Kentaro and I took a drive around Oboke and Iya valley. It was maybe an hour, hour and a half loop of pure beauty. The water is so clear you can see the bottom no matter how deep it is, and the valleys are so big you can’t even see the bottom. Really, these photos don’t do it justice.

 

What do you do when you find yourself peeing in a field, you don’t recognize any plants, you feel pretty drunk, and you don’t have a clue where you are?

Well, if your me right now, you do nothing. In fact, you even cancel plans of a more certain nature, just so you can see what happens “around the river bend”.

And it was worth it, every minute (I wrote that the moment I got back home, it was actually really painful the next day). On Friday, I was invited to the yearly firefighter softball tournament. It was great, and I have been invited to the volunteer fire corps in the next village, the local awa dance team,  the softball league, and to the home of the parents of some of my students.

The volunteer firemen in Mino are pretty much what you’d expect from a volunteer fire corp. Pretty crass, in a good way, and ready to have a good dinner beer with the guys. The firehouse, however, is one tatami room and a small garage containing the “Fire Truck”: an old Toyota pickup, painted red with some fire hoses on the back.

Right, so I forgot that softball, does not immediately connect to drinking outside the fire station, so I’ll elaborate. The softball game started at 9:00, my team played three games, and we won the tournament. I had intended to play some outfield position or something, but the Japanese being the Japanese, I was made the pitcher.

– Let me just say right here, that EVERYTHING I have done in Japan has been done headfirst, with or without my intention –

After the tournament, there was a yakiniku and beer party. I drank way too much as it seems is my problem these days. The conversation lingered around annoying wives, the size of foreign penises, and things of that nature. The next day I gave a not so lively introduction speech at Shibou elementary, which I felt pretty bad about. But all has ended well and will perhaps be described another time.

This was a long week; a full seven days. I have to write about a lot. I also just read the journally thing I was writing for the first two weeks, and I’m going to post it on here because I feel that it’s:

• really interesting
• useful for other prospective JETs
• it feels like such a long time ago now

So, I apologize for writing a post about a post I’m going to write. I just want to write it well, and tonight I have a work party to attend.

Also, I have some photos to put up, but I need to buy a microSD card before I can get them on the computer.

Just some words of encouragement from a friendly Japanese textbook:

You will be embarrassed if you cannot write the kanji

It’s a good thing that being embarrassed is my new forte.

Today was my first day of classes.  It was a positive experience. As a whole, the kids at Mino Junior High are very happy and open.

Teaching with Tamezane Sensei and Kubota Sensei, was also great. They are very effective teachers who foster a very relaxed atmosphere in the classroom.

1B:

• Greeting
• A short self introduction for myself
• Textbook exercises
• My “What time do you ~” exercise

The exercise was too hard. Some kids could almost do it, and actually some very well. Most cannot learn a grammar point and immediately apply it the way we did in college. Maybe the activity should be simple.

The class has a couple very active students who liven the class. Without them the atmosphere may not be so good.

2B:

• Came after 15 minutes test review
• Greeting
• My introduction
• Worksheet

Even the small pictures in my introduction were OK. Hobbies are a hard subject to discuss simply: slow down. I messed up the dogs part of my intro; use “do you like dogs?” Kid’s liked to choose which dog was their favorite.

The score: Casey – 17, Molly – 3, Sam – 10

The class is active and open. Some individuals who have approached me outside of class seemed removed. I also may alienate kids be asking who also plays the sports that I play. If I do ask this question, I should follow up with questions that allow everyone to share their hobby, whatever they may be.

Some students prefer to draw; let them. I can still force them to communicate, merely by asking about their drawings – and the drawings are pretty cool anyway. Other students will study their textbook, rather than participate.

Some people call me Brian, which is nothing new.

As for student impressions, some notes:

• This student is a little slow. Great kid, usually willing to participate.
• Tired. Can be motivated (boredom is probably a front)
• Smart. Willing to have a good time
• Goofy, nice kid, picked on a lot. A mix of Ryan and I, I think.
• Obnoxious, but friendly. Probably great to have in a class
• Nice kid, but kind of pushy. He’s a wrestler, which explains everything
• Round. Damn good at ping pong. Carries presence, not afraid to speak
• Seems to be a quiet popular kid – Not terribly interested in English
• Popular, but not a leader. Not afraid to speak.
• Leader, not interested in academics, but ridiculously bright
• Not so good at English, but active, and has a clear presence. Kind of like a young Brian.
• The loud one in the back. Great for class atmosphere. Fun.
• Super bright, great at English, not too nervous.
• Fears me. Shy.
• Wrestler, reminds me of Rob Rafferty
• Smart. Serious, but not too serious.
• Super Smart. Goof, reminds me of Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes. I don’t know if he works hard, but he improves like he does. Update: Father said he doesn’t study, he just watches a fish tank at home.
• Handwriting looks like Ryan’s… maybe a little better .
• Writes name in cursive.
• Puts descenders on the baseline.

First Earthquake.