Today I taught 1st graders the days of the week. Then I showed 5th graders how to respond to the question, “How are you?” I signed autographs for 3rd graders. Later I played PR man when a bunch of grandparents showed up to see a 6th grade class. I didn’t get lynched so I guess things went OK. Finished the school day off playing alongside the elementary school band on a borrowed cornet. They’re quite good by the way.
Then I donned my gear and rode to the neighboring town of Miyazaki to pay a bill. Did you know if you remove the E from “neighboring town” you get a nigh-boring town? Anyway, I took a different road to Naruko through the mountains. While coming out of a turn I saw a dozen or so furry brown animals in the road. At first I thought they were dogs, but as I slowed down to avoid a collision, I realized they were MONKEYS with red faces! They loped off into the forest and I continued on into town. At the convenience store I waved at two kids and fielded questions about my bike from two old men who had one tooth between the two of them.
On the way back I got a bit aggressive on the turns. Aggravated by the van I couldn’t pass on the way up and emboldened by my protective gear, I took the turns sharper and faster than I had on the way up. As a result, I actually touched down the left footpeg on one particular hairpin. Yes, the bike was still stable, and pulled upright on the way out. Yes, I thought I was gonna dump the bike. Yes, it scared the crap out of me. And yes, I’ll probably do it again.
So that’s what I did today. What about you?
I tried to control my raging envy of a friend who’s teaching in Japan.
: )
Went to Phoenix for a meeting – saw an overturned manufacturered home in the middle of the freeway that got caught in a microburst; the truck that was pulling was on the side of the road in the ditch. Went to the SR football game to watch the band; left in time to be serenaded in the parking lot by about a dozen police cars with blasting sirens and blazing lights coming to defend us all from the bad high school students.
Gave two vocabulary tests; listened to a discussion of Fahrenheit 451; barely controlled evil 6th period class with “teacher look,” explained to principal why my presence in classroom was more important than going to planning meeting; took Grandpa to doctor’s appointment; ate nasty food at Taco Bell that took 20 minutes to receive (fast food an oxymoron here); went to Santa Rita football game and worked the crowd; waved at the band kids I knew; left just as the fun was starting and the police cars descended. Tried to talk your father into robbing a bank on the way home (all police in our area were at the football game–the coast was clear) but he was tired from driving up and back to Phoenix two days in row. Your day was more exciting. WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT BEING CAREFUL ON THAT MACHINE???????????
What a busy day you had! I just cleaned house, went to a mentoring meeting at the Eclectic Cafe and had dinner at a friend’s house. Please be careful on that bike! Your mother and I are both worried about your safety. I am sure others are too. That’s so cool about the monkeys!!
Hi there, I was the ALT in Nakaniida from 2002-2004. It’s so great to read your stuff. Quite weird really, it does take me back. Well i hope you are coping with the heat and having a lovely time.