Well I wasn't in a panic about the dentist on Friday but only because I cancelled! It wasn't just a case of cold feet, I really did feel lousy up until the day before and didn't want to have to phone in and cancel at the last minute. As is always the way, I started to feel better but I now have to go on Thursday 4th instead so panic has just been delayed.
Today was supposed to be the sports day for the 3 local elementary schools but they too were cancelled because of rain. They'll be held on Tuesday but of course that just happens to be the day I have the nursery school classes and since I'm already taking 3 weeks off this month, I'll have to go in. I'll go to the school before and after though and Setsuo said he'll also take time off to go. Since it's K's last sports day at the school it's a bit disappointing but can't be helped. I think Setsuo's sister will also come.
Today I had great intentions of cleaning the house but sat watching DVD's all morning and then dithered and dathered with the result that nothing got done. No doubt it will all be a mad rush to get the place tidy before Mum and Dad arrive but that seems to be the way I work these days. In the afternoon I went to the new building to take photos but because my friend also came along, I only got two. The tiling of the entrance way has started and one post is now finished so I did get a photo of that at least (plus the ceiling bit that Setsuo wanted taken). I'll put it up tomorrow since the cable is in my office. The painters were also in and preparing the walls of the stairways. Once the weather picks up, they will start on the outside of the house and then move indoors. Next week there should be plenty of action with painters, tilers, paperers, men putting in the kitchen and also the air-conditioners. Now we only need to finalise what colour we want the stairway walls, the stairs themselves and also pick out lights/curtains for the 3rd floor. I think we should finally be finished then!
Tomorrow is my worst teaching day - 2pm until 8.30 pm with just over 30 minutes for dinner. I've already made a curry so it just needs to be heated up and if I am rushed, I won't even come home until after the lessons are finished. These days we seem to be eating later and later. Ka is usually not home until after 7.30 (nearer 8pm) most days so rather than have her eat alone, I try to hang off until she is back. It's hard for K though and I feel a bit sorry for him having to wait that long but we only have until January to eat together since Ka will be away to N Zealand and then once HE goes into the high school, it'll be HIM we are waiting for! I can hardly believe there is only just over 3 months until we will be down to one child in the house. From going from a house full of people, it's going to be pretty lonely, especially since I'll be the only female in the house - changed days! Anyway, that's not for a long while yet so no point in thinking too much about it (although since we had to pay for it last week, it's kind of brought it more into focus).
Sunday, 30 September 2007
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Thursday 27th September
I've been feeling lousy for the last couple of days - sore back, feeling sick and general tiredness - but today is a bit of an improvement, probably because I was in bed by 9pm last night. I would have stayed at home this morning but I had a rep from one of the Publishers coming this morning to show me some textbooks. This is the first time they have contacted ME for a visit so I am obviously moving up the ladder in some way. Actually, I've met the guy who came before. Last year after the big teaching expo we all went out for a drink and he and another rep were at the same table. All of us were pretty drunk and he was chatting A up big-time! A had come to help us and he didn't realise I was her mother! Each time I've seen him at the publishing presentations, he has been rather embarassed but this was the first time for us to be one-to-one! He's actually quite a nice guy from Ireland and I got a lot of advice AND sample books plus he'll send some more books and flashcards. I'm really happy about the flashcards because they are soooo expensive, usually about 30-50 pounds a set. It was a nice way to spend an hour!
Nothing much else has been happening and I haven't been to the house although know that the tiling of the entrance will start soon. I've already sent out the letters to students tellng them we will be in there from the beginning of November and that I'll be on holiday for the last 2 weeks in October so 'the move' is now decided.
I also finally made an appointment at the dentist - tomorrow! The dentist has been hounding Setsuo to get me to go and I've put it off for about 2 years now with the result that I have one rotten tooth which I know will need to be taken out. I know I should have gone earlier but my fear of dentists is still as strong as ever. Whenever I sit in the chair, I'm incapable of making even small talk and just going to make the appointment had me quaking. 9 o'clock tomorrow morning, I'll be in a panic!
Nothing much else has been happening and I haven't been to the house although know that the tiling of the entrance will start soon. I've already sent out the letters to students tellng them we will be in there from the beginning of November and that I'll be on holiday for the last 2 weeks in October so 'the move' is now decided.
I also finally made an appointment at the dentist - tomorrow! The dentist has been hounding Setsuo to get me to go and I've put it off for about 2 years now with the result that I have one rotten tooth which I know will need to be taken out. I know I should have gone earlier but my fear of dentists is still as strong as ever. Whenever I sit in the chair, I'm incapable of making even small talk and just going to make the appointment had me quaking. 9 o'clock tomorrow morning, I'll be in a panic!
Monday, 24 September 2007
Photos 1
Setsuo's office newly cemented, ready for work to start, K's closet, the shoe box in the entrance to the house (minus the top cupbaord), the bookcases and cupboard in my classroom and the kitchen area in the house.
Monday 24th September
Another Monday, holiday and work! Not that I've done any work so far but I am in the office.
On Saturday I had a great day at the BBQ in Takatsuki. We went to L's local park (friend has same name as L). There were 4 of us from the English Teaching group, an Indian friend of C's and Japanese spouses or friends. All together I think there were about 12 of us. The four of us arrived early so we started in on the beer early too and I haven't laughed so much in ages. I have a good laugh with my Japanese friends too but it is definately not the same. We really had good fun. After the BBQ we went back to L's house - she has her classroom in her house and the decision to have my classroom 'in' our house was confirmed as a good one, there will be plenty of space to have people come round without having to think about cleaning the place first! We all played pictionary and surprisingly I was quite good! After they suggested playing it, I was so relieved it wasn't Trivial pursuits!
