ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

I have been sweating a lot lately. This has mostly been from the heat. Last weekend was not so hot but I still got sweaty. This is logical, though because I worked out.

I have been making excuses. I’m too busy, too tired, too lazy, or have a sprained ankle that needs rest or I will re-injure it. Again.

I feel like one of my excuses is better than the others...

Finally, I started working out again. My noodle arms were very tired but maybe less like noodles. My ankle was ok because I only worked out my arms and core. I sweat a lot. I have been sweating a lot lately. In fact, I think it is now time for another shower.  

Near a HardOff and Geo in Takamatsu there's a ramen shop I stopped in. Router broke and wasn't finding a new one. I walked in and asked for her recommendation. All over the wall was graffiti from people who had been coming and loving this stuff. It was really tasty. Mama says she's been running this shop every day from 3pm-5am every day for 23 years. That's incredible.

It was really tasty and pretty cheap.   

If you know me, then you may be aware that I love the rain. No matter how strong or light, it is refreshing and soothing. Until now.

Because of weather warnings, classes have been cancelled twice this week. As I write this, the rain is still coming. Days without classes are so boring! I miss my students. I miss the craziness. And knowing my luck, the one day I hope gets rained out, will probably be clear.  

I went to Tokyo during the month of June as a small birthday celebration to myself. There were a lot of problems (I got lost a lot) but I did experience some good things too. I would say it was a fun and interesting trip.
Two times, I got to eat Mexican food. I feel an ache just thinking about it! Americans and Canadians often complain about the lack of mexican food in Japan. I heard someone say "I would kill someone for a burrito". I make tacos in my place a few times a month, but it's not the same. Pictured above is my taco-ritto, a taco and burrito mixed together. It was incredible! I even ate the tomatoes on top even though I don't like tomatoes. I wanted to finish the dish entirely.

My friend took me to a fast food taco place right before I left Tokyo, and she had to go run an errand and left me with the food. I was so excited that I accidentally took a big bite of HER order. Then my bus arrived and I had to leave a note to explain what had happened.


In English, the phrase "to pull a _name" means to give credit to someone for doing it first or often. She had just told me that her 2 year old son often takes huge bites of her food. It's usually used negatively, for example: "don't pull a Katie and buy too much Halloween stuff."

  

Back and forth the pedals went until finally THE CHAIN WAS FREED FROM THE SKIRT PIECES AND THE PEDALS COULD MOVE FREELY! And there was much rejoicing. Everyone was so relieved that we were able to pull out the pieces of the skirt and that my bicycle may still have a chance. Before they left one of the guys turned my bicycle right side up, applied the brake and locked it down. He then mounted the bike and pedaled as hard as he could to ensure that there were no remnants of skirt left and that the chain was still in good condition. Just as he had decided that all was well and he dismounted from my bike the police arrive! We had been outside working on the bicycle for 45 minutes, and in that span of time many people and cars had passed us on the street. Eventually someone alerted the police and they came out to see what was wrong. If only they had come sooner! My bicycle works but my skirt is now ruined and my bicycle chain is crispier than I’d like it to be.

Admittedly this was one of my favorite moments of living in Japan. It’s so unfortunate that my favorite skirt was ruined, but the hilarity of the moment coupled with the kindness of random strangers and our perseverance in fixing my bike make it worth it.





  

Hello All! For the past 2 1/2 years, I have stumbled through this profession called teaching. I never actually consider myself a "Good Teacher". I'll be the first one to admit the flaws in my teaching abilities. One thing I can say is that I try very hard to help my students learn and also make my class interesting and fun. In the past, I couldn't understand why people (Especially in the American public school system) loved to teach. I saw how stressful the job can be. Even now I can't fully relate to public school teachers as I'm certain their work is much more stressful then mines. But throughout the last 2 years I've experienced little fulfilling moments were the students would be able to apply what they have learned from me and/or receiving little gifts from the sweet students.

I understand a little.... feels good man.  

My deep love for flowers… Looking at flowers relaxes my mind and soul. Taking a deep breathe and diving into the array of colors is mesmerically charming. Cool-cozy maroons, bright-bold yellows, and sound-water blues are all enlightening. Viewing flowers is one of my favorite hobbies. It takes you into a whole other world of peace, where you can escape any earthly tunes. Breaking away from life… To peace you go… flowers say to me. I don’t pay attention to the many different names; I only enjoy them. My family and I took a trip last weekend to view some hydrangeas and explore some of Japan. I captured some very beautiful pictures for my collection. Here are a few of many…







  

I like skiing. But not downhill skiing. I’m too wimpy for that. I do cross country. It’s much safer. Unless you are me.

I blame my sister for distracting me and the snow for having a random hole. How rude of it to suddenly disappear from under me! My ankle was not happy. It still isn’t happy, three months later. But that’s my fault because I have been walking too much.

Finally, it is doing better, sort of. It’s still very wimpy. So, now I exercise it, but not too much. At least, that’s the plan. Except that I still can’t help myself and I keep walking. Hopefully it will heal by winter so I can go skiing again.  

Looking for cooking channels when I stumbled upon this. I clicked it so I only have myself to blame. Looks....pretty sharp, honestly. hahaha

Video link here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6_ugobl5sk