Sutorenjaa In Japan

Things that make you go "ehhhhhhhh?!?!"...

The cycle has begun again… (and no, this time I'm not referring to my beloved America's Next Top Model) Here I thought that the grading thing would really spread itself out over the weeks. However, I have come to realize that it is one continuous circle of events. First weeks bring new lessons and activities, and then PILES of grading on Tina’s desk for the next 2-3 weeks… and I was just starting to see the light of day through the stacks from last time! I’m getting used to it so, I promise not much complaining to do this time. THANK GOODNESS that they do not have any assignments where they need to list things (I made SURE there would be NO WAY they could work in “and so on” or “moved” into their sentences this time).
Instead, I have asked for my students to rank things starting with what makes a good relationship. They were given a list of 8 qualities and told to put them in rank order from 1-8. So far the top three values for my students are being faithful (always a good choice), being able to make one another laugh (who doesn’t love to laugh) and … helping each other with the housework?! WHA?!?!?!? I may be old fashioned, but isn’t that jumping the gun a little? Doesn’t that entail that they would be living together? What about having similar interests? Spending time together? Having a good “physical relationship”? I assure you that there were at least 6 other values presented AND explained to them, but seriously housework was in the top 3. I MUST make it a point to have one of them explain this to me… how helping housework outranked having similar interests. Everyday I learn something new and interesting about my students.
Additionally, this sensei has become the student in that I did my first ACTUAL tea ceremony practice today. I was so horrible… and it looks so easy too! Like formalized cleaning and serving and pouring of tea. There is so much to remember and it takes FOR-EV-ER. BUT I have vowed to get this particular ceremony down by December. Ganbatte, Tina! PS- it was HELL sitting on my legs like that for so long. I couldn’t stand up at first because my feet had fallen asleep. It was a little embarrassing… and after all 4 of the girls in the club stopped asking “daijobu” (are you ok?), I was able to pull it together to get up and finish the ceremony. As painful as it is, it really is fun to get tea and sweets every Monday after school! ;) I think I’m slowly but surely learning to like read bean paste. They put in practically ALL their traditional desserts. Go me for getting acculturated! Yata!

Oh and by the way, Happy Halloween, y’all!

posted by KidBach @ 1:05 PM 1 comments