Yesterday I got K off to baseball and then went back to bed. I couldn't believe it when I woke up and looked at the clock - it was 12! That is the first time in years that I've slept so long. I intended cleaning the house after lunch but my Thai friend phoned to see if she could come round as she was at her FIL's house. She is having a hard time just now because both sons are in Uni and money is tight so she has two jobs and I felt quite guilty because right at this moment, my life is probably the best it's ever been. I tried not to be too 'happy' and listened to her frustrations so I hope she didn't go away feeling worse. We planned to get together sometime soon but trying to find a time that suits us both is hard so it probably won't be for a while.
Anyway, I went to the new house because the carpenters are all on holiday today (although men are putting in the railing for the stairs) and took more photos so will post them and then sign off for today. Here are another two of Spike - Daisy is camera shy!
Friday, 21 September 2007
Friday 21st September
Well, well, well! I went to the house yesterday and it looks like a house now! All the floorboards are down, the walls are up and all that is missing is the doors. It is a lot bigger than I had imagined - especially the dining area - and I'm getting quite excited about it all. We have also picked out the wallpaper for the whole house. Looking through the samples is usually a headache because I can never visualise what it will look like - the samples are so small - but since we had decided on plain white, it was a lot easier. Of course there were hundreds of plain whites so I picked out about 5 that I thought were okay and asked everybody else to choose between them! The WHOLE house (and classroom/offices) will be papered the same which is pretty boring but will keep the costs down so that whenever we get sick of it, or it gets dirty, we can change it with no qualms. K quite fancied a pale blue that had stars and whatnot that shone in the dark but it was Ka that put him off by asking if he would still want that when he was in High School! I can hear the cement mixer pumping out the cement for the entrance hall and Setsuo's office so I won't be able to go and pester the carpenters today! I'll try to take some more photos on Sunday though.
The other day A said she is thinking about applying for a job in Manchester. It is the same company that her present company has ties with so the work would be similar but the money and holidays much, much better. Also a few of her friends are also in Manchester so I think she is feeling the pull. Last night and this morning I have been helping her write out her letter of application which is kind of bittersweet but if she wants and gets the job, I'll be happy for her.
L also phoned yesterday. She was thinking about coming home for dinner but intended to go back again (I think she had plans to go out). I don't know whether she was a bit miffed about me not being more enthusiastic about it - I asked her if it was worth coming back for a couple of hours - but she decided against it anyway. It would have been good if she had come home since her Kimono for the 'coming of age' ceremony in January arrived yesterday. I've left it in the box for now hoping she'll be back soon to open it herself.
Today I am off to pay the deposit for the Hiroshima tickets which I notice should have been paid yesterday! Don't know why I thought I had until today but I'm sure there won't be any problem with being a day overdue. Setsuo and I will go together and then have lunch out. Last time I got to pick (my choice is always curry) so today will be Setsuo's decision.
I suppose I should go and do some shopping. As usual we are out of milk - even though I buy 2L every day, there is never any left over, maybe once we have the big roof top balcony, I should buy a cow!
The other day A said she is thinking about applying for a job in Manchester. It is the same company that her present company has ties with so the work would be similar but the money and holidays much, much better. Also a few of her friends are also in Manchester so I think she is feeling the pull. Last night and this morning I have been helping her write out her letter of application which is kind of bittersweet but if she wants and gets the job, I'll be happy for her.
L also phoned yesterday. She was thinking about coming home for dinner but intended to go back again (I think she had plans to go out). I don't know whether she was a bit miffed about me not being more enthusiastic about it - I asked her if it was worth coming back for a couple of hours - but she decided against it anyway. It would have been good if she had come home since her Kimono for the 'coming of age' ceremony in January arrived yesterday. I've left it in the box for now hoping she'll be back soon to open it herself.
Today I am off to pay the deposit for the Hiroshima tickets which I notice should have been paid yesterday! Don't know why I thought I had until today but I'm sure there won't be any problem with being a day overdue. Setsuo and I will go together and then have lunch out. Last time I got to pick (my choice is always curry) so today will be Setsuo's decision.
I suppose I should go and do some shopping. As usual we are out of milk - even though I buy 2L every day, there is never any left over, maybe once we have the big roof top balcony, I should buy a cow!
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Wednesday 19th September
Well yesterday was a LONG day. I had the nursery class in the morning, 2 in the afternoon and then the two Junior High classes (that I'd split) at night and no Setsuo to do the cooking! By the time I got home after 9.30 I was ready to collapse but of course phaffed around until after 11pm before deciding to go to bed. Splitting the class was a good idea though, the first class (of brighter students) whizzed through the exercises and even the noisy boys in the second class managed to control their mouths long enough to get through about double of what they would normally manage! At least the workload for the rest of the week is a lot easier AND I am going to a BBQ on Saturday afternoon/night with a few friends from the English Teachers' group I belong to so it will be a nice way to finish off the classes and still have Sunday to relax!
