End of August

I returned back to Japan last Thursday from Thailand.  We had Open Campus on Friday and Saturday.  We had a full room in the morning sessions, and less people in the afternoon sessions.  I spoke to about 10 prospective students last weekend.

This past week I was fortunate to go to Kamakura to see the Daibutsu (Big Buddha) and have green tea in a bamboo forest.  It was nice to get to see these sites and experience more of Japan.  I also went to see himawari (sunflower) in Saitama.  It was a big field of sunflowers, and I picked two to take home with me.  I also had ichigo (strawberry) shaved ice.  It was a nice treat since it was very hot that day.  We saw many people dressed up to take pictures with the himawari.  When I say dressed up, they were wearing costumes, and had wigs, and lots of make up.  Maybe it is a thing to do to get professional cosplay photos in a field of sunflowers??? hmmm...

Last night I went to the gym for the first time in Japan.  Sadly, I had my wallet stolen.  Yes, stolen!  I had it in my purse, and it wasn't there after I showered... I did not lock it because I was taking a quick shower.  I didn't realize that it was missing until I was at the grocery store buying groceries.  My wallet wasn't there!  I spent about 3 hours at the Koban and back at PiKOA to figure out this mess... Whoever stole it used my credit card at Yaoko Marketplace 3 times in one night!!! This person spent more than 300USD there.  Unbelievable... I called and cancelled my cards this morning before the 3 hour investigation and reporting at the Police Station.  A lady showed up to the Koban and we went to the gym, and she took pictures and measurements of the locker.  I had to stand and point to where my purse was in the locker.  It was a unique experience.  We went back to the Koban and she took my fingerprints and said she would call if they find anything...

I have my old wallet, and it's pretty much empty!  I had my residence card, insurance card, TIU ID card, credit card, debit cards, and more in the stolen wallet... I hope it shows up!!!

  

Summer Break 2013

Summer break has begun!

My summer consists of random days of work with mini vacations in between. For example, the last day of classes were on July 22, and I had work from July 26-28. So I went to the Japan Alps from July 23-25. I also had work on August 4, so I didn't have much time to go on another trip in Japan.  I stayed around town and prepared for my trip to Thailand! !   Now I am in Thailand until August 21.  Yes, I have work on August 23 & 24.  These random days I have work are called Open Campus.  These days we meet prospective high school students and talk about the university and our classes.  It's actually quite fun to meet these students.  The Open Campus after the ones in August is September 7!  I'll have about 13 days free to do some work and visit friends in Japan.  Maybe I'll even go travel around Tokyo and Kansai region of Japan. We'll see... right now I'm in Thailand, and I'm enjoying every moment of this vacation.  This past semester had its challenges, and I am grateful to have persevered through it.  Somehow it happened... at moments I wasn't sure if I could do it... Cheers to the summer!

surprising news

I guess I didn't comprehend the email completely!  It mentioned cuts and reduction in staff, but I thought they were combining job duties or something!  They couldn't possibly cut three positions at the Salem campus, could they? !  I guess so... I'm very surprised. There is a lot of expansion and investment here with the new program. I thought for sure things were going well in all other areas of the university....

Another surprise today was... vegetables in a box!  What a lovely surprise. A friend in Japan sent this box of goodies to LeeAnn's apartment, and it was filled with produce from or friend's dad's garden!  Amazing!  How do you send a box of produce? I am amazed!

Spring Semester... Completeddddd

TGIF?

No, not quite. It is Monday, but it was the last day of classes for the GTI program! What an incredibly challenging and enjoyable semester it was.... AND we survived together!

I am looking forward to next semester. I plan to improve my teaching skills to help my students do better.  My first full semester done.  I am proud of all my students and the efforts that they have put into the school year... Also, whatever situation one may go through life goes on through the ups and downs... Keep on going with all that life has for us. Follow your dreams!

Thank you... Yashi, Yuki, Saki, Junta, Masaya, Mizuki, Miki, Yukiji, Mayu, Azuki, Ai, Emiri, Sucre, Sasuke, Yusuke, Susumu, Keiichiro, Yuuhei, Yuto, Takeru, Ikumi, Yuto M., Densol, Izumi, Daisuke, Rina, Sachie, Satomi, Mai T., Minami, Nao S., Nao K., Kento, Arisa, Ryo, Akihito, Mai F., Miyu, Ayumi, Rena, Kohei, Yuta.

English Plaza Extravaganza

This didn't post when I originally created the post. BUT it's okay! This was two weeks ago when the new GTFs came to visit. woohoo!!

EC Finals... Check!

 Section 3 - Happiness after finishing their Final Exam for English Comprehension!  Thank you for bringing some snacks to share with the class!!!

Section 15 - Snack party time after their Final Exam.  :]  Thank you to those who brought some snacks to share!   It made my watermelon, bread and cookies seem so minuscule to the amount of snacks my students brought.  

I tried some new Japanese snacks! I brought some snacks for my students, and some of them contributed to the food pile.  I also made some "Class Awards" for my students on a card stock paper with their name, section, award, and my hanko stamp.  I think that my students are connected and are supportive of each other. It was a challenging semester, and... We survived the first semester!!! :]  Many things to look forward to for next semester. {inshallah}

I hope you all have a great summer vacation, and I hope to see you in the Fall starting in September!!! 

ありがとう

Thank you~

6 days left.

Today I went to a church service in Japanese!  I didn't know exactly what was happening, but I think I got the gist of it. There was a bento lunch after service, and then we (Christine & I) walked back to the station in the nice humid weather. The people were very nice and welcoming. It was quite a learning experience to be around Japanese people at a Christian church.

Yesterday, I went to the BIGGEST mall that I have ever been to in my life.  It was three malls combined into one shopping mall.  http://www.aeon-laketown.jp/ It was surprising how many people and how many stores there were in this shopping area.  Everyone was shopping shopping shopping and there were so many people there that filled up the walkways! It was nice to be in the AC, but the store clerks shouting "いらっしゃいませ!" took its toll after a while.

Well, the final week of classes are HERE! WOW. WOW. WOW. Final exams here we go!!!