Soooooo……how’s life?? Life is full of joy and challenges. This week has been pretty tiring. Man, I think I’ve been totally spoiled by all those Stat holidays!!! A “complete” week feels like…a lot! =P I had a pretty crappy lesson on Monday…yes, it was CRAPPY! It was just awkward seeing all those blank stares from the students. It was my second time leading the same activity. The first one was ok….but it wasn’t great. I did ask my JTE for advice for improvement. I guess I sooooo wanted to get it right that everything just fell apart. Initially, I was a bit scared to talk to my JTE, but I felt I need to talk to him. His response to my apology was actually not as “harsh” or critical than I thought. Haaaa, he was like..”did you even prepare? What were u thinking??” Haaa, how embarrassing! Well, then I told him my plan on the same activity for the later lessons. When we were doing the same activity for the 3rd and 4th times, things got a lot better. We were explaining and demonstrating the activity together. He also helped me to write stuff on the board so that the students can understand. Ha, that’s what I call TEAM TEACHING!! We work together to deliver lessons for the good of the students. During the 4th time, my JTE asked the students “do you understand?”, I almost shouted for joy when they said “yes!” (!!!!!) Hopefully this kind of team teaching momentum will continue.
Haaaaa, man…challenges. For the last few classes, my JTE did his own stuff w/ the students and I led my activity after his stuff. One time, while my JTE and I were walking to the classroom, he told me, “Joyce, I don’t have anything specific prepared for this class, so you’ll have the entire class.” When I heard that, I was like….WHAT?? YOU MUST BE KIDDING ME!! YOU’RE TELLING ME THAT A MINUTE BEFORE THE CLASS STARTS??? My activity would last for about 25 min….so that means I had to lead something for another 25 min. Luckily, he told me to prepare some sort of ice breaking activity before, but we didn’t do it because he had something prepared. Thus, I ended up leading that ice breaking game w/ that class followed by my planned activity. It was good that I’ve done that activity before so I knew how I would explain to the students. Haaaaa, but man….I don’t know if I would be so lucky next time…..as to be able to think of an activity like….right away!! Well, God will watch over me right? =) Gotta add oil arrrr!!!!!
Yes, going back to this stressful week. I had no free block on Tuesday…so I stayed at school til quite late to plan lessons for Wednesday. I left at like…6pm. I just felt like I couldn’t stay at school anymore. I was tired…and stressed. After the tiring day, I was totally not looking forward to the following Tuesday w/ no free block. Having back to back classes is just…tiring. However, the day actually went by somewhat fast and positive. The activities I planned for the 1 nen sei’s went somewhat well. Haaaa, I’m glad that my bday was before this stressful week. =)
Ok, speaking of bday, I was fortunate to have friends here to have pancake brunch together. Although the pancakes weren’t as good as IHOP’s, it was the people who matter. J After hanging out at Sophie’s place, I went home. It was glad that I didn’t go to the party (I know……I’m so non-social… =S ) I had the opportunity to catch up w/ a few friends and family!! Although it was kind of late Vancouver’s time, I saw my sis on MSN! She said she was waiting for me~ Awww, that was sooo sweet! It was also nice to chat w/ friends whom I hadn’t talked for a while. It’s great to hear some updates and recent happenings on the other side of the world. Haaaa, remember! I want my bbt~ =P Thanks sis for gift card….and yay! I have a touch now. Thanks my friend!! =) I guess if the relationship is “strong” enough, distance can actually make the relationship stronger. It is great to know that some ppl truly care. I’m guessing those ppl exist. Well, at least God will be here no matter what. I am fortunate.
It feels very different coming to Tokyo this time. For the last 2 times, I was super excited to explore everything. Well, not like I am not excited this time, but after taking a 5-hour bus ride from Sendai right after work, sitting in a Tokyo subway train didn’t excite me. I was glad that I wasn’t living in Tokyo. I somehow didn’t like the busy, “complicated”, seemingly stressed atmosphere in Tokyo. I don’t know why the “once impressed me” train system in Tokyo seems overwhelming this time. It seems complicated. I like how Sendai has only 1 subway line…and a not so complicated JR system (well, at least to the places I need to go…) I like how Sendai is a “small city”, but it has pretty much everything you need. In Sendai, I can almost find all the things I see in Tokyo. Well, I am enjoying my trip here tho! It’s just a bit tiring. =P
Haaa, no worries. Be happy. God will lead. Cheers my friends.
