Saturday, January 31, 2004 Fair, occasionally
cloudy.
Had the bathroom ventilator repaired. It
is now so quiet. I wonder if it was defective
from the beginning. I remember it being noisy
when we first started using it. According
to the repairman, the whole thing will eventually
have to be replaced in a few years, becasue
the other big fan may break( The ventilator
has two fans－big and small.) My wife is
now having a late New Year's party at a nearby
Japanese restaurant. I will have to pick
her up later.
Friday, January 30, 2004 Fair, occasionally
cloudy
What a hectic day at work! No time for
supper. Three classes in a row. The printing
of the final was such a hassle, too. I have
so much work left undone today. No more time.
No more energy. Coming back home, I found
my wife fast asleep. She, too, must have
had a tiring day.
Thursday, January 29, 2004 Fair, occasionally
cloudy.
The bathroom fan repairman called this
morning, saying that he would come for repairs
the day after tomorrow. He had repairs requiring
time in the morning. It has been a tiring
day today. There were over 40 reports to
check. Today's conference lasted for two
hours. I have a sore throat now. I may have
caught cold.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004 Fair, occasionally
cloudy.
Although today was a substitute holiday,
I did a lot of work at home, including making
the final in English Ⅰ. The bathroom ventilator
is making a terrible noise, so I made a telephone
call to the maker today. They are coming
to repair it tomorrow. Now the avian flu
is raging. First beef, then chicken. What's
next? Is nature striking back at humankind?
Did some brisk walking with my wife at night.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004 Fair, cloudy, and
then rainy.
Went to the education center for a teachers'
training session. I got the impression that
the teaching of English had made no progress
at all. But I was impressed by the enthusiasm
of some young teachers. So, whatever teaching
methods you may adopt, it is this enthusiasm
that really matters, I guess. After all,
teaching is tiring, but it can be rewarding,
too. What you can do as a teacher is just
to help each student right in front of you.
Monday, January 26, 2004 Fair, occasionally
cloudy.
I found myself without the train pass when
the station was right ahead of me. Too bad.
I hurried my way back to fetch my train pass.
Good exercise anyway. Prepared two teaching
plans and now in the process of making the
final in English. I ate instant noodles twice
today－for supper and for a night snack.
I was a bit hungry when I got back home.
I may have heartburn later.
Sunday, January 25, 2004 Cloudy and snowy.
I was on library duty all day, and during
that time I taught two classes. When I was
walking down the hall, I looked out the window
and saw some women running along the road
by the school. The Osaka International Women's
Marathon was being held. Some were waving
flags. Today a very serious case of child
abuse in Kishiwada is being reported on TV.
A 15-year-old boy weighing only 24 kilograms
is unthinkable. I am reminded of Auschwitz.
The junior high school's principal and the
staff members of the local consultation office
for children appeared on TV, explaining themselves.
Saturday, January 24, 2004 Cloudy
One of the cats wetted our second son's
quilt. So, my wife and I took it to the laundry.
Then we went out to see the movie "TIMELINE."
That was okay. After viewing the movie, we
ate out at the usual fried pork cutlet restaurant
near the movie theater. We ate to our heart's
content and then went to the usual bookstore,
where I bought a paperback of an American
novel and she several books about her specialized
field.
Friday, January 23, 2004 Fair, occasionally
cloudy.
There was a railway accident resulting
in injury or death again today. There was
one yesterday, too, on the same railway.
I thought somebody must have thrown himself
in front of a train again. My usual train
was delayed for some time. There was one
conference today. It lasted for about three
hours. I was on library duty today.
Thursday, January 22, 2004 Cloudy
Today has been the coldest day this winter.
The temperature dropped below the freezing
point. Did not drive my wife to work because
the road might be slippery. There are five
candidates for the gubernatorial election.
Heard the political views of three of them
on the radio this morning. They all talked
about medium and small-sized enterprises,
education, and crime. Attended a lecture
by a sign language interpreter at a nearby
elementary school in the morning. Listened
only to the former half of the talk because
I had to go to work. At work, there was an
important orientation for what we were supposed
to do in February. It took two hours and
half for them to finish explaining everything.