Not really a lot to talk about today. I made an o-bento for Ka which is the first for a long time (if you forget the one the other day when I got dizzy). Actually I even enjoyed making it! I often read the blog of another 'foreign wife' here in Japan who always posts pictures of the meals she cooks and usually feel a bit guilty that I'm not making more of an effort in the kitchen. These days everything just gets thrown together or bought. Sometimes I even think it would be better if any one of us was a bit fussier but nobody ever complains as long as it is edible. I know I am lucky really. Today I have decided to make healthy food, albeit easy, and go with a chicken salad, soup and rice. I'll jazz up the salad with a lot of different ingredients to make it more colourful though.
Haven't been to the house so don't know what's going on there but Setsuo said all the boards are up on the walls and that the carpenters should have finished all their work by the end of the week. Hopefully the RED kitchen and utility unit will be in early next week.
Not really a lot to talk about today. I made an o-bento for Ka which is the first for a long time (if you forget the one the other day when I got dizzy). Actually I even enjoyed making it! I often read the blog of another 'foreign wife' here in Japan who always posts pictures of the meals she cooks and usually feel a bit guilty that I'm not making more of an effort in the kitchen. These days everything just gets thrown together or bought. Sometimes I even think it would be better if any one of us was a bit fussier but nobody ever complains as long as it is edible. I know I am lucky really. Today I have decided to make healthy food, albeit easy, and go with a chicken salad, soup and rice. I'll jazz up the salad with a lot of different ingredients to make it more colourful though.
Haven't been to the house so don't know what's going on there but Setsuo said all the boards are up on the walls and that the carpenters should have finished all their work by the end of the week. Hopefully the RED kitchen and utility unit will be in early next week.
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Tuesday 18th September
Yesterday I forgot to mention that L's now home. She phoned on Sunday morning to say that the ferry had arrived back in Nagoya and she was at home by late afternoon. I think the ferry journey was tough (33 hrs) but she had prepared herself. Before they boarded, I got a phone call from her asking what English book I recommended she bought. Because it was such a sudden question, I had no idea and the only book that came to mind (that she could easily read AND maybe enjoy) was Bridget Jones' Diary. She bought that one plus another one she found herself so even if she found them boring, at least they would have sent her to sleep!
Two of A's friends from here have been in Tokyo over the weekend so she is totally knackered but needed to go to work this morning. I think she enjoys having the company but is quite happy when they leave again! Her apartment is just to small to have visitors and not get under each others feet. I bet she sleeps like a log tonight!
Talking of sleeping, Ka spent most of the day comatose! She didn't get up until lunch time then was asleep again when I got back from teaching at 9pm. She woke up to eat some chips (that K wanted made) but was back in bed again before I was! She did wake up before 9am this morning though so I think she has recovered from all her early mornings. Just as well since it's back to school for her tomorrow.
It was a great day for me yesterday even though I was teaching when everyone else was on holiday. When I went home at lunch time, the meal was all prepared and then when I got back at night my dinner was served pronto PLUS all the washing had been taken in and (mostly) folded! I wish Setsuo was on holiday a bit more!
Two of A's friends from here have been in Tokyo over the weekend so she is totally knackered but needed to go to work this morning. I think she enjoys having the company but is quite happy when they leave again! Her apartment is just to small to have visitors and not get under each others feet. I bet she sleeps like a log tonight!
Talking of sleeping, Ka spent most of the day comatose! She didn't get up until lunch time then was asleep again when I got back from teaching at 9pm. She woke up to eat some chips (that K wanted made) but was back in bed again before I was! She did wake up before 9am this morning though so I think she has recovered from all her early mornings. Just as well since it's back to school for her tomorrow.
It was a great day for me yesterday even though I was teaching when everyone else was on holiday. When I went home at lunch time, the meal was all prepared and then when I got back at night my dinner was served pronto PLUS all the washing had been taken in and (mostly) folded! I wish Setsuo was on holiday a bit more!
Monday, 17 September 2007
Photos 2
I've also added a photo of Spike since he will probably be on his 'holidays' when everyone is over. He isn't that great with new people and I don't want to take any chances with S. I'll probably get him home the second week though. Look out C and Co!
Monday 17th September
Today it's a public holiday but guess who has to work. It's the same next week - another holiday, again work. Actually I don't really mind that much apart from the fact that my Thursday night class has changed over to Monday night starting from today so I'll have lessons from 2-8.30pm with only a one hour break at dinner time. Looks like it will be o-bento night from now on. My Tuesday night class has also been split into two groups from tomorrow as well so both Monday and Tuesday are going to be long days although it'll be less work for the rest of the week.
Yesterday we went to Ka's Bunkasai which was really good but VERY hot and humid. The whole school really worked hard to get it together, so hard in fact that Ka said that last week there had been FIVE ambulances taking away girls that had collapsed. You'd think they would have a bit more air-conditioning going on, especially in the gym, but no, there is nothing there. You can just imagine how hot it was with 3 years of junior high, 3 years of senior high plus all the parents and no ACs. At least we only had to sit and watch, the kids had to jump around!
I only got a photo of Ka in one of the outfits that had to be made. It is the one she used when she 'appeared' with the 3rd year members. I say 'appeared' because she was only in it when they did the pyramid type thing - all of maybe 1.5 minutes! I couldn't believe it - 66 pounds for 1.5 minutes (73p per second!). You can see the yellow/green one that she wore for her own group on the girl next to her and at least she spent a bit longer in that one! The red one is their uniform.
