Saturday, March 31, 2007 Fine and cloudy.

　Watched some Korean dramas recorded on DVD while away from home. Our first-born son came home. Now playing a game or something with his brother. Tomorrow is a workday. That will be pretty hectic. I will be the rep of the English department because the one who was to be the one had quit.

Friday, March 30, 2007 Cloudy, occasionally fine.

　Back from our four-day trip from Korea. It has been a heavy schedule, but we managed anyhow. Kyonju was a place we wanted to visit most, and it was worth it. We had a tour conductor all to ourselves. Actually there were two tour conductors-one in Busan and Kyonju and the other in Seoul. The weather was not too good, but there was no 'yellow sand.'

Monday, March 26, 2007 Cloudy

　Paid a little over 30.000 yen for the next 20 Korean classes in the morning. A 'judgement' conference for the latter entrance exam, and an extra teachers' meeting. One of the English teachers is quitting. A bolt from the blue. I was under the impression that we would retire at the same time because we are the same age. So sad! My wife and I are going to Korea tomorrow-a four-day trip.

Sunday, March 25, 2007 Cloudy

　In the morning there was a condo board meeting. Then watched Korean dramas one after another. "Love in Three Colors" is over. Korean do believe in fate or destiny (innen). "Kun"(Love in Pakace) and "1 % Miracle" still go on. Took a long walk at night.

Saturday, March 24, 2007 Rainy

　Participated in a civic group's fieldwork, visiting Kudara-related spots in Osaka. There were over 20 participants in spite of the rain. In the evening there was a banquet in Tsuruhashi. Our Korean teacher gave me info on this event. This will be an unforgettable memory for the four of us-him, me, and the other two friends.

Friday, March 23, 2007 Cloudy

　This morning we had our Korean teacher's last Korean language lesson. He is going to be transferred to another school as a reemployed contract teacher after retirement. Next academic year I am supposed to take his place, but I am not good enough at Korean yet. We will just study Korean together, helping each other. That is my stance.

Thursday, March 22, 2007 Fair

　Settled Student Council accounts as a treasurer. My partner was a big help. The figures did not add up at first, and we had a little trouble. Took about two hours. The clerk in charge was excellent, too. Everything depends on him. Watched the next two episodes of "Chumon."

Wednesday, March 21, 2007 Fair

　Today my wife was a bit too nagging, so I did not feel comfortable. Is putting up with a spouse's hysteria part of married life? Filling out the application form and having my picture taken, I got everything ready to apply to the Tenri's summer Korean course. I will mail that tomorrow.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 Fair

　The last day of the second entrance exam period. Sent info and grades to homeroom students. Had an English teachers' meeting and decided who teaches what. It has been a long day. These days I am often in pain and take the medicine. Is it again time to go see a doctor? Well, I kind of expected this. Earlier than I thought, though.

Monday, March 19, 2007 Fair

　Day one of the latter half of the entrance exam, which is for transfer students. I checked applicants' papers, issuing examinee slips. My American friend is coming to see me toward the end of April and staying with us for a week or so. This is his third time to visit us.

Sunday, March 18, 2007 Fair

　Early in the morning took out recyclable stuff. There were 11 bundles of old newspapers and books and some cardboard. Saw three different Korean dramas on TV-"Love Letter", "Love in the Palace(kun)", and "Love in Three Colors(yujon)." Ate okonomi for lunch. Our second son is leaving for Tokyo by bus tonight to have a business talk with a company president.

Saturday, March 17, 2007 Fair

　Did not take a walk in the morning. Took a shower and went to the English conversation school, conversing in English for a couple of hours. Took an afternoon nap. Then went out to buy something to eat for supper. Took a walk at night and bought NHK's textbooks for Korean for April.

Friday, March 16, 2007 Cloudy

　Had an English transcript issued as soon as I got to school as the student came early. There was a 'judgement' conference for the first group of examinees. Then an extra teachers' meeting followed, and the vice-principal announced the number of hours for next school year's part-time teachers. I had a pain in my neck, so I took a latter half day off.