Wednesday, January 21, 2004 Cloudy, occasionally
rainy.
Made a Reading class worksheet. Took a
little over an hour to make that. On club
duty today, but it rained on and off. Just
two were playing on the tennis court. Turned
on the floodlights before it got dark. They
called off their practice around 6:30p.m.
because of the rain.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004 Fair
Went to the sign language circle for the
first time in a month. Studied sign language
in a friendly atmosphere as usual. Had lunch
together after studying, chatting both in
Japanese and sign language. Had a lot of
fun and could relax. In the evening picked
up my wife at the hospital and ate out at
the usual Japanese restaurant.
Monday, January 19, 2004 Fair
At the end of my class today, one student
came into the classroom mimicking that ugly
Gollum of the Lord of the Rings and saying,"My
Precisouss." That was kind of funny.
Desire for power, which the Ring stands for,
is common to all, isn't it? That makes people
mad. What is the good of controlling others?
Sunday, January 18, 2004 Fair
It was the coldest weather yesterday this
winter, and as I walked to the station this
morning, I found the surface of the street
dotted with icy patches here and there. I
thought it might be slippery. I walked carefully.
On my way home, I made a stopover and bought
a paperback, because I was almost done with
the novel I was reading.
Saturday, January 17, 2004 Rain and then
cloudy.
Enjoyed chatting in English in the morning.
There were five of us, including our instructor.
Two hours passed so quickly. On the way back,
did a little shopping. My wife went to see
a ballet－the classical "Swan Lake."
When she came home, she said the former performance
by different ballet dancers was a lot better.
Friday, January 16, 2004 Cloudy
Bought three portions of noodles which
came in thin pan-shaped aluminum containers.
I cooked them for the kids for lunch. The
older son said, "This tastes of aluminum."
I said, "Aluminum is said to cause Alzheimer's
disease, isn't it?" Then he said, "Even
if you get that, I won't care for you."
What a filial son! I ate the noodles for
supper at work by cooking them in the aluminum
container. One step toward the disease.
Thursday, January 15, 2004 Cloudy
Today I really got pissed off by somebody's
faultfinding remark at work. This one asked
me if I had ever done such and such a thing
as if somebody else had told on that to this
one. I answered," How do I ever do such
a stupid thing?" I am capable of making
mistakes, but I would never ever do such
a thing deliberately. I hope for an encouraging
relationship at work. Today I finished making
two sets of worksheets.
Wednesday, January 14, 2004 Fair, occasionally
cloudy.
It has been a full day. Tutored two students
in the librarians' room－one for two hours
and the other for forty minutes or so. Also
one makeup and one retest to take care of.
Checked more than twenty 'reports.' No time
to relax at all. Just kept working all through
the time at work. Brought some work back
home. Read the novel on my way to and back
from work while on the train.
Tuesday, January 13, 2004 Cloudy and Blustery
When I woke up this morning, it was as
dark as night outside. Then seeing a flash
of lightning, I heard it thunder. A cold
and blustery winter wind was howling. What
a beginning of a day! I got outside and saw
a car windshield partially covered with something
like slush. It must have hailed earlier.
At work, I was in charge of a school orientation.
I am new at this school, so my partner today
explained about our school. His explanation
was good and fun to listen to.
Monday, January 12. 2004 Fair
Played the online game "Bookworm"
for quite some time. My best result today
was over 200.000 points. Today was so warm
that a bluebottle fly ( ginbae) flew into the living room while I was on
the balcony, hanging out the washing. As
I sprayed the fly with insecticide, it fell
down onto the floor. Come to think of it,
nowadays it is rare to see flies even in
summer. When I was a little kid, I would
often fan away flies from my food. I wonder
if even flies will be an endangered species
some day.
Sunday, January 11, 2004 Cloudy
It was very cold this morning, but I rode
my bike around the neighborhood looking for
the kind of bread we all like. I went to
three convenience stores in vain. So I decided
to wait for the supermarket in front of the
station to open. Then I went there , but
our favorite kind of bread was not there,
either. I had to compromise and bought MY
kind of bread. Coming back home with the
bread, I made coffee for my family and served
them the bread. Literally, I am the breadwinner.
