What Are They Thinking?

It's been pretty cold here in Japan during the past few weeks. In the 50's during the day, and low 40's at night. It's become necessary to start turning on our heater and get out the heavy blanket for the bed. Ahh, winter is finally here. . . at least unofficially.

At school, the teachers room is heated, so it's warm and toasty all the time. . . sometimes to the point of it being too warm. HOWEVER in the classroom, they have yet to turn on the heaters. So, all the teachers and not to mention students have to wear jackets to the classroom. I've been keeping a fleece pullover at school for when I have class. I feel really sorry for the girls, because they have to wear skirts! They must be freezing! A lot of the girls have blankets in class to keep their legs warm. It's really sad. Or some have resorted to wearing their gym pants under their skirts to keep warm.

I asked the teacher when they would start using the heaters in the classroom, and they said that the official heating day doesn't start until December. BUT, get this, they will only turn on the heater for the students if the temperature goes below 10 degrees Celsius (or 50 degrees Fahrenheit). Then I was like "huh? You mean the outside temperature or the inside temperature?" Then the teacher told me that it was the inside temperature!!! I've never heard of anything so ridiculous! So, that means that outside it has to be in the low 30's for the temperature inside to be below 50 degrees F.!!!

Then I'm thinking, no wonder there are so many kids getting sick! It's freezing in the classroom!!!