Had a great time in Nagasaki - had no idea it was such an international city until I started researching it a few days before going there. It was the main - and from 1641-1859 (that’s over 200 years!!) the ONLY - connection with the outside world. The primary outside influences were the Chinese, Portuguese, and Dutch ( Read more... )

Did not have school on Thursday or Friday (9/23 & 24) so a few of us decided to take advantage and explore Kyushu a little more. Vicky (JET from Scotland), Nadia (JET from London) and I spent the weekend in Miyazaki which is on the eastern side of Kyushu and borders the Pacific Ocean. The area is semi-tropical and a mecca for surfers and golfers ( Read more... )

Info coming soon!

PHOTOS: http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAN2TNu4asWT6I

Had a lot of fun in Matsubase over the weekend. Went bowling, to a Jamaican restaurant, then to karaoke.

Here are PHOTOS! http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAN2TNu4asWT4A

Last weekend a bunch of us caravaned about 3 hours south of Kumamoto City to the Amakusa islands for a big beach party. Amakusa has some of the most beautiful beaches on Kyushu. Spent all day Saturday swimming in the river under a waterfall, then at night had a bbq and even had a DJ brought in. We slept in really nice bungalows in the woods ( Read more... )

Yesterday (September 1) was the Opening Ceremony for the second semester of school (the school year in Japan starts in April). I had to give a speech to 1200 students, luckily in English. Sounds like many of the JETs were asked to do their speeches in Japanese, even if they didn't speak the language. The opening ceremony was held in the school ( Read more... )

Work was canceled today because a big typhoon is blowing through the area. It's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be, though. It's definitely extremely windy and my sliding glass doors are constantly rattling, but that's about it. I think the typhoon took a more eastern turn than expected, which is why it wasn't as bad in my city. Luckily ( Read more... )

PHOTOS of weekend: http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAN2TNu4asWTpARead more... )

PHOTOS of the salsa festival: http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAN2TNu4asWTn4Read more... )

Finally have gotten around to setting up my journal!!! Have the afternoon off and I don't have Internet access at home, so...must do actual entries another day. Off to find a place to fill my bike tire with air...