Long Day

I’ve been in a sour mood today. I was carrying my backpack, laptop bag AND a big paper bag full of food (that I had to buy) for a class, when the handle ripped on the way to school. Then it started to rain. I didn't even want to deal with the last 10-minute walk from the station to my school, so I totally took a cab (which also cost more than it used to cost to get from Uptown to downtown Minneapolis). I think the students and teachers that saw me pull up in the cab thought it was pretty strange, but by that point, I didn't even care. I just held up the broke handle on the big, paper bag and walked in.
Just when you think you've got this whole Japan thing down....
I guess this whole week has been a little off. I think I am still lacking a bit of sleep, but at least I have toned down my schedule. We have midterms next week, which means no classes. I am going out to lunch with some people one day, playing in a staff softball game the next (let’s hope they’re competitive) and we have a “ladies lunch” for all the female teachers on Wednesday, which I am excited about. Apparently, they are common here, but I haven’t been to one yet. And I didn’t know until getting the invitation that we have a “ladies room” (for women dealing with cramps, pregnancy, etc) in the building – how impressive.I am hoping tonight will brighten things up. One of my girlfriends is hosting a poker and dinner party with bagel sandwiches. I’m not the biggest poker shark and it’s funny to be meeting on a Thursday, but it’ll be a nice little break. Tomorrow is another enkai (work party), this time for my department. Yowzas.