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Utterly Speechless
Posted on 2006.09.22 at 11:02Current Mood:
complacent
Current Music: Taiko Sakuranbo
I'm speechless. I have no speech.
That's because my girl didn't win the Miyoshi-gun speech contest, but it was just fine. She gambare-ed really hard, and in the end she seemed to enjoy herself, glad that she did the speech after all. For the first three weeks getting her to practice was like pulling teeth, but the last few days she tried her best to improve, which she did noticeably. Kirsten said Manami (girl's name) was on her list of second place candidates, meaning she was in the top half of the contest. I told Manami that, and it made her really happy, so I was glad. Manami had said she didn't want to win (meaning she would have to practice more), just to be among the top half. She wins!
The winning girl was Andrew's kid, the same girl who tried last year. She by far had the clearest voice and the strongest command of English. She could work on a couple pronunciation and eye contact points, but there was little doubt she would advance. Second place went to Nishi-Iya's Iwasaki-kun, who I was really happy to see win. His speech was quite good (translated by Joe!), and he had a lot of confidence on the stand. He needs to work on making his speech less rehearsed and more natural, but his voice and pronunciation were all very good. Everyone was surprised that he took second because there were so many good speeches this year, but he was one of them and I think he deserves it.
Saori's birthday was three days long! There was the Sunday we spent together, her actual birthday Monday, and an ALT party for her on Tuesday! I thought it was ironic that the only day she didn't do something special to celebrate her birthday was Monday, her actual birthday day. We played Settlers on Tuesday, along with a fierce Crazy 8 Countdown battle, of which I took home the crown. Good thing Joe wasn't there or my face would still be healing from face full of playing cards.
I got Saori a Nintendo DS for her birthday which she really liked, but it's hard to stop playing it once you start. I find myself saying things like, "Can you come over tonight? Good! Bring your DS!"
Tomorrow is the weekend. And tonight I go to Tokushima airport to pick up Deborah the Dalmatian. She joins Banana the Boston Terrier as the new Miki dogs.
That's because my girl didn't win the Miyoshi-gun speech contest, but it was just fine. She gambare-ed really hard, and in the end she seemed to enjoy herself, glad that she did the speech after all. For the first three weeks getting her to practice was like pulling teeth, but the last few days she tried her best to improve, which she did noticeably. Kirsten said Manami (girl's name) was on her list of second place candidates, meaning she was in the top half of the contest. I told Manami that, and it made her really happy, so I was glad. Manami had said she didn't want to win (meaning she would have to practice more), just to be among the top half. She wins!
The winning girl was Andrew's kid, the same girl who tried last year. She by far had the clearest voice and the strongest command of English. She could work on a couple pronunciation and eye contact points, but there was little doubt she would advance. Second place went to Nishi-Iya's Iwasaki-kun, who I was really happy to see win. His speech was quite good (translated by Joe!), and he had a lot of confidence on the stand. He needs to work on making his speech less rehearsed and more natural, but his voice and pronunciation were all very good. Everyone was surprised that he took second because there were so many good speeches this year, but he was one of them and I think he deserves it.
Saori's birthday was three days long! There was the Sunday we spent together, her actual birthday Monday, and an ALT party for her on Tuesday! I thought it was ironic that the only day she didn't do something special to celebrate her birthday was Monday, her actual birthday day. We played Settlers on Tuesday, along with a fierce Crazy 8 Countdown battle, of which I took home the crown. Good thing Joe wasn't there or my face would still be healing from face full of playing cards.
I got Saori a Nintendo DS for her birthday which she really liked, but it's hard to stop playing it once you start. I find myself saying things like, "Can you come over tonight? Good! Bring your DS!"
Tomorrow is the weekend. And tonight I go to Tokushima airport to pick up Deborah the Dalmatian. She joins Banana the Boston Terrier as the new Miki dogs.
Kisenosato just beat Asashoryu, and now Ama is alone in first at 6-0!!!
I'm Typing This ... At Home!
Posted on 2006.09.11 at 22:43Current Mood:
amused
Current Music: click click click
The fact that I'm currently sitting at home and typing this entry may not mean anything to some, but should mean a lot to others (Joe, Lindz, and Ellie)...because for some reason my spacebar is working again! Working like it was never broken. For an entire year my computer was on the fritz because the space key was broken - not spacing when I pressed it and spacing randomly and wildly for no reason when I was nowhere near it. It made viewing the web a huge pain, because space scrolls the page down, so I would have to fight with my own computer to actually read anything online.
