Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Ooh! Earthquake!

You know what? I'm really starting to like earthquakes!

I've experienced three so far in Japan (one in Aizuwakamatsu, two in Shirakawa-- one just a couple of seconds ago) all at night, and all (obviously) of minor intensity. Of course I'll be singing a different tune when a magnitude 6 quake hits, but for now, I'm enjoying the little quakes I've felt so far. It starts off with what sounds like a gust of wind, or like someone slammed a door. Then the apartment starts to gently rock, almost like a cradle. Since I'm typically in bed when the quake happens, this is quite welcome.

On a completely unrelated note, after 2-3 weeks of working with a trio of kids from my junior high school on English speech practice, we finally went to the district speech contest. All the students won prizes, and one got first prize in her category. Another student was doing brilliantly until a cognitive slip-up resulted in him basically repeating a whole paragraph. I was actually really pissed off-- not at him, but at the fact that all his hard work was basically fucked up by an accident followed by a moment of panic. Anyway, he still managed to get sixth place (out of 21 in his category) which shows just how well he did.

Congratulations to all three!     

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I'm Back! But I Gotta Go!

The mountains to the west of Shirakawa.
Hi Everyone,

After two weeks in Shirakawa, I finally have access to the internet. Granted, it's a bit limited; I can only access the internet through my Windows OS until I get a wireless router. In any event, before I head off to Aizuwakamatsu for what I think my seventy-fourth orientation, I just wanted to let you know that I haven't given up on you! I haven't abandoned you!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

遅い

It's means "slow" or "late", and it's pronounced "osoi". So don't send me e-mails asking about it.

In fact, don't expect any internet contact for a least a little while. I'm in Tokyo, having just finished up orientation. From what I hear, it will take a little while to get my internet set up at my apartment. So if you're wondering why I'm not posting lots of updates now that I'm here, that's why. I may be able to send out e-mails from the board of education, but that's about it.