IrishOboe

Monday, April 10^th was the first day of school with everyone together. There were a few classes, but mostly it was freshman orientation stuff and testing for the returning students. I fixed up the last bits for my classes, which started the next day. I don’t know how much I wrote about this, but since I see some classes six times before the first exam and other classes two times, I threw out the old syllabus and made a much more relaxed and simple plan. I’m quite relieved, actually, and it’s started off well, but I get ahead of myself. On this lovely Monday morning I left my apartment on time only to discover that my bike wasn’t there! It dawned quite quickly that it was still at the station from when I’d gone to church, but Adden had taken Kasai, Leslie and I all to my place after church. Once again I was grateful that I usual get to school much earlier than I need to because I had enough time to walk to the station and bike from there. I scuttled into the main office area just before the morning meeting (the first of the new school year!). Technically I was on time, but I felt awkward since I had my coat and backpack and had clearly just gotten off my bike! (More)

Kasia and Leslie spent the night at my place Saturday and we stayed up rather late talking. It didn’t keep me from getting up at 7, but I used the time to make buckwheat pancakes and strawberries for the three of us. I felt bad waiting them up to eat around 8, but I was hungry! We spent a lazy morning talking, which was lovely, then Kasia went home and Leslie and I joined Mark and Megan on their way to Dennis’s (my former apartment neighbor) BBQ at his new place in the same neighborhood. It was a beautiful day, warm, sunny, and a nice breeze. It was great to be outside! I was also able to have a decent chat in Japanese with some folks there, which of course made me happy! It was good to see people again, but I didn’t stay too long since I had stuff to do at home. The rest of the day was productive with laundry, finances, oboe practice, etc. And that was it for my one day weekend.

Saturday, April 8^th I had to work since it was the entrance ceremony for the new freshman. It’s a good thing I like my school and my job or I might get really mad that they’re asking me to come in for four Saturdays in five weeks. The entrance ceremony was just about like graduation in reverse with the same amount of hoopla: chairs, red carpet, heated gym, TV news, fancy clothes, etc. I tried not to think anything sinister like “Sure they treat you real good now, but once they’ve got your kids inside they’ll treat them . . .” well, like I said I tried not to have any sinister thoughts. (More)

I guess I’m getting older. My birthday snuck up on me and passed without any great fanfare. Of course, I did celebrate when Mom and Dad were here, so I guess it’s to be expected. It was also the first day of school so everyone at school was busy and had other things to worry about. However, I got calls from the states and Nikko dropped by to give me flowers. The next day Michiko brought flowers to church for me and Mark and Megan gave me chocolate and stationary items. (More)

I realize I am once again behind in this blog, but I had such a funny moment at school today I felt like writing a separate post. After hanging out with the kids at club activities for a while after school I headed home as usual with my red bike helmet (required in America, but still not cool), my backpack with the waste strap buckled (major nerd factor), my plane green turtleneck, kaki pants (that are too worn out for professional use but I wear them anyway) on my beat-up mountain bike, and to top it all off the bike doesn’t have chain guard so I stuff my right pants leg into my socks so they don’t get dirty. This is a picture of a fashion-oblivious, self-admitting nerd if there ever was one. However, as I biked out of the school grounds I said goodbye to a group of ichinensei girls and they chorused “Kakkoiiiiiiiiii!” I’ve always been told it means “cool,” but in this case my dictionary gives a more ironic definition: of nice appearance, stylish.