Merry Christmas!

Late Merry Christmas everyone! It was very nice here in Japan. It definitely was different this year. The Christmas music has stopped instantly. That was kinda nice. I hope everyone got what they wanted for the holidays. Next up...New Year's! Sorry to cut this short, but I have to go to work...will write more later!

Almost Christmas

I can't believe Christmas is around the corner. Where did this year go? It flew by! I hope there is winter weather back in Columbus and Oil City, my 2 hometowns. It was very nice seeing the family last night for an hour. I was so happy I could see everyone open their gifts. It was perfect seeing Shaun playing with the bullet train I got him. He loved it and my work is done! And Alyssa was so excited about the books and DVDs I got her! Yay! I got Jason a very stylish hat and lots of "snack" food from Japan. Hiroko received a ton of Japanese books. Everyone seemed pleased with their gifts.

Tomorrow I am having a late lunch, early dinner, with my friends from training. It will be a pot luck style and I am looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to Winter Break. I need to re-energize! I have felt so tired the past week. I can't wait for some good rest!

Everyone enjoy the holiday festivities! I wish I could be there for the parties. OH! I made a ton of Buckeye candies today. It felt like home that way. It was nice. Eat, drink and be merry! It IS Christmas. Love to all!

Whoa....

I am so tired right now! I had a busy day today. I went to Ueno and saw tons of foreigners! It was really weird. I saw way too many of them! I am now definitely used to being the only foreigner. Tomorrow is going to be another busy day. I am going to get my re-entry permit tomorrow...if all goes well! I am planning on going to Hong Kong with a friend in January, so I need the re-entry permit. I will only be in Hong Kong for a couple of days. I am going to see Keisuke at the end of the month! It will be great to see him and his family. I have a Winter Break from December 28th to January 5th. I am going to be busy the whole vacation. After Keisuke, it will be off to mama-san's house.

Oh yeah! It was really funny today when I was coming home on the train. There was this little old man, and he started talking to me in Japanese. He didn't know any English, so I had to use all Japanese...which was trying. But I did it. Well, I am gonna go to bed so I can wake up early and go to get my re-entry permit. Night all!

December....

Wow, I can't believe it's December already. Time has really flown here. I can't believe I have been here 8 months already. I recently started a new class at my school. It is an Intermediate level Discussion Class. I have 2 students in it already. We like to call it a Chat Class. It seems students are intimidated by the word discussion if they are not a high level. The first class was yesterday. We had a lot of fun, and I think that more students will flow into the class. It is held every 2 weeks to give the students time to prepare.

Oh, I can't wait for the New Year's Holiday. I need some time off from the school. That will make me feel re-energized. I also have taken over a class for another teacher because she started a new class as well. I really enjoy the students in that class, and it was the first time I met most of those students.

Hope all is well, I need to get going to work.