Tuesday, 1st October 2002
The weather to mark the start of a new month is pretty terrible actually. Recently, it's started to get a bit colder at night which isn't so good. However, it's nice to be able to go out and not begin sweating after 5 minutes outside. It's not even winter yet, so maybe it'll get a lot colder, so I'll have to wrap up warm then. I didn't like it too much when it was hot, and now it's cooled down, I don't like it so much either! Recently, the weather has been looking quite overcast and it's been a little wet.
We had language class last night, which is really a very casual term for just having a chat with people in the HQ. Usually, when language class is scheduled, James and I will just go to McDonalds or some other fast food type place for tea because we won't finish until fairly late and so neither of us can be bothered to cook!
Wednesday, 2nd October 2002
Last night, James wanted to play the Gamecube... but out TV has some kind of dodgy phono connection, in trying to connect up the Gamecube, he ended up severing the wire! We'll probably buy a DVD player soon to pass the boring weekday evenings. Although, if you know me at all, you will know that I'm not the biggest fan of films. So, we've been deliberating on getting a DVD player for a while now (about 3 months!), but I suppose we'll buy it soon because they aren't that expensive here.
Thursday, 3rd October 2002
Wow, I'm in such a rush today! First of all, I really must hurry to go to Japanese class because it begins at 7 and will last for two hours, so I must have some dinner otherwise I won't concentrate. There's not much time to write because I have to go!
Friday, 4th October 2002
Tonight, James and I are planning to buy a DVD player, I have no idea what film to buy! This weekend, we have plans to go have a barbeque on Saturday. It's been planned for a long time and this weekend, apparently the weather is gonna be good after this whole week of rain and strong winds from the typhoon. I haven't got much of an idea where we are going for the barbeque, but it should be fun!
Japanese class was fun last night, as it is enjoyable and not very difficult. Even though it isn't all that hard, I can still learn things as we can just talk to the teachers about anything we like. We are all encouraged to learn as much Japanese as possible and homeworks are very practical. This week, I have to write out and learn 6 kanji characters and then go to the bus station near me and ask how much a return ticket to Tokyo is! Well, at least it is practical!
Monday, 7th October 2002
I didn't really plan much for the weekend, but I still did lots of things. I was invited over the weekend to go play tennis with Mika, but unfortunately, I already had plans that day to go to the barbeque. Anyway, on the Friday evening, I received a phone call from Mika and she asked me to go bowling. We went bowling also with Saori and Fumino. It was good fun and Mika is actually very good at bowling!
On the Saturday, we went to Tanigawa to have a barbeque. The weather was really good and the place was very scenic. Kano-san had a little bit of trouble starting the barbeque, but it was ok in the end. The food was delicious and we all ate lots of food and had fun. I ate so many onions that the next day, I could still taste onion in my mouth!
Then, on Sunday, I was invited by Saori to go to the International Festival held in Maebashi. Mika offered to take me (which I accepted) and also, we planned to go play tennis after going to the festival. The festival was very big, much bigger than the one held in Takasaki the previous month. There were many countries represented there, I ate Taiwanese noodles, a Turkish kebab and a French Cr ?pe. I heard this loud bang, like missiles being fired into the distance, but it was just a method of how they make a Japanese dessert. It was kind of like popcorn, except the 'kernels' were rice. It really did make a loud 'boom' when the kernels all popped at the same time. Then, I witnessed quite possibly the funniest thing I have seen since being in Japan... I heard the Gunma song and saw the Gunma dance to go with it! I think that the height of embarressment was that I ended up feeling embarressed for the people dancing! Basically, it was some kind of strange dance mix, with the chorus of, 'So danbe, so danbe, so danbe, so, so, so...!!' every so often. I was nearly wetting myself! They even did an encore... I don't think that it was being taken seriously, the dancers didn't seem to know the moves, everyone was out of synch doing their own thing!
After the festival, we went to go play tennis, but unfortunately, at the tennis courts, a tournament was being held. So, we decided to find something else to do and so we went bowling again! It was good fun and after that, I went home. The traffic was pretty bad and it took over an hour for me to get home in the car whereas it only took about 10 minutes to get there earlier in the morning!
Tuesday, 8th October 2002
Another weekday. Nothing planned as usual for tonight, although today we were informed that we have to attend work on Saturday for some kind of safety drill excerise thingy. We were informed of all events when we first started the job, although we don't actually know what each event entails.
After a day's work, I just like to go home and relax a little bit. I think that Japanese in general tend to work very long hours and I cannot see how they manage it. A friend asked me before what time I usually return home and I replied that I usually stay in for an hour or two before going home. He replied that he usually works quite late and doesn't really go home until about 11pm! You have to take into account stuff like the journey home too! I mean, it's fine for James and I as we only live next door, but most if not all the others seem to live quite far away. Work to live or live to work? I'm not sure about the latter.
