tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-333600612012-02-01T10:23:07.858ZI have now been in Japan for over 10 months. I have been living in a small rural town, and attempting to teach Eigo to Nihon-jins who really can't be arsed. But i have done some awesome travelling and had some amazing experiences!Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.comBlogger611100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-47088151395675559322007-07-25T13:33:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:01:39.590Z

SO THIS IS ITTHE FINAL CURTAINOn monday i finished all the cleaning, packing, paid the final bills and headed off to Osaka with becca. Tanaka sensei came to see me off at the station which was fantastic and meant a lot to me. the goodbye with my supervisor felt a little odd and indifferent which i was suprised at though. But i had too many thoughts in my head to become upset or saddened by this.

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-19679324154184960312007-07-19T08:46:00.001Z2008-12-09T09:01:43.631Z

sniff sniffsob sobeach week gets stranger and more surreal. Have i made the right choice? Should i have stayed and transferred schools? I hate feeling like maybe i have made the wrong decision as there is nothing i can do about it. I felt sad after having such an awesome weekend, so maybe that is tinting my opinions right now.Monday was a public holiday so i slept in a little because my muscles

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-27830511796471162162007-07-19T03:42:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:01:45.388Z

With time whizzing by, my blogg entries are getting quicker and less detailed which is frustrating but at least i am keeping up -kinda. Monday was Melanies bday so after tennis, a group of us were by the asuwa river in fukui for a bbq and some dangerous fireworks thanks to Mr. Hart. It was a nice evening for it and good to see people. Everytime i see people at the moment it feels like i am syaing

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-58115711831738489052007-07-16T01:07:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:01:47.063Z

I ran Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday this week which felt really good, as I managed some decent ish length runs in the sticky humidity and rain. On Tuesday I headed into Fukui with Jand K to look at outfits for the approaching Sayonara party. Unfortunately we had no luck, but they did show me a pretty funky second hand store where I had a good old rummage around. But however good the

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-76509587617666583882007-07-16T00:49:00.000Z2007-07-16T01:24:22.086Z

Four weeks left- scccccccccary.A bit mellow this week as the realisation that I am actually leaving, was setting in. On Monday I went to tennis and on Tuesday I went to my tea ceremony, but it was not a normal lesson as sensei had arranged some food for my sayonara party. She had in fact arranged a banquet of sushi and the other ladies bought salads, drinks and deserts! I was bowled over by the

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-65414065523769087572007-06-29T13:05:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:01:50.421Z

Monday- We got up late and after I ran we went for lunch at the 100yen sushi. Then we went over to Sabae park for a walk which was good but really humid again. Later that day we met the three ladies from taiko for dinner. They had reserved a table at a traditional restaurant in Fukui. It was a lovely restaurant and as expected, we had a private room which overlooked a small garden. The ladies

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-89302090574600244482007-06-28T07:51:00.002Z2008-12-09T09:01:54.074Z

There is a lot to say about this week and the following but due to time I will try and be brief!Monday- Tom’s b’day. After a refreshing sleep I had planned a hard core sight seeing day for us. We went to kinkakuji, honen in, nanzenji, kyomizu dera temple and we wondered around the gion area where we came across geisha and random little temples to explore. It was a sweltering day again which was

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-56721630806399088182007-06-28T07:51:00.001Z2008-12-09T09:01:55.003Z

I arrived in fukui at 8ish and I was shattered. The bus had been worse than the one we caught to Tokyo. I did not sleep much at all. So I cycled home and took the day off work to nap and relax.This week was busy. I had tea ceremony on Tuesday, English class on Wednesday, my last elementary visit on Thursday and running, tennis or the gym every night. The elementary visit was fun but a little

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-55163561326896657502007-06-07T09:15:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:01:57.157Z

So the previous rant was written during this awful week at school. Not only was i going actually insane from lack of stimulation, i was still counting down the days until Tom arrives. Monday to Friday afternoon i was basically wishing time away- which is terrible and i hate doing. But there are only so many hours of boredom i can put up with. After 8hrs of boredom in one work day, it is hard to

