In case you wanted to keep tabs on me (or the international news), this is my schedule:
Flights:
4/23--JTA 022 19:40 Miyako-Haneda
4/24--NWA 0027 18:45 Narita-Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok)
4/30--Thai Airways International TG287 15:55 Suvarnabhumi-Koh Samui
5/02--Thai Airways International TG288 17:45 Koh Samui-Suvarnabhumi
5/03--NWA 0028 6:00 Suvarnabhumi-Narita
5/05--ANA 465 12:15 Niigata-Okinawa
5/05--ANA 1729 18:25 Okinawa-Miyako
Hotels and locals:
Wed 23--Tokyo http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/KhaosanTokyoSmile-Tokyo-16535
Thur 24--Bangkok http://www.queensgardenresort.net/
Fri 25--Ayuthaya http://www.baansuanguesthouse.com/
Sat 26--Khao Yai http://www.greenleaftour.com/index.html
Sun 27--Khao Yai http://www.greenleaftour.com/index.html
Mon 28--Bangkokhttp://www.newjoeguesthouse.com/
Tues 29--Bangkok http://www.newjoeguesthouse.com/
Wed 30--Koh Samui http://www.embassysamui.com/
Thur 1--Koh Samui http://www.embassysamui.com/
Fri 2--Bangkok http://www.queensgardenresort.net/
Sat 3-Mon 5--Niigata
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I AM CARLESS--and I just got paid for the priveledge
Okay, so my car was old. 16 years old. It could legally drive itself in the US. And it leaked so that it rained on both the inside and outside. And the transmition was DYING. Like there was that time that it just didn't start when Gabe and Hillary were here. And that time where it just would NOT go up Jason's driveway. And the several times when it would just NOT go backwards. Like back up the slight incline in the Strongman parking lot. Like into my garage last night.
Yes, it was time to let it go.
Lets also mention that in Japan they have this thing called Shaken, that is basically an insanely expensive emissions inspection, every other year. And after a car turns 12, it happens every year. Mine was due on April 30th.
So yeah. I'm off today because I have the hacking crud, but seeing how I'm leaving the island for mainland tomorrow, and the mainland for Thailand the day after, and I won't bet back until next month, I needed to deal with car TODAY.
So, over the weekend I ask Sam to do it with me. She says fine, but today she's got a horrible sore throat, so she can't.
Okaaaaaay, so I ask Jeff, because he's had like 2 accidents that required a new vehicle, and he can't help either.
Okaaaaaay, so I go to the iinkai, even though I'm sick, so it's bad of me to show up, and I ask them what do I need to do. My new supervisor called my old supervisor and asks her what the heck I should do. Noriko comes up and calls my insurance agent, and when he finally gets there over an hour later, HE finally helps me more than anyone.
He fills out the paperwork I need to cancel my insurance. He then reimburses me for about 8500yen. Booya. I'd written that money as gone.
He then calls a recycle place, gets directions, shows me on the map where I need to go, asks them if I need any other paperwork (which I thankfully didn't), and sends me on my way. He even warns me that they'll be paying me for the car. Boo. Ya. Ka.
So I go. I find it (it's on the gusukubesen, on the right, across from Toast, just after the giant old looking Japanese gate. The first kanji of the name is 土 over 口, I have no idea how to say it, the driveway is at the same place as the giant gate thing). I get out and they tell me I have everything and then they give me 3000yen. Rock. I totally made money on this car.
And then, just to show you how people are on this island, the lady asks me how I was planning to get home. And I tell her I was going to catch a cab. And she Drives Me Home.
. . .
I love this island. And I need to remember that Miyagi Airi is a 5th grader at Kagamihara Sho, cuz she's her granddaughter and one of my students :P
So now, I am carless. My garage feels empty. I have to ride my scooter to work tomorrow and guess what it's doing Right Now. If you thought "raining" you'd be correct. Of. Course. But that's okay. I'm leasing a new (to me) car for 35,000yen a month starting when I get back. And that's a total deal. And I don't have to drive Nick's Car around any more. I loved that car, because I totally believe that that car ran on the power of love alone, but I don't have to worry whether my car will start or not, will back up or not, will just refuse to downshift at a red light or not, will rain on me or not . . .
Yes, it was time to let it go.
Lets also mention that in Japan they have this thing called Shaken, that is basically an insanely expensive emissions inspection, every other year. And after a car turns 12, it happens every year. Mine was due on April 30th.
So yeah. I'm off today because I have the hacking crud, but seeing how I'm leaving the island for mainland tomorrow, and the mainland for Thailand the day after, and I won't bet back until next month, I needed to deal with car TODAY.
So, over the weekend I ask Sam to do it with me. She says fine, but today she's got a horrible sore throat, so she can't.
Okaaaaaay, so I ask Jeff, because he's had like 2 accidents that required a new vehicle, and he can't help either.
Okaaaaaay, so I go to the iinkai, even though I'm sick, so it's bad of me to show up, and I ask them what do I need to do. My new supervisor called my old supervisor and asks her what the heck I should do. Noriko comes up and calls my insurance agent, and when he finally gets there over an hour later, HE finally helps me more than anyone.
He fills out the paperwork I need to cancel my insurance. He then reimburses me for about 8500yen. Booya. I'd written that money as gone.
He then calls a recycle place, gets directions, shows me on the map where I need to go, asks them if I need any other paperwork (which I thankfully didn't), and sends me on my way. He even warns me that they'll be paying me for the car. Boo. Ya. Ka.
So I go. I find it (it's on the gusukubesen, on the right, across from Toast, just after the giant old looking Japanese gate. The first kanji of the name is 土 over 口, I have no idea how to say it, the driveway is at the same place as the giant gate thing). I get out and they tell me I have everything and then they give me 3000yen. Rock. I totally made money on this car.
And then, just to show you how people are on this island, the lady asks me how I was planning to get home. And I tell her I was going to catch a cab. And she Drives Me Home.
. . .
I love this island. And I need to remember that Miyagi Airi is a 5th grader at Kagamihara Sho, cuz she's her granddaughter and one of my students :P
So now, I am carless. My garage feels empty. I have to ride my scooter to work tomorrow and guess what it's doing Right Now. If you thought "raining" you'd be correct. Of. Course. But that's okay. I'm leasing a new (to me) car for 35,000yen a month starting when I get back. And that's a total deal. And I don't have to drive Nick's Car around any more. I loved that car, because I totally believe that that car ran on the power of love alone, but I don't have to worry whether my car will start or not, will back up or not, will just refuse to downshift at a red light or not, will rain on me or not . . .
To do and done
So far I've:
Packed for Thailand, fitting everything into my bookbag and purse. All of it. Including a dufflebag in the bottom of the book bag, so that when I get to places, I can add things.
Uploaded all of the pictures I have from when Leo was in Miyako and Strongman. This includes several videos. I love Flickr.
So far I need to:
Go to the Iinkai and ask them to help me throw away my car. And not take any meds before doing so so that they see that yes, I am in fact sick, but there's stuff that I need to do, so even though I took today off school, I need to throw my car away. But I shouldn't do this too soon, I think, cuz I don't want it to look bad.
I need to clean out my car, this will only take a few minutes, I'll do it just after posting.
Get ready for school tomorrow. Seeing how my school bag is my book bag that is currently so perfectly full of everything I need while in Thailand, I don't want to take it all out and repack, so I'll have to come up with something else for tomorrow. Probably my beach bag.
I need to go to bowling tonight. This sucks because I haven't practiced since last week, and I still feel pretty cruddy. But it must happen. So. Depending on how things turn out with the car, I might go early and just have a full practice game. Hopefully my arm won't get tired. But seeing how I'm almost ready to move up to a bigger ball, I don't think it'll be a problem.
Packed for Thailand, fitting everything into my bookbag and purse. All of it. Including a dufflebag in the bottom of the book bag, so that when I get to places, I can add things.
Uploaded all of the pictures I have from when Leo was in Miyako and Strongman. This includes several videos. I love Flickr.
So far I need to:
Go to the Iinkai and ask them to help me throw away my car. And not take any meds before doing so so that they see that yes, I am in fact sick, but there's stuff that I need to do, so even though I took today off school, I need to throw my car away. But I shouldn't do this too soon, I think, cuz I don't want it to look bad.
I need to clean out my car, this will only take a few minutes, I'll do it just after posting.
Get ready for school tomorrow. Seeing how my school bag is my book bag that is currently so perfectly full of everything I need while in Thailand, I don't want to take it all out and repack, so I'll have to come up with something else for tomorrow. Probably my beach bag.
I need to go to bowling tonight. This sucks because I haven't practiced since last week, and I still feel pretty cruddy. But it must happen. So. Depending on how things turn out with the car, I might go early and just have a full practice game. Hopefully my arm won't get tired. But seeing how I'm almost ready to move up to a bigger ball, I don't think it'll be a problem.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Strongman
I'm out at http://www.miyako-net.ne.jp/~strong-e/ I'll be announcing parts of the bike and the run. Peace!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Do you remember?
When I said that the iinkai said if my schools told me to go to the iinkai after teaching classes for the day that I could just go home?
So, when the school that I teach at every Friday said that there was a change in the schedule and that since I didn't have classes after lunch, I could just go to the iinkai every week, and asked me if that was a problem, what do you think I said? Yep. I is so happy right now.
So, when the school that I teach at every Friday said that there was a change in the schedule and that since I didn't have classes after lunch, I could just go to the iinkai every week, and asked me if that was a problem, what do you think I said? Yep. I is so happy right now.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Catch up
Monday -- Monday was my first day back teaching. It was okay. After my classes were over, I spend several of my cell phone's minutes calling around to different rental car places, getting told that it was muri at some and getting told unbelievable prices at others. I finally found one that was the cheapest in Miyako (seems like anyway) and I tried to call back and see where they were located. And I couldn:t understand a word he was saying, or rather, I didn:t have any clue where the places were. So. I ask him to hold on for a second, rush over to the jimusho and ask the office ladies to ask where the place is. They do, and one of the is nice enough to, a little early, drive me over there to talk to them face to face. We laugh about how broken my Japanese is, and how I:m apparently fun to talk to because of it. And we get the car thing sorted. I:m expected to pick up my rental car on the 6th at about noon. Yay. Now to just get rid of my old one.
Right after that I had to rush over to the hospital for my physical therapy. Which went well and he says that my next time should be my last time and gave me some more exercises to do. Weeee.
When I finally got home I felt so accomplished that I was practically dead to the world and ended up doing nothing, including my workout (as in, no, I just didn:t) and went to bed early. Good thing.
Tuesday was my Sarahama day. That:s the get up a hour early to get to the port to catch the ferry day. Y. A. Y. Because I didn:t do my workout the night before, I get myself all together and get out the door early enough to walk to the port. 50lb pack and all. I make good time and get there early enough. Then there:s the quick hop across the pond and a bus ride up to my school. When I get there it seems the new coordinator completely didn:t see the note that said that the iinkai only allows their teachers to teach 4 classes a day, and they schduled me for 5. Which I don:t mind doing occasionally. Just not every week. Not at all. My ear was blowing out by the end of the first period (I wonder if this is a sign of high blood pressure), and I told them flat out, I don:t mind doing it today, but the iinkai has a rule that I can:t do it everyday. And thank god, the 4-1 teacher from Heiichi moved to Sarahama and she totally backed me up. So the poor new coordinator is panicing, trying to see how he can fix the schedule, but I should only teach 4 classes. Yay.
After my last class, I get directions and I walk back down to the port (because I really don:t like making a teacher leave to do it, and my ankle needs to start getting the exercise), I left ubber early, because it was my first time walking alone, and I made it in litterally 15 minutes, just like they said. I think from now on, I:ll ask to leave at about 3:35, just to make sure I don:t miss the ferry, and then actually be walking out the door by 3:40. Technically anyway they shouldn:t have any problem with me leaving early, seeing how I don:t have to show up til 8:15 and I always get there around 8 because of said same ferry.
Then, after the ferry ride, I walk back up The Hill to my apartment. For a total of 3.5k. Woohoo. Next week, I:m gonna try walking to the school too instead of taking the bus. Now that I have a map, I should be able to do it. Even though The Hill on Irabu is much steeper and taller than The Hill on Miyako. It:ll be good exersice, and it:s getting hot, so I:m stinky anyway. We all are.
Later, last night, I went to my weekly bowling. It SUCKED. And I didn:t know how to tell them it was because of my personal and professional life. I just couldn:t get my focus. Ah well. I need to practice this weekend. Even if I have to go by myself. I:m gonna have to.
Today, I:m at my smallest school, Miyahara. With my 3 3rd graders, 5 4th graders, and 4 6th graders. And no, that:s right, I didn:t miss the 5th grade. It just doesn:t exist at this school. With this introductory activity it actually went pretty well. Because they:re so small (the classes) I:m considering breaking from my normal routine and really focusing on writing and reading with them. But I:ll probably just do what I:ve been doing and adapt the curriculum for a smaller class size. Changing up the games as needed. Although, with this small of a class, I really like playing go fish. I hope they don:t get sick of it. Cuz dood, it:s small enough that we CAN.
Also, this marks the 3rd day that I:ve both brought my lunch to school and have not eaten it. Because at each school they always give the teachers too much food and I was told flat out that if I don:t eat, the extra will just sit there. So I might as well. And at that argument I cannot argue. So I:ll be eating my boxed lunch for dinner again tonight. Oh, darn. It means I still have to cook. Because the day that I bank on being told it:s okay is the day that they won:t offer. So I still have to bring my bento.
Today after school, I:m gonna try to see if I can:t get my scooter fixed. I think it:s just out of gas, but I haven:t actually looked into the gas tank so I don:t know. If that:s not it, I:m gonna walk it to the shop down the street from my house. Hopefully they can fix it there. Although I:m really just hoping that I just need gas. I spent a lot of money in the last two weeks. And I:m going to Thailand next Thursday. And then maybe nap. Because I was up early because of stupid Ferry, and I was up late because of bowling and cooking. And I HAVE to do my upper body workout today. At some point . . .
Right after that I had to rush over to the hospital for my physical therapy. Which went well and he says that my next time should be my last time and gave me some more exercises to do. Weeee.
When I finally got home I felt so accomplished that I was practically dead to the world and ended up doing nothing, including my workout (as in, no, I just didn:t) and went to bed early. Good thing.
Tuesday was my Sarahama day. That:s the get up a hour early to get to the port to catch the ferry day. Y. A. Y. Because I didn:t do my workout the night before, I get myself all together and get out the door early enough to walk to the port. 50lb pack and all. I make good time and get there early enough. Then there:s the quick hop across the pond and a bus ride up to my school. When I get there it seems the new coordinator completely didn:t see the note that said that the iinkai only allows their teachers to teach 4 classes a day, and they schduled me for 5. Which I don:t mind doing occasionally. Just not every week. Not at all. My ear was blowing out by the end of the first period (I wonder if this is a sign of high blood pressure), and I told them flat out, I don:t mind doing it today, but the iinkai has a rule that I can:t do it everyday. And thank god, the 4-1 teacher from Heiichi moved to Sarahama and she totally backed me up. So the poor new coordinator is panicing, trying to see how he can fix the schedule, but I should only teach 4 classes. Yay.
After my last class, I get directions and I walk back down to the port (because I really don:t like making a teacher leave to do it, and my ankle needs to start getting the exercise), I left ubber early, because it was my first time walking alone, and I made it in litterally 15 minutes, just like they said. I think from now on, I:ll ask to leave at about 3:35, just to make sure I don:t miss the ferry, and then actually be walking out the door by 3:40. Technically anyway they shouldn:t have any problem with me leaving early, seeing how I don:t have to show up til 8:15 and I always get there around 8 because of said same ferry.
Then, after the ferry ride, I walk back up The Hill to my apartment. For a total of 3.5k. Woohoo. Next week, I:m gonna try walking to the school too instead of taking the bus. Now that I have a map, I should be able to do it. Even though The Hill on Irabu is much steeper and taller than The Hill on Miyako. It:ll be good exersice, and it:s getting hot, so I:m stinky anyway. We all are.
Later, last night, I went to my weekly bowling. It SUCKED. And I didn:t know how to tell them it was because of my personal and professional life. I just couldn:t get my focus. Ah well. I need to practice this weekend. Even if I have to go by myself. I:m gonna have to.
