Office Prank

Among the many amazing, wonderful people who are abandoning me this year is Max, my favorite coworker. I can't even begin to deal with all the emotions that come with saying goodbye to him or my other friends, so I am just going to get to the subject of this blog: pranking Max. 

I've been wanting to pull a decent prank on Max for awhile. He's the kind of easy-going, fun guy who just begs to be pranked, and I am just the punk coworker to do it. 

Even though his contract has expired so he no longer needs to come in to work, I knew Max was going to be there for a little while this afternoon, and brought supplies with me to begin work in the morning. 

I planned to just gift-wrap the things on and in his desk with blue paper, but once I ran out of things to wrap, I realized that the desk looked a bit bare, and thought I might as well wrap it, too. 

At that point, another coworker finished her classes and came over to help me. She had the idea of putting tape, sticky side up, on his chair and dubbed it the "Max, don't leave" chair. 

We added a few silly posters just for fun and sat down to wait. 

Finally, around 2 p.m., Max arrived. He was definitely surprised but maybe a little too harried to fully enjoy it.  ;)

He was a good sport, and it was a fun way to pass some boring office hours, but next time I prank someone I want it to really cause a reaction. ;) Maybe my new coworker will be a victim to my cruelty someday. Mwahahaha. (I hope he's not reading this.)

Any prank ideas you guys wanna share?

Spoiled.

I've mentioned before that one of the positions at our school (and most Japanese high schools, I believe) is "tea lady." At Koyo, the woman who fills this position has other duties, as well, but I think the task of keeping all these thirsty teachers in freshly brewed (from her own mix of leaves) tea is a full-time job! There is almost always a fresh pot of hot tea in this area of the teacher's room, and I know it's the same all over the office.

Lately, we have had a lot of "office days" in which we (ALTs) don't teach any classes, aren't given any responsibilities (even if we ask, and believe me, I do.), and must only be present. From 8:40 to 4:40. Just present.

These days get terribly grueling. I've been planning next term's classes, studying Japanese via the Rosetta Stone program, making paper lanterns, designing holiday cork boards... and that only takes up the morning hours. When the other teachers are in meetings (to which we are not, understandably, invited), it can be particularly maddening.

Tea Lady to the rescue!

Our lovely tea lady has been suprising us with special treats during these times. I don't think she gives them to everyone, because she always pops in when the rest of the staff are in meetings. Last week she poured us piping cups of hot coffee, and today she came armed with a tray of these:

Muffins!

Just the sugar rush I needed to tide me over to lunch. Thank you, Tea Lady.

How will I ever function in a work environment that doesn't provide constant, free caffeine and sugar? I shudder to think.

nom nom nom

Update from Idaho. :)

I am home in Idaho for a few days and finally have time to do some online research, watch the DVD I received from Okinawa, and prepare myself a little more.I keep starting blogs, saving them as drafts, and then never returning to them.

I have so much to say that each time I begin to say it, I end up getting overwhelmed and the overwhelming emotion becomes... well... overwhelmingness. (he he)

In one week and approximately 17 hours, I will be boarding a plane with two too-small suitcases and moving my entire life to a completely different country. Talk about overwhelming.

Despite the negative emotions (loss, fear, terror, sadness), I have found so many reasons to rejoice in these final weeks of preparation. The details are coming together in a way that makes me feel immensely blessed.

For example:
-My wonderful successor has agreed to let me pay for everything I am buying from her (car, furniture, misc) after I get my first couple pay checks. *sigh of relief*

-The car I am buying is pretty cute with just a little cosmetic damage. :) You can see it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23142539@N05/sets/72157621435695100/


-I may be purchasing Michelle and Peter's old laptop to hold me over until I can afford my dream Mac. Money just isn't coming together right now.

-I learned that my high school is highly academic and my students are mostly driven and motivated. Sweet


So these are little highlights that keep me from drowning under waves of panic and mourning. I exaggerate.


Well, back to spending time with my family. :)

I love you, my friends, and am going to miss you.