hold this thread as i walk away*
Time for the daily blog. Let's see. What is there today? Not much, or perhaps too much. I am in a much better mood than yesterday's post. I had a productive and fun Friday. I got to watch some 3rd grade JHS (that's U.S. 9th grade equivalent) students do Judo today. That was pretty cool. Then, later in the day I got to teach them. The Japanese Teacher of English (JTE) had a really fun game that we all played and just thinking about it still has me grinning.
After teaching, I ran to the post office and mailed a bunch of letters, cards and presents. There are bunch of November birthdays among my friends and family, so I got all of that done. The total cost gave me a good reminder of what it will cost to ship presents home for Christmas. It is painful to my wallet!
After that, I studied some kanji at my desk. I was happy to realize that even though I haven't sat down and studied it for about 2 weeks, I still remember most of what I had learned previously. Now I just need to add about 60 kanji more to my mental library and solidify grammar and I'll be ready for the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) in December. I'm taking the lowest level available since I don't know what level I am at. I took the practice test about a month ago and passed, so hopefully that means that the studying I've done since then will solidify my chances of passing the actual test.
This evening I had kyuudou (弓道 - Japanese archery, literally Way of the Bow). I finally got to release an arrow into the straw target (beginner). I only released one, but it was exhilarating! My heart pounded joyfully after I released the arrow. It usually takes about 10 hours of training before you release an arrow. I've done 9.5. So it was time. My teacher wanted me to release one last time, but I felt I was not yet ready. This time I went to the lesson preparing myself mentally for releasing an arrow.
I also took her three slices of the chocolate zucchini bread that I made the other night. I put them in a small container and sprinkled them with powdered sugar. She smiled broadly when I gave them to her and she said that she loved sweets, so I am happy. She has to pay a small fee every time she comes to teach me (because she is not a town resident) and she doesn't let me pay that, so this was my way of showing her thanks.
Well, it is getting late. Even though it is Friday night, I think I have a lot I want to do tomorrow (which I should figure out and write down tonight so I can be productive from the get-go tomorrow morning), so I should get ready for bed.
*if you need the reference for this song, you need musical guidance.
Labels: friday joy, in tribute to nanowrimo, life in japan, teaching, 弓道