Memoirs of a Teacha- Ch.1-The War, The Journey, The Japanese Bagpiper.

Gomen Nasai (Sorry), you'll have to excuse my tardiness for I have been extremely busy as of late. I have just completed my first official week of English teaching in Japan and am at home nursing my battle wounds. Wounds that I have attained during an epic war of good vs. evil. A conflict entrenched in the catacombs of history: The school teacher versus the school children!

Fortunately, I am well trained in the art of "immatura". They are honorable and worthy adversaries, but in the end, they succumbed to the power that is Kento.

That is my war name and the name that the diminutive demons call me. Given to me by elder Gods in the land of Tow-raan-tow, Kento translates into a being of immense will, mythical power, and knowledge of children's songs A-Z.

Moving on. Yes, my teacher name is Kento. Actually its not too far fetched. I was going to go by Emura. But Emura is an actual last name here, and the students found it confusing to call my first name by that. Next best thing? My middle name, Kent.

Every class thus far is indeed a battle. Its not that the students are particularly misbehaving. Its just the amount of classes I've been thrown into. Mr. Miyagi (remember him?) thinks I'm some sort of super-teacher and has given me the largest work load. 5 days/week.Sometimes 6. 10-12 hour long days. I have 4 locations I teach at. All more then 1 hour away from the office. I lesson plan in the office in the mornings then head out to teach in the afternoon. Or so it is for every other teacher. I only have 2 mornings a week to lesson plan. I need to use those 2 days to lesson plan for the whole frikin week! And let me tellz ya, it ain't easy.

Overall, I have close to 500 students!!! For 3 locations I rotate with during the week, I have about 70 kids that I personally teach. The other location is a kindergarten school which I do assemblies at 2 times a week. Each class has 35-60 students. Each assembly day has 5 classes. Here's a random picture of my marker board(cause it ain't chalk board?). Ohhhh, but wait till you hear the best part.

My sweet ride.


This baby can go from 0-60 in a lightning fast 10 missisispis. Compact like no tomorrow! An oompa loompa can only dream of such a vehicle. Except, I'M NO OOMPA LOOMPA! I sure feel like one though scampering in and out of traffic. Thats the cool thing. Small enough to weave. But overall a hassle. Remember that Simpson's episode? That tall dude in the little car Nelson laughs at? Tall dude=me. Nelson=Japan.

The other day I went shoppin and stumbled upon this spectacle. The local Firemen doing acrobatic maneuvers on a ladder.

Here's a sweet shot of a boat I took in the famous Yokohama port area.

This just in...Last night I had the fortune of playing a gig. As you all know, I am quite fond of the music. I enjoy to dabble in many an instrument. I sent some of my stuff to a Tokyo club and sure enough they invited me to play for an international crowd. A variety of cool and wacky acts performed. Yeah, it was a bitch getting down there and back. But once I got up and did my stuff, it was worth it. Sooooooooo therapeutic. This could be the beginning of something... Here's a pic of a cool dude I met named Shin. Phenom on the electric! And his complete opposite, Shamas.

The Saga Continues,

Kento