February 1-8 (Sat-Sat) - It’s Snowing!! or, Prelude to the Cold

Saturday: Saturdays still drain me x_x and today I started my new private class. Like my classes with Miki, I really enjoy this, because it involves a student who actually wants to learn. I would say his level of English is comparable to my Japanese, although he lacks a good deal of vocabulary and isn’t used to using a lot of the English. His parents are really nice, and I enjoy the experience. His mom sent me home with mizu-yokan, 

which doesn’t look exciting, but it’s really good. A new favorite. It’s a bit sweet, like a red-bean-paste jelly, but yummy. There is absolutely no way to convince you with description.

I went to dinner with my friends. We wanted okonomiyaki but it was really crowded so we settled for kind-of-American food.

Sunday: I hung out with Alice most of the day. We went to a concert celebrating the founding of Sabae (an every year thing) 

which we enjoyed although we did not enjoy dealing with crowds or the parking lot. I believe it’s true across all cultures that perfectly nice people turn into crazy demons when they drive. Although, I have to say, in normal lines where nobody is hiding behind a car, I’ve had people cut in front of me countless times, even had people shove past me. I think it’s because living in Japan is like being in Disneyland — you are always in line. So to get anywhere or do anything, sometimes you have to be aggressive. And some people are  better at this than others.

Monday: I practiced my martial arts, using my indomitable spirit and great perseverance to do so… while construction guys wandered the lane outside…. 

Then I did a bunch of chores and went to karaoke. 

Tuesday: At Yutaka Elementary the students performed their versions of Momotaro. I really enjoyed it. All I had to do was watch! And give feedback. Which is hard. I tried to be honest while not crushing their spirits. (Just kidding :) they all did really well. Most of them anyway.) It was cute. I got real pictures in one class, and the other I took a couple but you can’t see anything. So I can show you that!

In our non-school classes we have to prepare for presentations, or an ‘open house’ sort of thing. It gives the kids something to work for, but us teachers are worried nobody will show up. Some parents will, I’m sure, but what happens in the classes where nobody comes? *sad face*

It snowed a lot and the roads were really icy.

Wednesday: But I didn’t die going to work. Safe.

Thursday: Played with little kids. Realized again that kids are smarter than you’re inclined to believe and taught them to say ‘my name is ~’  and answer fully ‘yes I do / no I don’t’ to ‘do you like~’. 

Friday: Extra extra long day. Good day mostly. But long day. Then my phone was low on battery and I was bored so I played with fonts. Natural talent, right?

Saturday: Turned out ok but cold and snowy — I still like my private class — and Alice made pasta.

Recent Japanese:

chinami ni (因みに) = by the way (kept on hearing this until I realized I didn’t know what it meant)

meian (名案) = good idea

tsurara (氷柱) = icicle

kikai (機会) = chance, opportunity

gamigami = complain loudly, nag, scold

busubusu = mutter under your breath

Recent Yojijukugo (idioms):

ichimoku-ryouzen (一目瞭然) = obvious; lit. at one glance, obvious

shiku-hakku (四苦八苦) = have a difficult time; lit. 4-sufferings and 8-sufferings (from Buddhism)

kyoumi-shinshin (興味津々) = deeply interested; lit. ports of interest

shakou-jirei (社交辞令) = diplomatic, empty flattery; lit. societies words of rule (words that keep society together?) 

icchou-ittan (一長一短) = everything has a good point and a bad; lit. one long (merit) one bad (demerit)

isshin-ittai (一進一退) = wavering, back and forth; lit. one progress, one retreat