Chris’s Blog

Not one of the better days. Although I did enjoy the fruit (can’t remember what it was called.)

The wonderful students of ３年２組 made me some cake! Tasted good

Only problem is, now that they are preparing for graduation – I don’t get to teach them anymore. I only had three classes with them too

Went again this year to Mt. Racey in Hokkaido. The package tour this year was more expensive than last year, but we did get an extra day to spend in Sapporo. Total cost was around 67,000 yen each, which covered airfare, hotel accommodation and some discounts – no food included in the package like last year.

The weather wasn’t as good as it could have been on the first day, but was much better on the second and third. I also took up our new video camera and (very carefully) took some clips of the mountain.

Didn’t get much jumping in this time around even though there was more snow. We also managed to visit the snow festival in Sapporo at night time which was nice. The same day we headed back to Chiba, we also visited the Sapporo beer museum and learnt a little about the history of beer in Japan.

Started at Sannou JHS Tuesday last week. Still have a few self introductions to do. I really don’t have a problem introducing myself, yet doing it fifteen times over a week and a half is just a pain in the ass. Still, I am getting paid so who am I to complain right?

From my house, Sannou is probably the second furthest school I have been to, the first being Tokeminami. I take the train from Honchiba to Nishichiba (I could bike it but it’s too cold and I am lazy) then grab the bus from Nishichiba Station. It’s a 35-40 minute bus ride and then a five minute walk.

There are 16 classes with around 35 students in each class. The kids seem nice so far, with the third year students the most ‘active’ – most likely due to the fact they will be graduating soon. Luckily they have badminton, tennis and volleyball clubs, sports which I can play without looking like a complete noob.

Only six more months to go until the end of my English teaching career (probably)

Possibly the first of many to come as I spend more and more time in Japan.

So here it is:

I think I’m turning Japanese because: I was riding my bike home after buying dinner at the convini (dinner = 2 onigiri and some sushi) and passed by a Yakinikuyasan. The smell was wonderful. All I could think about was why the hell I was eating convini food when I live so close to a decent meal.

Reasons this is Japanese.

Riding the bike home. Not a BMX or mountain bike, I ride the boring yet surprisingly useful chari. If I were to use this bike anywhere in New Zealand, I would probably be beaten to death with it.

Eating onigiri and sushi from the convini. I don’t know of any other countries (only been to 5 or so) where you can buy a full, microwaveable meal containing almost anything. Nikuman FTW.

The Yakinikuyasan. I don’t know if other countries have something similar. Possibly a steak house would come close, but nothing beats good old yakiniku. Yes, I know its kind of Korean – whatever.

Finally, the reason I was not eating at the Yakinikuyasan. It’s very common to go out to eat with workmates and friends in Japan. There have been weeks where I haven’t eaten a meal at home – as I was eating out every day. The all famous Izakaya is the best place to eat out, but as I was by myself, I felt uncomfortable eating out alone.