Japan Diaries 4: Week 93

Week 93: August 7 - 11, 2023

Day 644: August 7, 2023

Monday – Rumoi

Rumoi High School 8.7.23

After a week of rest and family time, I’m finally back and reporting to work at Rumoi High School. In a way, I miss the smell of the office and the noise of the students in the hallway.

Good news! I got my new contract!

However, the students are on Summer Vacation this week and won’t be back until after the Obon Festival. That only means that I don’t have any collaboration work today. Instead, I spent my day helping Matsuda-sensei proofread his works.

Day 645: August 8, 2023

Tuesday – Rumoi x KC & Kai’s Check Up

Rumoi Municipal Hospital 8.8.23

Kai's check-up

Today was a special day as I took a day off to spend time with my wife and son. We had important errands to run, starting with a visit to the Rumoi Municipal Hospital for their first check-up since returning to Rumoi. Thankfully, both were declared healthy, which lifted our spirits.

Next stop: Rumoi City Hall

Afterward, we went to Rumoi City Hall to obtain a Certified True Copy of our son Kai's birth certificate. With these bureaucratic tasks completed, we returned home content.

Movie night: Kingdom 2: Far and Away

The rest of the day was spent at home, enjoying our time together. In the evening, we watched the 2022 Japanese film "Kingdom 2: Far and Away," which brought back memories of the first installment. This reminded me of a flight to Singapore during my Singapore x Google project, where I discovered the song "Wasted Nights" by One OK Rock, which became a significant part of my life for months.

As the day drew to a close, I felt fulfilled and grateful for the shared experiences, focusing on health, completing tasks, and enjoying music and cinema. It was truly a day to cherish.

Day 646: August 9, 2023

Wednesday – Rumoi

Rumoi High School 8.9.23

Today, the sun's warmth enveloped the day as I returned to Rumoi High School during the ongoing summer break. My schedule was focused on individual study, with no collaborative classes. I dedicated my time to studying textbooks and working on my Japanese language skills. In the morning, Kyoto-sensei handed me the school schedule from August 2023 to March 2024.

Bonding with Ella and Kai

In the evening, I indulged in the British series "The Last Kingdom," which brought back memories of "Game of Thrones." I was so engrossed that I didn't realize I had already watched four episodes of the first season in one sitting.

Day 647: August 10, 2023

Thursday – Rumoi

Rumoi High School 8.10.23

It’s another beautiful sunny day, and I find myself back at Rumoi High School. Today marks the last workday of the week, as tomorrow is Mountain Day (山の日), a national holiday in Japan dedicated to appreciating mountains and nature.

The view from Rumoi High School's Memorial Hall

A lot of teachers are already on holiday break

Hiyashi chuka for dinner

The school was unusually quiet, much like yesterday. With no classes scheduled and only a handful of teachers around, the atmosphere felt calm and reflective. It gave me the perfect opportunity to immerse myself in my Japanese studies. I spent the day practicing grammar, expanding my vocabulary, and trying to decipher more complex kanji.

Day 648: August 11, 2023

Friday – Mountain Day (山の日) x Rumoi Fireworks Festival 2023

The best way to start the morning is with a warm bath

Today is Mountain Day (山の日), a public holiday in Japan celebrating the beauty and significance of mountains. The morning was a mix of household chores and bonding moments with my family. Spending time with Kai, whose laughter and curiosity filled our home with joy, was the highlight of my day.

Rumoi Fireworks Festival poster

We drove to Senbodai in the afternoon

We went a bit early to catch the sunset

We had visited Senbodai a few times since I first came here in 2021

This is our first time as a family of 4 to visit Senbodai

To celebrate, we decided to climb Senbodai, the highest point in Rumoi. The timing couldn’t have been better, as the Rumoi Fireworks Festival was set to light up the evening sky. While many people flocked to Rumoi Port for the best views, we chose to stay at Senbodai, and it was magical.

Rumoi Fireworks Festival 2023

My phone camera can't capture the real beauty of the fireworks

As the fireworks lit up the night, we stood at the peak, mesmerized by the colors reflecting on the waters below. It was a breathtaking experience, made even more special by the fact that this was Kai’s first adventure with us. His wide-eyed wonder made the moment unforgettable.

Dinner for today: Giniling

Reflecting on the week, I feel content. Although I only visited Rumoi High School once, it was a productive week. I received my Reappointment Certificate and my school visit schedule for the coming year, marking another chapter in this journey. Kai also reached a milestone by receiving his Zairyu Card. This week has been full of meaningful moments, blending family and career in the best way possible.

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 93
Senbodai

Senbodai Revisited 2022

Senbodai at Night
Rumoi Fireworks Festival
10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City

10 More Things to Do in Asahikawa City
10 Things to Do in Rumoi City

10 More Things to Do in Rumoi City

Hokkaido 179

Japan Diaries 4: Summary

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