On the desk today at work, a candy tin set out by a particularly lovely staff member: Sweet. P.S. Sean just began another cleaning Nazi speech to me with the words: “Listen now, Miss White Trash!”
Month: April 2008
Type “A” is for ….
Adult students at our school have profiles attached to their text books, listing their level of language ability as well as some personal facts including age, full name, occupation and city of residence. At the end of each class, each teacher must write a few encouraging remarks in this space, as well as something helpful. […]
Round Two
The new school year has begun, and my two strongest impulses of the week were to, first, kidnap my extremely tiny, waddling 2 year olds to keep as pets and, secondly, to string the sock monkey puppet up by his neck with a sign attached to his chest reading: “Goodbye, cruel world.” There are brand […]
Your 107-Word Mini Japanese Culture Lesson
The Japanese do not wear outdoor shoes inside their homes; to do so is viewed as rude and dirty. Stacks of cloth slippers are piled at front doors for home owners and guests alike. Sodden outdoor shoes are slipped off and replaced. Cue soft padding around, curry rice dinners, variety shows, Japanese pops on the […]
Why You Cryin’? I said, “Why You Cryin’?”!
We’re making a puzzle: Edvard Munch’s Scream, currently in construction on the same plot of cardboard that houses our marble game. The puzzle company’s box insert:
Hmph
To the men in the train station who come to me and, even though I’m wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase (i.e., obviously not a clueless tourist), ask if I need help working the self-explanatory ticket machine … where the heck are you when I need help getting my ADSL switched from one address […]
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Fake Out
If we assume that the random, middle-aged man I asked for directions to my new ward office last week was just confused when he told me to go in the opposite direction, adding an hour to my journey, then we may pardon him, for it was an honest mistake. If we assume that said random, […]
I’m So Rejected
My suspicion was correct – I did not get the textbook proofreading job I interviewed for. I know this because a hand-addressed letter came to my apartment, two days after the interview. Enclosed, a very gentle note: “Dear Ms. E, Thank you very much for sparing your time for the interview for the proofreader position. […]