Japan Diaries 4: Week 52

Japan Diaries 4: Week 52

Week 52: October 24 – 25, 2022

Day 357: October 24, 2022

Monday – Rumoi and Asahikawa

It’s a rainy cold morning here in Rumoi. Today, I’m back at Rumoi High School. After the morning announcements, Hidaka-sensei and Kyoto-sensei gave me an omiyage from their recent trips. I’m thankful that they remembered me. Ito-sensei also informed me that it’s going to be a shortened schedule this week. This means classes end 5 minutes earlier.

Rumoi High School 10.24.22
Rumoi High School 10.24.22

Thank you Hidaka-sensei for the omiyage
Thank you Hidaka-sensei for the omiyage

Thank you Kyoto-sensei for the omiyage
Thank you Kyoto-sensei for the omiyage

As for my workload, I didn’t have any collaboration work today so I spent most of my morning studying Japanese using the VLJ course.

Asahikawa Driver’s License Examination Center
Asahikawa Driver’s License Examination Center

After lunch, Matsuda-sensei and I drove to the Asahikawa Driver’s License Examination Center in Asahikawa City to submit my requirements for my Japanese driver’s license.

After submitting my requirements I was interviewed to double check the information in my files
After submitting my requirements I was interviewed to double-check the information in my files

Surprisingly, the simple procedure took more than an hour to complete. I just submitted my files and then waited for almost an hour to be interviewed about basic stuff like if we get the driver’s license on the day of application in the Philippines and the like.

Ramen for lunch at Asahikawa Roadside Station
Ramen for lunch at Asahikawa Roadside Station

From there, Matsuda-sensei and I drove to Asahikawa Roadside Station to eat ramen as our late lunch. We both ordered ramen like before.

Rokkatei Kagasaoka Store
Rokkatei Kagasaoka Store

Inside Rokkatei Kagasaoka Store
Inside Rokkatei Kagasaoka Store

The products were all delicious and I had a hard time choosing which to buy

After lunch, we made a brief stopover at the Rokkatei Kagasaoka Store to buy our families something.

Matsuda-sensei gave these to me when we got to Rumoi
Matsuda-sensei gave these to me when we got to Rumoi

We got back home a little past 6 PM. Overall, today was a fruitful day. I finally got to submit my documents and all that’s left is waiting for them to call about the paper exam and the driving exam schedules.


Day 358: October 25, 2022

Tuesday – Rumoi

We woke up to a big surprise. It’s -2 degrees outside. The cars parked outside were partially covered with snow. This, of course, doesn’t affect my work unlike in the Philippines where when it rains hard classes are suspended.

It's -2 degrees today!
It's -2 degrees today! 😨

Intro to winter?
Did winter come early or is it just an intro to winter? 

The leaves are starting to fall already

Rumoi High School 10.25.22
Rumoi High School 10.25.22

Fanta mystery flavor
I saw this Fanta mystery flavor. Of course, I tried it. Interesting taste... Really mysterious... 

My workload today in Rumoi High School was very light. I spent the morning checking the essays of the students. I also had one collaboration work with Matsuda-sensei after lunch.

Here’s my only workload today:

Collab work with Matsuda-sensei
Collab work with Matsuda-sensei

6th period – Narrow Boats in Britain @ 3-46 of Matsuda-sensei

I trained Mugi after classes. She has improved a lot after our last practice
I trained Mugi after classes. She has improved a lot after our last practice

Time to go home. Bye for now Rumoi High School, see you on Thursday!

In the afternoon, I trained Mugi for her speech contest. The English teachers came to give their feedback and also to show support for Mugi who would be competing in the Prefectural Speech Contest after winning 3rd place in Asahikawa several weeks back.

Asuka
Asuka

I had fun with the Rumoi English Conversation Club


After classes, I attended the Rumoi English Conversation Club at Asuka. Our topic for today was "Free Talk" so we discussed the different interests of the members who were present. 

Day 359: October 26, 2022

Wednesday – Teshio

Teshio High School 10.26.22
Teshio High School 10.26.22

It’s another cold morning but it is unlike yesterday which was probably the coldest that we have experienced so far this month. Today, I’m heading out to visit Teshio High School. This is my 7th visit for the school year 2022-2023. For this trip, I will be using my 1-day Moekko Free Ticket.

Here’s my workload today:

Collab work with Ueki-sensei
Collab work with Ueki-sensei

4th period – Speaking and writing using Brain Box @ 2A of Ueki-sensei

5th period – Speaking and writing using Brain Box @ 3A and 3B of Ueki-sensei

Teshio manhole cover
Teshio manhole cover

Sunset along the Ororon Line
Sunset along the Ororon Line

After classes, I walked to the Teshio bus stop near the Teshio History Museum to wait for the bus back to Rumoi. On my way home, I had the pleasure of watching the sunset while on the Ororon Line. It was a sight to behold. 


Day 360: October 27, 2022

Thursday – Lab test #1 at Rumoi Municipal Hospital

It’s a clear but cold morning. Today is my scheduled lab test at Rumoi Municipal Hospital. I need to have some things retested as the result of the Medical Exam showed some “abnormalities”. Well, not only for me but also for numerous other teachers.

Rumoi High School 10.27.22
Rumoi High School 10.27.22

Since my checkup is still at 1:30 PM, it means that I can report for work in Rumoi High School in the morning and can still take one or two collab works. Speaking of collab works I had one with Motoyama-sensei. 

Here’s my workload for today:

1st period – Gerunds @ 1-1 of Motoyama-sensei

Rumoi manhole cover
Rumoi City manhole cover

Rumoi Municipal Hospital
Rumoi Municipal Hospital

It was almost nighttime when my lab tests and check up were done
It was almost nighttime when my lab tests and check-up were done

After the first period, I walked to Rumoi Municipal Hospital for my scheduled check-up. The findings? Nothing serious but I need to change my lifestyle a bit.


Day 361: October 28, 2022

Friday – Tomamae

Tomamae Commercial High School 10.28.22
Tomamae Commercial High School 10.28.22

It’s another Friday! It’s what I dub “Tomamae Day”. Today, I’m heading to Tomamae Commercial High School. It’s my 21st visit for the school year 2022 - 2023. For this trip, I used my 1-day Moekko Free Ticket.

Halloween is in the air here in Tomamae Commercial High School
Halloween is in the air here at Tomamae Commercial High School

Here’s my workload for today:

Mike shared about Halloween in the 3rd period.
Mike shared about Halloween in the 3rd period. 

2nd period – Japanimation @ Elective of Hasegawa-sensei

3rd period – Mike’s Halloween Lesson @ 2nd year of Hasegawa-sensei

Before going home, Hasegawa-sensei invited me and the two other ALTs on a road trip to Wakkanai City. We all agreed to go on a day trip this Sunday. Thankfully, my family and I didn’t have any plans yet for the day so I was available to go with them.

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 52
Moekko Free Ticket

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