I've also uploaded two of K in his baseball uniform - before and after! They had a baseball match yesterday but lost 1-0 but will maybe win today's one.
Ok, photos.....
Yesterday we went to Ka's Bunkasai which was really good but VERY hot and humid. The whole school really worked hard to get it together, so hard in fact that Ka said that last week there had been FIVE ambulances taking away girls that had collapsed. You'd think they would have a bit more air-conditioning going on, especially in the gym, but no, there is nothing there. You can just imagine how hot it was with 3 years of junior high, 3 years of senior high plus all the parents and no ACs. At least we only had to sit and watch, the kids had to jump around!
I only got a photo of Ka in one of the outfits that had to be made. It is the one she used when she 'appeared' with the 3rd year members. I say 'appeared' because she was only in it when they did the pyramid type thing - all of maybe 1.5 minutes! I couldn't believe it - 66 pounds for 1.5 minutes (73p per second!). You can see the yellow/green one that she wore for her own group on the girl next to her and at least she spent a bit longer in that one! The red one is their uniform.
I've also uploaded two of K in his baseball uniform - before and after! They had a baseball match yesterday but lost 1-0 but will maybe win today's one.
Ok, photos.....
Friday, 14 September 2007
More photos
Just thought I'd let you see what progress has taken place.
The first photo is another picture of the 3rd floor (living quarters).
The 2nd photo is of the shoebox in the entrance part of the classroom - now I don't need to have all the shoes out on the landing during parties! It will also have a cupboard at the very top. Under that, one of the carpenters working in my office and then in the next one you can see there is a bookcase on the right, a ledge which can be used as another desk or just for nicknacks with two cupboard above, and a space at the left which will be where I store the Xmas tree and other big boxed things. The last photo is of the classroom. The cupboard (minus doors) between the two bookshelves is the one that will have bright red doors. There is also a big cupboard at the far end (next to the window) but that one will have wooden doors!
This morning we also went back to the tile showroom and picked out the tiles for the entrance hall walls and floor. We have decided on the 'khaki' colour for the outside and the tiles are a whitish brick type effect and the floor tiles also very pale. It all sound a bit 'uhh' but it looked quite nice together so keep your fingers crossed it will work! We also went to look at carpet tiles for the classroom and I will probably go with a brownish-beige colour to keep it light. It was quite good because there was a bright red tile (no I didn't even consider it!!) that we used to see what the contrast between doors and carpet would be like. We are getting there slowly but surely.
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Thursday 13th September
I can't believe it's Thursday already!
Not a great deal of news today. I've just been to the building and apart from the bookcase now built into my office there is really nothing much to see although if you look closely you can see that the window frames are almost all finished and most of the 3rd floor flooring has been laid (they ran out of wood so that's why it's not complete!) I was going to take photos but it looks even more of a building site and the flooring has been covered so you can't even see that. We have more or less picked out the colour for the outside - it's a light khaki colour and the only reason we decided on it is because that is almost what it looks like now, BEFORE being painted, because of the plastering. It is really hard to look at colour samples and envisiage the WHOLE building that colour so we are playing safe. It's not 100% definite but if we find tiles for the entrance hall that go with it and we like them, then probably that is what we will go for. Oh, and I've also decided to have my office door and 2 cupboard doors in the classroom painted. Can you guess what colour? Yes RED again, the same red as the entrance door!
Not a great deal of news today. I've just been to the building and apart from the bookcase now built into my office there is really nothing much to see although if you look closely you can see that the window frames are almost all finished and most of the 3rd floor flooring has been laid (they ran out of wood so that's why it's not complete!) I was going to take photos but it looks even more of a building site and the flooring has been covered so you can't even see that. We have more or less picked out the colour for the outside - it's a light khaki colour and the only reason we decided on it is because that is almost what it looks like now, BEFORE being painted, because of the plastering. It is really hard to look at colour samples and envisiage the WHOLE building that colour so we are playing safe. It's not 100% definite but if we find tiles for the entrance hall that go with it and we like them, then probably that is what we will go for. Oh, and I've also decided to have my office door and 2 cupboard doors in the classroom painted. Can you guess what colour? Yes RED again, the same red as the entrance door!
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Some Photos
Just thought I would show some photos of the new building. Most of it is still looking like a building site but at least this shows the size. The bathroom is the only thing completely finished (since it's a unit and comes that way!). The roof top balcony has brown patches because the 'sealing' kept bubbling with the heat and needs to be re-done. Hopefully now that the weather has cooled a bit, it will soon be finished. Setsuo keeps telling me it will be finished by the end of October and although the last stage of the work is always pretty fast, there still seems a lot of work to do. We'll see!
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Tuesday 11th September
Well there was a space between posts but only because I wrote out a really long one the other night and it disappeared into cyberspace and I couldn't be bothered typing it all out again.
L has now arrived in Hokkaido! The driver got a phone call from his girlfriend to say she was dumping him so he 'retired' and because the rest were left without wheels, they decided to buy a 3 days railpass. That was a couple of days ago though so I wonder if they will buy yet another one to get them home. Oh to be young and carefree again!
Ka's 3 outfits are now sewn up thanks to my friend, the shop and the woman next door! Now I just have to go and buy something as Thank Yous. My friend has said she won't take money so I'll have to put my thinking cap on there but I'll give the woman next door some supermarket gift vouchers and cake.
