I wanna be the one who you believe in your heart is (sent from heaven)...
I like this song. It makes me feel good. I like Keyshia's voice a lot too - even tho she's an R&B singer, it's not overdone - nice, simple, and very very pretty. Even though I feel like sleeping the rest of the month away, listening to her stuff makes me feel a little better.
Another pick-up for me...new Tirol chocolates! Right now it's pumpkin tart!! (And I should go out and buy the salty vanilla ones before they stop selling them...)
Anyway - some of life's recent stuff:
Even though yesterday was a Tuesday, it was a national holiday, and a well appreciated day off. Took care of the laundry and cleaning, and then headed out to Ohara, another place kinda in the middle of nowhere about 40 minutes from here.
In Ohara they were holding the Ohara Hadaka/Naked Man Festival. For better or worse, whichever you'd like to think, the men are actually just half-naked, and don't have shirts on. Personally, I thought it was quite good that they had clothes on, because most of them were old men with huge beer bellies.
Anyway, apparently the whole thing is 18 of the huge heavy shrines that they like breaking their backs to carry around during festivals gather in Ohara and the men pretty much do "manly" things and act stupid. There's a thing where they all run into the ocean and dance around while still carrying the shrines, but I got there too late and missed it.
It was pretty fun tho, and a fairly decently festival.
I did get to see them all run around the track gazillion times tho! (And of course still carrying the shrines!)
(Half-)naked men!
Creeeeeeepe. Mmmm festival food...
I rushed and tried to catch the fireworks, but it didn't work out too well. D:
I tried to not watch the horoscope today but I wound up seeing it anyway. BUT! Today scorpios were number 2!!!
But that said, I still feel like I had a very very horrible day. I think I'm falling into a very bad slump...Not that work isn't going well - maybe it is, maybe it isn't. I can't tell. A lot of my things keep getting returned to me covered in red, and yes they're getting better, but can't they just say OK??? I feel like I'm eternally failing exams.
Not to mention, the harder I try to do work faster and finish up things, the more meetings I get pulled into, and the more work gets piled onto my desk. I love my work - it's all very interesting, and I'd much rather be busy than twiddling my thumbs than how I know some of the other CIRs around are, and I know it's not anyone's fault but...it was just very very bad luck that all the work happened to fall on when I first arrived. Maybe it's like hitting the ground running...?
My current projects, all pretty much of equal priority, and all with very close deadlines:
1) Halloween Party - I have to plan a halloween party. I'd love to start getting ready for it, but between my other projects and the fact that I'm still getting cut down at the basic stages (for the past 2 weeks, I've been working on flyers for advertising, but I keep getting my drafts back). I plan to make a pinata, which I've never done before so I have no idea how long to take, and there's a lot of other things to prepare as well.
2) Sanya City, China - I don't think I'm going. I HOPE I'm not. Granted, it'd be really cool...but I'm just so busy I think I'd die if I got dragged along. In preparation, I have to translate a speech from the mayor (luckily pretty much finished). However, for some retarded reason we need to include a PR video of our city - something that's non-existent, and so we have to make it. We've asked a contractor to take care of it, but because it's for PR to foreigners and well - I'm a foreigner! I'm a major part of the process. So I've had tons of meetings for this video, and even better, I have to narrate it because I'm the only native English speaker around, yes?
What's really irking me with this one is, I had to wait for the initial video to finish so I could at least see what's on the video to figure out what to prepare. The contractor comes in and tells me to finish the script by Friday, and to be ready to record on Tuesday, the 30th - hopefully it'll only take an hour. Will it??? I'm certainly not a pro, and I've never done it before. No one else is helping out because I'm "the foreigner, and should know what foreigners" will like. Tomorrow is Thursday, which means I only have tomorrow to write up the script, and perhaps Friday and maybe Monday to check it/practice speaking, assuming I don't get dragged into other things.