And then one day it just starts working again. Much like how it broke for no reason in the first place. I think it just wanted a year off.
Saori had her birthday yesterday and today (the celebration yesterday, the actual day today). Will post about it soon!
And then one day it just starts working again. Much like how it broke for no reason in the first place. I think it just wanted a year off.
Saori had her birthday yesterday and today (the celebration yesterday, the actual day today). Will post about it soon!
hungry
I'm hungry. There's a ramen truck rolling along outside, playing its song. You know the one. I wish I could eat that burger in the corner all over again.
Do you ever sit back and reflect after you say something, thinking "If I was to go back to ten seconds ago, what do you think the next words that I will say will be?" I like to play this game sometimes, but usually I think of it afterwards.
For example, at my enkai last Friday, I was quiet for a good chunk of time, maybe ten minutes or so. There was conversation flying around the room, and I was listening to half of it or so, before my next words, which were...
"Beta-carotene"
Which immediately made me laugh, thinking of what the chances were that I could predict that the next thing I'd say before I said beta-carotene would be beta-carotene. I think people were talking about carrots. That was before they moved on to underwear.
Yeps! I wanna eat and play poker. It's been a week. For poker. Eating was an amount of hours ago.
Do you ever sit back and reflect after you say something, thinking "If I was to go back to ten seconds ago, what do you think the next words that I will say will be?" I like to play this game sometimes, but usually I think of it afterwards.
For example, at my enkai last Friday, I was quiet for a good chunk of time, maybe ten minutes or so. There was conversation flying around the room, and I was listening to half of it or so, before my next words, which were...
"Beta-carotene"
Which immediately made me laugh, thinking of what the chances were that I could predict that the next thing I'd say before I said beta-carotene would be beta-carotene. I think people were talking about carrots. That was before they moved on to underwear.
Yeps! I wanna eat and play poker. It's been a week. For poker. Eating was an amount of hours ago.
What happen!
Posted on 2006.09.05 at 10:30Current Mood: itchy
Current Music: Night of Fire in my head
Oh yeah, now I remember. Sort of. I remember there was a beach party, and a lot of driving to and fro, through the wild wilderness of Kochi's backroads. Friday night is still gone from my memory, and I'll let you know if I can recover it.
( To the beach! )
( To the beach! )
What did I do this weekend? I forget.
The last week was the slowest I've ever had at school. I've been here for two summers already, but I was never in the office because I was either in the states or give ridiculous amounts of days off (my first summer after arriving). Last Thursday there was just me, my JTE (Mr. Fujimoto), and the vice principal for a few minutes. There was no work to be done beyond speech contest practice. Then the speech girl calls in sick. Then there was no work to be done beyond...nothing. Getting a massage. Talking to Brian, Nate, and Saori online. Playing clandestine games on the computer when Mr. Fuj wasn't looking, and I doubt if he'd really care anyways.
http://effects.if.tv/gm/tama/tamaswf.ht
Was a much quieter weekend this time, but it was well appreciated. Next weekend is the back to school beach party which I will not miss this time, so it was good to have time to relax. Though there were hamburgu eatings at lemon grass and karaoke sung at Prison, the weekend was most characterized by the great Cat-Search for Brian, who wants a little kitty cat to go with his house. We trained, organized, and blazed the path on Saturday, stopping for a pre-cat lunch at Woody Rest, meeting Justin and Nate as well. Enjoyed curry while listening to Setsuko's Destiny's Child CD for the jillionth time. Then it was time to get a cat, so we made our way around Ikeda's backroads to the pet shelter...only to find they were catless! No stray cats had been picked up recently. Not to be deterred, we smashed our way through some taiko game drums and some air hockey (of which Nate is still champion) and made our way to Kawanoe. The stop was Time, which has a pet store selling dogs, cats, bunnies, gerbils, and birds, but not bees, like the one currently hovering around my desk. Yikes. Go away.
But upon arrival, there was only one cat! And it cost 78000 yen, which Brian couldn't afford, even though it was the cutest. So we left catless and late, though not without donuts and shakes and a Mister Donut apron that Brian won by collecting Mr. Donut points. He was determined.
