Today I met up with a couple of people and studied Japanese a little. Not too much, but it was still good 'cause it meant that I did something. It was fun. Next week we shall try it again.
After a little while studying, a couple of us decided to go to Maruzen to get study material. I know, I just went yesterday, but today I didn't buy anything although I did see a couple of Italian-English books which would be PERFECT for studying, but I didn't get 'em, since I'm running close to the limit I allowed myself for this month. But, I do need to buy bookshelves, so that will be a big purchase. That, and I want to buy markers, which will be a HUGE investment since they cost about ¥400 a pop. Either way, we went to Maruzen and then to a couple of stores in the Loft (where I saw the bookshelf that I think I'll buy one or two of, and the markers). After that, we went to have tea at Afternoon Tea, and got free book covers. (the picture is from my cell phone - it's Erica and Jessica) After that, we all went our separate ways.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
2008.09.06
Today I woke up with a moderate hangover. I ate the udon that one of the teachers gave me last night/this morning. I don't know if it was what it was, or if it was because I was attempting to sober up, but it made my stomach a little upset. At about noon, I went out to see about buying a new bag (one with a zipper so my stuff doesn't fall out of it like it is now since the clasp broke). I couldn't find one, but I did find stuff to mail stuff in. And a cute smelly thing. After that, I went to the Maruzen to see about getting a book on onomatopoeia. I couldn't find 'em, but I did find a Italian-English-Japanese word book. So, I got that so I can continue to study Italian AND Japanese at the same time. My stomach wasn't too happy about being up, or out, so I went to a 'New Days' in Sendai station and bought 3 drinks (a water, a coke, and a juice). The cashier was kinda cute - he said 'see you,' which I'm not sure why, but made me happy. By cute, I mean that I kinda wanna pinch his cheeks and rub his head.
When I got to my subway stop, I bought 2 more drinks (a vitamin drink, and another water), then walked home. Today was the first non-rainy day for about a week or three. Rather surprising, really.
When I got to my subway stop, I bought 2 more drinks (a vitamin drink, and another water), then walked home. Today was the first non-rainy day for about a week or three. Rather surprising, really.
Friday, September 5, 2008
2008.09.05
Today I went to some first year classes instead of the third years like I was supposed to. It was fun. The kids have tests on Monday and Tuesday (which is why I didn't go to third year), so they need to study. It was fun. I got to grade a lot of work from the third years though. My favorite sentence so far has to be "I don't like rain because it's damp." I actually did laugh out loud at that. It's just so cute. This fellow has become #1 in my book for that sentence. I have no idea who he is, but I know he's a winner.
At around 7.00, I went to my welcome party. Enkai. A word one must come to know if in Japan for any length of time. Basically, enkai is a drinking party. Yeah, I got pretty drunk. I ate like 10 bites in an effort to get drunk so I'd relax. It was fun. Talked and laughed with my coworkers. One of them taught me how to be more lady-like in my Japanese. I think he was secretly poking fun at my bad Japanese, but it's all cool.
After that, was Nijikai (the after-party). That was fun too. One really drunk coworker kept asking if I like sexual harassment, and couldn't quite get that sexual harassment was harassment because it's unwanted attention. It was a rather fun party. But, I learned that my keeper will be leaving in about a year and a half to move to Yokohama and get married and all that stuff. It makes me sad, but there isn't much that I can do about it other then have fun while I can.
After the after-party, two teachers and myself waited around to get a ride from one of their girlfriends. One of the teachers bought more beer and udon from the conbini (I can't spell it correctly in English, but what a 7-11 is) right next to the bar we went to. The other teacher asked how long I was going to be in Japan, and I said probably for at least 2 years, and then he said that he hopes that I stay for longer - get married to a Japanese man and stay.
It was an interesting night to say the least. (yeah for being able to change the post date!)
At around 7.00, I went to my welcome party. Enkai. A word one must come to know if in Japan for any length of time. Basically, enkai is a drinking party. Yeah, I got pretty drunk. I ate like 10 bites in an effort to get drunk so I'd relax. It was fun. Talked and laughed with my coworkers. One of them taught me how to be more lady-like in my Japanese. I think he was secretly poking fun at my bad Japanese, but it's all cool.
After that, was Nijikai (the after-party). That was fun too. One really drunk coworker kept asking if I like sexual harassment, and couldn't quite get that sexual harassment was harassment because it's unwanted attention. It was a rather fun party. But, I learned that my keeper will be leaving in about a year and a half to move to Yokohama and get married and all that stuff. It makes me sad, but there isn't much that I can do about it other then have fun while I can.
After the after-party, two teachers and myself waited around to get a ride from one of their girlfriends. One of the teachers bought more beer and udon from the conbini (I can't spell it correctly in English, but what a 7-11 is) right next to the bar we went to. The other teacher asked how long I was going to be in Japan, and I said probably for at least 2 years, and then he said that he hopes that I stay for longer - get married to a Japanese man and stay.
It was an interesting night to say the least. (yeah for being able to change the post date!)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
2008.09.04
Today was my first day with second years. The girls are pretty cool, but the boys aren't nearly as cool. They are at that weird age, me thinks, where they feel that they are 'too cool for school,' so it makes them not as cool as they could be. Either way, it wasn't so bad, and I think I'll enjoy the challenge they may present. That, and I don't think Suzuki-sensei dislikes me - whooohooo! I thought she might, but it is just how we communicate with each other.
Definitely got to find out about the gym this weekend. That, and buy a yoga mat. And a book or two. Well, there goes my whole 'no buying' thing, doesn't it. Oh well, I need exercise badly, and those books have been a long time in the coming. Onomatopoeia waits for no man. And no man waits for onomatopoeia, so it's a shitty lifestyle.
