Oops

I never updated about the cake. Well, in my defense, I was rather depressed about it. So I finished the cake and it didn't turn out well. You see, I don't have an oven like an American oven. I have a toaster oven, but you really can't make a cake in that. At least not the mix I was making. However, our microwave has two functions. It does the normal microwavy thing like you would expect. It also can serve as an oven. It's kinda like a highpowered Easy Bake Oven in that it has a lightbulb in the top and you can set it too many temperatures, all the way up to 200 degrees celcius. So that is what I used to make the cake.

Unfortunately it didn't rise. I guess because the bulb is on the top, it cooked the top solid really early on during the baking process so the bottom couldn't rise. It wasn't terrible. The top was really dense and it was really flat, but the bottom was moist and tasty. Unfortunately, I ended up tossing it out. How dissappointing. I cannot bake until I leave Japan. Oh well. :-(

Speaking of baking. I have to teach my Saturday English kids how to make peanut butter cookies one weekend. I will have 3 large American-sized ovens, though. So I know I can do it! However, I need a recipe. I know Nana has a smashing recipe for peanut butter cookies, but anything will do. I have access to all ingredients except for crunky/chunky peanut butter. Just smooth. So if anyone could give me the heads up on a good recipe, that would be wonderful!

Nothing else has really happened this week. The reason I haven't updated is because I am bad. We got in the 2nd season of Lost and have been watching that. We have only been waiting a year to see it. It's so good! No spoilers! Isn't that terrible? I kept meaning to update. So let's see what I can remember about happenings.

Tuesday was pretty cool. I woke up in a foul mood because I don't really like Tuesday mornings. It's not that I have to get up early. I don't mind getting up early. I just HATE HATE HATE having to teach the senior students. They are so awful to me. It makes me dread waking up. After I got done with Nishi, things got a little better. Tuesday was the first day with a new class at Enya. You see, we switch classes around every month and a half or so. So I got switched to the 2nd class in Enya. Unfortunately, they are a very rowdy bunch and that's kinda poopy. They aren't bad kids...just hyper. Too hyper maybe. Anyways, that class was pretty good.

The cool part of my Tuesday came during tutoring. I had been asking Mishima-san (our tutor) about where to find a yukata in my size. See, even though they were uncomfortable, after wearing one at the parade, I was really interesting in having my own. They are so pretty and if you get one that fits, it's not so bad. Anyways, she said she would ask her mother about it. So when I show up to tutoring she rolls out three different types of fabric and asks me which one I like? I point at a pretty blue one and she tells me that if I will pay for the fabric and a little extra for her mom, that her mom will make me a yukata. How spiffy is that!? I haven't had anything hand-made for me to my measurements since my mom made me a dress when I was like 7 or 8 or something. So I think its really cool. I'm really excited about it. I know at least one other person is getting one made, so maybe we can have a yukata party when it's finished. Hooray!

Wednesday was 'meh'. I went to Kisuki (where the English school is) around 3:00 to hand out flyers to elementary students. Man, kids are annoying in packs. I am interesting to them because I am a strange foreigner who they have never seen. That serves in my favor. So I handed out a ton of flyers (getting mocked, abused, and complimented) to them. I stood under a buggy tree so there were these tiny little bugs flying all around. Annoying little things. After that I did some prepwork and reading and then class. My girls, they are rambunctious. There are still only two students (though I was just told we are probably going to have 3 more in December!) I like my girls though. I think they like me which is cool. That was wendesday. Not very interesting.

Absolutely nothing of note happened on Thursday. Friday, same thing. Really. I just worked on cleaning the house or laundry and went to class.

Saturday was cool because we are making decorations for our Halloween party next weekend. The kids are so excited. I made a killer paper chain. It was so good. I am not really creative to draw decorations, so that chain is my contribution. Woo! I am so excited for the party. I think it will be very good for the kids. I hope it goes well and people come! After the party we got a package! Hooray! We have actually been waiting for this package for two months so it was spiffy to get it. It had Hamburger Helper in it! I have been dying for Hamburger Helper! It's such a simple and tasty meal. Woo! That was a happy thing.

Today, Sunday, was ok. I had to get up super early because I promised to go to Halloween party. I figured it was just to stand around, mingle with the children and hand out candy. So I went out to Hirata (nearby town) and turns out I actually had to do stuff. Heh. Wah! I just wanted to stand around and smile. Oh well. It was easy and the kids had a blast. They all dressed up in some spiffy costumes too. They don't really sell costumes much in Japan so the mommies had to make then all. They sure were cute though. I felt a little guilty that I was just wearing a skirt, polo shirt, and tiara. Don't ask me...I was like sporty princess or something. I dunno. I dont really have a Halloween costume (though I think I have to make one for the party this weekend).

And thats it. That's all that has happened lately. I hope you are having an interesting weekend!