My apologies to my dedicated readers.
There's no excuse for my lack of posts except for the blatant admission of laziness. This summer is the 3rd summer I've experienced in Japan and it also happens to be the hottest of the 3. Naturally, such circumstances do not foster motivation for anything other than loafing around the house where there's A/C. Why I don't post pictures in the meantime? Perhaps I consider that "work" and since I am technically on summer vacation (though still required to go to school and explaining that system requires a separate blog post), I'd rather use my vacation for just that... a vacation.
But I am here, alive and well, and smothering in the heat.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
4 Years from Now
Wow. It just hit me.
The World Cup Soccer (Football) Tournament is this year. Do you know what this means?!
I am officially a has-been.
...
How did I come to that conclusion?
4 years ago, during the time of the previous World Cup, I was touring Europe with the HU Chorus. There were weeks of rain, international singing festival in Poland, the beauty of Dresden Germany, reuniting with college friends in Vicenza Italy, crepes in Lyon France, and a super long bus ride from Calais to Bristol.
My fleece pullover became my best friend because, unlike Arkansas, most of Europe is still pretty chilly in May and June. Close runner-ups were my Febreze fabric deodorizor and Shout Wipes. Remember those hideous asparagus outfits? Yikes...
Most memorable are the other members of the Chorus and the generous people who hosted us on our tour. In Germany, I seemed to bump into a lot of people who knew me as a child or knew my family. In Croatia, I learned a valuable lesson in friendship. In France, I fell in love with white peaches.
That was 4 years ago.
Now, I am teaching English at a high school in Japan.
I have been so blessed and priveleged to have so many experiences young in life. I hope that 4 years from now, I am still as adventurous and appreciative of the world and the people who make my life amazing.
Where will I be 4 years from now?
The World Cup Soccer (Football) Tournament is this year. Do you know what this means?!
I am officially a has-been.
...
How did I come to that conclusion?
4 years ago, during the time of the previous World Cup, I was touring Europe with the HU Chorus. There were weeks of rain, international singing festival in Poland, the beauty of Dresden Germany, reuniting with college friends in Vicenza Italy, crepes in Lyon France, and a super long bus ride from Calais to Bristol.
My fleece pullover became my best friend because, unlike Arkansas, most of Europe is still pretty chilly in May and June. Close runner-ups were my Febreze fabric deodorizor and Shout Wipes. Remember those hideous asparagus outfits? Yikes...
Most memorable are the other members of the Chorus and the generous people who hosted us on our tour. In Germany, I seemed to bump into a lot of people who knew me as a child or knew my family. In Croatia, I learned a valuable lesson in friendship. In France, I fell in love with white peaches.
That was 4 years ago.
Now, I am teaching English at a high school in Japan.
I have been so blessed and priveleged to have so many experiences young in life. I hope that 4 years from now, I am still as adventurous and appreciative of the world and the people who make my life amazing.
Where will I be 4 years from now?
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Long time, No Blog!
*wipes the dust from her keyboard and screen*
Hisashiburi, y'all! Wow. It has been awhile since I have posted here!
Since Korea, a new school year has kicked off. I have 241 new students and this batch seems a lot more eager and confident to volunteer in class. This makes it a lot easier on me especially since OC is all about communicating!
But the first semester is a bit odd. I can never get into a groove. School starts but I didn't see the first year students for a week. Then two weeks later, we had a week's-worth of holidays so I missed a class here and another one there. Next week, we'll have midterms and 3 weeks after that is our school culture festival. With so many hiccups, it's a bit difficult to settle into a routine. Also, since all my classes are on different lesson plans, I am having difficulty making a midterm that is challenging enough for the students who are ahead without being impossible for the students who are behind.
For general grown-up talk, I finished my taxes last night. HALLEJUAH! I am glad I get a 2 month auto-extension since I live overseas because all those calculations of deductions from yen-dollars was a pain.
In family news, my parents arrive in Japan tomorrow! My dad retired from teaching business/commercial law, international relations, and some economics courses so now both parents have the time for an extended visit. They will be in Japan until late June, but only with me for maybe 2 weeks of the time. This weekend, we will be attending the May Sumo Tournament and next week, we will travel to the Northern Coast of Japan to Kanazawa. Of course, they will stopover at my place for a few nights and meet Kiyomi. We're set to go out to my favorite yakitori shop.
