Patience

Today my day got started off on the wrong foot, I had a problem with the tennis captain. I really don't like the fact that I have to teach my students the proper way to act and behave in their own culture, but I have come to the point where I really can't tolerate an attitude of disrespect or when they break the rules of procedure. Today was one of those instances, I've told this particular student before she needs to give an explanation or tell me what she needs me to do and why she needs it. Today I got, "Stamp this please.", again and so I said you know the proper way to ask me to do something and that is not it, you better think it over. Well after a little advice form a few teachers and the help of Mr. Ogino, I think the proplem has been taken care of, at least for now. I hope that this doesn't happen again. Until then I quess I need more patience.

Saying Goodbye

Today I took Jenny to the airport. It sure is hard to say good-bye, but actually it was nice to at least be able to spend a little time with her on her last day here in Japan. Jenny you will be greatly missed. You are going to have to be sure that you promise to keep mailing me, if not who is going to send me messages on my phone. Here we are at her last snack/meal before she left, Takoyaki! Actually it was really nice the outer layer was really crispy.

On the way back I stopped at Edokko Sushi my favorite sushi shop in all of Japan, cheap and so delicious! Since I was all alone I had to eat the salmon skin roll all by myself, it was tough but someone had to do it. It is always the last taste when I go there. It was bliss, enough to keep a smile on my face for at least a week.

Before I got to the shop I stopped in a little antique store near the station, and found a very cool samue that even thought the pants are a little short I had to buy it.Here is a view of the front.










And the Back.

How cool am I going to be wearing this!
Too bad it is too hot now I will have to wait for winter.

Sunday Musings

There are a few people that I get e-mail fwds from, and for the most part I refuse to send them on. I especially don't like the "Christian themed" ones that try to make you feel guilty or have no faith if you don't pass them on, I mean what does a chain mail have to do with my faith. Well I say all that to post a forwarded story from my parents. I like the message of it. Hope you enjoy it too.

Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.

As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him. "Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, Hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.

Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!"

The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?

Funeral for a Friend

Usuda, Takeuchi, Watanabe, Hayashi, Motohashi, Ueno, Anda, Ishii, Suzuki, Yatabe, Yamaguchi, Tamaki, Tsuda, Mari, Onuma; all old co-workers and a few I will still consider valued friends. Those kind of people with whom it feels like you can pick up right where you left off no matter how many years past. The last three names on the list are just that type of friend. Last night I went to the wake of Mamiko Okazawa. It was actually a very nice wake but way too long, two hours and fifteen minutes. Anyway the above mentioned people are all teachers at Chiba Eiwa, afterwards it was really nice to spend some time with the last 3, it seemed like it was just yesterday since I had seen them. I really like relationships like that ones that stay fresh and meaningful even through large gaps of time.

Back to the funeral, just the week before Kozo Shimada was drilling me on what kind of funeral I wanted, well I'm not planning to kick off anytime soon, but at least I do know one thing, it will be less than an hour. He asked me about music and I remembered that when I was younger I always thought that I would like to have Elton John's " Funeral for a Friend" played at my funeral. Actually I don't really remember how the song goes anymore, I will have to check into it. But when I think of it I think of it I think that I would like my funeral to be a fun occasion. Sure there will be somber moments, but I would hope that people that I have know would be able to gather chat reminisce and just enjoy the time remembering.

Caligraphy

Today started out at church in Nishikunitachi. Jenny and Rachelle had done callgraphy the week before with the church people and they had the finished works matted for them and put on scrolls. Here are the finished products and artists.

Jenny's Sayonara Party

Today was Jenny's Sayonara party. A good group showed up and we all fit into the apt. although there wasn't enough seats for everyone.
Now the most interesting thing about the day was Jenny's sweet and sour meatballs. How shocked was I when she asked me to help out and the only two ingredients of the sauce were, mustard and grape jelly. I can not tell you how discusting it looked putting it together, but as Jenny promised it was good. Although not in the least healthy. I think the person that thought up this combination was either a genius or was doing some serious drugs that day.

Party

Today nagihana had a party at Peter and Beatrix Wagner's house. They have a nice house in Azamino that from the looks of it was all German construction assembled here in Japan. We had the most delicious bratwurst, not to mention steak, pork chops, shirmp, potato salad, tomato and stuffed olive salad, homemade bread.... the list goes on and on. Then after moving to the yard, can you believe it a yard big enough for a barbeque and 10 people to move around comfortably in Japan, out came the deserts. She made 6 different never tried before beautiful deserts. A chocolate mint cake, a lemon cake toped with chocolate, a cherry tort sort of thing almost like a cheese cake, tiramisu, chocolate cake w/nuts, and swan cream puffs. Yes they were shaped like swans. I could only try 3 of them. I think I gained a few pounds today I hope there is not so much food at Jenny's party, but then again who am I kidding.

Thanks for the comment Connie hope you coffee time went well.

Bungled Communication

Well what I thought was going to be a nice half day off didn't quite turn out the way I had hoped. Rachelle called before 7 to say that she had heard school was delayed. Then at 9:30 I get another call from her saying do you know that we have school now, second period is at 10:00. Well this is what happened. there were flood and heavy rain warnings, and if that is the case school will start at 12:30 if the warnings are lifted before 10:00, and cancelled if they are not. Well as it turns out most everyone just ignored the warnings and came to school anyway, 87% of the kids showed up for class at 8:00. The school also has a new emergency announcement system that can send out information to peoples cell phones telling them of what is happening at these times. Of course they didn't use it and most of the teachers showed up so they went on with classes. The impression that I was left with was that even if that is the rule for the students it doesn't apply for the teachers. How stupid is that! When will someone see the discrepencies and make changes?

Rain

It is the rainy season and today we are getting hit hard. Actually there are flood warnings and I got a call from Rachelle this morning saying that school is delayed untill 12:30.

YEAH!

How often does that happen. So for the one person that actually checks my blog, Connie you know who you are, how do you like the simple new layout. I took advantage of the time this morning and made the changes. Sorry I'm not as fancy as you.

Floating

This one is for Jenny!
How funky is that just to be able to float by and relax. Somewhere in that statement is a thought about life, but it is before 6am and I don't have quite enough coffee in me yet to wax lyricaly on the topic. But speaking of Jenny, she leaves in just over 2 weeks. Who am I going to send text messages to? She has been a great friend and she will be missed here.

Some students outside school. These are just 4 of the girls that will be going to Florida this year, I think it is going to be a good group. They are very eager and attentative they should have a great experience.This will be by 5th year taking the girls it is always an enjoyable trip and a good time of relaxation, away from all the stress of Japan.

Speaking of stress, Thursday I had another run in with my tennis students. they had decided to practice without informing me of their intention. Which really shouldn't pose any problem but this is Japan and there is a heirarcy to things, and ultimately I carry the responsibility if there is any problem. I found out as I was on my way out of the school. I think this is just one more of their attempts to avoid me. I feel the other teachers wouldn't tolerate such action so neither can I. I think some of the problem is being caused by the other teacher involved, ie. he has set it up so he is the ultimate athority in the students eyes, but he is not at school everyday and can not take care of all the daily workings just by e-mail. I need to sit down with him and make some stipulations on how I feel things should be communicated. It is a very touchy subject though.

Ms. Nakajima

Hi I'm sitting here next to Ms. Nakajima. We booth are feighing work. I just wanted to put this up to see if my blog will readjust itself.