Sunday was another big relax day, making a trip to Iya Onsen with Saori. It was only my second time there, and probably my last, just because there are the two nicer ones closer and less expensive. Though Hiromi was working there, and by a wink and a nod got both of us in for free. We protested, but there was nothing we could do but walk in without paying. Fortunately, the yakiniku later that night cost exactly 3000 yen, so we made up for it with small chunks of cooked meat, soup, and rice. Twas good!
Oh, and I called a guy who has a cat, so the search may be over soon. Will keep you posted!
http://effects.if.tv/gm/tama/tamaswf.ht
Was a much quieter weekend this time, but it was well appreciated. Next weekend is the back to school beach party which I will not miss this time, so it was good to have time to relax. Though there were hamburgu eatings at lemon grass and karaoke sung at Prison, the weekend was most characterized by the great Cat-Search for Brian, who wants a little kitty cat to go with his house. We trained, organized, and blazed the path on Saturday, stopping for a pre-cat lunch at Woody Rest, meeting Justin and Nate as well. Enjoyed curry while listening to Setsuko's Destiny's Child CD for the jillionth time. Then it was time to get a cat, so we made our way around Ikeda's backroads to the pet shelter...only to find they were catless! No stray cats had been picked up recently. Not to be deterred, we smashed our way through some taiko game drums and some air hockey (of which Nate is still champion) and made our way to Kawanoe. The stop was Time, which has a pet store selling dogs, cats, bunnies, gerbils, and birds, but not bees, like the one currently hovering around my desk. Yikes. Go away.
But upon arrival, there was only one cat! And it cost 78000 yen, which Brian couldn't afford, even though it was the cutest. So we left catless and late, though not without donuts and shakes and a Mister Donut apron that Brian won by collecting Mr. Donut points. He was determined.
Sunday was another big relax day, making a trip to Iya Onsen with Saori. It was only my second time there, and probably my last, just because there are the two nicer ones closer and less expensive. Though Hiromi was working there, and by a wink and a nod got both of us in for free. We protested, but there was nothing we could do but walk in without paying. Fortunately, the yakiniku later that night cost exactly 3000 yen, so we made up for it with small chunks of cooked meat, soup, and rice. Twas good!
Oh, and I called a guy who has a cat, so the search may be over soon. Will keep you posted!
Ditches, Dancing, and Dogs
Posted on 2006.08.21 at 12:45Current Mood: Tuna Sandwich
Current Music: TV in the background
In what I hope will be a trend of this year's JET community, this weekend was a busy one. Busy in a good way of going in, getting out, and not overdoing it. Except it almost became a terrible one, but thankfully the car was not destroyed. ( Let's get to it! )
Keeping up in Tokushima
Posted on 2006.08.17 at 14:42Current Mood:
contemplative
Current Music: Silent
Today is the first day back at school since the new JET year started. It's quiet as a mouse in here now, with only three other teachers around, all sitting and typing away at their computers or reading some papers.
I haven't used this journal much at all in the past year, mostly because I enjoyed reading everyone else's entries more than I did writing my own. Because I was always doing something with someone else anyways, I could just read about it on their blog instead of having to post about it myself.
But!
From one year and a bit ago, when Sarah, Hez, Lindz, Ellie, and Joe all had or started these journals and were all writing about their lives in Japan, I'm the only one left here! That's a sad thought in itself, but because I am the last one still around (Nate is here too but not everyone knows him), I feel responsible for telling the stories that come out of Japan to everyone for one more year! I can't rely on Joe's or Lindsay's or Ellie's journals anymore to talk about the things we do together. I'll still always treasure those memories, but it's sorta up to me to make sure that the new ones are there for everyone to read about.
Okay, that's all for now, and I'm sure I will write all about the adventures that come out of Tokushima for one more year! At least I better...!
I haven't used this journal much at all in the past year, mostly because I enjoyed reading everyone else's entries more than I did writing my own. Because I was always doing something with someone else anyways, I could just read about it on their blog instead of having to post about it myself.
But!
From one year and a bit ago, when Sarah, Hez, Lindz, Ellie, and Joe all had or started these journals and were all writing about their lives in Japan, I'm the only one left here! That's a sad thought in itself, but because I am the last one still around (Nate is here too but not everyone knows him), I feel responsible for telling the stories that come out of Japan to everyone for one more year! I can't rely on Joe's or Lindsay's or Ellie's journals anymore to talk about the things we do together. I'll still always treasure those memories, but it's sorta up to me to make sure that the new ones are there for everyone to read about.
