Thursday, August 20, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
MOSQUITO BITES
Sunday, August 16, 2009
CORN IN A BAG
10 for 1 buck, mmmm
damn japanese food prices
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
MC DONALDS
their nintendo ds, or iordered a shrimp burgernot sure if they got that back home but i am lovin it, toy of the week is ice age 3 and not doraemon, mmm or maybe i ate my potato not french fries like we call it without ketchup, most japanese dont eat potato with ketchup, most likely compliment wouldbe mayo, which tastes not bad
as for most people the burger would be main, but pumpkin loves potatoand considers that main,well good news for me as i devour burgers and she chomps on fries
size, large drink well is not that large, more like medium size, ditto for the fries
anyways nothing beats a 150yen strawberry sundae, 1.50 for usa
Friday, August 07, 2009
I LOVE PRUNES
living in japan, i can say my diet is not the best, not enough veggies, not enough wheat, well i dont visit the bathroom enough to deliver a number two. changing strategy i ate a weeks worth of prunes and cranberries for breakfast. lets say after that the magic appeared, maybe a little too much magic. visited the boys room more than 5 times, lets say my ass hurts.
SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT
No matter what country you are in you are gonna have car problems. now i am sitting with pumpkin in the parking lot because the car engine dies after 30 seconds. not good to drive home maybe changing the timing belt was not a good, back to the same car mechanic車技手〓.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
V DAY
Another old post I found ..
It was Valentine's Day in Japan, so me and Kayo decided to grab a movie and something to eat.
Benjamin Button - Great movie! Bit long but it made you think and kept you wondering. Haven't seen a good movie in a long time, could be one of my favorites. Brad Pitt growing in reverse from grandpa to child made me think of how time flies by, and how things change, and how people come and go, a real deep down thought movie that everyone should check out.
Dinner at Len - After the movie we wanted some steak, but it was a little late so we thought some nice asian dinning would be nice across the street. Before i didn't like Len but I rediscovered some nice food. Was always looking for pho in Japan, and low and behold it was just right here in Himeji, damn. Got the fried shrimp pho, yum! Oyster sauce beef and some spring rolls, just say it was some damn good food and got really full, had to skip desert, came out to about 35 bucks for two, not bad.
Karaoke - After dinner stopped by Shidax for a little karaoke, just love the free time, sing all you want from 12-5am, for about 15 bucks. Didn't quite make it til 5am but it was nice to relax and take your time and get in some practice. Will miss the cheap and good karaoke when i go back to the USA. They even upgraded their menu, now its all bling bling with wine instead of the usual cocktail and beer. And yeah of course there is strawberry all over the desert menu, must be the year of the strawberry boom, just last year it was all about the mango.
It was Valentine's Day in Japan, so me and Kayo decided to grab a movie and something to eat.
Benjamin Button - Great movie! Bit long but it made you think and kept you wondering. Haven't seen a good movie in a long time, could be one of my favorites. Brad Pitt growing in reverse from grandpa to child made me think of how time flies by, and how things change, and how people come and go, a real deep down thought movie that everyone should check out.
Dinner at Len - After the movie we wanted some steak, but it was a little late so we thought some nice asian dinning would be nice across the street. Before i didn't like Len but I rediscovered some nice food. Was always looking for pho in Japan, and low and behold it was just right here in Himeji, damn. Got the fried shrimp pho, yum! Oyster sauce beef and some spring rolls, just say it was some damn good food and got really full, had to skip desert, came out to about 35 bucks for two, not bad.
Karaoke - After dinner stopped by Shidax for a little karaoke, just love the free time, sing all you want from 12-5am, for about 15 bucks. Didn't quite make it til 5am but it was nice to relax and take your time and get in some practice. Will miss the cheap and good karaoke when i go back to the USA. They even upgraded their menu, now its all bling bling with wine instead of the usual cocktail and beer. And yeah of course there is strawberry all over the desert menu, must be the year of the strawberry boom, just last year it was all about the mango.
TEST DAY
Found this old post .. maybe i forgot to upload it but here it is ...
