First day of school.


Today, we had opening ceremonies, where the I got to meet the high schoolers for the first time as a student body.
Oh man....
One of the JET seminars that we had warned against thinking of Japanese high school students as obedient, quiet little robots. Now, I never consciously had that in mind. I figured they would be shy and quiet, but interested and eager to join in on the fantastic voyage that is learning English.
Maybe that's how it is at TokyoDisney (or a middle level school), but not at mine.
The students were clumped in to tiny groups here and there, chatting and laying down and doing each other's hair. When the teachers tried to line them, they formed three messy lines (first, second, and third year students). When the principle went up to make some opening remarks, they still talked, did each other's hair, laid about. And the principle just went on, talking in a low voice about God knows what. Teachers would come by and try to get them up, either by saying something in a low voice or nudging them a bit. The kids would sit up and eventually slide back down into lounge mode.
Then it was my turn to speak. All eyes shot to me and they looked at me like wolves eyeing an Oscar Meyer weiner. Thankfully, I still had skills from my salad days. I turned on my 'actor' voice and said, "KONNICHIWA, BITCHES!" Ok, I w didn't say 'bitches', but I mentally added it.
That got their attention. I managed to have everyone's attention during my one minute speech (in Japanese!) about being feeling welcomed to Kozu, excited about the school year, indoctrinating them with firm, Republican values, blah blah blah. At the end, I let them know this was the last time they were getting any Japanese out of me and I hopped off my little stool and went to stand with the other teachers. A couple of them flashed me a thumbs up. Whew!
After that, I got a couple catcalls, others calling out my name during other speeches. These kids just do not give a fuck. The other teachers say the biggest problem is getting these kids interested in class. They are not above sleeping or checking their cells while in class.
So, I'm a tad nervous. I've got some things lined up, but there's no way to prepare against an apathetic teenager. I just gotta go in guns blazing. I just wish I'd thought to bring a taser.
I'm off to drown my sorrows in a solitary glass of shoju. I can't even get drunk tonight, as I will be playing in faculty softball tournament tommorrow.
Number of practices I've had: 1
When was the last time I played softball? Never.
*sigh*
I'll be posting a tear-stained blog on Monday. WIsh me luck.