this will be a short but sweet post, so i hope you enjoy!
today, monday, november 23 is probably going to be the best day EVER in the history of all time. why you ask? let me just make a list:
1. i watched new moon. it was just as good, if not better, than i expected it to be.
2. i get to sleep in untill 11, at which time i will be going...
3. to starbucks in abilene, texas with my best friends from school. then...
4. i will be meeting up with them at my old house for a secret santa party!
5. after chatting (for hours, i'm sure) i will be...
6. going to thanksgiving dinner, meysen style and enjoying new friends and lots of food!
thank you, whoever you are, to the inventors of the following technologies: video cameras built into computers, wireless internet, and the conventional oven. you will make monday, november 23, a day to remember.
23 November 2009
19 November 2009
It's Still November?
Holy cow...this month is flying by just like the last two! It's crazy to think that I have been living in Japan for just over two months! It feels like yesterday that I walked into my apartment for the first time. A lot has happened so far, and I can't wait for it to keep coming! Most recently, my work schedule changed from working 8am-3pm to working from 9am-12noon and 4-630pm. I really enjoy having a break in the middle of my day to relax, take a nap, and catch up with friends. But, since Tuesday I have been subbing in a K4 (4-year-old kindergarten) class because one of the teachers has Type A flu...yes, the dreaded H1N1 or SWINE FLU. It has been a challenge for me to leave my apartment by 730am everyday to make it to work on time, since I have to drive for about 15 minutes to get to the other campus. But it has paid off, and I am loving "long-term" subbing! It has really given me insight as to what I will be doing next year and however many years thereafter if I choose to stay! I have gotten to practice Christmas carols and a dance that the kids will perform at their Christmas party later in December, as well as the regular songs, stories, and poems we practice everyday. Sometimes it doesn't even phase me that these kids aren't fluent in English...they understand so well! Of course, other times it is more apparent that they aren't fluent because they say things like, "Ms. Hope, Wandy (supposed to be Randy) push and Tina crying." Or, "Ms. Hope, bus card home no pick up today where?" Try to figure that one out!! It took me a while, but I finally understood what she was trying to say. Also, tomorrow is Thanksgiving Feast! I mean, we'll eat curry and rice instead of turkey and dressing, but the kids will wear their turkey headbands and we'll talk about being thankful. Unfortunately, since the flu outbreak has really hit hard at MeySen, the kids will all just have to eat in the classrooms instead of eating all together like usual.
In other news, I got two bunnies (Jovie and Regina) a couple of weeks ago! I had always wanted one when I was a kid, and so I thought it would be super cool to get them! Little did I know that bunnies smell so bad. And poop so much. And eat so much. Since I got them from the school, I was going to give them back when they are big anyway, and I had thought about getting more babies. But after this run, I think I'd like to have my apartment smell like something other than a petting zoo. Maybe I could get a pet rock next or something. They don't smell bad or poop and I don't even have to feed it, so that's looking like a win-win situation. Don't get me wrong, those bunnies are CUTE, but they are smelly! Here's a link to their album on facebook: (copy and paste into your URL) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2018946&id=1534140031&l=8ad3adce17
In even MORE news, the Christmas holidays are coming up in about a month! WOOOOO! I am so blessed to have people visiting me over the holidays since I won't be going home! My brother and our friend are coming sometime in December, and two of my other friends are coming in January! I am SOOO excited!! I have started thinking of things to do here, and I realized that I haven't really been sight-seeing in my own town! But it will be a lot of fun to have friends and family here. I am excited about the possibility of going to Tokyo Disney and skiing! I really hope both of those things get to happen!
Well, it's almost dinner time and then off to play volleyball! I'd love to have more visitors and/or mail :)
In other news, I got two bunnies (Jovie and Regina) a couple of weeks ago! I had always wanted one when I was a kid, and so I thought it would be super cool to get them! Little did I know that bunnies smell so bad. And poop so much. And eat so much. Since I got them from the school, I was going to give them back when they are big anyway, and I had thought about getting more babies. But after this run, I think I'd like to have my apartment smell like something other than a petting zoo. Maybe I could get a pet rock next or something. They don't smell bad or poop and I don't even have to feed it, so that's looking like a win-win situation. Don't get me wrong, those bunnies are CUTE, but they are smelly! Here's a link to their album on facebook: (copy and paste into your URL) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2018946&id=1534140031&l=8ad3adce17
In even MORE news, the Christmas holidays are coming up in about a month! WOOOOO! I am so blessed to have people visiting me over the holidays since I won't be going home! My brother and our friend are coming sometime in December, and two of my other friends are coming in January! I am SOOO excited!! I have started thinking of things to do here, and I realized that I haven't really been sight-seeing in my own town! But it will be a lot of fun to have friends and family here. I am excited about the possibility of going to Tokyo Disney and skiing! I really hope both of those things get to happen!
Well, it's almost dinner time and then off to play volleyball! I'd love to have more visitors and/or mail :)
05 November 2009
Where did October go!?
