Insanity

T5B: 1) (I got to talk to Jerod.) I got A LOT done today (sort of had to, but still!). 2) My lessons went really well. 3) I was supposed to tutor but she cancelled (and considering how exhausted I am I am feeling that is a blessing!). 4) I had good chocolate waiting for me at home thanks to Jerod after my VERY long day. 5) I have tomorrow off! (It's a holiday - Foundation of Japan day)

basal temp: 36.12

Morning:
- didn't sleep that well (83%) but I don't remember having nightmares :)
- had a very distracted morning (thinking about everything I had to do) but luckily didn't forget anything
- had a hot shower!
- the bus ride was long which was nice (I got to finish my book)
1st-4th - blocked out a new worksheet, made the new worksheet with materials for that lesson (for Wednesday), I made a map for the first graders' test, wrote the sentences for the test, got them checked, recorded myself (a couple times to get it right), had the recording checked by all three first grade (sophomore) teachers, burned a disc for them (the students are testing together so they only needed one cd), burned a couple other discs I said I would burn, got ready for my afternoon lessons, felt like I was starving, got a migraine, got my SLP for this Friday (thank goodness) and started brainstorming

Notes: I probably forgot some stuff. I was a chicken with its head cut off today (felt like I was running around frantically trying to get everything done). -- Kanamori-sensei stopped by my desk two or three times today to remind me we're going to lunch tomorrow. We planned this a couple weeks ago and every day since she has reminded me. :) I think it's very sweet how excited she is. I think I finally understand how my Papa feels faced with me! I'm overflowing with excitement and he's more understated. Well even with all that overflow, WOW! LOL Still, I am excited to go to lunch with her and it will be my first experience with kaitenzushi (sushi train!). I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

Afternoon:
5th - taught 2.3, went really well
6th - corrected worksheets, brainstormed for Friday some more
7th - taught 1.4, went really well
- corrected worksheets, cleaning time, organizing my materials and making sure I have what I need

Notes: One student in 1.4 cracked me up. While I'm teaching he suddenly sings out, "It's my life!" I smiled and said, "Bon Jovi." He freaks out that I know it. "I have that song! Anyway..." Then I continued to teach. Funny moment.

Evening:
- got home, made my dinner
- ate some fine chocolate (thanks Jerod!)
- got to skype with Jerod for a bit
- read a little bit

Notes: I got a migraine during the afternoon at school and I am looking forward to getting some sleep to get rid of it! It was really nice to be able to hear Jerod's voice though. :) Made my night. Hope you all have a great beginning to your week as well. XOXO, A

blast from the past: I remember when I was young I was a firebug. We were taking our shed apart and it was empty. I gathered some twigs and paper and dry leaves and made a little bonfire in the empty shed. Then, IN FULL VIEW OF MY FATHER, I lit it. I don't know what I was thinking! Of course he came rushing out and stamped out my fire. I was in BIG trouble. (Maybe I'm intelligent now because I got all the stupidity out when I was a kid? lol)

p.s. I finally remembered the thing I forgot at Daiso - a lint roller. I don't NEED it right away. My black pants have accumulated a lot of little fuzzies though. I just wanted to restore them to their former glory. Will do that later in the week.

Whoa.... my birthday is in a week... whoa

Miserable Day

T5B: 1) I got to read. 2) I was able to share some of my chocolate with the members. 3) The choir did great today and I got a recording. 4) We started practicing a new song. 5) My power came back eventually.

basal temp: 36.12

Morning:
- I fell asleep nicely listening to my music Jerod sent, slept crappy though and didn't get enough sleep :/
- got up and got ready
- got to church early to run through our choir song for our performance today
- Sacrament was ok (I didn't understand a lot of it)
- Sunday school was kinda rough as the lesson was about Cain and Abel (not very uplifting)

Notes: Today we sang an arrangement of Come, Come Ye Saints of which you can find a recording here. Enjoy. :)