On Saturday I went to a meeting at Ka's school which I thought was for everyone but it turned out there were only 4 of us - the 4 who had missed the last meeting - oops! It was just to let us know the rules etc for NZ (which I knew already) This time around, they will all go to Christchurch for 10 days and then travel to their respective homestays. When L went, 2 of the students stayed in the same house for a week before splitting up but they have changed it. Probably better this way. If Ka does the English and Maths course, she won't be in Auckland but hopefully not too far away from S and Co.
On Sunday, Setsuo and I went and booked the trip to Hiroshima. We will leave on Oct 21st by Shinkansen, stay overnight and then come back the following night. Now just need to pay for it! After that, we went and looked at tiles for the entrance way and as usual, both like completely different styles/colours! Sometimes I wonder how we have managed to stay married for so long since we are almost opposites in many, many ways. From there we went to Yodobashi Camera, a huge electrical store, and I bought a camera. I wanted a Sony but of course that had to be the only one that didn't have an English option so in the end I paid an extra 10,000 yen to get the overseas model but at least I can understand it and it wasn't that bad since we had 20,000 yen worth of 'points' on our card which I used. So, I can now take pictures and once I get time to download them to the computer, I can also add photos here. So far I've only taken some of the new building but will be able to take some of Ka at her bunkasai.
Yesterday was also a busy day. I woke Ka at 5am and then went back to bed only to be woken by her telephoning to say she had forgotten her club uniform and would I take it to the school. To get to her school takes between 20 - 50 minutes depending on the traffic ( I was lucky yesterday!) Once I was back, it was off to the banks to pay bills for the company and by then it was lunch time. I also had classes from 2 - 6.30 pm and then it was a mad dash to go and collect Ka's newly made uniforms. It's going to be a relief when this is all over - thank goodness K is a boy and won't need all the fancy frilly silky things!
A phoned this morning to say that someone who had been carrying explosives on the same train that she uses everyday had been arrested! There is always something going on with the trains in Tokyo, throwing yourself in front of trains seems to be quite a common thing - Osaka seems very tame in comparison.
L has now arrived in Hokkaido! The driver got a phone call from his girlfriend to say she was dumping him so he 'retired' and because the rest were left without wheels, they decided to buy a 3 days railpass. That was a couple of days ago though so I wonder if they will buy yet another one to get them home. Oh to be young and carefree again!
Ka's 3 outfits are now sewn up thanks to my friend, the shop and the woman next door! Now I just have to go and buy something as Thank Yous. My friend has said she won't take money so I'll have to put my thinking cap on there but I'll give the woman next door some supermarket gift vouchers and cake.
On Saturday I went to a meeting at Ka's school which I thought was for everyone but it turned out there were only 4 of us - the 4 who had missed the last meeting - oops! It was just to let us know the rules etc for NZ (which I knew already) This time around, they will all go to Christchurch for 10 days and then travel to their respective homestays. When L went, 2 of the students stayed in the same house for a week before splitting up but they have changed it. Probably better this way. If Ka does the English and Maths course, she won't be in Auckland but hopefully not too far away from S and Co.
On Sunday, Setsuo and I went and booked the trip to Hiroshima. We will leave on Oct 21st by Shinkansen, stay overnight and then come back the following night. Now just need to pay for it! After that, we went and looked at tiles for the entrance way and as usual, both like completely different styles/colours! Sometimes I wonder how we have managed to stay married for so long since we are almost opposites in many, many ways. From there we went to Yodobashi Camera, a huge electrical store, and I bought a camera. I wanted a Sony but of course that had to be the only one that didn't have an English option so in the end I paid an extra 10,000 yen to get the overseas model but at least I can understand it and it wasn't that bad since we had 20,000 yen worth of 'points' on our card which I used. So, I can now take pictures and once I get time to download them to the computer, I can also add photos here. So far I've only taken some of the new building but will be able to take some of Ka at her bunkasai.
Yesterday was also a busy day. I woke Ka at 5am and then went back to bed only to be woken by her telephoning to say she had forgotten her club uniform and would I take it to the school. To get to her school takes between 20 - 50 minutes depending on the traffic ( I was lucky yesterday!) Once I was back, it was off to the banks to pay bills for the company and by then it was lunch time. I also had classes from 2 - 6.30 pm and then it was a mad dash to go and collect Ka's newly made uniforms. It's going to be a relief when this is all over - thank goodness K is a boy and won't need all the fancy frilly silky things!
A phoned this morning to say that someone who had been carrying explosives on the same train that she uses everyday had been arrested! There is always something going on with the trains in Tokyo, throwing yourself in front of trains seems to be quite a common thing - Osaka seems very tame in comparison.
Friday, 7 September 2007
Age is catching up....
This morning I woke up at 5.30 am because Ka had to go to school early yet again and I wanted to make her breakfast before she left at around 6.15 (sounds like I'm such a loving Mum but I don't often do it, she will usually just make something herself if she has to leave before everyone else is up). Anyway I made her breakfast and then started to feel dizzy so when Setsuo and K got up, I went back to bed! Don't know whether it was the shock of being up so early or a middle-aged thing but it happens now and then. Anyway, I stayed in bed until 8.30 and then took it easy until 10am. Can't say I feel great because of it but it will no doubt do me good to have a bit more sleep. I don't really go to bed that late but I've always woken up lots of times during the night so never get a full night's sleep.
