Journal for 2005-1-28 and 31 Fri. and Mon. Weather: Cloudy Plan: Akagi JHS
<2005-1-28>
Today was interesting. I taught my favorite 9th grade master B class. We listened to REM's "Everybody Hurts" and talked about games. Ms. Kawashima and I taught the 7th graders alone today, since Ms. Suyama was busy for the first half of the class. I can teach those kids alone now, since I taught them alone in elementary school, but I might not be able to teach the 8th and 9th graders alone. Those kids would think my Japanese is too funny sounding.
<2005-1-31>
Today was fun. The Board of Education called in the morning. Starting from February, they want my articles in the "Iinan Communique" to start up again. I was really glad. February's theme is "Valentine's Day." Ms. Suyama was busy again today, so Ms. Kawashima and I taught the 8th graders alone. I couldn't believe it! I didn't have any problems while I was teaching. The kids even understood my Japanese.
Journal for 2005-1-27 Thu. Weather: Cloudy Plan: Akagi JHS
Today was a relaxing day. We did tongue twisters with the 8th graders. The students also taught me some Japanese tongue twisters. It was really fun. One was, "uraniwaniwaniwaniwaniwaniwaniwatorigairu." It has over 800 meanings, but basically it means something like "two birds and a chicken are in the back yard." We listened to "Piano Man" in the 9th grade master class. I really like Billy Joel's songs. The 9th graders hadn't heard of him. Afterwards, I worked on the JAGS budget. JAGS is an art show for foreign artists. I am the JAGS treasurer.
Journal for 2005-1-25 to 26 Tue. to Wed. Weather: Sunny/Cloudy Plan: Akana Ele./Akagi JHS
＜2005-1-25＞
The kids from Tani Elementary School studied with the kids from Akana Elementary today at Akana Ele. Starting in April, the kids from Tani will be going to Akana Ele. everyday because Tani will be closing because of the town merger. We made business cards in English with the 5th and 6ht graders. We played a shopping game with the 3rd and 4th graders. And with the 1st and 2nd graders we sung a song about numbers and played a number game. After school, I recorded an English Conversation TV Show. The theme was "Valentine's Day!"
＜2005-1-26＞
I had classes all day long today, from 1st period to 6th period. It was really busy. The only break I had was at lunch. I took the computer I used at the Board of Education to the JHS today. Now I can surf the Internet at work. That's all fine and dandy, but when I have access to the Internet, I find it hard to study Japanese. I think I might use the Internet too much...
Journal for 2004-1-21 and 24 Fri. and Mon. Weather: Cloudy then Sunny Plan: Oda Ele. / Akagi JHS / Tani Ele.
＜2005-1-21＞
Today was fun, I went to Oda Elementary School. It is really easy for me to teach at Oda Ele. All the teachers always have such good plans there. It is a small school, so everyone feels close. We sung a lot of songs today. The most popular one was "London Bridge." We also played the "London Bridge" game. In April, Oda Ele. is shutting it's doors for good because of the town merger. It really is sad.
＜2005-1-24＞
I felt busy all day today, but actually, I wasn't busy at all. My head was filled with all kinds of thoughts. I think I know the reason... I found out I didn't get the ALT PA position I was vying for. Someone else was chosen. So, today I sent in Form A-2 to the Iinan Board of Education indicating that I want to work in Iinan for another year. I like this town, but I did want that job. Oh well, what can you do? That means, If the Iinan Board of Education wants me for another year, I will be here in Iinan until Aug. 2006. Please don't abandon me, Iinan!
Journal for 2005-1-20 Thu. Weather: Snowy Plan: Akagi JHS
Today was a slow day. The 7th graders are always energetic. This week was the Shimane Prefecture JHS Ski Competition, so we reviewed the stuff the ski club kids missed out on this week. At the Ski Competition, our Akagi JHS boys got 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place! The 9th grade master class was fun. We talked about our favorite movies and books.
Welcome to the better late than never Trev Report! As some of you know, Signe and I went to the wonderful island country of Palau for winter vacation. I have been busy uploading my daily journal of the trip at http://jumex.blogspot.com/ or if you are a LiveJournal user http://trevmex.livejournal.com/ . We had a GREAT time, and if you want to read about it, it is all in the blog and I recommend you checking it out. And now onto the rest of the news!
