2015年08月17日
Yashima Aquarium
I recently visited an aquarium on Mt.Yashima. It isn't a big aquarium but it has many shows. I got to see a dolphin show and a seal show. My favorite part was seeing the otters as they are probably my favorite sea creature. If anyone gets a chance to go to the aquarium be sure to sit well away from the dolphin tanks during the show or you'll be splashed with water.
This has been the 3rd aquarium that I've visited in Japan and I enjoyed it a lot. Mt. Yashima has a lot to offer!
- James Barbosa
タグ ：gem school
2015年08月17日
Sewing talent?
As I have mentioned before, I have been doing a bit of sewing lately, whether it be adjusting my clothes to make them fit better, making little stuffed animals, and even making new clothes from scratch. That last one was just my costume for Summer Tour, and it was my first attempt at making clothes. I think it turned out pretty well, and many other people seemed impressed. Here is the end result of all my effort:
Not too bad, right? I definitely want to make more pants like that, for personal use, and also to try to make them better. But in the meantime, I will be, and have been, making more stuffed animals. I am making them for both friends and students alike. The students in mind recently had birthdays, and not only that, they decided to put together a little something for me in class for my birthday. It was very sweet, so I decided to try to sew them their favorite animals. It was a bit difficult, but here are the end results:
They turned out pretty well! And I still need to make more. I have a couple of ideas on what to make next, plus an actual request, so hopefully I will be able to make them quickly and well!
Not too bad, right? I definitely want to make more pants like that, for personal use, and also to try to make them better. But in the meantime, I will be, and have been, making more stuffed animals. I am making them for both friends and students alike. The students in mind recently had birthdays, and not only that, they decided to put together a little something for me in class for my birthday. It was very sweet, so I decided to try to sew them their favorite animals. It was a bit difficult, but here are the end results:
They turned out pretty well! And I still need to make more. I have a couple of ideas on what to make next, plus an actual request, so hopefully I will be able to make them quickly and well!
Posted by teachers at
18:03
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2015年08月17日
Taking a break
Things have been quite busy at work, and I had been feeling a little bogged down with everything, especially with all the preparations for Summer Tour (which went pretty well, by the way!). That is why during my break, I basically didn't do a lot outside of Niihama. To be honest, I didn't actually have the money for traveling. A lot was spent getting ready for Summer Tour, especially for my costume.
So instead, I spent time at home, doing some sewing, and starting to work out again, which I haven't been able to do for a while. It feels good, especially being able to run again. My knee has been feeling much better, especially since I have started stretching properly. And so, with running, I can kind of explore Niihama a bit. I have already run to Takinomiya park several times. It is a bit small, but it is a nice place. From there, I found a really nice path that is meant for people walking or on bikes. I decided to run along that pathway as far as it went to the south. I later learned that I had run about 5 km one way (meaning a total of 10 km there and back). I was excited, not only because I realized I can still run that kind of distance (though slowly), but I also found myself the perfect running trail.
I also wanted to check out places near where I live, such as restaurants and pubs. Unfortunately, that also requires money, so I was pretty s.o.l. It's okay though, I will be here for a while, so I should have plenty of chances to check out each place at least once.
So instead, I spent time at home, doing some sewing, and starting to work out again, which I haven't been able to do for a while. It feels good, especially being able to run again. My knee has been feeling much better, especially since I have started stretching properly. And so, with running, I can kind of explore Niihama a bit. I have already run to Takinomiya park several times. It is a bit small, but it is a nice place. From there, I found a really nice path that is meant for people walking or on bikes. I decided to run along that pathway as far as it went to the south. I later learned that I had run about 5 km one way (meaning a total of 10 km there and back). I was excited, not only because I realized I can still run that kind of distance (though slowly), but I also found myself the perfect running trail.
I also wanted to check out places near where I live, such as restaurants and pubs. Unfortunately, that also requires money, so I was pretty s.o.l. It's okay though, I will be here for a while, so I should have plenty of chances to check out each place at least once.
Posted by teachers at
17:54
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2015年08月17日
A Visit to Tsushimi Shrine
Hello, all!
Today my blog post will be very short, because I have a video!
A few weeks ago I rode my bicycle to Tsushima Shrine, in Mitoyo. The shrine is on a very small island in the ocean. There's a walking bridge to the island, but it's usually closed. There are only a few days a year when you can visit the shrine! I visited on one of those days, and brought my little GoPro camera:
Be sure to watch the video in HD if you can—the original video is 4k! I love the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea. Tsushima Shrine is what English speakers call a "hidden gem": it's a beautiful location, but not many people know about it. You can see the other days the shrine is open here. Do visit when you have a chance!
—Matthew
Today my blog post will be very short, because I have a video!
A few weeks ago I rode my bicycle to Tsushima Shrine, in Mitoyo. The shrine is on a very small island in the ocean. There's a walking bridge to the island, but it's usually closed. There are only a few days a year when you can visit the shrine! I visited on one of those days, and brought my little GoPro camera:
Be sure to watch the video in HD if you can—the original video is 4k! I love the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea. Tsushima Shrine is what English speakers call a "hidden gem": it's a beautiful location, but not many people know about it. You can see the other days the shrine is open here. Do visit when you have a chance!
—Matthew
2015年08月17日
Takamatsu weekend!
Hello!
We've just come back from Oban vacation today, after a very successful and exciting Summer Tour! I want to tell just a little about our biggest adventure during the week!
Last Thursday, we travelled to Takamatsu so take part in the three day Saunki Festival that was happening at the time. We got there in the middle of the second day, and after a little bit of trouble finding a parking spot, we were on our way!
The festival itself was a ton of fun. We got a chance to see some really talented J-Pop musicians, who had a very loyal fan base, as they were dancing just as much as the singers were! We also got a chance to explore the festival grounds, and try some of the amazing foods that were for sale. Japan doesn't seem to be very big on spicy foods, because I certainly impressed some vendors with the amount of hot sauce I put on my meal!
The absolute highlight of the night was, of course, the fireworks. This year was the 50th anniversary of this particular festival, so the fireworks display was amazing. Over 12,000 fireworks were set off, and was such a beautiful sight, even the rain couldn't stop me from being impressed. It was the topper to a very successful and exciting day!
I'm looking forward now to finishing this semester, and very excited for the new one happening in September!
A
We've just come back from Oban vacation today, after a very successful and exciting Summer Tour! I want to tell just a little about our biggest adventure during the week!
Last Thursday, we travelled to Takamatsu so take part in the three day Saunki Festival that was happening at the time. We got there in the middle of the second day, and after a little bit of trouble finding a parking spot, we were on our way!
The festival itself was a ton of fun. We got a chance to see some really talented J-Pop musicians, who had a very loyal fan base, as they were dancing just as much as the singers were! We also got a chance to explore the festival grounds, and try some of the amazing foods that were for sale. Japan doesn't seem to be very big on spicy foods, because I certainly impressed some vendors with the amount of hot sauce I put on my meal!
The absolute highlight of the night was, of course, the fireworks. This year was the 50th anniversary of this particular festival, so the fireworks display was amazing. Over 12,000 fireworks were set off, and was such a beautiful sight, even the rain couldn't stop me from being impressed. It was the topper to a very successful and exciting day!
I'm looking forward now to finishing this semester, and very excited for the new one happening in September!
A
