こうこう（High School)

Hey everyone!

Today was my first day of Japanese High School, and whoooooa. SO different.

I didn`t really understand much, but I had fun. I'm gonna seperate this post into sub-headings because I have so much to say here!!

かもく (subjects)
I`m taking all the same classes as my Buddy System partner, Mana-chan (who is the most adorable lil thing) here they are:

• English Conversation
• Freshman English
• Japanese (very difficult for me)
• Maths
• Home Economics (surprisingly the subject I understood the most after English)
• World Science (basically a mix of Science and Geography, an absolutely deadly class)
• P.E
• Computers
• Music (very different to Leaving/Junior Cert Music, it`s completely performance-orientated)
• Social Studies
• Health

I thought Maths would be easy enough, as, y`know:
"why are you taking 12th grade calculus?"
"cos it`s the same in every country"

OH BOY WAS I WRONG

Students
Japanese students are the sweetest thing! I love them!
Today I heard the word "Kawaii" (cute) at least two dozen times. Literally everything I did was adorable to them, my accent, my clothes, even my yawns :P
Everyone seems fascinated by me, which is lovely. All the girls have taken my photo already :`) at one point, everyone was touching my hair and saying "kawaiiiiii" over and over again.
Also, cos I can`t go on Facebook at the mo, somebody please tell Aisling Kearns that there is a girl in my Home Economics class that looks and sounds exactly like her. Except, y`know, Japanese.

Also, the students here are more lax regarding rules. Everyone has a phone in their pocket and texts between classes (and sometimes during) and the teachers are completely unfazed. Long conversations take place during classes and it`s completely normal.

Uniform
Although the school has a set uniform, the rules are very lenient. The essential components are the school skirt and a white shirt. After that, you can choose your own sweater-vest, socks, tie and shoes. My vest is a navy button cardigan, I love it :)
Each brand has it`s own logo on the chest. Mine is a man riding a horse- like Ralph Lauren ;) - and lots cater to the "cute" culture of Japan. However, I`m not sure that the logos are completely understood, because I`ve seen a good few Playboy Bunny sweaters and socks...
Some other popular logos I`ve seen are the Eiffel Tower (on my socks), Statue of Liberty and Minnie Mouse.

General amusing things

• A teacher asked me today if I watched football, so I said yes and he raised his arms and said "ROBBIE KEANE"
• There are sinks in the hallways where the girls brush their teeth at the end of the day
• I brought a big box of Love Hearts for the class, and they are a huge hit
• I would not be considered small here :D :D

Ok, I`m off now. Actually, I think I`ll do the toilety post cos people have asked..

Big shout out to Joe Fontana in Macari`s Tullamore who awesomely sponsored my trip :D

Caoimhe