Hanging with the boys... and a dog, too.

Last Friday, one of my recently graduated JHS students called me up (he received my number from his mother's mutual friend) asking me if I wanted to join him and his friends for yakiniku (korean style BBQ). I said yes since I absolutely loved talking to this kid (he's one of the few students who makes the effort to speak to me in only English.) 

So I showed up only to see a bunch of my other graduated boys. Luckily, I knew these other kids really well. They're are bunch of jokers. I'll definitely miss them.

 Tomoki, on the far right, is the kid that called me over.

 The family dog. He's sooooo cute, but a hyper little thing.

 Isn't he adorable? I asked him to pose with the cabbage still on his face.

During this shoot, they kept playing with my hair.

It's time.

 A letter from two 5th graders. I can read and completely understand what they wrote. Elementary students are not that aquatinted with English as junior high schoolers are.

 Messages and flowers from students and co-workers.

Photo book and gifts from co-workers.

Messages and flowers from students and co-workers.

Hey, it's been awhile. I've been pretty busy getting ready for the big move. As I mentioned earlier, I will be moving at the end of this month. For the past few weeks, I have been saying my "goodbyes" to my schools. I wasn't expecting it to be this tough. I've taught at these school for 2.5 years and I've gotten extremely close with my students and co-workers. I've cried during my last days at some of my schools while giving my goodbye speeches. Seeing my students and some of my co-workers cry as well was really touching.  I have received so many flowers and messages from my students and staff members. I'll never, ever forget the time that I've spent at these schools. They were absolutely THE BEST!

I still have three more work days left at two JHS. This Friday, however,  I will be attending the graduation ceremony at my favorite ES.  Can't wait!

from a six-year-old with love

Last week at my smallest elementary school (a total of 26 students between grades 1 - 6), my youngest student, who happens to be the sole first grader in the school, made me a little - actually, a rather large "medal." She is the cutest child EVER! When she first sees me in the morning, her eyes immediately glistens and smile widens as she runs up to me to give me a hug. So adorable!! 

「いつもえいごをおしえてくれてありがとう。」

"Thank you for always teaching me English."

new year's day cards

When I arrived from my trip a few days ago, I was greeted with a bunch of nengajo (Japanese New Year's cards) in my mail box. Many of which are from my students.

Many of the cards are pre-designed. So, the sender simply just writes a message on the card and mails it out (just like a Christmas card).

However, one of my students got really creative and personally designed the above card for me. Many of them know me for liking Jun Matsumoto from the Japanese boy band, ARASHI. (uhhhh... I don't like him that much, but I do love watching him in Japanese dramas.) I'm going to thank Haruna so much for this!

christmas party for the kiddies

Last Saturday, a neighboring town had its annual Christmas party at the town's International Center. The party is mainly held for the town's elementary school students in grades three to six. Only a selected amount of students can attend, so we had a total of forty students in attendance.  These forty kids are divided into four teams; each group having its own foreign leader. We actually had four foreigners from four different countries: the U.S. (moi), Canada, the U.K. and Australia. 

The kids had fun doing a lot of fun activities such as: making reeves, making ginger bread houses (or at least attempt to anyway), making somores  (so, so, yummy and fun!), singing Christmas songs and a few other festive activities. They also received a bunch of gifts from our Canadian Santa Claus. (The kids were like, "Why is Santa tanned??" hahaha) But the kiddies really did enjoy themselves and we adults did too. My favorite activity was definitely making somores! We had an actual fire going on outside; it was awesome!! It was madness trying to tell the kids that they can only make two somores. 

Enjoy the pictures!

oden party

 Last Saturday, five former students of mine invited me and their current English teacher, a fellow American, to a little party at one of the student's home.

Our dinner that the mother, whom I work with, prepared with her daughter. It was so yummy~