The New Year!!!

New Years 2007

For new years I met up with my area manager at a bar (Golden) in Gifu city. For new years the bar featured live Japanese Punk! It was a blast!! Before midnight Akiko (my manager) decided it was too loud for her but as I was enjoying the music and had begun to mingle I decided to stay the course. The guitarist from one of the bands had the most beautiful guitar I’ve ever seen. The band performed in traditional Japanese underwear while the drummer the only girl in the band wore a fishnet jumpsuit with purple bra and panties underneath. I tell you though my eyes were totally glued to the guitar! The guy even let me play it latter in the night! I shudder with orgasms just to think about it sooo delicious. At the end of the night three Irish folks came in which was the first people I’ve talked to in a while who spoke fluent English. After the bar closed I hung out with them while I waited for the trains to start running again. They gave me the number of one of there friends who lives in Minokamo. Yeah maybe I won’t be alone forever! Happy New Year!!!!!!

Jan. 5

Today was my first day back to work. I was so glad to be getting back to it. I love teaching and while New Years was great I spent the rest of the two weeks of vacation at home alone. What a day it was though. The school I went to is brand spanking new. The maps were sketchy and the “new” walking directions were not in fact new. When I got to the school I found that the combination to get the spare key was also not correct. I wasn’t able to get a hold of anyone at the office so it took me an extra hour to get into the school. Once inside I discovered that the level of one of the classes appeared to be different from what was listed on my schedule. Half an hour before my first class the Japanese teacher (JT) arrived which is unusual but…she informed me that the class in question was actually not what I had just finished preparing but in fact one level higher than what was listed on my schedule. I hurriedly prepared yet a third lesson. In the end with the class seated in front of me I was informed that my schedule had been correct and that it was a class made up of students from two old classes. By that point it was too late, I went ahead and taught the more advanced lesson and the students still did a fine job. When my first student arrived I all of a sudden realized why the JT was there when the students mother came into the classroom and sat down. PARENT OBSERVATIONS!!! Since I was substituting for someone I didn’t know that I was going to be observed today. Talk about stress!! Anyways the lessons went fairly well and I certainly feel that today’s experience help me to “grow as a teacher.”

Jan. 6

Today I only had one lesson with a small class (2 students). Was an older class but it went smooth like clockwork.

Later at night frustrated at being alone I decided to try to find a local bar to go to. The last time I tried to do this I was denied entry to two places because foreigners were not welcome before I gave up and went home. This time however I found a small bar called Caps. There were three other patrons there One from Israel one from California and his Japanese girlfriend (?). The owner spoke fluent English and I felt very welcomed to the place. At last I’ve met some people in my area and found a place to go. I am so relieved!

Jan. 7

Today we had the first significant snowfall of the year about 2 inches worth. It has actually snowed once before but it was minimal and melted by noon. As the sun was shining and I was in good spirits, I decided it would be a nice day for a walk in the snow. I am happy to report that it was indeed a perfect day for a walk in the snow (a little wet but…beautiful). Inspired by an information package I was given at Caps last night I set out with the goal of finding the more scenic side of Minokamo. I went to the grocery store to buy lunch to eat by the river. As I sat by the river I decided I would walk down river today. On previous walks I’d gone up river which is how I came across the café where I make these posts until I get my internet connection at the end of the month. While I found these walks nice afternoon out of the house, they weren’t strikingly beautiful or scenic. Down river proved to be far more interesting I found temples and shines. I wandered through a bamboo forest which is something I’ve wanted to do since the first time I saw one from the train when I first arrived. It was magical and the sound the bamboo makes as the hollow trees sway in the wind truly the music of the gods. I got a closer look at the mountains that till now I’ve only seen from a distance and the colour of the river was a magnificent green. As they say a picture speaks a thousand words so maybe it’s about time I posted some having finally photographed something I feel is worthwhile. My 2 mega pixel phone doesn’t do much justice but…if you want something better come see for yourself. Maybe Minokamo isn’t so bad after all.