Onwards and upwards

Wednesday of this week, June 20th, was my last day working for the English school I worked for.

For now, I’m just going back to being a housewife and mother. If I decide down the road I want to start teaching here at my house a few lessons a week, that’ll be fine too, but for now, I’m happy I won't have the huge long commute anymore and I look forward to just staying in my town versus having a 2 full hour commute (1 hour each way).  And the title of this post is in reference to the commute not the teaching aspect. The teaching part I loved, it was the commute that was the killer for me. So onwards and upwards meaning...no more long commute for me. Ykwim. : )

I worked there happily for 1 year. However the drive to be honest with you was brutal. It was a 1 hour drive that way and a 1 hour drive back. Two hours round trip. So the driving and the distance of being actually THAT far away from home always bothered me and worried me, especially thinking about 3/11, what if disaster were to strike again, I shudder just thinking that. Somehow knowing I was indeed THAT great a distance away from my sons if anything god forbid did happen, I would be too far away to get to them. So that was always this little tiny worry for me in the back of my mind.

Also, for example before Noah graduated yochien. There was a flu going around the shogakko. Branden’s class was having many half days for 2 weeks straight almost daily. Twice during those 2 weeks, I was again 1 hour away. I meanwhile get a text message saying...all 4th graders get off at 11am. Parents must pick the kids up! Granted I picked Branden up every other single half day during those two week but yes 2 of those days I was very far away at work. The worry I felt in my heart, before I knew Noboru could indeed jump in and pick up Branden. Thank goodness Noboru was able to swing and get Branden. But again, for emergencies like that...here I am a full hours drive away.

I didn’t quit even though the driving was brutal because frankly, I love teaching. I love kids! Kids are so cool! And I really liked my working partner. But when she quit in the beginning of April. It was just not the same after she left.  But the distance I was away from home was the main reason. And let's face it....I was happy Noah finally was in school in our town, FINALLY. And after driving Noah to yochien in the city nearest us for 3 years straight 5 days a week. And now Noah is finally going to school in our town. yet here *I* was the one with the commute from heck. So yeah...I'd like to do less driving. So this was just the right time to switch.  Besides I only worked 2 days a month anyway. But yeah, now I don't have to think or worry about being that great a distance away anymore. And now I can be there if the boys need me.  And now that Summer is approaching, all the better. So lots of free time for me. ; ) Time to clean the house, organize all the meals, laundry. And all the other things I'm usually off doing in the day time.  So nothings really going to change too much really at all.

I do have to say, working mom's, they rock! Nothing but huge respect coming from me.  Anyway this is a good move for me. So please just be happy for me : )...no more long 2 hour roundtrip commute for me. Phew. And I left my job on good terms, I gave a month in advance notice actually 40 days in advance notice to be fair. They have a replacement so every things totally cool. And I feel really good about it. And they did understand, they know where my house is in comparison with the schools (both of them) and they do indeed know and acknowledge it was just too far. So no hard feelings either way.  : )

