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Published: November 6th 2007
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which will be expanded into their own separate entries eventually....
It's been way too long since I've updated! I guess the last big event was the speech contest, but since then, I've definitely been keeping busy.
Let's begin with my typical weekly schedule. On Mondays and Thursdays I have play rehearsal with Viva Theatre! Yes, we are back and this time, with a musical. Little Shop of Horrors. For those of you who knew me back in high school, remember when I was Ronnette in this musical? This time, I'm Crystal. I'm excited and of course, worried because this production will not be easy. The plant construction, the songs, the tiny stage...so many things to think about, but we are going to try our hardest and put on a great show!
Tuesday nights, I'm learning shuha (Japanese sign language) with some other ALTs and our teacher is one of the English teachers at the deaf school here in Tottori. It's fun and actually helps me remember Japanese words because being able to connect an action to them is great and really makes sense most of the time. Plus you never know when you'll need to bust out some
how much for a can of soup?
that's about $8 at the foreign food store in Osaka shuha. I randomly met that group of deaf boys in Yonago last year, if I were to meet them again, I might be able to carry on a more interesting conversation.
Wednesdays are my one on one Japanese tutoring sessions in Koyama, the next town over. I'm slowly starting to study for the level 3 Japanese Proficiency Test that I'm aiming to take next year. This means I've started learning kanji and grammar.....I really don't like grammar, but it's necessary if I want my sentences to be coherent, oh and to pass the test too.
That covers each weeknight, Fridays are usually up in the air depending on what's going on that weekend. My weekends have been hectic lately. I went to Yonago during the last three-day weekend to catch up with my Asians on that side of the prefecture. A couple weekends ago, I went to Kansai Rainbow Pride in Osaka with said Asians from Yonago/Matsue. It was awesome, will need to do a separate entry for that weekend fo sho! There have also been a lot of big group Tottori ALT gatherings in Funaoka where Jimmy (one of the new ALTs) lives. He has a house
so can accommodate a large group of us. We've been into potlucks recently which means I need to brush up on my non-existent cooking skills.
Among recent trips have been a weekend in Tokyo with my cousin and her family back in September and also a weekend in Seoul with my friend Ellen who is now teaching in Korea. I really want to go back to Korea...saving up to visit again next year! Upcoming trip....winter break in INDIA! I've already paid for the plane ticket (I'm on a tight budget for the next couple months) and now have to work on getting the visa. I'm a little apprehensive, but I have an open mind and am definitely doing my research before leaving.
On the work front...some days are good, some days are just ok, some days I get really frustrated with students. One of the things I've also realized is that the big change that happened this year with the schools being switched around definitely has affected me more than a I let on. I never got to properly say goodbye to my co-workers and students at my big school last year so I feel like something is
unfinished there. No ceremony in front of the school, no goodbye speeches. I also didn't leave Japan which is when ALTs are usually changed. When I see my old students or old co-workers, I do miss them and wonder what it would have been like if I were to stay at that school. I definitely saw myself building better relationships with them and I am sad I didn't get a chance to do that.
On the upside, I got to stay at my small school, which I love as well. AND I gained a new school that I'm growing to love despite the challenges. Bunkasai (cultural festival) just finished and I actually felt like I was a part of the school because I was really involved. That calls for another entry as well. Took a lot of photos and videos. Getting sleepy finally so I'll wrap this update up. I do promise to do more detailed entries soon! Hope my parents got their internet back too...
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Susan
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INDIA?
I didn't know you were going to go to India? Where? When? With who?