Ramblings

Ueno Zoo - Feb. 14, 2009

2009-04-04T00:59:35Z

I went to the Ueno Zoo when I was in Tokyo on Valentine's Day. I took some pictures, so here they are! (look at me catching up!!)

Not quite sure why these were there, but they were in the zoo, so hey!

In honor of their birthday.......

2009-04-01T03:02:00Z

Your result for The Harry Potter Husband Test ...

Mrs. Weasley Twin

Your perfect HP man is Fred and/or George Weasley.

Laughter is important to you. You want a guy who's never boring, who can always put a smile on your face, and who can pull the best of pranks and never get caught. Or possibly two such guys. Because let's face it, they're pretty much a two-fer. You get one, you get both. Even if one of them's only a friend, he'll still be around so much you'll feel like you're married to him, too. Sure, they may not seem like the most mature guys in the world, in a traditional sense, but just ask them about their business plan. When they drive you nuts by relentlessly testing their latest inventions on you, you can console youself with that huge stack of cash and dragon-leather jacket. Besides, you know you're powerless against those stereo smiles.

Take it here

Like I expected anything else...... (OK, there is one other that would have been OK, but this is better).

I found this quiz while looking for their pictures for something else. haha

(PS the pic came from here)

Hiroshima, Iwakuni, Miyajima

2009-03-25T06:57:55Z

I said I may post pictures, and here they are. This is just a sampling of the jillion or so I took on my Christmas trip.

Hiroshima peace memorial area

Hiroshima castle and Shukkeien Garden

Iwakuni

Miyajima

random crazy things on Miyajima

Misc.

"I am flower pollen sick." - one of my students (adorable!!)

2009-03-22T10:05:49Z

Looks like I'm late in posting again.

My life as of late:

Went to Tokyo, and finally went to the Ueno Zoo.

Went to Osaka. Had good Italian at this restaurant. Missed my last train home. I was really tired so rather than attempt to walk around a town I don't know well late at night trying to find a hotel I just took a taxi. Only 12000-yen. Luckily the binoculars I lost that day were at the lost and found the next day.

Taught my second years twice this month! I love those kids more and more. In fact, after graduation I made some promise to give me their buttons - and one said he would give me his 2nd one (aka the one by his heart aka the one meant for their girlfriends) if he doesn't have a girlfriend next year.

Had my last elementary classes. The best class at the bad school gave me a sign board. Many kids wrote that they had fun and liked English. A few wrote that they didn't like English until I taught them. All of the 5th years at the good school wrote me short letters. Some were fun. Most were sweet. Don't know why they wrote to me since I'll probably see them next school year anyway.

My third years graduated. I love those kids. There are so many that I love and so many memories. I didn't cry though, but that may be more because I don't really cry than anything else. I'll miss them - even the pervy ones. I got lots of pictures, got some (but not all of the kids I like) to sign my graduation album (only 7000-yen!), and got some presents (a piece of chocolate, a key chain, and 3 buttons. haha). I wanted more buttons from the kids, but by the time I remembered most of them had left (I suck, I know). The first kid that I said "give me something" gave me the chocolate instead of a button (even though I was thinking button lol). I didn't go to the teacher's party after graduation though, but partly because of my mood leading up to graduation.

More and more I feel like I am back in high school. Except now I am more equipped to deal with the shit and thus it doesn't bother me as much. But it still sucks. It has put a huge damper on a lot of things that should be happy - and has been for some time. I thought it would get better but it really seems to only be getting worse. Or maybe I am just growing up more but haven't let other parts of me catch up.

Saw my kids play baseball twice (and got the coaches even more on my good side), and have run into many out at the stores since then. I miss a lot because they hang in the arcade and there is no reason for someone my age to go there alone. Or even really to go at all, but at least I can claim I am doing purikura if I am with someone.

Cooked with different classes. Three of the graduating classes (some of my favorite boys didn't come though, or they harassed me), and two of the first year classes (where I made friends with some new kids). The home-ec teacher is great and seems to genuinely appreciate my coming since I can do her cooking while she helps the kids.

Discovered some new music through CSI.

Want to read more but don't want to deal with having a bunch of books to take care of when I have to move again. The amazon book reader thing would be nice if it wasn't so expensive (twindle I think it is called).

I'm debating about what to do during my spring vacation. Maybe a few day trips since I have a list of places to visit.

If I feel up to it I may post some pics later on this week.

