Wednesday, March 31, 2010 Cloudy

　Went to see our home doctor. My symptoms are those of food poisoning. Therefore, such medicine was prescribed. I decided not to go to work today, calling the boss. I said I might not be able to report for work tomorrow, either. All day in bed. Sometimes our cat came and rested by my side. My wife enjoys watching baseballs. I still hurt here and there-muscular pain. I feel dull, too. The body temperature is 37.0 degrees Celcisu and over.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Cloudy

　Last night my wife and I got back to Japan from our three-day trip to Jeju Island, Korea. Waking up early last Saturday morning, we only had a local train and we almost missed the station where we had to change trains. However, thanks to my quick decision and action, we made it anyway. It all happend within 0.1 seconds. I took out the heavy suitcase and my knapsack before I knew it. A miracle. The trip was enjoyable by and large. Went to work this afternoon, but my joints and muscles began to hurt. I caught cold possibly from my son or from somewhere in Jeju. I am not sure. I had diarrhea, too.

(Monday, March 29, 2010 Fair) Day three of our three day Jeju trip)

　We ate abalone gruel(chonbokchuk) for breakfast. Then visited a traditional village, Park Southern Land(where Yong-sama's movie was filmed), and finally Soptiguji( famous for the movie (ALL IN). We ddid some shopping in Jeju City. Then off to the airport. It only took one hour and 15 minutes to get back to Japan. When we landed at KIX, it was terrubly cold. We came back home around ten.

(Sunday, March 28, 2010 Fair) Day two of our three-day trip to Jeju)

　Today we were on our own. We first took a walk along the beach. Sitting on a bench there, we had a splendid view. At the end of this morning walk, we bought some mikan and took a break. Then I realized I had read my map wrongly, so we had to change our plan. A taxi came by as we started to walk. I negotinated with him and decided to use his taxi at a very reasonable price. First, we tried horseback riding for the first time in our life. Then we went to a museum. Then to a sashimi house for lunch. Next we rode a ATH(all terrain vehicle) for the frist time. Then to a small amusement park. We went for a submarine ride, too. Finally, we enjoyed a show. We had a full day.

(Saturday, March 27, 2010 Fair) Day one of our three-day Jeju trip.

　We left home before 5:30 a.m. , taking a local train and rode past the station where we were supposed to change trains. Got to the airport well in time, going to the travel agency's desk for air tickets and then standing in line to check the baggage in and get boarding tickets. Began our departure formalities around 7:30 a.m. I had to take off my vest, too, and an officer frisked me. Our take-off was smooth. During the flight the two behind us just kept chatting. They seemed like teachers. Landing at Jeju safely and going three the entry formalities, went over to the baggage claim area, where I met a couple I know. They were auditors at our school. I taught them English. The wife is originally from Soguipo, Jeju. A small world! Visited Somsonghyol, Yakuchonsa, Chonjeyonpolpo, and Jusangjoruri, we wen to Jeju Silla Hotel. (During the itineary, we ate black pork karubi for lunch.)

Friday, March 26, 2010 Fair

　It cleared up but very windy today. Last night prepared for the trip and went to bed. However, I had trouble sleeping. Although I slept little, woke up at the usual time and went out for a walk. At work helped one more homeroom kid do the sign-up procedure. Took about an hour. Correceted some errors in the school records. On the way home broke my journey and bought kaitenyaki at Gozasoro.

Thursday, March 25, 2010 Rainy and then cloudy.

　As it was rainy and cold, I decided not to take a walk this morning. At work called the homeroom student and corrected the information on the computer. Worked again on settlement of Student Council accounts. Almost done, but this will get into April probably. Did a lot of thinking about this and that in the English Interview Room on the fifth floor. Read a little on the way home on the trains.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 Rainy

　Retuned a library book on the way to school. The weather was wet all day today-a lousy cold rain. I had to call a homeroom student to have him chage one of the subjects he is taking next school year.. Began to check all the Student Council accounts. It is going to take some time. Took a couple of hours off and came back home and found our son already sleeping in bed. He worked overnight last night and something bad seems to have happened yeaterday at work. Too bad. My heart feels heavy, too, to hear that.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 Rainy

　Did the radio exercises and took a morning walk as usual. Then after taking a shower, went to the sign langugage club's weekly meeting. On the way back bought bread, sweet rolls, rose hip tea, yoghurt, and celery. Eating lunch, went to the Korean class's last session. I got full marks in the test for the third straight time. Then went to work. Today I took a first half day off. Sent mail to homeroom students. Took care of a colleague's homeroom students' mail, too. Took me over two hours.

