AUTUMN - Lets see, near the end of the month the autumn leaves changed, a pretty nice sight versus the PacificNW evergreen trees, but then again I probably didn't notice it so much. Maybe its the Japanese season changing mania that has drawn me to the changing of the leaves.
SICK N COLD - Then there was that dreaded Japanese cold that I picked up, which lasted for two weeks, and bingo just got a new one just in time, back home I never got sick, arrrgggh. Mmmm... its been getting much colder, actually had to start using the heater lately and bundling up, can't just hop in my car, gotta hop on my bike with a scarf and some gloves.
GRAD SCHOOL - Recently been MIA at many things, such as club activities, traveling and my fav going to the gym. Applying to grad school for a MATESOL at the UW. Have to get my apps together and take my GRE this sunday. How lovely, gotta study for this dumb test, I would rather study Japanese, the kanji make more sense than words like "alacrity". Oh well wish me luck.
POKER - When the GRE and apps finally finish its time to play some poker! Even ordered some poker chips off Yahoo Auctions, yipee!
SCHOOL - Everything still going good at school, kids are good, well sometimes. Today was test day, aka students hell week, 5 days of straight tests! can you believe that? each day they got about 3 subjects to take. Totally sucks, sucks for me too because I have to make 4 different tests and grade 14 classes. Mmmm ... 14 x 40 = about 560 tests!!! Not fun at all, where are all those lazy days at my other schools where I didn't have to make or grade any tests. With my class being the Oral Communication class I had to hop on the broadcast system for the kids in the 10 classes to do their listening test. Kinda funny as we have to do a test broadcast and the teachers in the building across have to signal with a big circle over their head. Then I had to do my test over the broadcast system for about 10 minutes, run to 1-9 class, then 1-10, whew, busy day. Lucky at the end super Teranishi sensei was nice enough to help me out, I think we hammered out a good portion as we graded from 1 - 5pm. Great guy!
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
A LITTLE BOO VIDEO
Just testing out the video abilities of Blogger with friendly Halloween video from Dillon.
HAPPY BDAY BRUCE!
Nov 27th is Bruce Lee's bday, don't forget it or you will get a nunchuck up your ass! and its not a nintendo Wii nunchuck....
DANG NO TURKEY
Another year in Japan, another year without turkey, dang! They need turkey in Japan!! I miss getting food coma from eating too much turkey.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
A LITTLE VIRUS BUG
Or whatever it was, it sure hurt. Had a stomachache and headache for a whole day, thought it was either food poisoning or caught something from someone. School is great but its a breeding ground for germs. Anyways called in sick and chilled at home, its great to have someone back you up at school.
Monday, November 12, 2007
BILLY?? BOOTCAMP??? TAEBO???
A couple months ago I heard there was a new rage in Japan sweeping the aerobic world. It was a new workout called "Billy's Bootcamp". In curiosity I had to check it out, and when I finally saw it ..... wow!! that's TaeBo!! Yes, old skool Billy took up his washed up gig and moved it over to Japan as Billy's Bootcamp, it was a laugh at first as no one in Japan knew about TaeBo, but then again I have to give props for Billy in seeing a marketing opportunity.
NEW HAIRDO
Well not really new, just been lazy to get it cut, maybe after 3 months or so it was getting a bit shaggy, so got up the power to visit lovely Ayame at her shop. Working in a school of 1400 students someone is bound to notice. Got the friendly comments from the teachers, then got the ohs and ahs from the students. Mostly good compliments luckily, from boys and girls. Funny in junior high the kids would just say oh you got a haircut, but in high school i guess where the fashion standards are a bit higher the kids would say oh nice haircut, looks cool. Bit flattered, but it was nice to have short hair again makes playing basketball easier.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Friday, November 02, 2007
東洋高校古食堂
The nice ladies from the old cafeteria. I will miss them, everyday they were so nice to me and everyone, kinda made things homey. Only 3 of them transfered to the new cafeteria, but its just not the same, bummer.
日本語の勉強をしていますよ
studying Japanese has gone too another level, called the shower, as my new best friend the plastic laminator has allowed me to .... mmm ... waterproof my studies
Thursday, November 01, 2007
GOT JACKED AGAIN
Yesterday, came back to my bike and guess what my back flashing red light was gone. Damn, got jacked again! That was like my third bike light and it was at school. Its always like 12 bucks, and I have to go to Osaka to get the dumb battery operated light, cuz its too country over here to find one, oh well not worth crying over it, or in japanese "shoganai". As for the weather its been getting cooler at night, even going home today felt a bit chillin, think it came out around 58 degrees F. Ah and the parents are in the country. Japan it is, so I am happy they could come even though its been 5 years, hahaha. Gonna meet them this weekend in Kyoto, I will be happy to see them.
