もらった

Received, that's what the title means. Today was great. This week has been great, but today was surprising.

My only class today was elementary 1年生 ichinensei first grade. It was a short class because of the PTA meetings that took place later this afternoon, so out of the activity and teaching segment I had planned, only the activity got going. But it was awesome!

We made paper snowflakes and I described them as American Xmas origami. The kids liked it, especially when they opened their creation from 1/12 to full size - even I'm still amazed at what can happen with a few cuts of paper when expanded. But the activity kept evolving. After the snowflakes were cut, Yuko先生 had the great idea of pasting them to colored paper and then decorating around the edges. We even had the kids practice 'Merry Christmas', and their messy letters and mixed colors were the best thing I'd seen all day. With the mess made and the kids proud of their work, we went from fourth period into lunch and it was good.

But later this afternoon, our playtime date arranged earlier, there was one girl who was carrying a folded and colored piece of paper with her. It took her a while to approach me with it and when I opened it up, it was a christmas card with expanding Rudolph and Santa and colorful drawings of all sorts. I was shocked! I didn't expect it at all. Shortly after, some of the other students led me up to their classroom to deliver the cards that they had also made. It was heartwarming to say the least. I felt so happy to be in the moment, to realize that even a bad day for me is most likely a fun and play-filled day for the kids. I don't think I needed a check on why I'm here, but it was a welcome reminder that teaching English need not be the only thing I do here.

Once all the kids had been picked up or walked home, I hit the office to gather my things before heading home. Some teachers were still around and they were distributing the last of the produce that was brought by one of the 8th grader's grandfather; he's a local farmer. I picked up four different kinds of vegetable: one for salad, one for soup, and two for stir-frying. I ate the salad and one of the stir-fry varieties tonight and I'm saving the others for this weekend.

I'm content right now, really happy overall. I've been catching myself about thinking too far ahead like I'm prone to do, but I can't help but think that three years is going to pass far too quickly. I just keep reminding myself of some advice a former ALT gave in Chicago the day before we left for Japan: every day in Japan is one less day in Japan - don't waste it. Waisu desu.

PS - I'm heading to Tokyo and other various cities next week. I'll be sure to fill you in when I get back, even post a lot of photos if I can figure out a good place to put them. Enjoy your winter break and holidays and eat as much of that good food as you want. Trust me, nobody's as critical as one's self.

What took me so long?

This is not, as one might assume, a title for the length of time between postings. It is in reference to what I finally did tonight: take a bath.

Giggles aside, I have been maintaining a regular habit of daily hygiene in the form of showers. But I had never taken the time to fill up the tub with nice hot water (45°C, 113°F) and soak. I did, and it was amazing.

I filled the tub to about one-third and then took a shower. That's right, you take a shower before the bath to keep the bath water clean (families share the same bath, so prior cleanliness is necessary). I'm not sure how much it matters that I clean up beforehand since I'm living by myself, but the feeling of a clean soak is unparalleled.

The showerheads are attached to hoses, allowing for discreet placement of the water flow, allowing one to keep it out of the tub basin. So one showers and then hops into the tub. And what a great way to wrap up an evening! I spent 15 minutes simply relaxing and wondering why I had never done anything like this in my Chicago apartment (we had 2! tubs). Some may be thinking of ways to enhance the bathing experience with foams and other things that react with water, but I say pure hot water is all one needs. Waisu desu.

PS - In a few weeks I'll be heading to mainland Japan. I'm stopping in Beppu, Oita for one, maybe two nights. They are well known for their onsen, or baths sourced by hot springs. I can't wait...