This past week has been pretty busy.

On Monday, we visited a disaster simulation building, which was both hilarious and fun. I think the fire simulation was the best - we were supposed to find our way out of a smoke filled office complex while our instructor watched us on numerous television screen. We didn't even realize she was watching us, until, in response to our constant laughing, her voice over the loud speaker "No speak!!" You die in real life!! The Japanese businessmen who went after us did it in like 30 seconds, with complete teamwork and concentration, it was kind of amazing.

The earthquake simulation was pretty awesome also. We had to find cover while experiencing a level 6 quake, with stuff falling down and the lights going off. We also did CPR and the shock treatment on manikins. Lastly, we watched a 3D instructional movie - naturally, like most instructional films, the dubbing and acting was god-awfully hilarious. They all had incredibly strong Japanese accent, except for this one Japanese businessman who was dubbed over with an Australian guy. And the 3D was a little excessive, and the video kept throwing things at the screen so it looked like it was coming at us.

The next day, we went to an elementary school. First, we observed the classes. Then they laid out this elaborate welcome ceremony for us with rainbow arches and speeches and everything. Then they sat us down in a row and had the children do one of the most bizarre dances I've seen in front of us. They had these weird instruments and kept doing these spider/crab like moves. Even if it was bizarre, it was incredibly well organized, I have to give those Japanese children credit for that.

Then each class was given two foreigners. The kids were so curious about us, we were like aliens to them. I couldn't understand anything the children said to me, they were very quiet and fast. But they were pretty adorable. We prepared a mini lesson for the kids, and then we ate lunch with them. Then they took us to the gym, where we proceeded to play games I didn't understand at all. One was like tournament, life-size rock-paper-scissors.

Also, classes started yesterday. It's a ton of work so far (and I've only had Japanese class homework so far). But I spent about 4-5 hours on it the first night, and we have this class for over 3 hours every day. It's really, really intensive. Ganbarimasuyo!