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-46167506571703711052007-06-05T12:46:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:01:57.315Z

It is the most frustrating and depressing feeling to have a job which is in theory important, and could help lots of youngsters in their future lives and professions. But for so many days and parts of days I am literally like a book on a shelf in the staffroom. There is a lot to be learned from the book but if it is not opened and used, then it is useless and just remains static and collects dust

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-35984695210033020282007-06-05T12:41:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:01:57.657Z

This week I have been mostly:Playing tennisGoing to the gymTrying to sell my carSelling my carDoing taikoRunningTeaching elementary school kids the wonders of EnglishSchool itself was pretty boring. Teachers really seem to not want me around which sucks. Not sure if this is because I am leaving in 2 months, because they suddenly don’t like me or because they are once again far to busy to concern

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-55755549087896299942007-05-22T12:28:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:01:59.878Z

I felt a bit rubbish on Monday and so only stayed at school till lunch. I then went home and rested. I was fine though for the rest of the week, if only my Japanese co-workers took a few hours off of work when they were sick, perhaps they would feel heaps better, get well quickly and not spread their germs….I was at the gym and tennising as usual this week and I also had English with the taiko

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-90133234551604538692007-05-22T12:24:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:00.456Z

A busy ish week againTennis, gym, taiko and tea ceremony. After taiko on Wednesday I went with etsuko san to do ikebana- flower arranging. It was extremely interesting to watch a couple of ladies spend so much time, and think so carefully about arranging different flowers in very unique shaped dishes. Sensei actually had a book on ikebana in English which was amazingly helpful as there is such a

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-63929722734900733012007-05-02T10:25:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:00.658Z

AKA Golden WeekWell technically it should be called golden days as this public holiday doesnt ammount to a full week. It is Japan's longest vacation of the year and so is spent by japanese familys scampering around their country snapping photos and v signing at every opportunity. I however decided to enjoy fukui and not go off travelling anywhere. I havent spent a holiday in Fukui until now, so i

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-87584701049000184842007-04-30T09:21:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:01.049Z

School came and went this week. I was pretty busy and had some good lessons which is always pleasing. I actually had school six days this weeks because saturday was an open day for parents to come and observe lessons and then have some 100 meetings. The observation lesson i had went really well, and the kids were genki and attentive, bring in the parents more often i say!!The kids had medical

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-71621636340921941652007-04-27T08:33:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:02.407Z

First week back at school… and no lessons all week. Someone pass the gun. Jeez! It was painful and I hated the whole week! The only excitement I got was from the gym, and tennis. At the weekend I met john, kim , beata and andy for sushi in fukui, and then on Sunday becca and Meagan came to maruoka for the hanabi matsuri- cherry blossom viewing festival. There were so many people in mauoka! It was

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-70839337574780002862007-04-24T13:29:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:02.830Z

END OF THAILAND :(2nd- So we arrived at the ridiculous hour of 4am in to Bangkok. so we decided to go and get a room to sleep for a few more hours. We found the scabbiest jail house ever, with included blood up the staircase..but hey it was about a dollar each! Then we got up and ventured out for some last minute sight seeing. We went to the city pillar, where we were fortunate enogh to see some

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-44639080943341452542007-04-20T14:42:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:07.717Z

THAILAND CONTINUED...26th-- I really wanted to make the most of my time in Thailand and see some cool sites. So we booked a day trip to Kanchonburi. This is about 2hr30 from Bangkok and is known for the river that runs through it, the River Kwai.- Now I am usually sceptical of organised day trips as I always think people are out to con, but it turned out to be amazing and very worthwhile.- We got

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-50047322767397990562007-03-23T07:07:00.001Z2008-12-09T09:02:09.693Z

Its spring vacation already?! Wow!! Time really has flown these last few weeks! This week was a good week because I had lots of fun things to look forward to and do. I went to the gym on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which was needed due to my food consumption…On Tuesday I had organized a meal at Zeniyas in fukui with 17 people. I had never been to this Italian restaurant but I

