I’ll start off today’s entry with an update on dinner last night. Kuniko and I drove over to her folks place, and we were there before her sister and her boyfriend (Yamaoka-san) made it. We helped out her mom a little bit to get dinner ready, and then had everything set up and ready when they arrived.
They both seemed healthy and happy, and as always Yamaoka-san was a little shy, a little quiet, and it was hard to tell if he was really comfortable or not.
We sat down for dinner, and soon after Kuniko’s dad came home late from working at his part time job. He’s always working overtime, even at a part time job. We had set up Kuniko’s sister and Yamaoka-san at the dinner table with Kuniko’s parents, and Kuniko and I sat at the table in the living room. Dinner was really good – there was a lot of food (too much!) and good conversation.
We wrapped up dinner and Kuniko’s mom went to work in the kitchen, and Kuniko’s sister came to hang out with us. Yamamoka-san was left to chat with Kuniko’s dad. I’ve been in that position before, and I noticed that Yamaoka-san was adopting the same strategy I do – listen carefully and agree now and then. The difference was that he could understand 100% of what Kuniko’s dad was saying as compared to my paltry 60%.
We all left on the early side, loaded down as always with rice and fresh vegetables to eat over the next week or two. It was a nice evening, and I think everybody got along OK – no big surprises.
Today it was tough to get up in the morning. Mainly it’s because it’s freaking cold outside. Also because it’s freaking early. But we managed to pull it off and get out the door on time.
With the exception of just one class, my students were plenty active and ready to use lots of English. My morning third year class is always really lethargic. Today they didn’t respond to anything, but I kept trying. When students are that quiet the only thing that is really effective is to diverge from the lesson plan a little bit and start talking to them directly. That seems to help, but it’s nothing to base a whole lesson on. The teacher that I was working with at the time doesn’t seem to mind – he treats all the students the same whether they are active or not. It’s interesting to see him work almost as if in a vacuum.
My teachers are starting to wonder just what is around the corner for me job-wise, something that I am wondering myself. I tell them what I know, which is not much, and they think I’m crazy for being in a position like this. Maybe I am, who knows? I’m going to get in touch with my staffing company again and see what they’ve got going.
I’m back home now and getting dinner ready for Kuniko. We’re having vegetarian nabe tonight to try to eat a little healthier. I’m going to make it spicy tonight – I want to be sweating when we’re done eating it…
