Thousands of Miles from Home
日本で過ごした日々の記録

9/1/2004

Back to School

9/1/04
Thought high school was over, didn't you? However, this school year is going to be much better than "required" high school. Lets see where to begin:
In the morning I rode with a pack of green pants to school along the bike path. In the opposite direction went the blue pants, apparently to a different school in town. It was strangely reminiscent of West Side Story, and I half expected the Sharks and Jets to throw down their bikes and break into a highly choreographed brawl.
Arriving at school I got quite a few stares, but everyone was very eager to say hello (or giggle behind my back, in the case of most girls). I parked my bike, changed into the school sandals, and went to the teacher's lounge. After a quick teacher's meeting I was introduced to the staff. There is an english teacher named John Davey from Toronto who knows a little japanese. After the meeting I went to my home room. I introduced myself to the class, and noticed that the two guys who visited my house are in my homeroom. So I already have a few friends. The class broke into groups which cleaned the school, then filed into the gym for the opening ceremony. Most students sat on the floor, but I had a seat with the canadian teacher and principal on the side. The principal gave an introductory speech, and so did the teacher from toronto (in japanese and slow english). I said a small speech that seemed well received. After a few teachers spoke, I was escorted back to the principals office who introduced himself and asked a few questions about me. Most classes had testing so I rode my bike home for lunch.
As I arrived home I found the front door locked. Zhang Shu (the girl from china who is also staying with the watanabes) and Shoko had gone out for a while, and I had forgotten my key in the house. The watanabes have two dogs. One is very friendly but smells bad, the other does not like me and bites. So I crept, ever so carefully, into the back yard to the porch door, hoping it would be open and I would not wake the dogs. Luckilly, the door was open and only the smelly dog was disturbed. I'll remember to take my key tomorrow.
Around 2 o clock I went back to school because the students were traveling to Uno Station to help with some typhoon cleanup. Andee and I walked together and talked a little bit, then spent the next two hours packing wet magazines and cardboard boxes into garbage bags in a local shop. Andee and I then walked back with some other students from the school and he showed me around and told me about the different clubs. I am thinking of joining Kendo, ping pong, or shogi, but I'm sure I will have time to visit most of the clubs.
Andee and I rode our bikes back home. Shoko had to pick Shun up at school, so Zhang Shu (her japanese name is Jitan) and I made dinner. She is 20, a japanese major in college, and understands english very well but cannot speak much. She also knows chinese. So we had a very multi-lingual time making chicken, mashed potatoes, rice, broccoli, and a salad.
So much fun.

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