Friday, March 31, 2006 Fair ( Kanagawa and Tokyo)
Went to Chofu with my friend and had my neck examined. Before going there,
did a little cherry blossom viewing at a place called Nagayama. Ate a box
lunch there but it was chilly and windy. In the morning went up a hill
in the neighborhood of my friend's home. The top of the hill commanded
a fine view with Mt. Fuji in sight, but walking up there was such a hassle
to me, tiring and out of breath. Yesterday, too, my friend and I visited
a temple at Daiyuzan and walked up a long stone stairway of 300 steps or
so at a stretch. I thought I would die. Last night and today we talked
and talked about this and that.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.
I had my picture taken by a machine. There were six prints, but I needed
only two. Also bought 40 yens' worth of stamps. I sent the necessary papers
to Tenri for the summer Korean course. There was a beehive dangling from
one of the trees in the backyard, so we removed it carefully. Looked like
it was empty, though. Tomorrow I will go up to Tokyo by Shinkansen.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 Rainy, occasionally cloudy and thundering.
Today's weather was very changeable. I heard rolls of spring thunder
this afternoon. When the rain slackened off, I walked to Korea Town and
bought Shin Ramen, Yuja-cha, and Soju. Later on I found out that I got
the Japanese version of Shin Ramen. I will have to send the necessary papers
to Tenri University. I transferred money to Ohhakutan's account. Also bought
a bullet train ticket for Odawara.
Monday, March 27, 2006 Cloudy
It is really hard to put a room in order. I always have a mess. Even
if I tidy up my room, it will be soon in a mess. I am messy, and so is
my son. Like father like son, so I cannot blame him for his room being
in a mess all the time. The teachers' room was deserted today. The entrance
exam committeemen and the instruction department members alone were busy.
Sunday, March 26, 2006 Cloudy
The TV drama "Rondo" ended tonight. Unlike Korean dramas, it
was not very expressive. Japanese are a quiet people, and I am a Japanese.
In today's newspaper there was an article about the brain, saying that
the brain never rests , even while asleep. It rearranges the information
it has gotten while awake.
Saturday, March 25, 2006 Fair but cold.
Since my wife is now jobless, our income is much smaller than before.
Therefore, my allowance will be cut from next month on.. I cannot go to
Korea for the time being, either. We are not rich enough. This morning
I went to see the doctor to have a medical certificate issued, but I was
not sure what kind of checkup I should have, so I called to Tenri University.
I will go see the doctor again next week. At last, the Noro virus thing
has begun to subside
Friday, March 24, 2006 Fair
Still feeling languor, decided to leave for home early again, explaining
the reason to one of the bosses. As I expected, I was as feverish as yesterday.
Perspiring a lot and feeling tired, I was in bed. Got a graduation certificate
from my alma mater, necessary for the summer Korean language-related course
at the university.
Thursday, March 23, 2006 Cloudy
I have diarrhea today, still running a fever of nearly 38 degrees. My
wife says it is because of Noro virus. Maybe she is right. The day before
yesterday I bought a salad in a plastic bag at the supermarket in the neighborhood.
It said "Eatable without washing," so I ate it without washing.
I suspected it caused all these symptoms of languidness, this pain in the
intestines, fever, and diarrhea. I will never buy that salad there. My
wife says this state continues for three days.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006 Rainy
I seem to have caught cold. I have a stomachache, or rather a pain in
the intestines. Left my place of work early and rested at home. At night
ran a temperature of 37.7 degrees Celsius, sweating a little. I may not
be able to go to work, tomorrow, either.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006 Cloudy ( Vernal Equinox Day )
The last episode of the Korean drama "Stairway to Heaven" was
televised on LaLa. It is a Korean version of the old American movie "Love
Story," isn't it? Watching this story, I thought to myself "What
is happiness?" Faith, hope, and love are what the Bible talks about.
At the end of the story the heroine added "thanks." In this world,
however, rulers use fear. Today created a new section on my web page-"Korean
through English."
Monday, March 20, 2006 Fair
The last day for our entrance exam. Many examinees came, so we were pretty
busy, especially interviewers. Now viewing the last episode but one of
the Korean drama "Stairway to Heaven." Tomorrow the last episode
will be shown on LaLa TV.
Sunday, March 19, 2006 Cloudy
Japan, defeating Korea, won its way to the final of the World Baseball
Classic. Not only strong but also lucky! The Korean team may be as strong.
Although defeated, Koreans sounded very optimistic and cheerful on TV when
interviewed. Victory is a secondary thing. I do not like Japanese Olympic
representative athletes saying "I will try hard to win the gold medal."
Saturday, March 18, 2006 Cloudy
Went to the dentist in the morning. Treated for the last time. Advised
to brush my teeth a bit more carefully. On the way back did a little shopping
at Daiei. For the rest of the day did nothing but watch the Korean drama
"Into the Sun." until 1:00a.m. or so.
Friday, March 17, 2006 Cloudy and then fine.
The first day for the interview test for transfer students. Interviewed
around ten examinees. The weather was a bit chilly. Colleagues were all
talking about the World Baseball Classic, but I am not a big baseball fan.
The train was delayed due to some trouble before coming to the station
where I was waiting, so I arrived at my place of work late. I handed in
a late arrival slip.
Thursday, March 16, 2006 Rainy and windy.
