Mata Ochi

So today, I taught my Halloween lesson at Mata Ochi Elementary school. Probably my second favorite school thus far. I gave them all costumes to wear during the lesson, and they thought that they had to give them back to me. I told them that they were a present from me, they were like, "YATTA! THANK YOU!" And they started to run around the room with joy. Geez, you should've been there. They were SO happy! Then I gave them their second gift which was a goody bag. Same reaction. Jumping around...yattas. I have enough warm fuzzies to last me the rest of my JET experience.

So, I learned that my job isn't necessarily to teach them English. My job really is about internationalization, and maybe at most...get them excited about English. Which, by the way, I know I'm doing.

I always hear them muttering some new English word that I taught them, or repeat a line from their English play that they are performing this Saturday: Look at my vest! Look at my vest! (or) String Cheese! String Cheese!

I love my job. I'm going to go to their English play this weekend. Unlike most JETs, it's not required of me, but I want to. They like me...they really like me!

Also, today was my last time teaching at the school. The teachers told me that when I returned next year, two of my students will be going to Nakashibetsu Junior High. It was a somber moment, cause it reminded me that everybody has to grow up sometime. But that's OK, cause I teach at Nakashibetsu Junior High too...and I will get to see them again!