ラオス
Found some old pics of my trip to Laos about two years ago, decided to upload some ... the old royal palace in Luang Prabang
Monday, October 29, 2007
RED SOX SWEEP THE WORLD SERIES
Another year, another win for the Red Sox! With a 4-0 sweep over the Rockies, the Red Sox won it all with the help of Matsuzaka and Okajima, great work guys! As for the Mariners thats another story waiting to be told next year, hopefully they will do better!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
NEET
NEET? What is it? Its Japanese English! One day one of the teachers asked "what do you want to be in the future?". Most students gave the usual, "I want to be a engineer, doctor, teacher, etc" but one student wrote "I want to be NEET". I thought it was a mispelling of the word "neat" but it didn't make sense, so I asked my teacher. He said it is short for ... "Not in Education, Employment, or Training". Wow, I thought that is a neat answer.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
東洋大姫路高校体育祭
mr sato, who looks just like the Japanese comedian named "kirin" ... he wants to be the next college football stud
THROWING THE FOOTBALL
Today was a continuation of mid term tests, so in the morning corrected some (better than final time when i have all 15 classes compared to 2 this time) and delivered some tests. Observed an math class, interesting how universal math is. Probably the only class you can take without understanding what the teacher is saying. Math is math wherever you are in the world. After class I went to grab some lunch at the cafeteria and ran into the soccer crew. One of the guys, Mr Sato, aka Kirin (looks like the comedian guy) wants to play football in college. He is pretty buff, but doesn't know anything about football. Suggested some positions, RB you are the man, WR you are pimping, FS you can run and kill, QB don't do it people want to kill ya. He brought his own ball so we were throwing it around with his soccer crew. Probably the first time any of them threw a football before, taught them some different ways to throw and showed them a couple drills. It was fun to throw in the sun rather than be in class.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
SUNSET
Outside my window is this little mountain or hill. Every sunset I always look toward it and see this building in the shadows, I always wonder what it is, maybe one day I will go up there, but for now I will just enjoy the sights from my window.
SUNSET
It was a nice day in Himeji today, so I decided to take a pic before the clouds swallowed up the sun.
NICE WEATHER
This week is mid-term week for the kids. Tests started today, Tuesday thru Friday. They have about 2 to 3 tests for 4 days. Talk about not fun. Anyways, good news for me, I get out around noonish to enjoy the day, if I had a car, so I will exchange that time to ride gracefully on my bright yellow bike in the perfect autumn weather. I love autumn here in Japan, why can't it be like this year round. Reminds me of the Seattle summers! It was so nice that I came back to my apartment to chill inside and talk to Ace and Ark back home, ha ha ha.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
PEARLY WHITES
Had class today with Mr. M, I love Mr. M very nice old guy with a different style and life. I like hanging out with old people. Today Mr. M was playing with his teeth, kinda of rearranging them periodically during class. The dentures he was shifting were picked up the students eyes, as their eye light up as if they saw gold. When Mr. M was looking down or when he had his back to the students, the students would secretly gesture to their teeth in disbelief of what they saw. Even Tatsuya looked Mr. M straight in the eye when he answered a question, looking for gold or just the shifting of the teeth. It sure was an interesting day.
Friday, September 28, 2007
WENGER 時計
The Wenger Swiss Army watch that I have been looking for all over the Pacific NW has finally arrived, thanks Maria and Lucy! Love the style, reminds me of my old one. Oh, and thanks to the poker boys for the present.
DAMN STICKER
ts cool being a teacher, but then again you are in the spotlight. I don't mind the spotlight, but forgetting to take off the L size sticker off the back is embarrassing, and no one told me about the sticker until my 4th class at the end of the day!
冷蔵庫
My first fridge was really really small (waist high), so I had to borrow an extra one from Noriko, and my life has grown much happier as the 2nd fridge is now fully stocked with essential drinks.
メリクリ来た
Christmas came early as i got these 4 (80 photos) boxes of polaroid film for under 10 bucks or so. The regular price for the whole bunch would have been around 140 dollars. I couldn't read the Japanese really well, but I could read the 80% off, guess it was more like 99% off. The guy must have rang it up wrong but I didn't complain. Boy do I love buying expired film!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
LIFE
Sometimes I think of life as increments, as steps, its kinda like 4 years high school, 5 years college, going on 5 years living in Japan! Yikes! Maybe my time is dwindling down here too, maybe its time for a change again. I've had alot of good times here, but maybe that time to move is coming soon. Funny how I have never wrote about my anniversary marks in Japan, I've always thought of them, but I have never wrote about them, maybe this is my first time to write my reflections down. It all started with Linda telling me about JET, then by the time I knew it I was off to Japan. I told everyone I would be back in a year. But then a year turned into two, then three, parents nagging and friends asking if I ever would come back, the clock quickly turned to four. I miss everyone back home and always think of family and friends back home, how time moves and the things I missed are always on my head. Its a trade off, but I know I can always go back home. I appreciate my friend and family and I am always happy to see em back in the summer. Maybe someday I will be back home.