Tonight, Phoebe is coming round to watch a film with us... It beats doing nothing I guess.
Wednesday, 9th October 2002
It's a quite night again tonight. Last night we watched a film with Phoebe around, it was quite good, but that's only because I like comedies. The film was 'My Sassy Girl' if you are interested. I highly recommend it! Other than that, I didn't do much else.
Thursday, 10th October 2002
Japanese class is on tonight, so I have to rush home to get something to eat before heading off to class. Today is such a long day.. I don't return home till about 10pm after class...
Friday, 11th October 2002
Last night, whilst walking home from Japanese class, I somehow managed to injure myself! My ankle is very sore right now and I can barely walk. It's also getting much colder in Japan now.. Last night was absolutely freezing! Tonight, I'll make sure to wrap up a bit warmer when I go to bed! I don't really have anything planned for this weekend, although I never do. Tomorrow, we have to turn up at the company for some kind of safety type thing. It should be interesting... I hope! It's going to be a long weekend, we have the Monday off for something. I'll try to find something constructive to do.
Tuesday, 15th October 2002
My neck is feeling a little sore today. I think that I must have slept a bit funny on it last night or something. Anyway, over the weekend, we had to turn up for work on Saturday to attend a safety rehearsal for the company. I'm sure that it's pretty standard practise throughout Japan. Well, if you really want to know, if there is an earthquake, you have to hide under your desk! Then if there is a fire, you have to evacuate the building. Not too different from UK companies (except for the earthquake bit). After that, we all did some first aid... mouth to mouth resuscitation (with a dummy before you get any funny ideas). Well.. it was interesting to say the least!! Actually, it was really quite funny and I learnt how to say "Who's gonna call an ambulance?!" Some of the other workers were being a bit dramatic with the situation at hand and so it actually turned out to be quite good fun. Finally, we had to watch a video on driving safety... that was really boring! Then we had to take a test on driving rules and things, even though we couldn't read the Japanese paper. Good job that you only had to mark either true or false! Phoebe and I tied on 28/50 each, while James trailed behind with 19. Good job that he can't drive anyway!!
On the Sunday and Monday, I didn't really do much. I did get woken up though by the workmen working outside with their drilling! Also, the water to the house was disrupted for a while as they are doing something with the water connection. I wonder what the new building will look like once it has finished? Will it be finished by the time I leave? Speaking of finishing things, it reminds me that I have to write my report soon for JETRO on my internship in Japan. It's no big deal although it's not really going to be a good reflection of how I feel in Japan based on the first 6 months. I do understand though that they have to compile all the reports and things to show other prospective interns.
Wednesday, 16th October 2002
As per usual, during the week, I don't usually do anything. Although this week I'll have one less day to work than usual, which is good.
Thursday, 17th October 2002
Japanese class is on tonight, so I have to be off pretty quickly in order to have some dinner. I'll talk about it tomorrow.
Friday, 18th October 2002
I just found out earlier today that we have a meeting tonight after work. All I can say is that I suppose I should just sit there and listen very carefully so that I might be able to pick up something.
Last night's Japanese class was quite fun as always, but I was feeling a bit tired and drained, so I wasn't concentrating very well. It was kind of like, (Sensei) "kino no tenki wa do deshita ka?" (Me) "Huh? mou ichido itte kudasai." It was a long day.
I dunno what I'll do after the meeting tonight. It will begin at 7pm and I have no idea when it will finish, although I don't have anything special planned for tonight. Phoebe, James and I were all invited to go to a friend's place tomorrow, but they've cancelled because they are very busy. Nevermind.. life's like this when you are working (as my friend told me). On Sunday, we'll all go to the bowling tournament, I have no real opinion on this right now, but I'm sure as I arrive I'll feel more enthusiasm for it. Right, got to go now, the meeting is beginning...
Monday, 21st October 2002
During the weekend, not a great deal happened. On Saturday, we all had a meal together our house, which is increasingly becoming a regular event. Not that I mind, it's nice to be able to just sit and eat together and talk a bit.
On Sunday, Phoebe and I went to a bowling tournament, hosted by the English Language Group (ELG). I didn't do as well as I hoped at the tournament, where I finished 5th (out of 50), with scores of 131 & 175 respectively. I got a nice T-shirt for my efforts. However, the main purpose of going, for me, was because Saori is leaving Japan for a while to go on a cruise. She'll be gone for a while and I suppose that I'll miss her 'crazy' ways! When I say that, I absoluetely mean it... she's nuts! But she's very fun to be around with. After the bowling tournament, a few of us, friendlier with Saori decided to treat her to some drinks (non-alcoholic) and talk for a while. It was good fun and now we won't see her until December sometime.
