The day began with sunshine for a change. We have had days and days of ice cold rain. Today was sunshiny, cool and pleasant. The staff welcomed me at their meeting and I attempted a short speech in Japanese. They were wonderful enough NOT to laugh at me.

Shortly, the entire school welcomed me with a speech and a lively song. I again tried a bit longer speech and no one laughed...but a few children did giggle or look very puzzled.

I visited several classrooms and had multitudes of interpreterts and translators. Even a local university had a group of English-speaking students and their professor come. I had more help than I needed, but I felt extremely supported.

We took a guided tour of the school, with the students tellikng me and the translators takikng turns interpreting. Lunch was wonderful...a brothy soup, noodles, milk and a cheese sandwich.

The weekend before I was treated like a queen. Saw a fabulous museum and then went on Sunday to a place famous for oysters. Had a unbeatable lunch grilling fresh seafoods on the long grill. Went also to see a field of wild iris on a mountain peak, a peninsula that jutted out into the sea. It was raining and ice cold, misty and magnficient. We then stopped for hot tea and miso soup.

Thankfully Rick and Shaun are right next door to our tiny apartment rooms. We will meet and discuss our problems, if any, and our observations.

Could not ask for a better start. Attached are a few pictures.

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You must be Cynthia. The photo gave you away. I could use some of that frezing rain from time to time. Today's adventures began here, but sucked me across town to a school where shoes are removed. Yushin Jr. High had me teaching ettiquite class. Can you imagine??! Me...here they are:
1) To blow one's nose with a handkerchief
2)To eat while walking
3)To make a noise while wating or drinking
4)To lift the bowl or plate while eating
5)To drink tea or coffee during class
6)To move something with ones' feet
7)To step over someone
8)To cut fingernails in public
9)To wear shoes inside a house
10)Teacher sitting on the desk

I should find time to generate a list of my own. Watch this site to see just how motivated I am..
Hello to the crew. Best, Jim McElroy SHS

Cindy- Sounds like things are going well. I want to visit the place with that great mammoth! And the kids are cute too.


Jim and etiquette...isn't that an oxymoron?? LOL :)

Sherry

Or at least irony...other Jim East High School

Cynthia,

Looks like the kids are loving you in Kushiro. Glald you finally had some decent weather. The rain can definitely get one down. Look forward to reading more as time progresses.

All the best,
Annika