August

 Tomorrow is the last day of August and I'll be glad to say goodbye to it!

This year has been hard.  Money is tight (I know some people have it harder and I really shouldn't complain) but paying about 125 pounds for electric was hard. Luckily the weather is changing and the past few nights I haven't needed the air conditioner.  A lot of students have taken the month off, this is the first year in two years that traveling was allowed so a lot of people took advantage of the summer holidays to visit relatives that live far away. 

 We are still under corona conditions, movement isn't restricted but wearing masks is normal and expected. This is one reason we didn't go anywhere this summer, just going into a shop wearing a mask makes me ill.  I'll be glad when wearing masks is not required.  We are now in the 7th wave and the media constantly saying how many new cases there are makes people panic.  We need more information on this virus, people need to understand that it is still bad but not as lethal as the first wave.  

Looking forward to cooler weather.  I want to start cooking more, not just cold noodles or salad.  Need to get a new oven so I can start baking and making roasts, miss my yorkshire puds.

Next month Hannah is going away for two weeks.  She is going to driving school.  She'll stay at the place and have lessons everyday.  This is how Mikey and David got their licenses.  She has saved the money from her part time job to pay for this.  She wants ( and will need) her own car in the future.  As a teacher she will be sent to a school,  you don't get to choose where you teach or what grade to teach.  If her first school is in the countryside she will need a car, even in the city, with public transport, teachers carry so much stuff that a car is necessary.  

Sixty

 I turned sixty yesterday. I guess that is old.  I saw this meme the other day that said "My minds thinks I'm 25, my body thinks my mind is an idiot".  That about sums it up for me.  

Didn't celebrate.  Just couldn't be bothered.  Spent the afternoon looking at photos with Hannah.  She scanned some so I could put them on here.

Five years old.

I remember having this photo taken.  I'm sitting on Mom's trolley and the edge was biting into my legs.  The sweater was one Mom made.  I think there is another photo of me and Steven but not sure!

school photo, maybe 14

Maybe 16

On holiday with Mom, Steve and Alan.

The last photo was taken on a beach, maybe Wales.  

With me bros!

first time in Japan (in my 20's)

with Mikey and David (in my 30's)

In England (in my 40's)

The last photo was taken on the last trip before Mom died.  It was a nice trip but emotionally exhausting.

Playing with filters!(and 50's)

Holiday

 This week is my summer holiday. No classes until Saturday then free until next Wednesday.  Sounds great but I'm having a hard time.  We aren't going anywhere, even shopping I get sick and dizzy. Went to the mall Monday evening with David, after 10 minutes I was soaking wet with sweat. My face was the worst because of wearing a mask!  So I've decided that I don't have the energy to deal with that.  I can't explain how uncomfortable it is, just one breath and sweat is dripping off my face. I use the gel I bought, it helps, a bit!  So staying home, which is okay but I feel like I should do something, clean, prepare for classes, study Japanese but I really don't want to!  Today was awful. Woke up with a bad headache because of a thunderstorm.  It has rained all day, more forecast for tonight.  I slept late, didn't make lunch, then watched TV all afternoon.  I always feel that I should do something useful.  Is it wrong to not want to do anything?

One problem is cooking.  It's hard when it's hot!  In Japan cold noodles are popular, so I've been trying out a few.

These are somen noodles.  They are very fine and cook up in 2 minutes.  Served with minced chicken cooked with soy sauce, mirin (Japanese wine) and grated ginger, omelet, cucumber, tomato, steamed asparagus and corn.  There is a dipping sauce to give the noodles taste, we usually just pour it on.

This is cold ramen.  Again easy to make!  With chicken, boiled eggs and tomato.

I'll be glad when it is cool enough to make soup and stews again!

David's Birthday

 Yesterday was David's birthday.  We couldn't really celebrate because of work schedules.  Hope to do him a nice lunch next week.  I got him a few more T-shirts that he needed.  He never asks for anything which makes buying things difficult.  Also since he has been working he buys what he needs, which is good.  He is also very  generous.  He paid for Hannah's new phone and bought a TV for the family.  He buys the cat food and litter, plus puts money into my bank for the rent.  I keep telling him to save money, which he does, but if he sees a need he has no problem using his money!

He is working nights, better money.  But it's a long shift, midnight to 9am.  He said that most nights aren't too busy, it's an internet cafe.  Serving food and drink, making sure the rooms are clean and that the computers and karaoke machines are working.  Of course he comes home with interesting stories. Last week a group of young men got kicked out and banned (there is a membership system), they were rude to other customers wanting to use the billiard table, trying to push the other customers off instead of waiting.  The other night there was the hour long argument with a man who wouldn't wear a mask,  finally one of the staff called the head office and somebody told the man to wear a mask or leave.  One thing that David doesn't understand is the amount of money people spend there, he thinks it's waste, I tell him that the money they spend pays his wages!

Selfie practice

with our three oldest cats

I am wondering what this next year will bring for him!

The Yard

 Before the rainy season we managed to cut down the weeds.  Having a very short rainy season meant that the weeds didn't grow back.  I was so happy!  But the middle of July we got a load of rain.  Which means the weeds are back.  The yard looks more like a jungle.

Back yard, the weeds are at least 3 feet high!

The walk way from the gate to the door

By the steps

I really want to get it done.  I decided to try and get out early but even at 7am it's already 29C with a real feel of 32C.  Christopher did a bit but needs a lot more.  Maybe on Sunday we can get out there!

Lizard

These are the lizards that get on the windows in the evening.  The cats keep trying to get to them.  Fun to watch the cats jumping up and hitting the windows but not getting their prey!

Summer Festivals

 The past couple of years the summer festivals were canceled because of the corona virus.  The media dubbed those years the summers of silence, no festivals and no fireworks.  This year things are back to normal, well almost!  

I love the idea of the festivals but don't go.  Standing outside in the heat (today it's 34C) is not for me!  Many of my students were excited that the festivals were back.  Especially junior high and high school kids it's a nice escape from the load of homework and self study that they have in the summer.

The next city has a festival from August 3rd to 5th, it's a water festival, giving thanks to the largest river in the area.  There are parades, marching bands and a traditional dance called soroban so odori, dance of the abacus.  The last day is a massive fireworks display.  It got so big that the event is now in two locations.  

One thing my students love at the festival is the street food.  Takoyaki, bit of octopus baked in a savory batter, yaki soba, stir fried noodles.  Kakigoori, shaved ice with flavored syrup and cotton candy.  Mikey goes to a lot of these festival selling cotton candy.

Mikey practicing making cotton candy

Even though I'm not going to the festivals I will get to see the fireworks from our balcony.