There was an entrance exam judgement conference today. Also one of the
bosses announced how many hours there would be for part-time teachers this
next school year. One thing that is certain is that our workload keeps
increasing. Today the weather was bad and the wind was so strong that my
umbrella was almost turned inside out as I walked in the rain. Watched
three of the episodes of the Korean drama "Stairway to Heaven"
with my wife. The story is almost done.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 Fair
My wife quit her job today. She has worked at this hospital for four
years and 10 months. She usually leaves before she becomes the boss., the
head nurse. She got a bouquet, but she gave it to the proprietress of the
Chinese restaurant we usually eat out at. In the evening, I went out to
the okonomi shop to buy three to take out, but the part-time workers there,
probably high school kids, looked reluctant to make any, but my wife wanted
to eat okonomiyaki, so I said to make three, for I would wait. I was a
little irritated, but this seemed to be the epitome of today's Japanese
society. The harder you work, the more you get exploited.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006 Fair
These days I sometimes have a feeling that I will not live much longer.
I remember I would often have this feeling as a kid, and now I am over
50. We had the last class for the primary course at the Korean language
school, the intermediate course starting on April 11 if you sign up.
Monday, March 13, 2006 Cloudy and snowy.
Today interviewed 14 examinees. Outside it was snowing then. Today I
played the word game "Book Worm" for a long time. Tomorrow and
the day after tomorrow I will be off, so tonight I watched the Korean drama
"Stairway to Heaven" for a couple of hours. Too sad a story!
Sunday, March 12, 2006 Rainy, occasionally cloudy.
There were 13 examinees to interview. Starting at 2:00 p.m. and done
at 5:45 p.m. Sent final grades to students, too. Back home only watched
Korean dramas-"Hojun," "Rondo," and "Stairway
to Heaven." I detect a kind of sadness in all these dramas.
Saturday, March 11, 2006 Fair
The hangover still went on in the morning. I was agonizing in bed ( futon
). Excruciating! Well, for the time being, no alcohol, please! Last night
I was talking to my wife very merrily, she said. I am a merry drinker.
In the afternoon I was feeling better. I ate lunch all right. I thought
I would die, though, in the morning when my mother happened to send me
a mail and I called her.
Friday, March 10, 2006 Fair
The last day for application for enrollment in our school. The number of applicants dropped by 100 compared with last year. I checked the school records of those students still enrolled in this school. I had one too many tonight and threw up a lot at home. I do not remember how I got back home. And I rode my bicycle back, too. Did I really? But this terrible hangover is too much.
Thursday, March 9, 2006 Fair
The third day for applications to our school, but applicants turned out
to be far from enough. Why? A shortage of students? Because of the 'creative
school' which started last year? Well, tomorrow is the last day. How many
will there be in all after all?
Wednesday, March 8, 2006 Cloudy
Day two of the application period. While working, deciding on each applicant's
date for the interview test, something went wrong with the computer program.
So, thereafter instead of using the printer we wrote by hand. I worked
for four hours straight.
Tuesday, March 7, 2006 Cloudy
Our son has gotten sick. Looks like nettle rash, but I am not sure. We sent him to the doctor this morning. Anyway my wife gave him some medicine last night, and it had its effect. This morning he looked better, so after seeing the doctor, he went to work anyway. I am concerned, though. I made lots of mistakes and forgot simple words in today's Korean class at the Korean language school. Shame on me!
Monday, March 6, 2006 Rainy
Today was a very gloomy day not only because of the weather but also
because I had a fight with my wife last night. I did not feel like going
to work. As a matter of fact I absented myself form my Korean class for
the first time. This afternoon I walked to Korea Town to buy kimch and
ramen. My wife loves them.
Sunday, March 5 Fair
By mistake I went to work too early in the morning. I took it for granted
that today's work would begin at the same time as yesterday. Today was
the first day for applications to our high school. I was again on the team
whose job was to decide on each examinee's interview exam date. Back at
home watched the Korean drama "Rondo."
Saturday, March 4, 2006 Fair
Our school's graduation ceremony or commencement was held today. Graduating
students were supposed to come to school at 9:00 a.m. and wait in the waiting
rooms ( classrooms ). Then at 9:30 a.m. they moved to the first floor of
the gym. The ceremony itself lasted until a little past eleven.. Then some
of them, who would like to buy an album, had their picture taken. All the
graduating students then came back to their waiting rooms and got their
diploma. Around noon there was a tea party in the cafeteria. Abound 1:00
p.m. we teachers got together in the gym and put the chairs and thick plastic
sheets away and did the cleaning.
Friday, March 3, 2006 Cloudy
My Korean teacher treated me to a Korean meal. There were four of us
eating together. I finished making my share of the school records for graduating
students. It took a total of three days. There still remain the school
records of other students who will graduate next school year or later.
Thursday, March 2, 2006 Cloudy and then fine.
Today's staff meeting lasted for as long as four hours. Just unthinkable.
I think at this time last year the same problem was taken up and they talked
and talked. At our place of work freedom of speech is made much of, and
everybody says whatever they want to. Maybe time is too plentiful. I would
rather do some other work, though. It would be more productive.
Wednesday, March 1, 2006 Rainy and cold.
Our Korean teacher taught us Korean in the morning for about one and
a half hours-from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. as usual. Ate out for lunch
at the usual restaurant on the sixth floor of the Ward Hall. Continued
working on the school records. As I have the most graduating students,
it takes a lot of time. I worked all day, but I am not done yet. Took care
of one makeup and one homeroom kid for her sign-up. Made phone calls to
two students about their English Ⅰ.