Oh! Lucky today, I got home at 9pm. I was making the 2nd test for the 2.4 class, but then my headache forced me home. Well now getting ready to work again and finish up the test hopefully before morning!
ORAL TEST
This time the 1st graders were blessed by the sounds of Ben E King rather than my lovely voice. Usually I read something for listening, but today I choose to play Stand By Me for listening. A lot of the kids knew the song and liked it, good choice, pat on my back. Plus its used every year in random commercials. Teachers at Toyo are great, they always pull together. Today, Mr Harada, Mr Iseda and Mr Yamanaka were so helpful in checking the classes and everything, I couldnt have done it without them. Just a little hiccups in the test here and there, we caught them all and even one of the advanced kids couldnt read the words on the horoscope picture, cry baby. Anyways another good test, now the hard part, checking all 500 of them!!!
Oh! Lucky today, I got home at 9pm. I was making the 2nd test for the 2.4 class, but then my headache forced me home. Well now getting ready to work again and finish up the test hopefully before morning!
ORAL TEST
This time the 1st graders were blessed by the sounds of Ben E King rather than my lovely voice. Usually I read something for listening, but today I choose to play Stand By Me for listening. A lot of the kids knew the song and liked it, good choice, pat on my back. Plus its used every year in random commercials. Teachers at Toyo are great, they always pull together. Today, Mr Harada, Mr Iseda and Mr Yamanaka were so helpful in checking the classes and everything, I couldnt have done it without them. Just a little hiccups in the test here and there, we caught them all and even one of the advanced kids couldnt read the words on the horoscope picture, cry baby. Anyways another good test, now the hard part, checking all 500 of them!!!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
学校とマスク
まず僕の日本語は下手けど頑張ろう。。。一週間休み、休校、新型インフルエンザから。皆の生徒はめちゃ元気、皆は気分がいいを見たい。誰も新型インフルエンザ感染したなかった、良かったね。校長先生の指揮は授業中すべての先生マスクを付ける。これは初めて、アメリカ人はマスクをあまり付かないが問題ない。皆の安全最も重要な事があるんから。芝原先生から四つマスクを貰った。そのマスクは医者のマスク見たい。マスクの一方は緑でもう一方は白、どちが表か裏誰も分からない、先生は半分緑は表残り白は表ちょっと面白かった。生徒も私にそのマスクの質問を聞いた。マーケンのマスクは緑けど先の先生のマスクは白、誰が間違う？めちゃ面白い！それで生徒にほこり説明を教えた。表は緑、ほこり付いたら時は見やすいから。
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
休校
No school for one week because of swine flu. All schools in Hyogo and Osaka are closed. Elementary, Junior High, Senior High, thats about 1200000 students.
兵庫県の知事井戸敏三
Hyogo prefrecture governor Toshizo Ito, 兵庫県の知事井戸敏三 makes his speech to the crowd of private high school teachers and principals. Its election year so the big politicians gather everyone to talk about the future of education or was it to collect votes? Anyways the cool thing the governor is from Tatsuno, Shingu where I used to live, and his birthday is August 10th, Leo just like me.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
新型インフルエンザ
The swine flu has arrived in Japan, masks are sold out, school is closed. Japan is probably the most country most used to wearing masks either for allergy season, or in winter the common cold season. So it kinda looks like a normal day.
On the side note i havent updated my blog for ages. Well I have been crazy busy. But with the swine flu going around, school has been closed for a week, good news there, so I can play with my blog and photos. The bad news, gotta make it up in the HOT HUMID summer, fuck. I would rather teach classes now. Oh well. Kids, they got no school, no juku, nothing to do, they just chillin all over town. Its kinda funny. The flu thing has been taking way overboard. Nobody has died, its just as serious as the common flu, which isn't all that bad. Japanese wear masks on a regular basis, kinda looks like a normal day with all the masks. Only thing is at the store they are all sold out. And then you got your Moss Burger workers and every other store workers wearing masks, kinda funny.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
NICE DAY
Ah forgot to mention its a beautiful sunny day! Um second thought it was .. well in the 50s, last day of Feb, snow is melting in the mountains.
FINALLY!
