Summer Break

Summer break has arrived and I am looking forward to catching up on some reading and writing. There are so many books I need to finish; I tend to read them and get distracted and then forget about them! Maybe I need to buy some more interesting books? I like crime books because I love the suspense and the stories are so fascinating to me. These are the type of books that keep me up late at night, thinking about the plotline and characters. I get caught up in them so much that my mind can’t think of anything else. This is the sign of an excellent story. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to write a story as gripping as one of these. Practice makes perfect, so the more I write, I know the better I will be. This can be said for most things in life. The more you work and put effort into something, the bigger the reward will be.

 

 July 1, 2021

The first term is coming to an end, which means it’s exam time for the students! It’s been raining frequently for the past few days, which means I have to break out my rain boots and jacket. I don’t have high rain boots, though, so I might need to get a new pair.

I’m not very fond of the rain. When it’s overcast, there’s no sun, and everything looks dark and sad. Heavy rain also reminds me of typhoon season in the Philippines, which meant staying indoors and watching out for floods.

I hope it will stop raining soon so that we can all enjoy the sunny weather and ice cream.

 

THE RAINY SEASON

The rainy season in Tokyo can be difficult and so humid. It can be difficult to have energy during this time but it’s important to stay motivated and exercise when you can. When I go jogging, endorphins are released and I feel happier in myself. I usually blast out some great, lively music while jogging and make sure to exercise about three to four times a week. Even if it’s raining, I still make sure to go for a jog. Sometimes it’s more refreshing to go if it’s raining, the cool rain cools me down when it’s so humid and hot outside. I hope you have a way to stay energized and fit during this rainy season.

 

Golden Week

During golden week, I decided to climb Mt. Gongen in Kanagawa prefecture with my friend. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we set out in the late afternoon and slowly climbed the steep steps with the green trees surrounding us. The mountain was not busy and we were able to spend some good quality time together. When we reached the top, we were able to see a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji, luckily the clouds weren’t blocking it. It was so good to get out into nature for the day and spend some time away from the busy city. Mountain climbing is good for the soul and I hope to do more climbing during the incoming weeks. I hope you were able to get out into nature during golden week too?

 

Spring is in the Air!

The cherry blossoms were looking amazing this year in Tokyo. They bloomed a lot earlier than previous years and threw a thick layer of pink around my neighborhood of Musashino-shi. I recently bought a nice red bike in my local bike store and I tested it out by going on a nice, long cycle last Sunday. I cycled all the way to Sayama Lake in Saitama. It took me one hour to get there and one hour to get home, so you can imagine how sore my legs were when I returned! The lake was looking very pretty and I was lucky enough to see some cherry blossom trees in Sayama Park. I’ll definitely cycle there again in the near future.

3月（キャロル先生）

March Time Now that it is March, I can see a lot of plum trees have bloomed. The parks are looking very pretty and the weather is getting a small bit warmer. It’s always nice to go for a stroll around and take in all the pretty pink and white colors. The graduation ceremonies are also in March and I will be very sad to say goodbye to the students. It’s always a pleasure to teach 3rd year students and it’s always difficult when they leave. I wish them the best of luck on their new journeys and hope that they will remember their junior and high school years fondly. The years go by so fast and it’s important to cherish every moment. These past few months have gone by so fast, it’s hard to believe that it is March already! It’s good to take one day at a time and enjoy the small things in life.

 

一年の終わり（ジーアン先生）

Regular classes are over, and the students are studying hard for their final exams. Some of them, though, are preparing for their graduation ceremony. The third-year seniors in high school will soon go on to pursue their degrees in the college or university of their choice. I’m very proud for them and happy for all that they have achieved in high school. I know that they will do well in college, and I’m excited on their behalf! I’m excited, too, for the warmer weather as spring starts making its appearance. Spring is my favorite season, and I’m looking forward to seeing more plum blossoms and eventually cherry blossoms all over Tokyo.

 

オンライン期間の出来事（ジーアン先生）

We only have a few weeks to go before the end of classes, and the entire school is busy preparing for exams and tests. A few weeks ago, it snowed in Tokyo! During this time, we had online classes, and one of the students mentioned the snowfall. After the class, I hurriedly got outside my apartment and enjoyed the snow. Since we had online classes for a couple of weeks, I was able to save a lot of money since I mostly stayed indoors. I can only count on one hand the total number of times I went outside my apartment. It was also a great chance for the students to see us teachers without our masks on! Now that we’re back, I’m excited to read the students’ essays and watch their speaking performances. Graduation is just around the corner, and I know I’m going to miss the students leaving Fujimura. But before that, we’ve still got a lot of things to do! がんばりましょう!

