Tuesday 10/07/2012 Despite going to bed at 10.30 last night, I slept right through till 8am. Had time to try to connect the internet again, unsuccessfully before heading to school. An internet password magically appeared in the office, but I had to wait till I went home to try it, meaning that if anything went wrong, it would be a whole ‘nother day that the company wasn’t contacted. Took 10 of the kids to the playground this morning, but I sat in the shade the whole time. Back at school we rehearsed the Crocodile song again, and also had a look at the globe, and worked out where Japan, Australia, America and England were. ABC and name tracing for the morning, but we finished early, (not early enough to go to the park), so we learnt ... read more

Sunday 8/07/12 Woke up and packed up the last of my things before throwing them out the window (sounds far more destructive when I don’t mention I’m on the first floor). We probably could have fit everything in one car trip, but we spaced it out to two. I was surprised, as actually, I didn’t have as much stuff as I thought. Next challenge was to connect the internet, and after both I and Kazumi’s husband tried for nearly an hour, we gave up, unable to connect to either the wireless or the corded internet. Spent the day putting things in their new rightful places, not before Kazumi dropped ‘round with some Takoyaki and Lemonade for me for lunch! She doesn’t like to be called ‘Obasan’ which means ‘aunty’, but she sure does play the mothering ... read more

Friday 6/07/2012 One week in, and I already direly miss my late start on a Friday! That extra hour makes all the difference to my attitude! Made up a Vegemite and cheese sandwich for lunch with my delicious Pompador bread and arrived at school early. I knew if I sat down at all during the morning, I would never get back up, so I just left early. Sang the Crocodile song with the early-bird kids over and over this morning, they couldn’t get enough of it. Also, one child somehow managed to climb right on to my shoulders, (my mind was elsewhere), but after about five minutes I had had enough. The boy peed himself not long after, so I am so very, very grateful that I got him off my shoulders when I did! Tom ... read more

Tuesday 3/07/2012 Felt very odd to not get my extra hour of preparation and relaxation this morning. When I arrived at school, Miki took me in for a ‘conversation’. Two Juku parents had complained about my method of teaching. They did not like me teaching songs as they are too hard. I think they must have read through the entire song book, but the weaker classes I only teach the easier songs. They said they would be happy for me to teach music if it is a dance routine. To me, this seems back-to-front. Surely I am here to teach them English, not dance? They also thought I didn’t use the text book enough and didn’t use flash cards enough. The boy whose mother complained goes to another English school also, and they want me to ... read more

Saturday 30/06/2012 Had such a crazy weekend, and was absolutely exhausted, so have put everything in dot-point form! Riding to the bus stop, I bumped into Kaori Sensei and her Hubby. Got some sandwiches and a mini pizza to eat for lunch from the French Bakery. Ladies at the bus stop told me to get in out of the sun, and exclaimed to each other about how cute I was. Bus driver thought I was Lady Gaga due to my big purple sunglasses. Before I got on the bus he was taking photos of me on his phone, and then he asked me on the bus. I think he didn’t believe my denial. Walk from bus stop to Sumpu Park and saw red-headed turtles! Before the carp impressed me, but now I only have eyes for ... read more