Another school year has started at Futabadai Junior High School...I can't believe I'm starting my 3rd year here!!! Just crazy- I never thought I'd be in Japan this long. But I love, love, love my school!!! All of the students are wonderful this year (well, OK there are exceptions, but there isn't a whole year of crappy students) and the teachers are all excited to have me back again. There are 2 new English teachers- yes, Koala is gone, sort of. He is no longer an English teacher (good) but now mentors all 1st year teachers in Mito (bad). Which means that he comes to every one of my ichinensei classes because the new 1st year teacher is a brand new, fresh outta college teacher. So, I feel like I'M being observed by him every class!! But he's not as much of an a-hole this year, so I'm thankful for that!! All of us English teachers this year are women- YEA!!!!!! And we are all very enthusiastic about English, so this year should be a banner year.
Of course, all of this is very bittersweet. I always have in the back of my head that I'll be leaving in a few months for Prague. It breaks my heart to think about leaving the school, the teachers, but MOST of all my kids!! But I have to do what is best for me and I need the new challenges and experiences of a new country.
Speaking of leaving- over break (which was loooong) I said goodbye to a couple more friends- Su and Jessica. So now all of my female friends are gone!!! Very, very sad.
Other than saying goodbye (and having Su & Jessica stay with me before their departures), my break was extremely quiet and kinda boring. I didn't go on any trips- trying to save money. And I didn't really go out at all. I went to a hanami at Senba Lake with Ross & Yuko. Unfortunately, it rained all night, but we did get to see some beautiful dancing at the shrine. I got my hair done by my new private student. I'm taking over for Su with a women who sings jazz. Basically, we practice pronunciation of the lyrics. And I teach her husband some English as well. And I slept.....A LOT!!! And watched a lot of TV on the computer.
One thing I did do was go down to Tokyo for the day. It was an absolutely gorgeous day when I went- sunny, in the 70's. And the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. I have to say that I always laugh at the craziness that the sakura bring in the spring. You'd think that the Japanese had never seen them bloom before and I think that there is no need for me to get all excited about them. But in reality.....they are really beautiful!! I went to Asakusa and there were sooo many tourists!!! I kinda got annoyed and thought "what's with all the foreigners???"- ha ha! Then I went to the Imperial Palace area and took some pictures of the blossoms.
I have been wanting to go to the Museum of Modern Arts' Craft Gallery for a while now, and I finally made my way there. The Gallery features special exhibits having to do with traditional Japanese craft work. The exhibit that was there was a tribute to all things flowery. I wish that Mom, Dad & I had gone when they were here last year. Mom would really have enjoyed it. I loved the exhibit. There was pottery, textiles, etc. Lately,I have discovered an interest in pottery that I didn't know I had- I'm not sure where it has come from- possibly as I get older Mom's artiness is wearing off on me(notice I took a lot of flower pictures this trip!!). The pottery in the exhibit was phenomenal!!! I really loved a technique called neriage, and I want to find out more about it. In addition to the pottery, there were beautiful kimono as well. It was very peaceful walking through the gallery and I'm glad I finally went.
After the art and cherry blossoms, it was time to get down to business. Shopping!! More specifically- H & M! There are now 2 H & M's in Tokyo- Ginza and Harajuku- and yet I've still not been to one. I was determined to go- and I did. I went to the one in Harajuku and it was insane. There wasn't a line to get in, but there probably should have been. The place was absolutely packed!! And I thought my head was going to explode from the sheer size of the store. Three floors of women's wear and one of men's. And I could have bought everything! I went a bit crazy, grabbing pretty much anything in my size. Then I had to wait for 30 minutes for a fitting room. I mean, seriously, there were only 5 fitting rooms in the entire store!!!!! Who planned that???? I had a whole pile of stuff when I got to the counter, but I was afraid I was spending too much, so half of it went back. I ended up with 4 tops (and a purse! shhh, don't tell anyone....) which I love. But now I'll have to go back because I could have bought more!! After H & M, I crossed the street to head to the Gap- hadn't been there in a while. And while they had a lot of cute stuff- I ended up with.............a pair of shoes! I know, I know......I have a problem.....I may need an intervention.....I just can't help buying shoes and purses!!
After shopping, I met up with Su, Mayumi & Laura in Shinjuku for dinner. It was Su's last night in Japan and I wanted to say goodbye. We went to a theme restaurant called Arabian Rock. It was totally cheesy but we had a good time.
So that was my big trip over break. Not much but at least I got out of Mito.
Last weekend, I met most of the new AETs in Hitachi and Mito. They all seem like a really fun, close knit group. But young- oh so young!! I feel like Wooderson in Dazed & Confused- "they keep getting younger and I stay the same age"!!! haha!! But amazingly there is a guy who transfered down from northern Japan, who is not only from Wisconsin, but is my age!!! Couldn't believe it. And he's really funny and kinda feels the same way as I do (about being around so many youngsters!). So I may have found a comrade.
OK- so that's about it for me here. School will be off to a slow start for the next couple of weeks- home visits, sports days, tests. But Golden Week is in a couple of weeks, so that will be 4 or 5 days holiday. I'm not sure what I'm planning- maybe a trip down to Hiroshima, or up to Nikko. Don't know....I need to save money, but I want to see these places before I leave Japan. But I think I have to resign myself to the fact that I won't be able to do everything before I leave. I guess that just means I will have to come back to visit. I do plan on getting back to Okinawa before I leave- but that's a whole other story for another time.
Happy belated Easter!! Hope everyone got their taxes in on time!
Until next time.....
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