I teach a pair of twins. They belong to different classes that I teach consecutively. I always feel that they are one and the same because they are so responsive in their own class. It’s really like a continuation act. I call Fumiya my ponyo boy because that was how i first noticed him.

Anne: What movie genre is this (holds up flashcard of ponyo)
Fumiya: PONYO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anne: -_-”"”"”"

(Disclaimer: He is much smarter than that… he just wanted to make a joke. )

I think his brother is calle Rumiya… equally jovial and open! They try so hard to make me understand what they are saying, it is actually fun to pretend to be ignorant. lol. They’re also the ones who shouted ‘DESTINY WE MEETO’. Such gems.

It’s disconcerting sometimes when I remember that these boys are 17 because I treat them as if they are 15.

walking past a female student in the teacher’s room on my way to another room to administer a speaking test…

Student: Hello!
Anne: Hello!
Student exclaims LOUDLY: Anne sensei! you are so cute today!
ALL THE TEACHERS burst out laughing
Anne: Huh? You’re cute too! (trying to run away from being the center of attention)
Student to Math teacher: Anne sensei wa (something something in Japanese), she is ONLY CUTE TODAY.
Anne: WHAT? ONLY TODAY????

Only Japanese students will tell you you are cute in your face. Even if it is just for a day!

formal = boring and i will never forget this ever.

Kawaura High School celebrated its 60th anniversary today via a formal ceremony which saw like old man after old man go up to the stage to talk and an hour later, it was over. And the WORK the teachers put into this hour seemed so … unjustified. Who really wanted to listen to all these talks? Definitely not I and definitely not the students.

but it was good training in discipline i felt, for me and for the students. lol. sitting there for one hour without moving much. without talking, without sleeping.

they had a jazz performance after that… and i found a new dislike… for the pianica. the sound is emits is so piercing, it gives me a headache. too high brow a performance for me. Give me an accapella group anyday.

but tmr, CULTURAL FESTIVAL!! THE ULTIMATE FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR FOR ALL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS!

when u spend a total of 6 hours in a car with someone… and u successfully manage to chat for almost all of that time, you know you have made a friend=)

Sure… what can i do for you?

What cupa are you?

WHAT?

What cupa? BIgG BigG…

I laugh… TOP SECRET. Himitsu.

TOUCH! TOUCH!

What? NO!!!!!

No… you touch her…. (points to classmate)

WHAT?????? NO!!!!! no touching!

dialogue courtesy of my 2nd year all girl class

Last night, one of my colleagues asked me “do you ever feel lonely living in a foreign country”? and without hesistation, i said “yes”. and she asked “when do you feel it the most” and i said “at meal times”. It was a special day- yesteday.

is most acute after you have experienced something exciting and then leave with nothing ‘cept a single goodbye.

sometimes i feel so tired i drop everything I have around the house and vegetate in front of the tv. WHY DO I FEEL SO EXHUASTED?

Calbee Crispy Potato- Hot & Spicy (Premium Quality).