Good Morning, Class!

So let me break it down for ya: I have 6 schools, 2 junior high, and 4 elementary. My first week I taught at Mutayama Junior High School for 3 days and then Mada Elementary on Friday, and last week I taught at Ryozan JHS on Tues-Thursday and went to Asakura-Higashi Elementary on Friday. Next week I'll be at Ryozan again for 3 days. It's a busy schedule, but I like it. :)
Teaching is, how can I say it.....INTERESTING. Despite the occasional "bad" kid and awkward question, it's really fun. The kids are very energetic and they ask me tons of questions. Anytime I'm in the hallways, kids say "DANIELLA, HELLO! HELLO!" I always ask "how are you" and they always say "I'm fine thank you, and you?" without fail. Every time. I guess it's something they learn right away in English class. I remember once when I was at Hosei, I was with some friends in the bookstore, and when I saw someone I knew, I asked them "How are you" and he said "I'm fine thank you, and you?" and I said "I'm fine, thank you" my other Japanese friends laughed said I sounded like an English teacher. Now I see why. It's only fitting really.
At Ryozan, it's basically impossible for me to walk from a classroom to the teacher's office without being stopped by students (there are like 750 students at Ryozan and 600 at Mutayama)! I have had kids ask me the basic questions like "are you from Canada?" "What Japanese food do you like?" and their favorite question: "Do you have a boyfriend?" Haha. You can tell who's gonna ask it before class even starts. Then you can him surrounded by his friends, working up the courage to ask, and then his hand goes up and you know it's coming. Boyfriend is "kareshi" in Japanese, so when I start to hear the word whispered, I know they're trying to find someone in the room that knows how to say in English. I think it's funny. :) A couple times when I say no, a boy will be like "CHANCE!!" um, as if! Once a boy even blew a kiss at me! When did 12 year boys get so forward? hahahaha. I've also been asked not-so-typical questions like: "Do they have banks in America?" um, yes. lots. "When people shoot and kill other people in America, do they get arrested?" um, yes? what? hahahaha They are always surprised when I say I like sushi or Studio Ghibli, or when they find out that I loved pokemon when I was their age. They can't believe when I say that "Satoshi" is called "Ash" in America, so then they start asking about all the other characters. I think they get disappointed when I say that Pikachu is still Pikachu. :)

But in all honesty, the classes are mostly really fun. I am exhausted when I get home though. My bike ride to Ryozan takes me 45 mintues! and it's all up hill! This whole week I passed out at like 8:30 on my (lovely) couch.

This past Friday, at an elementary school, the Vice Principal took a bunch of pictures of me while I was teaching. Here are some of them: