Man, I can't believe it's February already. I'm under the kotatsu but my hands are numb, the toilet is freezing up and my toothpaste has become as stiff as a wrench. BUT, I'm happy. Everything is going much better than I could've hoped for.

Before coming on JET, I had a good amount of apprehension in regards to my town's weather, village-ness, and a pretty tight work schedule, but I came in with an open mind. The only thing I couldn't gauge ahead of time were the people I would have to work with. See, as an elementary-school-only teacher, I have to teach with every teacher at each of my schools (except at the school where they make me teach by myself, sigh). Though finally, after about half a year, I can finally say I feel comfortable in my job and that I'm actually putting myself out there to meet new people. I don't think I've ever been any good at just shooting the breeze and my neutral facial expression has been described by my teachers as "uninviting*", but now that I know my town and the people that I work with better, things have started to go a lot smoother. I actually thought one of my teachers hated me on a personal level, but then realized her general personality is like that. We're BFFs now. She gives me vegetables. It's all good.

So now, when I've finally gotten used to most things, my predecessor emails me. She lets me know that there is a good chance that most of my teachers at my schools will be shuffled around come March/April. Also, when it happened to her, she ended up crying alone in the teacher's room. Thus, I have to start the whole process over again.

yay.

can't wait.

*Funny story, the first week of school, the three vice principals from my different schools expressed the fact that they were worried when I first arrived because I had such a serious expression on all the time. I replied that I've been smiling most of the time since I've arrived.

Awkward silence continued from there on out.