Saturday, June 30, 2007 Cloudy
Drove over to two stores to buy cat food, cat sand, and daily necessities.
Although I had a lot of Korean assignment to do, I was in no mood for that.
Can I make it by the deadline? I am worried. Tomorrow is a workday, so
I have little time to do the Korean assignment. Too bad. I am tired now.
Friday, June 29, 2007 Cloudy, a thundershower in the evening.
Inputted a lot of Hangul at home. Taught three classes in a row. Compared
with last year's English Ⅰstudents, these students' participation is not
good. Attendance is bad, too. Today's classes reminded me of the days when
I taught at some of those "difficult" schools. Some students
just copy somebody else's 'report.' in class. They will take responsibility
for the consequences later, though-at the time of the exam.
Thursday, June 28, 2007 Cloudy
There was an article in today's newspaper, saying that because of Osaka's
Assess-and-Nurture System quite a few female teachers are under much stress.
Male teachers are the same. The idea is to make teachers unable to see
what big wigs are doing. At work printed the exams and put them away. Took
about two and a half hours. Printed a couple of handouts for next week's
classes, as well.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 Fair
Almost all day worked on the translation of a Korean essay into Japanese.
At work there were more 'reports' to correct than usual‐a sign of the
exams coming closer. Today when I got back to the English room on the 5th
floor, I found a student sitting at my desk, which is no good because there
are important things there. The new teacher seemed to allow the student
to sit there. I wonder what she was thinking. I refrained from warning
her of that in the presence of the students anyway.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007 Fair
Sent the sign language rep a mail, saying that I would not be able to
attend the weekly meetings for the next two months. Went to the Korean
language school. Continued with the Korean assignments, but the progress
is so tardy I am getting apprehensive...
Monday, June 25, 2007 Fair
Getting up early in the morning, began doing one of the Korean assignments.
Then listened to the radio Korean program. Going to school a little early,
taught basic Korean to some colleagues. At work, too, continued with the
Korean assignment. Also made a few handouts for English Ⅰ. Double-checked
the first-term exams. Corrected students' reports and taught OC Ⅰ. What
a busy day! At the end of the day I had a toothache.
Sunday, June 24, 2007 Rainy
Because it rained all day, only a few students seemed to come to school
today. I worked almost all day, teaching, correcting assignments, helping
some students with their assignments, etc. I had a full day. When I got
back home, I was too tired to continue with the Korean assignments. So,
I took a nap.
Saturday, June 23, 2007 Fair
I spent hours doing the Korean assignments, taking breaks now and then
and doing something else in the intervals like going to the library to
return the books. Actually, I made two trips to the library. The first
time I went there, I was not aware that I had another book to return. When
I was finished, it was 1:30 a.m. the next day. What cruel treatment this
professor is giving us! He must be out of his mind.
Friday, June 22, 2007 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.
Still far from finishing the Korean assignments. Time is short, and they
are too many for this limited time. Who on earth could give that many assignments?
Sheer insanity. When I got home tonight from work, I was too tired to continue
with the assignments, so I just went to bed.
Thursday, June 21, 2007 Fair
Some of the clubs did not cut down their amounts of money, and this year's
budget cannot cover all the money necessary for the clubs. At today's teachers'
meeting some asked about performance-based pay. Yes, some are getting more
money, and some less according to the bosses' assessment of their performance.
When money talks, education dies. Too late ...
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 Fair, cloudy, and again fair.
Student Council's teachers' explanation about this fiscal year's club
budget was given as planned. There was no objection. Have to compile a
new club budget within this week. Quite busy now. While in the teachers'
room, there was a call and I had to hurry up to the 7th floor to call the
roll in place of the homeroom teacher. There was some misunderstanding
going on.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 Cloudy, occasionally drizzling.
The clubs handed in their spending plans. However, the total amount is
going to go over the budget, so we have decided to have an explanation
meeting tomorrow. Made some handouts for my next Reading and English Ⅰclasses.
It took me a few hours. There was a spa explosion in Tokyo, killing three
young female employees It was a women-only spa facility in the middle of
a residential area.
Monday, June 18, 2007 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.
In the morning there was a Korean study meeting as usual. There were
four present. There was a Student Council budget-related conference, too.
Doing this and that, I had no time to eat supper. I had two English Ⅰclasses
in a row to teach-the same in content. The latter one was very disappointing,
little participation and two of them leaving behind the handouts I gave
them-no manners, either. By and large, this year's students have little
motivation. How can I deal with them?
Sunday, June 17, 2007 Cloudy and then rainy.
Just went out once to get some bread for breakfast. Spent a few hours
making the first-term Reading exams. Then planned again what to do with
the Korean assignments. For the rest of the day, wrote two letters in Korean.
