When teachers have their classes, they tote along with them whatever they need. In the junior high schools I work at, students don't move from class to class like back home in the States - the teachers do. In this case, Morizono-sensei's goods include a Peko-san mini-lunchbox.

Switching from school to school usually features the spontaneous first day back. Recently it's returning to a school and not knowing what classes I would have scheduled the first day.

Today I had four. Thankfully none were too spontaneous. I had first period to come up with an idea for a selection class. Apparently I must be accustomed now because 45 minutes was enough.

I must have been masochistic, vulnerable or both - after school two English club kids came up to me asking me if I could go to English club. I nodded and smiled, which resulted in staying at school until about 5:15. Not bad at all and I had fun with the kids playing a word game that even the 1-nensei could figure out. Good times.

After school I was on my way towards Shimonosone Station until one of the math teachers offered to drive me there. I accepted, got to the station and realized that I was short fifty yen of getting a train ticket back to Kokura Station.

Problem: I had no spare cash.

I ended up walking a block further, waiting for a bus back to Kokura, and took it past home down to the station. After feeling the burn of a long day and the absence of money, I withdrew from my U.S. bank account via a Postal Service ATM at Kokura Eki. I then walked to Koichi's and made up for the day.

Yakitori was abundant and a full bottle of Umeshu was consumed by yours truly, with the exception of a glass or two by a fellow patron who I chatted it up with. It was nice to unwind and speak about 90% in Japanese to everyone and anyone around me, a far cry from speaking mostly eigo (English) at school. Especially when it was a with someone new, with discussions on the hurdles of "test only" studying, a common interest in film, etcetera etcetera.

One of the great nights at Yakyuudori I suppose. I mean, where else could I have walked in [early] at 6 o'clock and been served a pre-dinner "fish fry"? Koichi is a godsend.