But the same day, our two new foreign teachers arrived - Mika from Florida, and Kiza from
England. (We haven't had a non-American foreign teacher at this school for several years!)
I am looking forward to working with both of them; theoretically, they could be the last set
of FTs I work with! I am planning to extend my contract at this school until December or so;
I'm just waiting for the extension papers at the moment.
The same day Sara left and Mika and Kiza came, I hit some stray piece of metal in the sidewalk
coming home and flew off my bike for the first time in almost a year. Got a huge fucking bruise
and scrape all over my right knee and leg, and my arm ached for days. Feel okay now, though, and
the leg is slowly looking like it's supposed to again.
My bid to save money is not going so well. Ended up going out almost every day this past week -
first with Sara and some friends for her farewell dinner, then out to eat with school for a big
welcome/farewell (to Matt) dinner, then to karaoke, then ordering pizza at home, and tonight
out to Mela Cotta. Hmmm...
Friday, January 23
Well, the snow only lasted about 15 more after I posted yesterday's entry. Then it became
sunny and the snow was gone shortly after. But yesterday WAS the coldest day so far this
year, getting down to about 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
I feel like I'm getting a bit sick, but I'm trying to fight it 'cause I want to be well
when I meet the new teachers on Sunday...
Thursday, January 22
It's snowing!!!
There's been periodical snowflakes here and there this year, but this afternoon is the
first time this year that the snowflakes are big enough and falling long enough to stick.
It's very cold and windy today, too, brrrr...Was gonna go skating and to see a friend today,
but I think I'd rather stay somewhat warm in my apartment and admire the snow, which I am
once again fascinated by after not really seeing it for almost 2 years.
My bike was stolen from the apartment bike shelter last Friday. Damn thieves, I was so mad!
Still am, it was only 3 months old. A co-worker lent me her old bike for a few days and my
Japanese teacher has now given me a bike he doesn't need, but I miss my shiny new red bike!
It's been about a week so I'm giving up hope on getting it back....Sara's was stolen twice,
but both times she got it back within 1-2 days.
Speaking of Sara, she goes back to the US in 3 days...so sad...:( But two new foreign teachers
are coming this Sunday, and I am very excited to meet them!
Until later...
Wednesday, January 14
After a boring New Year's Eve spent watching TV specials, I spent the first 9 days of
2004 in fabulous Sydney, Australia! It was my best trip ever - the weather was perfect
(sunny and around 80 degrees every day), the hotel was really nice, I saw what I wanted
to see, I spent what I'd planned on spending, and I met a new friend! It was a little
unreal to be in the middle of summer in January, but of course it was a nice change
from freezing my ass off in Japan, and I wish I could've stayed there a lot longer!
Sydney is an amazing, beautiful city, and it's my new favorite city in the world. I
still like Japan, but a move to Oz in 2005 might be a desirable option. The harbour area
was especially pretty, of course! The first night I was there, I got to go to an opera
(Mozart's "Magic Flute") at the Opera House! Actually, I had a restricted view seat
and it kinda sucked, but I went more for the experience, anyway.
Other highlights:
As for that last point, I kept laughing the first day 'cause I wasn't used to people
speaking to me in English! Not in public, anyway. I was at Woolworth's one night, and
some guy said to his friend, "you know what I'm saying?" and I thought to myself,
"yes, I do!!" LOL
I'd also forgotten how large western sizes and portions could be. I ordered a small
drink at Starbucks and another coffee place and it was huge! Also, at many stores that
sold food, there was more chocolate, candy, and chips than I could comprehend! No
wonder I saw so many overweight people - that's a big difference from Japan. On the
other hand, one welcome difference was the abundance of blondes! I couldn't get over
all the blonde- and red-headed little kids! Soooo cute! :-)
The first few days I was back in Japan, I was pretty bummed - I wanted to be back in
Oz. I still miss Oz, but I am getting back into the swing of things here and feel
better about being here. I am feeling comfortable again with my decision to stay here
through at least December, but I am really looking forward to going back to the US
for two weeks in May to see my family!
Pictures from Australia are here and here.
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