elementary classes. We had a great time that day, even though I was running a fever. The second photo is from the office I work in teaching adults. I've been sick for over two weeks now. I began to feel better about a week ago, when another version of the cold hit me. This time I have a sore throat, congestion and fever. I finally found some decent medicine, which is treating the symptoms very well. I only have two days off this month, so it will be a while before I get a good rest. Please pray for my mom, she's having knee surgery this Monday. I wish there was an easy way to go home when I wanted.

It's Elementary...

I have completed my first day at both elementary schools that I will be working in. There is so much I could say about my experience so far. Both schools are amazing, but with very different lesson plans. The smaller of the two, has a very strict class agenda that includes video, songs and book reading. All levels 1-6 at this school, have the exact same lesson plan each day. I have found that it is too difficult for the 1st grade, too easy for the 6th grade and boring for all grades after the first time. It's more like repetition than learning. The lesson consists of singing the same hello song, rainbow song, reading the same book and singing the goodbye song each day. I have lost any ego that I might have had after singing the rainbow song for the 10th time in the same day. The principal created this lesson himself, so for the time being I will not offer my criticism of it. He is a very kind hearted man, and I spent much time with him the first day. Perhaps when he feels comfortable with me, I will introduce him to some new ideas. The second school, which is one of the largest elementary schools in Tokyo is very different. The lesson plans are progressive and I have full authority to create, alter or supplement the lessons. I believe the students will be much more interested and learn more useful English skills. I will be challenged here each day to create the most effective lesson plan for the students. Having said all this, both schools are full of "genki" (energetic, happy) children that really make the job fun. I have never had a more rewarding experience in my life. In fact if I didn't need the money, I would do it for free. There is no way to describe the feeling of having a mob of "genki" children drag you down the hallway to your next destination. Whenever I walk through the buildings, I am constantly barraged with smiles, hellos, high fives, hand shakes, tugs and kind comments from the children. I feel moved to do my very best for these kids. There will be much more to come on my experiences in the classroom. Oyasuminasai.

Summer Cold

I've been battling a cold for the last week, it's strangely different than those I am used to. The symptoms are mainly fatigue and fever. I am feeling much better now, which is good because I start work at two new schools this week. I had my first students at gaba this past weekend, and besides the fever, everything went very well. Teaching can be a very rewarding experience. I will post more on this as my experience grows.
I found a wonderful ramen shop conveniently close to where I live. Tonkatsu ramen is on the top of my list right now.Hope that everyone back home is doing ok. Everyone here is concerned for all the hurricane victims.