3) Newsletter - One of my regular projects is writing the English version of the town newsletter. It has to be written, assembled, printed, copied, and mailed out by the 30th (also the deadline for the narration thing above). I was hoping to work on it today, but got dragged into some meetings and poof! my day was gone. Last month it took me a week to get together, but hopefully because I was getting used to the process.
4) Art project - Every year, our city and our sister city's elementary schools trade art projects. We display the artworks at the city cultural festival at the beginning of November. The names need to be katakana-ized, and the explanations and other things that came in the package need to be translated. Doesn't sound to difficult, but it's another thing I don't have time for right now.
5) Chairman's visit - Next month, the weekend right after my halloween event (yes I have to work two weekends in a row YAY!), the chairman of our sister city's international association is coming to visit. Luckily this can be left alone for at least another week or two, because we've done what we can so far, but it's still on the back of my mind.
6) Interpretation - Also next month, the day right BEFORE my halloween event, I have to go to Tateyama, the neighboring city, to help interpret at their anniversary event with their sister city (in Washington State). I don't actually have to do anything major, just interpreting at the table, but it will be my first interpreting event so I'm a bit nervous. Not to mention I kind of really dislike the Tateyama CIR because he's obnoxious in that overstudious-I know everything-look at me! way. There isn't much to do in terms of preparation (yet), but it's another thing that makes me nervous.
6) Judge for speech contest - Not until November, but we're already getting things from the schools regarding the contest. I don't have to do anything prep, but it's another upcoming event.
7) More events - I've been told that I don't have to worry about planning yet, especially because I'm so busy, but I've already been asked multiple times about what other events I'm planning to hold, and that I should probably submit the proposals fairly early. ARGHHH.
There are a bunch of other things going on as well, but at least the first 3 are things that need to be taken care of and SOON! I feel like my head is going to explode. I'm trying really hard not to stay overtime (I stayed an extra 30 minutes today) because I just don't want them getting used to me doing it and start expecting it from me, but I really might have to.
Last Saturday I blew a crack load of money on this jewel:
It did cost a lot, about $400, but now I don't feel as sad about staying home and hermit-ing everyday after work. I needed a DVD player too...Now I need a nicer TV (but don't worry, I'm not planning on buying that anytime soon!)
Also, at the end of November, we have CIR Mid-Year Conference coming up in Tokyo. November will be a bitch too (tho hopefully not as bad as October is looking to be!). The weekend right before mid-year is our workplace trip to Kyushu, which is supposedly optional (but you know it's not). I've been paying 20000 yen out of my paycheck for the past two months, and I have one more payment left. 60000 yen for a 3 day trip? Is that normal??
Anyway, apparently for mid-year we have to arrange for accommodations on our own (tho the city will reimburse us). Whatever retard planed this year's mid-year arranged for it to be in between the Kasumigaseki (where the Diet is) and Roppongi, so of course there are no decently priced hotels in the area. In the end, I've reserved one in Shibuya - Hotel Mets. http://www.hotelmets.jp/shibuya/index.htm
Not bad I guess...I was looking around on the internet around other stations, but they're either insanely priced or very seedy looking. Of course, I could always try East Tokyo (like Shinagawa?) but honestly - if given the chance I'd rather stay in the Shibuya area anyway. Plus I have to take the metro to mid-year, and so Shinagawa would be a bit inconvenient.
After mid-year ends, I'm planning to take the following day off so I can play - and I reserved a bit pricey but AMAZING hotel also in the Shibuya (but Toyoko) area.
http://www.claska.com/en/hotel/
SEKSEEEEEH.
DUDE it looks AMAZING. (Btw I'm supposed to be staying in Room 506.) I wanted to stay there for the whole time, but during the days for mid-year it's booked, and it's more expensive than I was allowed anyway. I don't get paid that much, so maybe it's kind of dumb, but I'm gonna consider it a birthday present for myself along with a "don't die! look forward to November!" thing. At some point I want to stay in the other rooms too!
