Ah-mazing weekend

So I teach at 2 different junior high schools, but I am only at the 2nd one maybe 5 days a month. This week I was at that school. The kids are insane...holding full conversations w/ a friend across the room while you're trying to read, lots of sleepers, and kids wandering in and out of the classroom. However, I think I am finally getting a handle on them...the JET (Japanese English Teacher) really enjoys the fact that I'm there, because I can sit next to the "bad kids" and help them w/ their work, giving her the opportunity to teach the class what they need to know. They can't stand it-but I love it. I find it hilarious...they're always saying "sensei no..help him" but i just respond that I like it there, and point to the next question that needs answering. It was nice to spend 4 days in a row at that school, because ususally I'm there maybe once a week, or twice every 2 weeks, and it makes it hard to connect w/ the students and teachers..but I really felt like this was the "breakthrough" week. Also helped that one of the teachers invited me to their drinking dinner party after work on Friday. I went, and had an amazing 5 course meal at this really nice japanese (obviously) restaurant, with karaoke afterwards. It was fun to get to hang out w/ the teachers after school, and I think it made them feel more comfortable with me. They really are super shy, and don't approach me all that often at school because they are embarrassed (?) at their English speaking ability.  But some of the ladies realized that I am the same age as their children, so they said that they would be my "japanese mothers" ha. It was really sweet.

Saturday, one of the teachers from my other school invited me to go to dinner w/ her and her friend. I was nervous because she isn't an English teacher, and it never seemed like her English was all that great, but we had a wonderful time, and only had to use the electronic dictionary like 2 or 3 times. I guess there is less pressure outside of school so they are more comfortable speaking? I don't know, but I wish that they would just speak to me at school since I know that they can!! I just sit at my desk doing nothing for most of the day! ...after dinner I went into Kyoto for Tamera's birthday. All the girls came in from wherever their placements are, so it was really nice to see everyone and get to party together again. I have been so lucky that we all came to Japan around the same time, so we were able to form such a tight-knit group, and are all relatively normal. (there are some strange ones that come to teach here..let me tell ya) 

So I'm stoked to be staying, especially because I think everyone else is staying too, so we should have a great time going around and visiting everyone in their respected locations. Plus, the two teachers I went out w/ this weekend really wanted to get together more often, so that will be fabulous..hopefully I can pick up some japanese from them too! Everything is still going just so great, its hard to believe its real! AND its the last week of January already...where did the month go?! 

xx