#river high

Seeing them working so hard and having their parent’s tell me how much I help them made me feel so rewarded. I didn’t realize, truly, how much they must talk about me and really actually like me. Teenagers are pretty honest about how they feel, so if I’m in the black with them, then... I think it’s okay to think I’m a positive influence on a lot of people’s lives too.

It also made me want to create, and so now I’m committing myself to working on my new character ideas and keeping a regular, steady sketchbook: all the way until it’s full. I ended up using some money for this week’s expenses on a few things -namely, a few hundred yen on pencils, a ruler with a stainless steel edge, a board for putting beneath the paper I’m drawing on, and some nice erasers- so that I can start tonight. 

English Club should have a space in the club display area, and maybe offer English translated programs or other materials.

I didn’t realize this was something I could even do until yesterday when me and my new supervisor were asked. Had I have known, we def would have had something, but next year, we’ll be ready, and hopefully with our new club members –got a plan to snag ‘em at the entrance result posting– we’ll have something really, really great.

Next year, I’m determined I’ll play a mini-concert during the Lunch Time Performances.

If I can get koto pitch and adjustment in terms of writing out the music I want to make under my belt - which it seems like I can; I just honestly need to rent a koto in exchange for my shamisen  to tool around with it, or take extra time post-lessons to sit and work out proper pitches- then it will be a ten minute RPG themed concert, including a rendition of The Chocobo Theme. Other songs up for grabs include the Pokemon Battle Theme from YGRB, anything from Legend of Zelda, anything from Animal Crossing, and the debate song from Danganronpa since that’s a personal fave.

(I’ve already got a title for my rpg and video game themed performance, so I know I must want this.)

Basically, I’m really gonna give it my all in 2018: I’ll hopefully have another arrangement for display, be doing stuff with English Club, and have a koto delivered for the day for me to use. I’m sure I’ll be working that out with my teacher when the times comes.

I’ve been meaning to post this, but say hello to my new desk arrangement! This is about a month old, and has changed:  I’ll try and snag a fresh picture now that I’ve finalized it.

I’ve really upgraded from when my desk had literally nothing. Now, I’ve got shelves, a raised platform for my computer, a calendar, mug, and a bottle, though my Sakura bottle has since bit the dust in a tragic fall. Don’t worry though: I’ve got a nice, 500 ml thermos with a print from the PS Vita horror game Yomawari though, a game I really like, but can only play before it gets dark, heh.

I’m quite proud and feel like a real teacher: I’ve got so much stuff packed in, with so many things organized on there. I’m definitely setting myself up for a good first term, a great second term, and a wonderful school year.

I had a friend visit from Tokyo this weekend and we enjoyed a lot of Breath of the Wild, snacks, and just being. It was great rest, and left me feeling ready to tackle this week. I had talked to the VP about the visit since it’s a friend from back in STL, and he was so happy that I had enjoyed my weekend, especially as my schedule fills up to very busy Mondays and lots of travel over the first term.

I’ll certainly need early bed on Saturday and Sunday as much as possible if I’m going to remain cheerful and emotionally clearheaded over the next few months. It’s going to be a lot of changes very fast in April with them slowing down, naturally, in May and June, but at first,t this will be a big first since I didn’t go through the first term, only the second and third.

And while my vacation will revive me in May, I need more than just that: I need consistent rest that helps me every week.

“You had better enjoy them each weekend and every time,” he remarked. I understood that to be “take time and use it so you’re well rested because I worry” as he always uses “you had better” when he’s show concern for me.

It really touched me because he wants me to stay and adjust well. “I want you to rest more on the weekend because foreigner’s often get tired and quit because of distance and no friends,” he said. “I don’t want you to get tired.”

Knowing that he’s behind me still gives me a smile. For so long, I thought his serious look was genuine, but it’s a face: he’s the VP and has to maintain a certain air. Aside from that, he’s very human like anyone else, and has shown that side to me many, many times.

(Also, he has three motorcycles and that’s what he does on the weekends: rides and lets loose. I should have known that cool, young guy hair cut wasn’t for nothin’!)