Trev's Lovelife
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Signe and I are in love! Same as it ever was. She has been working on a kimono project recently for a contest at one of her favorite online kimono stores. She just finished it, and I will bet you anything that there will be pictures of her in it soon at http://www.signerose.org/ . Speaking of pictures, you can find a ton of pictures from our trip up at Signe's site as well. She did a great job of footnoting them, and if you have read my journal entries from the trip you will know when the pictures were taken as well. Signe is also getting ready for a trip back to America for her Grandma's 90th birthday. I can't go but I will be there in spirit.
Trev's Work
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Now that I am back to work I am getting back into the swing of things. Two weeks vacation make you never want to work again, but I am doing good now. I did have my big interview for the ALT PA position (see previous Trev Reports) in Matsue City next year. I was up against 2 other people, both of which are just as qualified as I am for the job. Although I would really like to get the position, I wouldn't be disappointed if either of the others got it either. I should find out the results in the next couple weeks, before I have to sign re-contracting papers if I don't get the position. Honestly, I wouldn't mind being here in Akagi (which is now Iinan, since the merger) for another year. I like the people here. It is a really good place to live. The only downer is that if Signe gets a job with the JET Programme, the likelihood of her being close to Iinan is doubtful. Another year apart, but we will manage.
Trev's Japanese
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The best part about vacationing in Palau (well not the best, but certainly a perk) was that there were a lot of Japanese people there to talk to. Unlike last year when I went to America and lost all my Japanese skills, I had some way to keep them up this time. Keeping a journal in Japanese everyday really helped a lot as well. When I returned to Japan I had little trouble at all going back to speaking the crappy 3rd grader-level Japanese I do so well. I have been doing this JET Programme Self Study Japanese Course as well. It is really helping me a lot and I am always learning new grammar and words from that as well. I still think it will be many years until I am at a level where I can work at a Japanese company, but I do feel that I am progressing...sometimes. Much like culture shock, language ability confidence comes and goes in an almost predictable cyclical pattern. In any case, I am feeling good now, and I just have to keep at it. I'll do my best!
Trev's Computers
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Besides the blog, mentioned above, I have been working on putting NetBSD on an old P150 laptop I got from the Board of Education when it moved in January. The stupid Ethernet PCMCIA card busted, so I have to get a new one, but besides that I think that it will work well. I am still having trouble getting X up on it though, but that is always the case. I always have trouble getting X up...no matter what.
Another project I took on is updating the webpage for the JAGS art committee at http://www.shimaneart.com/ . I haven't started on it. It is a nice looking site, so I intend to just maintain it with new information. I am glad to be getting involved with the JAGS committee. It has been too long since I have done any committee work. I love that kind of stuff.
Trev's Anime
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I haven't been watching much, but I have been reading Newtype, and with my recent subscription to Afternoon, http://www.afternoon.co.jp/ , I do get a dose of anime/manga goodness every now and again. I also just got all of the old series "The Mysterious Cities of Gold" on DVD from a fan in America at http://www.msu.edu/~skutt/mcog.html . This was my favorite cartoon when I was a child, and I am excited to watch it again. Signe said she would watch it with me, but we are still watching Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis right now, although we are almost caught up. (I can't believe that we have watched almost 8 seasons of SG-1 within a month).
If anyone has recommendations of anime I should watch, please let me know. I am so out of the loop, and I have been in the mod to watch something good recently.
Trev's Games
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I bought "Metroid: Zero Mission" and even though it is easy, as everyone says, I am still really enjoying it. I LOVED the original Metriod, and this is enough like it to remind me why I loved it so much. I am about halfway through "Golden Sun: The Lost Age" as well. That is a really great RPG for the GBA. I think I will get FF 1 and 2 next. I never played them as a kid (I played "Dragon Warrior" instead).
As for non-computer games, I got "Once Upon A Time" for Christmas from my Dad (mentioned last Trev Report). It is really fun to play with other people, especially Matt, the ALT in Kakeya, a nearby town. He is a real creative storyteller. It seems we have quite a few board game lovers in the area, so we sometimes have game nights. I am really glad, I love having game parties.
Trev's One Point Japanese
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So you want to learn Japanese, huh? Cool! How about transportation verbs!
There are three transportation verbs that as a beginner are good to know:
ikimasu - to go
kimisu - to come
kaerimasu - to return
To make a sentence with one of these verbs, all you do is apply the following formula:
[ place ] e [ ikimasu / kimasu / kaerimasu ].
'e' is a particle. You can think of particles as the glue that binds Japanese sentences together. 'e' is the particle that binds a place noun to a transportation verb. Here are some examples:
gakkou e ikimasu. (Go to school.)
nihon e kimasu. (Come to Japan.)
uchi e kaerimasu. (Go home. In Japanese you "return" home, instead of "go" home.)
