Welcome (officially)

Well it’s official I am the new ALT at HItsuyukan High School.

I gave my welcome speech to all of the teachers today and even met a few students. I didn’t have much time to hang around afterwards as we had our final meeting at the BOE and received our contracts for the year. I’m also an official third year ALT now! The last two years went by so fast!

We also had the official Welcome Party for the new ALT’s tonight and I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did. As well as the free food, drink and good company we also had:

* a touching slideshow produced by Allen to show life as an ALT
* a Kendo performance

* a wonderful song from the Canadians

* YMCA courtesy of the Americans

and much more!

The usual madness ensued after the official party including a visit to Jeffs, the 7-11 store and, of course, karaoke!

The Young Ones

Ironically I start to get into the BOE activities just when summer draws to a close. Last summer seemed so long but I have been away on two camps and two weeks back home so it has flown by.

Yesterday we had a cooking class with 20 Japanese elementary school kids in the north of the city. I am going to miss the little ones. Yuji keeps reminding me (probably because he knows how much I love them) that I don’t get any elementary school visits when I work at high school. Well it’s a small price to pay and at least I don’t have to worry about sticky natto fingers anymore!

Tonight a group of us went to see Transformers. I wasn’t really interested in seeing it as I don’t really remember it from when I was younger. I was much more of a He-man and She-ra fan myself. However it was much better than I expected. It was actually quite funny and the effects were really cool. I’m just waiting for the 3-D version to be released!

La Luna!

I went to my new school today and it was so nice. The building is new, clean and has air conditioning! There are about 1000 students at the school and around 100 teachers and staff. The staff room is so big I am never going to remember everyone’s name.

I only had to drop by for a quick chat with a few of the English teachers and get the basic tour but they want me to come back on Friday to give a welcome speech to the teachers – ok getting nervous already!

Tonight was the lunar eclipse and it was visible from Japan. A few of us drove to the top of Kimpo-san (the highest mountain in the city) to get a good view.

It was eerie to see the moon a deep red colour but the best part was when the white started showing through. The clouds held off for most o the evening and while the rest of us tried frantically to take good shots with our ordinary cameras, Allen and his super, high-tech camera took shots like this…

* I’M STILL WAITING FOR ALLEN TO SEND ME THE PICTURES : ( *

Popcorn and Pills

After the madness of camp I just wanted to sleep again this weekend.

I am happy to report that my case is finally empty and stored away. The clothes are all washed and folded (but not yet ironed) and presents have been given out to all the right people!

On a rather random note, Americans do some crazy things with their food. I’m not quite sure why they put syrup and butter on pancakes or why everything has to come in peanut butter flavour but these can be overlooked. What can’t be overlooked is butter on popcorn – it’s just wrong! You put sugar or caramel on popcorn – you make it sweet!

Butter? NO! NO! NO! Crazy fools!

On another random not I learned a valuable lesson today. Taking four Tylenol is not a good idea. My weird elbow pains came back and seeing as the doctor told me to double up before I figured it would work again. I obviously did not have extra strength tablets before. Instead of an afternoon in town with Aska I had an appointment with unconsciousness.

Very sorry girlies as I know you were worried and spent the afternoon beating the hell out of my door – won’t do it again!

High School Camp

I am so excited about started at high school next month. I was excited before but I have just been on my first high school camp and now I really can’t wait.

The kids were brilliant. Not only did half of them speak amazing English but even the ones that didn’t tried so hard and helped each other out. The icing on the cake was the location………..

Here’s a run down of a great few days

* I got to meet 80 kids from Toryo High School and 8 other JET’s from outside the city

* Whilst giving our self introductions Ann explained to the kids that she was Taylor’s fiancée. It got such a good response that everyone who went after her decided to tell them the same thing. I went for the sympathy vote and told them I was sad because I wasn’t his fiancée – it worked a treat!

* I sat at the back of the bus and met Chika Chika Chika! That was how she introduced herself anyway. She was one of my favourite kids on camp.

* The first night the kids had to follow a trail around the camp. It was pitch black and they told the ALT’s to hide in bushes along the trail and scare the kids. Dawn and I felt sorry for them but that didn’t stop us.

* We had to be up at 6:30am every morning to bow to the flag

* I played English Jenga all morning with 15 year olds – they loved it

* In the afternoon I had to work with a group to make a skit. Some ALT’s had ideas and were telling the kids what to do but I thought I’d let them be creative. We have a Titanic meets Harry Potter meets boys dressed as girls love story but I’m sure it will be fine!

* Later in the afternoon we spent two hours playing in the sea – I love my job!

* Thursday night we had a concert as one of the ALT’s, Austin, is in a band. The kids went wild especially when the band was followed by Saleem who has amazing voice percussion skills.

