I never had the urge to take a bike ride during the night before; I could do just as well during the day. Considering, though, the day here is almost unapproachable, it does make sense that I would want to ride at night, and I did buy a bike light tonight, so there you go.
I took a short ride, around in a circle. It is still dreadfully sticky outside, but at least it is only 23 degrees right now, which in my opinion, is still way to hot for 10pm. I lied, 23 is like 74 degrees. But it is so darn humid that it feels much hotter. Yep, the humidity is just below 90%.
I talk about the weather too much... but honestly, here, you kinda live by the weather. Today I stayed in all day and did nothing. I also ran the AC. I really need to find my way over to the pool some day. I probably should build back up my strength a little before I do so though.
Speaking of pools, none of my elementary schools are allowed to swim in their own pools, so they take a bus to the big swim complex in town when they have swim class. At first I thought it was because the earthquake damaged the foundation or something. Well I didn't just think that magically, I was told it. But it wasn't damage that was the problem, it is concern over radiation. They are not allowed to use outside pools for a year because of potentially contaminated rain water.
If anyone was wondering if any damage was apparent from the quake, I am wondering the same thing too. It is really hard to tell whether seemingly damaged buildings are from the earthquake or before it. I haven't really seen much around here, except one of my school's gyms is not in use currently because of it. When I went to the beach a long time ago it was deserted, and I was told it was because people were afraid that bodies might wash up on shore as they enjoyed a weekend with their family.
It is funny how easily you can forget the horror of those days. "Good Luck Fukushima" signs are everywhere, and teachers are always wearing some sort of "we love Japan" T-shirt. I even saw an alcohol bottle that said "we need Fukushima", and ¥380 of the sale would go to a charity. I really hope to volunteer in Sendai soon. But its hard not to forget your ambitions.
Tomorrow is an easy day. I am teaching 2nd years "feelings" that they can use to respond to the question "how are you?" in the morning. It is good for them, because usually if you ask ANY Japanese person ANY age that question, they will respond with the same exact route memorization: "Fine, thank you. And you?"
In the afternoon I go to my favorite school, Uchikawa. I really do love all my schools, but I really like the kids here. (My favorite school for the staff is Shimonoseki, but honestly, everyone is really wonderful, especially my main school.) Uchikawa is a school of a total of 24 children. No, I am not kidding. It is my smallest school. They have three classes, 1st and 2nd year combo, 3rd and 4th year combo, and 5th and 6th year combo.
Tomorrow I am teaching the 5th/6th combo. They are learning "do you have ____". The teacher is always prepared so I do not have to stress very much over what I need to do. I usually just make sure to have a game and a warm up ready. Actually all my 5th/6th year teachers seem to be very well prepared, well, accept for one. But I am going to give said teacher a break, because I have only taught that class once. We will see next time... >.>
After that class I am going to try to hang with the 1st/2nd years. They are my favorite class so far. There are only six kids, and they are ALL boys. XD And one, I am guessing, has ADHD. They have a danged endless supply of energy. And it wears me out, but I love it. We were playing a game with numbers where you had to come together with the amount of people with the number I said. So "1" is by yourself, "2" is two people, etc. Half way through they just started holding onto each other and walking around. I couldn't help but laugh. I do feel bad for their teacher though. She must be in her late 50's or mid 60's.... and it is hard for me to keep up with them!
On Friday, after I finished my last class at the school, I came down to the first floor to see bottle caps EVERYWHERE. I wondered what the heck happened, until I saw the teacher and those little boys cleaning them up. >.< I think they were doing an art project with bottle caps, empty juice cartons, and paper cups... but how they ended up on three floors of the school I am not really sure.
I tried to use the situation to teach them a bit, like I was picking up the caps and I asked one of them how many were in my hand, or how many bottles were on the table. I want to steal one of the kids. He is the most adorable thing. He is really smart and always shouts out his answers, and I can see how he gets kinda nervous when I ask him directly that he sometimes says the wrong number, but he always corrects himself. Gah, he's so adorable! >.<
Well that's enough about going on about that... goodness, there is so much to catch up on. -_-;;; But that will make me say only the important stuff so that is good.
Oh, I forgot, I went out to dinner with a couple of friends, and of course, I forgot to take a picture of my food again because I was so hungry. It was the most wonderful sandwich I have ever had--most likely, probably due to the fact that I was starving. Japan has the cutest little cafe's, and this one is at the top of the places I have eaten at. The staff was so kind and the building was beautifully modern, with large glass panes and beautiful woods. I had a tomato, lettuce and egg sandwich with fries. I want another one this very moment.
