The Fast, The Slow and English Club!

Well... I thought I would be able to post something pretty much right after the opening ceremony but time has been moving so fast lately! I can't believe we are already into the second full week of the new semester. Actually, it feels like time is flying by, and moving at a glacial speed all at the same time.

I guess I'll explain...

At school, most of my classes are already into their second lesson (Lesson 7) in their textbooks while others are just one class away from catching up. I am working hard to remember my students' names, but it has been a little challenging. I had each of my students fill out name cards that they stand up on their desks at the start of each class so that I can read their names from up at the blackboard. I love when they have their name cards on their desks because it helps me remember everyone's name and it also helps with calling on volunteers for class activities.

English Club has already met twice now (and we are getting ready to add a second meeting day during the week)! I have really enjoyed getting to know my students in English Club so far. Last week, we played another getting-to-know-you game called "Have You Ever..." in which the 11 of us formed a circle of 10 chairs. One student then stood in the center and asked a "have you ever" question. Whoever can answer "yes" to the question has to quickly get up and sit in a new seat. Whoever doesn't find an empty seat stands in the center and asks a new question. It got a little crazy when everyone was up and eagerly searching for a new seat. I think everyone really enjoyed it! We then had "Popcorn and Movie Time" where we watched "My Neighbor Totoro" in English. The students had never seen it in English before. I learned last week from the "Have You Ever..." game that they have also never tried a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (the American lunch classic). I think I will have to bring the ingredients this Friday to Club and have the students make them so they can try it. (Although, personally I prefer peanut butter and banana, so maybe we will have to try that one too) ;-)

The speech contest is fast approaching and Daichi and Natsuki are working very hard on their entries. I am so proud of them and am looking forward to sharing the big day with them in Numazu when they give their speeches!

So, at school, things are moving right along, and time seems to be passing quickly. I hope that the students have been learning a lot from me and have been having fun in the classroom and in Club.

For as fast as time feels like its passing, it also feels like its passing just as slow. I often wish I was further along in class than I am. I wish I knew more students' names and I wish I was spending more time with them getting to know them. This is also my first time teaching, so I wish I had it "more together" as we say in America. But, I guess these things just take time.

For me at home, it's really a mix of both. I know I have accomplished a lot so far in just my one month of living in Shizuoka, but I would like to have accomplished much more already. But that's just typically me... I can be a perfectionist and sometimes set unreasonably high goals for myself in short amounts of time. In reality, the friends I've made, the places I've traveled already, the things I learned and the progress I've made adjusting to life in a foreign country is actually enough to cover TWO months of living in Japan, when I stop to think about it, not just the one it has been.

All in all, I basically have a LOT of expectations and a lot planned in my time here to both do for fun and to accomplish with my students and in this school. God has blessed me with this time here in Japan working at Gotemba Minami High School and I want to be a good steward of my time and talents here. I don't want to waste one second.

PS. Speaking of adjusting to life in a new country, I ventured off to Tokyo for the first time by myself yesterday! It was fun, but I guess you could say I needed to go because I "worked out all the bugs" for my next solo mission. (AKA I got a bit lost.....) :- /

Here are a few pictures from my Sunday Tokyo stroll...

Relaxing in the Starbucks and Tsutaya at the Shibuya Crossing!

My three FAVORITE things... coffee, music and Tokyo all in one! The perfect Sunday!

 

So, basically I spent probably 2 hours roaming around Tsutaya, listening to all the sample records they recommended. I came across this one by Fuzzy Control. This band really stands out to me because they are really good and the drummer is a girl! I am a female drummer as well and to see one be so successful makes me feel so inspired! Since my degree is in the music industry, I really want to explore the Japanese Music Industry while I'm here.

 

I stumbled upon a side street in Shibuya where you stand and eat different soba dishes. (I point out "stand" because I have NEVER seen this kind of thing in America. I think it's so cool! Really for your "on the go" type people). Cold soba is EASILY my favorite Japanese dish. I'm slightly addicted (haha)! I only paid 250 Yen for this fresh cooked meal. You can't get anything this tasty AND healthy for 2.50 dollars back in the states.

 

Oh, so this is kinda funny...

 

So the above is obviously my "before" picture... 

 

So here's my "after":

 

Destroyed.