* The concert finished on a high as one of the kids got up and sang ‘Girlfriend’ – I swear she was better than Avril! It was so nice to see Japanese kids letting go and being themselves. They don’t get much chance to do that at junior high and so I am looking forward to meeting a few more characters in high school.

* Today was the final day and the kids had to give their performance. My group didn’t win but they were great and they even sang the chorus to ‘My Heart Will Go On’. I think it deserved first place!

I hate flying....apparently!

Drama at an airport in Japan! Luckily everyone escaped.

I have just worked out that I have been on 12 flights this year.
Not bad for someone who hates flying!

Also took this pic in bangkok - scariest face I've seen on a plane safety leaflet!

New Phone

I have a new mobile phone! I’m not sure I’m going to like it as much as my first one but my bills will definitely be cheaper. I used to be on the AU network but so many of the other JET’s have Softbank and so I switched so I can get free calls.

I have deserted Minika and I’m sure she’ll never forgive me! On the other hand it is stylish, super thin, easy to use and has funky keys!

zzzzzzzzzzzz

It has been a very sleepy week….

I managed to sleep through most of the flight to Bangkok but when we landed Micchan was ill. We had planned to go and explore the city (as we had an 8 hour layover) but she was too sick so we ended up staying in the airport!

It was nice to get back to my nice, clean house but as soon as I was home I only had time for a quick shower and change as I had to go to work in the afternoon.

Since then my case has remained exactly where I left it and has only been opened to extract dirty washing and presents. It has been a busy week and I can’t face doing it yet.

Minika has been worse since we got back and she finally went to the hospital. She has tonsillitis – ouch. I feel bad – England made her sick! Get well soon Micchan.

A Close Shave

I planned to be up early and pack but that went out the window as I woke up at 10am. I thought packing was going to be the worst part of the day as I struggled to cram all of my stuff into my case……
Little did I know about what the world had planned for us!

When I booked the tickets for this trip I told my dad that Minika and I could catch the train back to London to save him driving. He said no of course and insisted it was no problem. We set out in plenty of time and giving ourselves two extra hours – just in case. It’s a good thing we did.
We hit ‘the worst traffic jam I have ever been in’ (quote from dad). We had no idea what was going on and the only thing anyone seemed to know was that the motorway was closed. I called Louisa for information and alternative directions (as we didn’t have a map in the car) and she came through for us!

We arrived at Heathrow just in time and as soon as our bags were checked in (hurrah it wasn’t overweight as they let us take 30kg) we just had time for a teary goodbye and we were off again!

It was great to

* take Minika home with me
* see Lou and Vikki again
* see Salle and go to Fi’s wedding
* eat so many good breakfasts
* finally meet Mich’s family
* BE HOME!

Emma's Hen Night

We had our final shopping trip today and I FINALLY found some black trousers that fit – HOORAH for good old Asda!

I was supposed to get the majority of my packing done this afternoon but I ended up sorting out my DVD’s, CD’s and pictures that I want to bring back to Japan!

Tonight was Emma’s hen night. I am so gutted I’m going to miss her wedding but was really excited when she told me she was going to have the hen party when I was home so that I could be there.A good time was had by all as we went to a Chinese restaurant before ending up in Burntwood’s one and only hell hole of a nightclub; 7’s. I think the bride to be had a good night as she confessed her love to us all over and over again as we carried her home

Carrington Cock-Up!

Lou left us today but we had no time to sulk as we had arranged to meet the family in Bewdley.

We arrived early so we gave Minika a brief tour and then headed to Teddy Grey’s sweetshop; the best shop in the whole town. We had arranged to meet everyone for dinner but in true Carrington style it was organized chaos.

We finally got ourselves sorted and enjoyed another good meal (everyone thought it was sweet that Minika had to take a picture of all the food). I also got to see Katy and she too has grown so much. She didn’t leave my side all evening and I ended up ordering things she liked so she could try a little.

It was nice to see everyone and after a great day I’m a little sad now as I realize the holiday is coming to an end.

Family Day

Lou and Micchan headed off to Liverpool today while I had a day at home with the folks. It was so nice to have a lazy start before doing more shopping and then coming home to open a bottle of wine and sit in the garden while dad fired up the BBQ.

We had a great dinner and as it started to get chilly dad did his old boy scout routine and tried to get a wood fire going. Actually I shouldn’t laugh as he did a good job in the end and we were all nice and warm.

After mum went to bed, dad and I did our usual routine of a few more drinks and a good old chat. For me, today was one of the best days of the trip!

Girl's Night Out

* After a sleepy start we headed home but we only had time to shower and change as we had arranged to meet Vikki in Birmingham for dinner and drinks.

* We met in a pub of course (I wonder if Micchan thinks all British people are raving alcoholics) before heading into the canal area to find a good place to eat.

We found this in the middle of the city which was a little surprising.....

