A Big Catch-Up!

I apologise for the delay! I had been busy helping with my co-worker's wedding, then I've been having some technical difficulties.

News: As for the 'Adventure' that Toshi and I will be embarking on, it looks probable that Toshi will be starting late next month, and that I shall follow early October. I'm trying not to stress out (and failing..)

Camping May 30th 2012
I appreciate you've probably had enough of seeing my camping photos, so I'll just put up two. We left straight after our work finished (we both happened to finish at 6) and hurried to a place called Kawai (no, not kawaii , meaning cute!). This campsite was amazing- no ants or insects to speak of at all! And a lovely, clear stream flowed nearby. Definitely want to go again!

Charlie's Wedding June 2nd 2012

Charlie and his wife Rimi chose to hold a Western-style (as do approx. 90% of couples in Japan) in their favourite Italian restaurant. As couples in Japan legally marry at the local City Office (the same as in France and some other countries), the couples are free to hold any kind of ceremony or party afterwards and officials do not participate. The vows and exchanging of the rings were led by Charlie's old friend, Walter. I was given the honourable task of being receptionist and greeting the guests, as well as organising the party games for the after-party.

 Reception-ing and posing with the bouqet!

 The lovely couple, and hosting the 'Shoe Game' at the after-party

• Feel free to watch the video below of the popular Wedding party game called  'The Shoe Game' hosted by myself in Japanese.

Hadn't realised my Japanese had such a Welsh accent!



Venus Transit June 5th
Clouds, clouds, and more clouds ;( Oh well, only another 105 years to wait..
Disney Sea June 10th

Since Jen's departure from Japan, it had been a long time since I'd been to Disneyland or Sea, but I finally managed to coerce convince Toshi into going with me! For someone who loves Disney movies and songs, he had been a bit grumpy, but I think in retrospect he isn't such a fan of rollercoasters..
Anyway, we had a good time =D

No, not Mexico, the Indiana Jones ride!

A Planetarium (yay!) and a bunch of Japanese girls wearing their school uniform who all looked exactly alike (..;)

Typhoon #4 June 19th

Not a happy, drenched bunny with a destroyed umbrella (>.<;) But at least the rain was warm!

The last month or so..

Quilting Show
I got a free ticket from my student who works for a quilt shop, so I attended the Quilt Show at Tokyo Dome (the big convention centre). Here are my favourites:

 The moon made of rabbits (from a Japanese story) and the Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland

Snow!

As you probably know, I like the snow. However, I don't like driving in it! I couldn't see the markings separating the triple-lane highway :S Anyway I made it safely in one piece!

I shivered just seeing these Junior High School students walking in -1C conditions with no tights/long skirts!!!
So when my own 13 year old Jr. High School student comes into class with red-raw knees I asked her why she (and other popsicle-legged kids I see) doesn't wear tights/trousers. The answer: it's against school rules. And because the men who establish these rules want to be able to see up these teenagers' skirts.

In Japan, it's appearance (or more specifically 'cuteness') first, health and everything else second. 

Because girls huddling together complaining loudly they're freezing is really kawaii..

Outdoorsing

Despite the freezing cold, Toshi and I drove to the countryside to cook nabe, a Japanese stew on a campfire.

A video for those of you who'd like to see me driving through a stretch that reminded me of the Welsh hills :D

Carrots, chinese cabbage, noodles, tofu and ash = yum!!

A Short Update

Sorry I've been a little lazy updating!! Here are some snapshots of the last two months:

I went to three festivals in two days: Sept 10th+11th

Ootori Jinja festival, Azabu Juban festival (Andrew is the awkward-looking foreigner) and Nebuta Festival in Tokyo

 I survived a very large, wet and windy typhoon: Sept 21st

 No umbrella was safe (especially when spoked were hurtling at you in the street)!!!

Saw my first baseball game, Oct 2nd

Thank you to Yukimitsu-san for the free ticket!

Camping, Oct 9th

 Illegal camping at a secluded, quiet riverside we found in West Tokyo

 Toshi built a massive campfire using tons of wood washed up from the afore-mentinoed typhoon

 No fishing, but we cooked up some yummy food nonetheless!

Went to Disneyland, Oct 16th (for the Supercalifrajalistic-umpteenth time.. :D)

 Very serious posing for the crew of seven (left) on Splash Mountain, posing in crazy 30'C heat (centre) and meeting fellow British (right)

Snow!

The temperature has been fluctating dramatically lately. We had endless glorious clear, blue, dry weather; a week and a half ago, we even experienced a high of 18'C (64F)! But the last two days, we finally got snow!
According the students, the area doesn't receive a lot of snow, so I made the most of the opportunity:

I'm expecting to up close and personal with snowy slopes a week tomorrow though.. I can't wait! :D

After 3 or so dry weeks, it finally rained on Tuesday! But now we're back to clear, blue skies and cold days.
Not up to much, just working and preparing for lessons and trying to keep warm!