Work, Games,Vacation At Last, Cleaning

hey all,

On Christmas I finally cornered my boss and got the schedule for the 26th straightened out. Both Christmas and the 26th went pretty smoothly.

I've spent the last couple of days relaxing and helping Michi clean the apartment. Since I cooked a lot of daigaku imo over the last year (a kind of fried sweet potato dish that is smothered in a sugary syrup), this caused the kitchen counter, stove top, kitchen walls, and especially the kitchen exhaust fan and hood to become coated in grease. Guess who got to clean it up?

When I first tried, I used hot water and dish soap, but that just made my hands greasy, and didn't take any grease off the fan. So I figured: "Maybe some alcohol might cut the grease?" Turns out either alcohol is no good or the alcohol I used was just too weak. Finally, I went online and found a post about using boiling water and baking soda. I gave that a try, and was actually able to get the grease off really quickly and easily.

So by now, we've vacuumed, scrubbed, and dusted the apartment pretty thoroughly.

Last weekend, I also had a chance to go to Akihabara with one of my friends and I picked up a bunch of older games: Mass Effect 2 and 3, The Last of Us, Portal 2, and Diablo 3. I know that seems extravagant, but I bought them with my "Game Fund" money: my saved up 500 Yen coins.

I've beaten The Last of Us already, but I'll be going back sometime in the future to get some items I missed on my first play through. I also started Portal 2 and Diablo 3. Portal 2 is an amazing puzzler, and as with most puzzlers, you feel like a genius when you finally solve one of them. Diablo 3 is also pretty good. So far, I've created 3 characters: a wizard, a barbarian, and a monk. The wizard and the barbarian are both "hardcore" characters, which means if your character dies while playing, they are dead for good. I started the monk first, so I'm furthest along with her, but the barbarian is pretty close behind.

Tomorrow, Michi and I head out for a two-day trip south of Tokyo, so my next post will be in 2014.

Cheers,

Small Trips, Big Trips, Work, and Games

hey all,

Michi and I took a few small trips this month, and during New Year's we've got a bigger one planned to one of the islands far south of Tokyo Bay.

I've only gone to one kendo lesson this month. The others were on Saturday, and I just have the hardest time getting up and getting motivated for them. At least for the Sunday lessons I have a day to recover from my Friday English classes (which are suicidally depressing: "OK, X, what's your answer for number 3?" "There are three products in North America: U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico." "Is U.S.A. a product? No? Canada? Mexico? Then why did you pick product for your answer?").

Work this month has been tough. The boss has been pretty absentee, and one of our teachers was gone due to stomach problems for a few days. There seems to be a lot of confusion about the last day of work, Dec. 26th, and it doesn't help that the boss is saying different things to different people and then disappearing without having to face the consequences of her capriciousness. There is also a bit of stress about recordings and printing the materials before the holidays start.

I've kinda lost it with going back to some of my older games, like Dragon's Dogma, Dark Souls, and Skyrim. After you've put hundreds of hours into them, they really do lose some of their luster. I think this weekend I will go and buy The Last of Us, which I've heard good things about. I haven't picked up a PS4 yet, but there are still a few games for the PS3 that I want to play first (like Dark Souls 2, which comes out in March 2014), and I can't really justify keeping two systems in the apartment.

Cheers,

Loans, New Year's

hey all,

So I have almost finished paying off my student loans. One more payment in January and the college loan monkey will be off my back for good! So I'll be able to make something of a financial new start around the time of the new year.

Jobwise, things are so-so. All the teachers are really busy at the moment with extra lessons, and the monthly chores of getting material and recording finished on time. In terms of behavior, one of the morning classes in particular has been giving all the teachers lots of trouble for the last few weeks, and I'm pretty fed up with my final morning class about their disrespectful attitudes during reading time. If they keep it up on Monday, on Tuesday they will only have writing and answering questions for 30 minutes, and then on to the usual grammar.

After spending almost the entire year on a fantasy binge, I decided to shake things up and read some sci-fi. The series I started is pretty good so far, but it is three books of 1,200 pages each.

Cheers,

Pass!

hey all,

So I've been sick on and off with a cold the last month. But today I have some happy news: I took the exam for kendo grade 1 today and passed !

My teachers said I made a few mistakes in the kata (those pesky memorized forms), but they said I made a few good strikes in my matches. They'd like me to do my best to pass the first dan this coming June. (I have technically passed the first kyu, which is a lower ranking system.)