久しぶり

2009-02-01T05:57:18Z

Wow..... it's been a while since I posted, huh? Almost a month actually. It's not that I have been too busy, or that I haven't done anything exciting, more like, I didn't feel like it. I haven't even been checking LJ! Oh well.

I'll just do a quick bullet-list run down, if anyone cares.

Got over food poisoning, gained some (all?) of the weight back, took care of my car's inspection stuff (let's not talk about the price).

Went shopping and spent a ton of presents and shipping for Christmas.

Went to a teacher's house for a takoyaki party (only one other teacher came for part of it), and was there making takoyaki and dessert yaki for like 5 hours or something.

Went to the end of the year party with my teachers and got seated with 2 of the same people I sat with at the post-Sports Day party (one is the English teacher I sit by in the teacher's room). Not that it was a bad thing - one of them did all of the cooking and it was soooo good (sukiyaki).

Went to Hiroshima/Miyajima/Iwakuni.

Spent a shit ton more money in Osaka (twice) and went to the Umeda Sky Building.

Went to Tokyo/Chiba, got lost in Nihonbashi due to a bad map, got little sleep.

Sold all of my not-available in the Johnny's store pictures (either older pics, JWeb pics, or goods sets pics) to an unofficial store for a grand total of ............ 10-yen a pic! I had 482, so I got 4820-yen. They didn't even give me money for the photo albums they were in, nor did they return the albums (there were 7, all from the 100-yen store, and not that I needed them, but good lord!!)!! Total rip off since NONE of those pics are available anymore. I would have preferred to sell them on yahoo auction but since it would have been a pain I didn't. I mean, I can't read/write Japanese well, and with 482 pics, even breaking it in to groups that would still give me too many auctions to make. UGH I bet they are selling my pics for 300+ yen, so 30 times what they paid me. ANGRY!!!!!!!!!

Pierced my other ear. Told my mom I pierced myself, and explained all about the gun, and sent her pictures of it.

Got snow tires just in time to drive during a bunch of snow. EXPENSIVE! But the guy at the store was cute, and I have my old tires (under my bed).

Continue to enjoy my students, even if some of them are morons/strange/moody (they're teens, what do I expect?)

Have thus far managed to avoid the flu, despite all of the kids at all three of my schools that have had it (a bunch of classes have been sent home for 3 days at a time)

Thanks to part of my Christmas present from my mom I've been decorating/making clothes/bags more. I wish I had found the way to sew the hoodie part of my jacket before I started it though.... Oh well (pain in the ass).

Realized that I have grown up more than I thought over the past few months, but also that I still have more growing to do.

Decided to stay another year, but have yet to hear from my company if I can re-contract. I would assume yes based on the fact that the teachers, vice principals, principals and a lot of the students are begging me to stay. Well, some of the 3rd years aren't, but they are graduating (although one begged me to transfer to her high school - HAHA). The decision wasn't as easy as it was in past years though.

Been watching a lot of stuff - dramas and movies mostly. I hate going to download a drama and it is split into a bunch of parts. A lot of times if I see that I won't download it, no matter how great it is supposed to be, because it is too much of a pain in the ass. Especially if it has passwords on it.

Finished reading a funny book from elyndys and am half-way through an equally enlightening, but more dense, book I bought for myself. I love history <3.

I've been cleaning more, throwing away crap, organizing, and staying warm (because my current place is better). I still have a bunch of stuff I don't know what to do with though, but maybe I can figure it out soon.

Sometimes it is strange not being in the on-line fandom, but for the most part I am glad I am not involved anymore. It's funny because any time I think maybe I will rejoin, I take a baby step and then get chased away again. The same is true for a lot of things in my life lately though. It certainly doesn't make me regret any of my decisions, and contines to convince me that there is no need for me to go back to the way things were - fandom wise, or starting some new project (which unfortunately my brain hasn't seemed to realize and thus won't stop coming up with ideas - CUT THAT SHIT OUT!).

Random, but I found that two people had de-friended me sometime since..... whenever I last checked. I also let my paid account expire (no need for it really), so I had to go adjust settings again.

OK, back to sewing.

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

2008-12-07T11:52:02Z

Today I went to Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine in Kyoto, finally. It was nice, and afterwards I had curry for dinner (and strawberry cake), plus I did a little shopping. Oh, and I fell in love with this cute cat at the shrine. It only meowed when I was there but it was scared of me. I wish I hadn't eaten all of my food at lunch because I would have given some of it to the cat. :( On the way home I sat by this really nice grandma who talked to me the entire time and was so happy that she could talk to me. She was so sweet and even though I didn't understand all that she was telling me (she was talking a lot about Japanese grammar), it was nice.