 

小さな森の猫（キャロル先生）

 

During the state of emergency in Tokyo, it was important to keep busy and pro-active. I made sure to sleep, eat and exercise well when I could. There is a lovely little forest, close to my apartment, that has a small walkway. I usually jog along this walkway, past the tall trees towards the riverbank. It’s such a nice place to jog and de-stress and I try to do this nearly every second day. There is a black and white cat, who usually hangs out in the little forest, making sure people know just how important he is. Sometimes I try to pet him but he never comes over to me. There are always people crouching down around him, trying to take his photo, like some celebrity cat! He sits there with his head held high and a smug look on his face. Hopefully, someday he’ll stroll over to me and let me get a bit closer to him. I’ll just have to keep jogging through my little forest until he gets used to me.

新年（ジーアン先生）

It’s the new year, and many people are hopeful and optimistic. The year 2020 was challenging, with many unexpected things happening around the world. Hopefully, this year will be marked by successful innovation and solutions. Since the pandemic is still around, it’s important to keep safe and to refrain from going out unless if it’s for important errands. I have found that it’s a good time to brush up on my reading. I’m currently reading “The Book of Tokyo: A City in Short Fiction,” an anthology of short stories from different writers about the strange and beautiful faces of Japan’s capital city. I think that this year, we’ll see more people starting new hobbies and developing new skills. I’m also excited to start the online classes this month! When there are things we can’t control, it’s helpful to focus on the things that we can. And every day is the perfect day for learning something new!

 

冬休み （キャロル先生）

 

During winter vacation, I stayed in and made sure to speak with friends and family back home. The time difference makes it difficult sometimes, as there is a nine-hour time difference between Japan and Ireland. This can be tricky and usually means I can only speak with them during the night-time. My family sent me a box called the ‘Paddy Box’ full of Irish snacks and goodies for Christmas, which I have been nibbling on throughout the winter break. It’s full of all types of chocolates and crisps I have been missing and helped me to feel a little bit Christmassy this year. Winter break was also a good time for me to catch up on sleep and get cozy with an interesting book. I usually read thrillers or true crime books but I’m a pretty slow reader. This means I have a stack of books sitting in the corner of my room, waiting for me to read them. As long as the weather stays cold, I know I’ll slowly get through them. They’ll keep me company during the long winter days. What book are you reading to get you through the winter?

ウインタータイム（キャロル先生)

 

Winter in Tokyo is always a lovely time. Different parts of Tokyo are illuminated with Christmas lights that create a picturesque wonderland. I love walking around and taking it all in, which is easy to do in the mild winter weather. The winter in Ireland is harsher and it rains a lot, which doesn’t make it very appealing to go outside. I recently bought some new books, which I’m very excited to read during the month of December. Staying inside and getting cozy with a book and a nice hot drink is one of life’s simple pleasures. It’s good to enjoy the simple things in life.

まもなくクリスマス（ジーアン先生）

 

t’s just a few weeks till Christmas! In the Philippines, Christmas is a huge celebration. Most people in the Philippines start preparing for Christmas as early as September! There are many lights and colorful lanterns on the streets, and people prepare a huge feast on Christmas Eve called “Noche Buena.” This year, I’m going to be staying in Japan for Christmas, and although I will miss celebrating it with my family, I’m looking forward to all the Christmas decorations and activities in Tokyo. I’m excited to see the illumination displays all over the city. This time is also the last term for the third year high school students. They’re a very friendly and energetic bunch. I’m going to miss them when they graduate. There are so many things to look forward to in December!

日本の紅葉（キャロル先生）

 

The Changing of the Leaves in Japan This year it will be my third year to witness the changing colors of the leaves in Japan. Each year they have been wonderful to see. I’ve made sure to make the most of my time here in Japan. This year, I won’t be able to travel too far to see the changing leaves but I’m lucky to live and work in such a beautiful part of Tokyo where there are many parks I can walk and jog in. This is my favorite time of year. The weather is perfect; it’s not too cold or too hot. Back in Ireland, this time of year is very difficult for many people. The weather is windy and cold and it rains a lot. The days are long and dark and people tend to stay inside a lot. It is dark when you wake up and dark when you leave work. People need to stay optimistic during the winter months. In Tokyo, I love strolling through the parks with a nice hot coffee, taking in the pretty scenery. Sometimes I have to pinch myself and remember where exactly I am. I’m very lucky to be where I am and I try to not take this for granted. Life is always changing and you just have to move along with it.

