Emotional

Today is quite an emotional day for me as although my birthday has passed (it was last Saturday), the well-wishes poured in over the past few days and everything suddenly sinked in.

I guess it all started with the KTHS welcome enkai (party) which the English teachers threw in my honour last Friday. I was very touched by whoever that came for the enkai as I really appreciate them setting aside their personal time on my behalf. Everyone had a great time as well and it was very nice when we talked about it today when I finally went back to the school for lessons today. I developed the photographs taken on my camera and gave them to the teachers who came, and they all remarked they had lots of fun.

Immediately after that were the 2 boxes that my family sent about 2 weeks ago. It actually arrived last week, but we had to wait until today where NNST-sensei was very kind to volunteer her time to bring them over to my apartment.

It was also very nice today in school when SIS-sensei talked to me over lunch and FJWR-sensei spoke to me after work. We talked about the Korean (media) wave, whether Japanese people are kind (FJWR thinks so but I think it feels like Singapore as there is different treatment whether you are Japanese or a distinct foreigner). Today's lesson with UTI-sensei was my second in the series and I covered Singapore food. There were some fumbles and UTI-sensei was very accomodating, suggesting ways to improve. I was very happy when he chipped in his share of thought about Singapore food during the presentation I gave which was really nice as the students perked up and paid interest when he endorsed what I said. Then before I left, he talked about the end-of-year party (bonenkai which means forget-year-party) and most probably UD-sensei, my supervisor, will ask me about it soon. That was nice as I felt included.

On my way home, I met with an accident. I was cycling along the road against the traffic when a car turned out from a small lane and only concentrated on the incoming cars without checking the other side. Now I understand why cyclists should not cycle against traffic... anyway it was a light bump as she actually stopped at the junction first before moving off (and knocking me). She apologised profusely and kept on proposing she gives me her number in case of any injury which I told her I did not feel any. Anyway I thought that was a nice gesture and I think I am quite fine, just shakened. I will call her, thank her and assure her I am alright tomorrow. I think a Japanese would do that!

After reaching home, there were the 2 boxes, K's birthday present-book on "Ways of Seeing" which sounds very interesting and also a package arrived. It was a box from PFB, ex-colleagues in RP... what a surprise! In it were some very nice mixes which I thought was really timely as I was feeling very much homesick from all the food presentations. Thanks! I will try them in school if I can, maybe just prepare everything and pour the mixes and serve when teachers have their lunch.

Then in the boxes my family sent were the books and winter clothes. I really felt homesick!

However I must say I am very lucky to have kind colleagues around me. Thank you very much!