SAYONARA DANIEL
Daniel, probably the most popular ALT guy in Japan. Nice guy, funny guy, fluent in Japanese and English, students and teachers alike adored him. Daniel finally left the other day back to Hawaii after 4 years on JET. Funny how time flies and things change. Me and Daniel came at the same time, but I always thought he would stay the longest. In our group I think there are only a handful left, me, Tisha, and Andrea up in Tokyo. Most of the others have packed up and gone there way back home, Kristine, Aaron, Nancy, Zainabu, the Nicks, and a bunch of other cool people. Gonna miss Daniel and his "Aloha", the taiko, the snowboarding, karaoke, the getting drunk in Sannomiya, and his crazy good bye leg gesture, and other adventures. Take care Daniel I will eat some ramen for ya, come back to Nippon anytime, your fan club is waiting for ya.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
A GREAT BOOK!
Another book added to my collection. Silly, but damn useful and fun, I will have to rank it up there next to my Kansai-ben book. A nice buy at only 10 bucks USA. Starting back up into school was a bit of a drag as the kids weren't really quite into it yet, until I got to the 1-12 class and spiced up the daily questions a bit. Going from "How was your summer vacation?" to "What's 'Oshiri pen pen' in English" was quite funny for me and the kids. I love this book, its my new evil English tool to make kids sweat. What is "oshiri pen pen"? Try explaining how you get spanked by your mom when your bad in another language in front of the class. If ya can do it, you are good. And well, the student did a good job indeed, although it seems that the "butt, aka ass" is referred to the "hip" in the eyes of the Japanese. Maybe I will teach them the correct terminology next class.
Monday, July 30, 2007
The Simpsons Movie
Had some free time and caught the opening weekend of The Simpsons Movie with Phuong, Jimmy, Ben, and Anna. Didn't know what to expect. But damn it was hilarious from beginning to end. Who cares what the critics say, everyone who is a Simpsons fan has to watch it. Another reverse culture shock again, was the fuckin big soda and popcorn!! I don't remember them being that big, and how could one humanly possible drink and eat all of that???
* cool poster i thought, even though its written in Korean, i wonder how it translates, jokes just aren't the same when they are translated
** copyright FOX tv
Sunday, July 29, 2007
DODGEBALL
who is next? Yup, its baaaaacccckkkkk .... the old childhood game is back and its bad. Caught these lovely dodgeball lovers up on Capitol Hill at the park by the KFC playing in the tennis courts. Hosted by two lovely ladies, everyone in the whole wide world was welcomed to play. Interested? More hot and sweaty dodgeball games will be played every Tuesday and Friday starting around 6ish. Be there, or be square!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
SPOTLIGHT
the "spotlight"
** wierd i am not sure where the extra lighting came from, but sure made the picture a whole lot cooler
** Was walking to the "Capitol Hill Block Party" when I came across this cool ass aerial skateboarding showdown right off Seattle Central Community College. Down the runway they sped and jumped daringly into the air for fans cheers to come. If the crowd delivered enough "ohhhsss and ahhhhsss", the fearless boarder was then rewarded with a new skateboard deck. Of course with the glory, there was plenty of pain to be seen around.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
AIRPLANE FOOD
Usually airplane food is all stuffy, but in business class its a whole other story. Just check out the fine veggies, salmon, and glasses of wine.
BUSINESS CLASS
Got my name called last second when everyone was boarding the plane. Wierd I thought, maybe because I was a bit late they called my name. But when I was passing through the ticket gate they pulled me over to check my passport they said. After all that, they said economy was full and they had to change my seat to "Business". Nice! Of course I wasn't about to refuse their offer or question it. It was my first time in business. I would definetly say its a step up in terms of service and food and drinks!! Movies were ho hum, but the chair gadgets were kinda cool, as they could recline almost all the way back.
Anyways here are my feet enjoying the extra extra leg space.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
龍野西中学校
The other day rolled into the old junior high to prepare the basketball kids for their big game on saturday. Felt a bit wierd going back, but it was nice. Everyone was still nice and genki, it was nice to see the old teacher room again, looks so much smaller now after working at high school, where there are about double the teachers and desks. Said "hi" to Kyoto sensei, Ogawa, Nagai, Kubo, Koda, Tomo, Matsubara, and a bunch of other teachers, even kinda hid as I forgot some names. Even met the new principal, nice guy, he only knew me as the ALT before who coached the basketball kids and thanked me. It was good to just hang out and shoot some hoops. There is definetly a different mood at NishiChu versus my high school now. Maybe because jr high is smaller and the kids are younger. But yeah I would agree they are more friendly. They aren't too cool to say HI.
Today the boys had two games at Aioi. It was the last game of the season if they were to lose. It was the regional tourney. First game went great, they dominated the other team and put them away 80-30 about. The game was like clockwork, offense and defense was fierce. But then came the second game. The wheels fell off. Everyone got tired and a speedier Taishi West team got the best of NishiChu. At some points the lead was up to 25. But with the 4th quarter, everyone tried their best and ran their guts out, and cut the lead to 4 with only about 18 seconds left. But an errant pass left the boys with the loss. Dang I feel bad for them, but they tried hard. Hope they can finish off the tourney tomorrow with two more wins. Good luck!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
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