So yesterday was the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day of the year and a clear sign that it is finaly summer.  Somehow, it doesn't quite feel like summer to me though, since Japanese students still have almost 1 more month of school left before the start of summer vacation, which only [...]

Yesterday, we had a student teacher, a university student in Education from a nearby university who is doing a week-long practicum at one of my junior high schools, teach a demonstration lesson to the first grade class (7th graders in the US). Other teachers from the school, including myself, sat in on the lesson and [...]

The people of Catalonia have voted 'yes' by a margin of 74% to the Statute of Autonomy. Catalonia is a region (or what some consider a "nation without a state") located in the northeastern part of Spain, which includes the vibrant city of Barcelona. The traditional "Catalan Countries" (Paisos Catalans) also includes Valencia, the Balearic [...]

Luke, Tash and I went to African Safari in Beppu today.  African Safari is a wildlife park located in the mountains between Ajimu and Beppu city that has lots of open space that recreates the natural habitats of various animals from Africa as well as Asia, Australia, and the Americas.  You can drive your own [...]

Today I received a postcard from Mongolia from my ex-roommate Kenyon.  He said that the Japanese presence is big there and also that he has heard rumors of "perfect fruit" that can cost up to 100 dollars US. Well the "perfect fruit" stories are true.  I have seen 100 dollar melons in the supermarket and [...]