Fishing in Yatsushiro

Seeing as Dawn’s dad is a fisherman Dawn wanted to take him fishing and after researching we found a trip that wasn’t exactly fishing but would get him out on to the ocean.

We had a fun ride on the boat and watched as all manner of things were pulled up in the nets. We were then taken to an uninhabited island where our hosts prepared a huge meal for us including sushi, crab, fried prawns, octopus and more!

SHS Culture Festival

Today was the final day of my school’s culture festival.

I love things like this as it gives me a chance to see the kids outside a classroom, find out what they are into and see another side of their personalities

I was blown away by the talent of some of these kids and I wanted to write about all of the things it would take forever so to see more go to my pics.

http://public.fotki.com/supergenki/september-2007/school-culture-festival/

Here is just a taste of what some of them can do:

Dawn’s parents have just arrived and are staying in Kumamoto for 2 weeks. It’s their first time to Japan so I am excited to help show them around!

A Japanese Day!

I love it when the national holidays fall on a Monday!

After having lunch downtown, Aska and I treated ourselves to an hour at the onsen. For those who haven’t been following from the start onsens are hot spring baths The Japanese people just love to get naked together in a big bath tub and I have been converted too.

The best one downtown is on the 11th floor of a pachinko parlour which, when your bathing outside, gives great views of the city and the castle.

After lunch we treated ourselves to a Tapiking and did purikura. Purikura are small sticky photos that you decorate using a machine. Again I’m hooked!

これは　ぷりくら　です！　私は　ぷりくら　が　大好き　です！

A quiet birthday!

Today was Dawn’s birthday as seeing as she isn’t one for birthday attention we just took a quiet road trip with Aska to Kikuchi Gorge.

Quote from a Kyushu guide book “Some say it’s the most beautiful gorge in Japan, and it just may be. Surrounded by a forest of maple, oak and chinquapin trees, the valleys display spectacular sights and a breathtaking line of waterfalls”.

A bad day then for mine and Aska’s camera to fail on us! It was beautiful though and we’re planning to go back and see the autumn leaves.

After lunch we decided to brave the water and take a swim. Although the weather has been warm the water was freezing and the locals thought we were crazy.

Kikuchi is definitely on my list of places to return to!

Congratulations Emma!

One of my oldest friends got married today and I wasn’t there : (

I was so glad I could go to Emma’s hen night over the summer but I was very sad today because I knew I was missing her big day.

I tried frantically to call her before the service but (as I expected) everyone’s phone was off. I don’t blame them as I can imagine the day was stressful enough without strange phone calls.

Dad took his phone to the service and as soon as she came out of the church I called her to say congratulations. She sounded so happy and I cried as soon as I heard her voice.



I had to laugh though when she said “you made my day”. It’s your wedding day you muppet how can one call make a difference.

Congratulations again Emma – can’t wait to see you!

Aussie Aussie Aussie

My school has connections with a high school in Australia – I was so excited when I found this out as Australia is still on my “to do” list.

I was a little disappointed to hear that my students already visited Australia during the summer but today we were returning the favour and the Aussies came to see us!

I’m sure it was strange for the other Japanese students to see a group of kids that looked so different. They had dyed hair, makeup, jewellery and although they were wearing a uniform it was only a t-shirt (they were free to wear whatever they wanted on the bottom).

They were a great bunch and we gave them a little taste of Japanese school life. They tried Japanese tea, ate lunch with the kids, cleaned the school and then had a go at Japanese calligraphy. After lunch we also had an international party and a good time was had by all.

As soon as the students had gone home and the Aussie kids were all with their home stay families; the adults went out for a night on the town and the real party began.

A Noisy Day!

It is Monday, 10am and I am off to bed. The noise outside my apartment is unbelievable as today is the Drunken Horse Festival.

This wonderful festival starts in my town at around 5am and continues until about 8pm. Around 60 groups of people parade around the city making as much noise as they can while getting drunk. Oh, and there is a huge horse at the front of each crowd too which has also been given alcohol so it really is a fun time for all.