Yesterday I said that L hadn't gone to Tokyo. Well she didn't go to Tokyo but they had gone to Mount Fujii and then on to Shizuoka instead. Must of been me who was half asleep when I was talking to her because I definitely didn't pick up on that part, I only heard the part about not going to Tokyo! When I phoned this morning, they were in Tochigi and don't plan on coming back until early next week.
A also phoned this morning on her way to work. She was struggling to talk and control her umbrella at the same time and eventually had to give up because the wind was so strong. A lot of the trains (and most of the planes) have been cancelled because of a Typhoon and Tokyo is where all the action will be for most of the morning.
A's manager will change next week - two department managers will swap over and I don't think she is very happy about it. I have a feeling she won't stay in that job for more than a year unless she is moved to the Osaka Office (if/when it opens). I think she would like to be back in Osaka more than anything but she also talks of going back to the UK and the other night, after a program about Orangutans in Indonesia, was trying to find out about jobs there too so she is obviously not thinking long term about the job she has now! It would be nice for us if she was back in Osaka but it has to be her decision so I keep quiet and just listen!
Off now for my daily 'inspection' of the new building. They are supposed to be putting in the bookshelves.
Yesterday I said that L hadn't gone to Tokyo. Well she didn't go to Tokyo but they had gone to Mount Fujii and then on to Shizuoka instead. Must of been me who was half asleep when I was talking to her because I definitely didn't pick up on that part, I only heard the part about not going to Tokyo! When I phoned this morning, they were in Tochigi and don't plan on coming back until early next week.
A also phoned this morning on her way to work. She was struggling to talk and control her umbrella at the same time and eventually had to give up because the wind was so strong. A lot of the trains (and most of the planes) have been cancelled because of a Typhoon and Tokyo is where all the action will be for most of the morning.
A's manager will change next week - two department managers will swap over and I don't think she is very happy about it. I have a feeling she won't stay in that job for more than a year unless she is moved to the Osaka Office (if/when it opens). I think she would like to be back in Osaka more than anything but she also talks of going back to the UK and the other night, after a program about Orangutans in Indonesia, was trying to find out about jobs there too so she is obviously not thinking long term about the job she has now! It would be nice for us if she was back in Osaka but it has to be her decision so I keep quiet and just listen!
Off now for my daily 'inspection' of the new building. They are supposed to be putting in the bookshelves.
Thursday, 6 September 2007
No Tokyo after all!
L phoned this morning to say that they didn't go to Tokyo after all which was a relief! She sounded as if she was still half asleep so I didn't ask why they had decided against it. It was probably just an idea that someone had come up with and which sounded good at the time.
Today I took the 'pattern' (by pattern I mean handwritten and handdrawn) for one of the outfits Ka needs made for the bunkasai. The woman in the shop said they could do it but it would cost 8000 yen! I wouldn't mind so much but it is only one of the two she needs and both will be worn for about 10 minutes tops. Still, paying the money saves me a lot of hassle. When L was the same age and I had to make hers (I was given the material and pattern 24 hrs before she needed it finished!) it took me and Setsuo's sister from afternoon until 4am to get it done so I reckon 8000 is still cheap! I hate even sewing on a button so faced with an outfit sends me into a panic!
Now that I've started this blog, I realise I really need to buy myself a camera so that I can start uploading pictures too. Whenever photos have to be taken, I let Setsuo do it but I really need to get with it and go digital. Even K knows how to work the camera better than I do. If we have any time on Sunday, I'll maybe go and have a look at some and then maybe, just maybe, I can start adding photos.
Watch this space!
Today I took the 'pattern' (by pattern I mean handwritten and handdrawn) for one of the outfits Ka needs made for the bunkasai. The woman in the shop said they could do it but it would cost 8000 yen! I wouldn't mind so much but it is only one of the two she needs and both will be worn for about 10 minutes tops. Still, paying the money saves me a lot of hassle. When L was the same age and I had to make hers (I was given the material and pattern 24 hrs before she needed it finished!) it took me and Setsuo's sister from afternoon until 4am to get it done so I reckon 8000 is still cheap! I hate even sewing on a button so faced with an outfit sends me into a panic!
Now that I've started this blog, I realise I really need to buy myself a camera so that I can start uploading pictures too. Whenever photos have to be taken, I let Setsuo do it but I really need to get with it and go digital. Even K knows how to work the camera better than I do. If we have any time on Sunday, I'll maybe go and have a look at some and then maybe, just maybe, I can start adding photos.
Watch this space!
Wednesday, 5 September 2007
Do you think I'm addicted?
The title says it all - I just can't keep away!
L phoned tonight to say that she is going to Tokyo for a day or two with friends. I just hope they drive carefully. A couple of months ago, when she went to Okinawa with the same group of friends, she told me about how they guys were driving really fast - even she was afraid so I can just imagine the speed they were going. I won't rest until she either phones or mails to say they have either arrived there or back home. Little do they realise that there is a typhoon headed for Tokyo tomorrow too ('A! also phoned tonight (actually she phoned only after I'd phoned her) I can't seemto stop phoning either of them - do the parental ties ever loosen their grip?) Anyway, I'm sure they will get there and back okay whether I worry or not and probably have a great time into the bargain. Now I know the worries I must have caused when I was that age!
