Quick but long update from Ono-cho

I feel so sneaky. I’ve decided to write the occasional post on my computer so I can pop it onto my blog when I use the internet-enabled everyone computer at work for printing. This means I don’t have to cramp my poor thumbs typing on my cell phone to e-mail people. The poor thing will recognize and suggest Japanese words after the first character or two but doesn’t know any English words.

Anyways, work is going well. I went and watched my kendo club two mornings this week and they’re awesome. I adore my children more than I can say! I actually think I’m happier working at a ‘rough’ school than I would be at a ‘good’ school. These kids are really good kids (on the inside, outward appearances and behaviour can be deceiving) they just don’t like to study. I can’t blame them, I didn’t like French much when I had to learn it myself either. But, they’ve got lots of energy outside of class so I hope I can harness that in class. If not, oh well. I’ll hang out with them at clubs and lunch and the like. Next week is opening ceremony and self-intro week so I’m excited. We have our annual Sports Day next Saturday, too, and I’m on Blue Team so I get to practice with them all week!

My teachers don’t come and ask me for anything. So I’ve started hunting them down and harassing them. I’ve come up with some ideas for each level of class based on the textbook so I ask them if that’s the kind of thing they had in mind, if they think it would be okay, all that stuff. I think they’re lying sometimes when they say it looks good but hopefully that will pass when they realize I don’t get bothered by that sort of thing. So far I think we’re set to go for the first week or two though. Now I just have to get all my materials printed off and practice my introduction. I spend a lot of time making clip-art since I don’t have access to the internet on my computer yet, too.

Speaking of printing I decided to invest in a printer and lo and behold the printer I wanted anyway was on sale for 13,000 yen down from 22,000! When I first got here I’d just take two zeros off each number to approximate the amount in dollars, so it’s a difference of about $100. I was so happy! It’s a lovely Canon scanner/printer/everything machine and I’ve been told that replacement Canon ink is cheap here.

When I’m out and about I occasionally get recognized by a kid and they yell my name and run over to say hi and then stand awkwardly near me because neither of us have the ability to converse well in the other’s language yet. I bug them a little in English anyway before saying, ‘See you’ which means they can go. It’s so nice! I’m feeling like I’m becoming more a part of the community.

Last week Elissa came to visit for two days and we had a lovely time wandering around when I was off work and shopping. Then this last weekend I went to visit Midori in her home town (her family is lovely!) and we went to Nara on Sunday. I was mobbed by the ‘friendly’ deer who wanted the deer cookies we’d bought and got to see the biggest Buddha statue in Japan and some gorgeous temples. I can’t wait until I can upload pictures again!

My only trouble on my trip was when I took the last bus from the train station home and picked the wrong one. Apparently there is another town with exactly the same kanji that’s south of Ogaki instead of north. But after a very stilted conversation with the poor bus driver and a few minutes of frustrated crying at a dark bus stop I called Ryan on my cell phone and we managed to figure out where I was using a road sign. I cannot be thankful enough for this because road signs are few and far between in Japan and I’d just gotten my cell phone on Friday. Anyway, he and Alice came and rescued me in her car so everything worked out okay. And now I know which bus I should not take again.

Actually I went to pick L up in Ogaki last night because she’d just gotten into Japan around lunch and was really jet-lagged. The way to Ogaki station is actually ridiculously easy! I was so pleased! No trouble getting there and back even in the dark! The map books they’ve got in Japan really are awesome. So she’s going to stay for the weekend before she goes on her pilgrimage in Shikoku which is exciting.

My other exciting news is that not only did I survive my first real adventure in Japan but I’ve got a drivable car now, too! Dan and Ryan helped my get my insurance over the past few days and then took me out to practice driving on the wrong side of the road. I’ve done a couple of shorter trips by myself and I think I’m going to be okay. I just keep turning my windshield wipers on when I want to hit the left turn-signal.

Anyway, I see another teacher I need to bug so I’ll sign off for now. I hope all of you are doing well!