The ALTs went out for Kevin’s birthday. Well, we celebrated his birthday, he doesn’t turn the big 3-0 until Tuesday. Beth and Kevin had friends visiting them and they wanted to take them out to karaoke before they left and figured that we could celebrate Kevin’s birthday at the same time.

Our first stop was at a restaurant near the theater and I ( Read more... )

Yesterday was awesome! Team Ibaraki (Jana, Taka, Ishajima Sensei, and I) all participated in the Judy Run. (See the post below this one) We had to leave early (6:15 train) to get to Shizoka by 10:00am. We managed to make it down with a couple minutes to spare.

Once we arrived to the site of the race I was immediately tossed in a car and driven out ( Read more... )

It is Saturday. It is 4:45am, I am up and ready to start the day! Jana, Taka (her language Partner), Ishajima Sensei (a teacher from Miho), and I are all going down to Shizoka-ken to participate in the Judy run.

The Judy run is a charity event that raises money for a NGO in Cambodia called PEPY Ride. This NGO organizes volunteer trips around ( Read more... )

The Judy Run (a charity marathon that raises money for schoolchildren in Cambodia) is tomorrow and I was planning to run the 5k marathon. Unfortunately, when I was running last week I did something to my ankle and I took a week off to let it rest. I tried running last night and I did not even last 2k before my ankle started hurting again. Andrea ( Read more... )

I called home yesterday to talk to my brother about his prom. He rented a limo with a group of friends and they all took their dates to a nice restaurant. Ben was also on prom court! Here was our conversation:

Ben: Moan...What?

Erin: Ben? Did I wake you up? It is seven at night!

Ben: Yes, I am tired.

Erin: Was prom fun?

Ben: Yes. Mumble

Erin: Was ( Read more... )

I found out today that my good friend (from college) Holly is engaged to Scott (another friend from college). Holly is really busy and because I am in a different country communication is difficult. Therefore I was a bit shocked to find out that they were engaged because I had only found out two or three weeks ago that they were dating!

Congrats ( Read more... )

In Japan, March 3rd is Girl’s Day which is called Hina-matsuri (Doll Festival). Parents of a new born baby girl go out and by a set of hina dolls (or they use the dolls that have been passed down from generation to generation). Each year the dolls are set up in the house of the girl.

When Jana and I went over to Hiromi’s house to cook we were also ( Read more... )

I woke up today to realize that my wonderful friend Julie had sent me an e-mail. I almost fell off the couch when I realized that the subject stated “Picture from Andy and Julie’s engagement”. Julie is engaged! The picture is wonderful and Julie has tears in her eyes and they look great in the picture.

Well, Jewels if you are reading this. ( Read more... )

First, Happy birthday to Jana!!! I hope you have a wonderful day.

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone in Japan!

Last night, we had the interTalk Halloween Party and after that, Beth and Kevin had their annual Halloween Party.  The interTalk kid’s party was a blast! The students dressed up in costumes and did a bunch of different activities. We had bingo, crafts, face paint, color the balloon, and we played Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Jack o-lantern (Duck, Duck, Goose) ( Read more... )