Goin' Home

12/17/08
Finally managed to make a worksheet that Ato likes. I feel like I accomplished something.

Mona was absent today. I didn't know that teachers could be absent. I thought it was called something else.

Anyway.

Again, an incredible amount of nothing going on. I should get on that...

we had our last conversation class last night. I'd decided to hold a small party. I brought my laptop and had it playing Christmas music in the background, and I also bought a cake. That transaction went something like this:

I'd like a cake
how much are you willing to pay for it?
uh.....
is $40 okay?
uh......

For a cake that was roughly the size of a coffee can(and half as tall), I think $40 was a bit of a swindle, but I can't complain.

Really. I can't. It's not in any of my Japanese textbooks.

It was really funny at first because everyone had brought something, and we had this fantastic spread, but NO ONE wanted to be the first to eat. We all just stood around the table saying stuff like,

“ooh, that sushi looks nice, doesn't it?”
“Yes, I think so, too.”
“and those sweet potatoes look delicious. Did you make those?”
“Yes I did.”
“Oh, what a lovely cake!”
“uh....”

Fifteen minutes passed. I decided to play the Rude American and grab a cookie. After that, people began to dig in, and the party really started.
So I'm really excited to be going home for the holidays. Not that Japan hasn't been an absolute brast; I love it here* But a few days at home is just what I need to get my head on straight.

A few things I'm looking forward to:


Blending in again
central heating
being able to read the signs
wide, spacious traffic lanes
being able to throw EVERYTHING out in the same trash can
“my size” trash cans.
“my size” clothes
central heating
whole grains
flouride in the toothpaste
cottage cheese
0% humidity
0% humility
no rain
no snow**
central heating
Mexican food
Mexicans

Things I'll miss:

people telling me I look like DeCaprio
People telling me I look like Tom Cruise
People telling me I look like Rocky
random gifts from total strangers on days that aren't my birthday.
People offering to drive me places when I just ask for directions.
Fresh brown rice
fresh, sweet, DELICIOUS produce

Well, that's my last entry in Japan for a while. Catch you in America.

Maybe.


*can't you tell?
**apparently, Vegas recently got three freak snow days; everyone frolicked, some small snowmen were made. some small snowballs were tossed, and people forgot how to drive.

I'm Mister Grey Christmas

Earlier this week, I found this on my desk:

Please make speech or picture about Christmas. We have the extra room each grade. I want you to make “International Area” each room. For example, put some pictures or cards or write explanation...something like this:(example not included, as there wasn't one)

Not so elaborate!! Something interesting. First, please think about this!
-Thanks!
I learned later that this meant I was to make a Christmas poster, fashioned out of normal-size paper and blown up to a not-so-elaborate size to be displayed in the classroom in my absence. I set to work.
But first, I thought about it.
That done, I got out my Crayolas. Coloring at your desk at the age of 25 is one of those singular privileges exclusive to ALTs and the mentally challenged.
I thought up a really nice, but easy-to-understand explanation of Christmas, complete with snowman and a bare Christmas Tree which, when blown up, could be decorated with real ornaments purchased from the 100 yen store. I presented it to the teacher, who also admitted it was very nice. But, she told me, since they didn't have a color copier, the poster would be in black-and-white.

Take that, children.