Okay, that's all for now, and I'm sure I will write all about the adventures that come out of Tokushima for one more year! At least I better...!
We're in the middle of a discussion this morning at my school. The topic is what to do about ankle socks.
Last year at the general assembly before summer vacation, the school allowed students to choose what type of sock they can wear - regular long white socks or short "ankle socks" - ones that cover your foot but stop at the ankle. Students were supposed to be able to freely choose which type of sock they wore to school.
But!
Ankle socks were quickly adapted as a fashion symbol by the upper class girls. Because each student wears the same uniform, tiny variations to it constitute fashion statements. Therefore, something new and cute such as ankle socks was quickly snapped up by the third grade girls. They decided that second and first grade girls are not allowed to wear them, even if they really want to. Because the sempai/kouhai relationship is so strong in Japanese schools, all the lower class girls obey this rule. So even in the hot summer they have to wear the longer, hotter socks. Once they become third graders themselves, then they will be able to wear the fashionable, shorter socks. What was originally a way to make students' lives more fun at school turned into a new way to put the younger students in their place.
When the second graders went on their school trip last month to Kyuushu, the girls wore ankle socks! Their sempai were not around to bully them, so they could get away with wearing whatever they liked, including the cute socks. When they got back to school, however, it was back to the long ones.
And one more crazy thing is that the boys can wear ankle socks too - and with them nobody cares at all who wears them! First through third graders can all freely choose what sock to wear. To them, socks constitue no fashion choice, so there is no patrolling of what kind the kids wear. No doubt however there is some sort of uniform alteration among boys that the lower classmen are not allowed to wear!
What exactly would happen if a first or second grade girl came to school wearing ankle socks? This is the question I'd like to know. I imagined she'd get a very stern warning from her sempai and be forced to change socks. I don't know if the kids would warn her verbally or physically, but I hope it would just be a verbal warning. And I really hope no abuse of any kind is involved. I'll try to ask another teacher what they think would happen.
Asked the Japanese teacher, and this is what she had to say. There wouldn't likely be any physical punishment to the girls, but the third grade girls would think she was extremely conceited to challenge their authority. They might start spreading rumors about her, spreading bad things about her around the school. This would probably make her life extremely miserable, even if people knew it wasn't true. My teacher says because of that, the first and second graders are too scared to even try to wear them. From a cultural standpoint, it'd be interesting to see what exactly would happen and what kind of rumors would be spread, but that won't happen (and I hope not either - I really like the first and second graders...a lot more than the third graders!). But then by it not happening I guess the system is perpetuated, just like the third graders want.
Last year at the general assembly before summer vacation, the school allowed students to choose what type of sock they can wear - regular long white socks or short "ankle socks" - ones that cover your foot but stop at the ankle. Students were supposed to be able to freely choose which type of sock they wore to school.
But!
Ankle socks were quickly adapted as a fashion symbol by the upper class girls. Because each student wears the same uniform, tiny variations to it constitute fashion statements. Therefore, something new and cute such as ankle socks was quickly snapped up by the third grade girls. They decided that second and first grade girls are not allowed to wear them, even if they really want to. Because the sempai/kouhai relationship is so strong in Japanese schools, all the lower class girls obey this rule. So even in the hot summer they have to wear the longer, hotter socks. Once they become third graders themselves, then they will be able to wear the fashionable, shorter socks. What was originally a way to make students' lives more fun at school turned into a new way to put the younger students in their place.
When the second graders went on their school trip last month to Kyuushu, the girls wore ankle socks! Their sempai were not around to bully them, so they could get away with wearing whatever they liked, including the cute socks. When they got back to school, however, it was back to the long ones.
And one more crazy thing is that the boys can wear ankle socks too - and with them nobody cares at all who wears them! First through third graders can all freely choose what sock to wear. To them, socks constitue no fashion choice, so there is no patrolling of what kind the kids wear. No doubt however there is some sort of uniform alteration among boys that the lower classmen are not allowed to wear!
What exactly would happen if a first or second grade girl came to school wearing ankle socks? This is the question I'd like to know. I imagined she'd get a very stern warning from her sempai and be forced to change socks. I don't know if the kids would warn her verbally or physically, but I hope it would just be a verbal warning. And I really hope no abuse of any kind is involved. I'll try to ask another teacher what they think would happen.