Good luck with your studies! Japanese is a great language to know, do your best!
Well, that is about it for this edition of the Trev Report. I hope you all enjoyed it, and if you have the chance check out the blog every now and again. I never thought I would become a 'blogger' but so it goes.
Until next time, drop me a line sometime I always enjoy hearing from you.
Journal for 2005-1-19 Wed. Weather: Cloudy Plan: Akagi JHS
Today was a good day. I only had two classes. I also took the JET Program Japanese Self-Study Test for this month. Starting next month, there are essay questions on the tests. Even though I write in my journal everyday, it isn't beautiful Japanese and there are a lot of mistakes. So, I am a little nervous about taking writing tests. I can't do anything about it though, so I'll do my best as always. By the way, I went to the Board of Education to explain how I broke the official car the other day. There were no problems at all! I was so releaved.
Journal for 2005-1-18 Tue. Weather: Cloudy Plan: Akagi JHS
Today was a busy day. I had classes with the entire school. Everyone was doing well, but the 2nd 9th grade class was a little quiet. After classes, Mr. Fujihara from the Board of Education called. The bumber on the official car I used yesterday was broken. I was really worried. When I saw the damage on the car I remembered the probable cause. Last week on Thursday I had a spin out in Kakeya while I was going to Matsue. I thought the car was OK, but... I had to explain the situation to Mr. Abe at the town office. After that there was no problem. It's good now, but I still have to explain it all to the section head, Mr. Takahashi, at the Board of Education tomorrow. I am a little nervous about that.
Journal for 2005-1-17 Mon. Weather: Snowy Plan: Kijima Ele.
I went to an elementary school for the first time in a long time today. Something bad happened in the morning though. Hiroshi, a 6th grader, was bullying Kengo, a 3rd grader. He made him play in a snowball fight that was unfair. Hiroshi is slowly becoming a bad kid... I am worried that he might be unteachable when he gets to JHS. Even in class he is disruptive, what to do... Besides that, the day went well. All day long I taught the "Do, Re, Mi" song (from "The Sound of Music") in English. The reason being that, they will sing it with the kids from Oda Elementary School in a Chorus Concert this week.
Journal for 2004-1-11 to 14 Tue. to Fri. Weather: Snowy then Sunny Plan: Akagi JHS/Shimane Prefectural Office
＜2005-1-11＞
The 3rd term at Akagi JHS started today. There were no English classes, so after morning cleaning and the opening ceremony, I studied Japanese. I have to do a lot of catch-up on the JET Program Self-study Japanese Cousre. We ate tasty sushi for lunch in honor of the new year. I went home in the afternoon because I took a half-day today.
＜2005-1-12＞
Yesterday was the first day of school, but we had the first classes today. The 9th graders studies for their Winter Break test (called the English Exercise) We also introduced some English proverbs because in America we always make a resolution for the new year. This activity was very interesting. English proverbs and Japanese proverbs have different wording, but the meanings are mostly the same.
＜2005-1-13＞
Today was the ALT PA interview test! I was nervous, but I did my best. I was snowing yesterday, so I left early for Matsue. I got in a small accident, but it was only my car and there seems to be no damage, so everything is OK. I arrived 1 hour too early at the Prefectural Office, so I ate a small breakfast at Lawson Station. There are 3 applicants for the job, but only one position. I think that my interview went well, but we will have to wait another 2 or 3 weeks until they decide. :’(
＜2005-1-14＞
This was the English Exercise test day. The EE is an English test taken by all the JHS students in the county. They take it after winter vacation. It’s too bad… No one studied, so most of the 7th and 8th grade students didn’t get high marks. The 9th grade master class was wonderful as always, but the students were shy about talking, so we didn’t have long conversations. Maybe the more we do it, the better they will get at it.
Journal for 2005-1-6 to 8 Thu. To Sat. Weather: Sunny then Cloudy then Snowy Plan: Carp Island→Koror→Tokyo→Miyoshi→Iinan
＜2005-1-6＞
Today was our last day at Carp Island. The staff here was really kind. The Japanese practice was helpful, too. We spent most of the day shopping in Koror. Palau's most famous souvenir is a carved piece of wood called a storyboard, with a tale carved on it. It's funny, but the best storyboards come from the inmates in the prison. So, we bought one entitled "The Two Lovers and the Cycle of the Turtle" made by an inmate named Victor. :)
＜2005-1-7＞
We returned to Japan this morning. We made a stopover in Yap. The Yapanese wore these crowns made of lots of flowers. We don't know why, but they were pretty. We were given a couple. In the afternoon we went shopping in Tokyo. We bought new scarves and stuff for the computer, and watched all the interesting Tokyo people. We saw a fight at the station! My right foot was hurting, but I don't know why... This evening we returned to Miyoshi.
