Entries this day: Preparations carla_Kawasaki_byebye_party

Preparations

8:22pm JST Friday 23 December 2005

Recently I wrote a Rob Update, though I forgot to put in an 'apology' for not replying to all emails, but maybe I'll do that in the next couple of days...

Rode TJ Bike to Kellie's house in 16 minutes. Awesomely faster than either bus or train (esp. due to walking to the respective stops/stations). Got him and tent, sleepin' bags, maps, etc. all packed away for the winter break. Super special thanks to Kellie (actually Go) for offering the space.

Super special thanks to Jessie for offering space for my suitcase!

Did some research on Rapa Nui; learned that it was an ecological disaster area due to overpopulation in its history.

I'm planning to make some lessons based on that... it would make a good Global Education topic. Also garbage: ships are allowed to dump a certain amount of garbage into the ocean; if I can get my classes to the top deck to witness this, maybe the shock will help us all be more mindful about waste production.

Right now about to help Hitomi make a Paypal account so she can repay me if/when I buy an underwater camera case for her camera. We imagine I'll be able to get one in Singapore pretty easily; it's the 'last chance' for buying all those handy dandy items we consumerists need.

carla Kawasaki byebye party

1:19am JST Saturday 24 December 2005

Just got back from 川崎 and Carla's Nova byebye party, though she quit working there a long time ago. Maybe it was a Morag welcome back party, cause Morag was there, too! Big fun and big chowing by all involved. Cool to see Ali, Brett, Tony again.. Couple other teachers were there whose names I didn't remember. Didn't ask, either, cause what's the point?

Remembered the names of some students: Aiko, Mamiko, Akina, Yutaka, Haruna. Remembered Tomoko's name, but not the other .. maybe Masae, though I might be thinking of PB's Masae.

Akina and I exchanged digits and letters (my new term for email addresses) and she told me that she works in the Diet, as in Japanese government office, so I can get a tour if I contact her when I come back! Cool!

Morag received an awesome gift of a light with planetarium globe around it, which was designed by her student! Wow! It's available only in Japan so far, but he's hoping to market it in the US soon. It comes as a book/kit form, but he put hers together for her, although it will be a bit of a trick to get it home!

At the end of the night, I gave my last Meet People. Get into adventures. card to Yutaka slash Nakako, both of whom had asked for my contact info. Nakako ended up with it and said she would send my addy to everyone.