Afternoon:
- had a shortened choir practice (since I had them come early to church)
- I'm really excited about the new song
- then I got to skype with my parents and Nod and saw a little bit of the Olympics!
- stuck at the church all day, felt really gross

Notes: --

Evening:
- finally got home around 17:30, SICK and starving
- power went out
- waited in the dark for a long time, finally power!
- depressing night
- got to read a little (that was good)

Notes: I didn't have any good hearty food that didn't need cooking so I sat a long time shivering in the dark crying my eyes out. It was pretty pitiful and INCREDIBLY depressing. Hope you all have a much better Sunday than I did. XOXO, Ann

blast from the past: This happened yesterday but I forgot to write about it. As Limor and I were walking to the cafe to get hot chocolate, I saw my student (the one to whose youtube vid I posted a link a long time ago). I said hello (I was all bundled up) and he was trying to figure out who I was. I took off my two hoods and ear muffs and he goes, "ANN! HELLO!" It was great that he was happy to see me. He was so nice and introduced us to the rest of his band. I wish we could have gone and seen him play (they were going to a gig in town). Still it was a really cool moment for me and I'm glad he wasn't embarrassed to acknowledge or talk to me on the street. :)

Me when I woke up - all bundled, have my mouthguard in and my just pushed my mask up

My new jewelry that I got from Limor

The pond is completely frozen!

And here is a partial of Fumie's hand.. ;)

Crows standing out on the ice (the frozen pond)

Tried to get a close-up - sorry it's blurry

Oh happy day!

T5B: 1) (Of course, I got to talk to Jerod!) I got to see Limor!! 2) Work went really well this morning. 3) I controlled my attitude and feel good about what happened today though I didn't have much time to myself. 4) I got to open my Valentine's package and Jerod opened his from me (I got MAJORLY spoiled). 5) I got lots done today too! OH! 6) My water pipes didn't freeze! I am SO blessed in that regard!

basal temp: 36.41

Morning:
- I woke up around 2-4 am (didn't check the time) and remembered I forgot to turn off my water - checked the temp and it was -10, I scrambled and prayed and turned the water off (LUCKILY - BLESSEDLY - my pipes didn't freeze)
- had weird dreams, but according to my phone I got 95% sleep (although it says I was asleep when I wasn't - still I'm thinking 90s, high 80s!)
- got up early since I couldn't sleep anymore and showered
- did dishes
- did laundry
- hung up my laundry
- went to work, that went really well :)
- came home, opened my gift here while Jerod opened his in the US (I got SPOILED - like I said ~ pic below)
- had this weird flashing lights thing going on with my eyes, ate some chocolate Jerod sent and it went away (low blood sugar, maybe? it was creepy!)

Notes: It was a busy and good morning.

Afternoon:
- Limor showed up
- we went to lunch
- we walked to a park where we heard they had a candle festival and of course the candles weren't lit, but we got to see them!
- we went to a cafe and got hot chocolate
- we went shopping (I got two things I needed at Daiso and for the life of me can't remember the third thing I needed!)
- we went back to mine and chatted
- Limor had to go home

Notes: It was SO GREAT to see Limor!! She's so amazing! - She brought me a beautiful gift from Australia (pic below).

Evening:
- ate some dinner
- read
- ate some treats that Jerod sent (I shared some with Limor as well)
- read a little
- watched some anime
- got to talk to Jerod a bunch <3

Notes: Glad I am feeling better tonight. I think the past two days I must not have been nourishing myself adequately and that's why I've felt so crappy. I forgot to mention, last night I spilled my dinner in the kitchen. I just wanted to cry and give up. It was such a crappy night. Jerod was really sweet though. In any case, tonight was much better and thanks to deciding even though I wouldn't have much alone time I would still have a good weekend, I have. Tomorrow my choir sings! I hope we do well! We didn't have the time I thought we would to prepare (2 Sundays where other things interfered with practice). I'm excited to here them. :) It's a wonderful arrangement. YAY! Just found the next one, and I'm excited for that one too. I'm excited to share it with you. XOXO, A

blast from the past: One of my FAVORITE stories about me as a kid ~ when I was in nursery (church group ages 6 months- 18 months) we did an activity in which we had to say our favorite thing about Christmas. So I come home with this nice ornament, all covered in glitter. On the outside it says, "My favorite thing about Christmas is..." and inside I had dictated: When my mom dresses up like a spider and dances around. LOL!!! She was MORTIFIED. She told me she wondered what the teachers thought of her. LOL What a grand Christmas tradition! ;)

