One of those days...

I'm having one of those days. The lesson I team-taught in did not go very well. The teacher was unprepared and awkward, therefore the entire class was awkward. The principal later told me, "We should go drinking together sometime, just us." Excuse me, what? Then I went to Chofu station, which is crawling with dirty old men who go to the boat races on Wednesday. It really is a creapy station. If I don't get stopped by Jehova's Witnesses there, I am approached by and/or stared down hard by the old men. Today, not only did I get it from the men, I got it from the women. I was minding my own business, waiting on the train, doing Sudoku. Two ladies sat right in front of me. Immediately they said, "Foreign people's noses are so cute. Look at her nose. Her nose is so cute. She's so cute." I looked straight at them and gave them the excuse-me-why-are-you-talking-about-me-infront-of-my-face-I-do-understand-what-you-are-saying look, but they did not comprehend my comprehension. They kept on talking about my appearance then said, "Hello," in English. These are the times when I feel like a monkey at the zoo. Granted they didn't say I was fat or ugly, but still, it is uncomfortable for me and rude on their parts. I was happy when I finally sat down on the train. But of course, it had to start raining on me and I didn't have an umbrella. Ah, one of those days. I haven't had one of these kind of crap days in awhile. I have always thought that we have to have bad days to outweigh the good ones.

I officially turned in my re-contracting papers yesterday. Everything seems so final now. Bittersweet, indeed.

Winter Vacation

Inspired by Laura, here are photos of my winter vacation in Indiana and Illinois.

Christmas Day

Traditional French Family Christmas breakfast.

Brock being silly.

My neice Mya and me. She is thinking, "Who are you? I don't know you..." :(

French Christmas

Grandpa French's farm in eastern Illinois.

Mya in her new Pumas.

Aunt Carolyn and me.

Here's the whole family.


Fun Times with Friends

Stanley

Kevin

Me, Sara, Sarah, and Stephanie. My best friends from high school.

Stephanie

Sarah, me, Sara

Melissa

Brian

Eric

Mandy, me, Carly

Steph, me, Brock, and one ear of Brock's dog, Diesel.


Family Time

Mya

Mom, Aunt Becky, and Aunt Pat

My parent's new house.

Brock by the tools.

Dad and Brock, working hard.

Grandpa Williams and Chad

Mya and Aunt Angie

My older brothers, Mya, and our grandfather.

With Grandpa Williams

With my parents at Indianapolis airport at 7am. All of us are looking absolutely exhausted. I was walking around Chicago airport in this shirt. Hehe...

And finally, my favorite photo. Me and Brock.

We WON!!!

There I was in the middle of the elementary school teachers' room, wanting to shout out loud when I found out. But then I realized that 1.) I'm in the Japan, 2.) No one would have a clue what I was talking about even if I tried to explain, 3.) No one cares. Ah, but lucky for me, the very attractive and very single older teacher who likes America and sports and speaks pretty good English knew exactly what I was talking about. It was nice to share my excitement with someone. I realize that most of you readers could care less that the Indianapolis Colts will be going to the Super Bowl. But it is very exciting to me and special for my city. I am sad I'm not there to participate in the frenzy and won't get to go to any huge Super Bowl parties. But I feel really proud to call myself a Hoosier. Way to go, Colts!!

Best of Luck

I just want to give a quick shout-out to my home football team, the Indianapolis Colts. The team has had their best two seasons since I have been in Japan and I have not been able to watch any of their games. I am not a huge sports buff, but I do like football. The atmosphere the team brings to Indianapolis is amazing. They will be playing New England on Sunday for the AFC title in Indianapolis, the first time we have ever hosted the AFC tournament. The Colts have played quite a few AFC tournament games and lost them all. Let's hope this one turns out a little differently and we can advance to the Super Bowl. Good luck!!

I am not dead. I am very much alive. Two days after I returned to Japan I was wisked away to Tokyo for PA training. I am working on posting photos of my time at home, as well as my trip to Nikko following the training. Hope you are well and happy belated New Year!