LD's Guide to Japan

Photo Post 19NOTES
Last week when my students asked me what I want for Christmas, I told them, “a girlfriend.” This week I arrived at school to find a card on my desk that the 5th-grade girls wrote for me, depicting me holding hands with my future girlfriend. Come on, Santa… Zoom

Last week when my students asked me what I want for Christmas, I told them, “a girlfriend.” This week I arrived at school to find a card on my desk that the 5th-grade girls wrote for me, depicting me holding hands with my future girlfriend. Come on, Santa…


Photo Post 10NOTES
In the midst of grading papers in which students are practicing “I’ve got tickets for ____. Would you like to come with me?” I came across these jokers. Zoom

In the midst of grading papers in which students are practicing “I’ve got tickets for ____. Would you like to come with me?” I came across these jokers.


Photo Post 1NOTES
This week some representatives from Sneek, Kurobe’s sister city in The Netherlands, are visiting here (including Sneek’s mayor and 8 high school students) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their sister city relationship.  I was asked to tag along with them today (and again the day after tomorrow) to help with translation as needed.  It was a long day with a lot of formalities and ceremonies, but there were some great events and cultural exchanges, and we got a pretty fantastic several-course dinner, so all in all it was a good day.  I’m looking forward to going through Kurobe Gorge with them on Thursday! Zoom

This week some representatives from Sneek, Kurobe’s sister city in The Netherlands, are visiting here (including Sneek’s mayor and 8 high school students) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their sister city relationship.  I was asked to tag along with them today (and again the day after tomorrow) to help with translation as needed.  It was a long day with a lot of formalities and ceremonies, but there were some great events and cultural exchanges, and we got a pretty fantastic several-course dinner, so all in all it was a good day.  I’m looking forward to going through Kurobe Gorge with them on Thursday!


Photo Post 5NOTES
I came to work today to find that the ping pong team has left a big garbage bag full with at least a hundred of these busted balls right next to my desk. Internet, what should I do with them? Zoom

I came to work today to find that the ping pong team has left a big garbage bag full with at least a hundred of these busted balls right next to my desk. Internet, what should I do with them?


Photo Post 6NOTES
Wore these around for most of the day today. So what if I look like a crazy person? What did YOU receive from a throng of adoring kindergarteners today? That’s what I thought.

Wore these around for most of the day today. So what if I look like a crazy person? What did YOU receive from a throng of adoring kindergarteners today?

That’s what I thought.


Photo Post 3NOTES
For the folks back home: here’s a panoramic shot of the view from my desk in the corner of the faculty room at my JHS (photos stitched together with the iPhone app ‘Pano’). Click on the picture to see it bigger Zoom

For the folks back home: here’s a panoramic shot of the view from my desk in the corner of the faculty room at my JHS (photos stitched together with the iPhone app ‘Pano’). Click on the picture to see it bigger


Photo Post 3NOTES
The school that I teach at 3 days out of the week has not one single western-style toilet.  They only have the old Japanese-style squatters like this one.  I have not yet had to go number 2 while at school, though, and I pray I can make it the rest of the year.

The school that I teach at 3 days out of the week has not one single western-style toilet.  They only have the old Japanese-style squatters like this one.  I have not yet had to go number 2 while at school, though, and I pray I can make it the rest of the year.


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