When I arrived in Tadami, one of the things they asked me to do was write a short article in the town newspaper each month. The newspaper is called the Koho Tadami, and it's a free newspaper that is delivered to every home to let them know what's going on in the town. Apparently my activities are of much interest as I am the only foreigner. I write them in English and one of the teachers translates them for the paper, which is why the English is usually quite simple. I thought I would put the English versions up on this blog so I can keep a permanent record of what I wrote.
Bryn’s Diary Entries – May
It’s nearly the start of June now, and I am really enjoying the recent good weather. The colour of the trees has really come out in the mountains, and the town is looking really green and beautiful.
The end of April and May has been a very busy but very enjoyable time for me. I really enjoyed the sakura season, although it seemed to pass so quickly. I also feel I am much more settled into the new Tadami junior high school now, and am really enjoying all the new challenges.
During golden week I was lucky enough to be able to go to Kyushu and visit the town where my brother lived and worked as an ALT for 3 years. My brother is now back in England but it was great to meet some of his Japanese friends and see where he lived.
Also a few weeks ago Jason, who was the ALT here before me, came back to visit Tadami. It was nice to meet him for the first time and it was great to see he has completely recovered from his accident. He came in to visit the new school and I think all the children and the teachers were pleased to see him again.
I am now very much thinking and planning for the year ahead in Japan. I want to improve my teaching skills and I hope to leave a positive and lasting impression with all the students that I teach. I also have many personal goals I would like to achieve. I hope to climb Mt. Fuji at some point while I am in Japan, and I am hoping that climbing Mt. Asakusa here in Tadami next month will be a good warm up. I am also hoping to run the Tokyo Marathon in February next year. It will be a very hard challenge so I am beginning my preparations now.
Below is a photo of myself and the other current ALTs in Minamiaizu, with Jason and his family when he came to visit.
The end of April and May has been a very busy but very enjoyable time for me. I really enjoyed the sakura season, although it seemed to pass so quickly. I also feel I am much more settled into the new Tadami junior high school now, and am really enjoying all the new challenges.
During golden week I was lucky enough to be able to go to Kyushu and visit the town where my brother lived and worked as an ALT for 3 years. My brother is now back in England but it was great to meet some of his Japanese friends and see where he lived.
Also a few weeks ago Jason, who was the ALT here before me, came back to visit Tadami. It was nice to meet him for the first time and it was great to see he has completely recovered from his accident. He came in to visit the new school and I think all the children and the teachers were pleased to see him again.
I am now very much thinking and planning for the year ahead in Japan. I want to improve my teaching skills and I hope to leave a positive and lasting impression with all the students that I teach. I also have many personal goals I would like to achieve. I hope to climb Mt. Fuji at some point while I am in Japan, and I am hoping that climbing Mt. Asakusa here in Tadami next month will be a good warm up. I am also hoping to run the Tokyo Marathon in February next year. It will be a very hard challenge so I am beginning my preparations now.
Below is a photo of myself and the other current ALTs in Minamiaizu, with Jason and his family when he came to visit.
