Fair Trade?
February 2nd, 1995I don’t know how much I’ll be able to write before my hands freeze or the bus comes. M gave us the Indonesian book yesterday in return for use of my parka this weekend (she’s going to Hokkaido), and us buying her a couple of T-shirts and a case of cigs when we go. I think our end of the bargain is pretty darn short, especially given that I have a copy of the guide coming via airmail from the UCI bookstore (they’re online now). On the other hand, I’m glad because M’s raves were really a downer. It sounded like Roppongi with a lot more Australians and cheaper drinks. The guide restores my faith a little. Now it’s just a matter of deciding which islands to visit. It might be interesting to be on the equator during the equinox, but I don’t know if it’s worth the effort or cost. The Lonely Planet recommends hopping back and forth over the equator so that you can honestly say “Oh I’ve crossed the equator dozens of times.” Hmmm. All depends much on cash. Indonesia seems much less expensive than I first expected. Or at least it could be less expensive if we forego the luxuries.
I’m headed to Yokohama with Jamie this Saturday to buy indoor shoes, pizza, and Indonesian tapes. Then on Sunday, I go to a weight training class. I probably wouldn’t even have registered for the class had I known they split the men and women, but what’s done is done. This way I can bring workout clothes with me to Johoku and jog or lift after school on Wednesdays and then go and work out on the weekend as well.
I’ve been working on the lesson book revisions for next year. If I were in charge of more of the classes, I think I could make a real difference, but when I look at what we are actually able to accomplish in a single class each week, I realize, at least in part, why the kids can’t speak English. The real reason, pure and simple, is because their teachers can’t speak English. At any rate, I want this year’s lesson book to look and work a bit better than last year’s.