Today, in one of my classes, we were talking about a picture of a schoolroom. One of the children was wearing glasses. To illustrate what I was talking about when I said "glasses" I took my glasses off and held them up in front of my students. At which point my boss exclaimed "You wear glasses?!" in absolute amazement.
Which has lead me to think, glasses are indeed the most deceptive of accessories. @_@ The more I think about it, I couldn't actually tell you whether most of the people I know wear glasses or not. Liz and I have together worked out that she is the only one of the 'Ryu-tachi who doesn't wear glasses on a regular basis, but we may indeed be wrong. @_@
So I propose a little mental challenge to everyone reading this. Think about everyone you know, and figure out how many of them wear glasses. It's surprisingly difficult. ^_^;;
After a whole month of not having the emails replied from the seller, we finally have our copy of the Saint Seiya fighting game we ordered from Yahoo Japan. ^_____________^
SHINY 3D SAINT SEIYA CHEESE!!!
Honestly, there are no words for how much glee with which it fills me to see Diamond Dust in 3D. Diamond Dust being the single most camp special attack known to man. I love Hyoga so hard.
So yes, last night was quite fun. We went out for dinner, like what posh people do and that. Well, sort of. Yesterday marked my and Daniel's five year anniversary, so we all treated ourselves to dinner at the restaurant in town with the best slogan ever: "Enjoy the juicy beef!" Japan never ever disappoints me. Juicy beef was indeed enjoyed and small confused children stared at the three laughing gaijin in their restaurant, as if they had had just fallen off the moon. ^_________^
I want a moeru cosumo. It's so not fair.
Now I know why the person who gave me this lesson gave it up in the first place. Never have I met such uncooperative children in my entire life. >_<
No, let me put that straight. The girls in the class are, for the most part, regular sweet little Japanese ten-year-old girls. Amongst the nicest kind of pupils you could ever wish to teach. The boys are some sort of divine test sent to determine whether I do actually have the patience to be a teacher. Honestly, one of them refered to himself as "ore-sama". >_<
Now I'm going to sit somewhere dark and quiet and continue with my happy project. >_< When I feel better I must blog last night's karaoke, and the best song you never expected to find in a Japanese karaok machine.
No, screw it. Our awesome karaoke parlour, near the part of town in which I work, is truly awesome. Not only were we do an absolutely extraordinary rendition of The Real Slim Shady (post-ironic, y'all...), in the library of songs we found Sit On My Face. ^_________________^ Yes, Sit On My Face by Monty Python, in a Japanese karaoke parlour. How absolutely awesome is that? ^________^
Now to not thinking about teaching little bleeders.
I duly hang my head in shame at that title, it's ok. But certain other people who may or may not (but mainly do) live in this house have been bringing bizarre foodstuffs into this house. Like capers. @_@ And now they want to use capers in all foods served in the house. So tomorrow morning I think I will be having capers and chocolate frosties, thank you.
And if you have any caper-related recipes, Lizzu would very much like to know them.
Today I did exciting things! Amazing things! I met a new student for the first time today, for a trial lesson, and I'm incredibly pleased to say it went very well! This was something of a big deal for me, because he'd said he just wanted to meet me because he wasn't sure I had enough teaching experience to be any good. In as blunt terms as that. @_@ (I put it down to delicacy being a hard thing to transmit via email.) But he seemed to me satisfied and he's booked another lesson with me, so yay. ^____^ I'm obviously not that rubbish at teaching. ^_____^
...which is good and all, since I'm intending to be a teacher. @_@
And after that, Lizzu and the D-ular unit came to meet me to go to a jazz club (altogether now, "Mmmm. Nice.") near where we live. Where we listened to Lizzu's drum teacher give a talk about traditional Japanese drums. And I got to play a kotsuzumi drum! ^________^ Badly, I might add. ^_______________^
But never let it be said lack of skill has ever stopped me doing anything I enjoy. @_@
This makes me so very happy.
It also makes me miss Bumface back home so very much. >_<
...why Lizzu looked at me so peculiarly when I said I'd never seen Mallrats.
