Spring 2024
Posting this more than a month late on July 8 as things have been busy. Mostly good though. A lot has been happening!
In March our grade had its first and hopefully only big disciplinary incident. It was a complicated saga that involved bullying and alleged sex, drugs and alcohol, with a couple students at the center from my class. I had long long days investigating with the other teachers and high stakes meetings with parents. I like to think that it is all behind us now and that I was able to learn a lot about the Japanese education system in the process. That is why I don't have many pictures from March except for when I was trying to escape.
One escape was to see the Okanos in Tochigi. We went to a funky bamboo garden one night of the visit.
View of the sunrise from our home. I don't often get to see it. I wonder why I was up this early. Probably stress to be honest😢
Another March escape was to Gala. The snow was disappearing at the bottom of the slopes by then, but they properly connected all three resorts at the top which made for a nice end to the season.
Nijikai in Shinjuku Gyoen. No sakura yet but Mona's growing up quickly!
Back to the US soon after. Hey Joey.
NYC for the first time since COVID. It was a cold rainy day but I had a good time catching up with Matt before his and Julie's trip to Japan a month later and then Caroline. I think I caught a sinus infection on this day though😢
The main purpose of the spring trip was for Jason and Tania's wedding. New sister =)
AJ gave a flower arrangement class and we delivered a successful speech together at the reception.
Back in Japan I actually got to see the sakura. I think they were waiting for me - reward for getting through March. I was a day late to the new school year and the shuffled classes. It's been great getting to know the students, though I honestly still miss the first year class in some ways. I'm sure that will change with time.
Lots of H!P activities this season!
Field trip to Yamanashi. I wish there were more events in the spring of second year so the students could get to know each other better earlier on.
George moved to Tokyo (and brought Deborah with him).
Okada-san and I are in charge of the school trip to Okinawa next April, so we went this May to check things out and get affairs in order. The rainy season arrived on the same day as us so we got wet.
I was thrilled to make it to Iejima for the first time though, despite the bad weather.
It's not my birthday but I think that made me love this more. Seashells<3
"Glamping" in Tochigi with Maiko et al.
last supper
I am so friggin proud of this marshmallow.
This marshmallow pales in comparison.
We also did a lot of sightseeing in the Nasu area. I had only passed through it briefly by bicycle so I was happy to get to know it better. We'll actually be back this fall.
unpictured events: hosting a brownie class, Takao birthday, getting starstruck by M.M. and O.K at Agama, Joe in Tokyo(!), saying goodbye to the best first year homeroom class I could have asked for, Nick and Terry in Tokyo, catchup lunch with Haruko, nagashisomen @Yuki's, lunch with Yusuke and his partner, Koki and Dante in Tokyo simultaneously, sashinomi with Taira-san, picnic with CJ and Matt and running into Maria and Jason right after, H!P karaoke, catchup nomi with Haruka and Lee, Andy in Tokyo, Musume with Shinya
Summer is looking busy too. I am blessed!