Good times.

Today was a nice, relaxing day at yon-chu. It was art day, so the kids painted pictures all day. The first- and second-graders went to various parks to do their work, while the third graders went around the school and drew. It was great, because I got to know the 3rd graders a lot better. Unfortunately, I teach 3rd graders with the teacher who is a bitch, so I dont really have the opportunity to feel comfortable and mess around with the 3rd graders in class like I do with the other kids. So, this was a good day. I started trying to draw a picture myself, but it sucked, so I gave up and walked around to see what everyone was drawing. Some of the kids were really good.

For the most part, I chilled in a classroom with four girls who are very cool. They always test me to remember their names, so I actually remember them- Risa, Mizuki, Yuka, and Eri. Now, Japanese people have a tendency to shorten words or names as much as possible. For example, Brad Pitt is often referred to as "Brappy," a cool band called Beat Crusaders are often called "Be-Cru" and things like that. So, we were talking about restaurants in Japan, when I mentioned First Kitchen, a delicious japanese fast food chain. Well, apparently they shorten this to "Fir-keen." Now, with a Japanese accent, this sounds EXACTLY like "fucking." Man, when I heard Yuka say that I burst out laughing and she had no idea why. I explained that this is "Eigo no waruguchi" (English badmouth) and they laughed a lot too. Good times!

The following picture is from a 2nd grade picture. I had been waiting for a time when there would be no one in the classroom so I could get this picture. I think it summarizes all that is funny about Engrish.



Need I explain anymore?

In all honesty, the whole L-to-R confusion with Japanese people makes a lot of sense when you've studied the language, but who cares. This is too funny. Especially since it's plastered in the center of a public junior high school's classroom.

Here's a picture of Manami and me. It's actually from a couple weeks ago. Aren't we cute?


Oh, and I shouldn't forget to mention. Today was my first time being hungover at work. Oh god, the morning sucked. I thought a puking session was imminent. Last night, I got waasted at an izakaya with the other Tsuchiura ALTs (assisstant language teachers) and also one of the vice principals at a different school. He was cool and apparently liked my drinking ability, because he wanted my number and email. Sweet, I have a 50-year old Japanese friend. That's all.