So Much To Do, So Little Time

I'll admit I have been terrible at keeping up my blogs lately. In my defense, I have been very, very busy. I'm sure you've be wondering what I've been up to, so I'll start by listing all the things that I've been doing recently, starting with the last weekend in September. I'll try to give more details and pictures in later entries.

Saturday, September 29, I had the privilege to see my new friend Mika be baptized at the Tokyo church. I also attended a young adult movie party and potluck before the evening service. Sunday, I took the train to Mito and attended the Sunday morning service there as well as the potluck afterward held in my honor. Monday I spent preparing for the coming school week. Tuesday through Saturday, I taught school as well as English class on Wednesday and Friday evening. I also have dinner at the Stahmann's house on Tuesdays and spend most of the evening there cooking, eating, and cleaning. On Thursday, I started Japanese classes. They are great; however, after two hours of class, my head hurts.

Saturday, October 6, was the Tsuchiura Fireworks Competition which was amazing. Sunday, I went to church in Tsuchiura and then went to a gyoza (Japanese dumplings) party, in which I learned how to make homemade gyoza. They were very good, but take forever to make. Monday, I went up to Mito for a barbecue (very different than in America). Sometime during the weekend, I got my planning in for next week. Tuesday through Friday were the same as the week before.

Saturday, October 12, I taught school in the morning then went up to Mito to teach English for the first time. I had three classes: preschool, elementary school, and jr high school. I think Saturdays will be my most tiring day of the week. Then Sunday, I went with the Stahmanns to the Chiba church and then to Costco. I love Costco, but the trip does take all afternoon and most of the evening. Finally, Monday I had nothing scheduled, except a bit of time to finish planning coming week of school. So I slept in, went to the grocery store, cleaned the house, and talked on the phone all day. Then my week started again.

Today was a bit different though. I had the worst night battling a bug (I didn't get much sleep.), then went into Tokyo for the CAJ (Christian Academy of Japan) thrift shop sale and the SSS (an association for private schools in Japan) spelling bee for Rebekah. After that was over, I had to rush back to Tsuchiura for my adult English class. Thankfully, I made it ten minutes before class started. Now that I've finished writing this, I'm going to bed (even though it's only 7:30).