Tuesday, 22nd October 2002
I'm quite busy these days, doing some work for the company. At least I'm doing something worthwhile. Outside our house, they have started to put the walls up on the New Macro building (I can see it from my workplace window). It is actually quite remarkably quick how they have managed to buid so fast. Hopefully, there won't be anymore disruptions to our water supply anymore.
Wednesday, 23rd October 2002
Smack bang in the middle of the week, with nothing to do. My ankle is still a little sore from my little accident and so I can't go running or anything, which I should really. Seeing as I haven't much better to so, I should really start looking after myself a bit more. I think that I have to go shopping tonight, so I'd best be off now.
Thursday, 24th October 2002
I'm looking forward to Japanese class tonight because we are going to be playing some games instead of studying! I'm such a bad student! (Which reminds me.. I haven't done my homework yet!) I've got to leave early as usual, so tell you more about it later.
Friday, 25th October 2002
Japanese class last night was quite good! We had an hour of studying and then for the last hour, we played some games and did some origami. We played a game which I would call 'Chinese whispers', which entails a group of people whispering to each other, one after the other and the last person would say the message to see what you end up with at the end. I'm pleased to say that I'm actually rubbish at this game! Oh well. I was better at the origami though, as I used to do origami when I was a little boy. Someone taught me how to fold many models, but since then I have forgotten many of the models, I only know a few. We all folded a crane, which is lucky because it is one of the few models that I know how to make!
James joined our group yesterday because his teachers had a holiday. So did his other 'groupmate'. My group is actually a very friendly group, so everyone settled in without any problems. Class is enjoyable as always, although we don't learn all that much. It's good to get any kind of Japanese practise though. Finally, we were all put into separate groups again for the games, luckily I knew everyone in my group, so that was ok.
This weekend, I was invited by Mika to go to an elementary school to volunteer help some kids with some kind of Halloween celebrations. I have no idea what it entails, but it seems like we may have to dress up! I'll be going with Phoebe, so at least there will be someone there who doesn't have any idea what is going on either! After that, I plan to go shopping and to have my haircut... it really needs it now since it's getting really long. I'll just be going window shopping I think. Christmas is coming soon!
Monday, 28th October 2002
Over the weekend, I helped out Takako and Mika with a Halloween class for elementary school kids. Phoebe helped out too. While there, we met another JET teacher, her name was Rachel and she was from New Zealand. The class was very fun, although the boys there were a little bit naughty! We had to teach them about Halloween because they don't celebrate Halloween over here. We had a few games, like bobbing for apples (with stems!) and explaining the concepts of trick or treating. However, the main point of everything I think is to help improve the children's english level. It's all good, and I wish that I had that kind of motivation to go learning like that when I was their age!
Besides doing that, I didn't really do much else. On Sunday, it's kind of a reorganise day for me. I relax, get some shopping done and make sure that I'm ready for the week ahead. I think that I'm getting old and turning boring. :(
Tuesday, 29th October 2002
Earlier today, we had a little meeting with the boss and we've been assigned to a new project. I suppose that it gives me something to do if nothing else. I can't really think of there being anything exciting for me to look forward to this week. The end of the month can't come soon enough.
Wednesday, 30th October 2002
Tonight, I've been informed by James that his friend will be coming round. I don't know exactly what we will all be doing. It should be interesting. Last night, I got a surprise visit from Takako. It was a pleasant surprise, she called around with her husband. Mainly, it was to ask me if I would be interested in participating in a tour of Takasaki on the 10th Noevember. However, her husband was quite interesting, he told me some basic things about Kendo (The wooden stick fighting). Basically, the three hit points are the wrist, body and the head. Why did he tell me? It was because he spotted that we had a kendo stick in our house! Don't ask me why we have one, it was just there when we arrived at the house.
Thursday, 31st October 2002
Last night, as I said before, James' friend came around. The main point of it all was because James' friend's girlfriend wants to learn English! As I haven't all that much better to do I may as well contribute what I can. Anyway, they came around and we had another little visitor, Kaneda (I think), she's their daughter who is only 2 years old. She was so cute! At first she was very shy and she wouldn't talk to us, but eventually, we got her to be herself and she was enjoying herself around us. English lessons were 'fruitful' although between James and I we have the massive total of zero teaching experience, it was hardly surprising. It's the end of the month today and with it, we will be going into our sixth month here. Time really has just flown by.
Tonight, we are supposed to be going to the cinema, since we have no Japanese class tonight. That kind of reminds me, Happy Halloween! (Even though it is not celebrated here).
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