Ka didn't get back home until well after 8.30pm (since daughter no 3 and son both have the initial 'K', I've decided to call daughter umber 3 Ka, and son K). She is stil practicing for her Autumn festival (bunkasai) which will be held on Sept 16th. I'm looking forward to seeing it but I had also arranged to go out with 3 other teachers who also belong to the same group as I'm in (ETJ) and so had to cancel - I was sure it was the following weekend - and so it was a disappointment especially since 3 of us had also planned to go out over the August holiday and didn't manage that either. There is still the ETJ meeting at my classroom in October to look forward to though and one of the other women and I plan to try to go out sometime even though it may just be the two of us. Actually, these days my social life is not THAT bad. I go out with some of the other mothers from K's baseball club (although those nights leave me absolutely knackered as they are usually a 2am or 3am affair. Needless to say, I am one of the sempai mums - older than the rest - so it affects me more!) and also I go out with 2 of my neighbours now and again. My Thai friend of 22 years and I still meet up now and then but it's usually a yearly affair. Last month, some of the mothers from Ka's nursery school days and I got together for a night out. It was the first time we'd all been together for about 9 years so there was a lot of catching up to do. I had wondered if it would be a strain but in fact we all talked as if we'd been seeing each other other every day! All in all, I reckon my social life is picking up! It's taken a while but I've got there eventually.
Sometimes I feel guilty when I go out gallivanting and Setsuo is at home but I've come to realise that he is a home buddy and prefers to be 'in' rather than 'out'. So saying, he does have nights out now and again, it's just that mine totally outnumber his! It doesn't make me feel guilty enough to stay at home though!
Once again, I've blethered on and on and I've probably bored everyone to tears by now so will stop. Three posts in one days is more than enough for a start and I promise to try to limit them in the future (will have to stay off the beer though!).
Don't really know why I'm saying all this since I haven't even told anyone about this blog. If you are reading a couple of months from now, my apologies!!! 'Nite all!
L phoned tonight to say that she is going to Tokyo for a day or two with friends. I just hope they drive carefully. A couple of months ago, when she went to Okinawa with the same group of friends, she told me about how they guys were driving really fast - even she was afraid so I can just imagine the speed they were going. I won't rest until she either phones or mails to say they have either arrived there or back home. Little do they realise that there is a typhoon headed for Tokyo tomorrow too ('A! also phoned tonight (actually she phoned only after I'd phoned her) I can't seemto stop phoning either of them - do the parental ties ever loosen their grip?) Anyway, I'm sure they will get there and back okay whether I worry or not and probably have a great time into the bargain. Now I know the worries I must have caused when I was that age!
Ka didn't get back home until well after 8.30pm (since daughter no 3 and son both have the initial 'K', I've decided to call daughter umber 3 Ka, and son K). She is stil practicing for her Autumn festival (bunkasai) which will be held on Sept 16th. I'm looking forward to seeing it but I had also arranged to go out with 3 other teachers who also belong to the same group as I'm in (ETJ) and so had to cancel - I was sure it was the following weekend - and so it was a disappointment especially since 3 of us had also planned to go out over the August holiday and didn't manage that either. There is still the ETJ meeting at my classroom in October to look forward to though and one of the other women and I plan to try to go out sometime even though it may just be the two of us. Actually, these days my social life is not THAT bad. I go out with some of the other mothers from K's baseball club (although those nights leave me absolutely knackered as they are usually a 2am or 3am affair. Needless to say, I am one of the sempai mums - older than the rest - so it affects me more!) and also I go out with 2 of my neighbours now and again. My Thai friend of 22 years and I still meet up now and then but it's usually a yearly affair. Last month, some of the mothers from Ka's nursery school days and I got together for a night out. It was the first time we'd all been together for about 9 years so there was a lot of catching up to do. I had wondered if it would be a strain but in fact we all talked as if we'd been seeing each other other every day! All in all, I reckon my social life is picking up! It's taken a while but I've got there eventually.
Sometimes I feel guilty when I go out gallivanting and Setsuo is at home but I've come to realise that he is a home buddy and prefers to be 'in' rather than 'out'. So saying, he does have nights out now and again, it's just that mine totally outnumber his! It doesn't make me feel guilty enough to stay at home though!
Once again, I've blethered on and on and I've probably bored everyone to tears by now so will stop. Three posts in one days is more than enough for a start and I promise to try to limit them in the future (will have to stay off the beer though!).
Don't really know why I'm saying all this since I haven't even told anyone about this blog. If you are reading a couple of months from now, my apologies!!! 'Nite all!
Round 2
Okay, so I've tried all ways to google anything to do with my name, Osaka Days or blogspot in general and nothing led me to here so I reckon I'm safe!
I've just come back from the new building and thus am covered in sweat - not a great way to start classes, I must remember to sit AWAY from the way the air-conditioner is blowing!. I THINK we have everything covered regarding plans for where cupboards, bookshelves etc are going to go. I must be infuriating the carpenters because I keep changing my mind. It's partly their own fault though because one carpenter in particular is always questioning whatever I say and then I start having doubts about whatever it was I'd thought about. Now it's just a question of whether to have blinds or curtains in the classroom. At the moment there are blinds here so I had thought it would look a bit more classroomy to stay with them but the more I think about it, the more curtains appeal. They would look better from the outside at least - it would look like we 'live' in the 2 upper floors but I'm not sure about the classroom itself. Decisions, decisions!
