Just another manic Wednesday

Today, as many of you know from facebook, did not start out well. A friend of mine needed to talk last night so I was up late in spite of having planned on going to bed early since I was so exhausted. I prayed that my service would result in a blessing of invigoration. Well, when my alarm went off, I wanted to cry. It doesn't happen that often but it's a horrid feeling to want to weep as soon as your alarm goes off. I wrestled myself out of bed (having only nightmares about running out of money in Japan to remember) and started to get ready. I had already planned last night to not take my computer today. However when I locked the door to my apartment and started walking away, I immediately had a panic attack. "What if I need my computer!? Now it's too late to go back! (that was true) What am I going to do now!?" I wanted, again, to cry. I had to tell myself, "You already decided to leave it. It will be fine. You're not teaching today, and if you end up with nothing to do for a while, you end up with nothing to do for a while. C'est la vie." I stressed while waiting for the bus that I would miss it (not getting enough sleep SUCKS). When I got on the bus, I was able to calm myself. Once or twice I could feel panic welling up and I didn't know why it was there, but I pushed it away and told myself everything was fine, everything was in hand.

When I got to the school I found out they had locked the copy room door (since it's exams and they don't want the students cheating) so I had to wait outside during the morning meeting. I wouldn't let myself worry about what the teachers and principals might think. I was locked out, but I was there. People could vouch for me and in the meantime I would wait patiently to be let in.

When I got going on work, I was finally able to just focus and forget the morning. I got a lot of stuff done. I have everything ready for my lessons tomorrow and Friday (other than some printing). At some point during the day I saw that I had brought a letter that I received yesterday in the mail. I have been trying to ask different teachers about things I don't understand so this time I approached Suzuki(male)-sensei. He informed me it was a bill for my health insurance. "Oh. Where can I pay it?" *checks the letter* "At Iwate Bank or _____ Bank." "When are their hours?" "9 am to 3 pm." "Are they open Saturdays?" "No, but you have until July first to pay it." "Uh... I'm at work when the bank is open." "Oh that's ok! You can go during school hours. The ____ (can't remember the name, sorry) Bank is not far from here." "I take the bus to school..." "I can drive you!" Wow! I wasn't trying to get him to offer to take me, I was just trying to figure out what I could do. Actually in my mind I was plotting to ask the elders to take my money over since they asked if there was anything they could do for me. Suzuki-sensei showed me where I would need to sign out and then said he would take me in the afternoon. So I kept working on lessons until he was ready to go. We drove over, paid it (with much help from him as the translator), and went back to school. We were gone maybe 10 minutes total. I was profuse with my thanks and gave him a little card and gift I made (story below). He refused to take any money for gas. I feel so blessed to be here in Japan where they think nothing of doing anything and everything they can to help you. Japanese people are so service-oriented! I saw him on the way out of the school when I left and thanked him again. I'm sincerely very grateful. Oh also on our trip, on the way back he told me that next week Tuesday the whole school is going to a theatre to hear Jazz. "Do I get to go!?" "Of course!" "OOH! I'M SO EXCITED! I LOVE JAZZ!" He laughed at me, but I am very much stoked!

I learned a few more kanji today. I also, through learning those kanji, was able to learn some new words and also the kanji for words I already knew. So I felt all knowledge-y!

I ran out of things to do 2.5 hours before it was time for me to leave. I refused to berate myself for not having brought my computer so I tried to think of other things to do. I made a game for Friday and then I spaced out a lot. I was trying to organized my thoughts but I had been focusing most of the day on a tank that started at "E" this morning. So I was pretty wiped out. It finally came time to leave and I headed home. I got to message a friend on the way, I ate dinner when I got home, I read a little bit, and I tried to handle a giant ant infestation. :/ I'm trying to handle it well but every little thing that brushes me makes me jump a mile and ... I just wish they would stay outside! I keep my place very clean so I don't know for what they're looking! :( In any case, I did dishes, and then wrote this blog entry. I need to get a couple things at the grocery store but the thought of going out ... I just don't have the energy tonight so I will do it tomorrow. I am still glowing a little from last night. A few times today I pulled out my Taiko music and practiced on my desk. I also showed a few of the teachers. I'm so terribly excited!! I wish there was a way Abbey and Tara could be at the practices so they could be in the Matsuri too! They expressed a desire to go before I even told them about it. However this gives me the opportunity to ask them to take photos of me. :) Well, I'm going to call today a wash (even). I need to print those worksheets and start getting ready for bed. Goodnight! XOXO, A

Funny stories:

So when Suzuki-sensei said he would take me to the bank I was pretty sure he would turn down the offer of money for gas. So I thought immediately, "I want to make him an origami frog!" Oh man... I looked up the directions on the internet and though the site had pictures, it was not very good at step by step instructions. I started with a red paper that was too small and had to give up and get other paper. The last NS left a book of cardstock paper so I grabbed some green paper, made a large square, and started over. It was really great to have green but folding cardstock.. it was a nightmare. It took FOREVER to figure out the website AND get the paper to cooperate. Even now I'm not sure if the end product was as it should have been. In any case, I wondered what people thought as they walked by my desk and saw me arguing with and threatening a piece of paper in French. I made a little green thank you note with the leftover paper and put it in my desk to give to Suzuki-sensei later. Moral of the story: don't use cardstock for origami!

LOL At some point today Nakatta-sensei (a woman who sits one desk away from me - the desk between us is empty.. that is, no one sits there) moved the garbage to her other side. It was because she had had a meeting and the person had sat there, however when I looked over to throw the paper away the first thing I thought was, "My garbage privileges have been revoked!" It made me laugh and I used another garbage until she remembered to put it back.