Back to Kindergarten

Today was really, really fun! We went to an elementary school. They are sooooooo cute. We felt like celebrities from the moment we arrived. We walked down the street to meet the kids as they walked to school. They were　saying hello, glad to meet you in English.
When we got to school they had a special presentation for us. The students taught us games, calligraphy, words in Japanese and origami. They were great teachers. The girls who taught cats cradle were 6th graders. I taught them to say, you go girl and you rock! They loved it. They wanted me to join them later for recess. They loved to tag along with us. They wanted our business cards but the supply was quickly depleted. We had to resort to just giving autographs. Some came back after school just to have us sign their papers.

Once again the kids cooked lunch. I was invited to eat in the home ec room which was prepared especially nice. Supposedly they were making a vegetarian version but I never really know what I am eating. I just smile a lot and pick out the known substances. The kids did all the cooking and then they do all the clean up, there is minimal adult supervision. It is amazing to watch. At the end of the day everyone participates in the cleaning of the school. At this school it included cleaning out the chicken coop and weeding the garden. You always wear slippers inside and change to shoes for the outdoor activities. And do not wear the bathroom slippers out side of the bathroom!

After lunch today we had a chance to interact with the students. They were supposed to be cleaning but they were happy to talk to us instead. Even though they are learning Enlish most of them cannot speak it. I found that if I wrote things down they were somewhat able to understand. Truthfully, most of the English teachers are not fluent in speaking English. Most of the learning comes from a textbook.

The kids were typical teenagers. I asked groups of girls what they wanted to do after high school. Most did not know yet. In every group a few wanted to be teachers, some wanted to go into business and a few wanted to be hairdressers. A few would admit to having boyfriends (with lots of teasing from the other girls). They all said that they want to get married someday. On the other hand the boys wanted to go into business, work with computers and one wanted to be a lawyer. A few of them admitted to having girlfriends, also with a lot of teasing from their friends. I tried to convey "getting married", I know they caught on when the boys all started humming "Here comes the Bride." The boys were?more reluctant to answer this question. All the kids want their picture taken and they ALL pose gesturing the peace sign. Even the girls who were dressed in full kendo garb (a martial art that requires helmets, bamboo swards and protective gear) still had to give the peace gesture even though they were wearing heavy gloves.

Westminster chimes says its time to go to our next meeting.

Music is always being played on the intercom. You hear American songs sung in a Japanese version. It kind of sounds like Alvin and the Chipmunks sing Somewhere over the rainbow. There is a lot of soothing music, classical music and Westminster Chimes to indicate a change of classes.

The community of Tijimi is know for its ceramics industry. The teaching of ceramics is promoted in the schools. There are ceramics everywhere. When you walk up the steep driveway it is lined with ceramic pieces that the kids made. Ceramic people are lined up like soldiers to say hello. Most of the people in town work for the ceramic industry and they want their children to appreciate the art. There is a kiln in every school.

At the end of the day we were exhausted!!! During the question time with the faculty I`m sure I wasn`t the only one who nodded off.

I have great pictures of the kids. Due to confidentiality laws I can`t print them on the internet. I can`t wait to share the pictures of the smiling kids who always give the peace sign when you take their pictures.

It was a long day! The little ones really wear me out. Tomorrow we go to the high school.
I am getting good at blogging on a Japanese blog page!

Love to all,
"Bar bar a"