Dress Rehearsals

I was asked to take on this role by an old friend, who popped into the school this morning and on his way out, gave me a slap on the shoulder & told me I was doing a grand old job. I hope he's right. I also hope he's on the board of governors! The teachers were jittery with today's dress rehearsal; the very small audience appeared to be rather important - have not seen them before, but you kind of know when powerful hitters are on the bench!

The running order seems to be:

1. Ikuko's tiddlers did their hungry caterpillar routine. Lovely. The slightly odd girl in her class went postal, as usual; seems to be Kozue's full-time job just corralling her!
2. Miwa & Ayako's mini Vegetable Patch & Viking Man ensemble
3. Kimiko's play which escapes me
4. Alysa's pirate ship - The Big Show & Yukina look very good
5. Chisato's group were flagging before lunch in togas, with a baffling number stage entries & exits
6. Satsuki's climax of boy scouts & wellington boots, I am still none the wiser.

And about that lunch. Nobody had thought to tell me today was BYO day. Well, that's actually OK with me - I just wish lawsons was further away so I could stretch the walk out & listen to Test Match Special over my sandwiches. As it was, just had time to hear King Geoffrey of Boycott taking chunks out of Matt Prior for wafting his wicket away in Perth. Meanwhile, some bloodnut called Stokes piles past a debut ton & belts the new ball out of shape in the process.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the late lunch has put everyone off their usual game. With my wandering remit, observed that Chisato was debriefing her class very nicely indeed and giving them a lovely "genki up" - whole class listening intently. She is really growing in my esteem; massively under-estimated her early on. Satsuki's class apparently not up to muster & having to have another practice, the world on her shoulders again. Guess who AWOL on her class while Kimiko corner a quiet place. Think she has been remarkable, given her father passed away last week. Wish I could communicate with this team better.

Winter winds, red cheeks & snot noses

So cold this morning that the gates were closed early and everyone confined to the inner courtyard; down jackets de rigur and tissues/handkerchiefs somewhat optional extras!

Made very welcome this morning in the pink classroom, and invited to start the morning off with our "hello" song, cheerfully followed by about eight tunes with her plonking away merrily on the piano, mega-smile encouraging everyone along & infecting with happiness. Result of I-sensei being super chirpy is that the whole class is well-behaved - even covering mouths when coughing; 8 classmates absent with wheezes today nevertheless.

The younger teachers again making sure I know where the bonenkai will be (thank you!) and I'm looking forward to seeing how this lot look off-duty. I really do not want to have to give a speech though...please don't make me do that?

Horror moment in the main hall, as I could not leap fast enough. Everyone running around like mad, and one girl trips over a leg sticking out of one of the screens they have around - dangerous - and lands cheek-first onto the next one. I could see this in slow-mo and was very annoyed with myself for not reacting quicker. An accident waiting to happen; assistant K summoned into action (didn't believe me immediately but pretty bloody obvious - minus blood - this child had taken a major hit) with the Dragon also swooping into consoling action. Accident report filled in as they waited for mummy or granny to appear & head to hospital - very smoothly managed, I must say. All the meanwhile I-sensei continues to manage the class on her own, seamlessly. Nobody even noticed the pant-wetter & puddle-maker! All dealt with in her stride.

Back in the classroom, The Very Hungry Caterpillar got a run out (app for that?) with what looks like a follow up plan? During the siesta though, I again was subjected to cling-ons & headbangers which made post-lunch a long drawn out affair. Even longer once the aerobics DVD was deployed again in the main hall - hid at the back this time unwilling to look like a hip-hop dork. Exile my behind!

Guy Fawkes' Day - light my fire?

Neighbourhood watch

Apparently I was missed last Thursday & Friday so delivering 'omiyagi' (souvenirs) the very least expected of me. Nothing 'special' - the usual "giri choco" that airports around the world stock for returning Japanese sightseers to waste money & baggage allowances on.

With my fave little pink teacher today, who teaches a new song to the teeny ones very nicely, in small chinks that even I can manage to repeat (but lo, instantly forget...I just cannot take in this language). Also delivers a homily about carrying our own bags out of school & not dumping them at the gate for mummy to carry.

The gentle touch

Autumn is arriving, and my days in shorts are finally over. Marked the changing of the leaves with a neighbourhood walk, buddies holding hands as we try to keep against the side of the road; Koz-sensei does this by being very grabby & crabby. A gorgeous, crisp morning.

Curry rice & jelly for lunch today, not quite matching the stupendous buffet I was tucking into last Friday in Hong Kong - thought I'd burst, and still might judging from the pats on the tummy I keep getting. Today's highlight is the sight of snot trails running down faces into curry, with fingers criss-crossing between noses & food. For my sins (a dreadful too-much-in-flight-food fart) requiring a subtle walk around the room to dilute strategy looking quizzically around, a 4 year old lass sports the most obvious builder's crack I have witnessed in ages!

Origami mushroom

During the snooze, I find myself admiring Rumi and her calm, quiet classroom management. Doesn't say much, never raises her voice, just does things with assurance and grace. I think she's great. Had A's rowdy class eating out of her hand, making origami apples & mushrooms.