Chris’s Blog

Finally finished this project. Was worth the wait for a custom cover - looks much better than any home made case I would have come up with. Details are on the project can be viewed here

The last and final visit for my term as a J.E.T A.L.T. Only three weeks this time (only about 3 visits for each class) as I will be off for the wedding, trip to New Zealand, Paperwork with name changes and visa status, and moving into a new apartment.

Finally I get a school within biking distance and it’s bloody summer. Still, might be one last chance to try and loose some weight before the wedding.

First impressions. There are 15 classes. Self-introductions once again! The first years are a fairly rowdy bunch but seem nice enough to be quiet when you need them to. The third year class I had today (which I was told was the nicest of the lot) wouldn’t shut up for the entire class and are a pain to teach. Haven’t had a second year class yet but have been told they are a nice bunch.

The Principal is very kind and I also know three of the teachers from previous schools. They seem like a nice enough bunch.

Another sports day this Saturday too!

For those of you who are A.L.T’s - you know how sometimes the kids ask you how the class went (今日の評価は？) and what to bring next time e.t.c? For a couple of my classes, I joke around and ask them to bring things like cake and gifts for me (as a joke!) - but one of my students said she would make a cake and wanted to know what cake I wanted.

Naturally I asked for the only cake I have never found in Japan (It’s also my favorite) - carrot cake. Of course, she had never heard of it so it was up to me to find a recipe, of which did not seem to exist in Japanese. So my only option left was to translate one for her.

Let me tell you how much of a pain it is translating a recipe into Japanese - especially from an American recipe (stupid Imperial system). Most of the ingredients do not translate directly into Japanese and others are not readily available (i.e pecan nuts). Then there are the directions - something as simple as “Let the cake sit until cool, then turn over onto a cake rack” in Japanese becomes impossible to directly translate.

Anyhoo, with the help of the other teachers at school, I was able to complete the recipe and give it to Non-Chan (her nickname) in anticipation of eating a cake I haven’t had for three years.
Luckily she managed to bake the cake and have it ready on the last day of school (For me). It was just as I remembered, my favorite being the icing - sooo gooood. So below I present to you the cake, and the translated recipe. Feel free to distribute it in any way you want - unless you intend to make money from it, in which case - give me some too!

The Reciepe : 人参ケーキ

Had another sports day with the school on Saturday. Weather was good. I was in Shirogumi - we lost

Why do I even bother?

Here is the average HP support request converstation (Don’t mind the spelling & numbers have been changed):

I cant accept that this is another person providing support. I think HP is working on some Computer Support artifical intellegence system where any question that fits a certain guidelin is responded to by a set solution. Notice how many times my questions were ignored.

Another term, another school. The teachers here seem really nice. The school is about a 10 minute walk from the station and its in a really rural area. I will finally be able to breathe without inhaling metallic fumes (Sanno JHS).

Luckily there are only six classes, meaning only six self introductions. Defiantly much more fun when most of the time is not self intros.

Made a milk tower while waiting for lunch too!