I got a shiny new red bike last night! I chose one that matched my winter coat. I left my previous bike at the station and forgot to lock it so it was stolen. I think it will turn up though. People usually steal bikes because they are in a pinch and need to get somewhere. I can respect that. I couldn’t have been luckier though because now I know the joy of a smooth handling bike with gears and fully functional brakes. I was borrowing Tom’s bike for a few days but as he is over 6 feet tall it was very difficult to ride it and my legs ached by the time I got to school. Also the other night when we came home from an outting, we tried to see how many people could ride it at once. The anwser is 4 and the back wheel is now a little warped. I made it to school in record time today without half the usually sweating. This is very good news because it is quite cold in the mornings and I have to wear a lot of layers. I took a page out of the high school girls’ books and wore jogging pants under my skirt. I also wore a dress shirt, a sweater, a poncho, a winter coat, toque, two pairs of socks, two pairs of mitts and a scarf. I look a little bit like I have escaped from a mental institution but at least I am warm. I had to sit on the floor in front of the heater to get dressed today. I could see my breath in my bedroom.
This is the first snow Gisela has ever seen and I don't know if you can tell from the picture but she was quite shocked! Luckily, Tom and I have looked into all sorts of weather proofing options for our houses and are implementing them this weekend. My personal favourite idea for staying warm is going to Thailand.
I will be doing that on Wednesday. I really don’t have a lot of time to do anything before I go though. I will have a few hours of free time for packing on Sunday night but the rest of my time is completely booked up. December is so busy isn’t it?! I have two enkai’s (mandatory work drinking parties), two visits to the dental hospital where they are constructing something to put in the hole in my mouth and a meeting with the board office to discuss the terms and conditions of my driving to work. I have finally got all my Christmas cards and packages ready to go but I am not sure when I will get the last of them to the post office so some of you may receive your stuff in the New Year. Sorry! Don’t worry, they are worth the wait.
I went out to take a picture of my bike to show you all its ample basket carrying capacity and its shiny bell when I saw a whole wall of snow shovels. I forgot that the kids have to shovel all the snow around the school. They are responsible for keeping the parking lot and driveway clear. That would never go over in Canada. Parents would complain I think. Here they have harnessed the power of child labour in an effective and legal way that allows them to keep an incredibly low number of staff members. We essentially have about 30 teachers, two school lunch ladies and a secretary. Think about your high school or junior high and you will notice a lot more people and you probably don’t get served lunch everyday. I am not saying this would be a good system for Canada because I don’t think people would buy into the idea of working for the communal good but it is certainly a different approach.
I am not sure how I will update when I am in Thailand but I would imagine there are internet cafes there too. I will try and let you all know where I am or at least what country I am in. A few final notes: I completed my first level of Japanese study in this course I am taking. I got 91% but I can’t say hardly anything still. I don’t think I will be able to complete the course though because the next deadline in January 6th and I won’t be home to finish. I think I will just have to get the books from other people and keep working on my own. Also, last night I decided to cut my hair. I think it worked out ok but I haven’t seen the back. My face is still a little puffy on the left.