This has been my favorite Christmas season yet. I learned this month just how much the country of Japan is infused with the spirit of Christmas. My senseis and students were just so excited for Santa-themed lessons all month long! And after a not-so-festive October 31st on Amami, I worried there wouldn't be much holiday… Continue reading Merry Christmas!
Tag: Kagoshima
Grading Papers
Two weeks ago it was a testing week at school, so that meant I didn`t have any classes for for four straight days. So much desk time. Normally during testing weeks I want to scratch my eyes out because at least it will give me something to do, but this testing period I had a… Continue reading Grading Papers
The Island Experience
*This post was originally published on Kagoshima AJET`s blog on November 17th. Like most prefectural ALTs, I didn’t find out exactly where I would be placed in Kagoshima until about a month before my departure. I dreamed about all the different places I could end up—the Osumi or Satsuma peninsula, Kagoshima City, or one of… Continue reading The Island Experience
Culture Day in Japan
November third was Culture Day in Japan. A day to celebrate culture (obviously) through dance, song, and parades. Kagoshima had a big festival in the city and everyone was in some kind of uniform singing, dancing, taiko-drumming, and celebrating in the streets. Geographically, Amami is a part of Kagoshima prefecture, but realistically, we are 230… Continue reading Culture Day in Japan
Back to School
September is my favorite time of year because that means back to school and that fall is almost here and it is pumpkin season! Except Amami has no autumn. Or pumpkins. But there is school! This week is my first week ALT-ing at my senior high school. And as of tomorrow, I will have been… Continue reading Back to School
Island Sunshine and Island Rain
Hello, everyone! I had plans to write on Sunday, but I had a discouraging night so I didn't feel like writing (more on that later.) But I wanted to post something before I leave for Kagoshima for a week of orientation, Japanese language and cultural lessons, and shenanigans. But no fireworks display because that pesky… Continue reading Island Sunshine and Island Rain
So This One Time in Japan…
Hello family, friends, neighbors, and maybe strangers! I promised myself that I would blog about my experiences living and working in Japan, so here is my first post from my island-inaka* placement, Amami! It’s been 10 days since I left the comfort of my home on the east coast. I can’t tell if it seems… Continue reading So This One Time in Japan…
The Becca Jar 