So while its supposed to have been the rainy season now for something like two weeks, today is the first day that I think actually qualifies as such.  It`s humid and grey and generally oppressive.  I feel like I need a shower or perhaps a soak in a cool tub.  Oh Japanese summer, I had almost forgotten about you... I was almost happy again ( Read more... )

So its been a while since I`ve last updated.  My apologies to any who actually read this.

The biggest news in my life recently has been the shuffling around of the JET program for the next term.  As many of you may know, I currently teach at two different high school here in Iwate Prefecture.  My base school is Morioka Minami (essentially Morioka ( Read more... )

On the one hand, I hate windy days like today. Especially windy days like today. The breeze begins coming down from the north, a wild gusty thing that adds minutes to my normal dash to school. It makes the usually quick and painless bike slower and actual work. Then, sitting in the Teachers’ Room or standing in class, the brilliant blue skies and ( Read more... )

 So I've been home sick these past two days.  A welcome break, even if it means I've been sniffling and coughing all day.  I ended up getting a lot of busy chore-type work done around the aparment, dishes, straightening out the balconey, cleaning my room, again, etc.  The weather's been beautiful and just chillin has done me a world of good.  Now ( Read more... )

So today I climbed a moutain with my first years.  It was their class trip, and I got to tag along, as I'm considered a first year teacher now.  The hike up Mt. Azumane took a bit over two hours, and the hike back down about the same.  At one point I ended up leading a string of squeely girls down through the slick muddy trail, listening to them ( Read more... )

So I`m back to my normal self, which is what usually happens.  Now I`m running through lists of stuff in my head to pack.  I`ve a big pile of clothes and the like to stuff into my rucksack, as well as some travel toiletries, though I think I`ll end up just buying shampoo and soap when I finally get there.  Less weight to carry onto the plane.

I`m ( Read more... )

 It's odd.  Today I could feel the exact point where my euphoria/happiness broke.  One moment my mind was running a thousand miles an hour, full of random flashes of stuff.  The next it all vanished, like dust or a candle flame.  The opposite of someone snapping a glowstick for light ( Read more... )

 As I`ve been catching up on writing and updating everywhere else I guess I`ll follow through here as well ( Read more... )

Its been a bit since I last updated... but you haven't missed much.  Work has been, well... not work.  I've spent most of my days on facebook or with my DS or practicing my flutes or walking around or reading.  I never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually looking forward to classes starting again so I'll have something to occupy my time.  I got a ( Read more... )

Ammonites are quite interesting.  At least, the idea of an ammonite.  I wonder, sometimes, what I would be doing now if my childhood vocation of paleontologist had continued to hold sway.  I mean, when I was a kid my fascination with dinosaurs was second to none.  Watched every show on the subject, read every kids book I could find about them.  I ( Read more... )