Monday, March 22, 2010 Cloudy

　Finished reding a book written by Takeuchi Seiichi. It talks about why we Japanese say sayonara when we part from each other. I am having a review test tomorrow in the Korean classroom, so I am studying for it. It takes time and is tiring. This weekend my wife and I are taking a trip to Jeju Island, so I did some research today.To my regret, I found our hotel is not in Jeju City.

Sunday, March 21, 2010 Fair

　Took a morning walk a bit later than usual. It was so windy I had to change the route. Could not listen to all the programs on my iPod while walking. Had a money transfer form sent, so went to the nearest convenience store to pay the money. Did some shopping, too. Although I was thinking of reviewing the Korean text, I did not do it. I was in no mood to study.

Saturday, March 20, 2010 Fair and then cloudy and so very windy.

　Went the English conversation school. There were ten people present, including our instructor. Our talk centered arounf tuna. This afternoon a very strong wind began to blow. It is still howling outside. I felt so sleepy today I lay down from time to time. Because of the strong wind, my wife and I decided not to take a walk this evening.

Friday, March 19, 2010 Cloudy

　Started the day with my daily routine. Took my morning walk as usual after doing the radio exercises.Got Takeoka Nobuhiro's book at the convenience store. Unable to pay with Edy. The last day of Entrance Exam Schedule B. Interviewed as many as 20 examinees from 3:00 p.m. until 7:10 p.m. Dog-tired. Last night our son got back home dead drunk well after midnight. He was a mess. Shame on him!!!

Thursday, March 18, 2010 Cloudy

　At work called two homeroom students about changing to the nighttime section. Inteviewed one examinee after another between 3:30 p.m. and a little past six o'clock. Resumed after a 15-minute break. What a day! Now reading a book written by the late Kawai Hayao. I am under the impression that , our ego has doors leaing to our subconsciousness. The subconscious is referred to as "Es" in Jungian psychology. It means "it." If too many of these doors open, we go mad. However, none open, our life is boring. As I often say, it is a question of degree.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Fair

　There was a long extra staff meeting about the tuition-free high school legislation. Should this apply to high-school level Korean schools related to North Korea in Japan? It is hard to reach a consensus on this because if a vote is taken by force, it goes too far. This is a very delicate matter. Today's judgement conference went very smoothly. I contacted a homeroom student about her free-text application.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Cloudy

　A makeup holiday for this past Sunday. Did not go to the sign language club because I had to study for today's test in Korean at the Korean language school, Handed 90 copies of the sign language club's newspaper to a member who happened to pass by me, and I went shopping at the supermarket. Then went to the library and checked out a reserved book. On the way to my Korean class I was so sleepy. Come to think of it, I woked on the Super Crossword last night around midnight.

Monday, March 15, 2010 Cloudy and then rainy.

　It was a bit cold in the evening, but when I got on the train, it was hot. At work interviewed 13 examinees like yesterday and last Friday. I kept calling a homeroom student but the telephone was out of reach or switched off, so I called her home. One of her papers was not what it should be. I also called another. The school records for my homeroom students have all been filled out. This morning's walk was very smooth. I could enjoy that. I used Edy today, too.

Sunday, March 14, 2010 Cloudy

　As the weatherman said, it was rather warm today. Pollen must be wafting around a lot. Our son complained about that. The student's grade has been changed, much to my regret. I hope both parties are O.K. Used Edy for the first time at the supermarket. The receipt said there is Edy membership, too. I will ask about it next time. Then I can get1.2 times as many 'service points.'

Saturday, March 13, 2010 Cloudy

　Took a morning walk as usual. Drove my mother-in-law to her doctor. Ate lunch and took a very long afternoon nap. I must rest well on a holiday like today. The seial Korean drama "Queen Sondok" in the evening. Listened to the late Kawai Hayao's lecture on Youtube. He was a genius in the area of psychology. I saw him for the first time about 20 years ago at the Shitennoji Temple.

Friday, March 12, 2010 Cloudy

　Day one of the exam period. Interviewed 12 examinees. Printed out the final results and put my stamp on them. Something serious happened to a homeroom student's grades. Hope the teacher in charge will manage that all right. The other treasurer in charge acted just as I was afraid he would. I wonder if he read my message written in English. The weather today was not as warm as the weatherman said.