A picture I tried to send to Jean-Mi when he asked "Who is this?" I sent this pic with "Shhh secret!" But he didn't get the pic... lol

Here is what Jerod got me for Valentine's Day: a mug with hot chocolate, a rose sucker, a Spongebob marshmallow lolly, a Native Spirit flute 2 cd set (to help me sleep), 3 boxes of Good & Plenty, 2 Rescue Bars (that, of course, remind me of Momma), a bag of peanut M&Ms, 2 dark chocolate orange Lindt bars, a Godiva rasp chocolate bar, a honeycomb all natural chocolate bar, and a "Simple Nut Temptation" all natural chocolate bar :D (SPOILED!!)

The set up with the candles :)

Suspicious "Wild Taco" van - LOL

Me as a samurai

Nano block animals! :D

LOL showing you the cover so I can show you the back...

Check out track #2 - first of all, R&B!? Second of all... LOVE SONG!? LOL

Limor and the gift she gave me :) I had a Roo necklace! It's beautiful! :D

DAAAAAHHH!!!

(I wrote this post and my comp deleted it - SO aggravating!)

T5B: 1) (I got to talk to Jerod.) I got lots done today. 2) My lessons went really well. 3) I got to read. 4) I got off early. 5) I have a pretty easy next week. :D

basal temp: 36.41

Morning:
- slept ok (83%), but felt exhausted (usually do on Fridays, but the kids give me energy)
1st - taught jhs, went super well
2nd - prepped for 3rd and 5th
3rd - taught elem, went really well
4th - spaced a little, corrected worksheets, planned for MM

Notes: For my jhs lesson, we did "It looks like you are.." "You look.." So first I had them match emoticons to the names of the emotions. Then we played janken with the emotions. I would show the emoticon picture and they had to raise their hand and tell me the emotion. If they were right, we jankened (rock, paper, scissors) and if I win they had to keep standing. If they won, they got to sit. Man I went undefeated for a while (tsuyoi!). It was fun. Then we all played emotion charades and they had to say the sentence to get a point. It was a blast. :D One girl, K, chose to do happy and did a little penguin dance. I said, "You look like a penguin!" It was great fun! -- For elem, we did "What do you want to be?" We played career charades and ended with their own future desires. Y said he wanted to be a photographer and A said she wants to be a hair stylist. (Of course I mentioned Angèle to her!) It was so fun! When I tried charades at MM, it fell completely flat. HOWEVER, at CS the kids really get into it and we have so much fun! I'm so grateful for that!!

Afternoon:
- lunch
5th - taught hs, went really well
- got to leave early (Fridays I do)
- went to the bank
- went to Daiso to exchange a craft punch
- made an appt with the dentist
- went grocery shopping

Notes: The girls I taught today are the same group in which I made a girl cry on my first day. I hadn't seen them since then! So I was a LITTLE nervous, but it went SO WELL! We did auxiliary verbs today. The first section was an interview activity, "Can you...?" It was fun. :) I learned some interesting things about the students and the JTE. Then we went through three aux verbs and their meaning in Japanese and wrote a simple sentence using each. Then I had the girls read their sentences. After that we played a dice game that was really fun. :) Then we did four more verbs for which we were going to play the dice game again but ran out of time. It was so fun though. We were all laughing and having a good time. I was being my usual goofy self and they taught me some more signs. SUCCESS ALL AROUND!!

