Back to School
9/1/04
Thought High School was over, didn't you? However, this school year is going to be much better than "required" High School. Let’s see where to begin:
In the morning I rode with a pack of green pants to school along the bike path. In the opposite direction went the blue pants, apparently to a different school in town. It was strangely reminiscent of West Side Story, and I half expected the Sharks and Jets to throw down their bikes and break into a highly choreographed brawl.
Arriving at school I got quite a few stares, but everyone was very eager to say hello (or giggle behind my back, in the case of most girls). I parked my bike, changed into the school sandals, and went to the teacher's lounge. After a quick teacher's meeting I was introduced to the staff. There is an English teacher named John Davey from Toronto who knows a little Japanese. After the meeting I went to my home room. I introduced myself to the class, and noticed that the two guys who visited my house are in my homeroom. That means I already have a few friends. The class broke into groups which cleaned the school, then filed into the gym for the opening ceremony. Most students sat on the floor, but I had a seat with the Canadian teacher and principal on either side. The principal gave an introductory speech, and so did the teacher from Toronto (in Japanese and slow English). I gave a small speech that seemed well received (everyone seems to be too polite to make me believe otherwise). After a few teachers spoke, I was escorted back to the principal’s office for introductions and a short question and answer session about myself. Most classes had testing so I rode my bike home for lunch.
As I arrived home I found the front door locked. Zhang Shu (the girl from China who is also staying with the Watanabes) and Shoko had gone out for a while, and I had forgotten my key in the house. The Watanabes have two dogs. One is very friendly but smells bad, the other does not like me and bites. So I crept, ever so carefully, into the back yard to the porch door, hoping it would be open and I would not wake the dogs. Luckily, the door was open and only the smelly dog was disturbed. I'll remember to take my key tomorrow.
Around 2 o’ clock I went back to school because the students were traveling to Uno Station to help with some typhoon cleanup. Andee and I walked together and talked a little bit, then spent the next two hours packing wet magazines and cardboard boxes into garbage bags in a local shop. Andee and I then walked back with some other students from the school. He showed me around and told me about the different clubs. I am thinking of joining Kendo, ping pong, or Shogi (Japanese chess), but I'm sure I will have time to visit most of the clubs.
Andee and I rode our bikes back home. Shoko had to pick Shun up at school, so Zhang Shu (her Japanese name is Jittan) and I made dinner. She is 20, a Japanese major in college, and understands English very well but cannot speak much. She also knows Chinese, so we had a very multi-lingual evening making chicken, mashed potatoes, rice, broccoli, and a salad.
So much fun.
Thought High School was over, didn't you? However, this school year is going to be much better than "required" High School. Let’s see where to begin:
In the morning I rode with a pack of green pants to school along the bike path. In the opposite direction went the blue pants, apparently to a different school in town. It was strangely reminiscent of West Side Story, and I half expected the Sharks and Jets to throw down their bikes and break into a highly choreographed brawl.
Arriving at school I got quite a few stares, but everyone was very eager to say hello (or giggle behind my back, in the case of most girls). I parked my bike, changed into the school sandals, and went to the teacher's lounge. After a quick teacher's meeting I was introduced to the staff. There is an English teacher named John Davey from Toronto who knows a little Japanese. After the meeting I went to my home room. I introduced myself to the class, and noticed that the two guys who visited my house are in my homeroom. That means I already have a few friends. The class broke into groups which cleaned the school, then filed into the gym for the opening ceremony. Most students sat on the floor, but I had a seat with the Canadian teacher and principal on either side. The principal gave an introductory speech, and so did the teacher from Toronto (in Japanese and slow English). I gave a small speech that seemed well received (everyone seems to be too polite to make me believe otherwise). After a few teachers spoke, I was escorted back to the principal’s office for introductions and a short question and answer session about myself. Most classes had testing so I rode my bike home for lunch.
As I arrived home I found the front door locked. Zhang Shu (the girl from China who is also staying with the Watanabes) and Shoko had gone out for a while, and I had forgotten my key in the house. The Watanabes have two dogs. One is very friendly but smells bad, the other does not like me and bites. So I crept, ever so carefully, into the back yard to the porch door, hoping it would be open and I would not wake the dogs. Luckily, the door was open and only the smelly dog was disturbed. I'll remember to take my key tomorrow.
Around 2 o’ clock I went back to school because the students were traveling to Uno Station to help with some typhoon cleanup. Andee and I walked together and talked a little bit, then spent the next two hours packing wet magazines and cardboard boxes into garbage bags in a local shop. Andee and I then walked back with some other students from the school. He showed me around and told me about the different clubs. I am thinking of joining Kendo, ping pong, or Shogi (Japanese chess), but I'm sure I will have time to visit most of the clubs.
Andee and I rode our bikes back home. Shoko had to pick Shun up at school, so Zhang Shu (her Japanese name is Jittan) and I made dinner. She is 20, a Japanese major in college, and understands English very well but cannot speak much. She also knows Chinese, so we had a very multi-lingual evening making chicken, mashed potatoes, rice, broccoli, and a salad.
So much fun.
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