Just been to Oasis before work, as today is the last day of their closing down sale - an extra 50% off, which means all clothes were a maximum of a quarter of their original price. So I now have a gorgeous pair of summer shoes (1500 yen), a black work shirt (2400 yen) and some blue sunglasses (very funky - 500 yen!) At least I won't be tempted to go back yet another time!!!
Yesterday I was supposed to have my Kids observation at work, where a trainer would have observed me and authorised me to become a normal kids teacher if she felt I was up to scratch! But the 5 year old who was supposed to be logging in so that I could teach him shapes and numbers decided for some reason not to show up! So I have to go through the whole thing again today with another kid!
We have both recently aquired bikes - I got mine for free from a friend who was returning to New Zealand (it is a bit old and decrpit, but it goes!) and James bought an almost-new one very cheaply from a guy at work who is returning home. James' had a puncture and mine needed a new brake cable, so we took them to the bike shop yesterday afternoon. He fixed them there and then, and also pumped up the tyres, oiled them, adjusted the seats, tightened the chains, and generally checked them over for us. Having a bike is almost compulsory in Japan - there must be almost as many bikes here as in Holland! And they provide us with a cheap way of getting around and a bit of exercise. The weather is glorious today - really sunny as it has been most days recently, but there is no cold wind today, so it is very warm and pleasant. If it stays like this, we will use our one-day weekend on Wednesday to go exploring on our bikes!
Last night we had a few drinks and some beef kebabs and karaage with friends at the 280 bar.
We have also found a new use for the Coca Cola stickers - about 6 stickers before we could have got a t-shirt! Apparently if you send off 18 on a special postcard, you will be entered into a draw to win match tickets - so we have given up on the cool t-shirt and alam clock, and are now trying yet another way to get James to an England match! If anyone has any further ideas, please let me know!
That's about all I think.
Nic.