Spare time

In our spare time at Nagano Nishi High School, we like to play around. I think the teachers think Jay and I are a little bit crazy.
During the spring vacation Jay and I interview all the English teachers (12 of them) and them made a little profile of them to go on the English bulletin board outside the office. We included pictures of them, and also an anime character that fits their profile.
When the students pass the board, we hear plenty of giggles as the students read about their teachers. It was really interesting getting to know the teachers. I will definitely miss teaching with them, and having a laugh with Jay.

The picture above shows how many books we threw out when we had a spring clean... Thats only part of what we were throwing out. Still theres more in the office...

This is Yamato and I. He's the only boy in the selective English Oral Communication class of 13 students. They're all fantastic students. Great English, if only they weren't too shy. Here, Yamato and I are performing a skit. (I forgot my lines)

Spring time

Some of you have been wondering if I'm still alive, (thanks Alix, Ed) be sure to know that I am well. I have just been super duper busy lately. The new school year began April, and classes started mid April. Jay (the other AET at my school) and I have been super busy planning our English classes, be it Oral Communication, Current English, Global Educationa or Debate. On top of that, I have been thinking about what I have yet to do before I leave Japan, cherry blossom viewing, enjoying the spring weather, and also putting the monthly magazine together for the other AETs around the prefecture.
Here are pictures of cherry blossoms (sakura) at Zenkoji temple.

What else have I been upto? Oh yeah, I went to Kobe to see Paul. While in Kansai, I went to see Himeji Castle. In Kyoto I went to Fushimi Inari, Sanjusangendo and Ryoanji. Although it was really busy, because it was Golden Week (3 consecutive national holidays plus the weekend) we still had a great time. So much walking and, so many steps!!!

Click on the pictures to enlarge them... sorry.