Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Cloudy
I wonder why some students never seem to mind breaking their promises.
One student who said he would come today did not. I called him maybe around
ten times on my cellphone. Then I decided to write to him, although he
may not read it. I kept my promises and waited for the students. Almost
finished filling in the school records. I worked very hard today, too.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 Cloudy
Took a morning walk, reading an English novel.(I have to watch out for
cars, though, as I walk.) On the way home, bought some bread for breakfast.
Made coffee for the family. The son, however, did not get up. Readying
myself for the sign language circle's next newspaper. Tonight I was in
pain for the first time in many days. I took the pain reliever. I hope
this will not last.
Monday, February 26, 2007 Fair
A staff photo was taken for graduating students at 1:00 p.m. A conference
to decide who can graduate between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. Then a Human Rights
committee conference to decide who to speak at the graduation rehearsal
and right before the graduation ceremony. Then came a call from a homeroom
student all of a sudden. Helped this student with her sign-up. The student
who promised to come at 8:00 p.m with the necessary paper never showed
up.
Sunday, February 25, 2007 Cloudy
The last day of the sign-up assistance period. Two of my homeroom students
who said they would like to come today never showed up. One of them even
said, when I called him, "Just give me another date." I was speechless.
The other one called me back later anyway. I worked from 10:00 a.m. till
a little before 6:00 p.m. No time to go buy a box lunch.
Saturday, February 24, 2007 Cloudy and cold.
A holiday. Went out for a walk a couple of times to cover 10,000 steps.
It was cold outside. While the sun shines, walked, reading an English novel,
sometimes aloud. Spent several hours watching Korean dramas as usual. Better
to hit the sack early because it is going to be a long day tomorrow.
Friday, February 23, 2007 Cloudy
There was a threatening call to us English teachers, which spoiled the
whole day. The clerk who put that call through was too careless. This guy
had nothing to do with us, not a student at our school. Total insanity.
He may attack us some day. Then the office is held responsible. Today I
was so unhappy to be a teacher or a human being because such a man exists.
Thursday, February 22, 2007 Cloudy
There was an explanatory meeting about the entrance examination, which
took a little over an hour. A couple of students came to me with their
'reports'-procrastinators. Wrote to about twenty students who still have
to finish their reports or tests. Called almost all the homeroom students
who are supposed to come for their sign-up procedure.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 Fair
Continued with the school records stuff all this afternoon. Not done
yet. That still has to wait. There was an evening Korean study meeting.
Our teacher was in a mean mood. Called some homeroom students to confirm
their appointments for the sing-up procedure. Did a little shopping at
Korea Town. Wrote to those of the graduating students who have not handed
in their future course survey sheet.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007 Fair
Took a half day off. Went to the sign language circle. They are always
talking about fundraising. In the afternoon went to the Korean language
school. Then reported for work. Began filling in the school records, especially
for graduating students. Kept calling one homeroom student in vain.
Monday, February 19, 2007 Fair
The first day of the sign-up assistance period. Three students came-almost
at the same time. It was hard for me to attend to the three students, giving
them advice and answering questions. Then I called those students who did
not come see me at the appointed time. While I was doing all this, some
other students came, too, with their English assignments. That was hectic.
Sunday, February 18, 2007 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.
Today was recyclable stuff pickup day. However, I said to a neighbor
who was carrying recyclable stuff, "Isn't it next Sunday? You may
be wrong." After all, I was wrong. I apologized to him for giving
him the wrong info. I am sometimes naturally air-headed (tennenn-boke).
I had a hard time with the Super Crossword this time. Got an email from
a homeroom student, asking me whether or not she can graduate. My answer
is that is for the principal to decide and hold your horses since I will
sent a letter of invitation to the commencement later. Paid the travel
agent part of the money.
Saturday, February 17, 2007 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.
Went to the English conversation school and chatted for two hours or
so. During today's session, our instructor said, "'For I' is correct,"
but I thought 'For me' is correct, so I objected to him. He and I both
were adamant. I suggested he ask some grammarians about it on the Internet.
Then he said,"Why do I have to do that?" This reminded me of
the days when I was in America. That is very American. Americans are always
right. They are strong, and might is right.
Friday, February 16, 2007 Fair
A Korean study meeting before work. Lunch at the restaurant. A makeup
and a retest, and then on pre-entrance exam period telephone duty. One
inquiry about a list of grades was more than I knew. Then retests and after
marking the exam sheets, inputted the results. Looked over the papers for
the sign-up assistance period. No time to eat supper at work.
Thursday, February 15, 2007 Fair
Ate lunch at home and immediately left home for work. Arriving at school,
handed the Reading 'reports' manuscripts in, but, as it turned out later,
they were full of typographical errors. Inputted the exam results again.
especially for students on hold. Called a couple of students about their
reports. Between 4:00 p.m and 7:00 p.m on telephone duty for prospective
applicants.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.
Opening the curtains in the morning, I found it was so windy outside
just like a typhoon. It was hard for me to keep my umbrella open because
of the wind while walking outside. After eating lunch at the usual restaurant,
continued with the Reading 'reports' and finished making them all anyway.