Last Tuesday: Snow, black ice, teaching and Branden's observation day

The forecast last Monday said Chiba would snow that night. I took the advice, made sure I had a couple days worth of food. But wasn't going to hold my breath too much because I know a lot of the time, it fizzles out and it won't snow. Just get very very close to snowing then falling short. However true to the forecast it did snow. So last Monday, I sent Branden and Noah to school. Noah went to swim club, it was so freezing cold temp wise but not a flake of snow to be had. Branden went to Kumon and no snow. Now it certainly did feel like snow was in the air though. The sky grew gray though it's been gray all week then it grew an almost whitish color. And stayed that way. We drew the blinds around dinner time. The boys took showers and then a bath. I took a shower after. We did the night time books before bed which is always so much fun and the snuggles and cuddles that go with. And as I walked downstairs, Noboru said, big huge snow flakes are falling from the sky. Hmmm, @_@ so I looked out the big sliding window in the living room and sure enough snow was falling. Finally, at last at last! I was happy to see it snow. I look forward to snow all winter long. However this time the timing was just bad. I had work the following day. And wasn't exactly looking forward to driving on sheets of black ice. : ( Anyway, it is, what it is. And it happens when it happens. : ) Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches right? So, Tuesday morning we woke up to this. Pretty typical snow fall for our area in Chiba. Not huge amounts of snow, like how I grew up in Colorado. But still very pretty. I woke up at 5:30am, yep I am now fully adjusted on my morning routine time now. : ) I had a cup of coffee, read my emails. And around 5:50am started breakfast for the boys. Easy cheese omelets and toast. And 1 instant packet each of cinnamon roll oatmeal. They ate at the table, then watched morning cartoons. Branden then went upstairs and got ready for school. I went upstairs did my makeup, my hair and got dressed. I also made an obento for Noah. And made sure he got dressed. Noboru took Branden to school Tuesday morning since I was going to be leaving soon, and I was doing last minute getting Noah ready for yochien things with him. Meanwhile, my teaching partner and I were to meet up at the hoikuen at 9am. It's an hours drive away on a normal day. However because of the snow and Noboru came home saying the roads were all black ice. I left 30 minutes earlier. I left around 7:28am. That way if the roads were bad, or traffic were bad, I wouldn't be late. Here is a pic of Noboru outside last Tuesday morning walking the backyard looking for mole hills. with cup of coffee in hand.
So, I'm now at the hoikuen, I arrived at 8:43am, good thing I did leave early because the roads were black ice for 80% of the way there. On the sunny streets it was starting to melt, but many areas all the way there are shaded. So, I was glad I planned ahead some. So, I am waiting in my car. We usually meet in the parking lot, my teaching partner and I. 9am rolls around and no teaching partner. Hmm. I'm patient. So, I waited in my car with the heater on. 9:05, still no teaching partner. This is not like her. Now I'm starting to worry a litttle. Just then my cell rings, her name shows up. I answer, and she says she's stuck in traffic and will be 10 minutes late. There was a huge car accident up the road. The staff at the school know I'm clearly there and in my car, the parking is right across the street and when they open the curtains upstairs in the auditorium where we teach, to let the sun in, one of the hoikuen teachers waved at me already that morning. : ) I waved back. Anyway she finally got there safe and sound which was nice. We taught both lessons, and I must say we rocked it! I've been teaching at these 2 hoikuens for 6 months now and I love it. I like that I don't have to plan the lessons from scratch (sorry everyone's different but I like the ease this way). I think the lessons are great, very thorough, we teach them tons of things, the kids have a blast, they learn heaps. And leave with huge smiles on their faces. They all know me, the kids, I give them all 5 on the way out, some I give 10. A few of the boys I give them the knuckle hand explosion thing too. LOL. I in all seriousness, have a complete and absolute blast. I guess I just have the right personality to be a kindy English teacher, the kids are so fun to teach! I love it. And the money is excellent. I even get the hoikuen sensei's into it too. One sensei at the other school loves our class so much. She's one of the loudest in the class. : ) when I say something and the class repeats I always hear that particular sensei. I know they enjoy the class too. I may eventually start to teach lessons at my home in the future and then plan the lessons by myself etc and I'm fine with it. But for now, I'm just really enjoying these 2 times a month, lessons we give. It doesn't take too much time and I really do have a ball with it. I like interacting with them.
Anyway after our class, we went to the office and had hot green tea with the principal. This is the school where the principal loves America, has all sorts of books etc and so we talked for a good 45 minutes before leaving. Oh yes, My teaching partner went to South Korea over the Christmas/New Year's vacation. She kindly brought me back this omiyage (presents) red chili pepper seaweed and a face mask made from snails. She said it's all the rage now days. I still haven't used it yet. I just can't wrap my head around putting snail slime on my face yet. Anyway if I try it, I'll let you know. : ) I think though that was very thoughtful of her to bring me something and I thanked her. And I will build up the courage to try it.
It is supposed to leave you with super clear and radiant skin.
Still, Tuesday. Up the hill, Noah and I went to Branden's observation day. It was so cold walking up the hill, the wind went right through you. And wearing my work pants it felt painful, the wind was so strong and cold. But I will be here for you kiddo! And for what it's worth, I would have not worked that day if Branden would have let me know ahead of time. He had the note in his randoseru and didn't show us, and when my work emailed me asking if I was free that day, we checked the calendar and nothing was written down. So, that's why I said yes. 3 days later Branden said, whoops forgot to give you this note and by that time, it was already too late to cancel with the school. So last Tuesday was a busy day for me. Which was fine. As long as I made it to everything I was supposed to do. Then it's all good.

