I like to terrorize spiders. I don't know why. Ever day when I get home from work, or when I go out at night, I either bother this bee-like spider with a weed, making him attack it, or I break one of the strings holding a circular web. The web floats softly on the breeze while the spider runs for cover. But then, afterwards, I feel bad. The spider took all that time to build that web. And now it won't be able to eat dinner.

Oh well.

I was sad to find the bee-like spider gone this morning from its usual spot. Today was pretty ordinary, except for the extreme pain in my back and the parents coming to visit one of my schools. I had a good day though because I taught the 3.4 years at Sekioka. They are one of my top classes. Six kids total, five boys and one girl. One of the boys is the only 3rd grader in the school. I taught them 1-20, but they pretty much knew them already--even better than my 6th grade class at Higashidate. And they are really willing to learn.

Every class I have to usually ask the same two questions: "how are you?" and "how's the weather". Every time I ask how the kids are, they usually reply with the same "I'm fine, thank you, and you?" So I try to get them to say different things like "happy, sad, hungry, sleepy" etc. One of the kids said, right away, "I'm sick"--and he wasn't just being a brat, he really had a cold! I was proud. :)

So you might have a clue when it comes to the schools, here is a map:

A.) Higashidate Elementary School


This is my main school. Here is a view from the back of the school. It is the largest school with about 126 kids. There are 6 grades (years) and each year has one classroom. The biggest grade is year 5 with 28 students I believe. Everyone is nice and I really like the principal. She seems very kind.

B.) Ishii Elementary School

Ishii is the second largest Elementary school in the town, it has about 80 kids. Here each grade also has one classroom, but for English they combine the 1st and 2nd years. It is a newer school and has beautiful wood rooms.

This is a picture of the hall. No, I don't know who the creepy guy is. I found these on the internet. >.> I really like the staff here too. The kids are great too.

C.) Shimonosekigoudo Elementary School

I LOVE the staff at this school. They are always very kind and talk to me a lot, and the secretary makes me special drinks. This is the third smallest school with around 36 kids. This is the only school where I kind of have a "trouble" class. Half of the class just doesn't really care about English. I don't blame them, and I am trying to find ways to make it seem semi-interesting and challenging to them at least.

D.) Sekioka Elementary School

This is the 4th smallest, with 29 kids. There is only one kid in the 3rd grade! I love the 3.4 year class here. They are one of my favorites. The 5.6 HR teacher is always prepared, and he holds a lively and fun class. (Which means less work for me. :D)

E.) Uchikawa Elementary School

Uchikawa is TINY with only 24 kids. I really like the atmosphere though. They have English written everywhere, even on the stairs. (One does say "frying fish" though, and we are not talking about cooking. >.>) I should take some pics sometime. :D I LOVE the 1.2 years here. They are so freaking adorable. All the other grades are great too.

Well, I was going to show you some school lunch pictures, but I think this is enough excitement for tonight...

Oh and why was it a day of signing? Because I went to choir! The town has a choir, and my friend who had gone before went with me. Surprisingly, or maybe not, I was the youngest in the room. By probably at the least ten years and the most fifty-three. >.< I am going to go again though, it is fun, and there is no pressure. We sang Amazing Grace and three other Japanese songs. They are performing this Sunday, but I can't go. I don't see how much help I would be anyway, except for Amazing Grace I would just have to lip sinc (if we didn't have the sheet music). I guess I am performing on October 3rd though at a culture fair? I dunno...

Well I'm done for now. Until tomorrow chaps...

Gah, I just got a bad craving for Albertos. I really want some chips and guacamole. Robby and Dad keep asking me what I want in a care package, and if there were some gosh darn way to get it to me without spoiling, that would be my number one choice. -_-;;; Oh well...

And my stomach, it growls...