Now it's time for me to go play, and then go to sleep. For anyone who actually read this far - thank you! I hope you're all doing well<3
Another pick-up for me...new Tirol chocolates! Right now it's pumpkin tart!! (And I should go out and buy the salty vanilla ones before they stop selling them...)
Anyway - some of life's recent stuff:
Even though yesterday was a Tuesday, it was a national holiday, and a well appreciated day off. Took care of the laundry and cleaning, and then headed out to Ohara, another place kinda in the middle of nowhere about 40 minutes from here.
In Ohara they were holding the Ohara Hadaka/Naked Man Festival. For better or worse, whichever you'd like to think, the men are actually just half-naked, and don't have shirts on. Personally, I thought it was quite good that they had clothes on, because most of them were old men with huge beer bellies.
Anyway, apparently the whole thing is 18 of the huge heavy shrines that they like breaking their backs to carry around during festivals gather in Ohara and the men pretty much do "manly" things and act stupid. There's a thing where they all run into the ocean and dance around while still carrying the shrines, but I got there too late and missed it.
It was pretty fun tho, and a fairly decently festival.
I did get to see them all run around the track gazillion times tho! (And of course still carrying the shrines!)
(Half-)naked men!
Creeeeeeepe. Mmmm festival food...
I rushed and tried to catch the fireworks, but it didn't work out too well. D:
I tried to not watch the horoscope today but I wound up seeing it anyway. BUT! Today scorpios were number 2!!!
But that said, I still feel like I had a very very horrible day. I think I'm falling into a very bad slump...Not that work isn't going well - maybe it is, maybe it isn't. I can't tell. A lot of my things keep getting returned to me covered in red, and yes they're getting better, but can't they just say OK??? I feel like I'm eternally failing exams.
Not to mention, the harder I try to do work faster and finish up things, the more meetings I get pulled into, and the more work gets piled onto my desk. I love my work - it's all very interesting, and I'd much rather be busy than twiddling my thumbs than how I know some of the other CIRs around are, and I know it's not anyone's fault but...it was just very very bad luck that all the work happened to fall on when I first arrived. Maybe it's like hitting the ground running...?
My current projects, all pretty much of equal priority, and all with very close deadlines:
1) Halloween Party - I have to plan a halloween party. I'd love to start getting ready for it, but between my other projects and the fact that I'm still getting cut down at the basic stages (for the past 2 weeks, I've been working on flyers for advertising, but I keep getting my drafts back). I plan to make a pinata, which I've never done before so I have no idea how long to take, and there's a lot of other things to prepare as well.
2) Sanya City, China - I don't think I'm going. I HOPE I'm not. Granted, it'd be really cool...but I'm just so busy I think I'd die if I got dragged along. In preparation, I have to translate a speech from the mayor (luckily pretty much finished). However, for some retarded reason we need to include a PR video of our city - something that's non-existent, and so we have to make it. We've asked a contractor to take care of it, but because it's for PR to foreigners and well - I'm a foreigner! I'm a major part of the process. So I've had tons of meetings for this video, and even better, I have to narrate it because I'm the only native English speaker around, yes?
What's really irking me with this one is, I had to wait for the initial video to finish so I could at least see what's on the video to figure out what to prepare. The contractor comes in and tells me to finish the script by Friday, and to be ready to record on Tuesday, the 30th - hopefully it'll only take an hour. Will it??? I'm certainly not a pro, and I've never done it before. No one else is helping out because I'm "the foreigner, and should know what foreigners" will like. Tomorrow is Thursday, which means I only have tomorrow to write up the script, and perhaps Friday and maybe Monday to check it/practice speaking, assuming I don't get dragged into other things.
3) Newsletter - One of my regular projects is writing the English version of the town newsletter. It has to be written, assembled, printed, copied, and mailed out by the 30th (also the deadline for the narration thing above). I was hoping to work on it today, but got dragged into some meetings and poof! my day was gone. Last month it took me a week to get together, but hopefully because I was getting used to the process.