Got the two final tests out of the way, well 2 hours sleep and completing it 20 minutes before the test, call it just in time. Made it a bit challenging for the kids, hey it can't always be easy. Take a mini break work on grad apps, then correct that mountain of tests on monday!
Ah saw some of my first grade kids, oh I will miss them, don't teach them anymore when they change to 2nd grade next quarter. Just talking to MoriMori and Yanagi Tomoko, aka Usagi (rabbit) or Unagi (eel). Damn I love to butcher Japanese names.
Ah saw some of my first grade kids, oh I will miss them, don't teach them anymore when they change to 2nd grade next quarter. Just talking to MoriMori and Yanagi Tomoko, aka Usagi (rabbit) or Unagi (eel). Damn I love to butcher Japanese names.
TEST DAY
Oh! Lucky today, I got home at 9pm. I was making the 2nd test for the 2.4 class, but then my headache forced me home. Well now getting ready to work again and finish up the test hopefully before morning!
ORAL TEST
This time the 1st graders were blessed by the sounds of Ben E King rather than my lovely voice. Usually I read something for listening, but today I choose to play Stand By Me for listening. A lot of the kids knew the song and liked it, good choice, pat on my back. Plus its used every year in random commercials. Teachers at Toyo are great, they always pull together. Today, Mr Harada, Mr Iseda and Mr Yamanaka were so helpful in checking the classes and everything, I couldnt have done it without them. Just a little hiccups in the test here and there, we caught them all and even one of the advanced kids couldnt read the words on the horoscope picture, cry baby. Anyways another good test, now the hard part, checking all 500 of them!!!
ORAL TEST
This time the 1st graders were blessed by the sounds of Ben E King rather than my lovely voice. Usually I read something for listening, but today I choose to play Stand By Me for listening. A lot of the kids knew the song and liked it, good choice, pat on my back. Plus its used every year in random commercials. Teachers at Toyo are great, they always pull together. Today, Mr Harada, Mr Iseda and Mr Yamanaka were so helpful in checking the classes and everything, I couldnt have done it without them. Just a little hiccups in the test here and there, we caught them all and even one of the advanced kids couldnt read the words on the horoscope picture, cry baby. Anyways another good test, now the hard part, checking all 500 of them!!!
Friday, February 27, 2009
TODAY AT TOYO
11:00 PM
Thats what time I finished today. Damn getting into that Japanese salaryman mode, I gotta get out of it. But it couldn't be helped today, had to finish up the Oral test for tomorrow. So that meant printing out 500 tests! Lucky Mr. Harada was so nice to stay with me until the end, helping me print out the tests, he is such a nice guy. Then the other teachers, Iseda and Yamanaka were kinda enough to help me out, so cool. Today I was finally last at school with Mr. Harada, watch out Japanese I can outwork you!! hahaha
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Working on those apps for grad school at the UW College of Education, crossing those fingers, I should be finishing up my personal statement rather than this blog, but I know I will never do my blog if I don't do it now. Well everything else is done for the app, just one more!
TOMMORROW
Gotta make another fucking test!! Then back to lovely graduate school apps =)
NEW NAME
Was talking to one of my students in class today, and he said hey you have lived in Japan a long time, do you have a Japanese name? I told him I didn't, so he gave me one, Kenichi. Kinda cool name, I like it, Kayo even said the 4 hirigana letters fit me.
FUNNY GIRLS
Saw the funny girls, Saito, Sawada, Koda Kumi and gang. Just hanging out in front of the food window. Even got a cool kanji writing from Kumi, not sure what it says but looks cool. Girls joking around, Sawada said Kumi was not the same cute girl as the real Koda Kumi. Hahaha, girls are so mean. Then I said she is dangerous and beautiful, but then Sawada countered and said, dangerous, but not beautiful. Funny girls.
BOOK GIFT CARD
Namba sold me a book gift card, I didn't really need it, but just to play with the kids. Namba was pretty happy cuz he was looking for cash not books as he promptly turned around and bought some ice cream and chicken karage with the money. Even had a nice chat with the other kids and Mr. Brass Band aka DMX.
