There are subtle indications that the temperature has been gradually increasing. I’ve noticed a bug or two flying around lately. After being inundated with bug life upon my arrival in the summer, the winter has been remarkably bug free. Today on the way to work I noticed some blossoms on an old tree on the temple grounds near my apartment. Spring is coming.
My cold seems to be winding down a bit, but my throat continues to hurt. I had a full schedule today, and the second year students really put my hollering skills to the test. They are definitely the loudest class I have, so I need to shout to make myself heard. Each time I shouted I could feel the damage I was causing to my throat tissue – sharp jags of pain along the back of my throat. After the class finished I drank a couple glasses of hot water and had a throat drop, and I felt better. I’m scared that tomorrow I’ll awake without a voice, though.
Shigata sensei, a second year teacher, pulled me aside and invited me to join her and some of her friends in Kyoto at the end of this month. I’m a little averse to the idea, especially since she’s been giving me looks from across the teacher’s office since I arrived. I suspect she has ulterior motives, so I’m going to apologize and miss the trip. I’m also on Kyoto burnout right now – I’m hoping to explore some other parts of Japan next.
Mr. Hayashi asked me to leave a little early today – he is worried about my cough and wants me to get some rest. I took him up on the offer (again) and left work around 4:15. I used the extra time to do some shopping at Carrefour – I bought a couple of interesting things. I picked up a nice Italian Sangiovese, two bottles of Negro Modelo, some odds and ends for the household, a couple of nice cheeses, tortilla chips, and some sushi. There’s lots of great stuff there, but I’m trying a minimalist approach. It’s nice to have a place nearby with so many interesting things.
It was a big contrast shopping there – not very many customers tonight. One thing I thought was interesting is that they had too many cashiers up front, but instead of re-assigning some to restock, or sweep the floor, or whatever, they just wait patiently there with their hands crossed. It was kind of creepy – there is no way that they will all be busy, but they just sit there. It seemed inefficient, but who am I to say how to run a French store in Japan.
