So, today, I’m trying to figure out what the hell I’m going to do for elementary school classes next week, and I get interrupted by the school secretary who eventually communicates that she wants me to come to the PTA chorus practice. The practice is tonight (in an hour actually) and it is the final practice before the performance – tomorrow. Yeah, thanks for the advanced notice. So, I learned the song in the tearoom with a bunch of other teachers singing to me. They really love to put me on the spot. Maybe they think foreigners can do anything… They kind of treat me like the new toy in the office that everyone has to share.
Speaking of which, later in the afternoon, I’m (again) trying to do my elementary lesson, when they come up to me and say (essentially) “Are you busy? Of course not. Why don’t you go cut some bamboo.” So they send me to this path behind the school with another teacher and expect me to cut back all the overgrown bamboo. Keep in mind that, per the dresscode, I’m wearing khaki pants, a collared shirt, and nice shoes (why do they want me to look presentable while doing yardwork?). So, there I am, trudging through the bamboo forest, in my Rockports, with my handsaw and my handsaw-scabbard, hacking away at bamboo. It was great…
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3 comments:
Hmm, if you tell me what you are trying to teach them (ie: letters, colors, foods, whatever) I'll help you come up with more games
Seth...A great laugh when I read these (always did appreciate your sense of humor), but, the bamboo story is too funny. Be careful about letting mom know about your gardening skills...you may end of weeding your lawn when u return! Glad u r settled. I'll be in Salt Lake City for 2 wks starting Sunday (we can compare notes on how differenct the Mormons r compared to the Japanese when I return). Be well. L'Shanah Tovah. U may be having sushi 4 rosh hasonah, i don't even know what they serve in utah...so i'll be thinking of u. Re: the chorus, call Natalie if u need voice lessons on the phone. She leaves 4 London 9/21. She can hop over & sing 2 your PTA! Love, Ellin
Hey Becca,
I was gonna try to teach them "Who is this/he/she" - "He/she is ___" But another thing is, I don't know what they've already learned... I was thinking about playing a little game where I just ask them a bunch of questions (when's your birthday, who is this, how many fingers, what's that, etc.) and see what they can answer...
Hey Ellen/Stuart,
Glad to see you on the comments page. Don't let me mom read this post, or I'll definitely be chopping bamboo when I get home. Oh, and the chorus thing went ok. When there are 35 other people singing, no one can hear you. L'Shanah Tovah!
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