Other than that, I gotta figure out a hair cut for myself. I want one, I just don't know how.
Definitely got to find out about the gym this weekend. That, and buy a yoga mat. And a book or two. Well, there goes my whole 'no buying' thing, doesn't it. Oh well, I need exercise badly, and those books have been a long time in the coming. Onomatopoeia waits for no man. And no man waits for onomatopoeia, so it's a shitty lifestyle.
Other than that, I gotta figure out a hair cut for myself. I want one, I just don't know how.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
2008.09.03
Today was a practice session at some elementary school with a long name (Kamisugiyamadori). I got to do my self-intro (again!) today. I don't think it went too badly, but I definitely wasn't the best. I'm not sure if there was a worst since everybody just has a different way of going about things in an intro. Either way, it was fun. After that was the monthly ALT meeting. A lot of announcements. Pretty informative as far as announcing things went. But, I must say that I am enjoying my wallet. Expensive as it was, it does the job well and feel damn good doing it.
After the monthly meeting, I had coffee with one of my sempai's - Waylon - and had a good chat with him. Rather interesting fellow. Now if only I wasn't so socially awkward I might be able to have a less one sided conversation with him. Either way, the coffee was good, as was the conversation. After that, we took the subway and I walked him to his gym since it wasn't that far from where I was going. It started to storm. Not too heavy on the rain, but there was a little bit of lightning and thunder. It seems to be completely stopped now, however.
When I got home, I had a note from the Pelican - a postal system here in Japan - that my book from Amazon came, but he couldn't leave it. So, I gave him a nice little call and he redelivered it. I now have my Thor comic. Fun times. Fun times.
After the monthly meeting, I had coffee with one of my sempai's - Waylon - and had a good chat with him. Rather interesting fellow. Now if only I wasn't so socially awkward I might be able to have a less one sided conversation with him. Either way, the coffee was good, as was the conversation. After that, we took the subway and I walked him to his gym since it wasn't that far from where I was going. It started to storm. Not too heavy on the rain, but there was a little bit of lightning and thunder. It seems to be completely stopped now, however.
When I got home, I had a note from the Pelican - a postal system here in Japan - that my book from Amazon came, but he couldn't leave it. So, I gave him a nice little call and he redelivered it. I now have my Thor comic. Fun times. Fun times.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
2008.09.02
Today I got to make a recording for the first year’s test. My lisp is annoying the heck out of me. I’ve got to train myself to get rid of it. I didn’t think it was that bad, but it is terrible! Today is also Yanagiu’s anniversary so a lot of teachers took off since the kids don’t have classes. But, there were a lot of teachers at school – more than I thought there would be. Either way, my keeper - Minako Obata - and I took a few hours off (3) and went and had lunch and went shopping for a wallet.
We went to AEON near her house. It's a large mall. Nothing too fancy except for the stores. We looked around, and since I had a hard time deciding what wallet to get we got our skin checked. Well, the water level of our skin. Both of us do not have enough! I guess that means that I need to take better care of my skin or something. I'm not sure what it really means, all I do know is that after that we went to a soap store and got our hands washed one and a half times. They were nice products, but a little pricey. After that, guess how much I paid for a wallet 'cause I'm still amazed. Have you guessed? About ¥10,000! I'd never do that in America, but, it's just what you do here. It's a nice wallet and my first real ladies wallet. No more shopping for this month...and it's only the 2nd. Shouldn't be too hard unless I run out of food. In which case, school lunch just got a lot more tasty.
We went to AEON near her house. It's a large mall. Nothing too fancy except for the stores. We looked around, and since I had a hard time deciding what wallet to get we got our skin checked. Well, the water level of our skin. Both of us do not have enough! I guess that means that I need to take better care of my skin or something. I'm not sure what it really means, all I do know is that after that we went to a soap store and got our hands washed one and a half times. They were nice products, but a little pricey. After that, guess how much I paid for a wallet 'cause I'm still amazed. Have you guessed? About ¥10,000! I'd never do that in America, but, it's just what you do here. It's a nice wallet and my first real ladies wallet. No more shopping for this month...and it's only the 2nd. Shouldn't be too hard unless I run out of food. In which case, school lunch just got a lot more tasty.
Monday, September 1, 2008
2008.09.01
Today was my first time at an Elementary School. It was fun, but a little tiring. I went to Nishi Nakada Elementary School. I did my self introduction, five kids introduced themselves (sometimes a little more), then we did “Touch your --“ game (with musical accompaniment of ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes’), and we finished the day with ‘Color Demon.’ Nothing makes one happy quite like yelling out colors and watching kids run away from you. It makes ones heart alight with joy and happiness. After that, I returned to school (since it was only 13.30), and sat at my desk. Not much to do since I had no classes to go to. Well, that and the school is preparing for the school festival. I handed out toilet paper, and introduced myself to some students who were laughing and acting all embarrassed outside (since that is what one should do when such a thing happens). That one boy didn’t seem to appreciate it, but that is his own problem since there is nothing funny about saying ‘harro’ to your new assistant teacher. I even say ‘hello’ back.
Oh, I did get to help to enlarge a picture and make it poster sized. That was interesting. Another chance to talk at students and attempt to talk with students. Somehow ‘hobbies’ turned into ‘birthday,’ so now I know one girl’s birthday…but I forget her name. But, May 28th. She was born on that day. Whoever she is.
Oh, I did get to help to enlarge a picture and make it poster sized. That was interesting. Another chance to talk at students and attempt to talk with students. Somehow ‘hobbies’ turned into ‘birthday,’ so now I know one girl’s birthday…but I forget her name. But, May 28th. She was born on that day. Whoever she is.
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