it's not life that matters but the journey...

I've been putting off making a lesson plan for the school in Shizuoka because I ran out of good ideas, and the idea I have is going to take some effort - more than I'll be compensated for. but I guess I'll get it done today finally . . .

I had no problems on Saturday with my lessons - though we didn't leave enough time for the kids to do their Halloween cards (Naoko said 10 minutes would be enough but it took 10 minutes just to get them to understand what they were supposed to do!). The older couple I teach (semi-private lesson) is a bit challenging though. they are absolute beginners, so don't understand much of what I say in English (they really insist on translating everything into Japanese, which I think is a detriment to their learning) - and because they have been trained to hear English pronounced incorrectly all of their lives, they often don't understand my pronunciation (easy words like dog and cat) even if I speak slowly. so it takes a lot of patience to teach them. but they are nice...

Yesterday was a really depressing day - its been raining now straight for three days, and yesterday was just dull and boring. I did talk to my mom and my sister, which was nice, and went shopping for food, but then just read more of Harry Potter (which I finally finished this morning) and watched a movie that I downloaded, the new Jodie Foster movie called "Flightplan." I was skeptical at first because of the improbability of the plot, but it surprised me at the end and I enjoyed it. So, I recommend it, and I suggest that you don't give up on it halfway (like I almost did) - watch it through to the end. Jodie is good, as usual, and its an edge of your seater. I'm glad I didn't pay though - movies are just not worth the price of admission these days. Though I will pay to see the next Harry Potter film!

finally, on a more serious note: one of the difficult things about living with other people is that if Masahiko and I have a discussion, which escalates into an argument (which we have had many times, as we are a married couple), others will hear it and try to get involved. It happened yesterday and I was unable to explain to Masahiko's parents what we had been discussing, so they misunderstood everything. but I did realize that I've been a bit selfish about things lately and not appreciating how much Masahiko and his parents are doing to help me. Of course I could be in the states and working full time somewhere and supporting myself (and Masahiko too), but that would be a struggle. I did it for a long time, and never had enough money to spend or time to spend it. sometimes I feel guilty that I am not taking care of myself now, but then I have to realize that because of M and his family, I am able to go to work three days a week here, get clothes and food and almost anything I need, and have a roof over my head, even if its not entirely my own. If I was living in the states, I would just be renting anyway (since I don't have the funds to buy a house now or for a long time) so its better here since we have a big space of our own, as well as sharing their kitchen and bath. so, I should just relax and take advantage of my situation for now. If I get restless, I can always go back to the states for a vacation or longer...