Evening:
- took a bad downturn and felt AWFUL all night
- had some panic attacks
- read a little
- watched a little anime
- went to bed

Notes: I don't know what happened but suddenly I felt AWFUL. The flu has been going around (epidemic in some towns) and TONS of my MM students were out because of it. I was SO WORRIED I was getting it. It was a rough night. Still, love to you all! XOXO, A

blast from the past: Just a short funny story ~ Jerod and I attended a haunted cornfield. One worker warned us, "Watch out for Corn Kids!" Oh man, after that moment, Jerod started calling out (and still does when he remembers to do so), "Coooorn kids!" in this really creepy voice. I get into haunted houses and I kept trying to shush him since he was giving away our location AND being creepy, lol. What a grand night that was!

My knee after my fall

My ikinari dango (sweet potato and azuki)

Aren't these the CUTEST animals EVER!? (Top row [L->R]: monkey, cat, dog. Bottom row: tiger, rabbit, elephant.)

Waiting at the bus stop in the shibareru (freezing)!

My Japanese snack after work - banana and dango. :)

Fun day, fun day!

T5B: 1) (I got to talk to Jerod.) My classes were fun. 2) It's almost the weekend! 3) I got just about everything that I needed to finish done today! 4) I get to see my Deaf kids tomorrow! 5) I got to read a little today.

basal temp: 36.41

Morning:
- had a REALLY hard time sleeping ~ it was SO cold I turned on the heater in the middle of the night (I didn't check the temp THEN, but when I got up it was -11!)
- laid awake a lot but managed to get 85%! wahoo!
- took out my plastic trash, the bus ride was fairly pleasant
1st - taught 1.5, went fairly well
2nd - taught 1.1, went well
3rd-4th - corrected worksheets as fast as possible, finished up my last worksheet, did two rewrites of sections of the textbook for Hashimoto-sensei

Notes: It's FREEZING. It's like I thought I knew cold... no, no. LOL Still, I'm surviving it just like the summer. And I've taken to telling myself, essentially, "This too shall pass." I was stressed this morning (well this whole week really) and just told myself each time I started freaking out, "Before you know, you'll be home and the day will be over!" And it's turned out true every time. It hasn't quite worked yet for Jerod's visit. HOWEVER, considering I started the countdown at 119 and now it's at 22, that's progress!

Afternoon:
- took it easy during lunch
5th - taught 2.1, went really well
6th - taught 2.2, went really well - so much fun
- corrected worksheets quickly, helped with cleaning time, got my schedule for MM for next week (it's BEAUTIFUL)
- the wait for the bus wasn't as long as yesterday, thank goodness, and the ride home was pleasant

Notes: Lately I've been doing a pronunciation (L & R) lesson with the second years. It tanked the first time, but every other time so far it's gone REALLY well. The students just have fun with it. And they make me laugh. It's fairly well known that a Japanese r is a cross between and r and an l so distinguishing and saying those letters is really difficult for them. Some portions were listening (and they would go crazy and made me laugh) and some were speaking. 2.2 was especially fun. At the end of the class we played Fruit Basket with our L & R words. Well as Kanamori-s was sitting with the students, I assigned her word and told her to play. She did and she was a champ about it. It was so funny - the kids, at one point, blocked her so she would be it. The whole class clapped and laughed. Then she got called out because she wasn't getting up for her word (which the students kept saying to watch her run around). I was doubled over laughing at their antics and her shouting at them. It was SO FUN.

Evening:
- got home, made spaghetti for dinner
- ate, messaged Jerod
- printed out worksheets
- read a little

Notes: Hope you had as nice and productive and as fun a day as I did. :) XOXO, A

blast from the past: One day I was, well, being myself. I am what Jerod calls "excitable" and what I call "energetic." In any case, I was excited. When I got to his apartment I was so excited and energetic I started running around his coffee table making excited noises (like "eeeeeeeee!!!") while he got ready. He stopped to watch me and said, "No coffee for you. EVER. No caffeine. I don't know what you would do and if I could survive it." LOL Wise words.

The faces on my fridge, welcoming me home (such a skeptical Takumi!)