＜2005-1-8＞
Wow! I'm back!! Naoko picked us up and took us back to Iinan. Iinan is the new name of Akagi and Tonbara since the towns merged. Thank you for all your help, Naoko. When we got home we didn't do anything special. Watched some Stargate SG-1 and had an afternoon nap. We had to buy some food, but after that we just relaxed. I start work again on Tuesday, so this weekend I really just want to relax. :)
Journal for 2005-1-2 to 5 Sun. to Wed. Weather: Sunny Plan: Carp Island, Palau
＜2005-1-2＞
This morning we went to stay at Carp Island, which has a lot of Japanese guests. It has been a long time since I have heard and spoken Japanese. We explored the odd trees and shells on this island. The most interesting tree here is the big "Ban Yang" tree. The roots of these trees are very long. A long time ago the Palauans used large stone money. We saw that money today. It is bigger that my entire body! We swan to a small island close by and saw some fish. Most of the guests on Carp Island are divers, so when the diving boats leave, there is no one here!
＜2005-1-3＞
Today we went on a World War II land tour at Peleliu Island. It was interesting, but a little sad. 6,000 Americans and 11,000 Japanese died here. The Americans planned for a 3 day attack, but it turned into a 2 month battle. In the tour we saw a Zero plane and American and Japanese tanks. There were Japanese people in the tour, so it was mostly in Japanese. 60 years ago Japanese and Americans were killing each other, and now we are walking peacefully together. It is becoming a good world.
＜2005-1-4＞
We went on a tour of Carp Island today. We saw some big fish while we were snorkeling. In English a bunch of the same type of fish swimming together is called a "school of fish." Weird, huh? We kayaked all around Carp Island. On the other side of the island there lives a painter called Mark that is painting a big mural. He has been working on it for 2 months. It is really beautiful. We also went to a fun little sandbar in the middle of the ocean. It felt like a little island. This evening we finished reading "Howl's Moving Castle." :) It is a little different from the movie.
＜2005-1-5＞
Today we went intro diving! Intro diving is like real diving, but the dive instructor is guiding you from above. We went to Big Drop Off and the famous Blue Corner (but not the famous part that is for pros). I went 52 feet on my first dive, and 68 feet on the second dive. The instructor, Tina, said that I am a good diver. I didn't have any problems during my dives. :) Maybe in the future I will get my diving license on the Oki Islands. It's a different world under the sea. This was a good adventure for our last day of vacation.
Journal for 2004 to 2005-12 to 1-28 to 1 Tue. to Sat. Weather: Sunny Plan: North Beach Cottages, Choll, Ngaraard, Palau
＜2004-12-28＞
After eating a tasty breakfast, we took a 3 hour drive from Koror to North Beach Cottages in Choll, Ngaraard. This hotel is a small deserted paradise! We plan to relax and explore the beautiful beaches and mysterious forests. At noon we took a walk on the longest beach in Palau. We slept in hammocks, and read books together. This evening at dinner, we met a Japanese couple. I didn't say anything, but Signe spoke a little Japanese! Signe rocks!
＜2004-12-29＞
We relaxed today. This morning after breakfast, the North Beach Cottages guide, Lido, showed us some stone monoliths. These monoliths were probably an old church or meeting hall. There were various stone faces as well. In the afternoon, we hiked to a swimming hole. The middle of the island looks like a jungle. I became Indiana Jones. :) The swimming hole was a big rock with water-filled holes in it. One hole looked like a one-man bath. The water was really warm! Afterwards, we started reading "Howl's Moving Castle!"
＜2004-12-30＞
This morning Signe and I explored the sea around us by kayak. The waves were strong, so it was tough to paddle, but we did get to play on a white sand beach. And Signe took pictures of bright fish and giant clams. After lunch we laid around in hammocks and chit-chatted. Another guest of the cottages went to school at WSU, so at dinner we exchanged college-day stories. This evening, we read more "Howl's Moving Castle," and played "Golden Sun 2" for the GBA. Signe is on the final boss of Golden Sun 2. I am only 5 hours into it. (Signe is over 72 hours into it!!)
