You know what I dislike the most about Japanese schools, in terms of physical structure? Surprisingly, it’s not the lack of central heating. In fact, on many days, I feel like I’m burning up. The staff rooms are usually quite warm, sometimes unbearable. Only the hallways are cold and it’s not like you’re teaching in the hallway. The doors to classrooms are closed and they keep in all the heat. I totally support central heating but right now, it's not killing me yet.
What bothers me is that there are absolutely no water fountains! I see my fellow co-workers drinking endless amounts of tea and coffee and my students drink from their water bottles…but this isn’t quite doing it for me. If I remember to bring water with me (which I usually don't, because I'm great like that) and since it’s so hot inside the staff room, I hardly want to drink something that will increase my own body temperature.
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Here's a fun thing that happened today:
Two of my sixth grade girls touched my hair and FREAKED OUT. I washed it without blow drying and flat ironing it straight, so I’m rocking the cocker spaniel look. They screamed excitedly and said things like, “It feels so nice!” One of them took me by the hand so they could find their homeroom teacher, urge her to touch my hair and then I stood there laughing as they all touched my hair. I love stuff like this.
