ICHIBAN Koko in Kagoshima

Sorry for the lack of posts (to whoever actually reads this). The teaching of the children and the cycling madness has been occupying most of my time.

I'm not sure how interesting this is to anybody, but a few weeks ago, my high school (koko) got FIRST PLACE at our volleyball tournament. That's like winning state... for high school teacher teams. But STILL. Pretty great right!? Mostly it was fun just to hang out with all my favorite co workers, and see some truly awesome volleyball played by our mostly male team. My teacher informed me that the vocational schools are usually the best at sports. I have to agree- the teachers and students at my agricultural high school have a certain healthy glow about them always. Must be all that work outside. They are all fit, tan, and genki (happy/well/excited/good/healthy).

I taught the team American cheers for when we got aces and side outs, and they taught me the Japanese equivalents. When someone makes a mistake you say "domine, domine" (as in, Don't mind...) and instead of saying "nice spot" for when someone places the ball well on the other side of the court, they say "nisuu coasuu" (nice course...). Pretty funny.

It felt amazing to be on winning volleyball team! It's been since my freshman year at Whitman when our club team won blue shirts.  I didn't get a picture of the whole team, but above is one of the women plus Doki, our middle hitter extraordinaire. I hope they do it again next year, even though I won't be there : ( Go Noko!!!