Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Year in Numbers
As I prepare to leave there are a few good-bye parties and ceremonies at which I'm supposed to feel sad about leaving and say that I had a wonderful time and that I will miss it so much. I don't think I'm doing a very good job because my automatic response to the idea of leaving is a big smile with excitement and relief behind it.
This has been a difficult year for me, but I made it through!
Here are some numbers to sum it up:
I taught 181 self introduction lessons.
I taught about 2700 students at 9 elementary schools.
I taught about 1200 students at 3 junior high schools.
I taught about 100 adults in 5 conversation classes.
I taught at 4 community events.
I taught at 2 kindergarten schools.
I taught an average of 3 classes per day.
I worked with 12 Japanese Teachers of English.
I worked with about 270 Elementary School Teachers.
I had 12 house guests.
I went to Tokyo 4 times (and will go once more before I leave).
I went to Hiroshima once.
I stayed in 2 hostels.
I went salsa dancing 4 times.
I stayed out all night once.
I went to vegetarian restaurants an average of once a week.
I have read 37 books.
I have followed 5 American TV shows.
And I have spent countless hours in front of my computer communicating with friends and family (skype saved me)!
I've missed you and I'll see you soon!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
A Snowy Spring
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Get In The House
First, my building from the outside, I live on the second floor.
Here's a rough layout for reference.The front door is in the kitchen.
There are two rooms, but the sliding doors between them open all the way. This is my living space.
This is what it looks like at night. I sleep in a traditional Japanese futon, which is nothing like futons in the States! It's basically thick blankets that you put in the closet during the day (theoretically).And this is what it looks like in the winter. There is an electric heater attached to the underside of the table. It so toasty warm under there!
This is looking back at the middle room.I have a small balcony where the washing machine is, and I hang my clothes to dry out there. There is a grocery store right behing my building. Here's the view.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Get Out The House
I'll still be writing on here about my experience living and working in Japan, but I'll be putting sight seeing and other outings on there instead. Enjoy!
Get Out The House
Back to School
On the left there are current 10-day forecasts for Seattle and Kyoto. The weather signs are cut from construction paper.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Lunchtime
A few students go pick up everything they will need for lunch. The other students rearrange the desks into groups or, in this class, into a strange formation that was difficult to navigate.
After eating they put their empty dishes back in the crates and head back out the sink to brush their teeth. Then they take everything back.