11/11/11 (+)
It's weekends like the past one that remind me that although some things may suck, I really do have an awesome life and wonderful friends.
Friday was the Osaki Area Teacher study day, so only 3 classes. After which, all the teachers would leave for various workshops/conferences/etc. I, not wanting to be alone in the staff room with Creepy McAwkwardness (aka the new male secretary), decided I'd take the afternoon off and go riding. I wasn't supposed to have any classes, but the 5th-grade teacher asked between 1st and 2nd period if I wanted to do English and I of course said yes. When I walked into the classroom at the end of morning break, all the 5th graders were waiting for me, and started singing 'Happy Birthday' - in English - when they saw me! One of the girls had also drawn me a picture. Reason number 35914211 why I love this town and will be a wreck when I leave!
After class and the other teachers left, it was me, Creepy McAwkwardness and the head lunch lady, Waka-san (who was also leaving early haha). She divulged that she'd made something for me - a pie! It was small so she'd waited 'til everyone else was gone, and then brought it out after we ate lunch.
Riding was, as always, lovely (I rode the tiny pony I've been training, Azuki, and jumped her for her second time ever - and she was such a champ!), and then I dashed home to shower and change for dinner with the Kami Kids. Sadly, Rice Field was closed, so we went to get okonomiyaki instead, which was also lovely. I even got presents! Lauren gave me this hilarious "Whipness" exercise video set (no I haven't watched it yet, and yes it came with a whip!), I got 2 books by Natsume Soseki (in the original, which I've been meaning to read!) from Caleb, cake from Harold... all really thoughtful gifts <3 add to that the company and dinner, it made for a great evening.
Saturday I went to Sendai to hang out with Emily and Shannon - Emily said we needed to revive the J-House tradition of going to ColdStone on my birthday ^.~ so we did - I got this AMAZING darjeeling tea/apple pie ice cream, SO good, and we discussed travel plans for winter break (we might be going to Greece! Will know this evening if we can book everything!) and I also got my hair cut! After that I had to dash though, because one of my teachers from my new school, Hayasaka-sensei, had invited me (or rather, her daughter e-mailed and invited me ^.^) to their house for dinner... and *they* had a cake! I had so much delicious food this weekend! We did 手巻き寿司 (hand-rolled sushi), and although it was a little odd at first to be sitting with a half-dozen people I didn't know celebrating my birthday, everyone was really nice and I ended up staying there until 11:30! I had to work Sunday morning though, so I left once I realized how late it'd gotten. I'd almost gotten home, maybe 7-8km away, when the battery light went on in my car! This is what, now the 8th time? So annoying. As soon as it went on, I immediately shut the heat, window defroster and music off, and gunned the engine, wanting to get home before it gave out. Blatantly ran the one last red light (before when I've stopped my car has died at the light so... I did check and make sure no one was coming though!), and as I made one of the final turns I noticed my headlights dimming. By the time I pulled into the driveway, they were almost out!
Sunday I had my school's 文化祭 ('Culture Festival' - the kids do skits/songs/etc for the parents), so was up early and went to see if my car would start. No dice. I called my school to let them know, then my mechanic (who was in Akita but said he'd send someone out to look at it later in the day), and ended up begging a ride from Lauren - thank god she's an early riser! - then got a ride home from Yukiko-sensei, who also gave me a ride to the party that evening. Besides the principal and vice-principal (AGAIN) trying to set up me and Creepy McAwkwardness, it was a great night talking to everyone. Came home and got to sleep in for the first time in a while, since we got today (Mon) off as compensation.
I called the mechanic today since he never checked in with me yesterday - apparently someone had been by and had changed the alternator belt, which had either been tearing or tore, but said I should come in and get a new belt and he'd also change the alternator. I have a loaner, but he said it'd be ready tomorrow. I really hope this fixes everything - I mean, what if my car breaks down in the middle of a blizzard this winter?! Fingers crossed!
Friday was the Osaki Area Teacher study day, so only 3 classes. After which, all the teachers would leave for various workshops/conferences/etc. I, not wanting to be alone in the staff room with Creepy McAwkwardness (aka the new male secretary), decided I'd take the afternoon off and go riding. I wasn't supposed to have any classes, but the 5th-grade teacher asked between 1st and 2nd period if I wanted to do English and I of course said yes. When I walked into the classroom at the end of morning break, all the 5th graders were waiting for me, and started singing 'Happy Birthday' - in English - when they saw me! One of the girls had also drawn me a picture. Reason number 35914211 why I love this town and will be a wreck when I leave!
After class and the other teachers left, it was me, Creepy McAwkwardness and the head lunch lady, Waka-san (who was also leaving early haha). She divulged that she'd made something for me - a pie! It was small so she'd waited 'til everyone else was gone, and then brought it out after we ate lunch.
Riding was, as always, lovely (I rode the tiny pony I've been training, Azuki, and jumped her for her second time ever - and she was such a champ!), and then I dashed home to shower and change for dinner with the Kami Kids. Sadly, Rice Field was closed, so we went to get okonomiyaki instead, which was also lovely. I even got presents! Lauren gave me this hilarious "Whipness" exercise video set (no I haven't watched it yet, and yes it came with a whip!), I got 2 books by Natsume Soseki (in the original, which I've been meaning to read!) from Caleb, cake from Harold... all really thoughtful gifts <3 add to that the company and dinner, it made for a great evening.
Saturday I went to Sendai to hang out with Emily and Shannon - Emily said we needed to revive the J-House tradition of going to ColdStone on my birthday ^.~ so we did - I got this AMAZING darjeeling tea/apple pie ice cream, SO good, and we discussed travel plans for winter break (we might be going to Greece! Will know this evening if we can book everything!) and I also got my hair cut! After that I had to dash though, because one of my teachers from my new school, Hayasaka-sensei, had invited me (or rather, her daughter e-mailed and invited me ^.^) to their house for dinner... and *they* had a cake! I had so much delicious food this weekend! We did 手巻き寿司 (hand-rolled sushi), and although it was a little odd at first to be sitting with a half-dozen people I didn't know celebrating my birthday, everyone was really nice and I ended up staying there until 11:30! I had to work Sunday morning though, so I left once I realized how late it'd gotten. I'd almost gotten home, maybe 7-8km away, when the battery light went on in my car! This is what, now the 8th time? So annoying. As soon as it went on, I immediately shut the heat, window defroster and music off, and gunned the engine, wanting to get home before it gave out. Blatantly ran the one last red light (before when I've stopped my car has died at the light so... I did check and make sure no one was coming though!), and as I made one of the final turns I noticed my headlights dimming. By the time I pulled into the driveway, they were almost out!
Sunday I had my school's 文化祭 ('Culture Festival' - the kids do skits/songs/etc for the parents), so was up early and went to see if my car would start. No dice. I called my school to let them know, then my mechanic (who was in Akita but said he'd send someone out to look at it later in the day), and ended up begging a ride from Lauren - thank god she's an early riser! - then got a ride home from Yukiko-sensei, who also gave me a ride to the party that evening. Besides the principal and vice-principal (AGAIN) trying to set up me and Creepy McAwkwardness, it was a great night talking to everyone. Came home and got to sleep in for the first time in a while, since we got today (Mon) off as compensation.
I called the mechanic today since he never checked in with me yesterday - apparently someone had been by and had changed the alternator belt, which had either been tearing or tore, but said I should come in and get a new belt and he'd also change the alternator. I have a loaner, but he said it'd be ready tomorrow. I really hope this fixes everything - I mean, what if my car breaks down in the middle of a blizzard this winter?! Fingers crossed!