Beware the Ides of March...

Yesterday was International Day at my school. Basically, this means I actually had some work to do for a change and didn't have to spend the day sitting on my ass and pestering other, busier individuals on msn (Nat, I'm sure you must have been beside yourself with grief). The day went well and I think everyone had a lot of fun, which is good since I was one of the main organizers of the event. Since we could invite other ALTs from nearby schools, Vuzi and I invited a bunch of people that we knew well and so we basically got to spend a whole warm, sunny day outside playing games with our friends and a bunch of genki-ass 1-nensei students. Seriously, could this job be any easier?

It was a bit stressful for me though, because I had to make sure that things ran smoothly and so had to make some quick on the spot modifications to certain activities when we realized they weren't working as well as planned. However, I got rid of a lot of stress during the shouting game competition, when my team of students went up against Jenny's team and we all shouted our little asses off to see who was loudest. Jenny's team won but it was close -- personally, I think my team was robbed, but ah well.

After the day was over, I felt wiped but had to put in an appearance at the English Department Enkai. I thought I was going to pass out if I had any booze but I was given some time to hit up an Onsen and so came to the party a little refreshed. The enkai was at one of my favourite places in Shimabara -- a seaside hotel called Nanpuro. The food there is always amazing, and the booze flows fast and hard. In no time, I was drunk, stuffed and watching one particularily annoying teacher make a fool of himself. The evening included some badly mangled Engrish Shakespeare reinactments of the Ides of March (complete with chopstick stabbing of Julius Ceasar by Brutus and a repeated, drunken slurring of "Et tu, Brute???"), as well as much general loudness and falling over by certain individuals. Then all the men made the mistake of trying to get me drunk, but alas the poor souls have not learned by now, and so they were all barely concious by the end of their effort; slurredly mumbling on about my "strong Japanese spirit" as I sat serenly smiling, and called for more Nihonshu (Sake). I was drunk, but I can usually maintain my composure whilst drinking right until the time that I am actually vomiting, or simply passing out. What can I say? It's a gift.

The highlight of the night though, was when the most highly drunk teacher came over to bother me and the following conversation ensued:
Drunk Male Teacher: You know saying, er......'In Vino Veritas'. Yes? In Vino.......er....what was I saying??
Me: In Vino Veritas.
Drunk Male Teacher: Ah yes, yes. So I believe! (stops talking and stares into space for a few seconds) A toast!! Kampai!! (lifts up empty beer glass and clinks it against mine, then drinks the air in the glass and almost falls on top of me).
Me: (to my female supervisor on the other side of me). Er....is he ok?
Female supervisor: Mmmm, maybe he is drunk.
Drunk Male Teacher: So yes, I was saying 'In Vino Veritas'. This very true. Yes, in alcohol there is truth. Always truth.... (slight thoughtful pause)...sometimes, sexual harrassment (nods, wisely), but mostly truth.
At this point both my female supervisor and I burst out laughing. He meanwhile, looking pleased with himself, tried to get up and almost fell over and had to be helped by the others. I went home afterwards and sobered up on the way. It was nice out and the air was damp and fresh. It is amazing how much an impact the weather can have on me really, though in retrospect, perhaps it was the residual booze.

Today I am at work and bored again since there is no class. Really, I should be thrilled at how easy this job is, but sometimes I wish I had more to do. It felt so good actually using my mind during International Day. Ah well, there are worse things than having too much time on your hands and being paid I guess....back to internet stalking I go.