Being put on the spot

Rumi-sensei - ever vigilant & calm

Little Bo Peep!

A very cold morning with snow flurries already, and a growing relief that I am not able to listen to the dross that is England's cricket tour to Australia. The Third Test starts today in Perth, and being Friday the thirteenth, history etc combines for another dismal Ashes Day.

I was diverted into the 'not really got a plan' classroom with A sensei. She does therefor rely on me more for gap-filling, and today no exception as she threw me another hospital pass - wanting 15-20 minutes off the top of my head for her group of 30. Asking me in front of them, all in Japanese, kind of undermines me as the 'only operates in English' person. She is forever stage whispering about this or that kid to me, which I don't really get. Not a big one for gossip, and certainly not when always going to be overheard.

Managed to hustle up a way of doing B.I.N.G.O song in groups of about 15. Letters (fortunately had them in my saddle-bag) on the wall, asked to stand in a line in front of the first (B), and hop right as the letters are called out. Letters progressively disappear to be replaced with actions eg pat your head until no letters, just lots of hopping & head patting. Lots of noise, collisions and laughter, and the second half of the group super keen to have their own turn. That's about the limit of pulling an activity out of my arse this morning - A fell back on musical chairs & a piggy in the middle kind of quiz. Which meant the kids had fun. If only there was a plan...

In trying to avoid the hell-after-lunch ordeal, I hunted around and found some more cardboard (a beer carton in the end) and produced a dangly Rudolph - not my best, but given the intrusions & elbow nudging all the time, will have to do.

My little mates impressed me with their powers of memory, as each class came by the main hall to run through their skits for the big show. I was skiving off of course, making myself look busy, before the end of day routine back with A-sensei, and her speed-reading storybook finale.

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.