So I’m going through some strange scheduling – Saturday I had off, and I spent it catching up on laundry, talking with my folks and restocking my refrigerator. Today I had to work, and tomorrow (Monday) is a compensatory holiday. Weird.
We went in to work because they were announcing which students made it into our school following the entrance exams. Our regular students came in for a half day, and it seemed like the teachers were having trouble thinking of things for them to do – there were a couple of assemblies that were pretty boring, and lots of teacher’s meetings. I attended three meetings, all of which were on the dry side.
The original plan was to grab lunch at the coffee shop next door to the school, but they were closed on Sunday. So we went to a Chinese food place that was so-so a couple of blocks from the school at the Seiyu shopping center.
I passed out my omiyage, and everyone seemed pleased. I gave out little cookies that have the fat content of several donuts. Everyone was surprised to hear that I had snuck out of the country for a couple of days. The history teacher was especially keen for details, so I spent half an hour telling him about my trip. He got a big kick out of the stories.
Tonight I am going to Kakogawa for a party for the retiring teachers this year. It’s one of those required optional parties, and it’s freaking expensive. There are three teachers retiring, and it’s a Japanese custom to give money to each person. Including dinner and cash gifts I’m forking out $120 tonight. I hope next year there are fewer people retiring – my pocketbook won’t be able to take it!
