Currently Listening Sweet Shadows By Daughter Darling see related

March 7, 2006

So yesterday my friend Jessica and I got back from Korea.  It was great.  It actually was not what I had expected.  The shopping was not that great, the people were really big and tall, there were a lot of American restaurants, the cars were big as were the roads and the people were a bit rude.  I will go into more detail later but that is a start.  So yesterday I got back to Sagisu around 11 pm and then cleaned and unpacked and answered emails for a bit which turned out to be a long time.  I ended up going to sleep around 2:30 am.  It was not big deal because I have done it before.  When I woke up I felt a bit odd.  I glanced at the clock and I could of swore it was 12:30 in the afternoon.  Shocked I darted up quickly and took a good look at the clock.  It was 9:45 am.  Better than 12:30 pm but still late.  I quickly called Nakano Junior High School and was hoping that one of the English teachers would answer, of course no luck.  The Kyoto sensei answered and I tried to explain what happened.  After my unsuccessful attempt I called the BOE and talked to Ms. Youshi.  I told her what had happened and she was nice enough to call Nakano JHS for me.  She didn’t seem too upset because this was the first time I didn’t make it to school.  She told the school that some circumstances occurred and I was on my way.  She left it up to me to tell them what happened.  She said, “You can tell them what ever you want, but of course the truth is the best.”  I debated it for a bit and decided that telling them that I just overslept was probably the best thing to do.  I did think about calling in sick or saying something like that but I didn’t want to use another day off if I didn’t have to.  I got ready quickly and hauled ass to the school.  By the time I got there it was about 11:00 am.  I went to the Kyoto sensei and tried to say sorry but he didn’t understand me.  I need to study Japanese more.  I then walked to the third grade teachers room to see if I could find Tsubosaka Sensei.  She was in a class.  I then thought I would try and find Gogami Sensei’s room because it was her class I was missing.  I finally gave up and just sat at my desk.  When the bell rang I talked to Gogami Sensei and apologized.  She said it was ok because she had to give the tests back to the students. I was relieved and then we talked about what we were going to do for the 5^th period.  At lunch I talked to Tsubosaka sensei.  I was supposed to grade some papers for her but was unable to.  I insisted that I could get some done and took one classes papers to grade.  I left a bit late for the Seika meeting today but I wanted to get the papers graded.  I feel so bad.  The school seemed ok with my mistake but then again that is how Japanese people act.  They might hide their true feelings.  I hope they are not saying, “that lazy American.  He takes time off to travel and then is late to school.”  Hum, oh well, what can I do but never let it happen again. 

March 11, 2006

So the past week after I got back from Korea has been a bit bad.  I mean I can’t complain I have my health and stuff but it was just one of those weeks.  Of course on Tuesday I didn’t wake up for school, although it turned out to be fine.  I can’t recall what had happened on Wednesday but nothing interesting.  On Thursday I woke up on time and got to school with no problem.  I talked to Gogami Sensei about our lesson plans for the day and then went back to my desk.  We must have got confused because I thought we were only teaching one class during second period.  So during first period I walk up to the other teacher’s room to talk with Tsubosaka Sensei.   She is busy so I head back down to my desk.  On the way back downstairs, Murao Sensei tells me that Gogami Sensei was looking for me.  I figured we just needed to go over some more details for the lesson.  When I get back in the teachers room Gogami Sensei was not there.  I just sat at my desk and start reading a book.  About 10 minutes later she walks in the room and in panic, motions me to come.  It turns out that we were supposed to teach 1^st and 2^nd period.  Man it is just not my week. 

On Friday I woke up a bit late so I decided to take my bike to the subway station.  So I get to Nodahanshin with about 4 minutes to spare and am headed downstairs to the subway entrance.  I look in my bag for my subway card but I can’t find my bag.  I realize that I have forgotten it at my apartment.  So, my train is coming in 4 minutes and I have no money.  I thought about asking somebody for some but thought that wouldn’t really work, being that I don’t speak the language.  For lack of other options, I hop back on my bike and head back to Sagisu.  Oh, I forgot to add that it was raining and I was eating an apple.  So I am riding my bike in the rain, holding an umbrella while my apple is rolling around, half eaten, in my bike basket, great.  I get back, pick up my bag and haul ass back to the station.  By this time it is about 20 minutes past the time I normally get on the train.  I am positive I am going to be late for school again.  I couldn’t believe it.  Oh well, what could I do now.  The trains go as fast as they can and there is nothing I can do to make them go faster.  So I am sweating from rushing while I am sitting on the subway.  I don’t dare look at my watch because I know that will make me more nervous.  After my second subway transfer I see one of the teachers from Nakano JHS.  She doesn’t see me but now I stop to look at my watch.  I have about 15 minutes to get off the subway and walk 10 minutes to the school.  To make a long story short, I make it with about 3 minutes to spare.  Whew, at least it is Friday.  I should go to sleep earlier.  It seems all my troubles are caused by my inability to wake up.