Haibara Ai's Blurty

We'll be back after these messages.
Ahh. After today, there'll be officially one day of school left in the first trimester. I, for one, am looking forward to lazy days of melting ice, sweaty clothing, and leisure book reading. I had a relatively easy semester (I just can't wrap my mind around the word "trimester" without thinking of pregnancy) since I didn't have to come up with activities at all of my schools every week. Just did that at three of them, instead. but what a difference it makes knowing that Toyohama JHS is covered by my efficient (sometimes, too efficient o.O) and wonderful JTE, Mr. Uekiyo. Blah.

Time goes very quickly when you're at a different school nearly every day. If this were my last year, I know that I'd be feeling ill-prepared for re-entrance into the US and reverse culture-shock. I've learned that I love living alone, even outside a dorm. But I also like knowing that there's someone nearby that I can and want to talk to. That's something that's missing from my lonely teacher housing in Yutaka.

I remember my first summer of training as an RA and how empty and spooky the halls felt with no one there but us trainees. I also remember the next summer and how less scary and more peaceful the halls of Springer College felt before the residents tramped in. I guess it's all about perspective.

Now, where was I going with that trip down memory lane? I haven't a clue. Probably wanted to wrap up my thoughts on living alone with an anecdote. Oh! I did have a flash of insight three weeks ago when I had an impromptu day of rest from one of my schools. Everyone I wanted to talk to was on the other side of the ocean, getting ready for bed or on this side of the ocean getting ready for work. At that time, I felt a little lonely. If I'd had something to hold my attention instead like a new book to read, though, I probably wouldn't have even realized how I felt.

I've been tapped to be a discussion leader at some prefectural elementary school conference about teaching English. The leaders are me and one other JET, a third year named Melody. I assume that there'll be other JETs from all over the prefecture (happily?) participating in this event. I don't feel completely against being a part of this conference, but I don't like the horribly, horribly late notification about where and when the planning session (this freakin' Wednesday) will be. I called stupid Mr. Sakata last week to find out the time and location for the session, and he still hadn't "been contacted by the prefectural BOE" or so he claimed. I strongly reiterated that I needed to know when the event would begin so that I would have the information at least the night before when I left the island and stayed over at someone's place.

Well, this entry is about four days older than it was, and I've since attended the elementary school workshop explanation session, made a mistake about the bus I take to the ferry I use in Takehara, and had to stay over at a nearby resort. I somehow made it home in plenty of time this morning, though. Good thing I went to bed at ten last night, since I got up at 5:00, packed my meager belongings and hopped in my waiting taxi for the fifteen minute trip to the port. It was a nice break. Too bad that I still have one more day of school to get through. I'm looking forward to Friday's rare BOE meeting; don't have to worry about thinking on the last day of the first semester.

Okay, I'm so finished with this entry. Goodbye!

Current Mood: indifferent
Current Music: Second graders practicing "Kimi wo Nosete" from Laputa.