Asked the Japanese teacher, and this is what she had to say. There wouldn't likely be any physical punishment to the girls, but the third grade girls would think she was extremely conceited to challenge their authority. They might start spreading rumors about her, spreading bad things about her around the school. This would probably make her life extremely miserable, even if people knew it wasn't true. My teacher says because of that, the first and second graders are too scared to even try to wear them. From a cultural standpoint, it'd be interesting to see what exactly would happen and what kind of rumors would be spread, but that won't happen (and I hope not either - I really like the first and second graders...a lot more than the third graders!). But then by it not happening I guess the system is perpetuated, just like the third graders want.
chopsticks
Posted on 2006.05.30 at 12:36Current Mood: I can do it!
Current Music: But can you use a fork?
I've been living here for two years, and I believe I just got my first "jouzu" while using chopsticks! The part time home-ec teacher who sits beside me was here for lunch for the first time. She's quite polite and quiet, though she's still in her early thirties. I saw her watching me eat for a bit, and then she held up her chopsticks and clicked them twice. I thought "oh no, here it comes!", so I held mine up and clicked them twice back at her, trying to disuade her from saying something. But then it came "hashi wa jouzu desu ne." And I said something. It might of just been "oh."
I always felt special that nobody had ever commented on my chopstick usage before. Oh well, once in two years ain't bad!
I always felt special that nobody had ever commented on my chopstick usage before. Oh well, once in two years ain't bad!
Gotta start this back up somewhere. Might as well be about how hand strong I am!
Apparently, I'm not. Somebody brought a strength-of-grip device into the staff room today. The ladies were all getting around 25 (whatever that means!), and then they asked me to do it. I scored around 40. Thinking I was strong, I started to smirk my way back to my desk, when everyone said "wait, there must be something wrong!" Because the mid 40's guy got around 52. So they had me try it again, and I again got 40. And then people were sorta like "uh, what's wrong with you?" So I slunk rather than smirked away.
Sounds like I better do 100 chin ups to increase my grip strength.
Apparently, I'm not. Somebody brought a strength-of-grip device into the staff room today. The ladies were all getting around 25 (whatever that means!), and then they asked me to do it. I scored around 40. Thinking I was strong, I started to smirk my way back to my desk, when everyone said "wait, there must be something wrong!" Because the mid 40's guy got around 52. So they had me try it again, and I again got 40. And then people were sorta like "uh, what's wrong with you?" So I slunk rather than smirked away.
Sounds like I better do 100 chin ups to increase my grip strength.
A merry Merry Christmas to all of you in your respective places in the world! I got a bunch of clothes and books, so I'll be warm and occupied for long times to come.
Sending love to each and every one of you!
Sending love to each and every one of you!
I saw doggie kissing Santa Claus...
Posted on 2005.12.21 at 09:30Current Mood:
artistic
Current Music: ding-ding-ding-dong
The Seattle Times has had a wealth of adorable Christmas animal photos recently. Santa pig and cat was my favorite, but this ranked number two...
After all, the more dog pictures on my blog the better!
After all, the more dog pictures on my blog the better!
Everyone loves letters!
Posted on 2005.12.15 at 13:15Current Mood:
accomplished
Current Music: vacuum cleaners
Today my second graders wrote letters to their old JTE. Their letters ranged from the very well done...
Dear Ms. Uchida. Thank you for teaching English in our class last year. Your class was very fun. I don't pride English. But, I am working hard. I wish you success your research a class. Thank you for a year, and see you again!
Dear Ms. Uchida. Thank you for coming to our class last week. How many students are there in your school? Mr. Fujimoto gives us a lot of homework. Do you understand me? Did you sleep well at night? Do you believe in ghosts? I want you to study. Thank you very much for your kindness.
...to the very ridiculous.
Dear Ms. Uchida. Thank you for coming to our class last week. How long is that bridge? Jeff became a football player. Which do you like better tea or coffee? Did Ms. Uhida druien into the wall? You'll be sorry. My back tickles!
The last one is followed by a hand with six fingers, the fourth one huge and extended.
Dear Ms. Uchida. Thank you for teaching English in our class last year. Your class was very fun. I don't pride English. But, I am working hard. I wish you success your research a class. Thank you for a year, and see you again!
Dear Ms. Uchida. Thank you for coming to our class last week. How many students are there in your school? Mr. Fujimoto gives us a lot of homework. Do you understand me? Did you sleep well at night? Do you believe in ghosts? I want you to study. Thank you very much for your kindness.
...to the very ridiculous.
