mainichi

so everyday i wake up around 5am and put rice and vegetables in the cooker and pop a no-doz.  chill out and get to whichever school before 8:20.  today i got there at like, 7:30.  the only people there was the vice principal, the tea lady, and two teachers.  i think i got bonus points.  today was cool.  the classes (5th and 6th graders) were really nice and willing to participate.  yesterday was hell.  it was at the big school, four 6th grade classes.  only the last class was willing to really participate.  i felt like such a loser.  but today was fun.  monday was a picnic.  company calls me over the weekend and says, no lessons on monday.  just go to school, and you will go on a picnic.  so that's sweet, i'm thinking.  so i show up and all the teachers are dressed for like, gym practice.  i didn't bring gym clothes, because there is no recess today.  it's picnic day.  i'm dressed per the company dress code, and now i'm wondering... what is a picnic in japanese elementary school....?  i start talking to one guy, who tries to explain.  after a while i say, in my best engrish, hikingu?  aaah, yes, hiking! picnic!  oh for crying out loud.  a picnic means that you basically walk across the entire city, and have lunch.  then walk back.  it takes all day.  it's a long, walk.  i try to express my stupidity in japanese to the teacher i'm hanging out with, basically aw crap! i should have worn different clothes!  well... i guess in japan this is a polite way to ask someone for clothes.  i was just trying to tell him i felt like a moron and would be suffering for it.  different culture.  so is like, oh, you will be cold! and runs to get me a sweater and a shortsleeve shirt.  yeah... i'm sure i'll need a sweater.  dude i'm stinky gaijin!  i actually sweat when i walk across the city!  today some kids told me that i'm stinky.  how do i explain that my sweat glands are fully functional.  lucky bastards.