*Doomsday Eve
So it began. The dawn of the eve of Doomsday. Doomsday being the C.I.P. Christmas Program. Would I have accepted this job if I'd known I'd need to be a playwright, design costumes, and make sets? It doesn't matter, because I signed up, and poof there you have it.
Rehearsal day at the event hall was today. We had one shot to run through the program. I had a few obstacles. One of my students has been in the hospital for a while (poor kid), one kid arrived once we'd finished, and another was absent. 3….students absent….from a play where everyone is a main character. Not to mention the attack of the communists. I've been asked to perform if they don't show up. 'Twil be the finest performance of my career, I'm sure. My biggest fears deal with my student's lines being drowned out by the nervous wails of one of the penguins, and the random sabotage a student wreaks when he gets shy.
But in the end, even though expectations can be crazy, Que Sara Sara!!!!!!!!! It will be a hoot, I'm sure. I'm proud of my penguins, by jingo. They're freaking amazing, and they've learned a 10 minute play and 3 dances. They'll do great. They've got their eyes on some aMaZiNg SpEcTaCuLaR star necklaces I've made as a reward for a good performance. I hope I can take some photos!!!
UPDATE * Doomsday
The play went great. The shy boy and the nervous girl performed better than they ever had previously. Huzzah! No complaints from any parents, and lots of happy people. Glad that's finished. Now, on to next week's winter school, all about music. I'll be teaching the bears and penguins. Bring it.
As for Christmas, I may have overdone it this year. I already love finding awesome presents for people, but combine that with the thoughtfulness of the Japanese, and you've got a woman compelled to get everyone a present. I couldn't HELP IT. I'm terrified of getting a crappy present for someone.
UPDATE * the following Monday
When I got to work, we were informed that one of the little 5 year old whale student's mother died right after the play, from a stroke. It was a really hard day for everyone. I distracted myself with the kids. When everyone had finished work that night, we set out at 10pm to go pay our respects. You do so by coming dressed very formally in black, and donating certain sums. We arrived, and it was incredibly gorgeous. I'd never seen so many flowers everywhere. The family appeared when they heard that we'd arrived, they'd been there all day. The little 5 year old girl was there, and her composure was one of keeping herself distracted, but wanting to always be with her aunt. She wasn't crying (which wasn't a surprise, with the culture), but when one of the teachers went up to hug and mention her mother, she was doing her best to keep her stone face on. That got me going. And then we walked into the main room. Honestly as soon as we walked in, all I could think about was Grandma Johnson. She's the first funeral I remember going to, and seeing a dead body (I can't think of any gentler way to say it). How do I phrase it….that experience rubbed me the wrong way. I've been to 2 funerals since Grandma Johnson's, and I've not been comfortable approaching the coffin. I did have to walk up to an altar and go through some religious stuff to honor the family's religion. Rosary (or something reaaaallllly similar), some powder, and praying. But again, I backed off and sat in a chair when the rest of the teachers went up to the coffin. I couldn't help but think of some really sad thoughts dealing with the child's loss, and it got me thinking about Grandma more, and then my mom more. Anyway, I did what I could to keep the tears off. The flowers in that room were arranged so beautifully. Some of the teachers came and sat close by while Ms. Mihoko and her sister spoke with the grandmother. They returned to us and said that the little whale student was the one who discovered her Mom. More tears. As we were driving back to the school parking lot, the Japanese teachers were talking about the deceased mother in Japanese, about how terrible it was that she was gone. At one point I heard them talk about how she was only 32, which shocked me completely. That got me thinking about my sister Hill, and imagining her funeral, and it got ridiculous. I walked home from the parking lot, because I didn't want people to see me distraught. It was a really emotional night.
I've witnessed so many strange illnesses and medical issues have happened to others while I've been out here. It's been a big eye opener to afflictions I considered typical.
UPDATE: * the following Wednesday
Today I was given a gift of an apple that cost around $20-30 dollars. It was from a Mother who was, I'm guessing, grateful that her daughter was having a good time at school. There's a long and hilarious story as to why a Mom would be so nice as to buy an apple with that kind of price tag for a teacher (my jaw dropped when I found out apples could be that expensive). It's too long to type, but I may have typed something about it back between July-August. Maybe under a title with the word "poo" in it. It was a memorably epic day.
Random tidbit: They sell little waffle squares in the treat section. They are equivalent to cookies or donuts. No frosting or toppings, but still very delicious.
I'm a fan of pom pom hats….I couldn't make up my mind on whether this was too much pom or not.
Breaktime during the Christmas Play. So happy Minori's Mom came!
Le stage.
Le seats.
Le parking lot. I liked the little garden in the middle.
After the play, we went out and I tried black sesame ice cream. Yum!
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