Branden's sensei.
We are still talking about sweet potatoes. : )
One of Branden's Winter diary's, hung up with the rest of the classes. These 2 pics are, one of Branden and Noah at the pool area at the Hilton over Christmas and the other is of Branden sliding down the slide. So many mother's came to read this and see his pictures. It was cute. His teacher loved it too.
Another thing to use sweet potatoes for, make stamps out of them.
Top 3 places sweet potatoes come from in Japan. #2 is Chiba and #3 is Ibaraki, and we live right along the border of both, so no wonder we talk tons about sweet potatoes here. : )
Did he grow up or did he grow up? If you've been reading for a while, you'll know this kiddo is Genki-kun! He is such a sweet boy! He went to yochien with Branden. I give him a ride to our housing community at least once a week. He's a very good kid.
I get smiles and waves from all the kids at our local elementary school! They all know me. Know who I am. I'm always nice and friendly, so I always get tons and tons of smiley faces from these kids in return.
The 3rd grade teacher for the #2 class. Also known as my fellow yochien mom friend too. And mom whose gone to Costco with us before. I hope like heck she's Noah's teacher in April! I seriously hope.
And that smiling sensei is the Yuka-sensei, Branden's former 1st and 2nd grade sensei. All the teachers switch classes this year. Who will Noah get this year? Who will Branden get?
Jump rope!

And into the gymnasium Noah and I went.
Hi Branden!
In this door was a haunted house! The Ringu and the Juon and stuff. Lots of scary characters in there!
Branden chatting away. And that was what happened in our neck of the woods last Tuesday. Some snow, some black ice. Teaching 2 classes, picking up Noah, getting the both of us up the hill and into the elementary school we went, then I chit chatted with so many kids, a handful of mom friends and quite a few teachers and most importantly to show up for Branden, he was so happy. Then, Noah and I headed home. I prepped for dinner. Put my sweatpants, sweatshirt on, pony tail in my hair, and then Noah and I went to pick up Branden and bring him home. Branden got started with homework and finished. Meanwhile I finished making supper. Phew, long day...long day. The weather dropped again that night. And I knew I was done teaching for January. I have my schedule for February already and I'm only working 1 day this month. Which again is nice. I'm super busy with the shaon kai at the moment anyway. Plus with taking care of the house and laundry etc. Anyway that was last Tuesday for our family. : )

Teaching English

No, not full time and not even part time. I am teaching 2-4 times a month now, I just started in July. Between you and me, I get asked to teach English at least once a week, if not more. It happens to me everywhere I go. If I'm at swimming club. At the yochien. People who live in our housing community...even if I'm just chilling at a Summer festival for example someone is bound to walk up to me and ask me. I don't really mind the question at all. But when Branden was younger for example, I had my hands full taking care of him and that was fine, I absolutely loved doing so, he's my son, I love him to bits. And then when Noah was born 6 years ago, it was just out of the question me teaching, I then had my hands full twice as much, but again it was my pleasure, I love my kids. I was much too busy taking care of the house and my young babies to be out of the house teaching anyone else, other then my own children anything, you know what I mean, I hope. : )

However as some of you know, I did teach elementary school in Denver for a few years before Noboru was tranferred to Hawaii and ultimately to Japan (way before we had kids). And I loved being a teacher of native English speaking kids. It was so much fun for me. I'm just really good with kids. Always have been. I never really thought I'd be good at teaching ESL though. And again with raising little kids of my own all these years it was never an option. However I have many fabulous ESL teacher friends and I do think what they do is amazing and I respect them so. I always feel a kinship to teachers probably because of how I started out in Denver though. : )

Fast forward to now. I started thinking about 6 month's ago, with Noah going to be in elementary next year. I guess I could teach 4 times a month tops. It would be some good extra pocket money for me. I mentioned to Noboru, I might consider doing something like that.

I actually spoke to some of my in real life friends about it first who I trust and can talk things over with and get some of their thoughts. I first spoke to my 2 good friends, the Jogo-san and Noriko-san. We spoke about that at our favorite Indian restaurant in great detail many months ago. And they did give me a lot of information. Keep in mind the Jogo-san has taught English here in Japan for like 10 plus years at different English schools, though she is now working at Narita airport for an airline which will not be named for her privacy, but it's not Delta. And Noriko went to uni to be a lawyer but also taught English here, I think I could be wrong I'd have to ask her. but she speaks amazing, so she could have. They told me how much to charge. Start up fee or no start up fee. Conversation only or conversation plus reading and writing. We covered every topic. I also showed up with tons of questions. Because again I have zero experience teaching in Japan or esl for that matter. I asked, what if a student cancels the day of...do I charge them or not. We went over everything humanly possible. I appreciate knowing they'll always be here for me. Even for something like this, that's a true friendship we have.

