February 26: News

Still haven't started karate. Angie and went to the Budokan (martial arts center) on Friday, but we didn't play. There were 4 people practicing karate. I had been given the name of a man to contact, but I never called him. I should have, because he wasn't there on Friday, and the other 4 people didn't ask us to join. So, we might try again on Tuesday night, but only if someone takes us there to introduce us to the group.

Earth Day is coming up soon. Looks like Ota will once again be involved, which means the AETs will too, whether or not they wish to be. So in honor of the upcoming event, I am making the 3rd graders do research and present info about the environment. Today we told them some info, and we worked out about how many papers one class receives in one month (about 4,000 pieces). So they have one week to research and prepare a group speech. I hope they do a good job, because it will be our final lesson, and I want to use their research for the Earth Day event.

I wonder how the weather is back home. It has been completely different from last year, here in Ota. It is sunny almost every day. It hasn't been very windy or cold, either. I rarely turn on my heat before dusk, and sometimes never turn it on at all (although I do sit under the warm kotatsu). Last week it was in the 50's and 60's around the Kanto Plain. This week it is supposed to be colder, but it still fells like spring. Sure beats day after day of dirty slush and overcast skies

Big news! Tonight, the first brain dead donor oragan transplant might happen. (In other words, a lady will soon be declared brain dead. She signed an organ donor card, and there is a patient awaiting her organs.) Up until this point, Japan has not allowed brain dead patients to donate organs for transplant. the government issued donor cards in the summer of 1997, but this is the first time the card will be utilized. Valerie Straayer


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