….a beach in the centre of Birmingham?!?!?

We chose a French café/restaurant for dinner and I can actually say I felt very grown up sitting in a busy city centre catching up with friends from around the country while drinking wine and eating good food. I could’ve been in an episode of Sex and the City!

Back to Wales

* Micchan and I were back in Wales today as mum and dad had arranged a trip to Portmeirion.

* We had champagne and strawberries before getting dressed up and treating ourselves to a great lunch. I also got to see Mali and she is all grown up – last time I saw her she was about 7 months old!

* After lunch we headed back to Sandra’s where the drinking began. Before long it had been decided that we were staying over so dad could have a drink and enjoy himself

* Dad actually ended up taking the girls to the pub where Minika drank tea while the rest of us got drunk. We ended up playing pool, singing and dancing to the music blasting out of the jukebox.

A good time was had by all until we got home where a livid mother was waiting to tell us all off for being drunk and late – oops!

Christmas Day

Minika and I took our final cross country train ride from Cardiff to Lichfield. We can finally leave our cases somewhere for longer that one night and not have to worry about dragging them around with us!

Mum and dad were so happy to see us and announced that they had planned a Christmas Day for us seeing as I’ve been away from home for the last two. We went straight from the train station to the club for our pre-dinner drink. Little did we know a surprise was waiting for us! Louisa had arranged with my parents to come up early and when we walked in she was looking completely at home as if it were her own local – I had to laugh at her – thanks Lou!

It was just like Christmas but it was warm and sunny. There were decorations, presents, crackers, a turkey dinner, Christmas pudding and even Christmas music blasting from the CD player. In true Christmas fashion we stuffed ourselves, washed up, took a nap and then ate supper – the perfect Christmas day in August.

Fanny got MARRIED!

* It’s official – Minika can wrap presents better than me!

* I can’t believe that Fiona is getting married and Minika can’t believe that we all start drinking before the service.

* It was a wonderful service and Fiona looked beautiful. I was so happy for her and Mark. When I visited home last year he told me he was going to ask her and now they’re married!

This is one of my favourite pics of the day – I love you Fi!

* By 8pm Minika and I were exhausted as we have been on the go since we landed. We needed a pit stop and so took a little nap before returning to the party

* We returned just in time for the mad drunken dancing to start including all the cheesy golden oldies such as Black Lace. We moved and grooved with the best of them before returning to Salle’s room in time to order a chicken sandwich and watch Richard spill red wine all over the crisp white sheets – happy times!

The Tavern

* Mich gave us a tour of Pembroke’s most famous site – the castle

* After tea and cakes Minika and I were on another train to Cardiff. I have been spoiled by the Japanese public transport system which is super clean and runs on time. It wasn’t all bad though as Minika made a friend

* We were staying with Sally and she picked us up from the airport before cooking us a fantastic dinner of roast pork, potatoes and mixed veg. While the meat was cooking we had the chance to drink (yes I drank more cider), catch up and tell Minika all the things we used to get up to.

* It felt like the good old days (yes I’m so old) and they nothing some things never change which is why Salle was in charge of the cooking and I cleaned up – the perfect team!

Off to Pembroke

* After another English breakfast Minika and I hit the shops of Aber. OK so it may not be Oxford Street but I managed to find a half-price dress in Monsoon for Fiona’s wedding so I was happy.


* We met Mich at lunchtime and headed to (what used to be) the best Indian place in town. A lot changes in two years though and sadly it wasn’t the best anymore *sigh*


* After lunch I gave Minika a quick tour of the uni and then we were on our way to Mich’s house in Pembroke. She offered to put us up for the night and show us around Pembroke and I jumped at the chance as I have known her for 4 years and never met her family or visited her town.


Mich’s nephew is so cute – I am so broody!

* We ended up going out for dinner and a drive around Pembroke. I had to have Welsh lamb (I miss that so much too) and it was so good. Minika’s meal got the most stares though – just look at it!

Good Old Aber

* On the way to Aber I suddenly realized that the chances of their being a lift in the B&B I booked are virtually zero as all of the houses are so old. As luck would have it we were on the top floor!

* I’m sure Minika didn’t like having to haul her case up the stairs but she did love the old fashioned keys to our room! After showing her the seafront we went to Varsity for dinner. The onion rings are still the best as are the salads and chicken buckets!

* We met the gang a little later (good to see them and catch up) and I handed out my usual presents; the nastiest Japanese food I could find. Kev hates me (not really of course) I tried to make it up to him with Japanese cake but he didn’t like that either!

* We started our usual pub-crawl of Aber – one drink and then move on to the next place. Minika was very surprised that we did this as apparently a night out in San Fran usually means staying in the same place for most of the night. Maybe that’s why the Bits drink more; we spend time walking off the alcohol and making ourselves more thirsty??