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-8760126844680810702007-03-19T12:26:00.001Z2008-12-09T09:02:10.593Z

Another week rolls on….Unfortunately I was quite sick this week which was rubbish, I had the worst cold I have had for a long time. But I had a few afternoons off of work to recover and by the end of the week I was mostly recovered.Monday and Wednesday I went to the gym and Tuesday and Friday I played a little tennis. On Tuesday I had tea ceremony and I received some photos from the evening I

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-62602422928112219902007-03-11T11:33:00.001Z2008-12-09T09:02:11.580Z

Monday was ok at school but Tuesday and Wednesday dragged as I had only a few lessons. On Thursday I had a sick day due to feeling frustrated, and I had a cold. On Friday the san nensei students graduated! The graduation ceremony is a huge deal in Japanese schools and is a very important and formal ordeal. All the staff were in black suits, white shirts (and the men wore white ties). Michiba

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-35199536117580845052007-03-02T13:15:00.001Z2008-12-09T09:02:11.975Z

Well after the not so exciting and wondrous last week, it was followed by…another pretty low key week! I am trying to save money for my spring vacation and a few events coming up, so that involves laying low a bit.School was slow again Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I HATE not teaching. Its so boring. Luckily Thursday was really busy. I am doing interview tests with the ni nenseis at the moment

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-59772013189881342442007-03-02T13:13:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:12.939Z

Another week. I’m starting to get restless again! This seems mental even to me! I know that I am sooo lucky right now living a life in Japan, experiencing this fruitful culture and having the opportunities to travel to other wonderful countries. But being o fortunate makes me greedy! I want to do and see more more more! So this week I decided to bite the bullet and book a birthday holiday! I was

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-92148598355582837572007-02-20T12:00:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:13.254Z

time just keeps zooming!this week was quite low key after the busy three day weekend.tuesday- i went to the gym for a long session after schoolwednesday- i went to elementary school and encounteres inquisitive children who were intrigued about how western girls have these things called breasts, which the japanese women mostly lack. It was a good session, better than my last time there which was

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-54105629026288010362007-02-18T11:27:00.001Z2008-12-09T09:02:15.647Z

this week went by very quickly and was a fab and groovy one. ever since i decided to leave, time has been whizzing by which is a little scary. i told people here that i will be leaving around august and i was quite suprised at some of the reactions. i hadnt really thought to much about what leaving japan actually means, which i know sounds odd, but i was thinking more about what i will do when i

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-17835837921465204042007-02-03T12:08:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:17.153Z

so 6mths in japan...wow! it has gone so slowly, but i have done so much when i think about the last six months activities!! but no time to reminisce at the moment as once again i am uber busy with school and extra curricular stuff.i had an elementary school visit which went really well again although singing heads shoulders knees and toes 20 times was tiring! shoggako kids are so rewarding though

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-53505645538018907602007-02-03T11:54:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:17.655Z

another quick catch up due to mad schedule and time disappearing like nobodys business...a good week with tennis, tea ceremony, taiko and my english lesson.on saturday after a quick run i headed into fukui for another taiko practice before our performance at shima-san's work place!it was the funniest performance!!! first we watched some shamisen players which was ace, and then we performed. i was

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-35717013124652919242007-02-03T11:42:00.000Z2007-02-03T11:54:20.452Z

well life has become 'normal' as it were. School is really busy which is good as it makes me feel needed and like im doing well but its also knackering...this week i played tennis, went for sushi with Jill and Jordana, went to cocos with a bunch of sakai people mainly (bring on the do-ri-n-ku ba-ru!) and i had a pleasant leisurly coffee with miss anderson.On friday night i drove with Kim south of

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-20885622625340695812007-01-21T10:42:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:17.827Z

these are the countries i have been to in the world and the ones in grey are next on my list.... watch out worldpretty cool huh?but i wanna see more red on this map!

