Kalocsa fever in my high school

In the beginning of the school year the home economics teachers approached me, and asked me to teach a few home economics lessons later this year in English, and teach my students how to make Hungarian food.  I was very happy that they want to integrate me more into the curriculum, and give me an opportunity to teach something other than the usual English grammar lessons. The English teachers let me plan my own lessons, but they usually give me grammar points to focus on, and certain grammar points you just can't make into a fun lesson, although I try my best every time.

Then, later in spring I wore my embroidered self decorated denim jacket to school, and one of the home economics teachers saw it. Oh my God was she all over me about it. What is it? How did I make it? How long did it take? Was it difficult? etc...I like wearing unique clothes and accessories, but I never thought this one would get so much attention. Maybe you remember the jacket I posted pics about it last autumn. I post them again just in case.

Kalocsa (pronounce it as kalocha) style flowers.

Anyway, she asked me to teach the embroidery to the home economics club next month, so at the cultural festival they can sell bags from the 100 yen store with embroidery they put on them. I found it was a great idea, so I immediately agreed. My English club members heard about the idea, and when they saw the pictures of the Kalocsa and Matyó style embroideries I printed out, they decided to join the home economics club learning how to do it, and we are going to make coasters that we will sell with cookies and drinks at the cultural festival in September.

A table cloth I'm working at right now.

I'm just so happy it turned out this way. Finally, I feel I can contribute to the students education in a way that no other NET and no native English speaker ever could. Finally, I feel I'm irreplaceable, and I can be proud of who I am, where I'm from. That's very important to me after being treated as a second class gaijin for years. I'm even thinking about doing this kind of embroidery as a profession if I ever quit teaching...which won't happen in the near future, as I really enjoy teaching right now. 

The first year in this school was difficult, but now I know which teachers I can trust, which ones I should avoid, and the students have become more friendly. After being scolded by a few teachers in the year opening ceremony for not greeting the teachers, they finally do say "hello" or "good morning" when we meet.

I'm quite comfortable now. I only wish I wouldn't have to get up at 6:30 in the morning to go to work.

Sorry for the spalling and punctuation mistakes. It's quite late, and I'm feeling crappy all day with low blood pressure and headaches, ever since rainy season set in.