ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

I went shopping during Golden week. I visited the new building called Orne, which I don't know how to pronounce. I think it's French. OR-NAY?

I was surprised to see lots of musicians and singers in the shotengai. I think I even heard some operatic singing. It was cool to shop and hear such nice music. There were big crowds for them and I was happy for them. I didn't find any clothes that I wanted or second hand goods, so I took a train to a Book-off. It was a great idea and I got a good deal on some manga. My feet hurt pretty bad by the end of the day, but Takamatsu shopping was fun!  

I was quite busy over Golden Week taking care of responsibilities I had let slide. My apartment needed some major organizing, and my MFA masters degree coursework took up most of my week. However, on Tony’s birthday, we visited a local hobby shop for the first time, Fujicame Hobby.



I knew we had discovered something special when we entered the shop. The gentleman who has owned the shop for over 20 years was incredibly kind and open to using Google Translate to communicate with us. We learned a lot about him, even that he used to do some work for Gem School many years ago. If you are ever in the Kanonji/Toyohama area and enjoy building model kits, I highly encourage you to check out Fujicame Hobby. The owner is very kind and his prices are great too. While I will always love secondhand stores like Second Street and HardOff, There was something very special about shopping at a locally owned business and making a new connection here in my new home. Please visit the hobby shop if you get a chance!
https://g.co/kgs/uySUXSr  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How was everyone’s first week of May? What kinds of things have you experienced or plan to experience this month? I was wondering lately about the flowers that bloom in May or are considered in-season. Are April showers a thing in Japan? And if so, do they directly lead to the blooming of many flowers in May?

Which flowers are known to be in full bloom in May? I’m the farthest thing from an expert on flowers, so I would love to hear what kinds of flowers you all look forward to seeing in May. Back in my hometown Toronto, there are several popular gardens that people flock to in May to see the blooming of certain flowers. I have many memories of spending time in such large gardens back in Toronto, which were essentially really big public parks. People would go to do some walking or even have a picnic amongst the beautiful flowers and nature. While I didn’t visit those gardens as much as an adult, it remains a thriving spot to spend your time in the city. What about in Japan? What flowers tend to bloom in May and are there different flowers throughout different parts of Japan? Do you have a favorite flower? When looking upon flowers in full bloom, how does that make you feel? Hope everybody has a good week, take care.


  

I had the opportunity to watch the film 'Perfect Days' by the renowned director Wim Wenders during the break. The film is a beautiful and poetic examination of life's limitations and how to live in the face of need, loneliness, and disappointment. Wenders has elegantly crafted a fitting tribute to the acclaimed Japanese director and his long-time idol Yasujiro Ozu.
10/10!

  

During Golden Week I was finally able to make a trip to a mountain called Kamegamori. The hike up there was awesome and I was a little surprised to see a rope to climb up at one point. Making this trip took a bit of planning but it was totally worth it. When I got to the top the view was spectacular and it made me more excited for hiking adventures. Someday I definitely want to hike up Mount Ishizuchi.   

Hello Everyone! It's Sensei Bear.




Traveling around Japan is always an eye candy and something we can always enjoy. As I was walking I glanced to the side and saw this masterpiece of a view. To me, it looks full of hope and unparalleled beauty. Come with me and enjoy the beautiful sunsets SEE YOU!!!








  

Some people may not know this, but I love all types of anime! Lately I’ve been able to start watching anime again and I’ve been really enjoying rewatching Spy family!   

Kyoto has a famous and delicious sweet called nama yatsuhashi. It is a raw, unbaked, soft, and mochi-like snack that is cut into a square and then folded into a triangle shape. It is filled with red bean paste, that has just the right amount of sweetness, and it is small and bite-size – perfect for a snack with tea. It is extremely popular with both Japanese locals and tourists.

There are a variety of flavors to include, strawberry, cinnamon, sesame, green tea, and many more. The snack is delicious and can be purchased all around the city of Kyoto. If you make it to Kyoto, this well-known snack is definitely worth a try.
  

For the next couple of weeks, I wanted to mention some classic TV shows that are an important part of American culture. I wonder how many you know about already?

One that you probably know of already is Sesame Street. It's not unusual to find Sesame Street branded items here in Japan. I wonder how many children in Japan actually watch or have watched it before? Sesame Street has different varieties in many different countries, but I think they also just dub the American version sometimes.

For many years in America, Sesame Street was one of the top children's TV shows. Every child watched it, and Sesame Street books, toys, and clothing were incredibly popular.

I was a huge fan when I was a small child. Back then, the main cast of the show looked like this:



Jim Henson was the creator of Sesame Street. When he died, the show became very different. Elmo became the main character, and many other changes were made. I remember when my younger sister watched Sesame Street, I would think, "Wow, this show is totally different now."

