Trashy Expectations
...written on 2000-11-14, @ 23:27:33
Tales of Kim's Life in Japan
Tue November 14, 2000
Well, two days down from cooking class and two "gourmet" meals prepared! I took good ol' meat and potatoes Japanese style (with a special Kim ingredient) in today and shared it with everyone in the office. Everyone really liked it and Fred couldn't get enough of it. He loved the special ingredient (caraway seeds).Tomorrow it will be a veggie and chicken stir fry. Yum yum.
Ivan has been here almost a month and still hasn't taken out his trash. He doesn't know what day to take it out or where to put it. This has generated a lot of laughs in the office. Finally tonight, Hide told Fred to take Ivan to his apartment and find out from the signs posted in front of Ivan's apartment building when trash day is. Fred offered to take me home as well.
As Ivan climbed into the back seat of Fred's car, he had to push papers, books, shoes and other things aside to clear a space to sit down. He told Fred that maybe Fred ought to find out when his own trash day was. Fred laughed and said that he was taking his garbage to Ivan's apartment. I was laughing loudly as these two went at it. I was sorry that Fred took me home first as I really wanted to find out the resolution to Ivan's garbage dilemma and get a couple more yucks (laughs) in.
I got two packages today from the states. They were from my Dad and Elaine. Winter clothes, warm footies, some of my precious music cds, and a new sweater with matching necklace and earrings. I found the earrings before I left for work and they matched the scarf I was wearing perfectly. I got a lot of compliments on them, which is rare in Japan (to be complimented on how one is dressed).
Thursday I have to teach English to some of the employees at our company. The majority will be teachers, some of which have seen me in action, and others who are curious. I don't know how many will show up or what their levels will be, so I have to aim low and be prepared for a full house. Hide has the first presentation on Wednesday, so maybe I'll have a clue by then of how to operate things. I'm feeling some tremendous pressure to perform. The president of the company has said he wants everyone in the company to speak English, so I have to make learning English fun for them and make them feel like heroes. Wish me luck.