According to my teachers a lot of people don’t like it and see it as cruel now but the crowds were still out in force. Seeing as our city’s specialty is raw horse meat I am told that the horses are killed after the parade anyway but I’m not too sure about that……

It was fun in my first year but now I’m over it and I’m going to bed because I haven’t slept yet. A group of us pulled an all-nighter in Fukuoka and caught the first bus back at 6am. We danced and drank the night away and now we’re ready to sleep. おやすみなさい

Welcome Thomas

This is Minika’s friend Thomas from SF and in order to give him a proper welcome we all headed out to karaoke. He was my best friend before he’d even arrived as he bought me a big bag of Reese’s peanut butter cups and a big bag of marshmallows and Graeme crackers so we can make smores.

NB – smores are apparently an American thing where they roast marshmallows and then put them between 2 crackers with some chocolate. They rave about them and can’t believe I’ve never had one so Minika told Thomas to bring the supplies!

おめでとう ございます！

Two weeks before I came to Japan I attended my graduation ceremony at Aberystwyth University. It was a fantastic day and I have many fond memories of family and friends being around me as we celebrated our success.

Unfortunately for one of our newbies this year, she left a month before her ceremony. Knowing she was feeling down and out we all took her out for dinner and Dawn and I frantically set to work in Starbucks to make her a hat and kit-kat lei.

Needless to say she loved them – CONGRATULATIONS KITTIE-CHAN!

Slow Change

Natsume Soseki 1867-1916 is widely considered to be the foremost Japanese novelist of the Meiji Era (1868-1912).

He began studying English feeling that it might prove useful to him in his future career In 1900, the Japanese government sent Sōseki to study in Great Britain
On his life in the UK he said

“The two years I spent in London were the most unpleasant years in my life. Among English gentlemen I lived in misery, like a poor dog that had strayed among a pack of wolves.”

On the Japanese people’s ability to speak English he said

“The Japanese can read difficult books and know difficult words but the ear and the mouth are far behind.”

I find it quite sad that although these problems were seen 100 years ago, little has been done to resolve them.

Fire! Earthquake! Help!

Today I got to spend the day with my host family. It seems so long since I've seen them. They are always busy (me too) and we just never seem to be free the same weekends.

Anyway, today we finally sorted it out and went to their elementary school for a whole day of emergency madness. The fire engines, paramedics, extiguishers, cranes and even an earthquake simulator were on hand to ensure the day was one big ride!

The great thing about today was seeing the whole family again. I stayed with them just over two years ago and the girls have grown up so much. The oldest now speaks amazing English and is looking into her university options. Even the youngest has grown up so much ans is nearly as tall as her mum - where does the time go?

The First Week

This is my new school – Hitsuyukan High School. They have just finished the building so I now work at one of the most modern schools in the city.

My first week has been wonderful. Here are the highlights of my school week

* The staff room is so big they have to use a microphone for the morning meetings
* Alastair left me a sweet note on my desk which was a nice welcome – now I just have to sort through the mound of materials he left for me – I feel lots of Monika moments coming on.
* There are 2 exchange students at the school from American and Canada
* My teachers are so nice and there is an older teacher who is basically a mother to everyone. She has already given me fruits, vegetables and yoghurt!
* I can order a packed lunch for just 1.50
* My classes have gone really well and there have only been a few really shy kids who didn’t want to speak.
* I have met students I taught over the last 2 years at junior high school. They screamed and giggled when they saw me! (in a good way)
* My teachers have commented they like my approach to classes and that I am good at adapting a lesson to suit different classes!
* Having my first party with the second grade teachers tonight. They tried to set me up with the art teacher! It was such a laugh and I got to talk to so many people – hooray!

I am so tired this week but I expect my adrenaline has been rushing because I have been so excited! Mum and dad have also booked their flight to visit me next May. Dad found a good deal and booked in straightaway. I am excited they are coming again – but now I have to plan the trip!

Oita Waterslides

Yesterday, after a sleepy start, Dawn, Minika and I loaded the car and drove to the Oita Waterslides. There is a large waterfall and over time as the water has eroded the rocks they have become smooth. It is now a famous site and people come in the summer to slide down the rocks.

It was more dangerous than I thought and so I didn’t even attempt the big slope. Lots of people had injuries and I didn’t fancy getting hurt! Aska, Dawn and I did brave the baby one though!

After a sleepy start today I had to get dressed in my finestyukatta and celebrate the one year anniversary of my Japanese school. Happy Birthday Hana!

This is my teacher Sakamoto Sensei! The photo was taken a while a go and karaoke and no doubt we’ve both drunk too much!