By Kristian, aged 9Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
To travel for work
Lets face it, how often do teachers actually get to travel 'for' work? Not very often. A select few manage teacher exchanges or some time consulting OS. I organised myself in regard to Japan. I was lucky to be given 2 years leave from my job. Apart from that, I was solo...
I have just started working with a small group of teachers at school. We are part of a larger picture. Around 10 groups are involved. We are researching pedagogy and space in schools. Specifically, we will be looking at how we teach and how classrooms (spaces) effect how we learn. It is actually really intresting. I am excited to be involved.
The REALLY exciting news is that some of us are headed to Christchurch to look at some innovative schools there. I travel over in the beginning of September. I really can't wait. My friend Rachael went to see some of these schools several years ago and I have been hoping that I might get the opportunity to do the same at some point. I will keep you posted and take lots of photos - of course.
I have just started working with a small group of teachers at school. We are part of a larger picture. Around 10 groups are involved. We are researching pedagogy and space in schools. Specifically, we will be looking at how we teach and how classrooms (spaces) effect how we learn. It is actually really intresting. I am excited to be involved.
The REALLY exciting news is that some of us are headed to Christchurch to look at some innovative schools there. I travel over in the beginning of September. I really can't wait. My friend Rachael went to see some of these schools several years ago and I have been hoping that I might get the opportunity to do the same at some point. I will keep you posted and take lots of photos - of course.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Lovely Summer Green!
No sakura (cherry blossom) or momiji (autumn maple leaves) in sight but summer brings an amazing green to Japan. Seriously stunning!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Woohoo, I'm back
Who knows if anyone even still reads. Who really pops by? So many blogging friends have stopped blogging. Is it really a thing of the past? I am sad if it is. I have embraced some of the newer trends but I don't want to let go of this part of my Internet life!
As it turns out, I can post from school. Am I excited? TOTALLY!
As it turns out, I can post from school. Am I excited? TOTALLY!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Two more sleeps
Oh my gosh - time flies. At the beginning of any holiday, it feels as though you have all the time in the world but pretty quickly the end draws near.
I have had my fill of rain (though I am here in the rainy season)... I have still managed to take plenty of photos. Anyone who wants to be bored (but pretend to be interested) can take a look at them anytime.
I arrived into Kyoto and booked into my fave little hostel budget inn. I was sitting in my room watching two girls play cards. They seemed to be speaking bad/simple Japanese. Eventually we spoke to each other. Turns out one of them was Japanese and the other was Taiwanese. We spoke a bit more and the Japanese girl was from Yamaguchi - my area of nipon! Such a small world.
Yesterday was 'see new things' day. I headed off to Sanjusangendo to see the million buddha statues (there are actually 1001). It was raining heavily. After that, I took a train to Byodo-in. It was beautiful. It was only drizzling by this time. The building is lovely. Large and wooden over a small pond.
On a whim, I stopped on the way back to Kyoto to see the Fushimi-inari shrine. I had been there before and was mildly impressed. I thought I would give it another go. It was so pretty in the rain. Very atmospheric.
So tomorrow is last minute viewing. A walk in the morning, prehaps and then rest. Packing and then a city walk in the evening.
See you sometime next week from Aus. Heaps of photos to come. Watch here and especially over at flickr.
I have had my fill of rain (though I am here in the rainy season)... I have still managed to take plenty of photos. Anyone who wants to be bored (but pretend to be interested) can take a look at them anytime.
I arrived into Kyoto and booked into my fave little hostel budget inn. I was sitting in my room watching two girls play cards. They seemed to be speaking bad/simple Japanese. Eventually we spoke to each other. Turns out one of them was Japanese and the other was Taiwanese. We spoke a bit more and the Japanese girl was from Yamaguchi - my area of nipon! Such a small world.
Yesterday was 'see new things' day. I headed off to Sanjusangendo to see the million buddha statues (there are actually 1001). It was raining heavily. After that, I took a train to Byodo-in. It was beautiful. It was only drizzling by this time. The building is lovely. Large and wooden over a small pond.
On a whim, I stopped on the way back to Kyoto to see the Fushimi-inari shrine. I had been there before and was mildly impressed. I thought I would give it another go. It was so pretty in the rain. Very atmospheric.
So tomorrow is last minute viewing. A walk in the morning, prehaps and then rest. Packing and then a city walk in the evening.
See you sometime next week from Aus. Heaps of photos to come. Watch here and especially over at flickr.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Catching up with old friends
An evening in at Gotcha and a few of the old gang came out to play. I was so lucky that Lee was in town as he now lives near Tokyo.
Remember 'LOCK UP' Del?
Remember 'LOCK UP' Del?
