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I went on another hiking trip. I spotted some mushrooms! Whenever I see mushrooms I like to take pictures of them. I didn't always use to do that though. I think I started doing it because my mom usually takes pictures of mushrooms and other random things while on a hike. Then I started doing it too because it's kind of fun. Mushrooms are cool to look at but I don't typically eat mushrooms. I especially don't like them on my pizza!  

Hello Everyone It's Teacher Bear bringing you another blog just for you!


Traveling around Japan has provided me with opportunities to not leave any stone unturned as I'm able to explore the vast lands of greenery on Shikoku Island. Japan is a country I truly admire and appreciate with all my heart and soul, and I am thankful for always being able to live in, breathe in, experience, and feel it. Just look at the gorgeous below and appreciate its beauty isn't it nice?


See You All Later!


Teacher Bear






  

CALL THE SHOTS

The idiom "call the shots" means to be in charge or to have authority over a situation. The person who calls the shots is in a position to tell others what to do. The directors call the shots and nothing happens without their say-so.



EXAMPLES

Who is calling the shots in this house?

Do what you're told. I'll call the shots.




HISTORY

The origins of the phrase “call the shots” are diverse, with supposed connections to military practices ancient and modern, billiards, hunting, and even the historical practice of floating logs down North American rivers. Additionally, there is a noteworthy association dating back to the early 1500s with the sport of curling, which originated in Scotland. In curling, the team leader, known as the “skip,” would “call” the shot for their player, specifying details such as distance, speed, and line.

In games like billiards, pool, or snooker, the player who “calls the shots” is the one who decides and announces which ball they intend to hit into a pocket. Over time, the phrase has evolved to be used more broadly in various contexts beyond sports. By the mid-20th century, “call the shots” had completely transitioned from a specific cue sports term to a metaphorical expression used to describe someone who is in control or making important decisions in any situation.

Another theory behind the origin of the idiom suggests that in whisky making, the initial stage of distillation yields undesirable compounds that evaporate before the desired ethanol emerges. These early, potentially harmful liquids are termed “foreshots,” while the end of the distillation run produces “aftershots,” which, though not poisonous, are also unsuitable for consumption. “Calling the shots” in distillation involves the skill of discerning which portions—foreshots or aftershots—to discard, ensuring only the desirable product is retained.

Linguists are not unanimous on whether this idiom originated in America, Great Britain, or any other part of the world.
  

I love opera cake. It’s one of my favorite desserts. This one is from Cafe Lululu in Yashima!  

The video game I enjoy playing recently updated with a fireworks theme. The animations are so pretty!

  

On my trip to Osaka I really wanted to try Kushi Katsu because I had failed to eat it on previous trips. I was blown away by how good the food is! Next time I go to Osaka, it will surely be my first stop!
  

Hello Everyone! It's Teacher Bear back with another blog just for you!


The Golden Tower in Utazu is a marvelous piece of architecture. I always find it quite impressive to look at when I'm around that area. This time I was able to go there and photograph it with the Kawazuzakuras which provided me with a stunning picture. Wouldn't you agree? Have a great day everyone and take care!





  

Hello Everyone! It's Teacher Bear here with another blog just for you!



March brought us a beautiful gift called Kawazuzakuras, which are gorgeous. These flowers are like people; they come and go from our lives. However, each season, you meet new ones, the same way these flowers come back for us. Just take a look at the picture below isn't it a gem? Well... that's all for this blog see you all next time.





  

Tosa tea is a green tea named after the regional domain of Japan during the Edo Samurai period, that is now called Kochi Prefecture. It is a sweet and refreshing tea, that is a perfect complement to wagashi, or traditional Japanese sweets.

On a recent visit to Kochi, I had the pleasure of trying this tea for the first time. I enjoy the tea very much. I have tried many Japanese teas as well as numerous teas from around the world, and I really liked the Tosa tea. It was excellent, and the taste was smooth and easy to drink. If you get the chance, please give it a try.
  

Okay, I'm finally done talking about Candyland. Another game that probably most Americans have played as a child is the board game Operation. You have to try to remove some organs from some poor suffering guy while causing him as little pain as possible. If your tweezers touch the side of the hole, the man's nose glows red and a buzzer sounds! It's a little scary playing it as a child, but also fun. It's a good game to help develop fine motor coordination.



Many of the organs from the man are based on idioms, puns, or phrases in English such as "funny bone", "spare ribs", and "butterflies in your stomach."

Have you ever played this game before?
  

This past weekend was an emotional one. I had the opportunity to see some of my students graduate to the next level of their English language journey. One of my students gave me a precious bouquet of flowers with a handwritten note thanking me even though I feel as if I didn't do much. I didn't expect to cry when I received this gift but I couldn't hold it in because the two students have progressed so much that I can't wait to see how far they'll grow. I didn't notice it but one of my colleagues pointed out how much the bouquet resembled my nails. It's almost as if they picked the bouquet based on my nails lol.





