Feb 13 – Genki!

Today I got to hang out with the Genki-Gumi kids. They are the 3 year olds and there are a whopping 27 of them. It There are usually two sensei’s working in that room. With me it made 3. I got to watch them practice a dance for the upcoming gaku-sai festival. Then we got to sing various songs of which I knew none of the lyrics. I did my best under the circumstances, a couple of the songs I had heard before, so I at least knew the melody. The kids sang and did motions to go along with the words. I passed by just by mimicking the motions of the other sensei’s beside me. One of the things about 3 year olds is that they do not yet know how to control their voices. Their singing was less of a melody, and more of a contest of who could sing the loudest. It was lots of fun! Then instead of doing the normal activities, we had some free play time in the gym. I got to throw kick-balls back and forth at various kids, as well as chase them around the room with them yelling in terror. Oh how I miss having recess! When it was nap time, I slipped back to the teachers lounge and enjoyed some tea with the other sensei’s. I once again got to explain that America is not any scarier than Japan and everyone does not have a gun. Seriously, where do all these stereotypes come from? In any case, I had a nice hour long talk with the various teachers who took their break time and felt like sitting across the table from me.

Right on time at 2:30, Isao Sensei showed up and we headed to the Gakuen. When I arrived there were not any kids there yet so I asked what I should do to make myself of use. Bad idea. I ended up mopping the entire first floor of the gakuen. This included the gym, hallway, and 2 rooms with lots of tables in them. By the time I finished I was ready to lie down and take some rest, but the kids had already arrived. We went outside to play in the fresh powdery snow right off the bat. Sledding didn’t work to well for me or Isao sensei as we sunk right to the bottom of the snow causing the sled to stop. The kids had no problem though. We got to use a teeny tiny snowboard to try and kill ourselves instead. Isao sensei could actually make it most of the way down the hill without falling. It sure impressed me! Back inside I played some soccer and basketball with Ilia Sensei and the kids. Fun times fun times.