iphone

I was a little skeptical at first, but I have to say the iphone is quite an amazing piece of technology. Since I had to get a new phone for Japan, and the cheapest one was 300, I decided to spend 700 and get an iphone, with the hope of using it in the States as well. I have not been disappointed. This gadget has Japanese study apps, GPS tracking apps, mini-games, and web surfing abilities. I can watch movies on my iphone, I can listen to music while running on my iphone, I can post to my blog with my iphone, and I can send e-mails with my iphone. I am hooked; I don't think I can go back. The thing also gets points for a simplistic modern design and ease of use. Really, it is technology that can be used in many different ways. I thought Japanese cell phones would be cool, and they do have features like e-mail addresses and the ability to watch TV, but lots of people out here are pretty impressed with the iphone because it is all new and different.

Beauty

Nagahama is a nice place. Seems like every town has some sort of irrigation system running through it.

Weekends

Usually on the weekends I am able to get out and see some sights.

Kyoto:

Sumo:

There's so much to see in a small area here, and the trains and buses take you anywhere you want to go. Future plans include Hiroshima, Okinawa, and Thailand!

Daily Life

Here are some pictures of my apartment. It is really small, but new and clean and it meets all my needs:







Outside:
My daily routine during the week is rather simple. I bike to Makino Jr. High School, which takes about 20 minutes. I assist with 2-4 English classes a day. I will conduct warm-ups or make a worksheet for the students to complete. Now that I am settled in and have an idea of what to expect, I will probably try to come up with some more involved and lengthy activities. The students are really well-behaved. They joke around a lot, but they are always willing to try new things. They are so active and have so many activities they are doing before and after school. For the most part they seem happy and willing to learn. I love my school's atmosphere and it is fun getting to know the teachers and students.

Inaugural Post

I have been in Japan for over a month now and I am finally getting around to starting this blog. I live in Makino-cho which is part of Takashima-shi. Makino is a small town within the city of Takashima, but Takashima covers a pretty wide area, as we are in a rural setting. Makino is on the westside of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. I am an Assistant Language Teacher through the JET program at Makino Junior High. Through this blog I hope to share parts of my life with friends and family, as well as keep a record of my thoughts and experiences.