Blast from the Past

Yesterday was quite the action packed day compared to what I have been accustomed to the past few weeks. I spent most of the first part of the day checking emails and I forget what else. I did begin to plan some activities involving states of movement and body parts for children ages 6-8 in an English club. After lunch, Yu Kato brought over the first ALT in Uchinoura Jenny and her husband Dale with her 2 children. She lived in the same house I do, so I invited them to come see it later that evening. She informed me that she had also come to visit about 4 years ago when 2 predecessors ago, the ALT was offered an apartment in a new building, but opted out (because he wanted to invite girlfriends back home). I found that a bit interesting.

At 3:30, I packed up my things and went to the town kindergarten where the club was going to meet. I had tons of fun with them. There were about 15 children. I began by introducing myself. This was followed by an in-depth question and answer session -- everything from my favorite shape to my marital status. (I had a translator.) I tried to also teach them directions like right and left, but they had a tough time doing that in Japanese. Their favorite game though was when I was blindfolded and I told them that they had to direct me to draw a face on the board using the new vocabulary. They got really into it. Songs like Hokey Pokey and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes were also a bit of a hit.

After English club, I returned home. Jenny and her family came by with Kokoro (Yu's sister who is visiting from Okinawa). Jenny and Dale said that a lot of the things look the same. The shower room looks better and the dining room had a metal desk beforehand. The kitchen did not have the wood floors it does now. All of the appliances are the same. The kitchen cabinets were also new. I cannot think of what else was different. They did say that they would capture the huge spiders live and then release them. I informed them that I was definitely not as kind. If they only knew what we did to the mice. Before they left, they invited me over to the Katos for a big dinner. (I really question whether they ever have small dinners. It seems that there are always several people there enjoying a feast. I don't complain.)

Well, I will write more soon. Perhaps tonight I will post pictures of Waterfall Week-ender. I have to go to Uchinoura Junior High now. The teachers have faxed me the lesson plan. I have to Greet the students, sing Ob-la-di Ob-la-da, then play Simon says.