After lessons ended on Thursday I had the kind of day that usually accompanies the approach of a deadline - I attempt to finish the work but find it difficult to think. I go somewhere else to work, but eventually hit a mental block there as well. I try to take a break to refresh my mind but the guilt at not working ruins my mood. I feel irritated with myself for not being able to focus, eat a load of junk food and would probably be rather unpleasant company if I didn't isolate myself. Then eventually the work is finished, but due to staying up late to get it done I'm still not 100% the next morning. In my case the situation contained added insult when I went down to breakfast to find that some of my housemates had been studying the entire night without sleep, yet they were still inexplicably bright and perky. Well, everyone does things their own way, I suppose.
On Friday morning was held a giving of speeches, the second spoken assessment of this year. I think I managed to stumble through saying mine alright - my chosen topic was gay marriage, I suppose having an interest in the subject helps to be able to speak somewhat naturally about it. Instead of the usual Japanese Religions lesson, the class met up at a local temple and wandered around for an hour or so. I'd been around that temple once before, but visiting as a kind of school trip meant I gained a few bits and pieces of insight that had eluded me before. Our teacher also treated us to a drink at the café and regaled us with a few amusing stories of when he had been studying. A pleasant way to round off the "week," and filled me with hope of success to come...
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| Always believe in your soul |
