I’m about ready to hit the sack, but I thought I’d sneak in this entry before I did. I was scheduled for a busy day at school, but one of the teachers called in sick and I got out of one of my classes because of it.
The classes that I did have were some of my favorite classes. The second year class I taught was full of curious and competitive students, and it was just the right mix for a three activity set that I dreamed up a while back. The students at my school know that I usually play games and have fun, so whenever I walk into the class just before the bell rings, there is often a huge round of applause and cheers. It feels good to go to work and have forty people so happy to see you that they break into applause.
I had just one first year class, and the teacher showed up late. I was there with the students after the bell rang, and they were all sitting there waiting for me to entertain them. I started the class just the same as if the Japanese teacher was there, and got things going. The teacher, when he showed up, looked a little perturbed, but quickly forgot about it. I apologized afterwards for starting without him, but by then he didn’t seem to mind as much as his face showed earlier.
The other two classes I had were with third year students. These students are used to having me with another teacher, Harada sensei. She was the one who called in sick, however, so they got to see me teaching with another teacher, Takagi sensei. Their styles are completely different, and I think the students were really surprised how little I do in Takagi sensei’s class compared to Harada sensei’s class. That’s part of my job, though – adapting to the different styles of all the teachers that I teach with.
Somewhere along the way today I developed a hardcore headache, and I’m nursing it even now. For some reason I’m trying not to take aspirin, but I don’t know if that’s a good idea or not. I took a hot bath with Kuniko and she tried working out the knots in my neck – hopefully things will loosen up overnight.
A few minutes ago Yamamoto sensei from Takasago Minami called out of the blue and told me that he was at Okubo station. A couple of days ago I asked if he could get some paperwork for me from school for my taxes, and he said he’d look into it. The next thing I know, he’s calling me at 9:30 at night telling me that he’s at the station. I threw on some clothes and ran down to the station, and he handed over the paperwork. We spent a few minutes catching up, and establishing that I owe him at least a couple of drinks, and then he took off.
Before he left he gave me a little bit of gossip from Takanan. Apparently the history teacher got into a little bit of trouble with one of the female students, and she complained. I don’t know more than that, but I do know that I wasn’t surprised to hear something like that about him.
I’ve got to head to bed soon. Kuniko bought some bread for us to take to school tomorrow, so we can sleep in a little bit instead of getting up at 4:50 a.m. to make bento lunches. I’m looking forward to that little bit of extra sleep.