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-13094032434882122442007-01-21T10:14:00.000Z2007-01-21T10:19:35.321Z

This week was again a little sad. I had the Monday off as it was a holiday. So I spent the day playing tennis in fukui which was good and I was happy to get back into it and see all the other members But Tuesday to Friday I went to school and I was not in the mood to teach. But I did and I taught about Cambodia which I enjoyed. I also went to tea ceremony which I ALWAYS love, and to my adult

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-74291781031540941952007-01-17T08:17:00.001Z2008-12-09T09:02:20.184Z

25th- Chrsitmas day. A bit of a different xmas day to usual. We were up at 4am to go and watch sunrise at Angkor Wat. We went in our tuk tuk, bought our 3day (40 dollar) passes and followed the masses to watch the sun pop up over the three pillars of Angkor. (Unfortunately the event was slightly marred by the two thousand and eight mosquito bites I had gained which were now eating away at my body

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-4166940821883011262007-01-10T09:10:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:22.997Z

There has been a lack of blogging due to my recent holidayz, which I now have to write up in hindsight and with a lack of time to do so. I hope I can remember the most important bits but I fear this entry may be massif. I will do a day by day account of my time in Cambodia but some days were more eventful and memorable than others…Monday was a normal day at school followed by a lovely evening

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-78355506262778218482006-12-19T08:21:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:23.519Z

I wanted this week to go quickly as I felt in need of a bit of relaxation time- namely my holiday to Cambodia. But the week didn’t start swimmingly when I felt like poop and had to take Monday off of work. Luckily though I slept for ages and woke up about lunchtime feeling a ton better. I went to tennis on Monday and Friday and then had tea ceremony on Tuesday, taiko practice on Wednesday and I

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-20881546935112484202006-12-11T03:32:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:24.580Z

School was fine this week. Had a reasonably busy and fun week of teaching Christmas stuff. Also starting to chat more to teachers that don’t speak English which is really nice. But to be honest this week was pretty calm and not a lot to report. I went to my English class which was good fun to talk to people who care about learning English. I played tennis, ran and I went to a girls night at Steph

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-17019255492230022962006-12-08T13:01:00.000Z2008-12-09T09:02:25.148Z

School- I had two elementary school visits this week. I was worried that they were going to be exhausting and a little chaotic, especially as I only received information on what to plan a few days before. But both visits were fantastic fun!! The staff at Kibe Sho and Higashijyogo Sho were very accommodating and friendly. The classes I taught seemed to go well and the kids were very genky and

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-23612620887223323742006-11-28T13:29:00.000Z2006-11-28T13:43:29.125Z

I was only at school Monday and Friday this week which was a good thing as I had the blues on Monday L due to stooped money and tax issues blaaaTuesday and Wednesday saw the Mid Year conference at the FIA take place. All JETs had to go and JTEs came too. Although I don’t think most wanted to attend. We had to go to different seminars run by JETs and their JTEs. Some of the seminars were

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-75378504947991063842006-11-20T12:34:00.000Z2006-11-23T12:55:57.787Z

School- number of lessons is ok, although I do have to fight sometimes to attend and participate in lessons as teachers often want to teach alone because of the constant approaching tests. Of course being English I am useless to help the students study for their english test. I was proud of my self for being more assertive this week. I told one JTE that I wanted to be more involved in his lessons

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-24543784070613438842006-11-14T08:13:00.000Z2006-11-14T08:15:44.728Z

Just a sneaky peek into the life of an ALT at Sakai Junior High School…7.50 – arrive at school by car or bike depending on weather and mood. I get greeted by many students shouting ‘ohayo goziamasu’. In the staff room I don’t get as many welcoming calls, but those that I do mean a lot!8.00 – I sit down and Ankyu-san the office lady gives me a cup of green tea…yum. I spend the first minutes at

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-6492010953407930462006-11-14T08:11:00.000Z2006-11-23T13:00:29.665Z

After the madness of a most excellent weekend, this weekend I felt a bit poop. School was ok, but its too cold for me already, and the rain was ghastly too. I caught quite a grim cold too so I was looking and feeling like a roughian. I went to taiko on Wednesday which was as fab as ever, but I was not feeling good. Decided to take Thursday off of school, although I wanted to be a good ALT and go

