Saturday, May 31, 2008 Cloudy, occasionally drizzling.

　In the morning went to the dentist. A small decayed tooth was found out and treated. Regular dental checkups really go a long way, don't they? Decided to upload the hints on the 'reports.' Some students may find them helpful-hopefully. These days kids use their cellular phones oftener than the Internet. I am wonderding if I cann use the paradox that one concentrates more when one's space and time are limited than when they are plentiful. Why does this happen? In case one is told by one's doctor that one has only a little time left to live, one tries to live one's life to the full, for example.

Friday, May 30, 2008 Cloudy

　Both on my way to and back from work JR trains were delayed. Their schedule is often disrupted. Too bad! I am now taking care of a student teacher, which enables me to look at the teaching of English from a different angle. By and large students are serious and obedient even if their teacher is not doing well as long as he or she is enthusiastic. Without passion nothing is achieved.

Thursday, May 29, 2008 Rainy, cloudy and then fine.

　Today's teachers' education session again made me realize that there is a diversity of students at our school. We need to teach classes with this fact in mind. Otherwise we teachers tend to be self-satisfied. We should not play with students' minds. I cannot approve of the kind of people who think themselves to be somebody and use others for their own interests.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Cloudy and then rainy.

　In conference it was stupid of me to come out with an idea, for it would be technically and economically next to imposible under the present circumstances. But it would be the simplest and most possible way, I guess, should we really have a mind to put it into practice. Anyway I was stupid enought to suggest it. I should have kept it to myself. The status quo, however, is just impossible. Chaos, which state might be what most want, though.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Fair

　No sign language, for they went on an outing today. I could not afford to do that. I had my Korean class to attend. Also another dental appointmet at 11:30 a.m. My wife was under the weather all day. While in the dentist's wwaiting room, read something written in Korean. Felt it necessary to read a story or something from time to time. Yesterday I paid some money for a farewell gift for an ex-colleague. Paying the money is all right, but money should be spent so that both parties may be happy. In that sense, this money was not spent in a meaningful way. It was not out of love but just a matter of form, which is a mistake.

Monday, May 26, 2008 Fair

　Busy from early in the morning until late at night. First, the Korean study meeting, then the student teacher's first teaching, and students came one after another. No time to eat supper until past seven in the evening. Checked some 'reports,' too. On cleaning duty around five o'clock picking up trash and cigarette butts with a pair of tongs. Every time I do this, I feel it is all over with this country. Where are their manners? Young people today have no manners. There is something wrong with today's Japan or world. Maybe the Earth is angry with us human beings. Time for another Deluge?

Sunday, May 25, 2008 Cloudy, occasionally fair.

　There was a condo general assembly. The attendance was small. All the bills on the agenda were carried, and a new board of directors was acknowledged. The men from the condo management company explained the repair work to be done about this time next year. This condo complex is 12 years old now. In the evening watched the Korean drama for ah hour or so. Told my wife that there would be a drastic pay cut from August on. Osaka is now the worst prefecture in Japan to work in.

Saturday, May 24, 2008 Rainy

　Had a dental appointment for eleven. Just a periodical checkup. The dental hygienist was a good one today-the way she taught me how to brush my teeth. From the dentist's office, hurried to the meeting place where we had a Tenri Korean course reunion. I had a luncheon with three ladies. Later two gentlemen came and we had fun talking. I bought a souvenir for my wife-a pair of Korean slippers made of cloth.

Friday, May 23, 2008 Fair

　Handed in my Assess-and-Nurture System report, but what is the good of all that? We are soon having a 10 % pay cut. I know this prefecture has been in the red, but this is too just too much. Also had the OC�Treprot for the next term printed, but it had a few mistakes. Too late. In today's Reading ckass, too, I made a booboo. I kept making booboos today. This was not my day...

