Show Time!

I have already admitted that I make a hobby out of browsing BookOff and it has become a chore finding a place to put all the books that I bring back to the school.  Thanks to the contribution of my generous landlord, I can continue my little habit.  For the students who have taken an interest in the expanding library, we now have a luxurious showcase for our mutual pleasure.

 I couldn't resist snapping this.  These shoes belong to two 5 year old girls!!! Pure glitter!

In other news, the air conditioning has been working overtime to get us through this hot summer. I was hoping we were through the worst of it, but next week looks like a scorcher!!!

Sweaty Kneesily,

Pat

Office Day

There are no lessons at English Island today.

It has been an undeniable pleasure getting to know all the new faces at English Island this year.  I vow not only to encourage their energy and enthusiasm for learning but to increase it. Today I will plan lessons, organize files, and hopefully have some time left over for making some discoveries that will  make learning English even more fun.

Having said that, back to work!!!




Officially,
Pat

Midsummer's Night Dream

 I went to Numata last weekend.  To be honest, I didn't expect much, but I was moved!  
It was not the scene I had expected.  The dark skies were filled with small glowing 
lights and they lit the forest so that I felt I was standing in the middle of
Tinkerbell's village.  I  strongly recommend visiting Numata during this season
if your heart still entertains romance.  

In other news the garden outside the classroom window has matured a little.
You are welcome to steal from it when I'm not looking...  I'll know you've read this.笑

Summer heat zaps energy and makes delightful sweets all the more appreciated.
Time to get to the gym and make this count for energy and  not blubber. 
 It was delicious.  Thank you!!


Summerishly,

Pat

Exile

I admit that I wasn't exactly sure who the leader of Exile was. I admit that I didn't know Atsushi was the singer along with Takahiro.  I did know one of the dancers was named Usa and another was named Akira.

Thanks to Kai and the Donk modeling agency, I was given the opportunity to attend the event at Sapporo Dome put on by Exile. My wife thought it would be a good idea to go.  Not wanting to be the party pooper, I went along.  Apparently, she was moved and is now considering joining the fan club in an effort to get nearer the stage.  Hopefully, this fever will pass and we can get back to life without Exile.

Not that it wasn't a great show.  I'm sure many people like that kind of thing; apparently 4 million people went to the shows held on Saturday and Sunday.  It's not that I don't like soul or funk or rap, I do!  I've never really listened to Exile and to be honest, I don't know what they are singing about.  Maybe I could listen more closely.  Then again, I have a lot of things going on!

Today marks the start of July and all the topics change!  Also a new topic for the older kids is in the works.  I'm searching for a foreign school to hook up with and share projects on ePals.com.

Let's have a great July.

Exiltedly,

Patsushi

New Topic

Next month is coming quickly and the older students at the Shinkotoni school will be trying out a new topic.  We are going to talk about our city, Sapporo.  If the kids like Sapporo half as much as I do, I'm sure it will be fun.

Sukily,

Pat

Website

The website has been updated and now has the complete set of handouts for the Shinkotoni and Shinoro schools.   I apologize to the students in Kitano and Tonden, but the handouts are available in the handout section of englishisland's HP.

Click here for the handouts!  全てのハンドアウトはここです。

In other news, I am still a complete garden junkie.  にわいじりにはまています！

Behind Schedually,

Pat

Excuses

My father always told me, "Excuses are like a......., everybody has one."

Here's mine. (For not posting)

I have been gardening up a storm and every spare minute not actively teaching or preparing lessons, has been spent in my garden.  In fact, I was facing the daunting task of having to move and therefore even my usual inadequate efforts at gardening were on hold.  I figured that if I had to be out by August, there was no point in weeding or planting a garden.

The situation changed for the better and I can stay!  I was beyond relieved and felt downright thankful for the blessings that I had not wholly appreciated until that moment.  I decided to redo the garden in a big way.  Now, the BBQ area is in and the weeds are out.  When I can pool my pennies, I'll get some ground cover and improve the walkways too.

Regardless, of my feelings towards pulling weeds, I can no longer run from the truth.  My hobby is gardening.  If it weren't, I am spending a lot of time doing something I hate.  To be honest, I don't feel that that is the case.

My hobby is gardening.

日本語のなんちゃって翻訳

言い訳ですが、レッスン準備とレッスン時間以外は庭仕事ばかりしていました。
８月で今借りている家を出なければいけない話だったので、草取りも全くせず荒れ放題の庭だったのです。それが急に出なくて良い話に変わり、ホッとして今は感謝の気持ちでいっぱいなのです。が、、、、庭が大変なことになっていたので、庭の作業に追われていました。
無事、BBQスペースを作ったり、畑に苗を植えたり、草むしりも無事終わり（永遠ですが）ました。
　私の草取りに関しての気持ちは別にして、現状から逃げられない・・・・私の趣味はガーデニングです。

Green thumbily,

Pat