painted skies and opera
Fall has finally arrived here, kicking open the door and settling in on the sofa. The nights are cooler, the wind is brisk, and the humidity has dropped by at least half. The convenience stores are selling hot bentos and nikuman again, and the schools will switch to winter uniforms in another week. The leaves haven't started turning yet, but they will quite soon - already there are flyers being sent around the neighborhood about leaf-viewing trips to places with particularly nice foliage. To celebrate fall's arrival, I shall have to start cooking warmer foods - maybe I'll whip up curry next week.
Oh, and I need a new blanket for the kotatsu. My old one is stained and full of holes... :(
Tomorrow is my elementary school visit to Shibutami Elementary. I would much rather visit them in December, so that I could see their new school building (which will be finished November 30th.) But sadly, the schedule has me going there now. Boo. I'll have to wait until my February visit.
Today I was at Shibutami Middle School, where we reviewed for the major test the students have tomorrow and Friday. We played English Jeopardy and reviewed reading passages. The students were let out early to go home and study - pssht, yeah, sure. I saw half of them hanging out with their friends on my way home, or out playing at the local gym. :P And of course, Mr. Naito had more questions on puppy-rearing for me. Sakura-chan, his puppy, is five months old and teething, poor thing.
Life is otherwise uneventful. LJ posting has decreased because I spend my evenings studying Japanese, or studying kanji, or trying to read the news or watch TV in Japanese. This is teaching me many new words, and many words that I could say in a simpler way, but that are also said in a complicated requires-two-or-more-kanji way. But it's interesting, nonetheless.
AND... drumroll, please... I have been SODA-FREE for over a month, now. NONE. The only exception has been two times when I've had melon soda at a restaurant. But it's a fountain beverage, and only available at restaurants - so I figure it's not bad to treat myself, if it's only once in a while. I'm so proud - it's the longest I've ever resisted. :)
Well, I have to shower and get to bed. I've been very bad at waking up early this week. Those three day weekends Japan has in the fall are spoiling me.
Oh, and I need a new blanket for the kotatsu. My old one is stained and full of holes... :(
Tomorrow is my elementary school visit to Shibutami Elementary. I would much rather visit them in December, so that I could see their new school building (which will be finished November 30th.) But sadly, the schedule has me going there now. Boo. I'll have to wait until my February visit.
Today I was at Shibutami Middle School, where we reviewed for the major test the students have tomorrow and Friday. We played English Jeopardy and reviewed reading passages. The students were let out early to go home and study - pssht, yeah, sure. I saw half of them hanging out with their friends on my way home, or out playing at the local gym. :P And of course, Mr. Naito had more questions on puppy-rearing for me. Sakura-chan, his puppy, is five months old and teething, poor thing.
Life is otherwise uneventful. LJ posting has decreased because I spend my evenings studying Japanese, or studying kanji, or trying to read the news or watch TV in Japanese. This is teaching me many new words, and many words that I could say in a simpler way, but that are also said in a complicated requires-two-or-more-kanji way. But it's interesting, nonetheless.
AND... drumroll, please... I have been SODA-FREE for over a month, now. NONE. The only exception has been two times when I've had melon soda at a restaurant. But it's a fountain beverage, and only available at restaurants - so I figure it's not bad to treat myself, if it's only once in a while. I'm so proud - it's the longest I've ever resisted. :)
Well, I have to shower and get to bed. I've been very bad at waking up early this week. Those three day weekends Japan has in the fall are spoiling me.