Karaoke in the Spring

My students and I are in full blast mode for class karaoke contests.  I've never heard so much Bruno Mars or Taylor Swift "ever ever ever" in my life.  It makes me feel quite aged, because I really have no clue who the hell these singers are (I only know about Swift thanks to Kanye West).  That being said, Back Street Boys is almost always sung which was popular when I was in high school, in addition to the requisite "Top of the World" (see my prior post about Japan's love for The Carpenters), which was popular before I was born.  But my students are having a great time and I'm enjoying the creativity and joy that they bring to performing songs in English.  Some of them really go all out with costumes and dance numbers.  They're so sweet.  One group today did the English version of the theme song to Ponyo, which had me nearly in tears from laughter.  There is something hilarious about 17 year old's singing this song without an ounce of irony or cynicism.  This happens to just be because I teach at a school that's incredibly friendly.  They're not cynical like big city kids (even though they are technically big city kids).  The owner of the curry shop across the street from my school, who happens to be from Tokyo, said that they're nothing like Tokyoite high schoolers who are already jaded and over things by that age.

This is my last week teaching these kids before they graduate to 三年生 level.   I already miss them so much.  They've been so adorable and have taught me so much as a teacher.   They're such a contrast from last year's 二年生, who needed an attitude adjustment by the time I came into the classroom.  I don't know why the kids were already terribly bored and over doing anything in OC class by the time I took over from the prior ALT, but teaching them last year was like pulling teeth.  It was a really painful experience.  Maybe I just got better at teaching?  Things have certainly been better for me this year ever since I moved my office.

すき焼き done right.

In other news, I'm working on a very special Gluten Free in Japan guide for everyone.  I promise to make it positively focused and helpful for those living or traveling to Japan. Speaking of which, I made gluten-free すき焼き again.  This time it was a success.  I'll link a recipe to you in the next day or so.

すごい! Gluten Free processed goods in Japanese grocery stores!

 Additionally, I've decided I will make these GF home-made Cadbury creme eggs to welcome the new teachers and celebrate the beginning of a new school year soon.  Plus, it's spring as of this Wednesday!  Aren't creme eggs how one celebrates spring?