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09/17/2008: "Movin' on up"
Current Sounds: Ayaka - Why
Don't have alot of time, as it's kinda late.. but I haven't written in over a week, so I figured I should probably get around to it and let people know I'm not only still alive, but doing all right.
I've added 9 hours (9 classes) to my work week now with the addition of the high school, bringing my total up to 27 working hours and a 36 classes a week. At the very least, I really, really enjoy teaching at the high school, and it's been a rewarding experience for me thus far, even if I've only taught there 3 times.
The funny thing, though, is that due to certain reasons that aren't important (or rather that I won't go into), I've never been in a high school in any official capacity. Never attended a day of high school, which means that the first time I ever actually stepped into a high school with any real reason was as a teacher. This is somewhere on the border between really, really bizarre and totally awesome. It's a really weird experience to walk down the hallway and have students bow to you as you walk past.. though I take my job as 'the english teacher' lightly, and try to talk casually with the students in the hall, on break, etc. I don't want them to think of English as a subject, but as another way of expressing what you want to say. Though whether or not I'm making any headway is beyond me.
I have been told by some eager high school girls that I 'look like a pirate'. After staring for a long moment and wondering why a 16 year old girl just told me I look like a pirate, I realized she probably meant 'pilot', seeing as /l/ and /r/ are difficult to distinguish. I don't know if this is any better, but she assured me it's 'good' that I look like a pilot. Today, I learned from another student that I look like a 'sailor'. What does it all mean? Who knows!
Other than teaching in high school, I've just been continuing on with my normal class routines. It's a bit (or... VERY) tiring somedays, but I enjoy teaching and I enjoy the classes. The students are great, maybe 80% of the time, and that's what keeps me coming back. If they want to learn, then I want to teach. it's when they don't care that the day gets long and starts to become tedious. At least I about one great class per day, so it helps get through it.
Hm.. went to a high school (different one) culture festival last weekend, arranged a 5-minute impromptu birthday party (with CAKE!) for my Japanese coworker last week (for the record.. getting a cake is hell here, and they're expensive. But I finally got one, got some ice packs to keep it cool, some candles, and kidnapped another Japanese teacher to complete my impromptu surprise birthday. I WILL make sure people have a happy birthday.. no matter what), had dinner with a teacher I worked with in Arizona, rented movies, aaaaand.. not much else since I last wrote.
I did decide to try my hand at speculative investing through the powers of eBay, as of today. Apparently I thought I had too much money and figured I should spend it on something and then resell it on eBay. On the surface, it's a pretty simple investment, the profit margin is decent, and if it doesn't sell, I'll just keep it. ALSO, it's a slightly more interesting way for me to move money from Japan to America without wire-transferring (I'm lazy). I figure if I make 10% on it, that's a better yield than I'd get from the stock market (iffy) or paying the same amount on my loans (6%).
In short.. I'm bored and figured it's something interesting to try. And hey, maybe I'll make some money while I'm at it. And, of course, if anyone wants a limited-edition Final Fantasy XII DS from Japan, you can find it here. You know.. it is a bargain, listed at $50 below all the other sellers..
Anyway! Attached under 'more..' are some pictures from Japan. The first two are the Japanese teachers I teach with (first one is the one with the birthday) and some other random stuff. I'm tired.. I'll post more.. later!
See you.. and I'll get around to replying to my e-mails soon!
Midori!
Megumi, working hard!
Pepsi Blue Hawaii.. a drink that simply CONFUSES ME
Everything in Japan MUST have a mascot. This is a tire company
Jason
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