(no subject)
So, today was one of the days I'd been dreading a bit...I was going to be meeting the Board of Education (BoE).
I got up, got ready and made it to the BoE with tons of time to spare, however there was still people who where there earlier than me. The boss showed up and told us we were to introduce ourselves, say what schools we were working at and finish with "yoroshiku onegaishimasu" (which is basically a sort of 'please take care of me'). I started to panic as I could only remember one school I was working at, so I checked with my supervisor, and got the other two names...I repeated them to myself as we walked over to the school next door to prepare for our meeting. Once we got there I realized I had confused the name of one school (Ohmasu) with an actor (Osamu)...and I had to double check the name of the school, again.
I was about 2/3rds of the way through the group, so as people went I practiced again (with the right name). I went in, bowed, and started my spiel. I suspect that my Japanese pronunciation was woefully inadequate as there were numerous giggles from the group as I tried to say the right things. I gave them a wry/embarrassed smile, bowed again and left. I suppose that they won't forget the girl who mangled the language.
I then went looking for a few things at the nearby department store. It was very expensive, so I decided to see if the mall on the other side of the the train tracks had what I was looking for. I found a shoe store, but the shoes I wanted weren't in black. In Japanese schools you take off your outdoor shoes and wear a new set inside. Most of the time they're runners, so I was looking for a pair that didn't look strange, but they only had the ones I liked in beige...so nope.
I finally headed to the city office to change the address on my gaijin card. I had all this done by 11am. I was on my way home to change when the CSoTD happened....well the first part. I'm walking down my block and there are about 4 elementary school students leaving a house. The first one says "Al-lo", so I say "hello" back. |We've been told to remember that when we're near the schools/in our neighbourhood, there's always a chance that we're being observed by the parents of our students. The next one says "al-lo" and when I say hello back to him he continues with "my name is Totoro" (name has been changed, because I can't remember names worth a darn). So I say, "nice to meet you" and he replies (along with another kid) "nice to meet you, too." I get a couple more hellos and I'm on my way home.
I change and head out to the local electronics giant. I found a decent priced printer, paper and wires to hopefully use my computer for my self introductions over the next week or so. I get it all home, and realize I should get some paper to prepare my "in case computer doesn't work" introduction. I remember there's a paper/craft store near a couple of my schools and I really need some more groceries, so I'm on my way again.
I'm heading to the paper store, when I see the talkative kid from earlier (CSoTD cont) and he's being chased by one of the girls who was with him. He's running full tilt away from her, and he still manages to get off a "al-lo" for me. I say "hi" back and continue on my way giggling. I really hope he's a student at one of the elementary schools I work at because I suspect he really wants to learn English.
I get my construction paper, and supplies, get some groceries, and finally head home to start getting my printer set up, and finishing my prep for the intro. The printer took a little guess work, trying to change the display from Japanese to English...but I got it working. Printed off some pictures of the family, of my triathlon, and my military life, then finished the powerpoint presentation. I saved it on the flash drive, and decided to give everyone an update.
Not the most interesting day, but busy. Tomorrow....the first day of school (dum dum dum dummmm).
I got up, got ready and made it to the BoE with tons of time to spare, however there was still people who where there earlier than me. The boss showed up and told us we were to introduce ourselves, say what schools we were working at and finish with "yoroshiku onegaishimasu" (which is basically a sort of 'please take care of me'). I started to panic as I could only remember one school I was working at, so I checked with my supervisor, and got the other two names...I repeated them to myself as we walked over to the school next door to prepare for our meeting. Once we got there I realized I had confused the name of one school (Ohmasu) with an actor (Osamu)...and I had to double check the name of the school, again.
I was about 2/3rds of the way through the group, so as people went I practiced again (with the right name). I went in, bowed, and started my spiel. I suspect that my Japanese pronunciation was woefully inadequate as there were numerous giggles from the group as I tried to say the right things. I gave them a wry/embarrassed smile, bowed again and left. I suppose that they won't forget the girl who mangled the language.
I then went looking for a few things at the nearby department store. It was very expensive, so I decided to see if the mall on the other side of the the train tracks had what I was looking for. I found a shoe store, but the shoes I wanted weren't in black. In Japanese schools you take off your outdoor shoes and wear a new set inside. Most of the time they're runners, so I was looking for a pair that didn't look strange, but they only had the ones I liked in beige...so nope.
I finally headed to the city office to change the address on my gaijin card. I had all this done by 11am. I was on my way home to change when the CSoTD happened....well the first part. I'm walking down my block and there are about 4 elementary school students leaving a house. The first one says "Al-lo", so I say "hello" back. |We've been told to remember that when we're near the schools/in our neighbourhood, there's always a chance that we're being observed by the parents of our students. The next one says "al-lo" and when I say hello back to him he continues with "my name is Totoro" (name has been changed, because I can't remember names worth a darn). So I say, "nice to meet you" and he replies (along with another kid) "nice to meet you, too." I get a couple more hellos and I'm on my way home.
I change and head out to the local electronics giant. I found a decent priced printer, paper and wires to hopefully use my computer for my self introductions over the next week or so. I get it all home, and realize I should get some paper to prepare my "in case computer doesn't work" introduction. I remember there's a paper/craft store near a couple of my schools and I really need some more groceries, so I'm on my way again.
I'm heading to the paper store, when I see the talkative kid from earlier (CSoTD cont) and he's being chased by one of the girls who was with him. He's running full tilt away from her, and he still manages to get off a "al-lo" for me. I say "hi" back and continue on my way giggling. I really hope he's a student at one of the elementary schools I work at because I suspect he really wants to learn English.
I get my construction paper, and supplies, get some groceries, and finally head home to start getting my printer set up, and finishing my prep for the intro. The printer took a little guess work, trying to change the display from Japanese to English...but I got it working. Printed off some pictures of the family, of my triathlon, and my military life, then finished the powerpoint presentation. I saved it on the flash drive, and decided to give everyone an update.
Not the most interesting day, but busy. Tomorrow....the first day of school (dum dum dum dummmm).