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Don't panic... I am fine
The holiday was off to a rocky start (almost as bad as my Bangkok experience)! I booked on the net with Jetstar, Melbourne to Sydney and then international to Osaka. I arrived at the airport super early thanks to Jodi, booked in and waited for my flight. I waited and waited. There was no plane. I was wondering if I would make my connection in Sydney considering I had to book in there and pass through customs! I was assured that I should be fine. Eventually, we arrived into Sydney at 11.05 and I was due to fly out at 11.30. I had to catch the bus transfer to the international terminal, check-in and get through customs. Lets just say I ran faster than I have ever! Thank God my main case was checked right through. I have never been through customs faster. The plane was still there and I wasn't quite the last to board. Talk about stress!
Day 2 - Osaka to Mojiko. Due to rain today. I took 6 trains to get to Mojiko. It started to pour half way through the trip. OMG. If only we could have a bit of that rain over the cathments in Victoria. I got to my hotel at the other end of the day and checked in. I headed out again in the rain to shop. The rain stopped and I wa able to sight see a bit!
Day 3 - Wedding... I woke today to no rain (lucky). I headed across the bay and back to Yamaguchi (my home prefecture). My aim of the day - SALMON CHEESE SUSHI... I wandered and snapped until the sushi restaurant opened. Ate salmon cheese sushi (the cheese is grilled and it all melts in your mouth) and blow fish - yum. Headed back across the bay for the wedding. There was the ceremony, reception, after party and the after, after party. All involved eating (apart from the ceremony). I fell into bed at 12.30
Day 4 - Today. Headed to Yamaguchi city and had lunch at Alex's favouite cafe. It was still great. Finally arrived at Kazumi and Andrew's place and ate San Zoku for dinner. i am now ready to fall into bed.
OYASUMINASAI
Day 2 - Osaka to Mojiko. Due to rain today. I took 6 trains to get to Mojiko. It started to pour half way through the trip. OMG. If only we could have a bit of that rain over the cathments in Victoria. I got to my hotel at the other end of the day and checked in. I headed out again in the rain to shop. The rain stopped and I wa able to sight see a bit!
Day 3 - Wedding... I woke today to no rain (lucky). I headed across the bay and back to Yamaguchi (my home prefecture). My aim of the day - SALMON CHEESE SUSHI... I wandered and snapped until the sushi restaurant opened. Ate salmon cheese sushi (the cheese is grilled and it all melts in your mouth) and blow fish - yum. Headed back across the bay for the wedding. There was the ceremony, reception, after party and the after, after party. All involved eating (apart from the ceremony). I fell into bed at 12.30
Day 4 - Today. Headed to Yamaguchi city and had lunch at Alex's favouite cafe. It was still great. Finally arrived at Kazumi and Andrew's place and ate San Zoku for dinner. i am now ready to fall into bed.
OYASUMINASAI
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Here I come...
The time has come. I fly out Thursday morning. I hope I get the chance to blog whilst I am away. Stay posted to see. Should be interesting. I have a wedding, Kyoto and about a million people to catch up with.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
A fantastic experience at school...try to follow
The following conversation that occurred between myself and about 5 seven to ten year olds in my class. It went back and forth for about 20 minutes as we finished off some laminating. I will try my best to distil the conversation into one you can follow. I was literally crying with laughter through most of it. I love them. So cute and funny. Here you go, I'll try to make is easy for you...
JACOB (seven) - "Ellen, do you have a husband?"
ME - "No, do you know any good ones that are available?"
JACOB - laughs and says no
MATT (eight) pipes up - "No, she needs a boyfriend first. Ellen, do you have a boyfriend?"
ME - "No, do you know any good ones that are available?"
DAROOD (eight) pipes up - "Yeah, you get a boyfriend for two months and then you get married."
JACOB - "Yeah, you get married and the 42 or 40 weeks later you have a baby"
(At this point I am rolling around on the floor and wondering how a seven year old knows the gestation period for babies. We kept talking and I asked them what would happen at my wedding. I asked Jacob about what he would say if he was the priest...)
JACOB - "Now you kiss... No wait. First I would say, Do you accept? You can say yes or no. Then you ask the little boy for the ring. He give it to you and you get married. You kiss and then 40 weeks later, you have a baby" (he kept arriving back at the baby issue)
GEORGIA (nine) - "You need a wedding dress. A white one. And a thing to go over your head with a TIANA."
(Again, I was rolling around on the floor. Finally on the wedding day topic...)
GEORGIA - "And you need someone to carry you at the wedding. It has to be someone older than you. Your Grandfather."
ME - "My Grandfather is dead"
GEORGIA - "Your mother"
ME - "She's overseas"
GEORGIA - "Your dad"
ME - "He's overseas with my mum."
GEORGIA - "I know... Annie!"
(So there you go. Annie will be carrying me to my wedding - thanks Annie.)
Finally our conversation ends as follows with Jacob's words of wisdom.
