Saturday, July 31, 2010 Fair

　Kind of dillydallied during the day. A very lazy Saturday. At night went out for a walk with my wife and watched tonight's game between the Tigers and the Dragons on TV, which went into extra innings. We are going to see the recording of the next episode of "Ton'i" tomorrow. Today's heat and humidity really got me.

Friday, July 30, 2010 Fair

　A little past six this morning I went out for a walk as usual. Taking a latter half-day off, went to Koshien Stadium with my wife. Today's game between the Tigers and the Dragons lasted from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Anyway my wife, a Tigers fan, seemed to have enjoyed herself. To me, the bleachers were too hard to sit on for so long. I had fun, too, though.

Thursday, July 29, 2010 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.

　It was not too hot today. It was a bit windy, too. Worked my own way on my owan-almost as I planned. There was a teachers' education session, but I did not attend it. The fifth floor was deserted by the time I hit the road , as is often the case. Right now I am trying to think about how better to present new words in class. This is an old topic, but it is not that simple.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Cloduy and rainy.

　Today's morning walk was just three fourths of the usual distance. At work the student I expected did not show up although I had a classroom air conditoned. Worked my own way on my own. The thermometer I put on the wall of the Interview Room today registered 34 degrees Celcius when I got there. Howver, it was rather windy today, so I was able to stand the heat.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 Fair and hot.

　Went to work before nine o'clock for our annual medical checkup. I only have my chest X-rayed and my urine examined, though. Taking the latter half day off, went to the Korean classroom. For the next two weeks there are no Korean classes. It is a relief that I can go to work at the usual time from tomorrow on again. These two days kind of wrecked my circadian rhythm.

Monday, July 26, 2010 Fair

　Reported for work earlier than usual because there was a teachers' education session about sexual and power harassment from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. There are all kinds of harassment, but if somebody takes it as a form of harassment, the other person will be a harasser. Therefore, it can be very subjective. The victim and the harasser may change places. The changes are that bosses often ignore their subordinates' personalities.

Sunday, July 25, 2010 Fair and hot.

　The mercury stood at 33 degrees something Celsius even indoors today. Stayed at home during the day in this hot and humid weather. Our cat also looked tired because of the heat. My wife dried the plums today. I did a little cleaning and listened to the podcasts on my iPod, lying down on the floor. In the evening we took a walk together for an hour or so. Ate supper and ready to see Chejungwon and Ton'i on KNTV.

Saturday, July 24, 2010 Fair

　Got to see the ophthalmologist this morning for a checkup. As it turned out, no serious problem for now. Drove my mother-in-law to her doctor. Bought four conrete blocks to support the new air conditioner. Also purchased some underwear and T-shirts. Took a walk at night with my wife for an hour or so and saw the third episode of "Ton'i" on KNTV.

Friday, July 23, 2010 Fair and extremely hot.

　It was already hot before seven this morning, so my wife suggested I should not be a compulsive walker. I followed her advice. At work, too, around 3:30 p.m. I took shelter from the heat and spent an hour or so in the air-condtioned teachers' room. However, after some time, my body became so cold I did not feel OK. Back up on the fifth floor around five, ate my box supper and read some books for some time. By then it got a bit breezy.

Thursday, July 22, 2010 Fair and hot.

　I wore only a T-shirt and a mesh vest to work because I knew we were having hot weather. I felt rather comfortable today in spite of the heat and humidity. However, it was easy to dehydrate, so I kept hydrating. Even physically sturdy people can be heatstroke victims. Worked in my own way on my own today.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Fair

　Gave students makeups in English. Not many came. I, however, checked over 20 reports. Four of my students came to take their makeup, but only one of them was eligible. There was one who complained and had no manners when I explained. Today it was very hot and humid in the Interview Room. Yesterday I cleaned the sink drain. It had never been cleaned, at least, for eight years.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 Fair

　Had to go to an ophthalmologist, but the one I had today turned out to be a bad one who had no manners and did not know how to speak Japanese. I will never go see him in the future because he never seemed to value anything mental or spiritual. He seemed as if he had a chip on his shoulder. Returned one library book, got an extension on two and checked out two. Went to the Korean classroom and then to work. Marked the Reading exam papers and inputted the results. The fifth foor was deserted after dark.　

