Wednesday, January 31, 2007 Cloudy
Today we were on cleaning duty because our finals are starting the day
after tomorrow. I have begun to check the past school records of those
of my homeroom students who are supposed to sign up for the next adademic
year. It is something of a hassle. Just three out of the 26 students are
done.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Cloudy
I had a makeup half-holiday. At work checked 11 'reports.' Some students
never seem to read their textbook, so they keep making the same mistakes.
Did a little cleaning and disposed of lots of unnecessary papers. Made
a checklist for the sign-up assistance period. One envelope had been returned
from a student, so I called the student, saying I would send it again to
the new address.
Monday, January 29, 2007 Cloudy
There were about 40 'reports' to correct. One homeroom student came for
three school transcripts and one certificate of his being a graduating
student this school year. Taking care of this, I ate my lunch around 2:00
p.m. Helped a student with her 'reports.' Submitted three sheets, expressing
my wishes for next school year's homeroom class, division of duties, and
club activities.
Sunday, January 28, 2007 Cloudy
Stayed at home all day. Did nothing but watch videos. My wife caught
cold maybe from me. I from our son. Prepared this school year's report
for the 'Assess and Nurture' System, by which our pay is partially decided
from next academic year on. Money talks in the educational world., too.
Saturday, January 27, 2007 Fair
I cough a little. Still can't get rid of this cold. Spent most of the
time watching Korean dramas, such as "A One-Percent Miracle,""An
Angel's Kiss,""Strange Women, Strange Men," and "Chumon."
Watching movies in a foreign language is good for learning the language,
but it is like seeing the forest. You have to see the trees, too.
Friday, January 26, 2007 Cloudy and a passing shower.
Studied Korean under our teacher. There were three of us, not including
the teacher. Went to the usual restaurant for lunch. Quite a few "reports"
to check. The battery for my digital player was dead, so I went to the
shopping street to buy a new one at the 100-yen shop. Helped a couple of
students with their assignments. Two classes to teach. The Student Council
treasurer's work is under way now. Checked this school year's attendance
for English Ⅰ.
Thursday, January 25, 2007 Fair
I have a cold now. My nose is runny and I have a sore throat, too. Today
we teachers sent mail to students. I also sent mail to those of my homeroom
class students who did not come to school this academic year. I helped
my fellow teacher check 'reports.' Took three hours off and relaxed. The
workplace is too stressful to me.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 Fair
Went to the dentist in the morning. Prepared all the envelopes to sent
to my homeroom class students. Studied Korean in the evening as usual.
Checked some 'reports'. I still have to give a hand to my fellow teacher,
so I brought some 'reports' back home.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 Fair
Today's Korean language class was to start at 11:00 a.m., so I had to
be absent from the sign language circle's weekly meeting. I left home early
enough, but I got on the wrong train. I made a phone call to my Korean
teacher and explained what happened in Korean. Anyway I managed to be in
time for the class. We ate lunch together. When I ate supper, my left jaw
joint hurt. Bought a new cellphone. Watched Korean dramas for several hours.
Monday, January 22, 2007 Fair
A Korean study meeting in the morning. Brought something to eat from
home for lunch. Made a document to send to my homeroom students. Put printed
matter into the envelopes for the graduating students. Bought something
to eat for supper at the usual supermarket. There were not many students
for today's English Ⅰ, but they were all willing to participate. Helped
one of the fellow English teachers, for her fingers hurt. Also helped a
student with her reports.
Sunday, January 21, 2007 Fair
Got Reading exam sheets all ready. Made a teaching plan for the last
OCⅠclass this school year. Today the other English Ⅰteacher said,"Over
30 kids came today, so I ran out of handouts."I'm teaching the same
part tomorrow, so I will be having only a few kids. Thanks Goodness. Had
a full day. At home spent a lot of time watching Korean dramas, such as"Yujon","LoveLetter,""Kun(Palace),""Kumsun",
and "Chumon."
Saturday, January 20, 2007 Cloudy
Went to the English conversation school, which has been newly built and is still under construction partially. Made takoyaki at home and ate it, drinking beer. That was delicious. Saw some Korean dramas as usual for a few hours. Also watched a KBS documentary about two rickshaw men in Calcutta. Very good in content. Life is had there, but it is even harder in the countryside. Wherever they live, survival is the name of the game in India, it seems.
Friday, January 19, 2007 Cloudy
One Korean study meeting in the morning. Made two different Reading exams
for the third term. Took over two hours. One OCⅠclass to teach. A couple
of students came to see me to ask questions about their 'reports.' in the
third period, so I was not able to be on cleaning duty.
Thursday, January 18, 2007 Fair
There was a Student Council teachers' meeting, which lasted nearly an
hour, and then there was an explanatory meeting about how to help students
sign up for the next school year. It took about an hour and a half. Then
a Human Rights Committee meeting. Looked at the school records and copied
the graduating homeroom class students' names and birthdays.Took three
hours off.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 Cloudy
Made a teaching plan for the next OCⅠclass. The soccer club practice
was rained out. I was on duty, though. Today's Korean study meeting was
cancelled, too, because Mr. Lee had work to do. The English teachers' room
was dusty, so I cleaned it. I sometimes do the cleaning.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 Cloudy and rainy.
