Mother's Joy

What month is it now?
December? December means... the last month of the year, that December?
I HAVEN'T NOTICED!!

The reason why I haven't published the blog for four months are several.
But the biggest one is...my laziness...

The reason why I start to update the blog is...that I have been bothered by some people who try to leave VULGAR comments here!!!
Unless I keep updating the articles, they always try to violate. I realized.

Actually, I HAVE TRIED.
Here is an article which I wrote half in...November!!



Let me talk about parents' observation classes. This week is already the fourth parents' observation week since I became an English teacher. However, the more I experience them, the more I get nervous because...for some parents, observation classes means teachers' evalustion classes. But I had a good one on Monday!

In my three year kid class, there are two adorable kids. A girl, Kaori, has got accustomed to English lessons because she started taking our classes since she was one year old. On the other hand, Masaki started it since this April. He couldn't enter the classroom without his mother, He cried, shouted, and tried to avoid me whenever I approached to him. Basically, my three year old class is supposed to be only teacher and kids. No mothers. However, exceptionally, Masakin's mother had to be with him all the time. I tried everything to entertain him. But whenever his mother tried to get out of classroom, he started to cry!

My head teacher said, "This stuation might last...until June."
June!? The situation hadn't changed even after summer. I almost gave up.

But after the Halloween party, things changed.
At the Halloween party, I stayed longer with him. Probably it became a good memory for him. Also, his mother's presistent challenges (she brought Masaki to my English lessons as possible as she can) came fruitful.

After the Halloween party, he became a different kid!
He pulled my arm, took me to the classroom, spread vocabruary cards, and presented what he previewed!!
He said, "Look! (he pointed each card) Legs! Mouth! (Looking at the "Whiskers" card,) Hmmm...what's this? I forgot..."


Since I started to teach children, I saw sometimes "miracle," that a scene of distinctive kids' improvement. (As I teach adults, I haven't seen it...because they "graduately" improve.)
The day was definitely, the "miracle" happened to Masaki!!!


...A few weeks passed, and I had a parents' observation day.
In the three year old kid class, Masaki did a very good work.
He enjoyed English games, anwered my questions in English with great energy, and cencentrated on listening to what I said.

After the class, I noticed. Masaki's mother was crying!
She said to me,"He has completely changed. I knew he likes you, but I didn't imagine such an improvement. I really appreciate your teaching! Will you teach him next year, as well? I really hope so."
I saw the mother's joy.

That was one of the most wonderful moments in my career.


By the way, can I talk about another mother's joy?

Kaori, my another student in the three year old kid class, is a very blessed child,
She is cute, bright, and smart. Her mother seemed enjoying being her mother.
She had Kaori take entrance exams of several prestagious private kindergardens this fall. (I know, right now it's winter! But when I wrote this article, it was fall!)
Therefore, Kaori had been much busier than me...to got to cram shcool to prepare it.
But she had NEVER skipped my class.


Her mother often told me the next year's schedule of Kaori's English lessons depended on her results of kindergarden's entrace exams.

She passed a kindergarden in her neigherhood, so the mother would sign up for a class by a bilingual teacher (me,) and a class by a native speaker teacher.

However, now she started to wonder.
Eventually, Kaori didn't pass S kindergarde, which her parents want her to enter.
S kindergarden has a 3 year-course and a 2 year-course. She didn't pass the 3 year-course, but she might pass the 2 year course next year. Whether letting her challenge the exam again and go to cram schools as well as this year(in that case, Kaori wouldn't have time to take 2 English classes per week,) or coming our school a lot to learn English what she likes...

Sounds like too much pressure for a three year old girl? Maybe... But I'm jealous of Kaori. Her mother thinks about her future, very much!!

The reason why I'm jealous of Kaori is not only that.
Her mother is very stylish, so she always wears a Burbery's or agnes b's dress...

That's the biggest reason!

Angel and Demon

I've been saying, "some kids are like monsters." Some my kid students still say to me, "ugly pig old woman!" And some of them try to kick or punch me.
I know that...but I also know that some kids are like ANGELS.

Especially, one of my three-year-old kid class students, Mio, is an ANGEL.
Whenever she sees me, she runs to me and hugs me. Among other kids who are hard to understand what I intend to do in English games, she always figures out what I require her, and try to do her best in classes. Even she helps me to put away some props! After classes, she hugs me again saying, " I want to stay with you!"
...Yes, she is THE ANGEL!
I was looking forward to seeing her today, as well as usual Mondays.

When I found her this afternoon, she wears a dress like princess as usual.
She smiled to me as usual, and said, "this is for you." and held out her palm, which seemed to hold something.
"Wow, you are so sweet!"
I was very delighted by her surprise, and reached my palm open under her fist.
Then, she dropped her gift for me, and I felt it was.....
A CAST-OFF SKIN OF A BEETLE!!!
I screamed, "AHHHHHHHHH!!" and threw it away unintentionally!
"I'm sorry MIo, but I HATE INSECTS!!!"

