Well, I’m not totally in the mood for writing, but I have extra time at school, and feel I have been sorely neglecting to inform the American population about what I’ve been doing in the last few weeks (besides being sick and intensely desiring specific varieties of macaroni and cheese). In short, life is crazy. Nothing new, I know. We’ve started tutoring for STEP tests, though (an English test that many 9th graders take. If they pass, their chances of getting into a good high school shoot way up), and I’ve just been informed that after the two-week stint of tutoring is over, I will be given another evening class to teach, because apparently, we Fune-chu teachers don’t do very much. Mind you, I’m not at all upset about getting the class. In fact, I’m rather looking forward to it. But it was a bit upsetting to learn that the reasoning behind it was because I’m perceived as not being “busy enough.” “The boss” said that she’s worried about Wakakusa teachers getting sick from being overworked. I find it ironic that two of the teachers who were sick at the time of the new class announcement were Fune-chu teachers. But enough venting. Anyway, I’ll be taking on a Wakakusa class for one of the teachers there. And, the “lull” that my boss saw on my reports from Segawa Jr. High has finally ended. School festival is over and I belong again! For the last month or so, students and teachers have been preparing for the event of the year—the school festival (a day of sitting in an unheated, sun-blocked-out gym for 6 hours watching students perform). This year, like years in the past, students performed plays and did taiko (Japanese drums) together. New to the program this year was a school-wide choir piece (it was REALLY good), and a traditional dance by the 9th graders. I must say, I enjoyed it far more than last year, probably because even though I still didn’t understand the plays, at least I knew the students in the costumes and could laugh at the casting of their parts. All in all, though I was doped up on cold medicine all day (and could barely keep my balance or walk in a straight line…), I did enjoy the festival. But like I said, I’m glad it’s over. I now have purpose again…teaching classes, grading papers, preparing activities, offering grammar advise…it’s a great life. I love my kids. They are such a blessing. Even when they’re correcting something I’m doing wrong, I just want to hug them for it, because I know they tell me out of love. I think I’ve finally reached a place of “contentment” (in the good sense of the word) here. I love my team, I love my job, I love my students. The little annoyances and cultural differences still irritate the dickens out of me sometimes (like having to teach in a 50 degree building…), but I believe the good things far outweigh the bad, and some days I can’t believe that God has even allowed me to come here. I pray that I do and am what he wants me to do and be here. I feel like I fail so often. May he use my meager attempts in whatever way he sees fit. I’m merely a cracked pot. May his light shine through anyway.