Monday
coffee. school. gym. dinner & wine.
Normal school day; worked in grade 3 classes and talked about robots.
Tuesday
coffee. school. rest.
Normal school day; worked in grade 3 classes and talked more about robots. The students even did a mock debate/discussion about robots in English. It was great to see them communicating their ideas and opinions with one another in English.
Wednesday
coffee. school. outside run. dinner & wine.
highlights of the day: talking to the students after their exams & decorating the English board.
Day 1 of Exams: I worked on projects for the upcoming International Day while students took exams.
Thursday
coffee. school. gym. dinner.
Day 2 of Exams: I worked on creating a workbook for the International Day event that will happen next week.
highlight of the day: talking to some of the staff members about "winter vacation" plans --- snowboarding in Hiroshima & golfing in Okinawa.
highlight of the day: saying "goodbye" to the grade 1 students after school. I stationed myself at the bike racks and said "goodbye" to as many of them as I could. Some of the students tell me the funniest things ... "Tuna, chicken of the sea." .... "Tomorrow, tomorrow [lyrics from Annie]" ... "Hey Mickey! I'm Minnie. Ok?!" ...
highlight of the day: Meeting another English speaker at the gym. They are originally from Singapore; were educated in the states; and have lived in Japan for 20+ years. They work in real estate, but started out as an ALT, just like me, many years ago.
Friday
coffee. school. dinner & netflix.
highlight of the day: having a conversation with a student about hair color --- light brown, brown, dark brown, black.
"What color hair is this? [points to my hair]
Yellow + brown = gold? This hair? What color?"
Day 3 of Exams: I finished making the materials for the International Day. I am happy with the way the worksheets and booklets turned out. They are materials I am proud of and would like to use again in the future. I'm really looking forward to International Day. I think it's going to be a great opportunity for the students to interact with foreigners from different countries, and put their English to practice. I can't wait!
Since I hadn't adventured lately, I woke up early on Saturday morning and took a train into Fukuoka. I had plans to see the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Race. I found about the race online and had even tried to purchase tickets beforehand. However, the website was in Japanese and I had a little trouble dispersing payment and pickup instructions. They said tickets would be available at the event on a first come first serve basis. I decided to take my chances and just buy a ticket once I got there.
The train ride from Orio to Hakata Station was enjoyable, but a little crowded. I did eventually end up getting a seat about half way through. During the ride I had my headphones in and Spotify playing. I follow the Coffee Table Jazz playlist and it tends to be the perfect commuter soundtrack.
[Orio Station]
When I arrived to Hakata Station I was immediately filled with Christmas spirit. The store fronts had already begun to decorate with garland, ornaments, Christmas trees, and Santa. It was such a nice surprise.
I love the holiday season and was a little worried that I would be missing out on a lot of the traditions I normally would experience. But that's not the case. I m happy to report that there will be Christmas here in Japan. And honestly, their Christmas is pretty great.
Hakata Station set up a Christmas Market that will be held through Christmas Day. There are small artisian vendors and a multitude of food & beverage ones. Since I have upcoming events to attend in Hakata and will be coming back, I didn't partake in the vendors. However, there is one that serves hot wine and I cannot wait to try it!
After browsing around and looking at Christmas decorations, I made my way to Uniqlo. Uniqlo recently launched their HEATTECH line and I have been wanting to try a few pieces. The clothes are designed to keep you warm by retaining heat, among other things. I bought a pair of cream HEATTECH joggers and a base layer neutral turtle neck. There was so much more that I wanted to buy, but I didn't want to have to take it back on the train with me. And since there is a Uniqlo in my town I knew I could pick up the pieces later.
After Uniqlo, I took the subway to Ohorikoen (Ohori park) where I visited Starbucks. I had been wanting to see the new holiday cups.
[Having signs in English and Japanese is extremely helpful.]
[A typical train station map.]
[Ohorikoen Starbucks, Fukuoka, Japan]
From Starbucks I walked to the beach where the LV America's Cup Race was being held. I was able to purchase a ticket and make my way onto the event grounds. The Event Village was awesome. There were was so much to do an see ... driving a sail boat simulation; Pepper the SoftBank robot; Google; Moet; the Red Bull viewing area; and a line of food trucks that had one selling cup of noodle. It was great!
[Pepper, SoftBank Robot]
I walked around for about an hour and found a spot to watch the race on the big screen. I could see the boats in the water, but the aerial coverage that the helicopter was projecting was neat to see on the screen. I'm happy to say that America, sponsored by ORACLE, won during the race that I was watching. But, the U.K., sponsored by Land Rover, won the whole thing.
[Hilton Hotel, Fukuoka]
[Fukuoka, Japan]
On my way back to Hakata Station I stumbled onto temple grounds. It was an unexpected surprise and I enjoyed looking around. It was peaceful and re-centering.
"One life, one encounter." -- Japanese Proverb I read while exploring a bookstore in AMU Plaza at Hakata Station. This proverb reminds me to be present for all things. Everything only happens once.
Sunday
I spent the morning cleaning, organizing, and catching up. I was able to Facetime with my brother and then with my best friend, Katie Scott. I hadn't talked with her since my vacation stateside. We had so much to talk about!
I was unable to go to my Japanese lessons this afternoon because I was being taken to a garden party event. The event was hosted by a French woman and her Japanese husband at their house, not far from my apartment. The event consisted of an interpretive dance, music, and poetry reading. It was a beautiful a event and we all left feeling more cultured. I met some JET ALT's at the event and had a nice time talking with them and hearing about their school life experience. We had quite a bit in common and plenty to talk about.
After the event I came back to my apartment, cooked dinner, blogged, and prepared for the work week. I also played an episode of "Billions" that is streamed on Netflix. It's my show of the moment.
Although, I am anxiously awaiting Friday, November 25th, and the release of the Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
E.E. Cummings
[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