＜2004-12-31＞
This morning nothing special happened, but in the afternoon we had Trevor and Signe's Great Kayak Adventure! In the morning it was doing nothing but raining, but around noon it cleared up, so we decided to take the kayaks and explore the mangroves that were in the distance. The mangroves were far away but the sea was fair so there was no problems...or so we though. When we were about 200 meters from the mangroves masses of rain started down pouring on us. We took shelter on a nearby beach and waited for the storm to pass. We didn't get to the mangroves, it was too bad. But, on that beach we played in some really good feeling mud. We made our feet nice and muddy. After the rain passed, we explored some coral in the area. And we found Nemo!
＜2005-1-1＞
Happy New Year! Our last day at North Beach Cottages was good. The weather was great. We relaxed and swam in the morning. In the afternoon, we went kayaking and looked at the things in the sea. It was the same as yesterday, but we went farther. It was really fun. The one bad thing is that Signe and my throats started hurting. I don't know why, but we might be getting a cold... The good news was that the cottage cost less than we thought! Hooray!
Journal for 2004-12-25 to 27 Sat. to Mon. Weather: Sunny Plan: Koror, Palau
＜2004－12－25＞
Today we took our first Kayak Tour. We saw some really pretty coral. We don't have diving licenses, so we can't go diving, but we can snorkel without a license, so we did that. I can't believe the color of the pure blue ocean here. Signe's waterproof case for her camera worked great, so she took a lot of underwater pictures. Signe also did a 15ft (about 5m) cliff jump!
＜2004－12－26＞
Today was the second Kayak Tour. This tour company's name is "Sam's Tours." Our guide is the same as yesterday. His name is Jake. Jake knows a lot about the "Rock Islands." He taught us about the creatures in the sea and the history of Palau. We saw a lot more colorful fish today too. Though, the waves were stronger than yesterday, so moving the kayak was tough. Tonight we moved hotels. This hotel is LEVEL UP! from the last hotel! :)
＜2004－12－27＞
Today we did our third Kayak Tour. We went to Palau's most famous spot. It's called "Jellyfish Lake." It's a lake with many thousands of jellyfish in it. Since these jellyfish aren't dangerous, Signe and I got to swim with the jellyfish! The reason for this is that for hundreds of years this lake has not contained any natural enemies of the jellyfish, so they forgot how to sting. So, they don't sting at all. Signe took a ton of pictures. In our 3 days of tours, we went to many interesting and amazing places and met a lot of fun people. We hear the news about the tsunami in asia. Signe has some coworkers vacationing in Tailand, so we are a little worried about them.
Journal for 2004-12-23 to 24 Thu. to Fri. Weather: Rainy then Sunny Plan: Matsue→Miyoshi→Nagoya→Narita→Guam→Koror, Palau
A really really really bad thing happened today. But, the first part was good. After having breakfast at the Year-end party, we went to the Deo Deo Electronics Store to pick up the Waterproof Case we ordered. We also bought other stuff for the camera. When we went back to Akagi, we finished preparing for the trip. We thought we had bus ticket to Tokyo for about 10 PMbut, our bus tickets said 20 (not 10, 20 is 8 PM)!! The Miyoshi Station employee and Naoko Kodama thought about the problem for a while. We planned to take the 11 PM bus to Nagoya and tomorrow fly to Narita, getting there at 8:20 AM.
＜The Next Day＞ This morning, we took the fastest taxi we could get from the Nagoya station to the airport. We made it in time to get on the plane to Narita! We didn't have any problems at Narita. At 11:05 AM, we boarded the plane to Guam. In Guam, we ate at the American Food Court and waited for many hours for the next plane. At 7:40 PM we boarded the plane to Koror, Palau. This evening when we arrived in Palau, someone from the hotel presented us with real Leis! It is a little hot here, like Japan in summer. I can't believe we actually made it. Let's have fun starting tomorrow!
Journal for 2004-12-22 Wed. Weather: Cloudy Plan: Akagi JHS/Kaizen Center
This morning was the closing ceremonies for this semester. After cleaning my desk, I went home to eat lunch. After lunch, I went with Signe to the Kaizen Center to put on a fun Christmas party for the 1st and 2nd graders of Akana and Kijima Elementary Schools. Those kids are really energetic. The police officer from Kijima turned into Santa Claus! Signe and I went to the Tamai Onsen for the Akagi JHS Year-end Party. We went in the onsen (public baths), ate a tasty dinner and breakfast, and sung and talked until morning!