Hello all! I feel so terrible for not updating this blog in over a month :( I will try to be better about it, I PROMISE! Well, since I have last updated a LOT has occurred! I will make a list of the top 10 events and if you want to know more about them, you can ask me and I'll tell you! Also, I will put links up to my latest photo albums on Facebook so you can see the pictures I have been taking!
1. I have been doing a lot of baking and cooking, and most of it has included pumpkin! Pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin granola bars...you name it, we probably made it!
2. I went hiking at Omoshiroyama Koen. It is easily the most beautiful place I have ever seen!
3. I survived my first typhoon! The typhoon hit closer to Tokyo, which is further south, so we just got a lot of rain and wind.
4. I watched a few co-workers run in the Matsushima Marathon and got to nap at a gorgeous park!
5. I spent the weekend at the cabin that is owned by the school and saw the Pacific Ocean from the Japanese coast. I also slept outside and saw the sunrise!
6. The Immersion Kindergarten Program had Kids and Parents day, like an open house, and I got to help the teachers in their classrooms and serve lunch to the students and their families.
7. The Kindergartners went on a field trip to Michinoku Park and had a BLAST! This was unlike any park I have ever been to in America. It was so much fun!
8. I have been taking Japanese lessons every week! So far, I know about 30 Hiragona characters/sounds, how to count to 10, and can order at a restaurant. I also know about 30 random vocabulary words made of the sounds/characters I have learned so far. Their characters are so complex and difficult to write. It is also very important that the strokes to make the characters are written in the correct order so there is a lot of memorizing.
9. I have been able to do a lot of reading here, and I am so glad! I have always loved reading, but it has been so long since I have been able to read for pleasure. I have read over 1,000 pages (in two books) and I am working on another one that is about 600 pages! I hope to have it finished by next week!
10. I saved the very best for last...I AM ABOUT TO GET TWO BABY BUNNIES FOR FREE!!!! The school raises many different animals for the kids to learn from and experience. And I'm not really even supposed to have pets in my apartment, but I asked my boss and she said it would be okay for me to have the bunnies! Their cage is being delivered to my apartment tomorrow and I get to take the bunnies home with me this weekend! I have wanted a bunny since before I can remember...I asked for one every Christmas and birthday, and I never got one! So I am so excited to get TWO!! I still haven't decided on names for them, so if you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them! UPDATE: As of 6:25 p.m. I have decided to name my bunnies Jovie and Regina!
Here are links to my most recent albums on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2018014&id=1534140031&l=1c02c3a83f
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2018015&id=1534140031&l=7e3f9cec25
Just copy and paste into the URL and viola!
Again, sorry it took forever for me to update this! But if you want to keep closer tabs on me, just join Facebook :) It would be like we were practically in the same city!
1. I have been doing a lot of baking and cooking, and most of it has included pumpkin! Pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin granola bars...you name it, we probably made it!
2. I went hiking at Omoshiroyama Koen. It is easily the most beautiful place I have ever seen!
3. I survived my first typhoon! The typhoon hit closer to Tokyo, which is further south, so we just got a lot of rain and wind.
4. I watched a few co-workers run in the Matsushima Marathon and got to nap at a gorgeous park!
5. I spent the weekend at the cabin that is owned by the school and saw the Pacific Ocean from the Japanese coast. I also slept outside and saw the sunrise!
6. The Immersion Kindergarten Program had Kids and Parents day, like an open house, and I got to help the teachers in their classrooms and serve lunch to the students and their families.
7. The Kindergartners went on a field trip to Michinoku Park and had a BLAST! This was unlike any park I have ever been to in America. It was so much fun!
8. I have been taking Japanese lessons every week! So far, I know about 30 Hiragona characters/sounds, how to count to 10, and can order at a restaurant. I also know about 30 random vocabulary words made of the sounds/characters I have learned so far. Their characters are so complex and difficult to write. It is also very important that the strokes to make the characters are written in the correct order so there is a lot of memorizing.
9. I have been able to do a lot of reading here, and I am so glad! I have always loved reading, but it has been so long since I have been able to read for pleasure. I have read over 1,000 pages (in two books) and I am working on another one that is about 600 pages! I hope to have it finished by next week!
10. I saved the very best for last...I AM ABOUT TO GET TWO BABY BUNNIES FOR FREE!!!! The school raises many different animals for the kids to learn from and experience. And I'm not really even supposed to have pets in my apartment, but I asked my boss and she said it would be okay for me to have the bunnies! Their cage is being delivered to my apartment tomorrow and I get to take the bunnies home with me this weekend! I have wanted a bunny since before I can remember...I asked for one every Christmas and birthday, and I never got one! So I am so excited to get TWO!! I still haven't decided on names for them, so if you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them! UPDATE: As of 6:25 p.m. I have decided to name my bunnies Jovie and Regina!
Here are links to my most recent albums on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2018014&id=1534140031&l=1c02c3a83f
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2018015&id=1534140031&l=7e3f9cec25
Just copy and paste into the URL and viola!
Again, sorry it took forever for me to update this! But if you want to keep closer tabs on me, just join Facebook :) It would be like we were practically in the same city!
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