I was fortunate to attend the 人間将棋祭りNingen Shogi Matsuri, or literally translated as human Japanese Chess festival, in 天度Tendo with a neighbor. At this time, the cherry blossoms in the area were just starting to bloom.


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Before I left Japan, I attended one the largest drinking parties that I will probably ever attend (until next year), my 9th graders graduation party for the teachers and parents. I've never experienced, let alone see, such a celebration between teachers and parents. It was amazing, endearing, and so much fun since it would be the first time that ( Read more... )

I was debating whether or not to post this, but it's probably my favorite piece of writing that I have written so far ( Read more... )

3/18, 22:30 (GMT+9:00) Tokyo, waiting for night bus to Tokyo ( Read more... )

The other day, I spent some time with a friend in 山形市 (Yamagata-shi Yamagata City). We walked around 七日町 (Nanoka-machi 7th Day Town) and had nice conversations about friends, our lives, our dreams, the differences between America and Japan, and of course, English. This meeting felt nostalgic actually. It reminded me of the times I’ve spent with ( Read more... )

I left my house today with about 2万5千円 (25,000円) in my wallet. For reference, the current rate of exchange is 116.38 Yen = 1 USD. Went to the ATM and withdrew 7万円 (70,000円). Wow, I didn't think much of it then when I withdrew that amount of money. But now, that's quite a bit of money I took out without much sweat. =p Rouding up, since I had ( Read more... )

As I was putting on my inner shoes at the entrance of the Junior High Schools, one of the teachers tells me that she read an article on me in the newspaper. What! I'm in the paper now too!! Actually, I knew the article was coming but I didn't know when it was going to be printed. So in back to back days, I was on televsion and in the paper. ( Read more... )

During our monthly Board of Education meeting, the supervisor at the Branch Office tells me he saw me on T.V. I paused for a second. "I WAS ON T.V.!!!" If I had known, I would of taped it. I'm that much closer getting to Rock Star status here in Japan. =p

Peace , <3 , &  幸せ

There are times in the day when I have to stop, think for a second, and say to myself, "I can't believe I'm in Japan."

I had just woken up and again the thought entered into my mind. Maybe I'm just dreaming. And if I am, from the moment I wake-up, I will be able to say that I had the most wonderful dream one can ever have.

Peace , <3 , & 幸せ( ( Read more... )

My first trip of the New Year was to 函館 (Hakodate) in 北海道 (Hokkaido). The trip was planned by the town Board of Education as a means to “strengthen work relationships”. So, I figured that this trip would be like one of those retreats where we have meeting and discussions and so forth and have leisure time afterwards. Actually, the trip turned ( Read more... )