Nowadays, Sesame Street is still fairly popular, but since there are so many other TV shows (as well as YouTube), it doesn't have the same cultural impact on children that it used to. But adults have lots of nostalgia for the show. Since we watched it as very young children, the cartoon segments especially were branded on our young brains, and they bring back happy memories.

I've heard of people using Sesame Street to help them learn English. Do you think it's a helpful show for that?  

For Golden week, I bought myself a new video game! It's called Cozy Grove. It's a lot like Animal Crossing...but with GHOST BEARS?! You fish, farm, make, and collect things. You have to wait each day for a new challenge. I am already addicted and I'm so happy I bought it. Some of my online friends are playing it too, and it's been nice to talk to them about it. I'm staying home for Golden Week, but having some games was a great idea!  

Hello! I am writing this blog post in advance, but my preparations to make Tony’s first birthday in Japan special are already underway. I have been doing some secret shopping and planning to make May 1st, 2024 one of his most enjoyable birthdays yet. In the last few years in America, we weren’t able to celebrate much because of work and responsibilities, but here in Japan, Tony’s birthday happens during Golden Week! How lucky!

While I can’t share too many details yet, I have procured some cool decorations and ordered a cake from Baskin Robins, which I heard is called “31” here after the number of flavors. I will take lots of pictures and share them with you in a future post. I’d also like to either cook something special or go out to eat at a yakiniku restaurant, as we’ve been wanting to try that for years.

How do you like to celebrate birthdays? I have read that in Japan the celebrations are less extravagant than in America, though I don’t think the amount of money you spend on a celebration counts as much as how much thought and effort you put into making your friends and loved ones feel celebrated. Life is a gift, and it’s important to me to celebrate it well.

Have a wonderful Golden Week, everyone! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TONY!


P.S. Here is a hint about the decorations I chose…they are made of particular colors that change under a certain type of light…! Can you guess?
  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How was everybody’s April? Spring is in full swing now that the month of May is upon us. What does the month of May mean for you? Is there any significance to the month of May itself? Or maybe there are events or celebrations that are held in May that you keep tabs on. Either way, let’s march onwards into May!

Back in April, I had asked if anybody participated in activities, particularly outdoor activities. While the weather will continue to heat up, I’m sure there are many more activities, both indoors and outdoors, that you can take part in. What do you associate with the month of May? What kinds of words would you use to describe May? Refreshing? Warm? Breezy? Maybe it’s not as simple as reducing an entire month to a few choice words, but what does May mean to you? Can you remember what May was like throughout different years in your life? Are there specific sights you look forward to seeing in May? What do you tend to think about in May? I also wonder about the meaning behind May, so let’s discover May together this year! See you next week and take care everyone.


  

I love it when I get to relax! Being a teacher is amazing and very rewarding, but it can also be exhausting! I'm so happy to have this break, especially since I get to have a few days here in Takamatsu before I head to Tokyo! Taking time to enjoy being at home before traveling makes the actual travel part less stressful in my opinion! I fully intend to get the most out of this week that I can, so I will be completely ready to come back and dive into work! To that end, I'm going back to relaxing, have a great Golden Week!  

Hello Everyone It's Sensei Bear!


Do you like parks? I love parks. I recently went to a place called Asahinayama Shinrin Koen the place was filled with interesting landscapes, flowers, and a beautiful castle. I recommend everyone to visit this place if you are all about traveling far and wide. See you all next time!





  

Hello Everyone! It's Sensei Bear delivering another exciting adventure.


To me, Japan is a beautiful land filled with charming people, landscapes, and scenery. As you walk or drive don't forget that all of Japan looks like a beautiful painting. The landscape was beautiful that I had to take a picture of it. See you all soon!




  

Before I came to Japan I was living in Germany. I lived in a nice little town called Mackenbach and it was so relaxing. I could walk across the street and find myself on a forest pathway. There were so many hiking trails, open fields, and farmland. Someday it would be nice to go back, enjoy the atmosphere, and enjoy some of the delicious local food!  

This is the hamburger steak from Matsumoto coffee at Haneda airport! It was absolutely incredible: food that I will never forget!  

I have definitely discovered my go-to restaurant! I am always in the mood for sushi!



  

Hello Everyone It's Bear Sensei!

Taking you on another adventure full of excitement and beautiful scenery. As I was walking I stumbled upon a green field which gave me a feeling of nostalgia and mystery. Japan makes us feel nostalgic, indescribable deep feelings and I'm glad I am witness to such perfect beauty. See you all later!



  

I received some buffalo sauce over Christmas and I finally got around to making buffalo wings! They are just fried chicken wings with a spicy sauce that are one of the classic American foods. They were so tasty and I even had some ranch dressing to dip them in!