Hotel Yamaki Hamamatsu

I finally understand where the expression "like rabbits" comes from.

Now before any of you 'jump the gun' on where I'm going with this, I just wanted to clarify that it doesn't involve me and animals, although I do feel pretty bad with the way I left them.

Just another day at Tomiyama, playing Kinball with some of the locals in the area (since they talked me ...

... of the lake sits before the Sakuma dam, a neighboring town that generates much of the power in this region. Actually, there's dams all over this part of Aichi, for it's vast number of mountain rivers. This part of Aichi-ken derives its financial sustenance mostly from nature: wild forests and natural mountain rivers turn into lumber and hydro-power. It's unfortunate that the only perk I receive from this is a population to teach, because I'm not seeing any reductions in my ...

... to by the teachers and sometimes the occasional retired Ojiisan (which means grandfather, or at least someone that age). So with a bunch of 1st-year JHS students, I started yanking weeds up and throwing them into barrels that the kids took turns emptying. Then I went away on sweeping up the remains of the weed-wacking the teachers expertly cut for me, set in neat lines from their designated areas. It was hard work, believe me. One student was found slightly unconscious from being ...

... this time was that I had a much better rod. My vice-principal makes the hooks himself, and the rod was in pristeen condition. All five hooks were there.
So this time, I managed to catch 10 (where only one was a net-caught fish!). With my newly founded bragging-rights, I set off that day on a full stomach of delicious and freshly made Onigiri (surprise-center wrapped with rice and Nori, dried seaweed ...

... and the frequency or intensity of the shakes. It's like when your rumble pack is low on battery (good ol' 64), things just feel weird.
What I did next was very awkward. I stood up next to my bed in a semi-crouch, and with my arms out like I was surfing, I just sort of rode the floor wondering what I should do. The only thought that went through my head was: "If I go outside like this, they'll see my tattoo." I realize that there are more important things in life ...

So we got up at some point after our binge drinking the night before. It was a blast, but I paid for it. Derek and I still trying to figure out whether I'm allergic to Tatami or his blankets. I'm scared to found out which.
I left red-eyed, stuffy and with a nice head-splitter with Derek for probably the most beautiful views I've ever seen in my life. I mean, Canada and Japan are very different countries, and both have their own distinctive landscapes, but these views were ...

... was just starting to break. It was a hot one, but not hot enough to rid the chill of the mountain river we waded into after we set up the nets. In Hikkake, you must first plot out strategic spots where the water rushes through to hold up the Ayu, an oversized sardine-like fish. When the Ayu can't get through, they sort of wander their surroundings, trying to decide to go on farther or to find a good hiding spot. When the nets were set up, we'd go in and find them all just sort of dancing ...

... of a Smart car except a bit larger) was fogging up something terrible. I had to use a newspaper to wipe the constantly fogging windshield until the rain subsided and I could use natural-air-conditioning to get it back to normal (mine needs freon). For the fam and Niecia: you know what I'm talking about, minus the scraper.
Anyways, I stopped by at like 4 convenience stores (called Combinis, for future reference) to find my way to the station. Had like 3 different ...

... 50km around a
narrow and winding road. I'm surprised I'm still alive. End of rant.
We dropped by the school, and I was instantly amazed at both the beauty of this village side in the mountains, and the uniqueness of the school. As you will note in the photograph, I'm sure you've never seen a school like it. It has 3 students for me in the Junior High, and another 6 in elementary. I'm delighted to get started with them.
Later on, I'll post more pictures of this ...

... caring for their kids. I think most churches in the world are the same.. someone talking about how the church changed their life, and they start crying. I'm not getting into my beliefs. I entertained myself with children's books, since they use the simplest text and very simple language. The pictures also helped A LOT. I'm going to have my students read kids books. They're quite useful. I read a book on Yoshimi's Magic Colors. I was happy for Yoshimi in the end. After that ...