Hisashiburi, y'all! Wow. It has been awhile since I have posted here!
Since Korea, a new school year has kicked off. I have 241 new students and this batch seems a lot more eager and confident to volunteer in class. This makes it a lot easier on me especially since OC is all about communicating!
But the first semester is a bit odd. I can never get into a groove. School starts but I didn't see the first year students for a week. Then two weeks later, we had a week's-worth of holidays so I missed a class here and another one there. Next week, we'll have midterms and 3 weeks after that is our school culture festival. With so many hiccups, it's a bit difficult to settle into a routine. Also, since all my classes are on different lesson plans, I am having difficulty making a midterm that is challenging enough for the students who are ahead without being impossible for the students who are behind.
For general grown-up talk, I finished my taxes last night. HALLEJUAH! I am glad I get a 2 month auto-extension since I live overseas because all those calculations of deductions from yen-dollars was a pain.
In family news, my parents arrive in Japan tomorrow! My dad retired from teaching business/commercial law, international relations, and some economics courses so now both parents have the time for an extended visit. They will be in Japan until late June, but only with me for maybe 2 weeks of the time. This weekend, we will be attending the May Sumo Tournament and next week, we will travel to the Northern Coast of Japan to Kanazawa. Of course, they will stopover at my place for a few nights and meet Kiyomi. We're set to go out to my favorite yakitori shop.
Monday, March 29, 2010
A short jaunt to South Korea
Now that schools are on spring holiday, I can travel too!
YES! Sensei is allowed to take time off! About time!!!
For 3 nights and 4 days, I explored Seoul with Kiyomi.
We ate, we shopped, we ate, we saw shows, and just to shake things up a bit, we ate some more.
You can view my Facebook album, Anyohaseyo, to view my adventures there.
By the way, Anyohaseyo means "hello" in Korean.
Kam-sa-ham-ni-dah!
Pork Style Korean BBQ
View of Downtown Seoul from our hotel
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Starting to Hate the System
He's been hacking for two days. And he won't go home.
Well, he could go home, but he'd have to take paid leave.
But he's obviously very sick. And staying here at work, in the staff room, means that he's just spreading his yuck with every coughing fit.
Spring vacation officially starts Friday night. I don't want to get sick before my trip to Korea, but I am already feeling the yuck attack my throat and creep into my sinuses.
So, Mr. Hack-Up-My-Lungs-Sensei, please go home.
Well, he could go home, but he'd have to take paid leave.
But he's obviously very sick. And staying here at work, in the staff room, means that he's just spreading his yuck with every coughing fit.
Spring vacation officially starts Friday night. I don't want to get sick before my trip to Korea, but I am already feeling the yuck attack my throat and creep into my sinuses.
So, Mr. Hack-Up-My-Lungs-Sensei, please go home.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Faculty Trip to Nara and Kyoto
This is mostly what I saw of Nara.
Stairs... upon stairs... and more stairs... oh! and in the rain too.
Stairs... upon stairs... and more stairs... oh! and in the rain too.
Hase-dera, the temple of stairs.
Park the bus in China, walk back to Japan, then climb a bajillion stairs to get to the temple.
Park the bus in China, walk back to Japan, then climb a bajillion stairs to get to the temple.
In Nara, we didn't go to any of the famous places, such as the largest/oldest wooden building in Japan, the Giant Buddha of Nara, or the park with all the deer.
So I will have to go back again on my own dime.
So I will have to go back again on my own dime.
In Kyoto, Kinkakuji!!!! A World Cultural Heritage Place.
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Olympic Party
Before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics, my friend Jessie hosted a slumber party!
And of course, what would be the appropriate Wii game to play?
Sonic vs Mario Olympic Games, of course!
Jennifer and Sally playing Table Tennis.
And of course, what would be the appropriate Wii game to play?
Sonic vs Mario Olympic Games, of course!
Jennifer and Sally playing Table Tennis.
Jeff, Ben, and Jennifer getting pretty serious...
... about rowing!
The combination of button-pressing must be correct AND at the same time that the controller and nunchuck are pulled towards the body.
The combination of button-pressing must be correct AND at the same time that the controller and nunchuck are pulled towards the body.
Yay for a slumber party!
Unfortunately, my battery died soon after this so I do not have photos (yet) of the delicious breakfast of pancakes and Opening Ceremony footage.
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