JACOB - "You don't need to have a wedding. You can just go to a restaurant. You give the ring to the man. He puts it in a glass. You drink and find it. There is music. You kiss and 40 weeks later, you have a baby!"
I really was crying. Great conversation. Great kids. Great fun!
JACOB (seven) - "Ellen, do you have a husband?"
ME - "No, do you know any good ones that are available?"
JACOB - laughs and says no
MATT (eight) pipes up - "No, she needs a boyfriend first. Ellen, do you have a boyfriend?"
ME - "No, do you know any good ones that are available?"
DAROOD (eight) pipes up - "Yeah, you get a boyfriend for two months and then you get married."
JACOB - "Yeah, you get married and the 42 or 40 weeks later you have a baby"
(At this point I am rolling around on the floor and wondering how a seven year old knows the gestation period for babies. We kept talking and I asked them what would happen at my wedding. I asked Jacob about what he would say if he was the priest...)
JACOB - "Now you kiss... No wait. First I would say, Do you accept? You can say yes or no. Then you ask the little boy for the ring. He give it to you and you get married. You kiss and then 40 weeks later, you have a baby" (he kept arriving back at the baby issue)
GEORGIA (nine) - "You need a wedding dress. A white one. And a thing to go over your head with a TIANA."
(Again, I was rolling around on the floor. Finally on the wedding day topic...)
GEORGIA - "And you need someone to carry you at the wedding. It has to be someone older than you. Your Grandfather."
ME - "My Grandfather is dead"
GEORGIA - "Your mother"
ME - "She's overseas"
GEORGIA - "Your dad"
ME - "He's overseas with my mum."
GEORGIA - "I know... Annie!"
(So there you go. Annie will be carrying me to my wedding - thanks Annie.)
Finally our conversation ends as follows with Jacob's words of wisdom.
JACOB - "You don't need to have a wedding. You can just go to a restaurant. You give the ring to the man. He puts it in a glass. You drink and find it. There is music. You kiss and 40 weeks later, you have a baby!"
I really was crying. Great conversation. Great kids. Great fun!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Shashin Kurabu
I have just started Photography Club in my class at school. It is a lunchtime club and I asked for volunteers to join. I had so many interested kids that I run it Wednesday and Thursday lunchtimes. We are having a ball. Keep your eyes over at Flickr... Our Flickr page is called 'Unit 3 Photographers'
Monday, May 14, 2007
Bunny role play
Hee hee hahahaha.
Milla tucked successfully into Roger's bag - Roger is their pet rabbit!
Milla tucked successfully into Roger's bag - Roger is their pet rabbit!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Falls Creek, Wallace's Hut and The High Country
Mum and I planned it, yesterday we headed up into the Victorian High Country. All the way up to the Falls Creek area. I hadn't been that way for around 10 years. It is such a magical area.
The whole time we were up there I kept thinking of my friend Dave from Colorado. Dave (if you still read my blog), you would love hiking and exploring up here. You should come some day and walk the entire Alpine Walking Track.
n 2003, we experienced terrible bushfires as we did this year. In 2003, they were very bad through the Falls Creek area. The trees everywhere had been so badly burnt that they now look like skeletons. Some gum trees shoot new growth all the way up the burnt trunks, some shoot from the bottom and others only regrow from seed. Gum trees are fascinating in this way. Throughout this area, the trees were either the kind that shoots from seeds or the bottom. That meant that the old trunks were bare of all vegetation and bark. In the following photo you can see the trees to the right are merely skeletons. White and grey. In many places, it reminded me of thinning grey hair or even a graveyard. Morbidly amazing.
Looking North East from near Wallace's Hut. The view was amazing. The blue skies were amazing. How can you feel anything but joy at being in a place like this. I love getting right up in the high country.
Wallace's Hut is reportedly the oldest original Cattleman's Hut in the Victorian High Country. It was built around 1890. You are actually discouraged from staying here unless in extreme emergencies. The inside is very basic and pretty dirty. I'd hate to be caught out and have to sleep there anyway. Give me a tent and sleeping bag any day.
The whole time we were up there I kept thinking of my friend Dave from Colorado. Dave (if you still read my blog), you would love hiking and exploring up here. You should come some day and walk the entire Alpine Walking Track.
n 2003, we experienced terrible bushfires as we did this year. In 2003, they were very bad through the Falls Creek area. The trees everywhere had been so badly burnt that they now look like skeletons. Some gum trees shoot new growth all the way up the burnt trunks, some shoot from the bottom and others only regrow from seed. Gum trees are fascinating in this way. Throughout this area, the trees were either the kind that shoots from seeds or the bottom. That meant that the old trunks were bare of all vegetation and bark. In the following photo you can see the trees to the right are merely skeletons. White and grey. In many places, it reminded me of thinning grey hair or even a graveyard. Morbidly amazing.
