My First Day

It was a great day as I achieved er...multiple culture-shockasms? The days highlights included:

8:40 - Goodbye Sensei Ceremony

For my first day of school I arrived at 8:00am and sat nervously at my desk while much Japanese I didn't understand was spoken all around me for the morning teachers meeting. Gratefully, my desk is next to the 7th grade English teacher, Ms. Oyama (I found it charming that, despite being the tiniest teacher in stature, her name translates to "big mountain"), who gave me a rough account of what was being said. Basically the first day of the school year was reserved for all the teachers who were transferring away this semester. After the staff meeting, we went to the gymnasium where a formal ceremony was held. All the 8th and 9th graders sang a song (choir is a requirement at this school) while the just-from elementary 7th graders watched. Hearing the students sing (very well, I might add) reminded me of my own time spent in choirs and, combined with all that it had taken to get to this day, I was moved to tears.

After the choral bit, the 10 leaving teachers then gave farewell speeches to all the students. the students responded with sobbing speeches of gratitude, presented them with flowers, and wished them well in their new schools. Then, the entire student body (minus the new 7th graders) did a farewell dance of angular proportions! All I could think during the dance was, "Damn, I should have bought a video camera." All in all, I have to say I was completely shocked at the mutual respect and love between the students and the teachers. I was also shocked at the result of the following conversation I had with another teacher during the ceremony:

Me: This gymnasium is really nice. I like it a lot.

Teacher: Yes, but it's very old. They are building another one.

Me: Really? That great. Where will they build it?

Teacher: Here.

Me: Here?

Teacher: Yes, they will tear down this gym tomorrow.

Me: Tomorrow!?

Teacher: Yes. Is my English OK?

9:30 Goodbye Gymnasium Ceremony

True to her word, today was indeed the last day of occupancy for the gymnasium. Confirming my belief that Japanese are much more aware and respectful of the physical world, immediately following the Goodbye Sensei Ceremony, the Goodbye Gymnasium Ceremony was held. The mayor came in and gave a speech, the principal gave a speech, the students sang again, and much bowing was made to the building. Unified shouts of "thank you" were made by the students to the spirit(s?) of the gymnasium, followed by more bowing before the students returned to their classes.

Since I neither had my lunch nor any classes to teach, my vice-principal sent me home early. I spent the rest of the day window-shopping for my spacious, yet barren, apartment.