Japan Diaries 4: Week 69
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Week 69: February 20 – 24, 2023
Day 476: February 20, 2023
Monday – Rumoi
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| Rumoi High School 2.20.2023 |
Here’s my workload for today:
4th period – Relative Pronoun @1-45 of Ito-sensei
5th period – Relative Pronoun @ 1-36 of Ito-sensei
After classes, I had the English Club and we did some translation activities.
Day 477: February 21, 2023
Tuesday – Rumoi - Asahikawa - Takikawa
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| Rumoi High School 2.21.2023 |
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| I studied the driving course over and over again. |
We were supposed to leave at around 11:45. Still, unforeseen issues prevented us from leaving on time and we could leave at around 12:20. Aside from that, there was an accident along the way which delayed our arrival even further.
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| The tunnel to Asahikawa was closed as there was an accident inside |
Thankfully, the staff at Asahikawa Driving Center was considerate and still allowed me to do my practical driving exam. Two other foreigners are taking their exams. The evaluator gave us a drive-around tour but he spoke Japanese rather fast. Regardless, I picked up a thing or two from him.
Sadly, when it was my turn to do the driving test, I made one too many mistakes, making me fail the exam. Matsuda-sensei talked to the evaluator about using the driving course for practice; thankfully, there is such an option. I felt a bit depressed about my failure but at the same time, I’m challenged to do my best next time as my wife’s International Driver’s License is about to expire next month.
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| Ramen Sugawara (ラーメン すがわら 本店) |
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| I ordered miso ramen with plenty of chashu |
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| Chateraise Takikawa (シャトレーゼ 滝川店) |
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| Inside Chateraise Takikawa |
We got home a little before 9 PM. Overall, today was a sad day for me. However, it taught me a valuable lesson about humility and overconfidence. Hopefully, I get to pass the next time I take the exam.
Day 478: February 22, 2023
Wednesday – Embetsu
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| Embetsu Agricultural High School 2.22.2023 |
Good morning, everyone! It’s another cold morning and it didn’t help as I still feel bad about failing my driving test yesterday. Regardless, life has to move on. Today, I’m off to Embetsu Agricultural High School for my 27th visit for the school year 2022-2023. For this trip, I used my 2-day Moekko skip ticket.
Here’s my workload for today:
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| 1st-year class with Sasaki-sensei |
3rd period – Infinitives @ 1st year A of Sasaki-sensei
4th period – Infinitives @ 1st year B of Sasaki-sensei
Day 479: February 23, 2023
Thursday – Emperor’s Birthday
Today marked the celebration of Tenno Tanjobi, The Emperor's Birthday, a national holiday here in Japan. It couldn't have come at a better time, right in the middle of my workweek. Seizing the opportunity, I allowed myself the luxury of an extended morning sleep, and so did the rest of my family.
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| Ella taught me some kanji. Can you guess what she's teaching me now? |
We finally stirred around 11 AM, and as the aroma of breakfast filled our home, my daughter Ella took the chance to enlighten me with some new Kanji characters she had recently acquired in school. A delightful start to the day.
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| Walking towards the bank... a few more blocks... |
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| Rumoi Shinkin Bank |
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| Grocery shopping in COOP |
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| Gotta try the shishamo or willow leaf fish |
Post-breakfast, our day unfolded with a series of errands. Our first stop was at Rumoi Shinkin Bank to withdraw funds for our monthly living expenses. Then, we made our way to Sapporo Drug and COOP for personal effects and groceries. The clock had ticked past 3 PM by the time we completed our shopping, and with rumbling stomachs, we embarked on the perennial family debate of where and what to eat.
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| Late lunch at Sukiya Rumoi |
Sukiya Rumoi emerged as the unanimous choice. It had been a while since we dined there, mainly due to my wife's disappointment when her beloved simmered and grilled meat vanished from the menu. To her delight, they had reinstated the dish, and her joy was palpable.
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| Walking back home |
By 6 PM, we were back home, a household united in the pursuit of language mastery and engrossed in crime documentaries on Netflix, the highlight being "I'm a Murderer." The day wouldn't be complete without revisiting an indulgence I had neglected for too long – a soak in the hot tub. As the warm water enveloped me, I reflected on the events of the day, grateful for the moments of learning, laughter, and shared meals with my loved ones.
Day 480: February 24, 2024
Friday - Tomamae
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| Tomamae Commercial High School 2.24.2023 |
It’s a cold Friday morning. Regardless, I was happy to see the sun again. Today, I’m heading to Tomamae Commercial High School. It’s my 31st visit for the school year 2022 – 2023. For this trip, I used my 2-day skip Moekko Free Ticket.
Here’s my workload today:
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| 2nd period with Hasegawa-sensei |
2nd period – My Funny Valentine @ 1st year of Hasegawa-sensei
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 69Moekko Free Ticket
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