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-8966124926568526922006-11-08T08:05:00.000Z2006-11-08T08:09:48.222Z

We stayed in a mixed dorm room. It only contained 4 beds and we were sharing with an Australian guy and his dad. This seemed great until the young guy explained that his father was a snorer. Great! I know I am accustomed to make a little squeak or two occasionally, but this guy moved mountains. And everytime he did I jumped on the bed (we were in bunk beds and he was below me) and made as much

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-71732309822599824952006-11-08T07:47:00.000Z2006-11-08T12:09:35.933Z

We got up at stupid o’clock so that we could catch an early train to Kyoto. We left at 7.48 and arrived at 9.20. pretty speedy really- although we made the mistake of sitting in the smoking carriage because the train was so busy… never again. Our lungs nearly collapsed.Luckily we were blessed once again with the finest weather. We arrived in Kyoto and the sun was beaming. The station itself is

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-75724339804031783032006-11-08T07:39:00.000Z2006-11-09T02:09:29.194Z

After our exciting day, becca and I drove to Takefu to meet peaches, rob, matt and sarah to go off to see a taiko performance. Taiko is traditional Japanese drumming which used to be performed to motivate troops before war. I attempt to play the drums in my Wednesday lessons. It is really exhilarating and a good work out too. However, until you see Kodo, you cannot understand quite how out of

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-70624162641496977282006-11-07T09:49:00.000Z2006-11-09T02:07:55.989Z

Not too much to report for the week, however the weekend is a different story! But control your excitement and anticipation for a few seconds…From Monday to Thursday life was pretty normal. It was nice to be teaching more lessons again this week because all the mid term tests are over and done with. I taught mainly lessons about Halloween this week which was quite fun. The best lesson being when

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1162289867195263272006-10-31T09:59:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:09.372Z

School was RUBBISH this week. I really don’t enjoy sitting on my rear end from 7.45 till 4.30 doing absolutely nothing. The students had mid year tests on Monday and Tuesday and then the following days involved going over these useless tests which tested knowledge far too difficult and irrelevant for these kids. I decided that it was absolutely pointless me being at school and so stayed at home

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1161573766636374262006-10-23T02:37:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:09.308Z

Not a lot to report this week. School was ok although teachers decided to cancel heaps of my lessons because of preparation for the mid term exams. Obviously being English I am unable to help the students prepare for their ENGLISH exams grrrrrrr…..On monday the maruoka people were at the matsuri to see if anything wonderful and amazing happened on the second day of the festival....it didnt. we

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1161004192641807002006-10-16T12:55:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:09.250Z

I was lucky enough to have Monday off this week due to another bank holiday type day- health and sports day. Although I had planned to have a chilled day after the excitement of Osaka, it didn’t quite go to plan!! I got up at 9.30 to watch one of the boys from my host family play football. Whilst at football I spoke to John on the phone and had my arm twisted (not very hard at all!) to go to the

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1160475137166690422006-10-10T09:29:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:09.190Z

What a week….School was ummm interesting. I had my first experience of feeling slight despair! Living and teaching in Japan is not the holiday many envisage. It is actually really hard to try and fit within such a different society without the familiarities and support networks from home. At school it is frustrating to work 11hr days, put in a lot more effort than is needed and get very little

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1159675690422726252006-10-01T03:55:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:09.128Z

the first week where there isnt much to report actually!! i have been working really hard at school, usually arriving at school at 7.45 and not leaving till 6 or half 6. I'm really busy at school and dont really stop working the whole day, which i enjoy, but its tiring. Teaching is going well although its hard to get use to the japanese hardly ever handing out praise or positive comments so

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1159272873444301112006-09-26T11:57:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:09.063Z

I had 2 extra days weekend this week because of a national holiday and because I had to work on Saturday at the culture festival. So on Monday John, Kim and I headed out in my car to Tojinbo. This is a famous cliff edge in Fukui which looks pretty cool and is a famous suicide spot. Luckily we didn’t see any but we did see the interesting rock formation. We encountered reallllllllly strong winds