I will have them printed. I have already handed the English Ⅰ'reports'
manuscripts to the lady who is in charge of printing. A couple of graduating
students came with their extra assignments.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 Cloudy
A substitute former half day off. Went to both the sign language circle
and the Korean language school. Then went to work. Worked on next academic
year's Reading 'reports' for the first term. Still in the process of doing
that. Student Council treasurer's work is under way at the same time with
my partner working very hard. I am not in good health these days, so I
drink ginseng liquor a lot.
Monday, February 12, 2007 Fair
Although today is a national holiday, I reported for work.. The school
felt deserted. No management people, just a couple of clerks. Some construction
men at work here and there.Retests for graduating students. Sent an English
transcript to a homeroom student, for he sent me an email, asking me to
do so. Inputted the results anyway.
Sunday, February 11, 2007 Cloudy
A workday for makeups. Just a few students, though. Sent back the exam
sheets I had marked at home. Ate a small cup of Shin ramen noodles for
lunch-a late lunch after taking to the post office 11 envelopes with exam
sheets in them. Went to the travel agency with my wife and applied for
a trip to Kyonju and Seoul, three days and four nights. We are planning
to travel in late March.
Saturday, February 10,2007 Cloudy
Worked at home, correcting some reports and marking the exam sheets because
I wanted to give them back as soon as possible. Bought a new fax machine
at Joshin. We have used the old one ever since the Great Hanshin Earthquake
in 1995. Started to drink the ginseng liquor I had prepared in January
2006.
Friday, February 9, 2007 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.
When I left home, my wife was still in bed. Her lifestyle is nocturnal
now as is often the case with her when she stays at home instead of going
to work somewhere. Ate lunch as usual.Some students came to me for help.
So many 'reports' to correct. They came one after another, and the exam
sheets to mark later on. Went to the usual supermarket to buy something
for supper.
Thursday, February 8, 2007 Cloudy
There was a teachers' education session- a lecture on crime on the Internet.
A lawyer and a teacher came and talked. Quite interesting. Then there was
a Human Rights Committee meeting. It lasted quite long. I got dead tired.
I hate all kinds of power which force me to do anything. Japan is still
a 'fumie' society, which I abhor. Around six started a Korean study meeting.
As soon as it was over, I had a student who asked me to check her 'reports.'
right away.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007 Fair
Took a walk in the morning, and then went to the dentist-my last appointment
for the time being. Reported for work at the fixed time. Took some time
to get an English transcript ready. Walked to Korean Town and did a little
shopping. On duty at the gate in the evening. Too cold! The Loop Line was
at a standstill for some time due to a fire. As a result, quite a few students
were not able to make it to their exams.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007 Fair
There was a lecture at today's sign language circle's meeting. I was
not interested, so I did not go. Went to the Korean language school, but
I was a little tired, so I did not participate the way I usually do. On
the way home, had a haircut. My wife took a shower yesterday although she
had not gotten rid of her cold yet, so she caught cold again.
Monday, February 5, 2007 Fair
Took a "Lifestyle walk" early in the morning. A Korean language
study get-together in the morning. Lunch as usual. Checked out the past
grades of all the 26 students I am in charge of. Really tired! A homeroom
student asked me for an English transcript, but there was no such form
for that, so I asked some others about it and found out who had one. However,
some subjects, such as "kokugo hyogen", are hard to translate
into Japanese. I heard that there was a list of subjects translated into
English which had been sent from the board of education, so I asked the
vice-principal for it., which I will get the day after tomorrow hopefully.
Sunday, February 4, 2007 Fair
Started the so-called "lifestyle walking." The thing is that
I just try to walk as much as possible. Quite simple, but I had better
keep in mind that I do not go too far, hurting any part of my body. Today
I walked over 10.000 steps-my daily norm. At work marked the Reading and
OC Ⅰexam sheets . Also looked into the school records of five students
for the sign-up assistance period.
Saturday, February 3, 2007 Fair
My diarrhea has not stopped yet, but the pain in the belly has eased
anyway. This morning took a walk alone, looking for some good bread to
eat for breakfast. I ended up finding no such bread. Took a bath anyway
because I was not feverish. Took an afternoon nap. Our second son is leaving
for the U.S.A. on business tomorrow.
Friday, February 2, 2007 Fair
Still suffering from bad diarrhea. Last night my intestines hurt very much,
and I went back and forth between the bedroom and the rest room. Today
at work, too, I was tired because of this non-stop diarrhea. I had udon
for lunch and oden for supper. On the way home, I had to make a stopover
to relieve myself. Too bad.
Thursday, February 1, 2007 Cloudy, occasionally sunny.
I am having bad diarrhea. It started last night-a non-stop type of diarrhea. At first I though I was infected with the Noro virus or something, but the symptoms were a bit different. I did not run a fever. Nor did I throw up. My lower abdomen, however, was so painful from time to time. My wife has a cold now. I must have caught it from her.