Today, I:m at my smallest school, Miyahara. With my 3 3rd graders, 5 4th graders, and 4 6th graders. And no, that:s right, I didn:t miss the 5th grade. It just doesn:t exist at this school. With this introductory activity it actually went pretty well. Because they:re so small (the classes) I:m considering breaking from my normal routine and really focusing on writing and reading with them. But I:ll probably just do what I:ve been doing and adapt the curriculum for a smaller class size. Changing up the games as needed. Although, with this small of a class, I really like playing go fish. I hope they don:t get sick of it. Cuz dood, it:s small enough that we CAN.
Also, this marks the 3rd day that I:ve both brought my lunch to school and have not eaten it. Because at each school they always give the teachers too much food and I was told flat out that if I don:t eat, the extra will just sit there. So I might as well. And at that argument I cannot argue. So I:ll be eating my boxed lunch for dinner again tonight. Oh, darn. It means I still have to cook. Because the day that I bank on being told it:s okay is the day that they won:t offer. So I still have to bring my bento.
Today after school, I:m gonna try to see if I can:t get my scooter fixed. I think it:s just out of gas, but I haven:t actually looked into the gas tank so I don:t know. If that:s not it, I:m gonna walk it to the shop down the street from my house. Hopefully they can fix it there. Although I:m really just hoping that I just need gas. I spent a lot of money in the last two weeks. And I:m going to Thailand next Thursday. And then maybe nap. Because I was up early because of stupid Ferry, and I was up late because of bowling and cooking. And I HAVE to do my upper body workout today. At some point . . .
Monday, April 14, 2008
Okay, let's do this thang
So, Leo came about 2 weeks ago and I dropped of the face of the planet. Happily. We went places, ate food, saw people, and generally enjoyed each other's company. It was good.
He was a little dissapointed that he didn't get to see more people while he was here. Although if you talk to him "a little dissapointed" is putting it mildly. Mostly he was upset by the people who didn't show up. The three or so times I sent out mass emails. Two of those times litterally one person showed up. I'm getting use to this, as that's been the norm for the last few times I've tried to hook up with people, so maybe I've gotten numb to it, but he thought it wasn't very good hospitality. Maybe it's different from where all of them are from. Maybe what you concider hospitality is different in the South (we'll, we all know it is, but still, I guess I never knew HOW different the standards are). For those who did show up, when they did, he really enjoyed their company.
He left on Saturday morning. That Saturday doesn't exist to me. I basically stayed in bed, read a book (City of Ashes, book 2 of Mortal Instruments) cover to cover, played some FFCC, and did NOTHING all day. It was a bad day. Although I did pull myself off my butt enough to do an abbriviated upper body work out. At least I did something at all.
Sunday was better. I actually got out of bed, did some dishes, laundry, and picked up a bunch until I lost my steam and watched tv, read some more, and played video games for the rest of the day. Not actually putting together my lesson for today until about 8pm. Remember, I spent that week I had going to the iinkai making cards and flashcards for my new lessons. But I never really got around to doing an introductory lesson. I had cards for the Goods (morning, afternoon, etc), but I didn't really have a lesson planned out. And I get to putting my bag together at like 8pm last night and remember that I need to teach them how to write their names. So I make a hiragana to English chart with the alphabet upper and lower on the top. I've done my lesson twice now, 5-1 and 5-2 and it didn't go too terribly. Although I've forgotten to introduce myself both times. It's worked out okay. Most of them already know me.
Also on Sunday I walked. I went for my 5k walk. My ankle was heating up by the first k, but didn't "hurt" so I kept going. Worst thing I got was a blister on the ball of my foot. My ankle seems fine today too, so I think I'm gonna stick at this length before slowly adding kilometer by kilometer. I hope I'll be okay in Thailand. I mean, I know I'll be okay, I just hope my ankle doesn't die before we see everything we want to. So far it just got hot and stayed hot. I assume this means it was swelling, but didn't actually hurt so I feel positive. Next phys ther is today after work.