Thats what time I finished today. Damn getting into that Japanese salaryman mode, I gotta get out of it. But it couldn't be helped today, had to finish up the Oral test for tomorrow. So that meant printing out 500 tests! Lucky Mr. Harada was so nice to stay with me until the end, helping me print out the tests, he is such a nice guy. Then the other teachers, Iseda and Yamanaka were kinda enough to help me out, so cool. Today I was finally last at school with Mr. Harada, watch out Japanese I can outwork you!! hahaha
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Working on those apps for grad school at the UW College of Education, crossing those fingers, I should be finishing up my personal statement rather than this blog, but I know I will never do my blog if I don't do it now. Well everything else is done for the app, just one more!
TOMMORROW
Gotta make another fucking test!! Then back to lovely graduate school apps =)
NEW NAME
Was talking to one of my students in class today, and he said hey you have lived in Japan a long time, do you have a Japanese name? I told him I didn't, so he gave me one, Kenichi. Kinda cool name, I like it, Kayo even said the 4 hirigana letters fit me.
FUNNY GIRLS
Saw the funny girls, Saito, Sawada, Koda Kumi and gang. Just hanging out in front of the food window. Even got a cool kanji writing from Kumi, not sure what it says but looks cool. Girls joking around, Sawada said Kumi was not the same cute girl as the real Koda Kumi. Hahaha, girls are so mean. Then I said she is dangerous and beautiful, but then Sawada countered and said, dangerous, but not beautiful. Funny girls.
BOOK GIFT CARD
Namba sold me a book gift card, I didn't really need it, but just to play with the kids. Namba was pretty happy cuz he was looking for cash not books as he promptly turned around and bought some ice cream and chicken karage with the money. Even had a nice chat with the other kids and Mr. Brass Band aka DMX.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
CHILLIN ON A SUNDAY
Today is January 4th but on TV the new year shows keep coming. Today some funny sports comedy programs. Usually back home I only remember new year shows being until the 1st, but maybe I forgot since its been so long.
Another thing, when I was driving I checked out all the drivers on the other side of the road, most cars, maybe 80% had two or more passengers. Maybe it was the weekend? But in America that is pretty rare anytime of day, usually its just one person in a car. Maybe its because they have more trains and buses here.
Lazy today so just grabbed some McDonalds with Kayo with our cool xmas gift cards. Yum ... Big Mac in any country tastes so good!
Back to writing my personal statement for grad school. damn!!
Another thing, when I was driving I checked out all the drivers on the other side of the road, most cars, maybe 80% had two or more passengers. Maybe it was the weekend? But in America that is pretty rare anytime of day, usually its just one person in a car. Maybe its because they have more trains and buses here.
Lazy today so just grabbed some McDonalds with Kayo with our cool xmas gift cards. Yum ... Big Mac in any country tastes so good!
Back to writing my personal statement for grad school. damn!!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
WE PASSED!
After a long two week wait, the results were in and all my students passed level 2 of the English Step Examination. I am so proud of them. They came into the teachers room to thank me and Harada sensei for helping them. Harada sensei said this was the first time that all the students who took the level 2 test at the same time passed. I am happy to keep my clean record of passing students through English interview tests. Whew!
PHOTO DAY
The student leader group lines up for their photo album pic. Anna takes a peek from the corner.
ENGLISH INTERVIEW CREW
Me and Mr. Harada trained these poor kids 6 straight days in order to pass their English interview test. I am crossing my fingers for them. It was challenging and fun to work with them, they are a funny bunch of kids, they worked really hard. picture : Aiko, Mr. Harada, Yuki, Me, Marron, Lady Killa, and Daiki.
TEACHERS ROOM
It was alot of 12 hour days last week, having regular classes and trying to prepare kids for their English Step Examination interview. Well I think I was almost last one out.
THRILLER
It wouldn't be Halloween without a Thriller. Couldnt use the old Snoopy Halloween for the high school kids, they a bit too old. So bought the Michael DVD/CD for $35 just to get the video, hot damn! The bootleg wasn't gonna work so had to go legit. Whipped up a listening and question class using Thriller. The English classes loved it, they were cracking up laughing, it was cool to see Michael in real life on the big screen. Two thumbs up to Mr. Jackson's Thriller for Halloween.
