Friday, July 31, 2009

I NEED TO PACK!

I need to pack, but there are guys passed out on my floor, keeping me from doing so...

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Very Best Weekend

Azusa and I

This past Saturday was my last Saturday of work (my final day of work will be this Friday, July 31st). It was such a relief working, knowing that I no longer had to wake up early and teach for 10 hours again. The new teacher, Andy, came in on Friday night; so we started working together this weekend (he'll be taking over my schedule after I leave. So it's my responsibility to train him and teach him the ropes). All was great until I had to say goodbye to my favorite class (high school class) later in the afternoon. That was a difficult goodbye. Probably my hardest. Then again, Chisa (who I'll see later this week) will be another emotional goodbye. She is, without a doubt, my favorite little girl in the whole, wide world. I get teary-eyed just thinking about saying goodbye to her. I don't want to say goodbye to Chisa. Not to Chisa. I don't even know how or why I got so attached to her. It's just one of those things you can't explain. It is what it is.

After I taught my high school girls' class (plus Kozo), I taught my final adult class, which is another one of my favorite classes. Oh, how I will miss them. They are so thoughtful, kind and generous. We all went out to dinner (including Nicole, Andy and Keisuke [who is our part-time teacher]) and said our final goodbyes. A few even came out afterwards to Nicole's apartment to pre-party before going to Saicolo's. We had quite the group headed out for the night, including a couple new faces, and even more familiar faces at the club. I had such a great time. It was, without a doubt, my favorite night ever in Japan. A few highlights included one of my adult students, Tsucasa, trying to get me to stay in Japan by finding me a Japanese boyfriend; singing, dancing and fighting with Nicole (for many hours) at American Idol; witnessing Ryan fall on his ass during his performance; then seeing Christian face plant during his performance (at one point he even fell and broke the flower vase on the table. He got in trouble. I'm surprised he didn't get kicked out. Then again, I'm surprised we all didn't get kicked out). I wish I had a video-camera to capture all of that craziness. I think a lot of fighting occurred throughout the night (ie. Nicole and Brian, Nicole and Ben, and Nicole and I...I see a trend...), but by 7am, everyone was too tired, drunk/hung-over to care. That was a good night/morning.

When I returned home, my alarm clock was going off. I don't usually get up at 7am, but apparently that's what time I like to go to bed. 5 hours later, the bruises showed up on my leg from the tambourine...they take a week to heal, then it happens all over again...Ooh, they are bad today...there are a bunch of black and blue bruises on my thigh...I blame Nicole...

I am going to miss the crazy people I've met here. I've met some pretty incredible people who I don't plan on ever saying "goodbye" to. I hate goodbyes. I am terrible at them. So instead of goodbye, I have to say, "See you later," cause will. I will see everyone again. This won't be/can't be the last time.

So, that said, I will see you all again later. I love you. And thank you for everything.

Keisuke and Christian


Nicole, Grey and Ben


Bob. I have a lot of respect for this guy. Then again, I have a lot of respect for all you Marines.

My student, Azusa

Christian, Ben and Nicole. Love Triangle.

Christian, right after he face planted and continued singing on the bar floor.

Bob and Bill

Kaori and Yumi

Brian, Kaori, Yumi, Stanley and Tsucasa

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Solar Eclipse of the Heart

Last night, Nicole made somen for dinner (thank you, Nicole) and we stayed up past 2am watching Grey's Season 2. Amazing. Now I am ready for Season 3!

After teaching my babies this morning, there was a Solar Eclipse. According to Wikipedia, this was the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century, lasting 6 minutes, 39 seconds. The next one will occur on August 2, 2027. I didn't find out til afterwards that I wasn't supposed to look directly at the sun. But I did. Ok, seriously, when there is a solar eclipse in the sky, how can you not look directly at the sun??? Sure, it's possible, but unlikely. Anyway, I definitely damaged my eyes. I just pray that I don't wake up blind tomorrow morning. Right now, that is my biggest fear.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Fun Weekend

This weekend was super fun!
Saturday night: Saicolo's
Sunday: Festival
Sunday night: Kin Town & Taco Rice
Monday: Relaxation & Taco Rice
ps. I finally made a facebook album from Japan. These photos, and many others, can be found there. :-)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

TGIF

Yesterday was long and tiresome. I taught for 3 hours on Base (mostly about hot dogs) and thoroughly enjoyed the guys' stories. One of the marines continues to tell me (every day) about his times at the snack bar and the girls he meets. He's very open about his personal life. I can't help but laugh. Then there's the Captain. He likes to tell me time and time again that American food is poison. I try to argue this from some angles, but for the most part, he is right. Another marine tells me how much he loves meat (he only says this so much because he knows how much I hate it). These men love to pick my brain and argue with me (in a fun-natured way). I love it.

I just spent a couple hours there this morning. I think one asked me out on a date this weekend?
Yesterday afternoon, I taught my devil children. I even told one of my students that her eyes are empty and she has no soul. lol. Trust me. She is an awful little girl with a bad, bad mouth. I only say such awful things to her because she doesn't ever understand me anyway. So, with her, I tell her how I really feel...

