July: July 27 - August 2, 2017

July 27, 2017

Gonna throw this out there.  I get antsy when I have stuff to do, but can’t because of reasons.  This is one reason I get OCD and replace rubber bands or clean coffee and tea mugs at work.  Today, we had a class cancelled and while I still had stuff to do, planning the Saturday class with my partner, I felt…out of it.  It’s probably a good sign, honestly.  Because, as a teacher, if you ever hope your students don’t show up just so you can get a few minutes off, you’ve kinda missed the point.  Yeah, some are troublemakers and that can grind on you, but for a whole class to be cancelled…yeah, you should not want that.  This was an adult class, so it was understandable.  People have lives and sometimes, you put English on the back burner.  I get that.  Anyway, today was fine.  I tried to make an English style board game and use some of our toy animals as figurines.  It COULD work…but I definitely need to tweak it.  Still in alpha.

Also, just going to say this up front, I love all my family and friends in America, but given the way the country has been going…can I just not come back?  Can I just stay in Japan like…forever?  Because I really like it here, warts and all.  Also, to my boss if you’re reading this…I appreciate everything this school has done.  I meant it when I said this is one of the most stressful jobs ever, but it’s still manageable because I get the support that I need.

Another late night for me, just because I HAD to listen to the Unexpectables.  2am now.  Going to bed.

July 28, 2017

Another week, another late night of updates.  Today was fine, though one class gave me trouble, mostly due to a student misbehaving.  I’ve found my angry voice and can put my foot down effectively, now.  Got to say, it feels weird how a few of my adult classes just have people being gone, though it is summer, so…makes sense, I guess.  I spent a lot of that time talking small talk, both topic wise and how to do it with my charges.  Anyway, the classes were fine, but the stress of the Chicago Saturday classes are weighing on me.  Tomorrow is the last one.  I still need to gather some logistical information if I want to make a trip to Hokkaido, but I may put that off, since it’s short notice and may be very expensive.  Also, my internet company has, for the third time, said there’s an issue with my bank or some other such nonsense.  Gonna have to get that sorted out.  Yakiniku makes it worthwhile, but I am so tired from today.  And will be tomorrow.  It’s been at least a month since I talked with my buddies on Overwatch.  Need to get back to that.  Ugh…tired…sleeping soon.

July 29, 2017

Well, I had to walk to the last Saturday class today.  In the rain.  And then do grocery shopping.  In the rain.  And walk home carrying everything on my back instead of on my bike.  In the rain.  I was waterlogged and sweaty.  The umbrella I had was fine, but so tired.  I completed the class and godspeed to the students heading for Chicago.  But lord was I and am I tired.  I basically took the rest of the night to play Gwent and Dragon Quest and while I had fun, I still have trouble sleeping, even when super mega tired.

July 30, 2017

Not even bothering to go out today.  I don’t get to talk to my friends on Overwatch or stateside, but since I’m resting, it’s probably for the best.  My writing has slowed down, but after editing, I should be finished the latest chapter, which is nice.  Got someone coming on Tuesday to help me with a leak in my A/C and I have my vacation in a week and a half.  For now, I just want to rest and recuperate.  Gonna get some ramen later in the week, but not now.  Today, I’m just staying in bed and vegging with some good games, youtube, and movies.  Riveting, isn’t it?  I should be going out and exploring Japan, right?  Well, it’s been a month of six days a week, so…yeah, no.  Anyway, hoping I can get back to a proper sleep cycle this week.

July 31, 2017

Fatigue has hit me hard.  Trying to get through even the easy day was a struggle. Still, if I get more sleep, I ought to be okay.  Anyway, I was planning my trip to Hokkaido. Not sure if I’ll go during this holiday. I might delay until October, when I have more time.  It’s just the short notice and the trip right after my month of six day work weeks…it’s kinda getting to me.  Anyway, I can take the Shinkansen and explore Hakodate, I can take the ferry and explore Tomakomai, or I can do one, then the other, though with the logistics involved with that…maybe not.  If I do go to Hokkaido, I’d probably book the ferry there and back and just take the Shinkansen to Osaka another time.  It’s all conjecture right now, though.  Still thinking.

August, 2017

August 1, 2017

So, the start of this day was a bit exhausting, as I woke up early, unnecessarily, for a repair man who came to look at leaks I’d been having.  Nice fellow.  Very polite and used enough English terms with his Japanese that I got the gist of what was being said and done. There was apparently some trash-like substances in my A/C pipes and that was causing the leaks.  Said it might leak for another 2-3 days, but after that, should be fine.  He also looked at my washer and replaced some dirty parts.  I always have to respect those who know their craft like that.  Fingers crossed everything is okay now.

August 2, 2017

Well…kinda made the decision to put off the Hokkaido trip.  First, getting reservations on the ferry or shinkansen is a pain.  Second, I needed more planning time.  Third, I want to do some stuff here in Sendai.  Finally, after my teaching month and this weekend, where I will be out and about two days in a row…I also just want a few days to rest.  Anyway, I might go to Mount Zao, if I can work out the transportation logistics.  We’ll see.

I haven’t spoken much about classes because…well…it’s kinda samey.  Tuesday is still the hard day, but I’ve had good and bad classes throughout the week.  Ups and downs.  Some are really rewarding and I love encouraging the students, others I get mocked rightly and though annoying, I could care less.  This is my job, after all.  The biggest cause for concern from my camp is that after the Chicago trip I was training the students for, one of my big bosses will come for a visit.  And I will have a meeting with them.  Sigh.  Anxiety kicks my butt here.  It’s probably going to be fine, because I do hard work and I’m trying hard.  They say they’ve never had to fire a teacher for bad performance, just for being bad people, so…well, my staff seems to like me, they’re supportive, and they say I’m doing well, so…anyway, I’ll be glad when that’s over, but it is a cause for stress.  Not going to worry too much on it.  I just want to get through the week because this weekend, we gots plans.