Spring Break is a whole lot of nothing for the lone ALT in my town. I’ve had the opportunity to edit and revise some lesson plans, make new games, and study Japanese, but the time spent at my official desk is pretty boring. However, I realize that I’m very fortunate to have a place to live, food to eat, and clothes on my back, I can’t imagine daily life for those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. So, on to happier things!
On Wednesday, I was invited to dinner at the house of my largest JHS Principal. He and his wife speak good English (yes!), so it was much easier to communicate. I was invited along with another English teacher who is transferring schools this week and a Fine Arts teacher who just finished her first year teaching. The dinner was wonderful! We started with green tea and some Japanese pastry-like dish. Next was octopus and cucumber (I couldn’t bring myself to try the octopus). After that was a rapid succession of food, I honestly never thought it would end. It consisted of: lotus root (yummy), tempura, raw tuna and avocado (delicious), spinach and sesame seeds, nabe (mushrooms, cabbage, chicken in a broth), 5 ingredient rice (chicken, mushrooms, and three other ingredients). For dessert: assorted fruits with green tea mousse and azuki bean paste (red bean paste). Yes, if your mouth is watering now, I don’t blame you. The food was delicious and the conversation was even understandable for me! I’m still floored by the kindness of the people around me.
The rest of the week went by uneventfully. Fighting jetlag, working at my desk, and cleaning my neglected apartment (due to my unexpected trip to America) sums up last week. I’ve killed a handful of bugs in my apartment, so I’m currently creating a plan to keep bugs out. *If you have any ideas, please let me know (amanda.m.jacobs@hotmail.com) I’m open to any and ALL ideas.
No comments:
Post a Comment