Friday, September 18, 2009

A Quick Update

This past weekend was filled with social affairs! On Friday night I got together with my "Fuji Family" -- a group of friends in our area and a few "cousins" from about 40 minutes away. We got together for dinner and drinks. It was a good time had by all! Here's a few pics of me and the ladies (though there were men too, I just don't have photos of those!).



Most of us are also headed for the beach this weekend. This week has three public holidays, so we're leaving Saturday until Wednesday for some serious R&R. Going to go for a few runs with Kari, read on the beach, have a BBQ and hang out with most of my best friends in Japan! Can't wait! We rented bungalows right on the beach!

On Saturday I was off to Fuji again, this time with Kelly, one of the other private teachers in my city. She is heading back to America-land next week, so we had to send her off right :) It was a good time and a great opportunity for me to meet a lot of new people!

Sunday we had a huge BBQ with almost 40 teachers and Japanese friends. I was quite impressed with the cooking -- there were tons of chips and dips, kabobs with meat and veggies, hot dogs, brownies, etc etc etc. It was almost like I was in America! Again, a good change to catch up with some others I don't see so often.

At school I have been keeping busy! The essay grading has again begun and I'm on about my third lesson of the semester. I dont' teach much the next few weeks, but that will give me a chance to catch up on those essays! Before I know it, it will be midterms and Dawna will be here so I can have another mini-vacation!

I have also been busy planning a few AJET events -- check out our website. AJET is a group of volunteers that plans activities and outings for the teachers in Shizuoka area. So far this year we have put together a beach day with fireworks (see Atami Fireworks Post), Costume Karaoke, a Mt. Fuji Climb and coming up is White Water Rafting, some people running a road race and some people going to watch a soccer game. I did the white water rafting last year, but I think I'm gonna give it another go this year :) hoping to see Mt. Fuji this year from the river!

Also, I'm studying up to take my driver's test to get my Japanese driver's license. I have to take the driving test next week, the day I get back from the beach!! I'm quite nervous for the test, as I have heard most foreigners fail the first time! I'm going to one of the easier places, but am still a bit nervous as I'm not sure I'll understand everything that is going on! I have a friend coming with to help with the paperwork and interview questions, but I think I'll be on my own during the driving portion. Wish me luck, as I'm gonna need it!!

I've also started taking a Japanese class in my city. It's a bit basic for me as I have studied a little bit on my own, but I still have learned new things each class - especially vocabulary! I'm a little embarassed to be in the beginner section of the class as I've been here a year, but I suppose it's better than not going to the class and ending my second year here at the same level I am now!

Note that I have added a new pictures thing on my blog (see right side bar near the top) and my Twitter status updates. I'm sure very few of you know what Twitter is, but I update a few times a day so you can see what I'm doing! Check it out!

I guess that is about all that is going on here! I hope all is well at home! Take Care!

Ash

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