Thursday, March 15, 2007 Cloudy

　A substitute holiday. Spent two hours or so at dawn solving the Super Crossword. Then went back to bed. When I woke up, saw the next two episodes of "Chumon." Did not do anything else. Ate 'hokaben' for supper. My wife has a slight cold. Looks like I do, too. I feel tired and am in no mood for doing anything.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007 Fair

　Interviewed around 14 examinees for three hours straight. Got really exhausted. Took three hours off. There was a send-off party for our Korean teacher, who is going to retired at the end of this month. As a farewell gift we gave him a rucksack. There were nine of us in all.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007 Cloudy

　The last class at the Korean language school for this term, with the next term starting in mid-April. I am still weak with Korean numbers. Took a half day off and went to work, finishing off the school records. Borrowed the next couple of episodes of "Chumon" from a fellow teacher.

Monday, May 12, 2007 Fair

　Today was the deadline for inputting this school year's results. There were some students who came at the last minute, trying to meet the deadline. One of my homeroom students who graduated the other day wants a transcript written in English. I said for him to come on Friday, when it is forbidden for students to enter the premises, so I called him over and over to make sure about it, even leaving a message with the answering machine.

Sunday, May 11, 2007 Fair

　The first day of the interview entrance exam. I interviewed around ten examinees. The deadline for homeroom financial reports was last Friday, but some homeroom teachers have not handed in theirs yet. Back home watched some Korean dramas on video. The Japanese government is criticizing North Korea of abducting Japanese even more harshly by making propaganda.

Saturday, March 10, 2007 Fair

　There was a condo board meeting, but I had to leave in the middle of that because I was supposed to receive a medical checkup for the summer intensive Korean course. I must send the necessary papers before the end of this month. Watched the next five episodes of "Chumon" on video.

Friday, March 9, 2007 Fair

　At work helped three homeroom students sign up. Two students came with their assignments. All this took about four hours. I took care of all the homeroom students. What a relief! Today I was off my entrance exam application duty. I worked in the teachers' room on the second floor.

Thursday, March 8, 2007 Cloudy and very cold.

　While going for a walk in the morning, it was so cold and windy I could read only a few pages of the English novel. Again I was at one of those application reception desks. Rather busy today. I was usually in charge of setting the date of the interview test for each applicant, so I am not used to this application reception work.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007 Fair but cold and windy.

　The second day of the application period. The turnout was poor for the nighttime section. Took a walk to Korea Town, buying kimchi and ramen. I was in charge of receiving application forms. Other teachers were busy writing in school records. I am almost finished.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007 Cloudy

　Today was a substitute holiday. Today's Korean class took place at Tsuruhashi. The class got together in a kitchen outside the classroom and cooked a Korean dish called "chapche." It was O.K., but to me it was a bit too oily. I drank a beer our teacher was kind enough to go buy. After the meal, we went to the coffee shop the owner of the kitchen runs. We had a good time chatting.

Monday, March 5, 2007 Cloudy

　Today was a day off for me, but two students called me at home. I did some cleaning almost all day today. Threw away old notebooks and STEP's periodicals. Our first son had a job interview today. Our second son is still searching for a business chance. The new fax machine may not be working well. The printout was blurry.

Sunday, March 4, 2007 Fair

　The first day of the application period. However, two homeroom students came with their necessary papers. One of the two gave me a headache by doing me something out of simple good will. The times have changed, and teachers are not supposed to behave the way we used to. There was a poor turnout.

Saturday, March 3, 2007 Fair

　One of the nine graduating homeroom students did not come. He is supposed to come to school for his diploma. One homeroom student who said she would come for her sign-up called me, saying she could not come because she had a fever. Another homeroom student called me at home suddenly after hours and said he would come see me for his sign-up. He has never shown up so far.

Friday, March 2, 2007 Fair

　A Korean study meeting in the morning. Ate lunch at the family restaurant across the road from the school. One homeroom student came for her sign-up, and one English �T student for his retest. There was a rehearsal of the graduation ceremony. A Human Rights committee member gave a talk on the national flag and anthem.

Thursday, March 1, 2007 Sunny

　Took a late morning walk. Covered over 4,000 steps. Read ten pages of the English novel "Demon Thief." Coming home, made coffee for my wife and myself. She toasted bread.At work today's teachers' meeting lasted from 2:00 p.m. till about 6:30 p.m. Then came the preps for the graduation ceremony. Went to the gym and took out collapsible chairs after covering the floor with long heavy plastic sheets. Took over half an hour.