Thursday, May 22, 2008 Cloudy

　Two conferences until around five thirty, which was very tiring. It has been decided which studetns are eligible to graduate this school year. While in conference on the 8th floor, I smelled something smoky. There was a fire in the vicinity of our shcool. Chopper was flying noisily, too. Of course, fire engines' sirens were heard, too. Prepared a handout or two for tomorrow's class, but failed to save the data. Too bad.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Fair

　Our first-born son's 27th birthday. Bought him a birthday cake and threw a little party at night. I am buying him a book which, I think, is worth reading. Taught English �Tin Classroom 501 in the fourth period. The audience was very small. Helped one student with his report for around two hours in the English Interview Room. Checked some reports and also looked over the report for the second term.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Cloudy and Fair.

　The sign language club and the Korean language school as usual. Made a handout for tomorrow's class, too. Even if you do your homework, it is not evalucated at all by Osaka's Assess and Nurture System, which ulmitately comes from Neo Liberalism, based on competition and efficiency, that is , market mechanism. This system will never make people happy. It is a Satanic device if applied to education, but who knows?　

Monday, May 19, 2008 Cloudy and then rainy.

　There were around 20 'reports' to check to day. I had a very small audience in today's Reading class. I never expected this to happen in the daytime section. Finished filling in all the school records with the necessary information so far. There was a Korean study meeting in the morning. Then I made a very silly mistake. A hornet or bee happened to come into the English room. It took me an hour or so to let it out safely.

Sunday, May 18, 2008 Fair and hot.

　Went to the Expo '70 Memorial Park on our outing. In front of the central entrance we got together, but checking the attendance, reporting it to the headquarters, getting group discount tickets and handing the tickets to the students one by one, etc., the homeroom teachers were having a hard time and some of them were irritated. Things did not go smoothly. Around three in the afternoon, we were to be dismissed, but a teacher came back to the headquarters 30 minutes late. The weather was so hot some students looked so tired. Although the place is in Osaka, it is not so accessible because you have to use the monorail, whose fare is very expensive, too. This has been a tiring outing. On theway home, got two bags of cat sound and three cans of cat food.

Saturday, May 17, 2008, Fair

　Went to my home doctor to get the medicine for my chronic illness.(My blood pressure is a little high. It is in the blood.) Then went to the English club and talked a lot about conspiracies. Then bought three portions' kitsune udon for lunch. There was something wrong with the Internect connection at home, so could not get on it until late afternoon. Called the provider anyway. Two technicians came over to check it out.

Friday, May 16, 2008 Fair

　In today's English �T class were so many students I was short of handouts, so I taught without using the handout. Continued with the school records filling in with names and ID numbers etc. Quite monotonous and tiring. Explained to the newly employed English teacher about the Assess-and-Nurture System. I also have to hand in this year's form.Helped an ESS member with his English for the third time.

Thursday, May 15, 2008 Fair

　There was a Student Council conference mainly for the outing on this coming Sunday. Then there was an explanation meeting about how to fill in school records. I began to prepare my homeroom students' school recodrds. I finished stamping all the school records and filling out twelve out of forty. It took ratther long. Took the student teacher to Korea Town. Prepared for the outing, too. Also got a couple of handouts ready for tomorrow's class.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Fair

　There were two OC�T classes to teach in a row. The first one was OK, but the second was no good because of the students' poor participation. In the nighttime section this never happened with OC�T. Well, again I will have to try to make an unwillng horse drink water. Today the news was all around that we were having a 10 percent pay cut shortly thanks to the young governor. Our lives are at his mercy.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Cloudy　and then rainy.

　Got some manuscripts for the sign language club's newspaper. I will have to get the newspaper ready by next Tuesday. In today's Korean class were eight students, including myself. Quite a few for this class, but one new comer was quite noisy and something of a nuisance. At home I have to do some homework for tomorrow's classes. So much work, but so lillte pay here in Osaka, thanks to the relentless governor!

Monday, May 12, 2008 Fair

　We are having a student teacher from today until June 6. I was busy because of the student teacher today. This morning we had a Korean study meeting after an interval of two months. I had my wife make a box lunch for me today. For supper bought okonomiyaki and a samll carton of veggea juice. Back home watched a serial Korean drama and also the recording of another drama.