今年のハロウィン （ジーアン先生）

 

At the end of October, Japan celebrated Halloween. But this year, celebrations were pared down and made simple. Most people stayed at home, and I spent my Halloween weekend watching horror movies on Netflix. A friend of mine recently got a new camera so went to nearby Saitama to take pictures of the forest, Tokorozawa Sakura Town, and the LED manholes with anime covers that light up at night. It doesn’t rain much, and there are many days with a lot of sun, but the days are getting shorter and colder. The leaves of the trees are also starting to turn red and orange. I’m looking forward to autumn in Tokyo, but I’m not a fan of the cold weather!

秋冬への準備（ジーアン先生）

 

September 23, 2020 Summertime is almost up! Autumn is taking over, and it’s gradually becoming colder by the day. Since I come from a tropical country, I’m not used to the cold. Last year, I experienced my first winter in Japan, and it was freezing! I had to wrap myself in several layers just to stay warm. This year, I’m more than ready to welcome autumn and winter. In fact, there are many things I’m looking forward to in the coming months. I can’t wait to see the changing colors of the foliage, from vibrant green to rich reds and oranges. I can already imagine people in the park cycling under the hail of falling leaves. I also can’t wait for Halloween! I noticed last year that Halloween-themed parties and parades were popular in Tokyo, but I think this year, it would be better to stay home and read books or watch horror movies. In fact, I’m already planning my own horror movie marathon for Halloween! One thing’s for sure—the cold weather is a good time to indulge in hot and spicy meals!

秋（キャロル先生）

 The summer is now over and I am delighted that is it autumn. It was very difficult in Tokyo with the high humidity levels. Sleeping at night was not easy and I relied on my apartment air conditioning system to get me through the long summer days. In Ireland, the summers are less humid and much cooler but it also rains more which I don’t particularly miss. Now that autumn is here, the leaves will start changing color and the weather will be a much bearable temperature. I love autumn because the leaves are so vibrant and colorful and I can wear nice, cozy wooly jumpers. There are so many beautiful parks in Tokyo, which always look so magical during this time of year. It was a long summer but I’m excited about autumn and what joys it will bring.

学校再開と１学期試験終了 （ジーアン先生）

 

We have just finished the first term exams, and I am happy to know that many students had good scores in their tests. The first term was a short one, but everyone was excited and eager to start the school year—me included!

This school year, I’m working with new teachers. I think it’s exciting, knowing that I’ll learn a lot from teaching with them. I also hope that I will be able to help them properly throughout the school year.

The change in the weather has also been pretty exciting. Some days it’s very hot; some days it’s a bit cold. Right now, Tokyo’s seeing a lot of rain, but I’m looking forward to summer again.

I remember that I first arrived in Japan last year in the middle of the summer. It was very hot and humid, and it reminded me of the Philippines. But now that I have experienced autumn, spring, and winter, I think I’m getting used to Japan’s climate!

Time flies by so fast. We’re already past the middle of the year, and we still have so many things to do! I hope everyone’s as excited as I am to see how this school year will turn out.

長い梅雨 （キャロル先生）

 

The Long Rainy Season

It seems as though the rainy season in Tokyo is particularly long this year. When I think back to this time last year, I was preparing to travel home to Ireland for a summer holiday and I remember the weather in Tokyo being hot and humid. This year, it’s cooler and everyday seems to bring the chance of rain with it. Luckily, I’m used to the rain, as it is such a common occurrence in Ireland. During these wet days, time can be spent watching movies, series on Netflix or reading a good book. It’s also a good time to be creative and nothing makes me happier than sketching or painting. I usually sketch famous people and try to capture their personalities and characteristics as best I can. It’s good to have hobbies, as these are the things that keep us happy in life. It’s important to pass the time doing things we enjoy, which in turn, will help the rainy season pass by faster.

The Perfect Time to Turn Over a New Leaf (ジーアン先生)

 

Spring break this year gave me a lot of time to get household chores done, including stocking up my fridge and rearranging my furniture. Now, I know why schools in Japan start in April. The spring season is a great way to start something. The appearance of cherry blossoms and the warm weather make spring the perfect time to “turn over a new leaf.”



This expression in the English language means to become a better person or to give more effort in doing something.



So, this spring, I also decided to give more effort in learning Japanese. It’s very difficult since it’s so different from English and Filipino, but I was able to learn more Japanese words and expressions by answering textbooks and watching several Japanese films. I’m hoping this will increase my Japanese vocabulary!