Elementary school, pt 1.

So, I finished up my first week at elementary schools. Two schools. 3 days. 2 grades. 9 Classes. Today was 4 classes. I'm dead. I played with 10 year olds from 9:40 - 2:40 basically non stop.

They're so adorable and have WAY too much energy. Not to think highly of myself, but I never thought I'd do as well as I did. It helps that I'm like a giant play thing to them. At lunch we played dodge-ball. It hasn't been outlawed in Japan yet, thank God.

My teaching style? Organized chaos.

Trying to find NEW YORK on a map. Cute.

Ready for action. Shes stretching for her rock, paper, scissors match.

Kanoko's rock beats scissors every time. As does her top side pony tail.

Yeh yeh, I'm joining the, "posting pictures of me with legions of cute Japanese kids" club.

20 pics from the last 3 months

I haven't touched this in forever, sorry. I've been really lax and just trying to relax after coming back to Sendai. I finally bought a couch and actually had people over.

I had my first visits to an elementary school this week. It was so much fun. I have another tomorrow. I feel like I hardly teach there and simply play games... but teaching 12 year olds about prepositions isn't really the point.

The first three pictures are from a trail in Sendai on Akiu; back in late November.

Surprise party at the Sapporo Beer Garden outside Sendai.


My man Fukuda san. The janitor. Hes talked to me since day 1, and is such a nice dude.

Mountain view from the school. I really like being able to see mountains in the distance.

Assembly

Students

Taxis outside Nagamachi station

Shibuya, TOKYO

I've always liked Shibuya. It always seemed a bit seedy to me.

Only in Japan. Santa's on motorcycles.

This is after I left New York. On the plane ride back to Japan. Sayonara, New York.

Over ALASKA

Coming of Age Day. Every person on the train besides me was either a girl dressed like this, or a guy in a suit. Every year they have a ceremony for everyone who turns 20, celebrating their coming of age into adulthood. In Japan, before 20, you're still considered a minor.

Sendai's Donto-sai festival. Kind of a goodbye to the previous year. People burn things to purify their lives for the upcoming year. Really, I just think its a way to get rid of your trash.

I can't tell you how cold it was that day.

First real snow in my area of Sendai.

The entrance to the East Nagamachi Elementary school. I laughed about immediately being told to go to the Principal's office.
The Japanese says, "Welcome to East Nagamachi elem."

The sixth graders I taught will become my students in April.

December 7-14 This week in pictures

Yo. Last Saturday morning was the Sendai kid's day and I volunteered to play with little kids. We played games and then decorated a cake.... with chocolate covered pretzels and other wonders. Later that night, I also volunteered for a "talking party." Its 2000yen for Japanese people, and if you speak English... its free. All you can drink/eat.

I'm a real humanitarian, I know.

The boys cake
The girls cake
The kids beating up Santa
Winners at the talking party
Jozenji lit up for Christmas

Last night(Friday) was my 忘年会 or "Forget the Year Party." Lots of fun, my teachers are incredibly nice people.
Teachers playing a game
Yoshida sensei leading the game
AWWWWWWWWW
KUMAZAWA BANZAI!
Old school Nissan Skyline
Hi, I'm Tim. I'm a cheeseburger-holic

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