The Jogo-san also invited me to her house another day and we went through all her old teaching materials. She let me borrow a stack of the ones I wanted. And I went and photo copied so many lesson plans. Like a few years supply amount of them.

I also spoke to my dear friends Rumi-san and Kaya-san about it too. Rumi has sent her children to English school for years. And so she had a very good perspective there too.

I don't just jump and leap without knowing what I'm jumping into. I'm a planner type person. So, I felt around March-ish I had a really good handle on things. With their help and guidance.

What is my long term plan? My long term plan is to teach out of my home once a week... twice a week tops. Just have a class. For maybe yochien aged kids. And maybe...just maybe a class for elementary kids. I don't have any intention of this being full time or even part time. I honestly don't want to be a teaching business. I think people who do that rock and like I said nothing but respect from me for them. But I just don't think I would want to devote that much time to it. Once a week sure. Every single day. No. I do like my life the way it is now and I don't have any intention for my life to change too drastically, because of me having a job. If that's the case, the job will have to go. And that's what Noboru thinks too. We like the lifestyle we have now.

The one thing still getting me was.... like I said, I feel no nervousness or anything teaching native kids at all. I could pop into any international school or school in the US and go! Feel comfy and in my element.

But....again I felt really unsure about teaching ESL. Do I have what it takes. And I really thought a lot about it. Not everybody likes it.

So, anyway you know how I shop at all sort of different stores. Anyway, I was at a store saw a sign in English only. Hmm. I mentioned it to Noboru and he said, you know that type of job could be the type of job that you could actually get some experience from. Once you get the hang of it. You can start teaching at home if you want. And if you don't want to, fine too.

So, I went to the interview in June. They said....this job would only be 2-4 times a month. I'm only interested in working that amount anyway, I said, I am a mother of 2 little boys, one is in elementary and one is a nencho in a yochien someplace. The job would only be 2 hours at a time. So 2 hours a week. That sounds like all I'm interested in at for the time being anyway. So we were on the same page with regards to work schedule already. : )

I am also going to be working with a Japanese teacher. They asked me/requested of me 1 thing..... to never speak to the kids in Japanese ever. That's tough for me sometimes. I teach the 3-4 years old class. And then right after I teach the nencho class. It's pretty easy for me. It's 2 hours a week. 1 hour class and then another 1 hour class after that class.

They started me at 3,500 yen an hour. And then emailed me after my first class and said they were happy with what the principal said about me and are paying me 4,000 yen an hour. They also pay me gas and mileage. So, just me going there...I get 8,000 yen for the 2 hours, plus gas and mileage so about 9,000 yen for showing up for 2 hours. Not too shabby. The Japanese teacher plans all the lessons. She calls me 2 days before to confirm with me. The school gives me my schedule a month ahead, if something doesn't gel with my own home schedule or Branden and Noah's school schedule I can email them and tell them...such and such date isn't going to work. And that's fine.

It doesn't interfere with my regular life. At all. And 2 hours a week is not so bad.

I have now taught a total of 4 classes, have taught 2 different days in July. I did email them and told them I would be unavailable during the time I was in Hawaii though and that was fine. And they were thrilled I taught the 2 days. How do I like teaching ESL? I honestly really love it! I love being around the kids. They make me laugh. I guess me teaching kids doesn't matter what their first language...I just really enjoy it.

Last class, I played..."Mrs. Wolf What Time Is It" with them. And I caught some kids to have for lunch! They laughed and I chased them all over. The other class, I had them play Simon Says, I had them, hopping on one foot, patting their head and rubbing their tummy's at the same time. I had them doing all sorts of crazy stuff. They loved it, used English too! And I loved it! Playing with them, made me laugh! I couldn't believe I got paid for that. We also teach them new words, role play etc so they are learning. But it's a lot of fun. And I am really enjoying it.

I am working only once in August. August 9th and then after that I'm free. Noboru will be home with the boys while I'm gone for 2 hours. And I'll have made around another 9,000 yen for August which isn't too bad for barely working at all. So again not heaps of money but a little pocket money for taking my own boys to the movies or out to lunch or whatever. : )

Will I end up loving this job, so much so I keep this job? It is a very easy job and so much fun. Or will I eventually move on and start working at home once a week, because I actually want to start planning my own lessons and stuff. I honestly don't know...can't predict the future and won't even try. Whatever happens, happens. But for right now...I'm working at 2 private hoikuens. : )