Mio got angry to see my behavior. "That is my treasure! So, I gave it to you!!!"
...In today's class, she had a bad temper unlikely usual...

What made me wondered was not only why kids love cast-off skins of beetles, but also why the more she showed it off to me, the more I was scared of it.
I thought Mio was a complete angel...but I saw her "demon side" today...

Every human being has an "angel side" and a "demon side."
Today, I learned it...

Links

Today, one of my friends, Kunie, came to my English school to have her baby take a trial lesson from me! Her baby is 2 year old. A year ago, when she visited my house, I gave him a demo lesson. Not for him...but for me, to practice teaching;) cause I just started to teach English then!
One year has passed & the boy, Shuto, became cuter & cuter boy. He was very active & smart... I was so glad to have them at my school!

A week ago, I got an e-mail from my former conversation partner, Stephanie, who still lives in Indiana, U.S.A. She said she got engaged! She also wrote, "I know it's been so long since I've written - but I always want to catch you up on what's going on here."

Kunie was basically one of my clients. When I was a wedding emcee, she was a bride. I mean, I conducted her wedding before. I wouldn't have met Kunie if I hadn't been wedding emcee, and I wouldn't have got to know Stephanie unless I didn't go to America. I LOVE the links between friends, and I appreciate having such nice friends...even though I've been reclusive & lazy lately. Love you!

"Yes, my princess!"

Hello, you! How have you been???
I've been just...maybe jaded...no, just frustrated... I haven't changed myself & my life yet as the way I aimed for, that's why! But it's OK. Just keep trying to seize the day, everyday!

By the way, I delivered a speech at the Toastmasters recently.
The title was "yes, my princess!" I talked about my experience, visiting Western Butlers' Cafe in Shibuya. Somewhat I dramatized in the speech. When I went there first time, the one who accampanied me was not Eri, but Miki, who is my lovely friend!
I went there with Eri, my favorite co-worker, too, but not for "spying new English educational place" like the script says, but just for having fun. Also, there are some parts she didn't say. Sorry, Eri!

Let me update the script here. Since it has to be a humorous speech, I "acted" several characters. I separeted colors depends on characters.
Pink; Keiko
Orange; Eri ( our school's assistant manager)
Blue; Butler
Green; My husband
The speech was seven-minute-long, so, the script is quite long as well as my other speech scripts. However, if you have time or are intereste in...now, it's time to the show!


Good evening, fellow toastmasters and guests. Have you ever read this magazine? “How to master English FINALLY!” ( I showed "an an," published by Magazine House) I found a very unique article here. "Western Butlers’ Café!" The article says, “In this café, all waiters are young, handsome, loyal western butlers. They speak only English, so the café is VERY popular to practice English conversation.” I teach English at an English conversation school. I showed this article to our assistant manager, Eri, saying,
“This café could be our biggest rival! Why don’t we go there and spy what’s going on!”

When Eri and I entered the café, I found several so-called “butlers.” As soon as they saw us, they smiled and said, ”welcome, my princess!” in unison! I said, “Eri, are they kidding me? Princess!? My students tell me I look in around my 40’s, and look like Edo Harumi! I know I’m far away from a princess!”

After we had seats, a Japanese owner gave us a flyer. It wasn’t a menu. It was a list of things we shouldn’t do.
“Let’s see… First, please refrain from giving your personal information, such as e-mail address or telephone number to your butler privately. Second, please don’t ask butler’s personal information. Third, don’t take pictures of butlers unless you pay for the service!? Eri, how arrogant they are!? I don’t come here to eat them!”

However, when a butler came to us, my skeptical mood was almost changed.
“Hello, my princess. My name is Mark, from England. I am very honored to serve you today.”
“Keiko sensei, he is soooo handsome!”
“I know, Eri, don’t be so excited! We are here to spy them!”
( To Mark) “Hello, Mark. I’m Keiko, nice to meet you. Can I ask you what made you come here, Japan?”
“I came here to be a butler to serve you, princess Keiko.”
“OK, now I know you are so professional… Let me change the question. What did you do in England?”
“ I was at a university for butlers and trained to serve you, my princess. Here is special rose water for princess Keiko, and princess Eri. Oh, I love your dress, and nails. So beautiful.”
“…Wow! Eri, did you hear that? He said I’m beautiful!”
“Keiko sensei, he said your dress and nails are beautiful, not yourself! Come on! Rose water? Cheezy! Wow, good smell…”
“Eri, let’s order the food! Well, according to the notice… We have to ring the bell whenever we ask something!? Annoying!” (ring, ring, ring)
“Yes, my princess!”
…Not only Mark, but all of young handsome western butlers answered us, smiling. “Hummm…that’s nice. By the way, I need to go to a restroom. Excuse me, Eri!"
Then, Mark came close to me with a graceful move.
“My princess, let me escort you.”
“…Thank you…”

Ten minutes later, the English butler, Mark, came to us with a Russian butler, Francis, who was also especially cute.
“My princess, we have a surprise for you. Please close your eyes. One, two, three… Open your eyes!” (They serve us dishes)
“Wow! You wrote our names by a chocolate pen?? That’s very nice!”
“And, this is also for you, my princess.”(he puts a tiara on me.)
“Perfect! Now I feel I became a REAL princess!”