Happy Days........

2008-12-05T08:22:30Z

ooops..... I forgot.

Day 4 (Dec. 3):
I am happy that I was able to eat real food (sandwich) and not get sick.
I am happy that I got to talk to a student for a while and the teachers let us talk.
I am happy that I had time to talk to one of the teachers while everyone else was at the staff meeting.

Day 5 (Dec. 4):
I am happy that my students are adorable. And idiots.... but let's focus on the adorable part.
I'm happy that my co-workers are great people (who sometimes give me stuff, but also remember to ask about me).

Day 6 (Dec. 5):
I am happy that the bad school wasn't as bad as they can be.
I am happy that if I stay next year I won't have to go to the bad school.

Day 3

2008-12-02T09:23:52Z

After feeling really sick for a long time last night, I managed to not actually *get* sick, and my fever us gone.
My students and the teachers were beyond sweet again <3<3.

This isn't something happy, but it makes me laugh for an unknown reason - I got some ads in my mailbox. They are ads for 2 call girl services, and the girls will do anything (it even lists their services, some of which I didn't know the Japanese for until just now!).

8 days of happiness - Day 2

2008-12-01T08:15:11Z

Things that made me happy:
I didn't get sick at work.
MY VP was sweet and kept telling me to go home early.
A bunch of my students said they were really worried about me. (<3<3)
I found out that a bunch of other teachers were sick this weekend too.
My dad E-mailed me.
I didn't wreck the rental car.

8 days of happiness or something

2008-11-30T08:22:13Z

tagged by kenaressa.

The rules are that for 8 days you have to post something that made you happy that day.

i don't know if i will be able to post all 8 days but we will see.

i am happy that i was able to make it to the car place by myself and get back home safely. and i am happy that i can keep white bread and clear liquids down.

i'm supposed to tag people but i think most people i know have been tagged, so.... if you haven't been tagged and want to do it, go for it.

Ugh

2008-11-28T23:59:29Z

I think I have food poisoning.......

HBP

2008-11-26T22:27:58Z

The new Harry Potter trailer just mocks me. MOCKS ME!

*shakes fist*

DO IT! DO IT!!

2008-11-15T08:45:21Z

Look what I did in the handicapped bathroom of the Loft just minutes ago!

Lies

2008-11-03T13:05:28Z

Really now....... really?

How many more times am I going to let this happen before I blow it all off?

Halloween nails

2008-10-29T12:16:28Z

I got some free Halloween nail art stickers a few weeks ago (yay free!!) so I decided to put them on for Halloween. I have elementary school Thursday and Friday so hopefully the kids will get a kick out of it. I wish there had been some more designs, but hey, whatever. Free!

marcasitevah @ 2008-10-24T15:57:00

2008-10-24T06:57:01Z

I don't know what is more frustrating: the cost of my insurance, the fact that I gave to pay it every month, the fact that I have to pay it at certain banks only (because no one bothered to tell me I could have it automatically withdrawn) OR that said banks close at 3 on Fridays.

I wonder if I can change this at city hall today because ugh!

EDIT: I went to the city office and they told me a bunch of stuff that I didn't understand, except the part where I have to take this form to the bank to fill out. If I had time to do that I wouldn't be coming here in the first place!

Banks in Japan are such a pain in the ass. I know that banks in the US close early, but they are open on Saturdays for a half day at least. None of the banks around me are. And now I know that they close at 3. WTF!

I'm at work from 8:10-5:30ish every day. The only reason I wasn't there today was because I had elementary school in the afternoon. I made sure to have my meeting, etc., during lunch so that I could leave early and pay for my insurance. I have an elementary day that I could work this all out again with (I leave elementary after lunch and go to my junior high, but they are having tests so if I am a few minutes late getting there no one will notice/care). But still.... bank hours suck!

Tofukuji and Kyoto National Museum

2008-10-19T09:48:50Z

Today, pretty much for the hell of it, I went to Kyoto. First I went to the Kyoto National Museum. Their special exhibit was black and gold makie. Some of the stuff was absolutely gorgeous. You can see some of it here. I then headed over to Tofukuji since it is just one stop away. As I was leaving some dude came up and asked to take a picture of me in front of the temple. I was like "umm.... OK." Then he wanted to get one of us together. So, we did. I stood there for a second trying to figure out if he still wanted to talk to me but he moved off so I just left. He didn't chase after me so I have no idea what that was all about.

