A perfect setting for a barbecue, Taishoen the bonsai nursery where Mario works - luckily there were no accidents involving fire! Bec, Peter and I joined the other guys currently working at the nursery - Steve from USA, David from Spain and Maarten from The Netherlands (who claims to have never smoked weed!!). So it was quite a mix of people!! We were from five different countries in all! We had a nice dinner with plenty of meat and seafood. After we were a little boozed, we headed to Boozer on bicycles! Maybe not so new for Europeans, but for us Australians it is quite funny I think! Especially when there were 6 people and only 4 bicycles! Somehow, Mario, Bec, Pete and I ended up at Etti club dancing on the stage and I think ... read more

Nothing much has really happened this past month, but I have a lot to look forward to...visitors...holidays...festivals...yay it's summer! Kindy is busy so the weeks are flying! I'm loving teaching the Bear Class (5 and 6 year olds) and enjoying interacting with them and being able to communicate with them in English. Their personalities are great, although some are very cheeky - Yuki has become Mr Muddle (from the Mr Men books I brought with me) and says and does everything backwards! Haha! Last Saturday morning (8:30am!), staff from MEK (the Kindy) were invited to one of the schools of ex-MEK students'. It was really interesting to see a Japanese school and the children were really excited and appreciative that we were there! Most of the children that have left MEK still attend afternoon tuition once ... read more

My second month back in Japan is going a lot faster than the first! Kindy has kept me very busy, still doing extra late night tuition grrr! Also been busy going out on the weekends and to the Kusanagi Onsen the last two Mondays. An onsen is a natural hot spring and the mineral content is believed to have healing powers. At the one we (Bec, Mario and I) go to there are several baths at different temperatures and some with jets. There are also some outside, I like these ones the best, you could almost fall asleep, however the fact that you have to be totally naked does put me off a little!!! You are allowed to take in a small towel but most of the women (men and women are separate, much to Mario's ... read more

I have been back in Japan for a month now and am all settled again. I am living in a new place which I love! (see photos) It was fun going back to kindy and the kids all remembering me! The parents were also happy, making my return all the more worthwhile. I have the ‘Bear Class’ this year. The Bears are the eldest class at MEK (the kindy) and are all 5 and 6 years old. Rebekah (who replaced me when I left in December and lived with Amy), now has the Panda Class (4 year olds) and Cate, the new teacher, who arrived the same time as me this year, has the baby Koalas (3 years old). They are so small and cute, but I love them all!! Kindy is busy as always, with ... read more

I am making a bit of a habit of having going away and coming home parties, it is starting to feel ridiculous! I just can't keep still! I enjoyed my last few weeks in Adelaide, going to the Adelaide Cup, Norwood Food and Wine Festival, Botanic Gardens, seeing a few shows at the Fringe Festival, partying, and catching up with family and friends for the last time in a year. Sniff! I will miss you all! Enjoy the photos, especially if it is your photo debut on my blog! ... read more