Kuniko had a whole bento spread set up by the time I rolled out of bed this morning, and while she was in the shower I got everything placed into the right comparments of each bento box so that everything would remain separate and pure from the juices of its neighbor.
Today was a big day for me because it marked the first day that I used my new handheld computer to do memory drills. I loaded all the old data in from the old handheld, and it worked great. I did lots of drills and even had time to memorize a few extra words at the end of the day. The biggest difference was battery life. My old handheld had to be charged up while I was in class, and then I would use it for forty minutes and drain the battery again. I used the new handheld for about two hours today and it held up without even dropping below half a charge. Nice!
The biggest challenge for me today at school was talking. Although I am almost over my cold, I’m coughing a lot, and sometimes it is hard to keep it together through a whole English class. After school I helped Kuroda sensei record a listening test, and I couldn’t even clear my throat during the recording – that was tough.
My teachers asked me yesterday to bring in a recording of “We Are The World”, so I pulled a copy off the net and burned it to a CD. Today they asked me to teach the correct pronunciation to all the students in the school. I think on Thursday we’ll have students come into the music room and watch a DVD about the making of the song, and then I’ll help them sing it. As Kuniko said, “Funny.”
On my way home today I was crossing the street towards the station, and I could hear a low whistling sound. As I got closer I saw that it was coming from a huge kettle sitting on top of open flames in the back of an idling truck. It was a steamed potato vendor, advertising his potatoes by the sound of the steam escaping the top of the kettle. It was a little scary to see a full blaze going on a metal truck bed, just inches above a gas tank underneath. It must be safe, otherwise he wouldn’t be allowed to do it, right?
I’ve had a lot on my mind the last few days. Mainly it has to do with my job situation, and my future in Japan. I’ve been communicating with my staffing company, trying to get a grasp on the likelihood of a securing another contract starting the next school year. They are horribly vague, and always give me a wait and see response, which is not what I want to hear. Maybe I am just getting to the age where I need a little more security in my job life.
Anyway, the goal I’m shooting for is to earn a Master’s degree, and then use that to teach school at a different level, probably at a college. I really like teaching, and I think I have something to offer students in Japan.
The trick is pulling it all off while not going broke and helping support the household. Can I do it? I don’t know. I have a line on something that might be interesting, but I still need to think it through and see if it is the right thing for me.
Anyway, lots to think about lately. More updates as events warrant!