Remember. Our original intention was spying them. However, we were completely enchanted by their services. The butlers were very entertaining, but not too much. They didn’t interrupt our conversation, but they spoke to us when we had a silence, and always checked our tea and served the tea if the cups had less than half.

After I got home, I told my husband about their services. I said,
“Well, if I pay 4,000 yen to buy an original note with an European key, I can exchange messages with the butlers. Also, they lift me up like I’m a real princess and have a picture taken if I pay…2,000 yen!”
My husband was reading newspaper and said dryly,
“Do you know how decent Japanese call that kind of service? A host club! Come back to the reality, mom! I need tea right now!”

…Then, I realized. Most women are required many roles in this society. As an office worker, a wife, a mother, and a considerate female. In my case, I’m busy with teaching my students, listening to their talking, serving tea for visitors. At home, I have a big child whom people call a husband, and do every household chore even though I am exhausted. Sometimes we need someone who entertains us, and serves tea to be relaxed. I mean, someone who just says, “Yes, my princess!!”

...Did you understand??
Maybe you had no idea for some parts unless you "see" my performance itself.
Sorry for the unkind update! But, let me "update" myself here from now on.
I'd like to write articles often, hopefully.
Let me hear your update, too, buddies!

Genetically Modified Food

Hi, how have you been?
I've had big events in this month, such as welcoming my parents-in-law at my house, taking EIKEN and the French certificate exam, having preparetion classes for the Junior International EIKEN, and parents observation classes for kids(eh, that was scary...)

This following essay was my last assignment for EIKEN, and actually the same topic was asked at the real one. However, I don't know I was successful...
I think I'm on the border, and I feel like rather pessimistic... Let's see, let me publish my essay...

Oh, on the other hand, I was VERY successful on the French test.
I got almost full score! Yeah, on the easiest grade, the fifth. Which means? I still can NOT speak French yet!

TOPIC: POTENTIAL BENEFITS AND / OR DANGERS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD

Although some people are opposed to genetically modified food from the viewpoint of safety and ethical issue, I think it gives us a lot of advantages. I would like to raise three points to support my view.

First, the genetically modified food can be a great solution for food problems. It has longer shelf life and can be produced in bulk, so we can provide them with the people suffering from hunger. Also, some modified foods are developed for people who have diet restrictions.

Secondly, it is not dangerous for our health, and can be healthier than natural food. Some people believe genetically modified food is not safe because some constituents might remain in our bodies. However, every food digests in our stomachs and bowels. Some modified foods even have much nutrition like high-oleic acid soybeans, or golden rice which contains carotenoid.

Thirdly, it is resistant to pests, so we can harvest it in bulk. It is said the element to kill pests will harm people as well. However, the inner of a pest’s stomach is acid, contrary to human being’s one, which is alkaline. The genetically modified food was improved for the pest’s characteristic, so there is nothing to damage our health.

Genetically modified food is one of the great products from biotechnology, and we should use it to solve our problems.

Tooo Dependent on Technology?

In the modern society, some people are too dependent on technology such as computer. However, by and large, I think we should focus on advantages it provides us.

First of all, working situation has become very efficient because of technology. We can have an international meeting by using TV phone, send visual images by a digital camera. Especially, e-mail made us quite easy to contact each other. Not only these general conveniences, but also specific advancements we have been blessed.

Medical field is one of the remarkable benefits from technology’s progress. Fighting with a terminal disease such as cancer is always our concern. However, I heard, nowadays the patients can figure out whether anticancer drug will suit or not for them as the result of DNA test. I think this is a good example that technology gives us freedom to select the best.

Modern technology has absorbed into our private lives, too. I made many friends from all over the world when I lived in America, and I have kept contact them. We send e-mail each other, meet by Skype, chat on the computer, and broad our network by Social Networking Service. If it were thirty years ago, I don’t think we would still be close friends.

We can’t stop following our dream, “to make our lives better.” We should be careful not to be addicted to the conveniences, but I believe we can
receive the benefit.

Encounter

Sometimes people "happen to" meet something(someone) very special.
Today, when I went to a fancy Italian restaurant with my classmate of French class, I met a talented singer-to-be.
She is a young, cute, and very honest girl.
Her friend is a waiter of that restaurant, so she performed a concert there.
Her name is erica, and I think she will come out the major music industry soon...
Check her out if you are interested in!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jCIw56qUGw
I haven't seen (heard) such a perfect performance for awhile. I was so impressed!

Speaking of encounter...it was first time to hung out with Akemi, my French classmate. She is a working mom with two little kids, but she is so active!
I think she goes out much more than me...
Her life sounds like she is having 48 hours...

OK, I'm giving up! I'm so sleepy now, even though I took a nap today...
Maybe my day has just 18 hours, precisely...