Blogs from Shizuoka, Japan, Asia - page 22

I dont know where to start- the clouds, the sunrise, the height, the pain, the cold, the wind or the stick, but I do want to say- I CLIMBED MT FUJI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hang on, lets put that in bold writing I CLIMBED MT FUJI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was one of the things that was on my 'What I want to do in Japan' list before I even arrived and while I was not sure I could do it I knew that I would always feel like I should have if I didnt. It took some convincing Marissa that it was something we could do, but once her brother was on board, plus a new found Japanese friend, Hide (Hee-de) it was all systems go. There is a Japanese proverb that says 'He who climbs Mount Fuji once is a ... read more

I am in Japan!!! A long way from Adelaide, Australia, but here I am in Shizuoka for a year teaching at an English Kindergarten while seeing and experiencing as much of this crazy, mixed up, amazing country as I can! Can you believe that a Japanese person asked us this!!!- so where's the blue in the Japanese flag huh!! And that was before we thrashed them so the loss hadnt clouded their intelligence yet!!! But oh well, lets not be too down on the Japanese, they do have a MASSIVE LOSS to overcome!!!!!!!! Before we go any further there is something that needs to be said....................................... Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!!!!!!!!!!! And believe me this was said many times during the night the Australians heroically paved their way to victory. But lets start at the ... read more

It started with daquiris, they got us in the mood, Then a bus ride to Chatty and Blake made us some food. We stocked up on beers then a short taxi ride, Waiting at the bus stop, sitting side by side. We arrived at the party and knocked on the door, And added our shoes to the pile on the floor. Some Aussies, some Kiwis and Japanese brides, This is who greeted us when we walked inside. A house warming party, an Australian plant we brought, Us bloody loud Aussies, or so others thought. Thrown out of the party, the neighbours too close, So Blake entertained us throwing his bike into posts. Walking down back streets without a care, Blake couldnt resist Haren's dare Straight up the wall and into a tree, It could've turned into ... read more

Picnic time My class, the Panda class made up of 3 and 4 year olds went for a (longish) walk and had a picnic in a beautiful park. I am happy to report that not all of the playgrounds here are as small as MEK's, and the equipment at this one was excellent, and there was plenty of room for the kids to run around. There was also the biggest bees I have ever seen, (they were seriously the size of a small bird as are the butterflies here), but thats another story. Next weeks excursion is a potato digging day and barbeque with the parents so I'm not really sure what thats all about but I'm sure there wil be photos!! This week we are making clocks because it is the anniversary of Greenwich mean ... read more

Pottery at Mariko On the weekend Marissa-sensei and I went for a drive to Mariko (about 25 minutes away) to an artisans village. There are many crafts on display, woodworking, weaving, puppet making, glass work and most importantly (for my story anyway) pottery! Marissa had told me that you could take workshops there but we werent sure how to do it, however, we found a friendly Japanese man who spoke a little English (we think he was the manager there) and he helped us to sign up for pottery lessons. So, feeling just like Demi Moore in Ghost we began to make our very own Japanese rice bowls, and its really not as easy as i thought it would be! But I did manage to produce a bowl and am excited about picking up the finished ... read more