I couldn't think of a title

Well, well, it's been a while since I've posted anything. This is probably because for the last month or so the only thing I've been tempted to write about is the current mental dilemma playing itself out in my head in regards to staying in Japan for a third year or going home next August. And to be honest - it's a dilemma only I can answer - although I have been polling certain folks. I won't go into it cause I'll just make a liar out of myself no matter what I write - LOL.

So, for your reading pleasure and posterity's sake, here are some random events of the last few weeks:

• My grandma died - that was a real downer - but she was 92 and lived a good life. Might pop down to the local temple and rub a Buddha's head in her honor! I know she's watching reruns of Bonanza in the big living room in the sky!
• One of my students SPIT on me last Tuesday. It was disgusting and for some reason or another I did not report the little bastard. I was concerned for a time as I thought of all the airborne plagues and what not floating around out there. I mean, come on, in "28 weeks later" a little spit turned the dude into a psycho zombie!
• A "You know you've been in Japan too long" moment - went to Tokyo for some sightseeing over the long weekend. At one point Cheryl and I were going into a mall to get some lunch. We walked up to the doors and waited for them to slide open. We just stood there when they didn't and I thought "shit, they must be broken". Um no, the just weren't automatic - DUH. PUSH Danielle, PUSH!
• I am currently obsessed with a plush yellow duck popular in Japan. He's the friend of Rilakkuma, a lazy bear that is so lazy he doesn't like standing up. He's cute as hell and I am amassing quite a collect of little yellow things. Was not originally sure if it was a chicken or a duck, so I've taken to calling it Chuck.
• My teacher ate my lunch today - so I got a bottle of milk and a small loaf of bread. My school has officially turned into a prison.
• On same Tokyo trip mentioned above, we had dinner at a Denny's restaurant. From now on Denny's in Japan will be referred to as "Jenny's" because any reference to actual Denny's menu items are non-existent. No grand slam, so slim jim, no spicy chicken - just fishy looking shit, fried potatoes and spaghetti.
• Loving my ekaiwas with my little kids and ladies. The kids are SOOOO cute - and they love to play memory - so that makes my job nice and easy.
• Due to an love for snail mail and a lack of said mail from my family and friends (except you Susan! I've got all the cards taped to my door - you lucky duck) (O_o) - I've recently joined a website www.postcrossing.com. Here's how it works - you send a postcard to a random stranger somewhere in the world and in return you'll get a postcard back from a random stranger somewhere in the world. So far three of my postcards have confirmed arrivals - so that means I should be getting 3 postcards in the near future. The jury is still out about if this is super cool or just super sad(<_>).

Well, that's all for now.

Good Lourd!

Ok, maybe I'm just getting old, maybe this country has warped my view of the world, but....

Teenagers in America are drunken hoes and hooligans!

Okay, not ALL are - but do a Google search on the phrase "pictures of homecoming" and you may see where I am coming from - LOL. I guess living in the land where social interaction is a mystery has made me forget what life is like for teens back home. This all stems from my desire to create an English board highlighting the American equivalent to Japanese Sports festival - Homecoming. In my search for pictures, I've come across some crazy stuff. I cringe at some of the photos I've come across. I mean, I've seem some crazy outfits on Japanese girls, but I chuckle at what they might think if I posted some of the homecoming photos with girls in "prom dresses". Hell, I think some of the dress my girls wear to Rainbow functions would have this country in a tizzy. Aside from the clothes, it's actually quite difficult to describe an American homecoming - where are the pics of floats and spirit week?

Of course, I could be totally wrong about what the Japanese might think. I did find a gay pornographic comic book at the laundry mat this week (T and I had quite a laugh over that). So who knows, maybe they'd just shake their heads like I do some times and say "Only in America".

Good News......

Well, according to my horoscope I am going to stop being a bitch on Tuesday! Now if I could just get that man they keep talking about - LOL

The Truth
Letting it all hang out comes natural for you, DANIELLE, as you are the most honest, forthright, and blunt sign of the Zodiac. You tell it like it is, no matter what anyone thinks of what you have to say. You do not tell little white lies just to make someone feel good. If you think a friend's new haircut looks awful, you say so without sugarcoating it. You never want to hurt anyone's feelings, though, and are too good-hearted for that, but sometimes you do, without meaning to. On Tuesday, the New Moon Solar Eclipse takes place in your sector of how the world views you, and you might decide you want to be seen by others in a more congenial light than you currently are. That does not mean you decide not to be honest and truthful, but you begin to mingle tact and diplomacy into your honest assessments. You may surprise your friends and family members when you start to explain yourself a bit more when you make comments or statements about people. You will learn how to express yourself in a kinder, gentler fashion than you normally have up until now, and that will ease your social interactions considerably.

Ugh - this post was really just an excuse to avoid making some lesson plans for tuesday (OH the same day I will become nicer - LOL). I'm not sure what my problem is but I am having a really difficult time coming up with something fun to do for my class next week. BAH - I think I'll go to bed and sleep on it!