First Day of School

I think I've come to realize that updating this blog every other day probably won't happen as my schedule is rather full and exhausting. All free time goes to mindless lounging.

I woke up this morning a bit panicked. It was my first day teaching!

My alarm went off at 6:00am, and I was out the door around 6:30 - extra early so I could get to school early and make a good impression. But fate wasn't exactly with me. I took my local train to Kokubunji, which I then transferred to the Chuo line to Kichijoji, which transferred to the Keio line to Meidaimae, which I then transferred agian to go to Rokakoen.

But what I didn't realize was on my way to Rokakoen, was that I had boarded a non-local train.

Now there are like three or four different kind of trains:
Local: Goes to every station.
Rapid: Goes to every two or three stations (depending on how popular the station is, you see.)
Special Rapid: Goes about every four to six stations.
Commuter Rapid: Hits only the big stations, sometimes as far as ten to fifteen stations apart.

Yup. That's right, I got on a Commuter Rapid. I overshot Rokakoen about 7 stations. A half hour later, I was on the right track and made it through the Jr. High School's gates. I missed the teacher's meeting at 8:15 all together and barely made it there in time to start my first class. I didn't get to talk with the English teachers beforehand. We'll just say I was a bit frazzled. (ha ha.)

The teachers seemed pretty forgiving and said that no ALT in the history of ALTs had ever gotten to Roka on their first day on time due to the whole Rapid or getting lost mix up. (The school is in the middle of nowhere.) But I still felt terrible about it. And the idea of getting to school taking about an hour and a half one way is a bit miserable. I've never had to commute over fifteen minutes to get anywhere on a regular basis.

But enough about travel! The real fun was in the classes!

Even though I was really nervous, my first class turned out well. I'd forgotten how little Jr. High students were, and they were all very very cute. Even in one hour, I could tell there was such a variance in personalities - some were spacey, some where high energetic and genki, and some were just preteens. It also seemed like there was always one super super shy child in every class. Hopefully, by the end of my four months, some of them will be able to talk to me without being scared stiff. I had the realization that most of the kids were probably going through some of the worst years of their lives. No one ever wants to relive Jr high or puberty over again.

There are three English teachers in the school, all middle-aged women who were very kind, and nice to me. I felt like the balance between me and the teacher was really good. I wasn't just standing up at the front of class reading sentences. I walked around, helping students fill out sheets, answering questiosn. Sometimes when they asked if I like animals, I brought out pictures of the farm and of my dog Eli sporting some cool sunglasses. (Best picture ever, they loved it.)

I already have a love for the students I've met so far. I really hope I can get to know their names and that they'll grow to like me as time goes on. I really do want to help them in any way possible - I hope I can.


The day ended at 3:30, I was exhausted! I headed out and got home around 6:30. I got some laundry done and made rice for dinner. It's now 8:30, and I'm more than ready to go to bed.

Good night!