ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

Hello everyone, Benson here. It’s finally the end of April! How is everyone? To relax, there are many people who like to simply gaze at the clouds passing by. April is one of the better months to do so!

Lying on the grass and watching the clouds is one of those childhood habits that I think we should never outgrow. April skies are particularly beautiful, filled with big, fluffy clouds that shift and change before your eyes. I love looking up and letting my imagination turn them into shapes and creatures. It’s a peaceful way to spend an afternoon, a reminder to slow down and appreciate the simple joys in life. Until next time, take care everyone.


  

If you’re seeking a refreshing treat in Kanonji, YAMAYA Steel Café offers a delightful escape. Their Coffee Mini Parfait, combines rich coffee jelly with creamy soft serve, creating a perfect balance of bold and sweet flavors.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, YAMAYA Steel Café is a must-visit for dessert enthusiasts.


  

While I was at the store thinking about what I would have for dinner I decided I would make spaghetti. I knew I wanted to have some parmesan cheese so I looked next to the spaghetti sauces to find some. I'm so used to seeing the cheese be in a plastic bottle like container, so I was a little surprised to see it in a plastic bag! I was a little confused, but it was in a ziplock style bag, so it makes sense for keeping it fresh. Just a little surprise I experienced.


  

One day I had to go to Kanonji to get my car fixed. While there I thought "Why don't I see what interesting things I can find here." And I'm glad I stuck around. I visited many shrines and one of my favorites was Kotohiki Shrine. There were so many cats too! I also got this amazing view of the Zenigata Sand Sculpture! It was so cool. I'm sure there's some other stuff that I missed so I plan to go back again someday.  

Last but not least, here are the must see sakura spots of Niihama, which is where I live.

This year I went to Hirose Park for the first time during cherry blossom season and I can`t recommend it enough- the entire hill was covered in a blanket of sakura and I enjoyed walking around the pond looking at blossoms too.



Takinomiya is a great spot for hanami. There is a lot of space to spread out and enjoy hanging out with friends and the cherry blossoms around the pond are so lovely.


And of course, if you want to see cherry blossoms in Niihama there`s no better place than the Kokuryogawa riverside park. The cherry blossoms line both sides of the river and you can enjoy seeing everyone spending time together outside in the beautiful spring weather.


I`m a little sad to say goodbye to sakura season, but I`m grateful for all the beautiful spots across Shikoku that I have been able to enjoy over the years. Were there any good cherry blossom spots that I missed??   

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




This month, I had the opportunity to go to Zentsuji, and we went to a park where there are many beautiful flowers. Just take a look at the flowers that show you the way. Aren't they lovely?







  

Hello, Everyone! It's Teacher Bear! With another blog just for you.




Japan has more than aesthetically beautiful buildings, cities, swords, and museums. It also has some of the most eye-catching food I've ever seen. The vibrant colors, aromas, and textures all add a layer of divine taste and help us identify the sweet/salty and savory flavors. Just take a look at the food I ate last time! Doesn't it look splendid and mouth-watering?



  

Hello, Everyone! It's Teacher Bear! With another blog just for you.



Japan has more than aesthetically beautiful buildings, cities, swords, and museums. It also has some of the most eye-catching food I've ever seen. The vibrant colors, aromas, and textures all add a layer of divine taste and help us identify the sweet/salty and savory flavors. Just take a look at the food I ate last time! Doesn't it look splendid and mouth-watering?



  

DARK HORSE

The idiom "dark horse" refers to a person or thing that is unknown or unexpected, but who/which unexpectedly wins or succeeds.



EXAMPLES

"He was a dark horse in the election, but he ended up winning."

"She is a dark horse, I had no idea she was a talented artist."



HISTORY

The term "dark horse" initially described a racehorse that was little known or had unknown capabilities, making it difficult for gamblers to assess its potential and set betting odds.
The first known use of the phrase in a literary context is in Benjamin Disraeli's 1831 novel, The Young Duke, where the protagonist attends a horse race and is surprised by the victory of a "dark horse" that he hadn't even noticed in the list of competitors.
The idiom quickly expanded beyond horse racing to describe individuals, particularly political candidates, who are not well-known or expected to win but unexpectedly succeed.
Modern Usage:
Today, "dark horse" continues to be used to describe someone who is an unexpected or unlikely winner or someone whose true abilities or potential are not immediately apparent.   