Looking North East from near Wallace's Hut. The view was amazing. The blue skies were amazing. How can you feel anything but joy at being in a place like this. I love getting right up in the high country.
Wallace's Hut is reportedly the oldest original Cattleman's Hut in the Victorian High Country. It was built around 1890. You are actually discouraged from staying here unless in extreme emergencies. The inside is very basic and pretty dirty. I'd hate to be caught out and have to sleep there anyway. Give me a tent and sleeping bag any day.In 2003, we had massive bushfires in the area. The hut was saved - just. I am not sure if you can make it out, but just behind the hut, the skeletons of trees were the trees that were decimated in those exact fires. This past summer, we had really bad fires again, their kind of missed this area - thankfully.
Cope Hut was built much more recently, around 1929. It isn't that old at all. You are allowed to stay here over night. Basic shelter but comfortable. You can actually fit 10 people in the bunks. It is pretty clean but dusty inside. No spiders or snakes... The fires missed Cope Hut and the trees directly around the area. It was nice to see the snow gums in their original glory. They are such warm, wonderful colours and great shapes.
The end of the day... We travelled for around 380km in one day. Driving into the sunset wasn't that fun for Dad but it was for me. I took about 20 photos through the windscreen and thought that I would share this one. See you until the next entry...
Cope Hut was built much more recently, around 1929. It isn't that old at all. You are allowed to stay here over night. Basic shelter but comfortable. You can actually fit 10 people in the bunks. It is pretty clean but dusty inside. No spiders or snakes... The fires missed Cope Hut and the trees directly around the area. It was nice to see the snow gums in their original glory. They are such warm, wonderful colours and great shapes.
The end of the day... We travelled for around 380km in one day. Driving into the sunset wasn't that fun for Dad but it was for me. I took about 20 photos through the windscreen and thought that I would share this one. See you until the next entry...
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Happy Easter Everyone...
Happy Easter Sunday to everyone. I hope you had a lovely time with family, friends and loved ones.
We had a small family gathering, one amazing roast lunch and a lot of relaxing. Quite a nice Sunday. Thanks Mum, the pork was particularly delicious, as usual. The problem is that the pork is hard to stop eating.
Thanks to Colin for making this Pav. It was the first time he had made one for years. He was always considered famous for his pavlovas. This was the best I have had in ages. Absolutely delicious.
We had a small family gathering, one amazing roast lunch and a lot of relaxing. Quite a nice Sunday. Thanks Mum, the pork was particularly delicious, as usual. The problem is that the pork is hard to stop eating.
Thanks to Colin for making this Pav. It was the first time he had made one for years. He was always considered famous for his pavlovas. This was the best I have had in ages. Absolutely delicious.Saturday, March 17, 2007
12th of March is a good day for a 'birth' day...
Welcome to the world Miss Emma Lauren Sherwill, born 12th of March - MY BIRTHDAY!Emma is the eighth grandchild to our good friends, Margot and David. All the kids are so nice. Fun to play with. Hi to Sam, Katie and Jemma... And did you know, there are five princesses in their family... Katie, Olivia, Jemma, Emily and now Emma.
Friday, March 16, 2007
I am coming home...
Yes, that is right. I am headed back to Japan on the 28th of June for just over 2 weeks. It is only just starting to sink in - I AM SO EXCITED!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Friday, February 02, 2007
AJ's favourite movie
TOPGUN
What teen or adult doesn't love Topgun? So does AJ, aged exactly 5. AJ has seen Topgun about a million times. I thought I would blog and let you know two pieces of vocabulary he has learnt from the movie. Here they are...
1. MABRICK - aka Maverick or Tom Cruise
2. VODER ARROW - Meant to be bow and arrow and for some reason what AJ calls the missiles from the plane.
This is all very funny and cute as he will correct you if you get it wrong. Del, get ready for AJ to start writing and spelling things in crazy ways. I am sure he will spell words as he hears them and he definitely hears things differently than you and me!
What teen or adult doesn't love Topgun? So does AJ, aged exactly 5. AJ has seen Topgun about a million times. I thought I would blog and let you know two pieces of vocabulary he has learnt from the movie. Here they are... 1. MABRICK - aka Maverick or Tom Cruise
2. VODER ARROW - Meant to be bow and arrow and for some reason what AJ calls the missiles from the plane.
This is all very funny and cute as he will correct you if you get it wrong. Del, get ready for AJ to start writing and spelling things in crazy ways. I am sure he will spell words as he hears them and he definitely hears things differently than you and me!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Ha! I finally got rid of him!!!
Look, AJ started school. He is now out of my hair Monday to Friday. Yippee...
Actually, I can't wait to start school too. Have fun AJ.
Actually, I can't wait to start school too. Have fun AJ.
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