H is for.... Happy 100th Post!

H is for...

Happy 100th Post!
Thank you to my friends and family (and anyone else!) who have been reading and keeping up with my adventures! I've been here over 2 years now, but knowing you keep up with what I've been up to makes me feel less lonely.. don't forget to keep me updated with your gossip too!!



H is for...
Happy Christmas!

December 23rd is a National Holiday, as it is the Emperor's Birthday, and as per tradition, Jen and I celebrated 'Early Christmas'.
１２月２３日はいつも祝日だから毎年友達と「早いクリスマス」を祝います。

First, we greeted the Emperor at the Imperial Palace, which was open especially on this day. He had been ill recently, but was well enough to wave enthusiastically and give a meaningful speech about the trouble this year and how we have to work together.
まず、皇居で天皇様を見ました.

 Next, a shameful visit to McDonald's.. followed by Christmas Karaoke

Lots of waving Japanese Santas!

Christmas dinner!!!!!!

December 25th was spent with Toshi. Santa brought me a keyboard, so despite 8 years of rustiness, we decided to play 'We Wish you a Merry Christmas'
サンタトシは電気ピアノをくれたからこの歌を一緒に'We Wish you a Merry Christmas'を弾いた　（けど８年以上弾いていないから下手くそでした（・・；）

 Afterwards, we enjoyed tapioca tea and a crêpe, followed by Christmas karaoke

Alice's Adventures in Cosplayland

November 3rd was 'Culture Day' (文化の日), a National Holiday (also known as a 'day off'), so Yoko-chan and I decided to wear our Halloween costumes at an Alice in Wonderland-themed Cafe in Shinjuku and indulge in Cosplay Culture~~☆
Photo shoot!

 (Chess photo for my Dad)

 

 Cheshire Cat-shaped beef and gravy, and Caterpillar and Cat puddings!

An Unbirthday Tea Party!

 

Finishing with a Disney-themed Karaoke session (and more tea!)!

Sayonara Simon-Sensei

AEON Student Party Saturday 19th June
This week has seen the leaving of my very good friend, Simon, from AEON Hikarigaoka. I'm really sad he's left the crew, we've had some great laughs together, and I have a lot of happy memories :) Although Simon is staying in Tokyo, his future remains uncertain until he successfully finds a new job.

 Drawn by one of Simon's kids classes

Simon's replacement is Richard Sensei,  a 30-something French-born Californian. He seems mature, but amicable, and I look forward to working with him.

This leaves me the only British-speaking teacher at the school; my accent is sure to degrade!!! :(

The boys: Richard Sensei (left) Simon Sensei (right)

Last night was the long-anticipated Farewell Part held again at Watami, the local large-capacity Japanese-style restaurant.




Kampai!!!!

The party is a fantastic and rare chance to mingle with so many students of other classes, drink as much as I want for free(!!), get some great travel ideas and importantly to practice my Japanese ^^

I had a fantastic time!

 

I also managed to sneakily watch the Japan vs Netherlands first-round World Cup match via a student's cell phone, which was sadly a loss for the Japan side.

Later on, we hit the Karaoke in Nerima (a 10 minute walk from home-lucky me!)

Simon and I singing a farewell song in Japanese

Our Area Manager joined us- a rare and at first unnerving privilege-and he turned out to be an absolute party animal!!

Next on my itinerary is Cara and Laura's visit- which is only 7 days away!

Santa Claus is Coming to Tokyo!

A Mameshiba Christmas setting in Ikebukuro...

Mecha Kawaii!!

Christmas in Hikarigaoka's main mall- kids get a free train ride!

 

The first of two Christmas Karaokes!! I am wearing antlers ^_^

The playlist included:

Jackson 5- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Mariah Carey- All I want for Christmas

Wham- Last Christmas

The Pogues- Fairytale of New York

and a Japanese Christmas song called Speed- "White Love"

I was disappointed that many golden oldies such as Wizzard and Slade had not managed to reach Japan's karaoke boxes (nor America for that matter).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As for Christmas, I am celebrating on the 23rd as it is a National Holiday, so I have the day off. I will start the day by watching Avatar before heading into Tokyo to search for a Christmas dinner, karaoke and various Christmas things. So for me, Christmas is tomorrow hurray!!! ^_^

Training status: Complete!

Left-Right : Ben, Me, Andrew, Tim

Training Week
Sorry I haven`t had time to go online, but training this week has been super-intense!!

Hours were 11am-8pm, but we had so much homework (mostly lesson planning), I wasn`t getting it done until midnight all week :(

On Tuesday they really threw us in the deep end with our first real lesson.. with genuine Japanese students!

The students were invited for a free lesson from the newbies.We taught in our slippers- a very strange feeling indeed..

All week we`ve been practising different adult and kids lessons; the kids' are certainly very energetic!

Today was the climax with a full, assessed lesson. I felt it was very strong, and was praised for my student care giving individual praise, prompting them when they get stuck, smiling, eye contact, and clear instructions.
I need to work on the structure, better roleplaying, practice, ideas, paper management etc..

Not been too much excitement this week, but we certainly found time to dine out a couple of times and of course we hit the Karaoke! My first song being 'Who Do You Think You Are' by the Spice Girls :D

Next Week
This weekend is free, sightseeing is definitely on the to-do list!!

Monday 14日: Being picked up at Ikebukuro station and being taken to the City Hall for my Foreign ID card registration and to open a bank account. I shall move into my apartment in Toyotamanaka!

Tuesday 15日: First day of work! Hours:1-9pm. I shall present my gift of fudges to the school and meet the staff and students! I will spend the be shadowing classes by Marilyn.

Wedn 16日: Shadowing again.

Thursday 17日: My first official lessons start... eek! I have come very far this week, so I'm fairly confident.. as long as my nerves don't get to me!

Please don't be worried if I don't update for a while, going to be busy, but next update will *hopefully* be Monday night when I'm in my new town :D I am very excited to meet the staff and settle in!!