Back to work

Back to work! Woke up at 7:15am, had udon for breakfast, then drove to school. Always feels a little funny coming back to work after public holidays. First up today was 2-2 in period 2, and it was another average, noisy class. Although their homeroom teacher is a new graduate, I hope she steps up soon and becomes stricter. I feel like if she had set clear rules and boundaries from the beginning, the kids wouldn't be disobeying her so much now. Especially since I’ve seen them during when they were 1st graders, so I know they’re not like that, or rather they have the potential to be much better (since they were actually much better last year…). 2-1 was a little better in period 3, but there were still a few talkative kids who just couldn't seem to control themselves. Their homeroom teacher stepped up to the job though, and towards the end of the lesson, she really clamped down on them. Every time a kid spoke while their homeroom teacher or I was explaining something, she would make them stand up and read “I must not speak while listening” (in Japanese of course) off the board.

2-3 in period 4 and they were the best, even though there were a few talkative kids in the class still. I think it’s because their homeroom teacher was with them last year, so she really knows their temperaments, and to really be strict with them from the beginning to gain control in the classroom. I was already super hungry when class started, so I was really looking forward to lunchtime. Had lunch today with 5-1, and it was super fun. As I was walking towards their classroom, the girls were like “Which class are you eating with today?” and when I said their class, they were like “YAAAAAY”. They’re so affectionate, so why are they so quiet during English class! I sat at the back with the boys today, since that was the only spare desk available, and we had great conversations. We talked about what they did during Golden Week (one went fishing in Niigata with his family, one just had softball practice all week), what sports they play (softball, soccer), and I found out who their siblings were, which I am still surprised by. Also, one of the boys has different coloured eyes!!! It’s the first I’ve seen in person! One of his eyes is just a lighter brown than the other, but it still looks really cool, and the differences in the shade of brown is still really clear and noticeable. There was quite a lot of food leftover today, so I helped myself to some more soup.

Spent the spare afternoon periods lesson prepping and reading. Also got an email from our PAs (prefectural advisors) today about car tax, residence tax, etc., there’s just so much tax stuff to deal with in the new year! The residence tax is the one that frustrates me the most though, cause it’s just so much money when we already pay income tax and stuff like pension anyway. Talked with the school librarian about libraries nearby which I could study Japanese at, and she let me borrow books from the school library instead! She suggested a few of her favourites, so I borrowed one of those, and also Moomin (haha) since it’s a bit easier. Got off work at 16:15, drove home, and studied Japanese for the rest of the night.