Today has been a bit crazy. Because I'm only teaching a total of 8 days this month, I decided to not buy lunch at 4200yen for 8 days of food, so I have to make and bring my own lunches. And you all know how much I hate that. So yeah, hectic cooking this morning. Packing up. Forgetting my indoor shoes (stupid leo for moving them!). Finding out that my schedule has completely changed so that I only have 20 minutes until my first class and most of that was taken up by a morning meeting, where I was introduced to my new coordinator, who's name I just didn:t catch, then had to sit there not understanding anything like normal, and out of nowhere she askes me to do a self introduction (TERROR). But I made them all laugh by saying, in Japanese "To half of you, nice to meet you." And I kept it really short and sweet and the meeting almost didn't give me time to get my copying done and my first class started about 10 minutes late and only half of it was my fault and it's just been crazy. But all good.
So yeah. I've got another 10 minutes or so until my next class. Then lunch (oh, did I mention I completely forgot to eat breakfast this morning?), then my last class. Yeah, for this month (at least) Heiichi is on the Shimoji schedule of 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th for classes. Sigh, I like this schedule and I don't all at the same time. I'm gonna be guruguru pa over here. Don't mind me.
He was a little dissapointed that he didn't get to see more people while he was here. Although if you talk to him "a little dissapointed" is putting it mildly. Mostly he was upset by the people who didn't show up. The three or so times I sent out mass emails. Two of those times litterally one person showed up. I'm getting use to this, as that's been the norm for the last few times I've tried to hook up with people, so maybe I've gotten numb to it, but he thought it wasn't very good hospitality. Maybe it's different from where all of them are from. Maybe what you concider hospitality is different in the South (we'll, we all know it is, but still, I guess I never knew HOW different the standards are). For those who did show up, when they did, he really enjoyed their company.
He left on Saturday morning. That Saturday doesn't exist to me. I basically stayed in bed, read a book (City of Ashes, book 2 of Mortal Instruments) cover to cover, played some FFCC, and did NOTHING all day. It was a bad day. Although I did pull myself off my butt enough to do an abbriviated upper body work out. At least I did something at all.
Sunday was better. I actually got out of bed, did some dishes, laundry, and picked up a bunch until I lost my steam and watched tv, read some more, and played video games for the rest of the day. Not actually putting together my lesson for today until about 8pm. Remember, I spent that week I had going to the iinkai making cards and flashcards for my new lessons. But I never really got around to doing an introductory lesson. I had cards for the Goods (morning, afternoon, etc), but I didn't really have a lesson planned out. And I get to putting my bag together at like 8pm last night and remember that I need to teach them how to write their names. So I make a hiragana to English chart with the alphabet upper and lower on the top. I've done my lesson twice now, 5-1 and 5-2 and it didn't go too terribly. Although I've forgotten to introduce myself both times. It's worked out okay. Most of them already know me.
Also on Sunday I walked. I went for my 5k walk. My ankle was heating up by the first k, but didn't "hurt" so I kept going. Worst thing I got was a blister on the ball of my foot. My ankle seems fine today too, so I think I'm gonna stick at this length before slowly adding kilometer by kilometer. I hope I'll be okay in Thailand. I mean, I know I'll be okay, I just hope my ankle doesn't die before we see everything we want to. So far it just got hot and stayed hot. I assume this means it was swelling, but didn't actually hurt so I feel positive. Next phys ther is today after work.
Today has been a bit crazy. Because I'm only teaching a total of 8 days this month, I decided to not buy lunch at 4200yen for 8 days of food, so I have to make and bring my own lunches. And you all know how much I hate that. So yeah, hectic cooking this morning. Packing up. Forgetting my indoor shoes (stupid leo for moving them!). Finding out that my schedule has completely changed so that I only have 20 minutes until my first class and most of that was taken up by a morning meeting, where I was introduced to my new coordinator, who's name I just didn:t catch, then had to sit there not understanding anything like normal, and out of nowhere she askes me to do a self introduction (TERROR). But I made them all laugh by saying, in Japanese "To half of you, nice to meet you." And I kept it really short and sweet and the meeting almost didn't give me time to get my copying done and my first class started about 10 minutes late and only half of it was my fault and it's just been crazy. But all good.
So yeah. I've got another 10 minutes or so until my next class. Then lunch (oh, did I mention I completely forgot to eat breakfast this morning?), then my last class. Yeah, for this month (at least) Heiichi is on the Shimoji schedule of 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th for classes. Sigh, I like this schedule and I don't all at the same time. I'm gonna be guruguru pa over here. Don't mind me.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
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