Which is
not to say life hasn't been interesting, despite being a bit frustrating
and lonely sometimes out here in the boonies. Of course I try to make
the best of it. Here's a bunch of pictures I've been saving for a while.
Hope you enjoy them!
Click
on a thumbnail to open the image in a new window.
Kelly Glenn talks about shodo (calligraphy) with one of her school's
teachers.
Another shot of the calligraphy exhibit put on by Utsunomiya Girls'
High School.
Here's Robert and his new scooter, the baddest 50cc around!
I love rice. And not just because of the propaganda, either!
Lunch at Ogawa Junior High. They do smile, just not for the camera.
Representin' the East Side (of Tochigi that is). It's a birthday party
for Claire!
Making mochi is the best stress relief!
Don't the kids look hella badass in their gangish cooking class kerchiefs?
Hmmm ... dunno if I can trust these guys.
We learned how to harvest rice in Ogawa Town.
The kids from Kuzuri Elementary showed us how it's done!
We survived a typhoon that ran right over us.
Among the requirements to buy a car in Japan - accurate measurements
of your parking space.
VIP Room at Twin Ring Motegi! We were supposed to go karting, but
got rained out.
Robert, Minoru, Tomokazu, and I checked out the CEATEC electronics
show at Makuhari Messe.
I learn about pottery from one of my students' dads in Bato town.
Some of the more genki first-year students at Ogawa JHS.
Driving a car with a glass roof is a lot of fun.
This car has been on the road longer than I have.
Reiko and Hiro's wedding in November was truly a beautiful occasion.
Entering the reception, everyone bows to the bride and groom and their
families.
Hiro and Noriko look happy after the group picture, while Reiko prepares
to move to the next room (not an easy task in the shiro-muku!)
Reiko and our family.
You may wonder how the bride gets around in that huge headdress. Well,
they've got a special car just for that purpose!
A guide dog leads an Ogawa student at an assembly. Guess what? The
dogs understand English!
A typical Engrish lesson. Students read in chorus while I go around
and check their pronounciations.
Correcting English compositions, I found this lovely present from
one of the 3rd year students.
I stopped in at the Subaru dealer for some brochures, and the salesman
asked me if I wanted to drive this!
Was I going to refuse such an offer? Hell no!
This is what makes it go. And boy, does it ever!
A hell of a ride in an STi (MPEG-1 movie).
Occasionally, we have okonomiyaki / eikaiwa get-togethers at my apartment.
This is "Mr." Yves, a French Canadian teacher who lives
in the town next door, and an all-around good guy. Shown with his
favourite meal.
Thanksgiving dinner at the American Embassy in Tokyo
The food was good, wasn't it, Carla?
Karting in Chiba with Minoru and friends.
Movie at the kart track! (MPEG-1)
At the Mt. Aso Rave, September -- sign says "Genki"!
It was impossible to get a good photo at the rave, but it sure was
colourful and fun!
Ravin'!
Amy, Tina, Tomomi, and me at the Mt. Aso Rave.
Here's Tina, post-rave, at the beach in Kumamoto.
At a typical office enkai (party) -- drinks, karaoke, and good times!
Danae buys some nashi (pears) near the onsen.
Mayuko and Yuki are students at Karasuyama Girls' HS. Mayuko is going
to Taiwan next year, so I'm helping her practice English in exchange
for dinner.
