What a difference a weekend makes

So a few days ago I write how sad I was at how things went during my observation week, and how I felt I could've done a whole lot better. I must admit that I was very nervous about even going to work this week. Well yesterday I go in and the feeling is completely different. Everyone gives me nothing but positive motivation, smiles, and even some "good job Matt" comments to some of the things I did last week. I even did some demo work that while nerve wracking, I did well in. So I guess maybe things will be OK after all this week. 

In other news, later today a delivery company will be picking up my Xbox 360 to be sent to Microsoft for repairs. I'm hoping that the repairs won't take too long, but I don't know how long it takes versus the US repair time, which I hear can be long. But I got plenty of PS3, PSP, and DS games I can play while I wait for my system to return. Plus I'm just glad Microsoft Japan will fix my US 360. Still I hate how this happens just when one of the games I've been waiting ages to play finally comes out. 

One cool thing I found the other day. Coco's, a big curry restaurant chain here, now has internet ordering for delivery. I ordered some Monday night and had a nice hot curry meal, without the hassle of biking to the place, which is hard when its freezing cold outside. I'm going to have to do that some more soon. 

Observation week at work, stressful and sad

This week I had to go through the difficult task known as parents observation week at work. During this week the parents of my kids students, which make up 90% of my students, are invited to watch the class and give feedback on it. Its a stressful week, but its a good chance to show the parents not only how the classes are going, but how the students are improving. Unfortunately, this week was not a simple week of me. Instead it was very stressful and in many ways quite depressing. 

The reason for the stress and depression is that it was decided to make this a week to give me feedback, advice, and a complete impression of my teaching abilities and classes by not only the parents, but by my coworkers at work. I started the week with a major meeting where myself and my managers critiqued one of my classes that had been videotaped. While I did receive some positive feedback from my class, I received a lot of suggestions, as well as lots of negative feedback. All of it was done to help me with my teaching of course, but as the week went on, I kept hearing the same words said to me by many coworkers, disappointment. Everyone was disappointed that many of the mistakes I was making at the beginning I was still making now. It was very embarrassing, and as the week went on, it just kept getting worse. 

Today I finished my final day of observations, and as I look at my notes from the five previous days, and think back to the long and difficult discussions I had the last few days, I wonder what I can do to improve. I'm always told its OK to make mistakes, in fact its expected. But I guess I worry about what I can do to improve my abilities, my classes, and to bring myself up to everyones expectations. I want to improve myself and my students, so I will do whatever it takes to do it. Still, tonight I feel quite sad at how things have gone this week. 

Other than that, the week has been just normal. Quiet at home, and lonely. Hopefully next week will be much better, and that I can improve at work.

A trip to Akiba, Red rings, and more

Its been a while since I made a trip to Tokyo, so yesterday I decided to spend a day there shopping and enjoy some time away from everything. Life has been pretty stressful since work started up again after the vacation, so some time back in my so called Japanese home town I felt would cheer me up. 

Of course going to Tokyo for me means going to Akihabara. I make sure to go every time I'm there. This time I was joined by a friend from Kofu who hadn't been there in many years. Things have changed greatly there since his last visit he said. Akiba has become a place more for otaku interests rather than being known as electric town. Sure you can still find so many stores with electronics and more, but the anime stores certainly out number it now. But what I really love about the area is that you can find some great places to go no matter what your interests. Lately I had found some stores that focused on saleing foriegn video games. This is great for me since I own an American XBOX 360. The prices are high, but not so bad that they are unaffordable. I ended up buying three games yesterday from the states, Fable 2, The Last Remnant, and Gears of War 2. Sadly, coming home I found my XBOX had gotten the dreaded "Red Ring of Death" error, which means it will have to be fixed. So I spent a lot of money on games I can't play for a few weeks.

