With a whopping four classes today, three of them being the same lesson, I was pretty bushed by the end of it. We had a big cleaning day after school, which means that they dedicate 30 minutes to scrubbing the school down in some of the harder to reach places.
Some of the students were hanging out the second and third story windows to clean up at the top, and I couldn’t believe the teachers were letting them do it. I had a huge cleanup crew show up to help me – I guess I’m known to be a bit of a softy. With an army of six students we swept the floor of my classroom, cleaned the chalkboard, and listened to Marvin Gaye.
At five o’clock I hit the road towards Kobe, and made the fifteen minute walk from the station at Sannomiya to the Kobe YMCA. It wasn’t quite what I expected – no gay indians or construction workers, just a big warehouse type building full of sports equipment and cheap rooms.
I found the school area, and they had me take an exam. I noticed that there was absolutely no English on the exam itself, and they assumed that I already knew kana. I passed the test, but barely, with a 74/100. They said that it was enough to get in the level 3 class. Since I have no idea what the levels mean, and since the class is free anyway, I wasn’t too concerned. Just hook me up with the lessons, dude. They’ll confirm in the mail, but my first class should be next Monday. It’s two 2-hour classes, until the beginning of September. Excellent!
I ate at a donburi restaurant on the way home – kimchee and pork donburi – and then I took the train back. It’s getting pretty warm around here, and the humidity is rising. I had almost forgotten how sweaty it gets around here.
Just before bed I got a phone call from one of Melanie’s co-workers. He wanted to explain why she didn’t attend the party, and I could tell he was breaking the rules by telling me. He gave me some details, but I won’t post them here. At least I know a little more about the situation and I also know that she is safe and sound. If you’re dying to know shoot me an e-mail and I’ll give you the scoop.
I’m off to bed. The air conditioner is running and I’m looking forward to a nice cool evening of blissful sleep.
