Sakura is coming

Well all my kids classes have finished up. I'd heard some teachers get presents from their kids/parents so I was hoping to get something. But in the end, like a Christmas present from my gran, all I got was a lousy pair of socks. They were good socks, but socks nonetheless. It wasn't until after school that I realised it may have been a comment on the socks I'd been wearing through the year. I thought I'd been careful that there weren't holes, but maybe not. I've been pleasantly suprised at the shocked faces I've seen when I tell some adult students that I'm leaving soon to go back home. I didn't realise they gave a shit, but now I'm touched. Especially the obachan ladies who've supplied me with the lunch so many times. So I was watching NHK news tonight. Not in Japanese though, as one of the nifty things about the tv here is that theres a language button you can use for some programs, like the news. So the first story was about how the Cherry Blossom (Sakura) buds have appeared. The Buds..not the actual blossom but the blossom buds. They then proceeded, with the aid of a computer map, to show how the blossoming is spreading across the country, and had a live report from some castle among the cherry blossom trees. The reporter was sad to note that it was still a little chilly to stay out in the evening and enjoy the bloom. The newly rebuilt castle "would increase everybodys enjoyment of the cherry blossom" apparently. This was the lead story on the news. The second story was coverage of the Indonesian earthquake. Priorities people... They really really are crazy for the Sakura here. Every year theres new pop songs with the name, singing their hearts out about it, with videos of high school students (another big pop theme). I guess it does look nice. And apparently, Starbucks is going to finally open in Ireland. Not really sure why they haven't opened there already (possible because they like to buy up an existing chain of cafe's). Coffee is just going to get even more ridiculously expensive. But half of me is actually looking forward to it. Until now, apart from smokey pubs, there's been absolutely nowhere you can go and hang out or read a book or study for a few hours without being turfed out by cranky staff or asked to keep ordering. Thats one of the things I love about Kobe. Theres so many cafe's here you can just relax away the afternoon or catch up on a little Japanese study and not feel rushed. And I don't have to worry about the place been full of posers. I don't think I'll have that luxury back home. Last night I found (thanks to ireland.com) this site where you can search secondary schools and rate the teachers at the school. It was a great suprise to find my old school, Pobalscoil Neasain was there! And all the old teachers are still there - Mr. Hannon, Mr. Mooney, Ms. Jennings. Just brilliant. But I was really pissed off to see they have a Japanese teacher now that I'm gone. The feckers!!