4) Art project - Every year, our city and our sister city's elementary schools trade art projects. We display the artworks at the city cultural festival at the beginning of November. The names need to be katakana-ized, and the explanations and other things that came in the package need to be translated. Doesn't sound to difficult, but it's another thing I don't have time for right now.
5) Chairman's visit - Next month, the weekend right after my halloween event (yes I have to work two weekends in a row YAY!), the chairman of our sister city's international association is coming to visit. Luckily this can be left alone for at least another week or two, because we've done what we can so far, but it's still on the back of my mind.
6) Interpretation - Also next month, the day right BEFORE my halloween event, I have to go to Tateyama, the neighboring city, to help interpret at their anniversary event with their sister city (in Washington State). I don't actually have to do anything major, just interpreting at the table, but it will be my first interpreting event so I'm a bit nervous. Not to mention I kind of really dislike the Tateyama CIR because he's obnoxious in that overstudious-I know everything-look at me! way. There isn't much to do in terms of preparation (yet), but it's another thing that makes me nervous.
6) Judge for speech contest - Not until November, but we're already getting things from the schools regarding the contest. I don't have to do anything prep, but it's another upcoming event.
7) More events - I've been told that I don't have to worry about planning yet, especially because I'm so busy, but I've already been asked multiple times about what other events I'm planning to hold, and that I should probably submit the proposals fairly early. ARGHHH.
There are a bunch of other things going on as well, but at least the first 3 are things that need to be taken care of and SOON! I feel like my head is going to explode. I'm trying really hard not to stay overtime (I stayed an extra 30 minutes today) because I just don't want them getting used to me doing it and start expecting it from me, but I really might have to.
Last Saturday I blew a crack load of money on this jewel:
It did cost a lot, about $400, but now I don't feel as sad about staying home and hermit-ing everyday after work. I needed a DVD player too...Now I need a nicer TV (but don't worry, I'm not planning on buying that anytime soon!)
Also, at the end of November, we have CIR Mid-Year Conference coming up in Tokyo. November will be a bitch too (tho hopefully not as bad as October is looking to be!). The weekend right before mid-year is our workplace trip to Kyushu, which is supposedly optional (but you know it's not). I've been paying 20000 yen out of my paycheck for the past two months, and I have one more payment left. 60000 yen for a 3 day trip? Is that normal??
Anyway, apparently for mid-year we have to arrange for accommodations on our own (tho the city will reimburse us). Whatever retard planed this year's mid-year arranged for it to be in between the Kasumigaseki (where the Diet is) and Roppongi, so of course there are no decently priced hotels in the area. In the end, I've reserved one in Shibuya - Hotel Mets. http://www.hotelmets.jp/shibuya/index.htm
Not bad I guess...I was looking around on the internet around other stations, but they're either insanely priced or very seedy looking. Of course, I could always try East Tokyo (like Shinagawa?) but honestly - if given the chance I'd rather stay in the Shibuya area anyway. Plus I have to take the metro to mid-year, and so Shinagawa would be a bit inconvenient.
After mid-year ends, I'm planning to take the following day off so I can play - and I reserved a bit pricey but AMAZING hotel also in the Shibuya (but Toyoko) area.
http://www.claska.com/en/hotel/
SEKSEEEEEH.
DUDE it looks AMAZING. (Btw I'm supposed to be staying in Room 506.) I wanted to stay there for the whole time, but during the days for mid-year it's booked, and it's more expensive than I was allowed anyway. I don't get paid that much, so maybe it's kind of dumb, but I'm gonna consider it a birthday present for myself along with a "don't die! look forward to November!" thing. At some point I want to stay in the other rooms too!
Now it's time for me to go play, and then go to sleep. For anyone who actually read this far - thank you! I hope you're all doing well<3