Monthly update

I keep wanting to post here, yet I never seem to be able to write.

That’s not new though. When I read other people’s blogs (especially those of my friends who can WRITE) I really feel that I can’t quite compete… but hey, for the sake of trying, here’s a recap of the last few weeks. Where I shall attempt to be brief, instead of losing myself in loads of superfluous details, something my stories usually abound in.

So what’s up?

Well, countdowns to the end of February are over. Stix opened up again, and thus my winter cravings for club sandwiches have been taken care of.

I’ve been to Ibaraki and Akashi, took care of the highly unpleasant business of getting a Japanese Driver’s License, lost an entire day to that, but hey, at least it’s done.

Fall Out Boy’s concert in Osaka was an effin’ blast, the concert itself, as well as the aftermath and the beforemath. Ran into two of the boys, Joe at RockRock before the concert and Andy the day of the show, wandering Dotonbori by his lonesome, trying to find some vegan food. (Good luck with that…) Approached them, managed to talk in something more than gibberish – which I am intensely proud of – and took a pic with Andy at Rock Rock later after the show. The rest of the weekend was spent running around with Eric, his friend Lauren and Rebecca, drinking ourselves silly, karaokeing till 4h30 AM and stuffing our faces with the most oishii Mexican food I’ve had in quite a while. Also, I finally got to indulge, and danced my ass off to my favorite music with an amazing crowd on the Saturday night. Indescribable. The best feeling in the world, booze, music and the endorphine kick. Though Mexican was pretty awesome too. ^^

Since that Epic weekend, the job’s been kind of a drag, especially now, as I am left by my lonesome in the staffroom while the kids trudge on through exam after exam. Highlight of my day is usually checking my McGill inbox and finding the daily e-mail from Kozue, my one very good student, to which I reply with enthusiasm. Though pretty basic, it’s still fun to have someone to correspond with, and to whom I can actually “teach” sometimes.

Speaking of teaching, my eikaiwa is now over, so Monday nights are free again. Though I wouldn’t take on another class so soon (vacation coming up and heading to Tokyo), I’d be glad to do it again in the future since, hey, it’s good money, plus I get to plan my own activities and TEACH them. For real. To students who understand! …most of the time anyways.

Last weekend was spent hanging with the expatriates from home, as part of the Montréal Genki Crew gathered at Luc’s girlfriend’s place in Kurashiki for Hadaka Matsuri. Drinking and gossiping on Friday night was followed by a lovely outing in DT Kursahiki, before heading to Okayama to morally support our courageous boys who were participating in the Naked Men fest. It was COLD. And I was wearing a couple of layers. Winced in sympathy as I saw our guys run past us in Saidaiji (after yelling my head off in encouragements of course). We recuperated slowly the next day, chilling and sleeping around Sumie’s house while her family fussed over us dead Gaijins. They were also busy assembling the doll display for Hinamatsuri, which, for some odd reason, reminded me of how me and my family put up our Christmas tree. Then, for dinner, Sumie’s mom made us a plateful of tempura, salad, rice, miso and veggies. We were so stuffed when we got on the train home…

Coming back was pretty harsh, as is every Monday after a great weekend. We’re now Wednesday. Two more days to go before another weekend of fun.

And for some reason, I find that life is funner with countdowns. So without further ado:

Yoka Lodge party: 9 days
Rebecca’s birthday party in Kobe: 16 days
Mom and Dad’s visit: 20 days
Punk Spring 09: 38 days

*EDIT* Oh, and I forgot, silly me, that for once, my V-day didn't suck this year as it was spent having dinner in an Izakaya with Dan, Lydia, Allie, Tania and Rae before heading out for drinks and getting thoroughly plastered. Fun times ^^