DOUGHNUTS!!!!

Current Sounds: "Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers" on DVD

My calligraphy!

The picture posted above is from a calligraphy exhibition, which I was invited to by my calligraphy teacher (since I started taking calligraphy a few weeks ago). My teacher had decided to submit mine along as well, which is why it was there and hanging up, for all 25 people who actually went there to see. Honestly, I don't think I did too bad of a job. Though, certainly, I could/should do better.

In case you're curious, it means something to the extent of: "The snow [balls/bits of snow] are like open/blooming flowers"

In other news, not a whole lot going on in my life. Been in Japan for 8 months now, which sounds strange. It, at the same time, feels like it's been much longer and much shorter. Kinda funny how that happens. More accurately, it feels like I've been away from Arizona longer and here shorter. But regardless of how it feels, time is indeed moving on forward, marching along with that drummer, maintaining a constant, steady rhythm.

Last week, two of my classes ended for the last time, which is always a bit sad. My class at a wax company came to a close (it was a 3 year contract with the company, and I happened to be the last teacher) earlier last week, so we had a normal class with handouts and normal materials and then had a brief 'goodbye' kind of thing. The students bought me a present, which was a bit of a surprise (some snacks and a picture frame). They were really nice people. It's too bad it ended.

The other class that ended was my 3rd year high school class. It didn't 'end' really so much as the 3rd year students (seniors here) graduate in March and don't have school for the month of February (due to university entrance exams). Though I only taught them for 4 months, that was hands down one of my favorite classes, and they were all really nice, great kids. Last Thursday was the final class I'd be having with them, so I came in early for an earlier class to attend a small party with the students.

Final party.. so naturally, you're thinking cake, right? Hey, me too! Unfortunately, a 9" cake will run you $35 here in Japan, and there's no way you can split that 40 ways. So, I opted for doughnuts: Easy to split up, easy to buy, and easy to transport. Unfortunately, they also run at a premium here (about $1.30+ ea.), but I figured.. hey, why not? So I buy 42 doughnuts.

Now's a good time to mention how embarrassing it is to be the American buying 42 doughnuts while all the other Japanese people before and after you have 1-2 doughnuts. Yes, I'm American.. and yes, I plan on eating all of these...

After that, I go to the class party (someone screams "DOUGHNUTS!!!!" when I enter the room--a good sign) and suddenly notice that there are only 20 students. That's twenty. Not 40. I was then told that the 3rd period class is split up into two groups--half and half--and here I was with one of them. So, it looks like that group got amazingly lucky and everyone got 2 doughnuts. I feel bad for the other class.. but one can only do so much.

When the party was over with, I had another, final class with some of the students. One actually had a gift for me, which I was pretty surprised about. Though when I came over, she pulled a ruler out of her pencil case and handed it to me. The first thoughts that came to mind? A... used ruler? What, exactly, can I do with a 12cm ruler? But.. regardless of how little I actually needed one of those, it was still the thought that counts, and I was impressed all the same. I even keep it in my briefcase that I take to every class.

That takes us through the last week and up to today. Still trying to study and exercise daily, along with trying to make my apartment look better. Not so successful on the 'being amazingly sociable' front, but hey, one step at a time.

Oh.. but one last thing:

"Well, she doesn't have a father, Jason. I think that's why she really likes you. She doesn't have a man in her life."

Those are words you, at the age of 23, never, ever want to hear about a 9 year old girl. Okay, no father.. I'm sorry, that's terrible. But the concept of pseudo-father? Scary

(for the record, that was said by my coworker regarding one of my students)

On that cheery note.. I'm off! Got a half day tomorrow, but need to write my monthly reports. Gah... see ya later!
Jason on 02.03.09 @ 05:58 AM JST [link]