Wonderland

We went to the Alley Theatre to see the musical Wonderland last night. I really wish I hadn't been so sleepy. I was fine for the first half, which was really good, but I don't really remember what happened during the second half because I kept dozing off--and I'm pretty sure it wasn't the play's fault. Like I said, the first half was really funny, especially the scenes with the White Knight and his boy band.

The audience was pretty mixed--age-wise, and during the scene with the White Knight, Joy turned to me and said, "I bet some people here won't get that it's a boy band." And she was right. During the intermission, two rows above us, a woman turned to her friend and asked, "why was everyone laughing? Because they were being silly?" I didn't say anything. Then a man two rows behind us tried to explain why the Mad Hatter was mad, but he only got it half right, and the woman in the row behind us tried to help by adding a weird detail that wasn't quite right. I wanted to turn around and correct them, but Joy wouldn't let me and said I didn't have to be a know-it-all all the time or something rude like that. So I sat there ignoring a perfectly good teaching moment. It was hard, but at least she complimented my restraint.

Second Semester

Today was the last day of the face to face potion of my web institute. From here on out, my classes are all online. I must say after this weekend I am very excited about my new career path into the library field. I can't believe the variety of jobs and environments my library degree from University of North Texas (I had to mention the name) can take me. I went into the program thinking I wanted to be a librarian in children and youth services, but now I think I want to do something more technologically based. I want to make the (digital) world a better place.

In 5600 we have to do a group service project and I came up with a grandiose plan that could actually become something more than just a project for one class. My team is terrific, and they are just as excited as I am about the project, which is thrilling since they, too, believe it could go beyond this class. We'll see how that goes. Now, to complete homework!

Happy New Year!

First day of the new year so far has been pretty good. I got to spend it relaxing with loved ones and tonight we're going out for 80s night at #'s. It should be fun. When I arrived at my parents' house, I smelled something I wasn't expecting but had been craving: menudo. My dad learned how to make it and today was his first attempt. For a first try on a difficult dish, it was pretty good. It definitely needs the chile my grandmother always has freshly prepared at her house when she served menudo, though.

Last night was spent at Boheme. I worked the door while DJ Joy De La O played a very eclectic mix. It was a pretty great night of music, as it usually is when DJ Joy De La O is spinning. Wikki wikki! Another great thing about last night is that we contributed half of what was made to HATCH.

One Week Down, One Week to Go

Last month I took part in--wait. Edit that. Last month I signed up to do NaNoWriMo at the prodding of my FPA. I had a brand new terrific idea that I got two pages into and three pages worth of character description. And that's about all I did because I was wrapping up my last paper for my very first grad class for my library science degree. I finished it on Thursday with one hour to spare. Yikes! I really need to stop procrastinating--especially since next semester I'll be taking two classes and then, with a little luck, a mini-mester class.

I also joined a gym this month and I've been three times since signing up last week. I went today to meet with my personal trainer to find out he resigned. Eh, I was fine with that since I wasn't crazy about him. He was nice and all, but I think I want to work with someone who practices what s/he preaches.

We went to see New Moon today. What a waste of good money. I think my favorite actor by far in this one was Dakota Fanning. Sad she was only on screen for about five minutes.

Finally, the mayoral election ends today. Unfortunately, I did not get to vote since I changed my address too late and my old address was out of the city--by far (since I was living in Japan). I really do hope Annise Parker wins. I really do think she is the better candidate. I also think it's silly that there are actually people voting based on her sexuality. Ridiculous. What does it matter? Some say they're worried she's going to push a gay agenda. Really? Is that what she's been doing all these years in office? Eh, I think I'll leave it there for now. [Later edit--it's official. She won! Yea!]

I have one more week of school left before the holidays. Won't it be glorious to be off for two weeks! I guess I should enjoy it while it lasts since I doubt I'll get the same benefits when I become a librarian.

Looks Like I Have a Little Catching up to Do

I left Okinawa almost four months ago and got my old job back at my the school I left to go to Japan. This year I am teaching seniors. I like my classes. I like most of the students. Actually, I pretty much like all of them, which is nice. It makes the job of teaching easier. It makes it hard when one decides to drop out. I cannot fathom why a student would drop out in senior year. Anyway...

I started graduate school. I am working on my masters in library science. I am two drafts away from being finished for the semester. Yipee! It's been tough. Well, it isn't the class that's been tough. I've started procrastinating. I don't understand why. Maybe it's because the class is online so I don't have that drive to do my best in class when I'm not sitting in class. Hmm...and all along I thought I was a self-starter. Learn something new everyday.

At the prompting of my FPA, I signed up for NaNoWriMo. I know. I know. What's one more writing assignment on top of grad school and lesson planning and grading? I'm glad I'm off all next week to get to work on the novel. I am excited about it. Maybe I'll work on it a little tonight and this weekend. Half the month is gone already. I need to get to it now. Ah, isn't blog writing a great way to procrastinate. ;)

Last of the Last

Since I'm in my last week of being in Okinawa I've been trying to get those last bits of my favorite things in like tiramisu parfait at Bikuri Donkey and Mos Chicken. I've also been enduring the hardship (not really) of an endless run of soubetsukai (farewell parties). Friday was yakiniku at Yakiniku Jack with the other ALT at my base school and my coordinator. After yakiniku we went to karaoke. Fun! Fun! Fun! This was soubetsukai, part one, at my base school since my ALT buddy left last Saturday for a two week trip to see his family.

The other reason we, as a department, couldn't celebrate all together that Friday was because the teacher test was on Sunday. In the English department alone, we have five substitute teachers at the moment. All of them were cramming last minute studying in while we were grilling meat and drinking beer and singing until we lost our voices. Zannen. So to make up for it, for soubetsukai, part two, we went to OmoroHouse in Shintoshin. Oishiiii!! The maguro sashimi was especially delish. Seriously, how can raw fish be better at one place than any other. It's just raw fish, right? Everything else was really yummy including the somen champuru and ume budo, and that was probably the last time I'll get to have those two foods for a while. Zannen. :( I even had some awomori just to make sure I covered all my last of the last Okinawan bases. I still like it, but I think I might like to try it with some cranberry juice and lime, perhaps. Throw in a little soda... Mmmm. That might also explain away any questions you might have about why this post is kind of rambly. I'm not hung over so much as just really sleepy and mellow and ready for a nap. Yep. Definitely. Zzzzzzzzz...
;)

Español Mezclado con Nihongo

There is a new teacher at my visiting school. She teaches Social Studies. She came up to me to introduce herself and asked if I spoke Japanese to which I replied, "chotto." She started telling me that her English was not very good but stopped herself and asked if I spoke Spanish to which I replied, "sí." We then had a conversation in Spanish where she told me she speaks Spanish and has friends from Bolivia that she has lunch with often and so gets to practice her Spanish. It was also during this conversation that I realized I'm going to have a really tough time when I return home and am faced with a situation where I need to speak Spanish as my Spanish has become very mixed up with my Japanese. I had a really hard time speaking to her in Spanish only. I kept throwing in Japanese words here and there. Perhaps it's because it was so discombobulating to speak to a Japanese in Spanish. I hope that's the case. I'll find out when I get home, I suppose.