Cheers,

Marriage, and other stuff

hey all,

So I think most of my "readers" know already, Michi and I were officially married last weekend. The original plan had been to get this done in September, to coincide with our anniversary, but first one set of  paper work and another set of paper work delayed us.

Not a whole lot has really changed, but then I didn't really expect it to. Things are still going smoothly between us.

At work, we had our yearly Halloween party at school. I dressed as Leonidas, and the kids looked pretty good too. We had some pirates, cats, Spidermen, TMNTs and of course there was a Buzz Lightyear.

Cheers,

TV Dramas and School

hey all,

I've taken to watching some TV dramas recently. I watched the whole thing of The Walking Dead on Hulu, which was amazing. And I got to check out the first two seasons of True Blood as well, which was also really good.

More recently, Michi and I have started watching Lost, of all things. I never got into it when it was new, but Hulu in Japan has it categorized as a "Learn English" drama. So we're giving it a shot with English subtitles instead of Japanese ones. We've only gone through the first two episodes, and she seems able to follow for the most part.

I also finished The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie, which I really liked except for the fact that every character turned out to be a jerk (if not outright evil) in one way or another. I'm thinking I'm going to start reading the Y: The Last Man graphic novels and the Malazan Empire books after I finish two books on teaching and reading comprehension that I've been slowly working my way through.

We've almost finished the first week of our rotating teacher schedule. Overall, I think it is a success. The teachers get to work with different students and the students get to learn under different teachers throughout the day. The only draw back is that every teacher has a slightly different reward/punishment system in place, and I don't think we're making optimal use of each others systems at the moment.

Cheers,

Kendo

hey all,

Below you can see my wonderfully bruised thigh. Last week in kendo class, we did some sparing at the end, and my partner kept trying to do a stomach cut (which you can see in the video).



Now, he was about the same height as me, so I don't know how he managed to hit my thigh. But as you can see, he did. About 4 times. Once in the middle (not in the picture), two strikes close together (those lovely bruises right on top of each other), and once just above the knee.

Anyway, the last few kendo lessons have been about 2.5 hours long because I've also been attending the adult class, and staying after that for more practice on the kata (traditional memorized forms) to receive my first rank.

Classes at school have been going well. But, starting in August we're going to try a new rotating class schedule for the morning groups, so next week the teachers will all be pow-wowing to get materials straight. On top of that, we have to print, record, and also make CD's for October's subjects.

Cheers,

August is Finally Over

hey all,

So August is finally over, thank god. At a public school, August would be the time when teachers don't have to teach classes and can prep material, lesson plans, etc. They might even get in some trips.

At a private school like ours, it means that teachers' hours increase: students don't have to go to public school, so the serious ones try to get in extra lessons.

My morning class has also finally increased its class time from 2 hours to the full 4 hours of the other classes. They're doing well, generally.

I've finally finished The Malazan Book of the Fallen, and I'm trying to get to some of my non-fiction books now.

Cheers,

Rishiri and Rebun Island Trip

hey all,

So Michi and I just got back from our trip to Rishiri and Rebun Islands. These are two islands far to the North. Apparently, they are as far North as you can go and still be considered in Japan.




View Rishiri and Rebun Islands 2013-7-26~30 in a larger map




So I finally figured out how to do a playlist on Youtube, so above there should be a playlist for our trip.

Pics are below.

Me on the ferry

Michi on the ferry

Our first night camping; second night of the trip

On the coast of Rishiri island

Our arrival at Rishiri Airport

Gorota Promontory on Rebun Island

Some very friendly crows that Michi insists are like the two of us

Some Eidelweiss

This is the toilet for hiking Mt. Rishiri. You carry the bag with you until you need it, then you get to take it with you when you've done your business.

Me at the top of Mt. Rishiri.

Sunrise on the last day of our trip

Cheers,

Kendo and Mountains

hey all,

Here is a pic from a special kendo meet we had a few weeks ago. There are padded gloves and of course a helmet to go along with the breastplate and skirt, but then how would you know it's yours truly?

Some pics from our trip to Mt. Yatsu the weekend before last.


View Mt. Aka Hike 2013 July 14~16 in a larger map

Strange translucent flowers

Sign warning that the climb ahead is dangerous, and should be left to pros.

Michi on the first chain stretch.

Mt. Aka on the right

Some walrus-looking rocks

We have a proper vacation coming up and we're heading all the way up to Hokkaido, so after that expect more videos and pics.

Cheers,

E3 and Work

hey all,

So the same teacher who was sick a few months ago has been absent for the last two weeks. Classes are really crazy right now, with some special classes for the morning students starting, etc.