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1158486819445093882006-09-17T09:32:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:08.995Z

So a whole week of proper teaching! The self introduction i had planned for the classes went well and i was pleased with the students response. The first yrs (ichi nensei) enjoyed the games and interacted after they realised they had to talk. This unfortunately was not something that the second years (ni nensei) realised. They sat in complete silence, uninteractive and shy beyond belief. I was

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1157864390940012262006-09-10T04:34:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:08.928Z

my first week at school....The students at school spent all week practicing for their Sports festival which is their most important and exciting event in the school year. The students are split into teams and compete in running races, and some other different events. They also make costumes and cheer routines that are judged by the teachers.I had very little to actually do this week. I made some

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1157781345690496632006-09-09T05:39:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:08.797Z

Hello again. Week 5 over and done with….On Tuesday I had my welcome party with the 4 English teachers from my school and with my predecessor. We went to a very yummy restaurant in the town next to mine called Harue. It was a traditional Japanese style place with each table in its own individual room. The tables are low down on the floor but this one had a hole underneath the table for legs-

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1156863619321142702006-08-29T14:07:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:08.621Z

First steps in school... the morning after climbing Fuji i had to be up and at school by 8am- bugger. It was the day that i was to introduce myself to the teachers and then to the students at Sakai Junior High School. I was a lot more nervous than anticipated. It was a strange morning as not only was i tired but i was disorientated beacuse apart from the 4 english teachers at the school, none of

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1156860316062115832006-08-29T13:49:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:08.565Z

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1156748605610419352006-08-28T06:34:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:08.509Z

The most memorable experience in Japan so far is the Mount Fuji trip at the end of week 3. On saturday afternoon, 40 of us took an 8hr bus ride east to Fuji. The bus ride was ok because it gave everyone a chance to chat, catch up and for the A and B group JETs to start to get to know each other, plus everyone was quite excited about climbing Fuji!We made three stops on the way for drinks and

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1156746594252484422006-08-28T06:08:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:08.445Z

This week consisted of a tour of my local area with my little old man friend Nagata-san! He also took me for a gorgeous meal in Harue and then to Yokokan a beautiul Japanese house that sits by a lake with lovely gardens. This house was the home to a ruling family during the Edo period in Fukui. This was my first glimpse at the beauty of Japanese gardens with the zen combination of water, pebbles

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1156745280466262382006-08-28T05:54:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:08.383Z

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1156735122106709642006-08-28T02:53:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:08.326Z

Everything is unpacked, photos are up on the wall, some food is in the fridge and i have pink pot plants. Although Maruoka doesn't feel like home yet, i am certainly happy in my apartment. I step out of my doors and see mountains, i am 2 mins walk from a supermarket and i have 2 other JETs about 5mins from me. John and Kim are from the USA and have been lovely to spend time with. They have

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1156670954017752252006-08-27T09:21:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:08.262Z

So here is la maison de Alex. It may not look great in the photos but i'm quite chuffed with my little place with tatami mats, futon, sliding doors and rice paper window covers. It just needs a few bits of furniture...

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1156662619560888452006-08-27T06:54:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:08.204Z

The first week in Japan was a bit odd to be honest. Orientation in Tokyo was a good way to meet people but after many conversations of 'who are you? where are you from? where are you going to be living?' things started to get a bit tedious and i wanted to get into real Japan with natives and experience Japan rather than the inside of a very nice hotel. But i had the chance to meet some other JETS

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33360061.post-1156557015566947542006-08-26T01:49:00.000Z2006-11-01T13:22:08.075Z

So after lots of nervousness, i am now here in the amazing land of the rising sun and the raw fish. Reality hasn’t really hit me yet that i am now a resident of Fukui in Japan, i'm still in my own little dream land believing that this is a bit of an extended holiday! I reckon i'm going to be a little hard hit when school starts on the 1st of september and i will be working from 8 till 5- yuk yuk

Alonjehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542132807264182010noreply@blogger.com1