November 12, 2005 – 1000 yen coffee
Posted by Barniferous in Life in Japan on November 12, 2015
Between lessons today I decided that I needed a caffeine boost. Fortunately there is a bank of vending machines right across the street from Numazu NOVA. I didn’t have change, so I used a 1000 yen bill to buy a 100 yen can of coffee, and then rushed back to the teacher’s room to prepare for my next lesson.
It wasn’t until about two hours later when I realized that I forgot to take my change with me. I went out to check just in case, but my change was long gone.
My 1000 yen can of coffee was pretty good though.
November 11, 2005 – Remembrance Day
Posted by Barniferous in Uncategorized on November 11, 2015
Today is Remembrance Day. We must never forget or repeat the mistakes of the past.
Remembrance Day is meaningful to me as my family has a bit of a military history. My great grandfather on my father’s side was a combat veteran in World War 1. He lost his eye in combat just before the battle of Vimy Ridge. If he had not been injured, it is very possible he could have been killed in that terrible battle.
My grandfather was a drummer who entertained troops overseas in World War 2. That’s where he met my grandmother, who at the time was a seamstress sewing uniforms for Canadian soldiers.
My father joined the Canadian forces at age 16 to get away from a difficult home situation. His military service allowed him to complete high school and paid for his university education. He served as an Air Traffic Controller, and retired from the military after 27 years and has been doing the same job as a civilian ever since.
I am the first person in this lineage with no military connection at all. I am proud of the service that my father, grandfather, grandmother, and great grandfather provided. However I am more proud of the fact that in my lifetime there has never been a situation where I have needed to join any military service myself. I hope to never see a day like that, especially in my home country of Canada or my second home in Japan.
November 10, 2005 – A remedy for stress
Posted by Barniferous in Life in Japan on November 10, 2015
I’m not exactly sure why, but I was really stressed out today. Like one of those situations where stress is squeezing your brain and lying on top of you like a weight on your chest.
Fortunately living in Japan there is a good remedy for this: after work I enjoyed some beer and friend stuff on sticks. Yum!
November 5, 2005 – Open Lesson
Posted by Barniferous in Teaching English on November 5, 2015
In the English conversation teaching world, an open lesson is when you either have no students scheduled or none of the students show up. This leaves the teacher free to catch up on files or other office tasks.
An open lesson at the end of the day before my weekend is particularly good.
November 4, 2005 – Feeling like crap
Posted by Barniferous in Teaching English on November 4, 2015
I was feeling awful yesterday and stayed home from work. I was feeling slightly less awful today and went to work. Despite not being at my best, I still tried to give fun lessons to my students. Most days I genuinely enjoy teaching, and I want the students to feel like they are getting something for their money and time.
November 3, 2005 – National Holiday
Posted by Barniferous in Teaching English on November 3, 2015
This morning I was feeling awful. I tried to get moving but realized that there was no way I was going to work.
NOVA has a phone number to call when you are unable to attend work. If you call before a certain time, there are supposed to be no repercussions for you, other than a day of missed pay. The cutoff time allows NOVA to find a replacement teacher and adjust the schedule accordingly.
Usually calling into the sick number is a short conversation “Hi I am x from branch y. I am sick and can’t go to work today”. They take the info, ask if you need any additional assistance, and the call is over in 30 seconds. Today they made a point of letting me know that it was a national holiday, which would mean a very busy day at the branch. I don’t know if they were trying to make me feel bad about calling in sick, trying to see if I was faking, or just expressing frustration at trying to replace a teacher on a busy day. Regardless, there was no was I was going to work.
November 2, 2005 – Santa in training
Posted by Barniferous in Life in Japan, The Penpal on November 2, 2015
Today The Penpal asked me if I would like to be Santa Claus at an upcoming Yamaha English School Christmas party. How can I say no to that?
The Penpal used to work for Yamaha English School, which uses mostly Japanese teachers to teach English to children. She is still friends with a lot of her old coworkers, so they asked her if I could help. It should be a lot of fun!
Now I just need to gain about 100 pounds in a month and grow a beard…
November 1, 2005 – Homework?
Posted by Barniferous in Life in Japan on November 1, 2015
Today I had my first Japanese lesson with the teacher provided by the city of Mishima. My sensei is a very pleasant middle aged woman who is easy to talk to. My lesson was 90 minutes, and we managed to speak almost exclusively Japanese. It was a great first lesson, and I am looking forward to the next one.
Unfortunately she gave me grammar homework. Boo homework!
October 30, 2005 – Missed a good party
Posted by Barniferous in Drinking, Teaching English on October 30, 2015
After a very busy month of parties and after work beverages, I am taking a break and let my liver and bank account recover. With that in mind, I decided not to attend last night’s Halloween party.
I usually don’t work Sunday, but thanks to a shift swap I was at work with a bunch of very sore looking English teachers. It sounds like a missed a really good party, but I am still glad I took the night off.
Drinking in Japan 
Recent Comments