Elaine Hatfield

Elaine Hatfield is a prof at the Univ of Hawaii, with a novel and a lot of short stories under her belt. She can be reached at elaineh1@aol.com.

Subj: Apology my rudeness

Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 4:38:41 PM

From: XXX

To: elaineh@hawaii.edu

Hello, Dr. Hatfield! I'm sorry I was often late to the class. I understand

you were angry & upset a student who is such a bad behavior. I apology that

I was often late although not all the time. I am ashame of my behavior at

the same time, feel embarrass and bad. But let me explain my healthy

condition this semester. I went Japan in this Winter & my stomach became

very bad condition just before I left. Since that time, always I didn't feel

well so that I couldn't eat well. As a result, I caught a cold because I

couldn't get good nutrition. Also another reason is that I was freezing in

the video room at Sinclair Library when i watched President Clinton's "State

of the Union." Because I have no t.v. thats why I went a library but the

room was terribly cold. As you know, I skipped one class on Feb. 3rd and

actually I skipped all classes Feb. 2nd & 3rd. It took almost 2 weeks & I

felt better at the end of 2nd weeks. However, I have an attck of diarrhoea

on Mon. Feb 14 & it came very suddenly which was terrible. Although i didn't

skip my classes this time because I didn't want too many absences, I had a

hard time. It continued almost 4 days. I lost all my energy & I was very

weak. I couldn't walk in regular speed & I felt very heavy my carry bag

although only 1 or 2 books in the bag as if I carried 6 or 7 books. In

addition, I had to stop to a bathroom on the way to a class. Thats's the

reason I was late last week.

The reason I was late yesterday is that I burn my breast & right arm in the

evening when I was going to heat a cup of Japanese tea by microwave. I

mistakingly set 2 min. instead of 30seconds. Because I was going to make hot

water & changed mind to heat a cup of tea, but I still set 2 min. I noticed

soon & stopped but I spilled a tea when I touched a cup because it was too

hot. I took a cold shower & put a ice pack but still it got red color with

smart. I worried if it never remove & getting worse, so I decided to go to a

Kaiser Moanalua because Honolulu clinic was closed on holiday. I never been

there, so I asked my landowner how to get there. The evergency dept. was

crowded & took 30 min. even only for regitration. They said it was good

choice I put an ice pack & gave me a new one. But I waited waited for a long

hrs until I saw a doctor. Fortunately, it getting better while I was

waiting, probably an ice pack was big help. But it took almost 4 hrs

totally, I was too tired when i came back home. It was almost o.k. but still

above part was little red with smart, so I put an ice pack which they gave

again. I slept couple hrs because I was tired but I woke up abt 2:30 a.m. &

couldn't sleep again. I tried & tried to sleep again but I couldn't until

early morning & probably I fell in sleep in the early morning. When my

landowner called me to ask I was o.k., I was still sleeping. It was 5 to

9:00 a.m. I was surprised & rushed to class but I was already late. If she

didn't call me, I was probably sleeping until a class was over. i regret why

so many things happen & I couldn't make on time often. I know it's very bad

not on time but I still rather go to a class; especially i don't want miss a

film because I have no more chance to look. I'm not sure whether you know

Japanese thinking but we think lateness is better more than absence although

both are no good. But if you hate not on time, I probably should skip a

class although I don't want it will be happen again.

I am also enjoying a class learning an American history what was going on in

America & how famous people were involving their life through American

history. Everything is very interesting for me who has not enough knowledge

compared to other native students. Although I am little behind writing

journals & reading several books, I wish I can catch up step by step. I'm

wondering whether usually no non-native students in this class. Anyway, I

would like to apology & to explain little about my condition although you may

feel these are all excuse. I again woke up 4:00 a.m. & couldn't sleep again.

I decided to wake up because I don't want the same thing happen again this

morning. I hope I can have more helthier life & can have regular sleeping

hours for studying well. I'm sorry again & also sending too long mail. I

hope you understand all. Thank you very much.

* * *

Elaine Hatfield