Ready for Spring

Today, the weather has been extremely cold.  There has been a constant drizzle of rain all day.  The kind of rain where it's too much not to have an umbrella, but at the same time not enough to use the wind shield wipers on a constant timer.  The weather app says its 42 degrees today~ I have yet to get used to the F/ C conversion.  However, every day when I walk to school, I see one tree in the courtyard that is slowly starting to bloom it's flowers.  I asked Christine if it was a cherry blossom tree, but she said it is an ume tree.  Im excited to see it in full bloom!

These days, the students have been busy studying for tests, and entrance exams.  They study a lot already, but as it's the end of the school year, they seem to be extra busy.

Until next time,  E 

Beyond Freezing

This winter has been exceptionally cold to say the least.  The buildings here in Miyazaki are not insulated very well, and it doesn't help that the weather is like 30 degrees every day.  The mornings are very dark so it's hard to get up.  Needless to say, I can't wait to get myself close to the nearest heater.

But, on a different note, yesterday I ran my first half of 2018.  The half was in Mimata.  Of course, it was cold and raining, but i decided to still run it.  It was very different for me because the usual half that I run, there are many people to get scrambled with.  However, this half was different..there were only about 200, and maybe only a handful of ladies.  In a way, this made me push myself harder even though I didn't train for this run.  I didn't want to be the last one.  To my surprise I beat my goal time of 2:30, and finished the race in 2:10.  I was really surprised actually.  But, even finishing the race with a faster goal time, in the end I think I was still like 14something/ 200 people. yikes.

After the run, I treated myself to a yummy dinner and some well deserved drinks. mmm

xoxo,e 

To Stay or not to Stay

     So, so far , I've been living in Japan for about four months.  My contract is for an entire year, however, the board of education has asked that we let them know if we are staying for another year or not at the end of this year essentially.  In my opinion, I think this is WAY too short notice to know for sure whether or not someone is to stay for another WHOLE year after the first years contact has ended.

     Right now, I think I am about 50/50.  If I think about it, thats 50% higher than when I initially had come here.  I was only panning to stay for one year, but living and working here has hit a soft spot of mine.  I don't see how so many people could already have their minds set on staying or going back home.  I think if I were a few years younger, I would have no problem staying if I really liked my placement.  However, i'm 24, and if I stay for another year, i'd be going back home when i'm 26!!  Yikes!  There are so many things that I have to think about when the idea of re- contracting comes up.  The school I work at is great, the local people i've met are nice, and my situation as a whole is pretty good.  There are just so many things to consider.  I don't know what to dots frustrating.