Monday, July 19, 2010 Fair

　So hot and humid all day. It was easy to dehydrate. I just kept hydrating. Cleaned the smallest room and also the front door. Had the old air conditioner removed. Cost me 2,000 yen. Also had the old analog TV set disposed of for 1.000 yen. Took a walk at night with my wife although it was still so muggy, Put some old newspaper clippings in order. Bought some underwear and shirts.

Sunday, July 18, 2010 Fair

　Have been to a Kyoto art gallery to see some foreign paintings. Ate okonomi over beer with my wife as soon as we got to the nearest station, from where we walked all the way to the place. The collection we saw this time was not much, but anyway we just enjoyed ourselves chatting along. By the way there wa a sign in front of the building saying "Please wait for a while to enter." But the Korean part on the sign was misspelled. We waitef for 40 minutes or so to enter.

Saturday, July 17, 2010 Fair

　Went to the English conversation school and spent two hours or so chatting in English. There were eight of us including our instructor. Today's subject centered around the gangster-related underground world. Back home ate ramen for lunch and rested for some time. In the evening took a walk with my wife and watched TV together-the first episode of KNTV's Ton'i.

Friday, July 16, 2010 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.

　After finishing the Super Crossword, I walked in the morning a bit later than usual. Then aaw the usual morning serial drama on KBS aand ate an early lunch. . Left home for work at the usual time. Again the JR trains were behind schedule on my way to and back from work. JR trains are not longer punctual. Invigilated two exams. Tried to mark the Reading exam papers, but could not because I did not have enough time. I had a full day as usual.

Thursday, July 15, 2010 Rainy and then cloudy.

　Woke up too early this morning, upsetting my daily schedule. Anyway went out on my daily constitutional. Left for work as usual and worled almost as planned. Put all the English �Texam papers into the envelopes, finished marking OC１exam papers and put them into the envelopes, too. Inputted the exam results into the computer. Printed 100 copies of the sign language club's newpaper.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 Rainy

　Took a walk in the rain this morning. Returned a couple of library books and got an extension on one. On the way to work got soaked in a downpour-my shoes, my socks, my jeans, etc. I have never experienced such a heavy rain on my way to work. The JR trains were delayed again. There were two exams to invigilate. Finished markinng the English �Texam papers anyway. Also checked 15 reports or so. The side school gate was infested with mosquitoes while I was on duty.

Tuesday, July 13, Rainy, occasionally cloudy.

　Drove to the dentist, a bit too early. The entrance was closed. Waited for a while. It was raining. My filling fits all right, so the detal hygienist cleaned my teeth and the treatment ended. Next time I will visit the dentist in six months for a checkup. Then driving back home, left for the sign language club in a hurry. Got some bread and a bottle of sake on the way home. Ate lunch and went to the Korean classroom. In the evening took a walk with my wife for the first time in many days. By the way today is the 30th anniversary of our wedding. It is as if we had gotten married yesterday. A lot of water under the bridge, though.

Monday, July 12, 2010 Rainy, occsionally cloudy.

　Two foreign language study sessions-Korean in the morning and English in the evening. In the meantime, on duty in the teachers' room and invigilated the English �Texam. Checking over 20 reports, no time to mark the exam papers. Also practiced reading English and Korean on my own as usual.(The so-called zettai ondoku advocated by Mr. Kunihiro) These days I do not read English paperbacks, which is not good. Actually, I cannot afford the time.

Sunday, July 11, 2010 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.

　Worked as a STEP examiner all day. The place was a long way away this time, so it was a hassle driving all the way there. Especially on the way back home. I was caught in a traffic jam. There were two native speakers acting as examiners. I have never seen this before, and also there were two Chinese examinees. This is also a sign of the times. Went to the polls to vote in the Upper House election and drove to Joshin to get two courtesy baseball tickets.

