This morning it was tough to wake up after such a relaxing weekend. I took a hot shower and had a piece of toast with cinnamon sugar, and then headed out the door to catch my train. I’ve got it down to a science now, where as soon as I step on the platform the announcement for my train comes on overhead.
At school I had the first period free, which I always like. It allows me to take care of things that I might have forgotten about or put off. You can do a lot of work when you are undisturbed for 50 minutes.
The vice principal called a meeting of all the teachers during the lunch hour, something very unusual. He said that two pieces of graffiti were found around the town of Takasago, each threatening the life of our second year math teacher. This has happened before, and nobody can figure out who is doing it. I’m not a big fan of the guy either, but I’m not considered a suspect.
Anyway, we had a special assembly to sternly address all of the students. They asked the guilty party to step forward so they could kick him out of school. Yeah, right. I don’t think they expected that to work, either.
During the extra seventh period I studied with Mr. Hayashi, reading and translating a short biography of Yoko Ono. Mr. Hayashi is helping me with my accent as well – it’s definitely American right now.
I don’t know why but I’m really enjoying learning a foreign language. Japanese is tough, really tough. I feel like I’m just packing in words and grammar and eventually someday the dam will break and I’ll be speaking Japanese like crazy. Right now it’s still broken Japanese as I urgently think through words and grammar in my head to say it correctly.
During my last visit to Kuniko’s place she had a TV show on that was teaching English to young kids. There was a Japanese girl and a foreign guy, maybe American. They spoke in rapid fire kid-friendly Japanese, and then would demonstrate English. The Japanese girl would speak with a thick accent. The guy was creepy – he was dressed like a crazy man to be more kid friendly. Still, I was impressed with his Japanese and couldn’t help but admire it. It’s rare for me to see a foreigner, let alone one that can speak great Japanese. I don’t plan on being on any Japanese TV programs, but it was just a little inspiring.
I had sushi for dinner tonight, and on the way home I timed the two train options I have. One puts me in Nishi Futami two minutes later than the one that runs to my old station, so it’s worth it to wait for that one. The Ito Yokado is bustling with activity, and it’s just about ready to open. I was peeking in through the windows, and it looks like a huge place. Friday’s the big day.
