Fall in Fukui

One of the local gaijin in Fukui is an amateur film maker. Please enjoy this video about fall in Fukui. However, be warned. Anything that looks like its larger than a suburb was not filmed in fukui. There are a couple shots of Tokyo and Kanazawa here. dont be fooled. Fukui is INAKA.

Autumn in Fukui, Japan from Nam Tran on Vimeo.

Kindergarden Parties!

I absolutely adore my school. I could never imagine requesting to change schools. The teachers, the students, and the area are wonderful. My students are high level academic students but not the best in the prefecture. Therefore I can enjoy average normal conversations with my kids without the pressure of having them constantly performing perfectly. My JTE’s are relaxed, very friendly and have fantastic English.  The other teachers at my school are friendly, young, and have tons of energy. Literally, I have it made.

But, I only go to one school so I don't get to experience the joy of elementary school visits. Most JETs spend 3-4 days at their “base school” (a junior high or high school) and travel the rest of the days for elementary school visits. The other JETS always talk about how much fun they are because the students aren’t tested in English and don't have textbooks so they literally just talk to the students and play games with the adorable children. I have always been a fan of working with younger kids. At Camp Allen I preferred working with primaries, both as a senior staffer and a counselor. Therefore I was a bit sad to learn I wouldn't be teaching elementary school in Japan.

So, when a friend asked me to volunteer at a kindergardeners Christmas party on a weekend I jumped at the opportunity. The students were adorable. We introduced ourselves in Japanese, played Dodgeball/”Snowball fight”, watched 3-4 year old performances, and dressed up in costumes to hand out Christmas presents to the kids. I was an elf, Kyle was Santa, and everyone else was a reindeer  Wish I could post my pictures of the kiddos for you to see. Trust me when I say they were adorable.

Leaving for Cambodia and Thailand in 4 and half days. I will be there for two weeks including Christmas and New Years. I'm excited to escape the cold for a few weeks and lie on a beach. Its hard to believe that this life I write about here is mine. Merry Christmas everyone!

Cat Cafe

Do you want to enjoy all the fun of owning a pet but none of the responsibility? 

Do you want to cuddle with a cat on a cold day but no long term commitment?

Do you enjoy delicious coffee, tea, and cakes?

You should visit Cat Village in Katsuyama!

Enjoy playing with cats and coffee for a small fee!

Cat Cafes are a Japanese thing that needs to catch on in the States. Loved it.