Last Monday at Linden Hall

I had my Japanese lesson this morning with Ikehara-sensei, though it was nothing special. We started a new chapter at least, though I think I was tired as I could not really be bothered to listen to anything. We received a newly revised timetable, as well, which pushes us on at a faster pace. We will finish chapter 47 by the end of the week, though I think I will not manage to complete the book. I should get onto the last chapter, though, at least. We are going to have a party in the English garden after the closing ceremony and before the evening class.

When I got home from school, I got out my suitcase, put it on the floor and have not touched it since. I did put in order my desk and most of my shelves. I have created quite a large rubbish pile. I also retrieved my books back from the various people I had lent them. My packing has started, at least, if only in a very small way. I am moving towards sorting my things out totally. I hope that by the end of the week I will have things in order enough to know what I should send back, which I can then sort out at the weekend.

I did Linden Hall with Lauma and Brendan in the afternoon. We took all 16 of them outside to play games, as the weather has been so lovely today. It is very hot, though, and the wind is virtually non-existent. We played a couple of games that I found of the internet: “Amoeba Tag” where you have to go around in pairs, and then add a third person when you catch them. Once you have four, you split off into two twos again and continue; also “SPUD” where you stand in a circle with a number. Somebody throws the ball up shouting a number, and everyone has to scatter. The person whose number was called has to hit someone with the ball, who then gets a letter from the word “spud.” Once they have the whole word, they are out. There were too many kids playing, though, so nobody got above S. We also played a third game Lauma knew, where you have to stand in pairs. Two people are cat and mouse, though the mouse can stand in front of another pair to force the one at the back to become the mouse. The kids seemed to enjoy it and lost track of time: we ate 10 minutes into their free play!

Tomoko can unicycle really well and Mayu has just about managed to get the hang of it. There were at least two there that I had not met before: Minami (a homophone for “south”) and Mai (a homophone for “every”) who speaks rather good English and who is learning French – an unusual pastime in Japan, but a good one. I was very sweaty by the end of it all, which slightly amused some of them, though they did not seem to be disgusted!

On the way back from Linden Hall, a couple of American missionaries started talking to us. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I just kept on walking, but they followed. We had a little chat before they asked if I knew what they believed. I think they were slightly put out when I said yes. Then I said “no” to whether we wanted to know more about what believed! They gave us a leaflet and left.

I have not done much this evening: I had dinner with Lauma and Brendan. Then I watched some anime with Brendan. I like converting people.