Today it was back to work, and I went in at the normal time to hit the books. I experimented with a new approach to studying. I reviewed vocabulary on the train ride in, and then reviewed new vocabulary that I had learned yesterday for about half an hour when I arrived. Next I did grammar review of new grammar points for about 45 minutes, and then I did 30 minutes of kanji and listening practice. Finally I spent 45 minutes learning new vocabulary, 15 minutes of data entry of new words that I need to learn, and then the last hour was spent reading “Holes” in Japanese. I took me an hour to read three pages.
After all of that I found that I had missed lunch, but since I was going home soon I didn’t worry about it. The group from Australia was back, and Tsutsumi sensei told me all about her trip. She hinted about some interesting stories to tell me later on. I can’t wait!
The principal of the school also went on that trip, and he called me in to give me some paperwork relating to next year’s contract, and some secret documents for the new teacher interviews that I’ll be helping with later this month. He gave me his insights into the trip and I think it was a good way for him to realize how valuable it is to be multi-lingual. He was helpless in Australia, and at the mercy of his translators – Ms. Tsutsumi and Mr. Hayashi.
When I got home Kuniko was already there – back from her school seminar. We got caught up and then had a really healthy dinner of tofu and soumen noodles, with some kimchee on the side to spice it up. It was a seriously healthy meal – and really delicious. We were both full afterwards, but not so full that we couldn’t pick some 31 Flavors ice cream and take it to Kuniko’s folks house in Kakogawa. We spent some time with them and I focused really hard on the conversations to pick up what was going on.
As usual we couldn’t leave the place without lots of gifts – food, fruits and vegetables from their farm, even an entire frozen octopus. Wow. I wondered about the cryogenic effects on the ride home with the frozen block of octopus wrapped in newspaper in the back seat – would it reanimate as it warmed up? I can scientifically answer that “no”, it wouldn’t. Lucky the air conditioning was on.
Kuniko is lucky enough to have the rest of the week off, and I’ll get a chance to take some time off later this week. It’s the bon festival coming up soon – the Japanese day to remember the dead. We’ll likely go over to Kuniko’s folks place for dinner on later this week to celebrate.
