THIS IS MY DESK

Well it's been a while since I've been here. No excuses, aside from being too busy to spend free time writing. But I'm back temporarily to fill you guys in on something very important. 

THIS IS MY DESK

I sit here often. In fact, I sit here so often that  I thought it'd be worth writing about for the sole purpose of being able to look back and recall all the tiny details that only I would appreciate. So feel free to move along from this post because [SPOILER ALERT] I won't stray too far from what the title would lead you to believe. The following is about my desk. 

Well the first thing you should know is that I haven't always been here. Last year I was way down at the end of the room close by the door. Now I'm in the middle of my teachers room where it's hard as ever to unobtrusively get on my phone. 

"But why would you ever be on your phone during working hours?" You say. To which I reply, "Only to research educational English teaching material." 

Fortunately, there happens to be a lot of great teaching material on Instagram. #likesforlikes

Anyway when the new school year rolled over I was moved to this place. I sit across from Ichige Sensei (our grounds keeper) who happened to work at Carmon's school last year. He's super cool and he and I have formed a good relationship. I think he was pleasantly surprised to find out that I know a thing or two about lawn care, on occasion we’ll tackle some big tasks together.  It's funny because in Oklahoma it's not unusual at all for a boy to be out mowing or weed eating or on a tractor. But in Japan, nobody has any yard space. So kids don't grow up learning any of that. It's just not necessary. However, it is in Oklahoma, and thankfully I can use my (seemingly) common knowledge to keep me busy during the occasional spurts of free time I have at school. 

To my right is the strategically placed, young, English-speaking substitute, Yamamoto Sensei. She's only here for half the day but she is always a pleasure to chat with and is always willing to demystify Japanese culture for me. To my left is a row of printers which is fitting since that's kind of where the English teachers seem to fit best. Somewhere between a substitute teacher and a machine that spits out whatever you command it. 

This is my desk. It's not too shabby. Just your generic, three drawer workplace. Sitting on top you'll typically find a semi organized collection of papers and folders. I'm pretty good about keeping my place clutter free because I can't be productive if things aren't tidy. On the top left I have two vertical paper stands. One holding 6 binders (1st through 6th grade lesson plans) and the other holding an assortment of different folders, Japanese study books and lesson ideas and activities. I have a small calendar that was forwarded to August months ago because that's when Carmon and I go to Palau (Oh yea, we're going to Palau). I think the more I stare at the calendar the faster it'll arrive. Right? 

Laying over the surface of my desk is a myriad of papers, notes, reminders, schedules, menus, numbers, etc, that I refer back to frequently. They're covered by a thick plastic rubber thingy that allows me to still use all the desk space. That was the only thing I've requested from the school and I'm very glad I have it. It's very useful. 

カリキュラム　(my years curriculum at a glance)

List of every class and number of students in each class. 

The months lunch schedule. 

A few business cards from car mechanics.  

My weekly schedule. 

A kanji cheat sheet

AET group photo 

12 month calendar

Desk assignments with teachers names (oh so important)

Random Japanese vocab

Gumbi -to remind my self to always be flexible 

1,2,3,4,5,6 grade lesson plans. 

Folder for all the random papers I get that aren't important. 

Folder for all the papers that seem important but I can't read. 

Kindergarten lesson plans

Printed off pictures

English “passport” copies/originals

Folder with previous lesson plans

Lesson plan paper and blank paper

Teachers craft book

Elementary Japanese book

Complete Japanese verb guide

Notebook and binder

This is my planner. 

I use this every stinkin’ day. I bought about thirty of these when I was in college, thinking that I'd finally start organizing my life but time after time I'd find myself opting out in favor of the unplanned and disorganized life. For whatever reason, perhaps necessity, I've come to rely on my planner here in Japan. It's a big part of my day and it goes with me everywhere. 

Back to the desk. Let's look inside. First we have the top drawer on the left. I don't use it much but It serves as a safe haven for all the important looking documents that I get but can't read. You'll also notice my toothbrush, American toothpaste (because Japanese toothpaste is gross), drumsticks and a guide book to living in mito. 

The top drawer on the right is my go to. It's got all my junk I need regularly. Pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, etc.. 

The second drawer is where my EDC Tom Bihn Copilot goes. And directly behind it is a secret box where I place all the thoughtful (but nasty) candies and snacks teachers give out on a regular basis. I have to unload it every week. 

The third drawer is where I've managed to squeeze all the crap I don't use and don't need. There's no rhyme or reason to that. We just don't talk about it. 

Anyway, that's it. I really hope you didn't read all the way through because that means you've got literally nothing better to do or you're my mom. 

Thanks!