Saturday, July 10, 2010 Fair

　Drove my wife's mother to and from her doctor's office. Ate noodles for lunch at the drive-in noodle shop with my wife then tried driving over to a certain university to see where it is located and how long it takes to get there. On the way home bought some daily necessities, a stopwatch, and a toilet rubber ball stopper. Killed a long-legged wasp at the parking space with the insecticide.

Friday, July 9, 2010 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.

　Walked for half an hour or so this morning in a drizzling rain. The weather was rather cool today. At work invigilated one exam and checked 25 reports or so. Went to Korea Town to buy ramen to send to our second son and two pairs of Korean indoor socks for my wife. Mother must be back in Osaka by now from her mother's funeral. After all, we all die. Just keep smiling until then, otherwise life is so much more painful. Believe in the power of a smile.

Thursday, July 8, 2010 Fair

　When I got to the nearest station from home, there was an announcement. The trains were not running because of an accident( probably somebody jumped in front of a train to commit suicide). These days train suicides occur so often we seem to be getting numb to them. Anyway I got on the express train stopping at the station. I got to work some forty minutes late and handed a late arrival slip to one of the bosses. Visited the fire station with a colleague for the September fire drills.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.

　After taking a walk and a shower, went to the library to check in one book and out two. Back home, ate lunch watching the usual Korean drama on KBS. At work, checked 10 reports or so, helped a student with her reports, and did the pre-test cleaning. Studied English and Korean on my own. I was so sleepy during the day I could not concentrate.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 Cloudy

　Walked for half the usual distance, went to the dentist, and then to the sign language club. On the way got bread at the supermarket. Coming back home, ate lunch and left for the Korean language class. After that, hurried to work. At work corrected 10 reports or so.. Helped a student with her reports. At home three new air conditoners have been installed today.

Monday, July 5, 2010 Cloudy and then fair.

　My grandmother died yesterday. She was an centenarian. Mom flew over to Kagoshima for the funeral. Spent the day almost as planned. Had a Korean study session in the morning. Checked some reports. Did a little reading. Jotted down the schedule for the sencond term in my pocket calendar and on the desk calendar..Had an English study session in the eveing with a friend.

Sunday, July 4, 2010 Cloudy and then fair.

　After the usual morning walk, did the pruning and weeding in the backyard with my wife using pruning shears. I gathered the weeds pulled out and cut twigs into six plastic bags. I perspired so much. Taking a showe, ate lunch and took an afternoon nap. Also washed my sneakers. These days, especially in the summer, my eyes are getting dim, so today I bought an eye lotion again. Bought okonomi and beer for supper at the supermarket. Tonight I am going to watch Chejunguon, a KBS drama, and go to bed.

Saturday, July 3, 2010 Rainy

　Took a walk in the rain this morning, took a shower and went to the English conversation school. Back home around one o'clock in the afternoon, ate lunch with the family, my wife and our son. The day after tomorrow he is going to a city in the Kanto area for training for one month . My wife and I went to the usual electric appliances store to buy three air-conditioners. On the way back ate noodles for supper.

Friday, July 2, 2010 Cloudy

　The blister on the toe still hurts, but I took a walk this morning anyway. Then did the Super Crossword, saw the KBS drama, and left for work. At work I worked my own way, teaching the last class this term, helping with the sign language club, and checking around 30 reports. Felt as if I were taking a steam bath in the room, but it would be better than in an overly cold air-conditioned room.

Thursday, July 1, 2010 Fair

　I have a blister on my left little toe and makes it a problem to walk. Should I prick it? Or just put a Band-Aid on it? Again made a mistake in the sheet I handed in at the time of the staff meeting. What a poor hand with figures! Showed the fire drill draft at the Student Council teachers' meeting. One of the clerks will be in charge of the emergency alarm and the warning on the PA.