In the evening, went shopping at Daiei and
then to the usual fruit shop. Tangerines
are pretty expensive now.
Saturday, January 10, 2004 Fair
All day at home on my own during the day,
doing nothing in particular other than reading
a couple of books and being with our two
cats. Wrote back to my American friend via
email, thanking him for his recent picture
postcard. The weather has been O.K. Not too
cold but my feel felt cold on the floor.
Ate out for dinner with my wife on her way
back home from work after I picked her up.
Friday, January 9, 2004 Fair
Called the spine clinic and made an appointment
for May 20, first thing in the morning. I
need the doctor's opinion. I have a feeling
that in the near future I will be having
trouble walking. That is why I made up my
mind to contact this surgeon. The choice
is mine. At work, kept so busy; one person
after another came for me. Ate pouch-packed
rice porridge for supper. It tasted O.K.
Thursday, January 8, 2004 Cloudy
Prepared lunch for the kids. Then they
went to school, and I to work. At work I
had two conferences today. Conferences are
usually long and boring. I do not like them.
I emailed to a spine clinic in Tokyo. The
reply came. I am thinking of calling the
office soon. The time is approaching when
I face surgery. It all depends on the surgeon's
diagnosis.
Wednesday, January 7, 2004 Fair
The first workday after the New Year holidays.
Exchanged New Year greetings and worked in
the afternoon in the library checking the
books. There were seven of us doing that
together. Good thing that, working this way
together, we could shoot the breeze a bit.Then
checked some 'reports' and took care of one
makeup. The copier in the printing room got
stuck. One of the clerks came and solved
the problem promptly. Very smart!
Tuesday, January 6, 2004 Cloudy( An earthquake
around 3:00 p.m., the epicenter Mie Prefecture)
Another cold winter day. Had the hatchback
of our car repaired by our car dealer. It
was creaky. Just a minor defect, though.
They were good enough to wash our car, too.
Lucky us! We failed to wash it toward the
end of last year. I went to the hospital
for the first time this year for neck traction.
Now the numbness of my right hand is here
to stay. It is very uncomfortable.
Monday, January 5, 2004 Cloudy
In the morning, I returned the videos.
It got suddenly cold in the afternoon. Today
I have not done anything. I did not feel
like doing anything. Doing nothing is not
bad sometimes, I guess. The bathroom ventilator
has been too noisy lately. Something must
be done about it. Machines will break down.
So will human beings.
Sunday, January 4, 2004 Fair
Rented four videos of "The Lord of
the Rings"－both "The Fellowship
of the Ring" and "The Two Towers."
But found our VCR totally broken. So my wife
and I went out to buy a new one. Then coming
back home and installing the new one, we
began to view the videos. It was such a hassle
but the stories were so intriguing we watched
all the four videos in a row. It took us
around six hours. We ordered pizzas for supper
while watching.
Saturday, January 3, 2004 Fair and Warm
The first three days of the New Year are
over, and back to normal from tomorrow on.
Just at home today doing nothing. It has
been very warm today. The thermometer in
the living room read 22 degrees Celsius in
the daytime. The cats looked happy sunbathing.
The washing dried quickly, too.
Friday, January 2, 2004 Overcast
Today took my wife and my younger son to
my parents' house. Again ate osechi and my younger son got a New Year's gift
of cash from Dad. On the way back, while
driving, I felt like going for a pee and
stopped at one of those supermarkets along
the road. Dad was happy with his grandson.
My wife talked with Dad, listening to him.
Dropped by my mother-in-law's place, too,
to get some mochi. Coming back home, I went to Daiei nearby.
The shopping street around there was deserted.
Thursday, January 1, 2004 Fair
It has been a quiet beginning of a new
year. Drove to my parents' place with my
older son, my wife being at work and my younger
son lying in bed. The kids are too old to
be eligible to get New Year's gifts of cash,
but they still get some. Had some osechi there.Must answer some New Year's cards.
Ate sukiyaki for dinner. Overate myself.