BANFF MT FILM FESTIVAL
BANFF MT FILM FESTIVAL
初めて行ったパタゴニアのMovieイベント。めっちゃ感動的やった！スクリーンを通して迫力満点の自然を感じる事ができた。雨の中大阪まで足運んでよかったよぉ～'D機会があったらまた行きたいな♪♪
Checked out the Banff Mt Film Festival with Kayo. It was pretty cool as all of the films were outdoor films from little known people. Mr. Teranishi at school said it was a must see. The best film I thought was "King Lines" a movie about the best rock climber in the world, Chris Sharma. http://www.kinglinesmovie.com/ If you like rock climbing or even human challenges you must check it out.
The event was in Osaka, and there was alot of outdoor people, meaning it looked like a outdoor brand event party. Kinda like everyone was from REI of sorts, but everyone sported their Patagonia, NorthFace, MontBell, etc. Kinda cool, of course I even had to bring my Mt. Hardware jacket to blend in. Cool to see more laid back outdoor people, rather than the everyday stylish Gucci, Prada, etc stuff on the streets.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
TEACHER MEETING IN OSAKA
Went to Osaka today for the ELT meeting. Learned how to have your class make surveys and interview foreigners, quite interesting, and the other seminar taught how teach the MAT system to elementary kids, pretty informative and cool. Talked to some of the presenters and they asked what school I worked at. Told them I work at Toyo High School and to my suprise most people knew my school. It's all about the baseball, that's what my school is famous for. Met up with Kim, good to was doing well in Osaka. Polished off the evening by travelling almost an hour to eat one of the finest hamburgers in Japan at Kuaaina. A hamburger joint from Hawaii. Ordered up the 1/2 lb burger, not sure if that was a good idea, but hey if I gonna go, I gotta eat. The burger was a little too well done, it was better last time, oh well.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
ENGLISH INTERVIEWS
This week I have been working hard with Harada sensei to get the kids ready for their English interview test. 5 students in total, 4 from 2-1 class and 1 from 3-1 class. They all passed the level 2 writing part of the test which is pretty good. But they have alot of work to do in passing their interview. They don't practice speaking enough, so well, its not so good. But I am crossing my fingers and working hard, I hope they all can pass but I am not sure. I was like the second to last teacher tonite, been leaving school around 8pm. Sure is tiring, but I enjoy the challenge.
Yeah ... alot of stuff going on and just not enough time, how am I gonna pass my Japanese test, I dont study, hahaha. Then I got grad school apps due in Jan. Oh my,too many things to do!
Yeah ... alot of stuff going on and just not enough time, how am I gonna pass my Japanese test, I dont study, hahaha. Then I got grad school apps due in Jan. Oh my,too many things to do!
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
BANANA DIET
Its all the rage in Japan, the banana diet. Damn TV show tells everyone and before you know it all the supermarkets are out of bananas, I ain't on no banana diet, I just like eating bananas, where are my bananas!!
NEW FRIEND
Mr. Rilakuma found a new home. Took a bit of work to get the big fellow, the UFO Catcher game isn't exactly the easiest thing, mmm .. think I spent like $30 bucks, damn those games, sucker me in!
WHITE PEPSI?