This sleeping dog was at a store I visited recently. It was so cute that I just had to snap this picture!  

I'm missing this little Korean shop right now! The food was soooo good. I’ll have to have it again when I go back to Kochi!
  

For the last two years, some friends of mine have participated in a womens mikoshi festival. It is in Matsuyama and it was really fun!
  

Sudachi-kun is the official mascot of Tokushima Prefecture. The character first appeared in 1993. Sudachi is a citrus fruit that grows all over Shikoku, and in Tokushima in particular. It’s similar to a lime, but has a stronger and more pungent taste. In Shikoku, sudachi is served as an accent to fish, udon, and alcoholic beverages.

Sudachi-kun was originally drawn by a group of primary school pupils in the prefecture in response to a public request for proposals for a local mascot. After initial rejection, the children’s character was reconsidered and then unanimously selected by the local committee. Thus, Sudachi-Kun was born and is now the official mascot of Tokushima!
  

Here's another commonplace American childhood board game, Hi Ho Cherry-O. In the game, you want to be the first person to pick all the cherries from your tree. When you spin the spinner, you might land on a number. Then you can pick that many cherries from your tree. But sometimes when you spin the spinner, you might land on an animal. The animals take cherries from your basket, and so you have to put a certain number of cherries back on your tree. Or you might land on the spilled bucket! If you do, you have to put all of your cherries back on the tree!



This game was pretty fun to play when I was a kid, but it seemed to take a really long time to play!

Many of the board games I've mentioned on this blog come in older and/or updated versions. I usually post pictures of how the board looked when I was a kid, but some other people might remember the game as looking a little different!  

One animal that I am terrible at drawing is frogs! I can't draw them realistically or in a cute way. I started looking at drawing tutorials. I found this one, and it was so helpful! I was able to do it after trying a few times. I wonder what other animals I can learn easily. What can you draw well?  

It' always a pleasure to receive amazing gifts from some of your former students especially when they move up to the next level of their learning journey. In this case, the student and their parents gave me the gift and put so much thought and care this gift, I'll forever cherish it like all the other gifts I've gotten.




  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How is everyone? I hope everyone has been able to enjoy April. When I’m outside, I really enjoy the warmer breeze that’s in April. In a few months, that same breeze won’t be as refreshing.

There’s a moment in April when you feel the season shifting—not just by sight, but by touch. The wind, once crisp and biting, turns warm and gentle. It carries the scent of damp earth and fresh blooms, a subtle but unmistakable sign that winter is truly gone. I love standing still for a moment when this happens, closing my eyes and feeling the warmth settle on my skin. It’s one of those quiet, perfect moments that reminds me why spring is so special. Until next time, take care everyone.


  

Spring has arrived in Takamatsu, and the dogwoods are putting on their quiet show. Their soft pink and white petals brighten the streets and parks, catching the sunlight just right—simple, fleeting beauty.

There’s something peaceful about walking beneath them, the air still cool before summer sets in. In a city known for its calm and charm, the blooming dogwoods feel like a gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy the season while it lasts.


  

I hadn't realized how tired I was until this weekend! After traveling with my family for two weeks, having a busy weekend after they left, then working my normal schedule, I was exhausted! This past weekend, I spent Sunday playing video games and relaxing, and Monday I spent doing laundry and also playing video games and trying to clean some things. I'm really ready to enjoy myself during Golden Week, I can't wait to be able to relax and see my boyfriend and spend some time with my friends!  

Oh what a glorious day! I woke up, brushed my teeth, and went outside for a small walk. After I came back to my apartment I noted that my arm was feeling a little itchy. And that's when I noticed...I hade 3 mosquito bites on my arm. I thought we had more time, but it looks like the bugs are back. Thankfully I bought some bug repellent last year, but I wasn't expecting to be bitten by bugs so soon. Spring is most certainly here.