Anyway, I was too early to see the autumn foliage (haha), but I still took a bunch of pictures. Highlights are under the cut.

Late night musings II

2008-10-18T15:21:27Z

Should I take the high road and treat people like I want to be treated? Or should I treat them like I have been treated? And if I should pick the first one do I have the right to be upset or disappointed when I am turned down or mistreated or taken advantage of or whatever again? More importantly should I even care or bother?

Gourd cookies??

2008-10-14T10:50:01Z

Not many students commented on the apron (I think a lot couldn't see it since when they saw me I was behind people or behind the counter, etc.,) but the cookies were a success!

We made Kanpyou cookies. If you are like me then you are wondering "wtf is kanpyou." So, I looked it up on Friday as soon as I got the directions (which I translated over the weekend for myself). I found that kanpyou is "strips of dried gourd." .... great that tells me nothing. So, I turned to wikipedia. It told me that they are calabash, and I followed a link to that article. I was a bit distrusting because it didn't sound much like a cookie (especially when I looked at the ingredients), but it turned out pretty good. The kanpyou tasted a bit like dried fruit when put into the cookies.

Apron

2008-10-13T09:04:52Z

Ever since I started at my new school I wanted to join in with some cooking. OK, not since the beginning but ever since I found out that the kids cook. Anyway, I mentioned it to the home ec teacher and this time she invited me to join the kids elective class tomorrow (we are making cookies). Of course this meant that I needed an apron.

I went and bought a black one with the intention of decorating it a bit. Now, I didn't do too too much seeing as this is for cooking and all (not that I ever wear aprons). I know that I made the pirate patch crooked, but I don't care. I did my best sewing it on by hand there at the corner of the pocket.

I feel like it is missing something, but I am not sure what....

EDIT: As per Annie's suggestion I ended up adding my name. I messed up a little as I pulled the film off the letter "B" but I think it still looks OK. I mean, I did the letters and some of the sewing with a fever and a bad headache so not too bad at all.

Ferris wheel sunset

2008-10-12T00:27:42Z

Two weekends ago I went to Osaka. I rode the Ferris wheel at Hep 5 and we were there just as the sun was setting. So, I snapped a few (haha) pics. Here are a select few.

And, for a little taste of home ^_^

Hypocrisy

2008-10-11T08:02:54Z

“Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing.” - Edmund Burke

“Every man alone is sincere. At the entrance of a second person, hypocrisy begins.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Late night thought

2008-09-28T14:48:08Z

Sometimes it really sucks to be right.

Heroes

2008-09-25T08:29:54Z

OMG Heroes! <3<3<3<3

I can't wait to see what Television Without Pity has to say. And THANK GOD it was two episodes long. KYAA!

In other news, did anyone else watch the first episode of SNL? I watched it because I read about the Tina Fey/Amy Poehler doing Sarah Palin/Clinton skit. That skit was class but the rest of the episode.... blah. It had been ages since I watched SNL and I had no idea Kenan Thompson was on the show now. I remember back in the day when he was on All That.

Apocalyptica featuring Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace - I Don't Care

2008-09-20T07:42:11Z

Video

I try to make it through my life
In my way
There is you
I try to make it through these lies
That’s all I do

Just don't deny it
Just don't deny it
And deal with it
Yeah deal with it

You tried to break me
You wanna break me
Bit by bit
That’s just part of you

If you were dead or still alive,
I don't care,
I don't care,
And all the things you left behind,
I don't care,
I don't care

I try to make you see my side
Always trying to stay in line
But you’re all I see right through
That’s all they do
Im getting tired of this shit
I got no room when inside this
But if you wanted me just deal with it

So...

If you were dead or still alive,
I don't care,
I don't care,
And all the things you left behind,
I don't care,
I don't care

(I never cared about, I never cared about)

(You won't be there for me; you won't be there for me)

(Piano solo)

If you were dead or still alive,
I don't care,
I don't care,
And all the things you left behind,
I don't care,
I don't care

If you were dead or still alive,
I don't care,
(I never cared about, I never cared about)
I don't care,
And all the things you left behind,
I don't care,
(you won't be there for me, you won't be there for me)
I don't care at all