The mass, or lack thereof hits, critical...

(Funny moments included:) So.. my pants will no longer stay on. Unfortunately I didn't realize how bad the problem was until I was at school. LOL During one class I discovered my zipper had fallen down. *facepalm* I almost flashed my stomach several times together. I spent the whole day hiking my pants up! I can't even keep them up if I puff out my stomach (I probably looked as daft as I am puffing out my belly trying to keep my dang pants on!)

Getting up this morning was rough. I was just sludge-y. I didn't get to read scriptures in my apartment so I read 2 GC (General Conference) talks on the bus. They caused me great reflection, for which I am grateful. I will continue to ponder the things that I read. The bus arrived at the school earlier than usual which was very nice. It meant instead of me sneaking in after the meeting started (usually I'm 5 minutes after the beginning), I was able to sit down and say good morning with everyone else. This is the first time the bus has allowed that. I'm grateful I was able to get there "early" (mmm). I hope that the bus will continue to make good speed. I feel so guilty coming in late. (In Japan ten minutes early is on time. So I should be there by 8h10 - riding the bus, however, makes that impossible. The school has made an exception for me, for which I am grateful, but it chafes to get there after everyone else. I don't want there to be special exceptions for me. I want to do what the other teachers do. I also suspect I have lost respect because I come in so late - but I'm doing the best I can. :/)

My classes went well. I used my new worksheet with the first graders. I had a lot of fun, as per usual, and the students at least didn't put their heads down and go to sleep. They seemed to enjoy the worksheet. :) I got good feedback from the teachers though one wanted me to change my warm-up. I explained why I had done it the way I had and he nodded. (I had the same idea as him but the students just lack the vocabulary at this point in their schooling.) The schedule was changed so I taught the first period, the last period, the period right before lunch, and the period right after lunch. It was really weird to me. Because I had all these "one-border" classes, if that makes sense? In any case, I was tired today but I didn't get the same magnetic-face-to-desk from which I usually suffer.

During my warm-up (and this will give my family great mirth I'm sure) - I had to use improper grammar to make it easier for the students to understand. It was almost LITERALLY painful. Seriously. I'm sure I made faces of pain and freaked out the students. I rarely notice my facial expressions anymore, they are that automatic. (I had to end a sentence with a preposition - and that is one of my ... picky spots. lol)

So I had great plans when I got home to go to a 100円 shop, but I was FREEZING. I looked for one in Sakanacho, but was unable to find one. So I declared shivering defeat and hurried home. I'm grateful for the cold but a little frustrated it has hindered my plans. Well, I will try again tomorrow. And if that fails, for sure Friday morning. :) I have Friday off! YAY!

Happy Golden Week (a time in Japan where many holidays occur together - I had this last Monday off, I have this Friday off, and next Monday off - also Sunday is a holiday but I already had that off obviously)! XOXO, A