The Happy[est?] Day

Let me tell you about one of the happiest days of my life. Bust first, I'll give some background to the story. 

In high school, I was a really busy student. I took honors classes, had club activities, and did volunteer work outside of school. 

It was overwhelming on most days, and I could never get enough sleep.

Although I liked my life, I couldn't wait for high school to be over. There were so many days that I longed for graudation day so I could be free from all the schoolwork. 

Finally, after 4 years, the day came! I went to school in the morning for the ceremony rehearsal, and hung out with my friends all day. We wandered the school, and told stories about old times.

Then, it was time. I dressed in the black gown and marched into the gym with everyone. All my family was there in the audience. When they called my name, I walked on stage to get my diploma. With the music playing in the background, I shook hands with the principal and got a hug from the guidance counselor.

Afterward we had a reception with cake and drinks, chatting with all the people who had helped my through the years.

When I got home, I reflected on the beautiful night. High school was great after all! And now I was free from homework, free from tests, and could enjoy myself. That is . . . 

. . .until college started 3 months later!

*****************

This is just an example story I made for one of my English classes. They're supposed to make a story about one of their superlative (most ________)  days and draw pictures to go with the narration. I can't wait to see what they come up with!

Autumn Arrived

In all my teacherly garb.

It's fall! Today is the official first day, but it's been sneaking in all week. To celebrate, I haven't taken my towel to school in a week. I switched from shorts to pajama pants. Even whipped out a comforter to replace my wispy summer blanket.

This is my favorite season, and I plan to make the most of it. We're looking at a pretty busy October up ahead. With preparation for English Day at school and chalk full weekends, I wonder when I'll ever get the time to do laundry again! I'm hoping to go rafting, visit Kyoto and/or Hiroshima for the autumn leaves (and sightseeing, of course!), participate in a big Aikido event, go to Culture Day at my tech school, and camp out on a mountain to see the sunrise. Weather may dictate the likelihood of each event, but I'm sure at least some will come to pass.

What are your plans for this fall? Let's enjoying!

Night after a typhoon last week. 

Turning Japanese

I'm young and impressionable. Here's a random list of the ways Japan is affecting me.
I know I've been in Japan for too long when...

• I throw up a "V" sign for every picture without a second thought
• I squat to pick things up from the floor rather than bend over
• I nod and say "un,un" throughout the length of someone's speaking to me
• I get shocked at people in American movies for driving on the right side of the road
• I eat meals at my coffee table even though I have a normal table in the kitchen
• I expect to get candy on White Day
• I brush my teeth at lunchtime
• I worry that people will feel uncomfortable overhearing my business in the bathroom because I don't flush to cover the sound
• I never go out in public with shoulders exposed
• I look forward to hearing other foreigners speak in Japanese just to hear their accents
• While on trips, I worry over who to bring omiyage back for
• I eat natto voluntarily
• I bow while talking on the phone
• I add random emoticons to my texts
• I think all bikes should have baskets on them
• I think of a "sandwhich" as a "sand" or "sando"
• I marvel at the deliciousness of soft cookies
• I can eat a whole fish or octopus without too much trouble
• When in public, I try to brush my hair on the sly
• When I see a guy and a girl alone together, I think they must be dating
• I say "karaoke" and "karate" in the Japanese way
• I can do seiza (sitting on knees) for 20 minutes effortlessly, 30 with determination
• I don't expect soap or papertowels in public bathrooms
• I no longer have to convert from military time
• I forget about American holidays like Labor Day, President's Day, etc.
• I introduce myself as Rosheru Homuzu
• I talk about the importance of replenishing ions and electrolytes

I could go on and on. Enjoy your Americanness! 

One Fine Day

Is it sad of me to do so much alone? You could say so, but I think what's worse is sitting at home pouting about it instead of going out and doing things anyway.

Here's another video of a recent trip to the beach.

I'm getting paid for this?

1,000 handprints, from everyone in the school.

I have to go to work this weekend.

But you know what? I can't wait!  I've actually been looking forward to this for the past month.

Now you're probably imagining me sitting at a desk, grading tests, cutting out hundreds of karuta cards, or digging through my desk in hopes of forgotten sweets. If this were any time other than the start of 2nd semester, then yes, that's what I'd be doing on a weekend at school.

But this is the Culture Festival.

Just one of the 4 main corridors with Shops and exhibitions.

It's an all school event that students spend the whole first week of school preparing for. Each class plans its own theme - Olympics, Haunted House, Maid Cafe, Marriage Power (for their recently married teacher). This involves decorating their classrooms and finding some kind of food to sell. Students have been coming through the teacher's room all week selling their tickets, so now I'm all set for fish & chips, shoe cream, ice cream, parfait, fried squid, potato wedges, maccha at the tea ceremony, fried chicken, and taiyaki, a kind of fish shaped dessert. Aside from all the good eats, each club will exhibit their fine work, student bands will put on a rock concert, and we get to see all 27 classes do their own choreographed dances spread out over the next couple days. Everyone in the community is invited, too, so students' parents, siblings, and friends from other schools are welcome to walk through and peruse the stalls, tour the school, etc.

The teachers said they didn't sell as many as usual this year.

Wafu Parfait. Don't be fooled by the Brazilian flag. Red beans, mochi, kinako,
and green tea ice cream are definitely Japanese style.

Greg checking out his Oppai ice cream. 

Already ate the fish, but here're the chips.

Served by Sado (tea ceremony) Club in their yukata.

Awww. 

So this week they've had classes in the mornings, and the afternoons have been devoted to making decorations and practicing their dances. As I've wandered the halls chatting with new students every day, I keep marveling over the fact that this is part of my job, and that I'm getting paid just to be there and hang out, eating delicious food!

All in all, the Culture Fest was a big hit this year. Could it really be my last one? I've begun to hope not...