2008.10.20

Nishi Nakada Elementary school keeps getting better and better. The lesson was pretty fun...at least for me. I got to possess some kids, and then give them all candy - good deal. I also got to wear a costume...as much as a child's cape and a mini hat go. But, what made the visit golden was that some boy kept yelling out 'panties' and then asked if I knew what that meant and I said yes and then called him "panties-kun" and we all had a laugh. Then they taught me that thumbs down means 'die' in Japan. Not too sure if that is true of if they are just kidding around with me, but, either way, I just laughed along with them. Then their teacher made them say sorry for all the rude things they had said to me (since his buddy did end up joining in the panty/gesture fun). It was kinda cute. I don't particularly care, but I can see why they don't want kids to think it's okay to yell such things out since I know some people who would have been offended.
Went back to school after that, and helped out with one class. Startled some kid 'cause I appeared at a window. It was a good lesson.

2008.10.17

Today I was supposed to go to 3 nen-sei, but they had tests, so I went to some 1 nen-sei instead. That was nice. With fall break being a break I feel like I haven't seen them in such a long time. I surprised one of the 3 nen-sei this morning by sneaking kinda behind him when he was at his desk and asking "What are you doing?" rather quickly. That was probably one of the highlights of my day.
"あっ、シェリー先生。びっくりした。"
Yeah, I won that round.
I left after lunch to go to a seminar on Second Language Acquisition. It was rather intriguing. Apparently it's basically impossible for a Japanese person to hear the different between 'r' and 'l' unless they hear it a lot between the time they are born and the time they are 1.5 years old. Kinda sucks.
After that, I went Halloween Supply shopping. I got me some nifty stuff. Namely this awesome outfit...and some markers. Still gotta get some candy and something to put the candy in. I also got an alarm clock. There was one that looked like a robot that I liked, but I couldn't figure out how to work it, so I gave up on that one. I also felt the rugs again. Yup, I'm definitely going to be getting that blue one come next week when I have my pay check. I also found some presents for my Mommy, and sister in the same building/department store. So, come pay day (and after finding something for my father...and wrapping 'em!!) I'll be posting that. A few months wait makes the opening that much better. I have no idea what he'd want though. Oh well. I'll find something.
After that, Moloko (yeah, I wasn't alone through all this...) and I went to the AER building. She tried on a jacket, I translated. She didn't buy jacket, I translated. It was a good thing. Then we went to Maruzen. She got a book, I got two. But seriously, Medical mystery and Physic Detective. Who can blame me? I mean, really. Think about it. Those are two separate books, but as one purchase it makes an awesome thought.
But, now I'm tired and will probably hit the hay early. There's a river party tomorrow that needs to be rested up for. ...and I also have to get out some cash since my little Halloween preparations today, and everywhere takes cash here. It's an all around good idea to have cash.

2008.10.16

Today was school as normal. That is to say that it wasn't a Thursday schedule at all, it was a Tuesday one, and we had something going on in the morning. Today was opening ceremony. That was interesting...in the way opening ceremonies are. After that, had class with the 1 nen-sei's. A couple of them. 2 to be specific. Had some fun with "Who is~?" form. The other class we got to do a speaking activity. I handed by speech over to be edited to the teacher. Over 10 pages of dreamy goodness. I'll see how that 'dreamy goodness' stands up to the test of time...or editing. I think the editing is going to kill it, but that is what I get for not studying...and the teacher gets for asking the foreigner to do a speech.
At about 3.30, I left to go to Nishi Nakada Elementary School for some good times lesson planning. It was good times. I was early. It was a good day. We made a plan. A good plan. A plan-like plan. It's about Halloween. It should be fun. I get to go get a costume over the weekend...'cause one set of classes is on Monday (which I just found out about today). So, good times with quick planning. Halloween is really sneaking up on us here. About two weeks 'til it's here. I'm excited. Are you excited?
On a completely different note, I love my rug. I think I will get the blue one later on. I really just want to go roll on it. In fact, I might just go do that.