To continue with my new resolution to write more often, I thought I would do a quick update now. Not that a lot has happened in the last 24 hours, but little and often is probably preferable for all concerned :)
Last night Jeff and I went to the adult English class that we help out with in Yuki. It took the cake as the most awkward class yet and I was so grateful to have Jeff there too. Only four of the seven regulars turned up, one of which, Tokura-sensei, seemed to be off form. Granted, he is 80-something, but he didn't actually face in our direction all lesson. In my language course in Hiroshima a couple of weeks ago we did an exercise in calling on the telephone, which we practised by sitting back-to-back. I got the shock of my life when I realised how much of my 'understanding Japanese' is actually understanding body language! As such, I was really concerned by this old bloke not even looking our way all lesson. So... I believe Jeff and I were less than useful in that lesson, but at least we showed up to help. And Tokura-sensei gave us apples :) He always gives us something, but my favourite is when he gives us big, delicious apples off his apple tree.
In other news... I have finally submitted my new car contract (under my name, not Jeff's) to my school, so HOPEFULLY they will now officially allow me to drive to work. It has been an on-going saga because a) I work on Tuesdays at a different school, which the ALT traditionally takes the train to and b) I'm the first ALT in this position to have a car and a reason to drive (the other school is 40 minutes closer to Jinseki than my base school). Over the last month and a bit I have been continually asked to come down to the office to answer questions about my car and show relevant paperwork. This is a problem because even if I did understand the requests in Japanese, it's a hire car so I don't have any of the paperwork. Finally I convinced them to just call the hire company and that sorted most of the issues. Until they came back to me and said that I needed a new contract under my name. Originally it was under Jeff's name because it was through his work, he had the bank account and pay cheque and I was on a Dependent's visa. But now my school decided that despite the fact I've been covered for insurance for the last year driving that car, they can't possibly 'allow' me to drive it without it being under my name. I feel so bad for the lovely couple who run Jinseki Motors - they have had so many requests from my school for paperwork and information. I don't say this lightly, but they actually deserve some of the NZ chocolate Mum brought over. Yup, they are THAT lovely.
Actually, I got a fright when I went in yesterday afternoon. When we first hired the car, the wife was heavily pregnant and over the year I've 'conversed' a few times with her baby while he lay next to the cat on the couch. But yesterday when I went in, he was walking around the office, pulling the cat's whiskers and repeatedly falling out the door. He has a shock of dark hair that sticks straight up (if you haven't seen Japanese babies, their hair has to be seen to be believed!) and he was grinning at me as he used my trousers to support himself while he attempted to follow the cat. His Mum said he would be one next week. I know that time frame makes sense, but seeing how big and capable he is now really brought it home how long we have lived in Japan! When I told Jeff about it, he pointed out it will be the same for Jason and Shelley's wee one, when we next make it home (for Holly's wedding!). There's nothing like baby pictures to show how time is passing!
Now I better stop procrastinating and mark some more My Dream essays (*sigh*) or plan Friday's lesson. The weather here is finally starting to cool down - at 6am this morning I had to put on a sweatshirt for the first time in months! Hope you are also experiencing more pleasant weather. Japan has taught me to dislike weather extremes!
Cheers,
Charly
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