Sunday, May 11, 2008 Rainy and then cloudy.

　On my way to work, bought a box lunch at the supermarket. Could work almst according to my plan. Prepared the student teacher's schedule, my next OC�Tclass handout is almost ready, the English club ad was due today, swept the English teachers' room first thing in the morning, got ready for tomorrow's Korean study meeting, etc. I really had a full day from 9:30 to 17:45. I had two cups of coffee during that time, which was no good for my stomach.

Saturday, May 10, 2008 Rainy

　Tomorrow being Mother's Day, drove over to my parents' place, chatted about this and that for a couple of hours, and came home in the rain. Mom is thinking of moving out of their present home. Visited the municipal library and checked out three books. On the way back, did some shopping at the supermarkets as usual. In the eveing went out again to get two cutlet bowls at the Hokaben shop for supper.

Friday, May 9, 2008 Overcast

　Still at a loss what to do with my OC �Tclass. I want to think much of pronunciation, but if I expect too much of my students, things will not go smoothly in class. There are some principles to stick to in teaching English, but the reality is not as easy as in principle. What should I do? Besides this, I have a lot to do-so much to do, so little time and energy. Next week I am having a student teacher to take care of. I would rather not, but ...

Thursday, May 8, 2008 Overcast

　I have a lower backache. It started a couple of days ago. Due to weeding? Today's weather was hot rather than warm. Quite a strong earthquake occurred in the Kanto Area, where our second son now lives. I am concerned about his safety. Aftershocks seem to be continuing. At work excahnged school records, had a staff meeting, after which envelopes were prepared to be mailed out to students-a total of around 2,000 envelopes. Then ate supper and began making a Reading worksheet.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Fair

　Today's classes were no good. I felt awkward teaching my classes. I wonder why I felt that way. For one thing I changed my teaching style a little bit. Another thing is that I now have different kinds of students. Anyway I feel self-hatred. Maybe my mind was not functioning after the cosecutive holidays. When I was teaching at night, I think I could take it easy. .Now things are different.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008 Fair

　This morning did the weeding in the backyard and cleaned the balcony. I found a hive on the balcony and got rid of it right away. Also when I spread the reed screens, two geckos popped out, to my surprise. I chased them away. I sprinkled anti-centipede powder, too. After all this chore was done, I took a shower and watched KBS's morning serial drama "Whether you like them or not." From tomorrow on back to normal again. I did the best I could , during these consecutive holidays. This afternoon went out in our car to go shopping for cat food and cat toilet sand. This evening did some shopping at the usual supermarkets. Tonight have to make tomorrow's teaching plans. Far from relaxing but another busy day after all,

Monday, May 5, 2008 Cloudy

　Our second son has gone back to Tokyo this morning. He stayed with us for five days during the consecutive holidays. He will get back to work the day after tomorrow. I continued to make the second-term OC�Treport today. It is almost done now-just one more page. Later in the evening I finished making it at last. Thank heaven! Tomorrow I think I will just take it easy most of the day. I will have to prepare a little for my classes.

Sunday, May 4, 2008 Cloudy

　First thing in the morning worked on the Super Crossword. Then worked almost all day at home, writing out the yearly plan for helping the newly employed English teacher at work. It was really a hassle. Also finished making half of the OC�Treport for the second term. Really tired now. I will now take it easy and will not work any more.

Saturday, May 3, 2008 Fair

　Last night got back from an overnight trip to my friend's place and the clinic where I was operated on about four years ago. Well, my friend was good as ever and my neck condition was not bad, either, according to the doctor. It sometimes hurts, though, actually. Anyway the MRI examination was something I really hated to receive, but I had to go through that again. I barely made it anyway. Back at home I have to do some work during these consecutive holidays, but I do not feel like it. It is the kind of work I cannot be willing to do. Well, I must face it anyway. Reality is a hard master.