First Days, Birthdays, and Enkai

School started on Monday, September 3, which also falls on my birthday. The first day was spent at Uonome Junior High School. I didn't actually do any teaching. In fact, that entire week was used to test students over summer homework.

In front of my balloons with Yolanda and her coworker

I forgot my Usachan-peace
Party in full swing

After my first day, we went to Yolanda's house to celebrate my birthday. What a treat it was. She made some menudo(sp?), spaghetti, fried chicken, potato salad, yakitori, etc, etc. There was so much food. She brought her boss (who owns and cooks for a restaurant) to help her prepare the food. She also invited fellow filipinos from around the island. They were all women married to Japanese men. It was funny because that night, more tagalog was spoken than Japanese. I was actually able to understand, which I haven't been able to do since landing here early August.

On the way to Kita-Uonome (JHS or ES)

My actual first teaching time was on Wednesday at the Kita-Uonome Elementary school. It's about 20 minutes by car to get there. I love the view on the way there. The school itself oversees the town and the ocean, so I get a view anywhere in the building. That day I taught in 5 classes. My self introduction was nice and short, but I intend to do something with the nerf balls I've acquired for next time.

Thursday was my first day of work at Kita-Uonome JHS (Kitachu, like Pikachu). Tests were over by now, but I still didn't do any work. I graded papers in the morning and taught the 1st years in the afternoon. They're a good class, but there were a few slow learners. My JTE told me to just watch after my introduction. That night, I had an enkai with the staff. I was picked up by the math teacher Miyazaki sensei (goes by Miya) and Mori Sensei, the PE/Baseball club teacher. We walked over to a restaurant and had a fancy enkai. I had to pay 5000 yen for my share, but it was worth it. I'm not too fond of raw fish and some Japanese food. However, this food was delicious. I did my self intro again (in English) and the teachers did the same. The staff at this school is much younger than my other Junior High. This lead to me being able to talk about more things associated with people my age.

Mori sensei singing a ballad

A successful enkai

After the enkai, we went to a snack bar (a place where they serve more alcohol and sit down to entertain you). I had more fun there than in the enkai. Not all the staff came, but enough to start the karaoke. I had to show them my english ability by singing some Frank Sinatra. All in all it was a great time. I got to know the teachers more as people, rather than my superiors, coworkers.