Went to the sign language circle in the morning and to the Korean language
school in the afternoon. On the way home in a drizzling rain bought some
sweets and apples for my wife. Back home began to watch Korean dramas.
Worked on the Super Crossword. Now the night is far advanced. I will do
the dishes and go to bed.
Monday, January 15, 2007 Cloudy
A Korean study meeting in the morning. Lunch at the same eating place
on the 6th floor of the ward hall. Checked some 'reports.' One English
class to teach. Tried to make a teaching plan for the next class. Came
back home tired as usual. Saw some Korean dramas far into the night.
Sunday, January 14, 2007 Cloudy
In the 6th period today we saw an NHK documentary entitled "Working
Poor." In my opinion, honesty does not pay in Japan today. When I
was a little boy, I believed if you live honestly, you can make a living
all right, but it is not the case now. This country is nothing but the
former prime minister Koizumi's world, that is, a small America. Social
Darwinism is the law here.
Saturday, January 13, 2007 Fair and cloudy.
Fujiya repeated the same mistake as Snow Brand did. It used milk which
had passed its expiry date when it made cream puffs. This company may also
go under. A handful of people want to take the lion's share, and as a result,
company employees get into trouble.
Friday, January 12, 2007 Cloudy
I had a full day after a long interval. I really was tired at the end
of the day. This month my salary has decreased again. This is just the
beginning. With our pay going down, how can we bring ourselves to work
harder? The workload is constantly increasing, too.
Thursday, January 11, 2007 Fair
There was a staff meeting in the library, which did not last too long
today. Good thing! Prepared worksheets for the next few classes. There
were some other odds and ends to take care of, too. Cleaned the floor of
the English teachers' room because it was dusty. Made a phone call to a
homeroom student on my cell phone.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 Sunny
Went to the dentist in the morning and saw a serial Korean drama. The
weather was good today although so cold. The cats were sunbathing by the
window.At work busy doing this and that. There was a call from a student,
too. Called back later. There was a Korean study meeting in the evening.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007 Fair
Went to the Korean language school after an interval of 20 days or so.
I had fun there speaking Korean. This morning overslept, so I could not
go to the sign language circle. Business as usual from tomorrow on. Teaching
English is all right, but other miscellaneous stuff is not to my liking.
Monday, January 8, 2007 Fair
Took some bulky trash to the recycling center. It used to be for free,
but today we paid a little over 1,000 yen. The whole trash weighed around
60 kilograms. On the way there, We got lost somewhat and took a roundabout
route. The wind was so strong my wife hit the door against something when
she opened it to pay the money at the gate.
Sunday, January 7, 2007 Cloudy and very windy.
Watched Korean dramas almost all day with my wife. Among them was one
called "gung(palace)," which is very fun. I just kept laughing
while watching it. A good way to relieve stress. There is still another
drama to see later after taking a night walk with my wife. I have made
a couple of New Year's resolutions.
Saturday, January 6, 2007 Cloudy and cold.
In no mood to do anything today. Just watched dramas on KBS. Also did
the Super Crossword. Took a walk with my wife at night in the cold. On
the way back, bought two box lunches for supper. Have not made my New Year's
resolutions yet. The weather is cold and windy now.
Friday, January 5, 2007 Fair
Spent most of the day watching Korean dramas. Also sent out midwinter
greeting cards to those who kindly sent me New Year's cards. This study-at-home
assignment takes up much of my time and energy. The Diet will soon pass
another law that is to crack down on salaried workers. Did no cleaning
today, either. Did not call the dentist because I seemed to be able to
manage anyway.
Thursday, January 4, 2007 Cloudy
Thinking of calling the dentist tomorrow anyway. Aging is inevitable
really. I will be losing one tooth after another. Those whom the gods love
die young. When I die, I cannot take anything with me, even these teeth.
Is it time to put my material things in order? That is to say, it is time
to get ready to die.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Cloudy
The bad tooth troubles me, but it is still a week before I go to the
dentist. The lymphatic node below the jaw aches a bit if I touch it. Did
a little cleaning in the little room and around the desk. Also scrubbed
the floor before the bathroom. Went shopping at the neighborhood supermarket,
taking some recyclable stuff as well.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007 Cloudy
My extreme lower back tooth aches. I thought it would be O.K., but as
it turned out, it is not O.K. This evening visited my parents' place and
my wife's mother's. On the way I bought a birthday present for my father.
On the way back, got a mouthwash at the same supermarket. I am in no mood
to do anything because of the bad tooth.
Monday, January 1, 2007 Cloudy
Finished watching "Sodonyo". There were 55 episodes in all.
I think I will make my New Year's resolutions during the winter holidays.
Our two sons are not at home. I did not do any cleaning today. I have been
watching the Korean drama for the past few days, so I am really tired now.