My first English class

While in Japan, most wives teach English to Japanese students. Students can be anywhere from 3years old to 70 years old! Last Wednesday and this Wednesday I am subbing for one of the wives in my squadron for two of her classes. The first class is an hour and a half with a lead teacher and 6 women, aging 35-65. It is a beginner's class. It impresses me sooo much that they are looking to learn English! I got paid 4000 Yen ($40) to read aloud conversations from a book, and then practice it with each student, as well as asking what they did over their weekend. They are such sweet women, and think I'm very posh and a big gift to them. I had sooo much fun.

The second class is with Asami-san. He is about 45 years old and has been to America many times and goes to New York at least once a year. We talk for an hour about anything and everything. Last week, we talked about where I have lived, the Somali Pirate issue, Japan's emperor and his succession. And then he paid me 5000Yen ($50). What! Easiest money I've ever made.

Since we've been here, we feel like we've been hemorrhaging money. Between fronting money to pay for living in the Navy Lodge, fronting money to move in to Casa Jardin Room C... And then whenever we eat out, we have to withdraw Yen. Oiy, our bank cards are still steaming from all this use! So having classes that bring in Yen helps us from withdrawing from our own account. Living out on the economy we will be using more Yen than Dollars. For instance, last night I went to the Fish Store to pick up some salmon and lemons and a few fresh veggies. No cards accepted, so I had to fish through my yen purse and pray I had 1340 Yen ($13.40), which I did. Plus, the Yen is stronger than the dollar currently so every 5000Yen I earn, is saving us $3.