Dear Ms. Uchida. Thank you for coming to our class last week. How long is that bridge? Jeff became a football player. Which do you like better tea or coffee? Did Ms. Uhida druien into the wall? You'll be sorry. My back tickles!
The last one is followed by a hand with six fingers, the fourth one huge and extended.
Rummy Tum-Tums
Posted on 2005.12.15 at 13:02Current Mood:
chipper
Current Music: Oh, you better watch out...
I just have to share.
*Dusts off the old livejournal*
Yay!
These things are easy to let slip! But I'm promising a comeback!
A quick anecdote - I was sitting at an elementary school today (one of the stuffier ones of the nine), and as usual, the principal nervously asks me to sit down at the table. He sits too and nervously looks around and says some pleasnetries. Another man sits across the room quietly. After about three minutes I notice I haven't been offered tea, which always happens. Then I realize it's because only men are in the room, and they need a woman to arrive so she can serve tea. Finally, the principal gets up, finds one of the female teachers, and has her serve me and him tea. Unreal!
I also did a thank you card lesson with my 3-nen's, where they were to thank somebody that did something special for them. Luckilly, a couple kids chose me! Here's a smattering what I got...
"Dear Mr. Jordan, Thank you for teaching me English when I was studying English. I enjoyed talking many interesting things. For example, I talked baseball talk. It was very intersesting. I like "Chiba Lotte" but I like "Hanshin Tigers" better than "Chiha Lotte"!! I thing that "Hanshin Tigers" is the strongest team in Japan next year!! How about you? Thank you Jordan!!"
Awwww...
One more (I actually only got two, if you don't count Atsushi, who just copied my sample letter word for word)
"Dear Jordan and Mr. Fujimoto, Thank you for teaching me English! So I like English very much. Your class is very good. I learned many things in your class. Your speak English is very good and well. So You shoud proud of your English. Thank you for teaching! Jordan and Mr. Fujimoto"
Which was followed by a picture of my and Mr. Fujimoto's faces. My eyes are closed like you see in manga a lot, but I look like I'm 50 years old.
In other news, I'll be going home on the 22nd and back on the 30th. Saori's got her coming of age ceremony (the one for new 20 year olds...though she's been 20 for three months) soon after I get back.
Happy to hear from everyone! Especially Miss Poole, who is my MIA partner! But if she posts, then I can't get away with not posting! Hehehehehe.
Yay!
These things are easy to let slip! But I'm promising a comeback!
A quick anecdote - I was sitting at an elementary school today (one of the stuffier ones of the nine), and as usual, the principal nervously asks me to sit down at the table. He sits too and nervously looks around and says some pleasnetries. Another man sits across the room quietly. After about three minutes I notice I haven't been offered tea, which always happens. Then I realize it's because only men are in the room, and they need a woman to arrive so she can serve tea. Finally, the principal gets up, finds one of the female teachers, and has her serve me and him tea. Unreal!
I also did a thank you card lesson with my 3-nen's, where they were to thank somebody that did something special for them. Luckilly, a couple kids chose me! Here's a smattering what I got...
"Dear Mr. Jordan, Thank you for teaching me English when I was studying English. I enjoyed talking many interesting things. For example, I talked baseball talk. It was very intersesting. I like "Chiba Lotte" but I like "Hanshin Tigers" better than "Chiha Lotte"!! I thing that "Hanshin Tigers" is the strongest team in Japan next year!! How about you? Thank you Jordan!!"
Awwww...
One more (I actually only got two, if you don't count Atsushi, who just copied my sample letter word for word)
"Dear Jordan and Mr. Fujimoto, Thank you for teaching me English! So I like English very much. Your class is very good. I learned many things in your class. Your speak English is very good and well. So You shoud proud of your English. Thank you for teaching! Jordan and Mr. Fujimoto"
Which was followed by a picture of my and Mr. Fujimoto's faces. My eyes are closed like you see in manga a lot, but I look like I'm 50 years old.
In other news, I'll be going home on the 22nd and back on the 30th. Saori's got her coming of age ceremony (the one for new 20 year olds...though she's been 20 for three months) soon after I get back.
Happy to hear from everyone! Especially Miss Poole, who is my MIA partner! But if she posts, then I can't get away with not posting! Hehehehehe.
I haven't posted in a really long time. Wanted to say that cancelled class days are long, Lost in Translation is a good movie, and Giant Squids are awesome.