another "tough" workday

i could get used to this: today the kids had a special schedule. it was the last day of midterms for the high school, but the middle school finished yesterday (less subjects to be tested) so to keep the schedule easier for everyone, the 7th graders spent 2 hours drawing a picture of a spot of their choice inside or around the school building and the 8th and 9th graders had a informational presentation about this year's canada trip (presented by Ms. Ohio). after that there was a school wide emergency evacuation drill. then i checked the kids' cleaning of the staff room at some time before 12:30 and was antsy to get out. technically there wasn't anything else going on. i approached the vice principal and asked if it was okay to go home; he didn't even seem to hesitate to say yes.

see, i had plans.

i met up with Sky and another friend, Koshi, from high school. actually, Sky had some english flight announcements that she wanted me to record to practice, so they came over to my house around 3:30pm to do that. the tentative plan was to record the announcements and then head to dinner somewhere near my house. but of course once you're in and settled...

so after the recording, i suggested we make brownies. which turned into making dinner. which turned in an inside picnic in my living room, typical japanese picnic "blue sheets" included!

my cooking went over well, and after dinner we sat around chatting and ate our brownies. i sent them off with most of the pan of brownies split between them, and we decided that we have to get together again soon. Sky's work schedule is crazy (4 days of flying, 2 days off) and her days off never seem to fall on the weekend. she was joking about how she could just live in half of my apartment, on the floor, and i said to come anytime, even just for dinner. i think she might actually come for dinner if she gets off work early on the 4th day of work.

Sky and Koshi are so great. Koshi's kind of a shy guy, but every once in awhile lets out a bit of his silly side. Sky is a true tomboy (that's why we get along so well) and together we talk about everything and nothing all at once. at one point Koshi was laughing so hard i think he might have started crying. i also think Sky might be hooked on hooping. maybe we'll head the park when she comes over for dinner.

it was so nice to just sit around, relax, laugh and have fun with my friends. i'm so blessed. really i am.