The school term has now started. As much as it was good to rest up in the spring holidays, I did get so bored doing nothing. The teachers have changed around and I think I can have a good influence on the classes I'll be taking part in. It's hard to say now, though, but the new teachers seem receptive to ideas and want my input. I hope to leave Japan on such a high note.

Wii + Resident Evil 4 = So Much Awesomeness

http://www.capcom.co.jp/wii_bio4/operation/index.html

Uchiko has a sister city in Germany, Rothenburg and every year people from Uchiko go there and vice versa. The Germans arrived last night, I think there were 14 of them and today was their welcome party. I didnt have much of a hand in organising it, but my taiko group played our drums as some traditional Japanese entertainment. It was fun, though busy busy meeting everyone and helping people communicate in the defacto language which turned out to be English.
I was surprised by how good the Germans' English is, especially the young people. They have such a good grasp of the language and on such a higher level compared with the Japanese.

As an aside, last summer I made the Uchiko Town International Association (UTIA) homepage tri-lingual. It has just been put online, long time over due I know and it needs updating, it is here: http://utia.jp/

Had a quality evening yesterday chillin out eating, chatting, and playing games.
Met my supervisor who I havent seen for such a long time because she went on maternity leave. She'll be back to work in time to say goodbye.
Also, I had my first play on the Nintendo Wii. A bit of sports went down well. It was so much more fun (and less humiliating) bowling on the Wii rather than for real! But thats just cos I suck at sports!
Maybe I'll get one when I get home.

Quality in a little white box.

Based on proper scientific study, the harmfulness of drugs has been calculated.
I find it interesting both how high alcohol is and how low some class A drugs are.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6474053.stm

After an afternoon of hard cleaning, like proper scrubbing the year of grim from staff room floor, I tried to get the low down on which teachers are moving.
At the end of every academic year in March up to about 1/3 of the teachers will be transferred to another school. This means that although there is a breath of fresh air in the school, it means that teachers cant really settle in for more than a few years.
One school was being so secretive about it, but another openly said who was going where. These differences are so strange.

I went to judo again tonight, and had a good work out. I really want to get a brown belt and I'll have my next chance mid-April.

Bank holiday tomorrow. Yay! So I have the rock n roll lifestyle which includes pulling the huge weeds that are making a mockery of my non-existent garden.

Have fun, enjoy the sun.

Tomorrow that is!
With Pancake Day coming back with a vengeance in Uwajima.

Why only eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday? They taste so good, you can eat them anytime!

I really have to think about the direction my life will take.
My contract will end and I will come home in August, but then what will I do.

There are numerous choices, some easier than others, but then the easiest choice isnt necessarily the right choice. What I do with the rest of my life is important. Although I can do research and plan, really I will have to decide when Im back in England. Im sure that then, my thinking will be influenced by just being at home.

No one knows what the future holds, but keeping those special people around is important.

I guess I've been away from computer and technology related stuff for too long!

You can now buy a 2Gb USB Flash Memory Stick for £11.50!
That is soo cheap. How can you afford not to get one!!

St. V was a nice guy right, so even if the meaning has changed, let's all be nice to each other. If not forever, then for just one day.

Whether single or not, take some time to spread the love!