Routine

This job is starting to feel like work. Certain things are difficult, i.e. students in some classes would not say shit if they had a mouthful of it. My favorite part of the day is rapidly becoming lunch recess.

The school lunches are really good. Always tasty, filling, and cheap. But the problem is that we only get 15 minutes to eat and not a second more (seriously). In addition, I'm usually served a slightly bigger portion, kids/teachers try to talk to me, and I'm a slow eater. So it's always a mad dash to cram the rest of my rice, tiny salted fish bodies, tofu, and milk box into my mouth in the last 2 minutes as I watch the second hand on the clock.

Next is play time. So far I've only played basketball, but it seems that there are a few variations to the rules. It turns out that every student in the entire school (there are ~60 of them) plays in the gym at the same time. So you have a full court game in which you have to weave between the girls playing volleyball (at least they don't use a net). The end result is something like a mix between basketball and dodgeball where you may be called upon to perform a bump or a set at any given time. Last week I accidently tackled a girl, but she spiked the volleyball into the back of my head today so I guess she got her revenge.

The only other entertainment I had was last Saturday at a rice festival. I learned that when they celebrate rice, they also celebrate sake! I got to see this really cool demon dance (see UPDATE below and the video) where the guy came out and started chewing on the heads of various audience members (mine included). And I think he made one little kid wet himself.

Afterwards I did a bit of the bar scene with Ian and Matt (another new teacher from N. Carolina). We spent most of our time at a hip-hop club where all the guys were dressed like members of the Surenos. For some reason most of my drinks were paid for by chubby Japanese guys. And I'm pretty certain it wasn't gay; I think they just thought I was cool. The drinks were nice because my Japanese conversational skills go through the roof after a few beers. And not only do I become fluent, I become charming and witty as well. I wonder what it is.

UPDATE - Today I learned from my local guide that this dance is called Shishimai (lion dance). It is supposed to bring luck and a good harvest. The head-biting is a regular feature that brings luck and wisdom in old-age. Sweet... thanks lion guy.