August 27 - Starting to feel like home

The children have started school, and the sea shipment has arrived with our furniture and other personal belongings. Now, it feels like we are actually staying here!

2010 First day of school

School

Jessica's first grade teacher is Ms. Vest. She is the "Mrs. Concannon" of first grade here. She is very kind and caring, and everyone says she is a great teacher. Jessica is proud to ride her bike to school with her brothers. Actually, she is fine to ride home by herself. She is also proud to do her homework. She has math, spelling, and reading homework every day. Jessica will get a chance to be star of the day in November - much the way that she did in Terrace Park last year! Here, you get to be line leader and do show and tell every day of your "star" week. Jessica is just growing up before my eyes. I really enjoyed reading her class list which shows the true diversity of the school: Kan, Owen, Kikuno, Kazuya, Emi, Rhia, Lily, Jessica, Andrew, Fabi, Cherin, Varisha, Case, Yoto, Laura, Teren, and  Sakura. Jessica will have a spelling test on the names of her new friends!

Matthew's teacher is Mr. Wilson. (His son is Jacob's good friend Andy.) Matthew was very excited to get Mr. Wilson and as well to have 3 new friends that he had already met in his class: Jack (from Cincinnati), Kyler (from North Carolina), and Asuka (friend he met playing baseball). Matthew has about 45-60 minutes of homework each night, and typically includes reading, spelling, and math. He is playing rugby on Sundays, flag football on Thursdays (on the same team as Jacob), and will start futsal (soccer) next Thursday (just one hour per week).

Jacob has Mr. Chambers for advisory (homeroom). Then, he has 8 periods which alternate throughout the week so that he has every class 3 times per week. His buddy Andy has 4 classes with him, so that is a bonus. He has about 60-90 minutes of homework each night, and he is already writing the Hiragana alphabet in his Japanese class. Middle school baseball started this week, and he will have his first game on Saturday. Jacob is also playing flag football. Oh, and guess who is now on the coaching staff? You guessed it. Phillip could not help himself.

I have been to one new parent orientation, and (of course) I am already committed to be the first grade PTA representative. I also plan to substitute teach while I am here. My first impressions of the Canadian Academy are very, very positive.

Settling in

Did we really ship all of this stuff? Our sea shipment arrived last Friday, and I am still unpacking and trying to get organized. Our furniture looks big in this apartment. The funny thing is that we brought 3 televisions. The only one that is even hooked up is the one for xbox. I do anticipate watching ESPN and college football in just a few days, though. (Roll Tide!)

Night out

Last Saturday, we attended our first professional rugby game to watch the Docomo Red Hurricanes play the Kobe Steelers. The stadium is pretty small, so we were right by the field and could hear every hit. Wow! It is cool to learn about a new sport. After the game, we went with the coaches and players to a Brazilian restaurant to eat dinner. Check out the size of these dudes in the picture! They were very friendly, though.

I hope to complete the unpacking in the next few days. We have 2 baseball games on Saturday and then we will be sporting our yukatas and happi coats in the afternoon and evening at our first Japanese festival. Stay tuned for next blog to see Phillip in a komono!

Peace and Love.

Tina