Sunday, November 19, 2006
Just Checking In
Can't type for long because I need to get ready for work. But I just wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive and well.
Went to Kamakura last weekend. It was wonderful! Kamakura was the capital of Japan about 1,000 years ago, so there are dozens of 1,000-year-old historical buildings and temples. It's along the coast, so I walked across the bridge to Enoshima island, which had temples and old caves and grottos filled with ancient statues of gods and magical creatures. I only scraped the surface and I can't wait to go back again and see more!
I got trained to teach kids last week, and this weekend I had my first kids lessons. Ack! I'm going to DIE of the adorableness! THEY ARE SO CUTE!!! Some of the little boys can be rambunctious, but generally if you play lots of games that involve jumping around they'll stay involved. At least they obey when you say in your 'serious voice', "No, I mean it. Stop that." Kids lessons break up the routine, too--with kids and adults and Voice I have a little bit more variety in my day now than before.
Got my first paycheck last week. Ugh. You know that old joke, about how everyone's a Republican after they get their first paycheck? What are you supposed to do if you're already a Republican? Become an anarchist? I'm about at that point myself. First, I'm still on probation, so there's a nasty salary cut right there. Then, what with income taxes in both the US and Japan, and resident taxes here in Kawasaki, there goes another 20% of my salary. Plus I have to pay $280 for my health insurance 'registration fee'. Take out 10% for tithe, 10% for savings, and I'm left with... Well, it's enough to live off of, but I won't be eating out this month. I may not be able to meet Kei in Osaka for Christmas, either.
So now I *really* have to resist the urge to shop. Okay, I can justify buying comics, because they're really good Japanese practice. But I guess I'll hold off on buying a new pair of boots. My nice, warm pair that I brought with me lasted about five days, before the heel suddenly started falling off the right boot. The shoe repair store down the street from work says there's nothing they can do, so I guess no more boots for me. I really liked those boots, too!
I wonder how my boss feels about me wearing sweats and tennis shoes in to work, and changing in the bathroom when I get there. Some of the other teachers I've chatted with say it depends on who your boss is, and mine is pretty laid-back. It would be nice not to have to walk around in the cold in my knee-length skirt and heels.
On the plus side, I just figured out how to make the heater in the apartment work. Yay, heat! It's so nice not to have to choose between wearing gloves or typing at the computer anymore. :P
Okay, now I'm *really* behind schedule. Everybody let me know in the comments how Thanksgiving goes!
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Went to Kamakura last weekend. It was wonderful! Kamakura was the capital of Japan about 1,000 years ago, so there are dozens of 1,000-year-old historical buildings and temples. It's along the coast, so I walked across the bridge to Enoshima island, which had temples and old caves and grottos filled with ancient statues of gods and magical creatures. I only scraped the surface and I can't wait to go back again and see more!
I got trained to teach kids last week, and this weekend I had my first kids lessons. Ack! I'm going to DIE of the adorableness! THEY ARE SO CUTE!!! Some of the little boys can be rambunctious, but generally if you play lots of games that involve jumping around they'll stay involved. At least they obey when you say in your 'serious voice', "No, I mean it. Stop that." Kids lessons break up the routine, too--with kids and adults and Voice I have a little bit more variety in my day now than before.
Got my first paycheck last week. Ugh. You know that old joke, about how everyone's a Republican after they get their first paycheck? What are you supposed to do if you're already a Republican? Become an anarchist? I'm about at that point myself. First, I'm still on probation, so there's a nasty salary cut right there. Then, what with income taxes in both the US and Japan, and resident taxes here in Kawasaki, there goes another 20% of my salary. Plus I have to pay $280 for my health insurance 'registration fee'. Take out 10% for tithe, 10% for savings, and I'm left with... Well, it's enough to live off of, but I won't be eating out this month. I may not be able to meet Kei in Osaka for Christmas, either.
So now I *really* have to resist the urge to shop. Okay, I can justify buying comics, because they're really good Japanese practice. But I guess I'll hold off on buying a new pair of boots. My nice, warm pair that I brought with me lasted about five days, before the heel suddenly started falling off the right boot. The shoe repair store down the street from work says there's nothing they can do, so I guess no more boots for me. I really liked those boots, too!
I wonder how my boss feels about me wearing sweats and tennis shoes in to work, and changing in the bathroom when I get there. Some of the other teachers I've chatted with say it depends on who your boss is, and mine is pretty laid-back. It would be nice not to have to walk around in the cold in my knee-length skirt and heels.
On the plus side, I just figured out how to make the heater in the apartment work. Yay, heat! It's so nice not to have to choose between wearing gloves or typing at the computer anymore. :P
Okay, now I'm *really* behind schedule. Everybody let me know in the comments how Thanksgiving goes!
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