Day 11

Tuesday started off like any other. We met in the Girton Staff room at around 8:30, then headed off to class with our assigned buddy.
First period I had music. The class just happened to be working on an English song. `Yesterday` by John Lennon. Dave and I were forced by the teacher to stand in front of the whole class and sing it. Everyone already thought we were odd enough, let along a `ranga` and blondie singing every note out of tune.
We then had Japanese. I couldn't understand a thing and I sat there quietly pretending to take notes.
Next was PE. I was very surprised by the changing arrangements. The boys would leave the classroom while the girls removed their uniform and changed into PE gear, all while there were clear windows outlooking the hall.
In the gym we were all arranged into perfectly straight lines before we began some form of fitness / aerobics. Also PE was an all girls class.
I was fairly hungry by now, and was annoyed that I still had one more class before lunch, English. Finally something I could understand. Though I was surprised at how difficult the work was. Sentences containing `ought not to` and things I would never use in a conversation.
At 12:45 lunch arrived. Starving from the rule of `no such thing as recess` I was keen to crack open my obentoo (lunch box).
I was relieved my family gave me a fork to eat with. We ate in the classroom and people arranged their tables into small groups. In my obentoo was some rice, followed by these sausage meat things.
After lunch all the Girton students had a calligraphy class. We wrote kanji and learnt how to spell our name in Kanji.
When the bell rang, we headed out for a hike of about ten minutes to a gym. Girton v Gojo in a volleyball match. We mixed teams, Girton & Gojo, boys & girls. Everyone seemed to have a really good time.
At 6:30 we all walked down to a restaurant where we were served beef and rice. Girton students talked more with the Gojo students and practiced our language skills.
I then went home and while watching Mr. Bean, my host mother made a delicious fruit, ice-cream desert.
After a long day, I headed to bed.

Anthea Johnston

Photos to come.