Well today I found out I'm not allowed to transfer from ALT to CIR. This is a big day for answering the question of "what will I be doing come August ( Read more... )

I recently returned from a five-day seminar which focused on making those of us enrolled in the JET translation and interpreting course practice interpreting as much as possible. Interpreting is, technically, translation of the spoken word -- meaning you hear one language and quickly output the contents of what you heard into another language. ( Read more... )

Well, despite having gone to the aptly-titled JET Returner's Conference in Yokohama (see below), it has actually come to pass that I am not leaving the JET Program at all! Leizel and I will be staying a 4th year right here in Mie Prefecture ( Read more... )

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The job that I will hold after the wedding may be decided earlier than expected.

I'm holding my breath.

This has been one of the most difficult days of all my time in Japan.

I'll leave it at that.

...since I posted, or at least posted about anything other than the New Year's trip ( Read more... )

The answer is no. However, I've been pretty busy lately, first with moving, then with various low-key activities (Japanese study, reading, cleaning) that were used to fill in the time I was supposed to have been on a trip to the Ukraine and Turkey...and now finally with my new job and all that entails. Sometimes during these kinds of times I ( Read more... )

I just taught my final class at Ujiyamada High School. I'm gonna miss these kids.

Now that teaching is over, I only have to worry about:

• Submitting grades
• Interview in Tokyo
• Farewell speech to students
• Farewell speech to teachers
• Packing

Today is the day. Finally.

I'm being transferred to Shiroko High School, a not-so-high level high school within the Suzuka city limits. I'm already familiar with the Shiroko area because it has a major train station, so I'll be taking the train every day to school ( Read more... )