I fear nobody will read this....it has afterall been six months since my last post and I guess that most of you will have given up any hope of me ever updating it...

Well, I could therefore be writing to myself. But in anycase, the last six months have been as busy and as interesting as ever. I started a new job in a junior and senior high school. I had quite a few teething problems to start but now feel a lot more relaxed and am really enjoying the teaching. The students are mostly all well motivated and if not respectful! If they don't want to learn they at least have the courtesy to sleep during the lesson and not play up (ha ha ha).

Also went home for three weeks over the summer. My part of the country was particularly badly affected by the flooding which made getting around quite tricky, but guitily, I liked the feeling of being cool. It has been a record 37 degrees at times in Tokyo and with the humidity levels as high as they were, it was realy horrible. Needing a shower every 10 minutes cannot be described as pleasant conditions!
I then came back for the lst 3 weeks of my summer holiday to go to school and study Japanese every morning. It was a really good experience for me as I was able not only to improve my Japanese, but to undertsand a little better what my students must be feeling when I put them under pressure and ask them to answer my questions.

Since being back at work, it has been quite relaxed and an easy re-start to work. Just after we went back, the whole school had a culture festival, which is a chance for the students to organise, develop and plan their own plays, performances, displays etc based loosely around this year's theme of global warming. It was fantastic to see students go to such lengths to redecorate the classrooms and perform plays, or present their work. Suddenly, you see reluctant and moody kids come alive when working on their own stuff.

There have also been a number of public holidays which has meant a few long weekends, including the last weekend where I was able to escape the big city (something I have been looking forward to for quite some time). Went with Shigeaki to Kyoto (for the second time) and Nara (for the first time). I love kyoto for the sheer amount of historical sights, and Nara is wonderfully peaceful and green. Nara is home to both the oldest and the largest wooden structures in the world (both constructed in the 8th century) and both are truly impressive. The local tame deer also add charm and humour to the area - though I was glad not to feed them as they seem to then assume you are fair game to be followed for the rest of the day!
I have now spent a total of 6 days in Kyoto and still feel there is more to be seen. The trouble is, after 3 days I start to not appreciate what I am seeing...I guess that just means more trips!

Then back to work for 2 days before I go canyoning on sunday...I am really really looking forward to that! Hopefully therefore, more to follow soon! x