沖縄旅行 （キャロル先生)

 

VISIT TO OKINAWA

Last Sunday I went to Okinawa with my friend Yoko San. We rented a car and drove from the south up to the north, staying in the south for a night, the middle for a night and the north for a night. In Naha, we met some friends of Yoko San for dinner and I tried some mimiga which are sliced pig’s ears and umi budo which are sea grapes along with some taco rice. It was all so delicious. We were also lucky enough to see a Dragon Boat Race festival, which happened to be on for a few days while we were there. Afterwards we went to see some traditional Okinawan musicians sing some old folk songs. The singer has been singing in Naha for over thirty years and is very popular amongst the locals.

In the north, we visited many beaches where the water was green and the sand was white, it looked like paradise. We visited Heart Rock, which is a rock in the sea that vaguely resembles the shape of a heart. The rock is a popular photo spot for couples looking to take a romantic photo together. The weather was hot but cloudy which was really nice as I find it difficult to walk around when the temperature is too hot. I was so sad to leave, saying goodbye to the beaches was particularly hard as I always feel at home when I’m beside the sea. As Ireland is an island, I was never too far from the sea growing up.

ゴールデンウィーク （ミーシャ先生)

 

 It was great to have experienced the much talked about “Golden week”. As I walked through my neighbourhood, I noticed a number of banners hoisted along the walkway. These banners had pictures and information about the Emperor’s ascension to the throne. I enjoyed the break immensely as it gave me a chance to enjoy Tokyo.  It also provided an opportunity for me to learn more about a part of Japan’s history regarding leadership and governance. 

ついに春が来た （ミーシャ先生)

 

Spring at last

 

Winter is finally over and I am very happy about that. The beauty about spring can be seen in nature. I love to see the Cherry blossoms as I travel around Tokyo. They are absolutely beautiful. I find it very relaxing to go to a park and just sit and relax around the beauty of nature. I am enjoying the fact that the weather is also better. Though it gets cold sometimes in the evenings, it is mostly warmer than the winter cold air.  I love Spring!

生徒たちの成長（ミーシャ先生)

 

The new school year has started and it is amazing to see the students I taught last year. They have moved on to new classes but I still get a chance to see them around the school sometimes and that is great. As a teacher, there is always that rewarding feeling to see your students grow up year after year as they continue to work towards their goals. I am happy to have been a part of their journey last year and wish them all the best. I am sure they will continue to be the great students they are known to be.

エアリアルヨガ（キャロル先生)

 

                            Aerial Yoga

Last Sunday I went to an aerial yoga class in Musashi Sakai. I have been looking for more exercise classes to do since I moved here and have practiced yoga previously in Ireland. I thought aerial yoga would be perfect. Aerial yoga involves doing yoga poses from a hammock hanging from the ceiling. You are suspended in the air for many of the poses and have to hold the pose for a few minutes. It can be quite hard and sore on your skin. I definitely have some bruises to mark the occasion. The class lasted over an hour but the teacher was lovely and patient while I learned the moves. Luckily, there was a woman who helped to translate what the teacher was saying so I wasn’t too confused and it prevented me from injuring myself. At the end of the class, we were suspended upside down in the air, while relaxing music played in the background. Meditation was part of the class, which made me feel relaxed and at ease afterwards. I’ll make sure to go back again this Sunday as it is such good exercise. It will keep me busy on Sunday afternoons and help keep me fit at the same time.

花見の季節 （キャロル先生)

 

This was my first time to see the sakura trees blooming in Japan. I managed to find time to visit four different areas in Tokyo that are famous for their great selection of sakura trees. The first park I visited was Inokashira Park. I had a picnic here with my friend and watched everyone enjoying themselves while eating and drinking. The cherry blossoms looked so pretty and I ended up taking so many photos of them. The second park I visited was Koganei Park, which is only a thirty minute walk from my house. I met some friends here during the spring break and we walked all around the park with our cherry flavored ice creams. We spent hours there chatting and people watching. Another park I visited was Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. I brought my SLR camera with me to take close up photos of the flowers, as there were many different colored ones. It was a gorgeous, sunny day and I ate sushi and drank juice with my friend. The last area I visited was the beautiful Meguro River where sakura trees line either side of the river and it is lit up with lanterns at nighttime. I walked around here for an afternoon and night, eating the street food and taking photos. I have so many photos of the different types of cherry blossoms and am delighted I managed to visit so many different places. They turned Tokyo into a pretty wonderland colored in pink and white. Next year I hope to visit the areas I didn’t manage to see this year. It will be a shame when they are all

東京でのセント・パトリック・デイのお祝い（キャロル先生)

 

                        St. Patrick’s Day Festival

On the 17^th of March each year, St. Patrick’s Day festival is held. It is a day that commemorates the patron saint of Ireland. There are large parades held on this day around the world and lots of traditional Irish music events. This year, I celebrated with my friends in Tokyo and volunteered to help at the parade on Omotesando Street. It was Asia’s largest Irish event with 15,000 participants and 50,000 spectators. I held up the large banner with my friends at the front of the parade and helped to give out flyers. There were so many people taking part and watching the parade, it was a fantastic day. I was so surprised by how much effort Japanese people put into celebrating this Irish event. There was even an Irish festival held in Yoyogi Park with food stalls and Irish dancers. The celebrations went on into late that night. My friends and I even made it into The Tokyo Times newspaper! I will have to post this home to my family so they can see how big the celebrations are here in Tokyo.