The whole place is coming on quite well and we can now see the actual rooms even though they only have the framework up for the rooms. I had thought the bathroom was going to be a LOT smaller than what we have now but in actual fact it's not that much different - well it is, but not so much as to gasp at. Now my only big worry is the RED kitchen. I know I'm going to either LOVE/HATE on sight so I just hope it's the former because I can't see me being able to change it for a while Since our house is quite dark, we have decided on mostly light colours for the new one. A much lighter floor, doors and shoebox and then the RED kitchen! We will also go for a lightish wood dining table which is hopefully going to seat 8. I have wanted a long table for years so this is my chance! We will have to buy a new sofa too and although it would be nice to have a light-coloured one, they have proved to be disastrous because of the dogs (for those who don't know, the one we have just now is pale yellow and the dogs are drooling bulldogs). Since we won't be moving in for a while, we have time to look around before we make any decisions.
We won't be moving house for a while but both Setsuo and I will move our offices as soon as the building is finished. I have taken 2 weeks holiday at the end of October mainly because my WHOLE family will be over but also because of the classroom move. By taking those two weeks, it means that I can't have a Halloween party for the kids which is a bit of a shame but can't be helped. It's especially a shame for the Hoikuen (daycare center) kids that I teach. Although it wasn't promised to be an every year event, last year I had the oldest class here for a party in lieu of their English lessons at the hoikuen, and so this years class will miss out. Hopefully the teachers haven't even mentioned it to them.
October is going to be a very busy month with my parents coming over on the 16th and then my younger sister and family arriving on th 20th and then my older sister and family sometime thereabouts (unusually for her, she is dragging her feet about making arrangements, hurry up C!) Since we are all in different parts of the world - parents in Spain, older sister in the UK and younger sister in N Zealand my parents reluctantly gave up on the idea of a party but little do they know, we are all going to be here in Osaka to surprise them! It's going to be so nice but it's also a headache trying to plan things (especially when you don't have dates to work from!) I just hope everyone doesn't expect me to cook for them everyday! 'A' will come from Tokyo and 'L' from her apartment in Sanda so hopefully we'll have a great time.
Well I managed to find plenty to write about today - long may it last!
I've just come back from the new building and thus am covered in sweat - not a great way to start classes, I must remember to sit AWAY from the way the air-conditioner is blowing!. I THINK we have everything covered regarding plans for where cupboards, bookshelves etc are going to go. I must be infuriating the carpenters because I keep changing my mind. It's partly their own fault though because one carpenter in particular is always questioning whatever I say and then I start having doubts about whatever it was I'd thought about. Now it's just a question of whether to have blinds or curtains in the classroom. At the moment there are blinds here so I had thought it would look a bit more classroomy to stay with them but the more I think about it, the more curtains appeal. They would look better from the outside at least - it would look like we 'live' in the 2 upper floors but I'm not sure about the classroom itself. Decisions, decisions!
The whole place is coming on quite well and we can now see the actual rooms even though they only have the framework up for the rooms. I had thought the bathroom was going to be a LOT smaller than what we have now but in actual fact it's not that much different - well it is, but not so much as to gasp at. Now my only big worry is the RED kitchen. I know I'm going to either LOVE/HATE on sight so I just hope it's the former because I can't see me being able to change it for a while Since our house is quite dark, we have decided on mostly light colours for the new one. A much lighter floor, doors and shoebox and then the RED kitchen! We will also go for a lightish wood dining table which is hopefully going to seat 8. I have wanted a long table for years so this is my chance! We will have to buy a new sofa too and although it would be nice to have a light-coloured one, they have proved to be disastrous because of the dogs (for those who don't know, the one we have just now is pale yellow and the dogs are drooling bulldogs). Since we won't be moving in for a while, we have time to look around before we make any decisions.
We won't be moving house for a while but both Setsuo and I will move our offices as soon as the building is finished. I have taken 2 weeks holiday at the end of October mainly because my WHOLE family will be over but also because of the classroom move. By taking those two weeks, it means that I can't have a Halloween party for the kids which is a bit of a shame but can't be helped. It's especially a shame for the Hoikuen (daycare center) kids that I teach. Although it wasn't promised to be an every year event, last year I had the oldest class here for a party in lieu of their English lessons at the hoikuen, and so this years class will miss out. Hopefully the teachers haven't even mentioned it to them.
October is going to be a very busy month with my parents coming over on the 16th and then my younger sister and family arriving on th 20th and then my older sister and family sometime thereabouts (unusually for her, she is dragging her feet about making arrangements, hurry up C!) Since we are all in different parts of the world - parents in Spain, older sister in the UK and younger sister in N Zealand my parents reluctantly gave up on the idea of a party but little do they know, we are all going to be here in Osaka to surprise them! It's going to be so nice but it's also a headache trying to plan things (especially when you don't have dates to work from!) I just hope everyone doesn't expect me to cook for them everyday! 'A' will come from Tokyo and 'L' from her apartment in Sanda so hopefully we'll have a great time.
Well I managed to find plenty to write about today - long may it last!
The first step
Okay, I've once again decided to try doing this blog thing. So many people I know have one and I really enjoy reading theirs - it's just that I never seem to have anything to write about. Hopefully I will be able to find SOMETHING to write about, even if it is just the same old drudgery of house, work, house, work! Right now, I have too many secrets that have to be kept and I don't want to inadvertantly give any information away! (Actually, I've just realised that I don't have to tell anyone about about this site until later so can just blog to my hearts content!) Wonder if by googling my name, this site will come up - will go and check before writing any more!
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