^___________________________^
I love Jay so hard.
^___________________________^
Yes, we have re-kidnapped Liz, and her dvd collection. And about time too. I was almost out of things to watch. It was nice having the house to ourselves over Christmas, but to be honest, I like having more people around. I've never been that wild about things being quiet at home, anyway.
The pictures of all this snow in Japan amaze me. We've had just about a light dusting this week and that's it. o_0 Not that I actually want the Northern Honshu killer drifts of snow or anything though. They look incredibly scary. >_< I wouldn't be surprised if the snow reached us eventually though.
Go on, imagine that. No Internet. For nearly two weeks. @_@
So yeah, that's why I've not been blogging for some time. That and this laptop is being incredibly tempremental about when it wants to turn on. >_< And *groan*, it's making a really horrible noise now. This does not make me happy.
So yes, in the interim it has of course been birthday/Christmas/New Year. It was certainly different spending them in Japan. o_0 I'm not entirely sure I would have been happier spending it in England, given the news I've been hearing from home, but hey. I did the school Christmas party then had Christmas dinner in Macdonalds, so I was kept occupied at least.
But hey, I got some really awesome presents for Christmas and my birthday. Daniel bought me an artbook by the character designer for Bakuretsu Tenshi, which caused supreme glee for his obssession with silver hair and red eyes. And Phantasy Star Online. Yay. ^___^ And and and for Christmas I was given the first Intron Depot artbook, which pleases me very much, despite being decidedly dodgy in places. ^_^;;; Ooh, and now I have my laptop on again, I can enjoy the dvds I was sent from England. ANGEMULINA GLEE! ^_____^
And now, because it fills space and I've done it the last few years, here is the great end of year quiz. Even if it is 2006 already.
What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Held actual meaningful conversations with people in Japanese. Got a dog, if only for Daniel and not really me.
Did you keep new year's resolutions and will you make more next year?
I don't do new year's resolutions.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.
Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, my aunt. -_-
What countries did you visit?
America, Germany and Japan.
What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Money, better luck.
What dates from 2005 will remain etched in your memory and why?
I can never remember dates.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Deciding to come to Japan and actually doing it.
What was your biggest failure this year?
Still not being able to balance my finances and owing too many people too much money. -_-
Did you suffer illness or injury?
The same as usual, various complaints. o_0
What was the best thing you bought?
Tickets to Japan.
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Liz, for general getting to/living in Japanness.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Ooh that's a toss-up between so many of the men I have encountered this year.
What did you spend most of your spare cash on?
Train tickets and things in Mandarake.
What did you get really, really excited about?
Dog.
What song will always remind you of 2005?
Neko Mimi Mode. Especially in karaoke form.
Compared to this time last year are you happier or sadder?
Sadder. -_-
Thinner or fatter?
Who knows. -_-
Richer or poorer?
Much poorer.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Saving money.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spending money.
How will you be spending Christmas?
At work. >_<
Did you fall in love in 2005?
No more than usual.
What was your favorite TV programme?
Toss up between Gankutsuou and Saint Seiya.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Yep.
What was the last book you read?
Howl's Moving Castle. ^_____^
What was your greatest musical discovery?
I tend to have music discovered at me rather than discover it myself. Although I feel Saint Seiya image songs ought to get a mention somewhere.
What did you want and get?
To Japan, and Daniel for Christmas.
What did you want and not get?
Nothing much.
What was your favorite film this year?
Advent Children, Howl's Moving Castle, or Mr and Mrs Smith. :p
What did you do on your birthday and how old are you?
Went to work and 23.
What one thing would've made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Money. >_<
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Washing-machine related.
What kept you sane?
Katamari Damacy.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Advent Children Sephiroth. ^_______^
What political issue has stirred you the most?
Most news makes me agitated in one respect or another. o_0
Who did you miss?
Everyone back home. -_-
Who was the best new person you met this year?
So many people in Japan.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
Don't waste time rolling up lots of little things.