Adding Stamps

I have a standing lunch date with Wendy each day at 11:55, one of my highlights! I’m not just saying that because I know you read this Wendy, I truly love lunch together. I am learning so much about the culture! I really feel as if I don’t contribute anything to our friendship. Wendy just gives gives gives. You are AMAZING!

Well today I was late, I stayed after class a few mins to talk with a few students, my favorite class of course. Anyway Wendy was not at our usually waiting spot. I waited a few min and was afraid I had missed her. The Japanese teachers were passing on their way to lunch and I asked if I could join them.

Japanese Teachers

I had an absolutely delightful lunch! I have come to appreciate my classes after speaking with the Japanese teachers. My students all have prior English experience most having at least 6 years. The Japanese students on the other hand are in the first year of the language. Also I am beginning to like having large classes as there is more that I can do in groups.

Sitting with the two teachers was very informative. I asked tons of questions about Japan and fortunately for me they both speak English. The younger teacher was an exchange student to Florida in college and has very good English even if he insists he doesn’t. I learned the polite greeting to beginning and ending a meal.

I don’t know how to write Japanese characters but here is the pronunciation:

Before you start eating you say: i ta da ki ma su

Once finished you say: go chi sau sam ma de shi ta

I also learned unlike Chinese Pinyin there is no official Latin Alphabet translation for Japanese. Japanese characters are a lot simpler than Chinese as Japanese characters where taken from Chinese and then simplified.

 A wonderful lunch, the teachers here are all just so much fun to get to know. I look forward to getting to know the Japanese teachers better. They will both be here for the entire year as well.