ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

We were doing some more drawings today in class. We had to finish the drawing again. This time we had to draw a pet for a man with a leash. A lot of student drew things like cats and dogs, but I like to draw funny things. I decided to draw a cactus. It's especially fun because I'm from Texas and miss my dear cactus friends. In this way I got to share a bit of home in a fun way.
  

I always love my students pictures of me. There's always something special about a hand-drawn depiction of someone. These pictures help me see myself through another perspective, particularly the perspective of the student that drew it. In this case it was Rory. A young boy of two. I've gotten to see him for much of his life and to see his depiction of me makes me smile. Thank you Rory.
  

I've did some fun drawings in my classes recently. The idea is that half the picture is already done and we have to finish the drawing. In this drawing there was an old man that was angry. We had to decide why he was angry and draw it. I decided hat my guy was angry because of a banana man. My students always think it's fun to see the banana man ever since I dresses up like a banana for Halloween.
  

Spring is almost here which means~, Cherry Blossoms! The first time I saw them was at Marugame Castle and at the very top of the castle all I could see was a sea of cherry blossoms below me. It was beautiful. I think spring is my favorite time of the year, especially in Japan! What are some things that are fun to do during the spring here in Japan? I know for me it'll be the long distance cycling I plan to do.

- James Barbosa

"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP" - Leonord Nimoy
  

This morning I woke to the news of the passing of Leonard Nimoy, a great actor and legend among geeks. If you do not know Leonard, he is well known for his acting in Star Trek as the Vulcan Mr Spock. He was probably my favorite character in the show. I always took his catch phrase "Live long and prosper" to heart as a child amd even today. He will not be forgotten and will maintain his status as a legend in my heart.

Thank you for reading!

Leigh  

I've said before that I really like games. I really enjoyed making up games with my brothers and playing them all day. Even today I'm pretty good at making up games. What's especially fun is finding new games to play. While I was still in America, I found a really fun and simple game. The name explains the premise. It's called flip 'n stack monkeys. You launched these monkeys in the air and try to stack them. It was boat loads of fun.

  

  

Well, this has been an interesting week. I am still recovering from my eye infection, and I really hope that I will be back to teaching this week. I really missed seeing all of my students, and I missed having the chance to say goodbye to many of them who will be moving to new levels and new classes in GEM School. I cannot wait to get rid of this infection and get back to teaching!

The one good thing about my eye infection is that I have been able to spend a decent amount of time studying hiragana. I am very excited to be almost finished learning hiragana and to move onto katakana. Another lucky thing is that I have the most amazing co-workers in the world. Everyone has been so wonderful in helping me navigate the Japanese healthcare system, as well as buying me a few groceries so I don't have to go out and infect anyone else. I don't know what I would have done without all of my wonderful co-workers here to help me!