Thursday, November 29, 2012 Cloudy
Took a half-day off and came back home. On the way bought two pork cutlet
bento at the usual department. Looks like the management is bringing further
pressure on us teachers. What for? They must be control freaks. Can unhappy
teachers produce happy students? At any rate I am retiring soon, but what
will become of high school education here?
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Cloufy
Three classes to teach in a row. Corrected around 30 reports, which took
me quite some time. These days I jog to and from the station as well with
my rucksacj on my back. Back home drank wine. When I tried to open the
bottle, I cut my right forefinger by mistake. Too bad. The air is too dry.
That is why.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012 Cloudy
It is really a long way to the Korean language school. It takes up half
of the day. Quite tiring. Today our instructor said, "In one gulp"
or "chug" in Korean-"one shot." She said,"It is
'bottoms up' in Enlgish, isn't It?" Bought bento at the usual department
for supper.
Monday, November 26, 2012 Rainy
At work two classes to teach and about 20 reports to check. One makeup
to give. Had a Korean study session as well. Did some reading on the way
home on the usual local train for 30 minutes or so. The train ride is worth
it. Today handed in the pension-related papers after going to the bank
to get their seal. What a hassle!
Sunday, November 25, 2012 Cloudy
A workday. Worked on my own my own way by using little chunks of time
rather wisely. Had an English study session with my Korean friend, too.
The Reading student who had promised to come did not show up. This morning
I went jogging, but my body felt heavy, so I quit it in the middle, which
was a wise decision becuase it was quite cold this morning
Saturday, November 24, 2012 Cloudy
Yesterday drove around shopping with my wife and her mother. Bought a
new gas fan heater, some underwear, some socks, some shirts, etc. This
car I drove will be gone next week because it belongs to our son. So, we
will cancel the parking space soon. Today almost finished the fisrt stage
of the procedure for my retirement. Still need to go to the bank to get
their seal. What a hassle!
Thursday, November 22, 2012 Cloudy
It has been a long day-a staff meeting, a health department teachers'
meeting, and so on. The workplace climate is dismal as usual-a generation
gap, a sense of alienation, etc.
Wednesday, November 21,2012 Fair
Been rather busy today at work. Two classes to teach. Had a couple of
unruly and noisy kids who would not listen. This does not happen so often
at this school, but sometimes it does. One meeting to attend and one student
to help with her report, which took up my break between hours. Maybe that
is why I got so exhausted today. No breathing space.
Tuesay, November 20, 2012 Cloudy
Been to the Korean classroom. Things were OK today. The more you learn
a foreign language, the harder it becomes in a way. At night saw some recodrings
of a Chinese and a Korean drama. Yesterday took me some time to prepare
a transcript for a homeroom student, a gate crasher. Gave a student her
makeup, too. Well, it was an OK day.
Sunday, November 18, 2012 Cloudy
Again my wife keeps coughing. I bought bento for supper for us on the
way home from work. At work sent my homeroom kids their interim second-term
grades. Gave an English Ⅰstudent a makeup. Sit in on a Chinese class.
Saturday, November 17, 2012 Rainy
Yesterday was tiring. Visited a colleague' English class. He was doing
fine. Given a retirement pension procedure envelope. It has begun. Today
had a flu shot for 3.000 yen. Began reading about the retirement procedure.
Complicated.
Thursday, November 15, 2012 Cloudy
Woke up a bit late this morning and went jogging. At work there were
two meetings. One was a lecture by a Japanese war orphan in China for us
teachers ( I was also in charge.) , and the other a meeting in support
of a colleague. Prepared a lesson handout as usual.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 Cloudy, occasionally rainy.
The temperature dropped at night, when I left for home. Whilte waiting
for my trains, I felt rather cold. Two classes to take care of at work
today. Around 20 reports to check. Preparations for tomorrow's Human Rights
Education for teachers. Went slow-jogging, too. In the morning I usually
do some household chores such as cleaning, taking out the garbage, and
taking care of the cats.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Cludy, rainy and thundering.
Next year Osakan public teachers will be evaluated by their students,
too. It is not a bad idea in itself. However, it is going to be reflected
in our pay as well, which is not necessarily good in the world of teachers.
Now education is a service, something you buy and sell. Students are customers.
So, every possible service must be done for customer or student satisfaction.
In a decade or two this prefectire may be ruined. No, it has already been...
Education is values, not something mercenary.
Monday, November 12, 2012 Fair
In no mood to go to work before leaving home. The first period was OCⅠ,
in which participation was not as good as ever this year in terms of pair
work. However, they are doing OK anyway. Although I still study Chinese,
I never seem to learn it. It is the kind of language that does not grow
on me.
Sunday, November 11, 2012 Cloudy and rainy.
Went out in our son's car to buy cat food and vegetables. Our first-born
son will come and get his car tomorrow and we will have no car. Have to
cancel our parking lot contract.
Saturday, November 10, 2012 Fair
Helped disposed of the rest of the bulky trash, including three pieces
of furniture such as a bed, a shoe rack and a cupboard. It took the five
us over three hours anc cost around 20.000 yen to have all that pulverlized.
Tired, took a long afternoon nap.
Friday, November 9, 2012 Fair
Had two of the bosses visiting my English Ⅰclass in the third period.
The place was full. The seating capacity of the classroom was 47 while
I had 50 students plus those two management persons. Over 20 reports to
check. I had a full day.
Thursday, November 8, 2012 Fair
Took the latter half-day off and came home. Fatigue has piled up over
the weekend, when our son's wedding was held. Yesterday gave some students
their retests.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012 Rainy and cloudy.
Been to the Korean classroom. Although I sent my first-born son a mail,
I haven't heard a word in reply. Hope no news is good news. Left out of
the loop since the wedding ceremony. Wondered if everything went well after
the wedding and texted him a message.
Monday, November 5, 2012 Cloudy
Gave some students their makeups. Did some reading. Also went slow jogging
with the usual colleagues.
Sunday, November 4, 2012 Fair
Glad our first-born son's wedding is over. My thanks-giving speech was
OK. The weather was OK, too. Well, that was more or less a success. Over
the weekend busy correcting the speech and memorizing it. My voice became
hoarse as a result. On Friday, I talked honestly with one of the bosses,
but his reaction was sort of like blackmail, self-defensive, which was
disappointing and indicative of the general nature of bosses these days.
Thursday, November 1, 2012 Cloudy
Had to correct my attendance log. I inputted the way I used to do before
this system was begun. Then I made a mistake. Although part of the blame
is theirs for lack of their detailed explanation, I refrained from pointing
it out to them. It is like talking to a brick wall. Futile! Yesterday just
marked the Reading exam papers and inputted the results.