#river high

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それはちがうだよ。

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I told one of my coworkers/JTEs about Fact and Act classes today, and she really was 100% behind it. I think hearing about my experience with learning Japanese and how I learned to divide myself between two languages really made her feel excited, and now, she was us to shift our lessons more towards an “English only” format. We both admitted that it’s definitely challenging given how Japan’s system currently works, but that together, we could make it work since students really want that format more than being lectured. It helps that my school’s principal is really pushing for active learning and more interaction in the classroom rather than the system of lectures and notetaking.

It definitely feels like a win to me and something I’m excited to implement starting tomorrow.

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Went to my 3rd Year’s art exhibition and it was absolutely wonderful.

Seeing them working so hard and having their parent’s tell me how much I help them made me feel so rewarded. I didn’t realize, truly, how much they must talk about me and really actually like me. Teenagers are pretty honest about how they feel, so if I’m in the black with them, then... I think it’s okay to think I’m a positive influence on a lot of people’s lives too.

It also made me want to create, and so now I’m committing myself to working on my new character ideas and keeping a regular, steady sketchbook: all the way until it’s full. I ended up using some money for this week’s expenses on a few things -namely, a few hundred yen on pencils, a ruler with a stainless steel edge, a board for putting beneath the paper I’m drawing on, and some nice erasers- so that I can start tonight. 

I think this is a good way to start winding down the year. I didn’t know I needed to create, but I’m thankful for getting new inspiration.

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I told one of my teachers today that we were friends and he stopped the conversation, got a huge grin, and said we were BFFS and honestly, it just made my entire week.

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So out of this school festival, I’ve really gotten two big things that I want to realize in 2018’s since it’ll be our big festival and the public will be coming.

English Club should have a space in the club display area, and maybe offer English translated programs or other materials.

I didn’t realize this was something I could even do until yesterday when me and my new supervisor were asked. Had I have known, we def would have had something, but next year, we’ll be ready, and hopefully with our new club members –got a plan to snag ‘em at the entrance result posting– we’ll have something really, really great.

Next year, I’m determined I’ll play a mini-concert during the Lunch Time Performances.

If I can get koto pitch and adjustment in terms of writing out the music I want to make under my belt - which it seems like I can; I just honestly need to rent a koto in exchange for my shamisen  to tool around with it, or take extra time post-lessons to sit and work out proper pitches- then it will be a ten minute RPG themed concert, including a rendition of The Chocobo Theme. Other songs up for grabs include the Pokemon Battle Theme from YGRB, anything from Legend of Zelda, anything from Animal Crossing, and the debate song from Danganronpa since that’s a personal fave.

(I’ve already got a title for my rpg and video game themed performance, so I know I must want this.)

Basically, I’m really gonna give it my all in 2018: I’ll hopefully have another arrangement for display, be doing stuff with English Club, and have a koto delivered for the day for me to use. I’m sure I’ll be working that out with my teacher when the times comes.

I really want to continue to grow each festival. It feels like a hallmark now: last year, I barely understood anything, and this year, I was laughing and having the greatest time. I won’t be fluent next year, sure, but I hope that I’ll be a lot more active and quite a bit happy.

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The Vice-Principal just ran back into the teacher’s room during this really important meeting with the BOE head. I commented that he looked very busy in Japanese, and he looked at me, paused in the doorway, laughed, and said, “I really hate meetings.”

Honestly? It felt so nice to know that one year later, we can have that kind of relationship and be quite candid with each other. My worries from a year ago about being a part of a group are so, so distant.

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I’ve been meaning to post this, but say hello to my new desk arrangement! This is about a month old, and has changed:  I’ll try and snag a fresh picture now that I’ve finalized it.

I’ve really upgraded from when my desk had literally nothing. Now, I’ve got shelves, a raised platform for my computer, a calendar, mug, and a bottle, though my Sakura bottle has since bit the dust in a tragic fall. Don’t worry though: I’ve got a nice, 500 ml thermos with a print from the PS Vita horror game Yomawari though, a game I really like, but can only play before it gets dark, heh.

I’m quite proud and feel like a real teacher: I’ve got so much stuff packed in, with so many things organized on there. I’m definitely setting myself up for a good first term, a great second term, and a wonderful school year.

Just wnated to share my sweet digs at my base school!

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This morning, the vice-principal and I had a talk about weekends.

I had a friend visit from Tokyo this weekend and we enjoyed a lot of Breath of the Wild, snacks, and just being. It was great rest, and left me feeling ready to tackle this week. I had talked to the VP about the visit since it’s a friend from back in STL, and he was so happy that I had enjoyed my weekend, especially as my schedule fills up to very busy Mondays and lots of travel over the first term.

I’ll certainly need early bed on Saturday and Sunday as much as possible if I’m going to remain cheerful and emotionally clearheaded over the next few months. It’s going to be a lot of changes very fast in April with them slowing down, naturally, in May and June, but at first,t this will be a big first since I didn’t go through the first term, only the second and third.

And while my vacation will revive me in May, I need more than just that: I need consistent rest that helps me every week.

“You had better enjoy them each weekend and every time,” he remarked. I understood that to be “take time and use it so you’re well rested because I worry” as he always uses “you had better” when he’s show concern for me.

It really touched me because he wants me to stay and adjust well. “I want you to rest more on the weekend because foreigner’s often get tired and quit because of distance and no friends,” he said. “I don’t want you to get tired.”

Knowing that he’s behind me still gives me a smile. For so long, I thought his serious look was genuine, but it’s a face: he’s the VP and has to maintain a certain air. Aside from that, he’s very human like anyone else, and has shown that side to me many, many times.

(Also, he has three motorcycles and that’s what he does on the weekends: rides and lets loose. I should have known that cool, young guy hair cut wasn’t for nothin’!)

So I’m dedicating my weekends, more than I do now, to rest so that I can continue to grow here in a healthy way and flourish. Thanks for the good talk, VP: you really brought clarity, and made me feel so very cared for.