Last night was so GREAT! Nicole, Stephen and I went out to Kokusai Street and ate taco rice! Then, Stephen ditched us (he does that more often than not) to go to American Idol. So then Nicole and I went to Banter House for open mic night. Let me just say- it was AMAZING! Some really great singers and this one fantastic acapella group. I fell in love with this one Japanese guy named, Yusuke. Not only was he very cute and talented (great singer), but he could speak English! Nicole and I invited him out this weekend to Saicolo's. We'll see if he shows up...oops...I think I invited a few marines this morning as well. It'll be a good time! This weekend may be one of my favorites! I cannot wait!
Nicole's Love

My Love, Yusuke

Our friend, Kakoon

Acapella Group: LOVE

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Oopsie

....I just spilled coffee all over my lap-top and bed. Oopsie. I don't even know how that happened. It just happened. No more coffee around the computer or in bed. I'm banned.

Yesterday morning I spent a couple of hours on Base teaching the Japanese Military men. They're a great group (of 13). I'm excited to work with them for the next couple of weeks. It mixes up my usual, routine schedule.

This afternoon I'll head back to the Base, then back to the school to teach my kids until 9pm. These days are full of teaching, teaching, teaching. At least my weekends are full of drinking, drinking, drinking...

My Top 5 Loves
1. Grey Goose
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Taco Rice
4. Starbucks
5. Chisa

Monday, July 13, 2009

I Love Taco Rice

Going out Friday night til 3am is never a good idea when you have to work 10 hours the following day. Gross. Somehow, we pushed through it. Then we all went out again Saturday night- dancing and drinking, then went to Kin Town Sunday and spent the day hung-over. The best part was eating taco rice from King Taco and watching Grey's Anatomy. Two of the best combinations.

Today, I spent 4 hours getting my hair done. This is the happiest I've been with my hair in the last year! I almost started crying when my hair dresser told me she would never forget me.

Tomorrow morning I have to go to the Japanese Military Base and teach for a couple of hours. Yuck. In two weeks time, I'm putting in an extra 18 teaching hours. I'd rather spend that time sleeping or watching Grey's. Too bad I don't have that choice. No, I'm not bitter ;-)


Chris- Congratulations on Matthew James, aka MJ!
Hayley- I owe you an over-due e-mail...
Tony- You're beginning to sound like me with your drunken nights...
Beach- Update your blog please...
Nicole- Let me know when you're home.

PEACE

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Thirsty Thursday

Last night was so funny. After work, Stephen, Nicole and I went to a bar right off of Kokusai Street called, Banter House. It was open mic night, and this one Japanese guy was nonsense. He was shouting Japanese, almost falling over numerous times, and pounding the mic to his chest. No one could help but laugh. I was quite amused myself. I think Nicole fell in love with him...
After that incredible performance, we went to Rehab for one more drink. Well, one more drink for Nicole and I. Stephen decided to go out afterwards and stay out all night. He tends to do that.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Ready for the Weekend

If I didn't quit my job and if Nicole weren't just hired- we'd both get fired!!! The two of us teaching side by side = trouble. Last night was memorable singing, "M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E," as loud as we could to and with our classes. I'm not sure if the students enjoyed it or just thought the two of us were crazy.
As teachers, however, we have to amuse ourselves in someway, otherwise we would really go crazy. It can be so frustrating teaching English to Japanese students. I'll never know exactly how much it is they understand. More often than not, they just look at us with blank stares and all we want is some kind of reaction from them. But we have to work really hard to get anything. It's like pulling teeth. That's why Nikki and I have turned to song and dance. :-)

Monday, July 6, 2009

Weekend Pictures


Bahhhhhh!

Bahhhhhhhh!!
Great Weekend- why did it have to end so soon???
Back to work tomorrow. So much to do...so little time.....

Nicole smells like dirty underwear.

Friday, July 3, 2009

6 More Hours

It's never the brightest idea to go out the night before working a 10 hour day. I am so tired and irritable. My poor kids- I'm not the nicest teacher today (I'm on break right now).

Looking forward to tonight- after 7pm the weekend has begun! We're all going out- Naha City! Party, party!

Happy Birthday, Chelsea Elizabeth. I love you. Quarter of a Century. Congratulations, Beautiful Girl. You are so amazing.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Let's Meet in Tokyo

I taught 3 extra classes this morning for one of the teachers who took vacation this week. I am so nice sometimes. ~ The kids were so adorable! So well behaved, smart, and cute, cute, cute!!! I'll have to tell Brian Sensei that he's a sensational teacher.

Nicole stole my futon last night. Now my apartment is naked.

Can I really move myself out of here in less than a month? I have my doubts. Also, I am a little nervous about travelling to Tokyo by myself; which doesn't make any sense because I have travelled to numerous places all alone. So, why is Tokyo making me nervous? I think it's because I don't have anything planned or a place to stay. Way to go, Sarah. Way...to...go...

Anyone wanna meet me in Tokyo???

Working Over-Time

In my last class tonight, one of my students played Thriller on his cell phone. So instead of teaching, I was dancing to Thriller. Then my boss walked in.....end of story.

My last two weeks here, I will be working over-time to help pay for my outrageous bills next month (I have a $200 cell phone bill and a $200 Internet bill for ending the contracts early. Also, I have to pay double my rent/utilities to cover the previous month, as well as the month I'm leaving). I just hope I can survive.....

PARTY AUGUST 8TH!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Bed Time

I really enjoyed one of my students singing High School Musical songs to me today. We bonded.
~I am so tired from all of this stress. Japan is exhausting. And the language barrier has been beyond challenging; lots of tears and stress over that alone. I just can't wait to be home. That is all I want.