To sleep!
I took a short ride, around in a circle. It is still dreadfully sticky outside, but at least it is only 23 degrees right now, which in my opinion, is still way to hot for 10pm. I lied, 23 is like 74 degrees. But it is so darn humid that it feels much hotter. Yep, the humidity is just below 90%.
I talk about the weather too much... but honestly, here, you kinda live by the weather. Today I stayed in all day and did nothing. I also ran the AC. I really need to find my way over to the pool some day. I probably should build back up my strength a little before I do so though.
Speaking of pools, none of my elementary schools are allowed to swim in their own pools, so they take a bus to the big swim complex in town when they have swim class. At first I thought it was because the earthquake damaged the foundation or something. Well I didn't just think that magically, I was told it. But it wasn't damage that was the problem, it is concern over radiation. They are not allowed to use outside pools for a year because of potentially contaminated rain water.
If anyone was wondering if any damage was apparent from the quake, I am wondering the same thing too. It is really hard to tell whether seemingly damaged buildings are from the earthquake or before it. I haven't really seen much around here, except one of my school's gyms is not in use currently because of it. When I went to the beach a long time ago it was deserted, and I was told it was because people were afraid that bodies might wash up on shore as they enjoyed a weekend with their family.
It is funny how easily you can forget the horror of those days. "Good Luck Fukushima" signs are everywhere, and teachers are always wearing some sort of "we love Japan" T-shirt. I even saw an alcohol bottle that said "we need Fukushima", and ¥380 of the sale would go to a charity. I really hope to volunteer in Sendai soon. But its hard not to forget your ambitions.
Tomorrow is an easy day. I am teaching 2nd years "feelings" that they can use to respond to the question "how are you?" in the morning. It is good for them, because usually if you ask ANY Japanese person ANY age that question, they will respond with the same exact route memorization: "Fine, thank you. And you?"
In the afternoon I go to my favorite school, Uchikawa. I really do love all my schools, but I really like the kids here. (My favorite school for the staff is Shimonoseki, but honestly, everyone is really wonderful, especially my main school.) Uchikawa is a school of a total of 24 children. No, I am not kidding. It is my smallest school. They have three classes, 1st and 2nd year combo, 3rd and 4th year combo, and 5th and 6th year combo.
Tomorrow I am teaching the 5th/6th combo. They are learning "do you have ____". The teacher is always prepared so I do not have to stress very much over what I need to do. I usually just make sure to have a game and a warm up ready. Actually all my 5th/6th year teachers seem to be very well prepared, well, accept for one. But I am going to give said teacher a break, because I have only taught that class once. We will see next time... >.>
After that class I am going to try to hang with the 1st/2nd years. They are my favorite class so far. There are only six kids, and they are ALL boys. XD And one, I am guessing, has ADHD. They have a danged endless supply of energy. And it wears me out, but I love it. We were playing a game with numbers where you had to come together with the amount of people with the number I said. So "1" is by yourself, "2" is two people, etc. Half way through they just started holding onto each other and walking around. I couldn't help but laugh. I do feel bad for their teacher though. She must be in her late 50's or mid 60's.... and it is hard for me to keep up with them!
On Friday, after I finished my last class at the school, I came down to the first floor to see bottle caps EVERYWHERE. I wondered what the heck happened, until I saw the teacher and those little boys cleaning them up. >.< I think they were doing an art project with bottle caps, empty juice cartons, and paper cups... but how they ended up on three floors of the school I am not really sure.
I tried to use the situation to teach them a bit, like I was picking up the caps and I asked one of them how many were in my hand, or how many bottles were on the table. I want to steal one of the kids. He is the most adorable thing. He is really smart and always shouts out his answers, and I can see how he gets kinda nervous when I ask him directly that he sometimes says the wrong number, but he always corrects himself. Gah, he's so adorable! >.<
Well that's enough about going on about that... goodness, there is so much to catch up on. -_-;;; But that will make me say only the important stuff so that is good.
Oh, I forgot, I went out to dinner with a couple of friends, and of course, I forgot to take a picture of my food again because I was so hungry. It was the most wonderful sandwich I have ever had--most likely, probably due to the fact that I was starving. Japan has the cutest little cafe's, and this one is at the top of the places I have eaten at. The staff was so kind and the building was beautifully modern, with large glass panes and beautiful woods. I had a tomato, lettuce and egg sandwich with fries. I want another one this very moment.
To sleep!
11:09 PM |
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