Just tired out.
Saturday, June 16, 2007 Fair
Anyway finished making the first-term English Ⅰexams in the morning.
Took around three hours. Then went to the English conversation class. There
were two unfamiliar faces―young guys who looked able. Mr. Maeda's project
seems to be going all right. I wish him good luck.
Friday, June 15, 2007 Fair
Getting up early in the morning, continued with the Korean assignments.
Fatigue is piling up. I am trying to balance everything in my life, but
it is hard. My resources, such as energy , time, money, friends, etc, are
limited. Kind of struggling now. At work so many 'reports' to correct with
the first term coming to an end soon.
Thursday, June 14, 2007 Cloudy
Working all day and coming home, I find it difficult to do the Korean
assignments because I am too tired. If I force myself to do that, I will
get sick. If I get into the swing of things, I just keep doing that. Well,
a bit apprehensive, but I hope I can manage.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 Fair
Acted as judge for the school volleyball tournament. Had to tender the
English department's supplies budget after having a conference. Had an
interview with one of the bosses to confirm my goals for this school year.
One of my colleagues is in trouble. I hope things will work out all right.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 Fair
Today being a substitute holiday, I went to the sign language circle in the morning and to the Korean language class in the afternoon. Coming back home and feeling a bit tired, I took a nap after drinking some tea over ohagi. I have a sweet tooth, you know. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, now I have to continue with the Korean assignments.
Monday, June 11, 2007 Fair
Working all day at school, I come back home and have to do the Korean
assignments. Those who share the same destiny complain about this situation,
too. They leave their messages in a certain BBS. The professor who has
imposed these "cruel " assignments is beyond our understanding.
Abuse of power is evident here. I must burn the midnight oil tonight, too.
Sunday, June 10, 2007 Cloudy, occasionally rainy and thundering.
Saturday, June 9, 2007 Cloudy, occasionally rain and thunder.
Looks like I will be studying Korean like crazy for the next three months
now that I have all these crazy assignments to do. I have not finished
today's workload yet. My plan is not perfect yet, either, because all the
task are not clear enough yet. I am in trouble because I will have to do
all that while working daily at school.
Friday, June 8 2007 Fine and then rain and thunder.
A letter came from Tenri University. Enclosed in it was a list of assignments,
so much and so difficult to finish by the deadline. It is close to a torture.
Who can impose something like that onto anybody? Anyway no time to lose.
I made a plan and went to bed three in the morning.
Thursday, June 7, 2007 Fair
There was a teachers' meeting I chaired, ( there was a moment that was
too noisy, so I said, "refrain from private talk.")and another
for selection of textbooks for subject reps. I hate long conferences. Today
these were not too long. Brevity is the soul of wit, as Shakespeare put
it. Had a drink on my way home from school. Of course, I took a couple
of hours off.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 Fair
I had to prepare an agenda sheet for tomorrow's staff meeting, for I
am going to chair the meeting. Corrected some 'reports', and made a handout
for the next English Ⅰclass. Did some reading in the intervals. Got the
news that our older son has passed his employment exam. It is a big company,
so he may work far away from home like our second son, who is in Tokyo
now.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 Fair
Reported for work by the appointed time as usual. There were so many
odd jobs as usual. Corrected some 'reports.' Double-checked the 'reports'
for the second term.. Sent my homeroom students reminders to study and
finish their 'reports.' My weekend fatigue is beginning to subside anyway.
Monday, June 4, 2007 Fair
On a hot day like today we have to watch out for dehydration.. Your intake
of fluids does matter. Carelessness can bring disaster. Must listen to
the voice of your system. For the past two days I overworked myself making
'reports' like crazy-in spite of my age. Too bad. I should have known better.
Sunday, June 3, 2007 Cloudy
Our first-born son has gone back to his apartment. Our second son is
still out somewhere with his friends, I guess. He has to go back to Tokyo
tonight or tomorrow morning. At home I worked all day making 'reports'
for the second term. I am so tired now I cannot continue to work any more.
Saturday, June2, 2007 Cloudy
Spend two hours or so speaking in English at the usual English conversation
school in the morning. Then went home after going to the municipal library
to get the reserved book and buying noodles for lunch. Spent the rest of
the day making 'reports' for the second term. The ones for English Ⅰ are
almost finished. It is past midnight. Just exhausted.
Friday, June 1, 2007 Cloudy
Taking a day off yesterday seems to have disrupted the rhythm of my life,
and this morning I did not feel like going to work. Am I sort of in a state
of depression? But I needed a break from work yesterday. I do not want
to be workaholic. Teaching English is all right, but I would rather live
a quiet life both at work and at home. Tonight our second son is coming
home from Tokyo.