So in Japan, Valentine's Day is backwards from in the States. On Feb. 14th the girls give the guys chocolates or whatever kind of sweet, then on March 14th (also called White Day), the guys have the chance to return the favor to the girls. It's pretty interesting, and it's also a clever way to trick consumers into buying huge amounts of chocolate on one more day out of the year. Needless to say, the girls at school were busy making chocolates or baking cookies/cakes to bring to school. Since we are at an all girls' school, the girls were freely giving their friends all sorts of sweets, despite the idea that it's a day for girls to give to guys. The poor male teachers at school were almost being bombarded with treats from their students. Some of my students gave me cookies and chocolate, which I was so excited about. I'm still unsure of what my students think of me because they're so shy and hesitant to speak in English, so I was glad to receive little treats from them. Especially since I see most of my students only one time a week, I was receiving sweets well until Thursday, when most students exchanged their treats the week before on Friday!
Sorry, I guess I got ahead of myself because I didn't really talk about January. Oops. That must mean that January was pretty uneventful, which it was. Shinny and Brittany left on January 8th, and that was my first day back at school from winter vacation. Once school started back up again, I focused on getting back into my routine with school, tutoring English, doing my own Japanese studies, going to Bible study, church, etc. The end of January into February were the coldest weeks I've experienced. Last week was pretty cold, too, with it snowing a couple times, but this week has been great with the temps being well into the 50s. I'm sure it won't last though. I just don't want it to snow again!
This week at school the students all took their final exams. Teachers are able to leave at 1:00PM everyday, which has been really nice. Monday through Thursday I proctored the first hour exam, from 9:10-10:00, then had the rest of the day to do grades, study Japanese, etc. until 1:00 when I could leave for the day. It was great. Friday, I proctored the last hour exam, from 10:20-11:10, finished all my grades, prepped for Monday's class, and was definitely out again by 1:00. I've been so thankful for the great weather this week especially since we are able to leave earlier in the day. Jo, one of the other conversation teachers, and I were able to take advantage of this week by going out to Minatomirai to see some short films, walking all along Yokohama Bay on our way to Sakuragicho Station, going out for coffee and pie, and simply enjoying the sunshine with good conversation. Next week we have our final classes, then we are basically on spring break. There are a few days when teachers have to come in to enter grades, attend graduation chapel, etc, but they aren't full days. Another great thing is that my friend, Pam, is coming to visit for two weeks -- from March 5th through the 19th. I'm so lucky to have friends visit! They're lucky, too, because Yokohama is such a great place to show off!
Now, as February ends and March begins, we are rolling into a new season. Lent has begun with the promise of Easter, winter is ending, and a new school year is beginning. I am so excited to see how God will work!
