My schedule today was really light, because the students have to take tests today to check to see if they have been studying during winter vacation. The first day back for them is full of exams – four periods worth of written tests. Ick!
For my part I had only two classes today in the afternoon, so my morning was pretty easy. I prepared for my new lesson for the first years, and did a little bit of studying at my desk.
At the morning we had two extremes of life and death. One of the teachers got up and received an envelope full of cash from the principal of the school. His wife had a baby a couple of weeks ago, and so it was the official present from all the teachers – cash! He made a short speech, cracked a few jokes, and then sat down. A weird thing happened when another teacher got up and as his voice cracked and tears formed in his eyes, he said that his younger brother had died unexpectedly the day before, and that is why the teacher had been gone the day before.
It was a very strange thing for me to observe. Here this guy lost his younger brother and the next day he’s at school when clearly he needs some time to deal with it. I’ve sometimes put credence in the idea of going to work to get yourself out of a depression cycle, but this seemed a little early to me. Also the emotion was something that I’ve rarely seen in the teacher’s room.
I was sitting at my desk during third period when Tsutsumi sensei came down to talk to me. She told me that although the second and first years had exams today, the third years did not, so I went upstairs and dropped in on my own class.
Normally that would be a big problem, but my third year class is doing a presentation project. They are working on their own on different things, and really they just need someone there to help out and make sure they don’t jump out the windows. Still, a little embarrassing! Ms. Tsutsumi wasn’t too concerned – she apologized for not filling me in on the schedule. Anyway, we are on a regular schedule starting tomorrow, so I should be just fine from here on out.
The history teacher nailed me down for about 45 minutes today, asking me all kinds of questions ranging from the use of the word “tsunami” by Americans to asking about a zit I recently got just to the right of my nose. I gave him as detailed an answer as possible on all the subjects.
After school I went out to Azusa’s place to do a lesson for her. It was my first time to see her since New Year’s, so we caught up on all her adventures. We had a lot to talk about, and the lesson flew by. Her mom served us some coffee and cheesecake after the lesson, and then packed a bag full of home-grown lemons and apples and sent me on my way. I bought a juicer on the way home at the 100 yen store. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Back at home I got started on my leftovers, and then packed up a bunch of stuff and gave it to Jane to help out. I also gave her some booze and dessert – a well balanced meal or two in there.
Tomorrow it’s a regular day at school with three classes. I’m hoping to have a treasure hunt for the ESS club, and then hopefully meet up with Yasu and push some Mexican food on him, too.