I also went to mostly used video stores, a RPG store, model shops, and many more. Sadly Akiba's streets have still not reopened to walking trafic on Sundays since they were closed as a result of the stabbing incident last year. Hopefully that gets reinstated someday, but considering many people don't want it reopened in the area due to the complaints about the public shows the maid girls would put on there, it might be a while before it happens. 

After that I went to Nakano for a quick searching of the anime stores there, and then to Shinjuku to buy some donuts at Krispy Kreme, and then dinner with friends at a restaurant. Overall it was a nice time out, but I wish I could've spent more time there. The hardest thing about visiting Tokyo is that I never have enough time to do everything I want. I always have to be back by the time the last train arrives at Ryuo station here where I live in the Kofu area. One day I'm going to have to plan a whole weekend in Tokyo and see my friends there. 

Interestingly I looked at the calender today and noticed that it has now been one year to the day since I taught my last lesson at NOVA. Its amazing how quickly time flies as well as how different things are now compared to that hectic time. Thankfully I'm starting to mention that time less and less each week. I think I'm finally able to put it in the past.

This week is going to be tough. I have to deal with all the parents of my students watching my classes this week. Not to mention lots of meetings dealing with my faults and mistakes it appears. I'm quite nervous about what will be said to me since I am a emotional person. But I'm not the type of person that buckles under pressure too much. I'm always trying harder and harder to improve. 

As a final note for this week, the wind in Kofu is insane during the winter. I spent most of the time on my bike today holding my Indy Jones hat on my head, cause the gusts kept almost knocking it off. I love the winter, but this wind is a big problem.

New Years Holidays in Kofu

Unlike last years totally forgettable New Years celebration, this year was far more fun and enjoyable. The New Years holiday are one of Japans most important celebrations. Most people get a nice little break from work to usher in the New Year. For me it was extra nice, 16 days off, well kind of. More on that later. But for over two weeks I was given a nice break from my responsibilities of teaching. While I have had breaks in the past, long ones in fact, each one before had been filled with deep worrying or I was without money, so I couldn't enjoy it at all. This vacation however was really the first I could say I really had and could enjoy.

I didn't get to do a whole lot this time, mainly just relax and take in the nice quietness of home. But I did go to a lot of end of the year parties with old friends. This is a common custom in Japan to do with friends and coworkers. I ended up going to about four of these parties, including a nice one on New Years Eve. Of course the main meal of these parties is lots of beer. They are a lot of fun, and really help to relieve all the built up stress the year has presented on people.

For the most part I would say I had a great time. I enjoyed the parties and seeing friends, and even watching the numerous tv specials during New Years week. Japan likes to bring out the best and weirdest programs at this time for special viewing. But I have to admit when I am at home, I feel quite lonely. Pretty much everyone I know has someone to be with here, and they always talk about it. I however am alone still, looking and hoping for that special girl to appear in my life. I know it will happen one day, but I get kinda sad when I hear everyone talk about how special it is to be with someone on the holidays. Maybe next year I will have a similar experience. 

There was however one thing that definitely was disappointing. I, as everyone else had at my office, been given 16 days of vacation. However a few days before the end of my vacation I get a email from a co worker begging me to cover for her classes the day before I was supposed to return, because she needed to have surgery. I had made plans and I wasn't supposed to take over her classes at all according to the attendance plan we have at my school,  but there was a problem. All of her backup teachers were out of the country, or had a reason they couldn't go to work. So I was called in as a replacement. Even though I had made major plans, I had to say yes. The teacher was very grateful for my sacrifice, as unlike everyone else, I would have one less vacation day. I went in and did it, and it was ok. But in a funny twist I found out later that her surgery did not happen, as there was a complication. But I guess its good I could help out this time. 

Now I'm back at work, and this week I had my picture taken for a advertisement for a magazine. I was pretty excited, but at the end of the week I was informed that the final decision hasn't been made yet about using my picture in the ad. I hope it will be, but I will be sad if it isn't. But I will find out soon, lets hope my picture is used.

More to come soon!