Japan Diaries 4: Week 48

Japan Diaries 4: Week 48

Week 48: September 26-30, 2022

Day 329: September 26, 2022

Monday - Rumoi

Rumoi High School 9.26.22

What a wonderful way to start the week! It's a beautiful Monday morning which sets the tone for the entire week ahead. The crisp air, the gentle warmth of the sun, and the promise of a new day were truly invigorating. Today, I'm reporting for work at Rumoi High School.

Here's my workload for today:

1st period - Philippine Holidays @ 3-35 of Matsuda-sensei
3rd period - Read Aloud [Bicycles] @ 3-46 of Matsuda-sensei
5th period - I had the final practice with the speech contestants before they left for Asahikawa. 

Day 330: September 27, 2022

Tuesday - Rumoi 

Rumoi High School 9.27.22

I'll be returning to Rumoi High School today. However, I had to leave school at 9 AM for my second dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination at Rumoi Memorial Hospital (留萌記念病院). 

留萌記念病院
Rumoi Memorial Hospital (留萌記念病院)

After my vaccination, my wife drove me back to Rumoi High School so that I could resume my work. 

Here's my workload for today:

Collaboration work with Sato-sensei


4th period - My Favorite Brand @ 2-345 of Sato-sensei
6th period - Read Aloud [Bicycles] @ 3-46 of Matsuda-sensei

One of my students gave me this mini origami crane

I received the intention for reappointment papers

After work, I practiced Kouga-kun for his entrance exam interviews from 5PM to 6:30PM. After that, I went back home to rest and prepare for my bi-weekly Rumoi English Chat Club at Asuka (飛鳥).

Rumoi English Chat Club at Asuka

The heavy fog reminded me of the film The Mist

Our topic for today's club is "Autumn Food". Overall, it was nice seeing the chat club members once again. 

Day 331: September 28, 2022

Wednesday - Haboro

Haboro High School 9.28.22

It's my 7th visit to Haboro High School for the school year 2022 - 2023. For this trip, I used my 2-day Moekko Free Ticket.

Here's my workload for today:

2nd period - Interview Activity @ 3rd year A of Kawakami-sensei
4th period - Interview Activity @ 3rd year B of Watanabe-sensei

Garlic fried shrimp

When I got back home my wife made one of the most delicious meals for this week - garlic fried shrimp.

Day 332: September 29, 2022

Thursday - Embetsu

Embetsu Agricultural High School 9.29.22

It's a beautiful morning, Today, I'm heading to Embetsu Agricultural High School. It's my 17th visit for the school year 2022 - 2023. For this trip, I used my 2-day Moekko Free Ticket. 

Here's my workload for today:

1st period - SVOC sentence pattern @ 2nd year of Sasaki-sensei
4th period - Present Continuous @ 1st year A of Sasaki-sensei
6th period - Present Continuous @ 1st year B of Sasaki-sensei

Day 333: September 29, 2022

Friday - Tomamae

Tomamae Commercial High School 9.29.22

It's the last day of the month. Time really flies fast when you enjoy things. Today, I'm heading to Tomamae Commercial High School for my 17th visit for the school year 2022 -2023. For this visit, I used my 1-day Moekko Free Ticket.

Here's my workload for today:

Collaboration work with Hasegawa-sensei

2nd period - John's Jiko Shokai @ 2nd year of Hasegawa-sensei
3rd period -  John's Jiko Shokai @ 1st year of Hasegawa-sensei

On my way home, I received bad news from my wife - Ella tested positive for COVID-19. My wife and I were distraught as it was the first time that COVID hit home and of all people, it was our daughter who got it. 

During this time, we discovered who our real friends were. Kanda-sensei and Ikuko-san were quick to support us by providing us with antigen kits and food. Thanks to the kits, my wife and I were able to self-test. Thankfully, we were both negative. In a way, it lessened my stress as I was also able to message those who were in close contact with me to assure them that they were also safe.

Thank God, I'm COVID negative but my daughter tested positive. 😭

My Rumoi High School JTE Matsuda-sensei was also very supportive. When he found out what happened, he helped me inform Kyoto-sensei who in turn informed my other visiting schools about what happened. That evening, Matsuda-sensei called me to discuss with me the quarantine procedures. The school said that I had to stay home for 7 days and after that, I was considered fully healed and should report for work. 

When everything calmed down, my family and I took the time to pray to find peace and wisdom in these trying times. 

Overall, today was a roller coaster ride. It's not time to rest as tomorrow would be the Day 1 of our quarantine week. Stay safe everyone.

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Location: Tomamae, Tomamae District, Hokkaido, Japan

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