Mori, Mori, why you bugging?

Last week on my way to work I ran into Mori Sensei, from elementary school 1. Mori was the other dancing teacher, she studies and competes in traditional festival and Okinawan dance (I know there is a more precise term for this) and one year for our end of the year party she and her 12 year old son (who also studies ballet) performed an original Choreography to the opening theme music of Inuyasha for us. She came to 3 of my performances and always brought flowers or gifts. Mori was also the other coffee snob. Her English was non-existant, but we communicated well and she took over some mommy duties. She was the one to bring me food and check in on me when I had food poisoning and could barely get off my bathroom floor back in February.

 

I haven’t seen my co-workers since I left. I was supposed to go to a drinking party back in April, so welcome new teachers, but I was sick. Even then, Mori’s invitation to me was odd. She left a message asking if I could come and drink…because things were…different.

 

When I ran into Mori we talked a bit. She says that I wouldn’t recognize the school…and not in a good way. The mood of the school is no longer that of a merry band of good-teaching misfits. We always knew it was a very different school. There are so many new teachers and a new principal…and Mori can’t wait to leave now. I didn’t have the heart to ask about English.

 

As much as I miss my students, I probably would have had a rough time if I could have stayed.

Mori, Mori, why you bugging?

Last week on my way to work I ran into Mori Sensei, from elementary school 1. Mori was the other dancing teacher, she studies and competes in traditional festival and Okinawan dance (I know there is a more precise term for this) and one year for our end of the year party she and her 12 year old son (who also studies ballet) performed an original Choreography to the opening theme music of Inuyasha for us. She came to 3 of my performances and always brought flowers or gifts. Mori was also the other coffee snob. Her English was non-existant, but we communicated well and she took over some mommy duties. She was the one to bring me food and check in on me when I had food poisoning and could barely get off my bathroom floor back in February.

 

I haven’t seen my co-workers since I left. I was supposed to go to a drinking party back in April, so welcome new teachers, but I was sick. Even then, Mori’s invitation to me was odd. She left a message asking if I could come and drink…because things were…different.

 

When I ran into Mori we talked a bit. She says that I wouldn’t recognize the school…and not in a good way. The mood of the school is no longer that of a merry band of good-teaching misfits. We always knew it was a very different school. There are so many new teachers and a new principal…and Mori can’t wait to leave now. I didn’t have the heart to ask about English.

 

As much as I miss my students, I probably would have had a rough time if I could have stayed.

Speechify!

Can I tell you how much I DON'T want to give a 20+ minute speech in Japanese tomorrow?

Speechify!

Can I tell you how much I DON'T want to give a 20+ minute speech in Japanese tomorrow?