  

Hello everyone, Benson here. Welcome to the end of March! How is everyone feeling? Did everyone have a good March? What did you accomplish? What did you experience? I had a great March personally. Part of why March is good for many people is the first appearance of green into our surroundings.

In March, the first hints of green begin to appear, breaking up the browns and grays of winter. Whether it’s the first leaves sprouting on trees, patches of grass peeking through the snow, or tiny plants emerging from the soil, these little splashes of color feel like a promise of what’s to come. I love walking outside and noticing these changes, feeling that sense of anticipation grow. Spring isn’t fully here yet, but it’s close, and these tiny glimpses of green are proof that life is returning. Until next time, take care everyone.


  

My favorite popcorn is back at the cinema! Caramel popcorn and pretzels are the best. I went to the movies with Elizabeth and we saw Wicked. I don't care much for musicals but I had a good time. Sometimes the singer was singing in such a high pitch that I didn't know what the word was, so it was actually helpful to have the Japanese subtitles on the bottom. I usually forget that the subtitles are there pretty fast.  

Hello Everyone It's Teacher Bear!!

This past weekend we headed deep into the heart of Kagawa Prefecture to explore one of its hidden spiritual gems called the Ishizuchi Shrine in Mitoyo. The entrance welcomes you with this stunning torii gate, marking the transition from the everyday world into the sacred one. The architecture here is simply breathtaking. You can feel the history in the woodwork and the way the shrine blends seamlessly with the surrounding forest. There’s a deep spiritual energy here, making it a perfect place to take a moment, breathe, and soak it all in. Ishizuchi Shrine in Mitoyo is truly a hidden treasure. If you’re looking for a serene escape from the busy city life, just want to experience a unique side of Japan, or want to pray to attain blessings then this is the place to be. Thank you all and until next time see you all later!



  

Spring is just around the corner in Kagawa, and with it comes the breathtaking beauty of cherry blossom season. Soon, parks and temple grounds will be awash in soft pink petals as sakura trees reach full bloom. Whether it’s a stroll through Ritsurin Garden, a picnic under the blossoms at Tamamo Park, or a visit to the quiet hillside groves, there’s no better time to enjoy the season’s renewal. The air is warming, the days are growing longer, and anticipation is building—hanami season is almost here. I can’t wait to welcome spring beneath the blossoms!


  

Yesterday was my 31st birthday! It's so hard to believe that I'm 31 now, and that it's the third birthday that I've had living here in Japan! It's been wonderful living here, and getting to meet so many awesome people. I really love living here, and I can't wait to see what the rest of this year is going to bring! It's getting so close to my family visiting too, I can't wait to see them! I just have to get everything packed for the first week since we'll be traveling and I'll be ready to head to Tokyo this weekend! I'm so excited!!  

The other night while I was sitting in my apartment I noticed I hadn't turned on my air conditioning. I went to grab the remote control, thinking about what temperature I wanted it set at, and realized I actually didn't want to turn it on. At this point I realized my apartment was warm enough and I was pretty comfortable. This also meant that spring had returned! Hopefully we can have some nice cool and warm nights without freezing inside our homes. I know the hot weather will come later, but for right now I want to enjoy this temperature while I still can.


  

I meant to only be out hiking for about an hour or two. I ended up going on about a 5 hour hike in the mountains near Yamane Park. I think I've said this before, but hiking is really relaxing so this was an awesome mental reset for me. I kept noticing new paths to take and it just kept going and going. I wanted to keep exploring! Eventually I thought "I can't be here all day! I got to go grocery shopping!" I'll definitely go back soon though.  

I went to Takinomiya park the other day and noticed that the plum blossoms were just starting to bloom. It`s a beautiful reminder that spring is coming soon and I can finally go outside and enjoy nature again!  

CAN OF WORMS

"Can of worms" is an idiom that means to start a complicated situation or unexpected problem. It can also refer to a difficult or unpleasant task or topic. For example, you might say "Tackling the budget cuts is sure to open a can of worms".


EXAMPLES

"You've opened up a whole new can of worms here, I think"

"His recently published autobiography opened a fresh can of worms"



HISTORY

The exact origin of the phrase is not completely known, but general consensus traces it back to the 1950s in the United States and literal cans of worms. Fisherman used to buy sealed metal cans of earthworms, as opposed to the plastic containers or Styrofoam cups of today. After arriving at their fishing spot, they would set the metal can down and open it. What was inside was alive and if the top was left open for too long or the can was tipped over, well, your biggest problem would no longer be catching fish. It would be catching your bait that’s wriggling away.
The earliest documented example of this phrase is found in 1951 edition of the Edwardsville Intelligencer in Illinois.