where did june go?

it's july. the weather is just starting to get hot and humid -- a little later than usual, thankfully.

i finished writing the end-of-term test for my returnee class a few days ago, and am in the midst of conversation tests for my other classes. my students are doing pretty well, especially compared to the students i taught at public schools. it's impressive what a difference one class per week with a native teacher makes -- especially for the girls who really put a lot of effort into it.

the end of the term came fast. finals at my main school are at the end of next week. after that i still have work through july 28th, but not at all my schools on all the regular days. in other words, i have a few extra days off. i'm going to climb fuji on july 14th or 15th. and for the few days leading up to my birthday i'll be in kansai. a week later i'll be in taiwan. then august, then seattle, portland, pittsburgh, mcminville: a whirlwind.