ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! I hope you will be spending this day with friends, family and loved ones, much like Christmas Eve! I know that New Year's Eve in America is very different from New Year's Eve in Japan. In America, it's a big party with fireworks and dancing and good times. In Japan, I understand it's a quiet time to be with family and visit the shrines. I like both versions because either way, a big party or a quiet time, people are focused on the New Year- what is to come, new hopes and dreams, new goals, new beginnings and new adventures. It's a refresh and I think no matter how it's celebrated, it's something to recognize. Happy New Year everyone! Enjoy and be safe. See you in the new year!

  

Flying is always stressful. This week I have been traveling by trains and buses but my family has had endless trouble with their international flights. For a while, we all thought they would be staying in the US for the holidays instead of visiting me in Japan. Fortunately, they were able to get off their first flight just in time to run to their last one! Now, they are stuck in Osaka but only for a few hours thankfully! I am very glad I will be traveling to Tokyo by Shinkansen and will be avoiding all the hassle of flying!  

This Christmas I tried Shogi for the first time. I was visiting Gary Sensei and his wife Candice Sensei for dinner. Gary and I decided to learn to play. I was surprised at how much longer a shogi match takes then chess. Between promotions, and capturing pieces, there are many things to watch for. After around an hour or so of playing, I managed to win the match. It was a very enjoyable game to play, and I'm looking forward to playing more in the future.