Hello everyone -  Qatar is offering special prizes for the best photo's from around the world!   Since coming to Japan i haven't been home. I came to Japan in 2010, lived to tell the tale of the great japan earthquake and tsunami and continued to stay and support my community, friends, schools and students of Miyako City in Iwate!   Although Japan has a long way to go - things are getting rebuilt and...

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or as we say in japn ... さしぶり。(sashiburi) It has felt like I have been on spring vacation for a very long time...which is one of the reasons for my absence on this site - mainly because I would come on this site to pass time whilst at work! And guess what!...I'm now back at work!   This is in fact my second day back after about a 3 week spring vacation (March 23rd~April 16th)....

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We all have to pee and do a number two...it's a fact of life! *** But how many of you can honestly say you enjoy the experience of using your loo!   ~*~The Magic Japanese Toilets~*~ There is a movie called "Toilet" that is about an American family who's mother recently dies, father i presumed died a while back and they have been left with a Japanese grandma. The American family dont speak Japanese and...

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Toilets in Japan Yes! This post will hopefully lift the lid and reveal the truth behind plumbing (or lack of) in Japan. Now there comes a time, in everyones TEFL life, when you have to go but are confronted with the problem of "How do I use THIS toilet?" Surprisingly Japan actually has an array of toilets, from squatters to ones that wash and dry you! Of course, there are still the little boys (and...

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Lights in Japan! Japan is known for all its wonderful, and sometime strange, devices that can become a fad or everyday necessity. Now, I'm sure you have all heard of the toilets that wash you with warm water and if you are lucky will blow dry your down below areas. - if not, more on that another time! For now, I want to introduce you to the world of Japanese lights! The most common of...

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So, here in Japan - at the start of the year - everyone is asked "are you staying, leaving or transfering?" For me, I wanted to transfer to Osaka area... I had discussed this with my manager - discussed it with my friends - discussed it with my family... and it seemed like it was the best choice. We're now in February - I hadn't heard anything from my company except that they were working...

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We all get to a point in life when we look back and think about all the things we have achieved, the things we regret, the happy memories etc. I was recently told that my last class with my 3rd grade students is fast approaching. In fact it is this Friday! You should make note that I have been teaching my 3rd grade students for 2 years and I have been through a lot with...

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Oh, Christmas Tree! Merry Christmas and aHappy New Year!!! Every country is different. Every one is different. Each and every person celebrates (of chooses not to) in a different way. I have many childhood memories, as I'm sure you do too, of Christmas time. The excitement of going to church to sing Christmas songs, whilst at the same time writing a list to santa. Many a time I asked my mother questions about baby Jesus...

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There is a new JET scheme being introduced into Japan, for most part it will not take affect until the next intakes in August.  To be honest it's not really a new scheme... It's more of alterations to the current scheme. Currently a JET has the benefits of ¥300,000 a month, they are exempt from tax and are sometimes offered cheaper teacher housing.  however, because the government has had to make cut backs and the fact...

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So, you've completed your TEFL course with flying colors but haven't a clue of where to go teach. Most people decide to do a checklist and hope that the country they chose covers most, if not everything, that is on the list. Here's a list of things most people want (in no particular order): Fun, exciting and adventurous Teaching is rewarding and the children are enjoyable to teach Plenty of time to travel and explore...

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