January 28th-29th in 2016

January 28th and 29th
Well, Matsumoto sensei didn’t need me for anything yesterday, which worked well. Though I did have to do a bit more grading. I did get nearly 10K steps in (finished it as I was walking around the house). I also got just about everything done for the day that I could get done. I leveled up on Habitica, which was highly necessary. But, let’s skip to the fun part.
Got home, and immediately set about getting ready for kimono. It started to rain, of course, just before I left. Just a drizzle, though. Not worrisome in general, but very worrisome if you’re going to be borrowing somebody else’s silk. Well, I showed up and Sensei was there. Soon thereafter, her helper, a student’s mom whose name escapes me, showed up. It took them a while to dress me. Firstly, a full, formal, kimono is very complicated. Complicating the matter even more so: I’m fat. Though, in other ways, that simplifies the matter in some ways because it means that I don’t need the normal towels that are required to be fat eough to wear a kimono well. The thing that’s bothersome is that I’m supposed to fold and wrap it myself and then drop it off, and that’s . . . well beyond my abilities. I hope YouTube is kind to me as I prep this.
So, the event was LONG. My legs hurt, but I got through it. It was the first time that tea ceremony actually felt like tea ceremony. Last Saturday, we cleaned up Sensei’s yard, and I helped to make a hanging bamboo vase. It was used, which made me happy. There was even some Japanese style tobacco and pipes, but we didn’t use them, which was disappointing. I wanted to try.
Dinner was a massive New Year’s lucky box (I think) plus lots of additional fruit for desert. Not to mention the okashi with the ceremony. Thankfully lunch had been so bad I’d skipped most of it. I have no idea how many calories I actually ate last night, so I estimated 2K. It may well have been fewer. Judging from how hungry I was that night and today, I probably had fewer than that. Oh well. I hit Monday’s weight goal this morning, which means that I don’t have to worry too much about the nomikai. I doubt I’ll have the energy to get everything done that needs to be done. We’ll see. I’m going to try. However, I’ve only got 1.3K calories left for the day. I really need to make that walk happen.
Anyway, I finished the ceremony, and then went home for guitar. Which I played. I then got distracted watching stuff on YouTube before finally getting to sleep.
I didn’t sleep much or well. I woke up early, too, which sucked. Today was Sashi, which would have been awesome, but they didn’t need me for both classes I’d been scheduled for, only for one. And I love teaching there. The 6th graders were super fun, though, so I had a better time than I’d expected. Sadly, it’s POURING today, so we didn’t get to have a fun recess. Recesses are best at Sashi. I love the Sumo. In the end, I ended up being captured by 2nd graders, as generally happens, and had a wonderful time. One kid seems bizarrely overly affectionate. I feel bad for her. She’s got crossed eyes and seems to have a few things that could be a bit off. She just clings to me. I really hope she’s got a good family, but I worry. She is a sweet and affectionate little puppy of a girl, though.
I really do love these kids. I really do just have such a wonderful time with them. I remember, in China, seeing the pictures from Japanese earthquakes where Japanese teachers were trying to shield children with their bodies. The Chinese were flabbergasted. Living here . . . it seems downright reasonable. Sensible. The kids are just wonderful.
Anyway, I’m back. It’s 3:11, and I’ve got nothing to do until 4:30. I’ve got to then go home, bag up my kimono, then it’s time to probably do some guitar, then the nomikai. After that, depending on how much I ate and how sober I am, it’ll be time to walk. Probably won’t be listening to Harry Potter on account of inebriation.
Well, not much more to report. Life continues on somewhat dully. “Sukoshi zutsu”. Little by little.