Spring Vacation has begun!

Where DOES the time go? I had gotten all resolved to write more often, to post even little things, and yet here I am, a month later...

School started back up, and it felt like something of a false start because we had only three weeks of class (and only ONE full week at that) and then we hit vacation as of last week Tuesday, though I was still doing grades and various paperwork last week. This week I'm still going to school for my Japanese lessons and aikido, and to take care of some small things like cleaning and rearranging my office.

The end of the semseter was, after that vacation, expectedly anti-climatic. Things just sort of wrapped up in a sleepy kind of daze. I didn't give any final exams (which is why I'm done already and not still having to administer such an exam). Grades were computed, but I've honestly never been so...intuitive when grading. I usually go right down the line, but academics don't work quite the same way here, so I had to adjust a little to make up for my not having taking a firmer line from the beginning. I've learned my lesson and will crack the whip, hard and loudly, from the first day of the next term.

So what else have I been up to? Not much, but I have an entertaining story or two.

I try to work out at the school gym a few times a week. When I'm done working out, so as to not have to take my workout clothes home after each session, I usually rinse out my clothes in the shower. The most expedient way to do this is to just wear everything into the shower and take it off as I wash each piece. Well, about three weeks ago, on a Saturday after my kids class, as usual, I walked in fully dressed, but only after about 30 seconds when I went to take my shirt off did I notice that I could still hear music: I'd forgotten to take off my iPod Shuffle! DAMMIT! I pulled it out of my pocket, turned it off, towel dried it, and put it away. Afterwards, I set it in my office over the air vent to dry for a few days. When I came back on Monday, I tried it out: It WORKED! Amazing! BUT last week I went to charge it and...no good. It works, but it won't charge. So, I've killed my iPod Shuffle. Can't believe it. Thus, I'm now musicless when working out, which stinks for the running part...I've ordered a new iPod, but I have to wait a bit...so dumb, so dumb...

I know, most of you are thinking: He wears his clothes into the shower? But hey, if you're going to rinse them off, why take them off and carry them there? I just makes it all easier. Unless you forget to take off non-water-resistant electronic items you're wearing.

The only other thing of note happening is that my friend Kurara and her fiance Daniel have asked me to photograph their wedding. I'll be going out to see them this weekend for a few days to take some engagement/pre-wedding photos and to talk more about what they want from their photos. In honor of this special occasion (or as an excuse at least), I've purchased a new camera, one I've been eagerly awaiting for some time and have been eying since it was released last fall. The new Canon 40D. Very nice. I haven't had must opportunity to use it yet, but I will certainly be making use of it this coming weekend!

And that's that. Not much, I know, which I will also use as my excuse for why I don't write more often: Mostly I'm just at home or at work...not all that exciting. This month doesn't promise to be much better. However, next month you can expect a little more, as I'll be going to Tokyo and Seoul, South Korea, and possibly on another, shorter trip locally. Who knows, I may cave in and take a short trip this month, too... :)

Take care! Aloha.