Japannah

Teaching, photographing, biking, eating, and enjoying the general splendor of life in Okayama, Japan for a year.

[auntucky-blog]

Wrap - up

A long overdue wrap - up since I have been home for over a month. But I will just quickly sum things up. I had an amazing adventure this last year and while I am sad to say goodbye to Japan for now I am not quite ready to hang up my travel hat for good. It has been great to be home and see friends and family. I even came home to a brand new little niece. I am back in school finishing my final semester at WSU...WOOHOO! Then it is off to the sunny state of Florida for this girl.

Until I get the ball rolling on life after college I am currently trying to focus on passing all the classes I have long put off. I will be taking a short hiatus from blogging until things pick back up on the travel front, so keep an eye out for an update about a new and improved travel blog but until the next adventure, Japannah out! 

[auntucky-blog]

Lunch in the country; Minagi, Okayama, Japan on Flickr.

Went to have lunch with my friend I met on the train. She is in her 70s and a retired teacher, who still studies English as a hobby. It was nice to see what a rural farm house in Japan looks like and have Okayama style Sushi!

[auntucky-blog]

Last two weeks

It is down to the wire here. I have finished up with the Kindergarten, Junior high school, and with my crazy high schoolers. I am going to miss those students so much. And even more I am going to miss all my amazing coworkers who have taught me so much. There is nothing more impressive than the work ethic of teachers in Japan, they work tirelessly often six or seven days a week. They are completely invested in their students and schools and it has been a privilege getting to work with them and getting to know them. 

This photo is of my T2B class of Juniors and my co teacher Kimura :) 

This week is packing and finishing up. Then on Sunday I head to Tokyo for three days! Looking forward to friends, food, the Tsukiji Market, the Harajuku district, anndddd maybe a little shopping!!   

[auntucky-blog]

View from the Aso Volcano in Kumamoto, Japan on Flickr.

View from Aso Volcano

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Ryokan employee on Flickr.

setting up shop for the day

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boat driver in Kurashiki, Japan on Flickr.

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Elephant Graffiti on Flickr.

Bikan historical area graffiti in Kurashiki. The building it is on is a Thai curry spot.

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hands on Flickr.

a photo from my last photo group outing in Kurashiki, Japan. I met a few lovely people who also enjoy photography and every so often we meet up somewhere beautiful and take photos, go to a cafe, and enjoy where ever we are.

[auntucky-blog]

When all of my students are talking at the same time in Japanese. 

[auntucky-blog]

Kindergarten: playing Telephone on Flickr.

Communication. Love my kiddies

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Inujima on Flickr.

Beach side on Inujima Island

[auntucky-blog]

The Last Two Months

I don't know when it happened exactly but somewhere along the line in my time in Japan it went from being tracked based on how long I have been here to how long I have left here. I am both sad and elated. In the next few months I have some fun plans with new friends and on top of that my coworker's daughter is making the trip back to Ohio with me to enjoy America for 3 weeks. So I feel like I have done the proper Booth tradition in getting an exchange student out of the whole experience. 

So today while having dinner with my roommate in my favorite little Indian joint (yes, I had to go to Japan to find the best indian food, eva!). My roommate and I were talking about what we were most looking forward to (outside of friends and family) and what we were going to miss. For me what I look forward to is finishing college and starting another adventure, which if all goes as plans will be working on yachts and traveling. Also Thai 9's pineapple fried rice and papaya salad. 

But what I will miss is so hard to write or even think about. Will it be the abundance of kindness I have been shown by the Japanese people? Absolutely, but also my hilarious group of athletic students that tried my patience every week but also made me feel so warm and welcome every time I entered their class room. Or even my co teachers (especial a certain Alaskan co teacher) that would give me the what's up about Japanese culture ever so cooly and frankly when I was doing a "WTF?". Or my kindergartners that probably taught me as much Japanese as my actual Japanese teacher. And don't even get me started on food; thinking about eating tuna in America verses tuna in Japan gets me tearing up. 

But I think aside from the amazing people and sights of Japan what I will miss most about the daily in and out of living in Japan is the public transportation. I was talking with another American friend about this recently and we both agree that if we got a job offer in America with a long commute but could take a train instead of a car we would be more likely to consider the job. I have read so many books while sitting on the train to work, met so many lovely people, and been able to be my proper ADD self without risking the lives of others and myself. Also thanks to Japan having no open container laws I have been able to enjoy a beer or two on the train. Seriously, what is wrong with America: invest in some damn trains. 

Looking forward to and plan to truly savor the last of my time here. :) 

[anthonybourdain]

I’ve made a lot of hours of television over the years, but I think I’m proudest of Sunday’s Libya episode. I believe it is the best piece of work I’ve ever been part of. Some of that pride comes from recalling how difficult it was. My crew and I are not exactly seasoned veterans when it comes to.. 

[auntucky-blog]

Inujima Art Museum on Flickr.

Inujima Island: Sculpture made from false flower pedals

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Inujima Island, Okayama, Japan on Flickr.

Trip to the Inujima Island Art Museum. Beautiful place

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Street Views in Okayama on Flickr.

End of winter means the end of lovely winter style

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Street Art in Sydney on Flickr.

Was looking through some of my archived photos and found this little gem from the black and white roll I shot in Sydney. Lovely street art near Woolloomooloo