Busy Week Ahead

We've got a fairly busy week in progress here, despite the fact that the term doesn't start until the beginning of September. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Yamasho is hosting an "open school" for prospective students. Sam and I will each give a five minute presentation four times over the course of the two-day event, talking about our background and our country. I'll use some photos of family and home as well as a couple of cool colorful maps showing the states and the Northwest.

Then on Thursday we have a day off to travel to Nagoya with several other Mie JETs to get re-entry permits stamped onto our passport in case we ever decide to travel abroad while our 3-year visa is valid. After the Nagoya trip we'll head to Nabari where we'll stay until Saturday -- we're helping with an English camp there on Friday but staying overnight because it's a bit out of the way from Ise. At the English camp we'll lead small groups of high school students in games and other activities aimed at English conversation.

Meanwhile, backtracking to Wednesday evening, we have our first official "enkai," or office party. From what I gather, this will include most English teachers and several other teachers from the school. Not sure if the principal or vice principal will be there, as we have a separate dinner meeting set up for them, I think.

So this week is really going to fly by. The following week, except for a couple appointments, is vacation time. I don't plan to go anyway big but I might try to dash off to Nagoya, Osaka or Kyoto (all within reach by a couple of hours on the train).

Then after my summer holiday, our truly busy schedule will begin. I am definitely looking forward to starting up classes. Today we attended a session of a special summer class of the first year (10th grade) international track students. We gave a quick introduction in English and then assisted with a few activities. It was a nice intro to some aspects of "team teaching" and the students were quite good an English and pretty high energy for being in school during what is technically summer break (here, summer school isn't for slackers trying to catch up, but over-achievers trying to jump ahead ... I think ... I may be wrong but that's what I gather.)

Now, we're heading out to meet a Japanese friend we've made, and I'm hoping the outing includes dinner because I had only a tiny sandwich for lunch. Gotta run ... I'm due outside in 120 seconds.