Thursday, March 11, 2010 Cloudy and fair.

　Took a morning walk as usal although today was a day off, watched KBS's morning serial drama, took a nap, ate lunch, and went to one of the supermarkets near the station to buy canned cat food with my wife. Then went to Uniqlo to buy a pair of pants for my wife. Bought sushi for supper. I am thinking of using Edy. My wife is doing all the necessary setup and procedure on my cellphone.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Rainy and cloudy.

　Last day of the application period. At work the homeroom money account was due today, but the one in chage was absent. The job came to me with someone making a biting remark. This guy often absents himself when he has something to attend to. Next I had to call a homeroom student who had not handed in some of his reports. So I did, but he would not show up. I waited and waited, contacting the two teachers who were to check the reports when he finally came. Third my mind was in such a flurry because of this busy and restless situation I left my pocket calendar and library book on the desk in the staff room on the second floor. I hope they will be still there the day after tomorrow( Tomorrow is a substitute holiday.) I really had bad luck today. On the way home, I had to buy hokaben because my wife was not feeling well.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Rainy

　Day three but I was off today. But went to work anyway and took care of two students, Reading and English �T. I kept calling a homeroom stuident in vain. While on the train, got a call from another homeroom student. Later sent her a necessary form. In the morning had to go to the darmatologist, so I was not able to go to the sign language club's weekly meeting. Went to the supermarket to buy some bread after returning two library books and cheking one out.

Monday, March 8, 2010 Cloudy and cold.

　Day two of the application period. I was a checker for junior high female graduates. Very busy at first. Later not so busy and could shoot the breeze. However, somebody cracked down on us with a clap of the hands. He did it O.K., but he could have said,"Sh!." I think I was just listening to the other person talking loudly, but he was not alone chattering. His voice just carries well. Does the end justify the means?

Sunday, March 7, 2010 Rainy

　Day one of the application period. After this work came two students. One handed in his assignments, and the other took his retest and took his assignment home. Another called in, saying she would not come. Finished reading another book. It says that sadness can help feel a sense of eternity. Human beings are vessels of sadness which contain both lmits and enternity, which causes the discrepancy of our existence.

Saturady, March 6, 2010 Rainy and cloudy.

　I was at home today except when I went to the English conversation school in the morning. In the afternoon I took a nap, woke up, and listened to the Brothers Four on YouTube.. After eating supper, watched KNTV's Queen Sondok . From what I read recently, I have realized that there are three kinds of attitude toward life-sentimentalism, realism, and romaticism., and without romaticism you will never try to learn something new. Sentimetalism means to relive your past thinking of those who are already dead and gone. Both are necessary to empower your realism, that is, to live now.

Friday, March 5, 2010 Cloudy

　Several students came to see me with their reports. One of them took his makeup. Made some phone calls to a few students about their English. The Entrance Exam Committee were setting up some rooms for the entrance exams. Back home I felt like listening to Nakajima Miyuki, who is my age. Her songs bring back the Showa era. I get somewhat sentimental. I have a chill now. I may have caught cold. The temperature goes up and down drastically these days.. My system cannot keep up.

Thursday, March 4, 2010 Rainy

　There was an information meeting about the coming entrance exams. It lasted for two and a half hours. Three students came. One took her makeup. Another handed in her assignment. The other stayed for four hours or so and almost finished his reports. The bosses interviewed me for their assessment. I do not approve of this system. This is a bad system-part of globalization brought about partly by Koizumi's reform.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Cloudy

　Expected three students, but only one of them came. Another called me, cancelling today's appointment, as he often did in the past. Although called the other, no answer, as is often the case with this one. Still another student came with her reports. Received three reports from a student. Most of these students put their part-time job before their schoolwork.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Cloudy

　Waking up in the wee hours of the morning, wokred on the Super Crossword. Off to the sign language club in the morning after getting an extension on a library book. On the way home shopped for some bread. Eating lunch, headed for the Korean language school, where I made a little speech in Korean in class. That was successful.

Monday, March 1, 2010 Cloudy and then rainy.

　A Korean study session in the morning as usual, but we will not have any session for a while because of the entrance exam season. A phone call from tje Reading student at last. The English �Tstudent who said she would come today did not show up, so I called her, who was working part-time then. She will come the day after tomorrow. Filled in the school records again. Prepared the OC�Tschedule for the first-term reports although it is subject to change.