E3 has just finished, and I'll probably be picking up a PS4 next year. There are still some great looking games coming out for the PS3 until March next year, so after that I'll probably pick one up.

Games:

• Dark Souls II
• Watch Dogs
• Ryse: Son of Rome (I know this one is XBOX only but it looked good.)
• Witcher 3 (PC?)
• Elder Scrolls Online
• Total War: Rome II (PC)
• Batman: Arkham Origins
• Beyond: Two Souls
• Thief
• Battlefield 4

I'm really far behind on the Assassin's Creed game series, so I'm not sure if I'll pick up AC4.

Anyway, I'm going to Akihabara to check out some games today.

Cheers,

Mt Kinpo and Mt. Mizugaki, And Daily Life

hey all,

Here are some pictures and videos from our last trip.

We went to two mountains: Mt. Kinpo and Mt. Mizugaki, both of which are on the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan list.

On the hike up to Mt. Kinpo

On the hike up to Mt. Kinpo

On the hike up to Mt. Kinpo

The view from the top of Mt. Kinpo

On the hike down from Mt. Kinpo. The sign is buried in about 3 feet of snow.

I apologize for the funny expression, but Michi sat the hike up to Mizugaki out, so I had to try to take my own picture.

Showing off my new tights. When you position those grey bands just right, they support your knees and shins.

So that was the trip we took last weekend.

In other news, we've been watching the HBO Rome series on Hulu, and that has been pretty fun. And I've been playing through the original Bioshock and Bioshock Infinite, and I'm really pleased with both of them.

Below are some home-made curries that we've enjoyed in the last few weeks.

Cheers,

Ryogamidake

hey all,

Some pics and video from the last trip. We have another one this weekend (as it is a four day weekend), so gotta keep it short.

The second day's hike started on the right and followed the ridge to the left. Yes, that means we did have to go up, climb down the other side, then climb back up again.

Sign says that if you die while trying to climb the route, it is your fault for doing such stupidly dangerous things.
Also, the chains that were on the route have been removed, making the dangerous route even more dangerous.

Stupid Foreigner

hey all,

So a few weeks ago, I booked a trip for me and Michi, but it seems the travel company had us down for today instead of the 27th. We're trying to see if we can get them to reschedule us, but their confirmation e-mails did mention the 16th twice, so it is my bad for not catching them.

Normally, Michi takes care of these things, which goes to show how out of practice I am at it.

At work, we've started the second week of classes. Morning lessons are going OK, but some of the students seem to need a lot more work others. We've also had some complaints about one of the teacher's lackadaisical style.

I finally finished the last book of the Wheel of Time. There is a chapter in it that is 200 pages long, I kid you not. Several quasi-main characters are killed off, some of them deserving it, some it seems like they just got unlucky. Since the last book depicted the Last Battle between Good and Evil, the death of the characters shows their commitment to the struggle, and I guess lets the readers know the author wasn't pulling any punches. Still, unlike GRRM, Jordan wasn't known for killing off characters before.

Cheers,

New School Year

hey all,

Tomorrow is the first day of the new school year. I will be sharing the duties of teaching the youngest students we have in the morning group lessons: 2-3 years old.

My morning class will be one hour with one set of students, then I switch with another teacher and teach another set of students for one hour. That gives myself and the other teacher about 1.5 hours of extra prep time, which we will need since the young students need lots of flashcards and lots of activities.

To be honest, I was afraid I would get the students who I taught this last year again. I really tried my best with them, but I'm not happy with where their English or their behavior is after a year of effort.

Outside of work, things are OK. I've gotten to use my kendo armor twice in class now. I still need some pointers on knots and wearing some of the gear. But since I have the armor, I get to scream at the top of my lungs and try to whack other students now. Which is a lot more fun then getting asked "And what do you call this part of the sword?" every class like the little, little kids.

We had last week off from work, and I mostly played video games and caught up on anime a little bit. The new season of HBO's Game of Thrones has started up, and it looks to be another awesome season. For some reason, South Park will be starting up in September instead of now, so no new South Park for a few months.

I also finished my re-read of Wheel of Time, and the new book comes out in two days, and I've been forced to avoid all the wiki's and guides because spoiler information for the last book has started showing up there.

Cheers,

Absence

hey all,

Here are my excuses:

• I've been re-reading The Wheel of Time series.
• One of our teachers was absent for two weeks due to a stomach virus, and I've been exhausted from teaching extra lessons.
• I've been worrying about classes next year.