Was cruising through 7-11 the other day and low and behold a new drink! I can't resist the new drinks, gotta try em all, even if they are a bit wierd like this oh so yummy yogurt flavor Pepsi drink. Well it wasn't too bad, but don't I will buy it again.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
TODAY AT SCHOOL
Work been busy, making lessons everyday, seems like it never ends, its always in the back of my mind. So ya don't got much to talk about except school. But school is fun so its all good. Was tired last night so made lessons in the morning for 3rd period, lucky I got the textbook from last year. Too bad they didnt use last years ORAL communication book would have been a hell lot easier, because I gotta make everything from scratch this year. Anyways got through class today. Lunch time ran into Aki and some of the other 2nd grade girls. They said I looked slimmer than last year. Mmmm .. I don't think I got thinner, I think I am the same weight. The 3-4 kids were watching the Cultural Festival in the computer room, so I stopped by. I was playing on the chair when Yamashita threw me into a tornado, I fell of and landed on my hip, damn that hurt, I don't think I am as young as I used to be, gotta workout more. Speaking of working out, haven't been to the school gym or any gym for a long time, gotta hit the weights, I am losing my muscle! Taught the 3-4 class some slang, it was hard because it was like another foreign, foreign language, but I think it will be good as soon as they learn it, its very useful for their university test and whatever. Lastly Mr Munakata is a great guy, nice guy, always helping me, had to check out if the Michael Jackson Thriller bootleg was gonna work in class, so he helped me with the audio visual stuff. It was kinda dark, but it worked, mmm ... its great to have a guy like Mr. Munakata.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
ANOTHER DAY
Classes are getting a bit better, getting back into the swing of things. Been pumping some iron and playing with the bball kids, nice to get a little sweat going. When you are working not much time to be young and play anymore. Nice to escape the teachers room and hang out with the kids. Even taught the kids, "hang out" hope they use it. Anyways nothing beats a 5 minute commute on your bike to school. Take that carbon footprint. Living near work is one of the best things. Heck I live so close and I am still late to school, hahaha.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
LONG TIME NO SEE
Its been a long time since I blogged. Blogging is hard, cuz you gotta do it everyday, anyways. Today is a GREAT day!! Because its not HUMID and HOT. Yes, it was finally cool for once without sweating like a dog, mark this day in history, September 4th, I just hope it continues.
School was good had a fun time with the sports class as Mr. Harada stopped into to cover for Masuda sensei. Kids were attentive to Mr. Harada's baseball stories, but best of all they asked some funny questions in English. One of the students asked "Do you love your wife?", that alone was probably the best question yet, because it was more than one word.
Chatted with Tanaka, I thought her teacher gave her the paper for the makeup final, but um he didn't so luckily I talked to her myself. Either she memorizes the paragraph to pass class or she doesn't, I hope she can do it.
Kids are moody, I hate that, one of the nicest girls last girl sunddenly became a big bitch this year and won't even talk to me, dunno whats up with her, did I give her a bad grade or something? Maybe its a vengence against all teachers, anyways, whatever. Kids are wierd.
Then there is Youtube, currently watching "I Survived A Japanese Game Show". I am not sure what to say, maybe its um really really dumb, maybe this reality TV thing has gone a bit too far. Its just idiots moving to another country and filming it there. Oh my, maybe its because I live in Japan and I know the audience is not really like that, its like the audience is on crack or something, kinda leaves like a misleading cultural impression of what Japan is really like. And I watch Japanese TV everyday, I have never seen shows like this, if I do its rarely, its not a common thing. Oh well you know its where they can make money, dumb or not.
School was good had a fun time with the sports class as Mr. Harada stopped into to cover for Masuda sensei. Kids were attentive to Mr. Harada's baseball stories, but best of all they asked some funny questions in English. One of the students asked "Do you love your wife?", that alone was probably the best question yet, because it was more than one word.
Chatted with Tanaka, I thought her teacher gave her the paper for the makeup final, but um he didn't so luckily I talked to her myself. Either she memorizes the paragraph to pass class or she doesn't, I hope she can do it.
Kids are moody, I hate that, one of the nicest girls last girl sunddenly became a big bitch this year and won't even talk to me, dunno whats up with her, did I give her a bad grade or something? Maybe its a vengence against all teachers, anyways, whatever. Kids are wierd.
Then there is Youtube, currently watching "I Survived A Japanese Game Show". I am not sure what to say, maybe its um really really dumb, maybe this reality TV thing has gone a bit too far. Its just idiots moving to another country and filming it there. Oh my, maybe its because I live in Japan and I know the audience is not really like that, its like the audience is on crack or something, kinda leaves like a misleading cultural impression of what Japan is really like. And I watch Japanese TV everyday, I have never seen shows like this, if I do its rarely, its not a common thing. Oh well you know its where they can make money, dumb or not.
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