Eating outside

After I got back from Indonesia, the weather had gotten a little warmer, though it was almost too chilly to wear shorts. The nights are still cool, which makes me happy, since I like being covered up. Slowly but surely, the temperatures have crept up as May rolls on. It's pretty in its own right, but when compared to the bitter cold of February (which is still fresh on my mind), it's downright beautiful now. I've been sitting out on my balcony reading, and I've had my windows open for about two weeks now. I had a little party when I put away my space heater and officially disconnected my kotatsu for the season.

My smaller high school, in Toyotama, is pretty laid back about most things. That in mind, I asked my supervisor there if it'd be okay for me to eat lunch outside. She asked a few people, and they agreed that there was no problem. (Notice that she didn't make the call on her own--the often-amusing-and-sometimes-frustrating institutional reliance on the command structure that shows itself every day or two.) I usually sit at my desk and chow down, as most of the teachers do. There's a break room where some of the teachers eat, but it's a tatami room with cushions. Experiencing traditional Japanese culture is fine, but sitting on the floor with no back to my chair isn't my idea of a lunch break.

Anyway, I usually sit at my desk and simply admire the scenery. Lately, though, I've been sitting on the steps in front of the building. (I only have the stair behind me to lean against, but it's neat how much discomfort you'll forgive when you get to drink in the fresh air and the scenery.) It's been simply perfect: highs right around 20 (70), blue skies, and what was a bitterly cold winter wind is now a refreshing spring breeze. Wanting a change from the tasty yet repetitive lunches I usually order, I've been packing a lunch: ham sandwich, chips, and an apple.

I'm the only teacher who eats outside; everyone else seems amused by it. None of them make fun of me or anything (at least not when I'm within earshot), but they clearly don't share my enthusiasm over the weather. A few students eat outside, but not many. After eating, though, several of the boys come out to the field and throw the baseball around. Since the weather changed, I've had my frisbees and baseball glove in my car, to be prepared for just such an occasion. I toss the ball with them when I can. They get a kick out of it (I'm the only lefty out there), and one of the kids loves throwing me his knuckleball. I've never seen a knuckleball actually dance until now. Man, those things are hard to catch.

Incidentally, my main high school doesn't allow anyone to eat outside of the classroom and teachers' room--students and faculty alike. The students are allowed to go outside and play afterwards, but nobody does.