But really what it comes down to is that I feel my life is boring now. When I first came to Japan, I wrote this blog almost a couple times a week. I took pictures of all the strange and interesting things I was seeing and eating.

Well, I've been in Japan for four years now, and have just started the 5th. I've been dating Michi for a little more than three, and we've been living together for almost two years. My job, although it can be emotionally, mentally, and physically trying, is mostly fulfilling. Michi is probably the best thing that has happened to me and I don't regret coming to Japan.

But what exciting adventures have we been having recently? Not really any. At school, the other teachers and myself worry about organizing classes, and motivating students, about preparing materials and getting results. At home, Michi and I cook, clean, argue, make up, and watch movies. Yes, I have my kendo classes on Sundays, but I decided that one of my goals for 2013 would be to climb a 5.11c. However, we have gone rock climbing one time so far and 2013 is already one quarter finished.

I wanted to ask the principal for a raise, as I have a certificate for curriculum design now, but the Yen is very strong right now, which is always bad for the Japanese economy, and the government has decided to increase the sales tax (which is necessary, but will force the middle class to cut luxuries, or things perceived as luxuries, such as expensive English lessons), and the number of our students will be decreasing pretty dramatically next year. The principal has actually been debating firing a teacher, though who or whether she actually will is unknown. So, I haven't asked because I don't think I have any chance of receiving it.

Today is a national holiday, and we had planned on going on a short hike, but cancelled because the weather didn't look ideal. We went to see Cloud Atlas instead, which was an amazing movie, but I feel like in the past we would have taken the chance and gone hiking anyway.

Hopefully, 2013 can be salvaged.

Cheers,

Re-reading

hey all,

I've been re-reading all the previous books in the Wheel of Time series, and I'm way ahead of schedule. I was supposed to finish book 13 around the end of March or beginning of April, but I'm already on book 10. As I was reading through book 9, I realized that I just didn't remember maybe 80% of what happened. Book 10 has been the same way so far.

This weekend I took a rest from my kendo class. A cough has been bothering me the last few days, and the last thing I want to do is run around and shout at the top of my lungs.

Today, Michi is taking the interview section of her English test. We'll have to see how she did in a couple weeks.

Cheers,

Sportsman

hey all,

A little silly, but last weekend I had my kendo lesson as usual on Sunday morning, and then on Monday (which was a holiday) Michi and I went rock climbing, which was the first time in what feels like forever.

We also bought a stick blender, which I'm pretty pumped about.

That's all for now. Oh yeah. Screw North Korea.

Cheers,

Snowy Day

hey all,

The snow is really coming down here in Tokyo. Luckily, it is a holiday and we didn't have major plans anyway.

The last book of The Wheel of Time has come out, but the Kindle edition is not out until April. Which is fine by me. I've just about finished reading The Eye of the World, which is the first book in the series. I'm going to try to pace myself so I don't finish too much before the last book is released. I've got 13 weeks to re-read about the same number of books, which is just about right. Plus I have some teaching books that I'm working through.

Cheers,

Lucky? Gods

hey all, So I've been at home today and yesterday. On Sunday, Michi and I went to visit the Seven Lucky\Happiness gods around Tokyo. As you might remember, previous trips have not proved so lucky. On the first trip, on our way back, Michi forgot a kimono on the train. On the second trip, she got bit by some mosquitoes, and we called it off because it seemed like an extreme allergic reaction. The third time I went by myself, but got rained out 2/3 of the way through. Well, after visiting all seven of their shrines without incident, Sunday night I threw up around midnight, and spent the whole night with one end or the other over the toilet. The doctor said it was an "intestinal infection," but that could mean E. coli, salmonella, rota virus, norovirus, or many other friendly bugs. In any case, I received the day off, took the doctor's medication, and spent the whole day sleeping. Today I'm feeling much better, just a little queasy and light-headed. I've asked for one more day off, just to be sure the symptoms have passed, and hopefully I can get back to work. Cheers,

There and Back Again

hey all

So this was a really tough trip. The distance we traveled was not so great or far compared to other trips, and our bags were not as outrageously heavy as for other trips either.

We didn't have to hike 30km to get to our destination, or anything spectacular like that.

View New Year's Day Trip 2013 in a larger map

What we had was -10 degree temperatures (that's 14 degrees for y'all in the States) with us in a tent. I thought I knew what cold was, but apparently that was just a child's feeble imagining of cold. 

But I get ahead of myself. Why did we do this? The video explains.

And how cold was it?

But I reckon it was worth it. How many sunrises like the one below do you get to see?

Happy New Year!