State of the Moustache Address

Awfully bored today. Even the things I could do, I have no energy to do them. Maybe I do need an air conditioner.

Good night out

Nice beer, lost all the darts but the waiter was great, purikura to finish the night.

The horrible mountain

Climbed 75% of a certain mountain from Monday night to Tuesday morning. This was the last "beautiful view" of anything to be had. The fog, rain, and wind started from some point during the 7th stage. Couldn't get to the 8th.

This looks a lot better than I would look the next morning, mostly for fashion reasons. I was wearing Joel's jacket in the picture rather than the expensice but cheap plastic raincoat I'd get later on.

I was completely un-prepared for this, so a special thanks to Joel and Jill who fed me and kept me watered.

Aquarium

Somewhere in Chiba.

That's tuna in the background I guess. Hard to take any pictures in aquarium lighting.

Afterwards...

The after party.

The hardest working, newest, youngest teacher.

The badminton coach having fun with a team teacher in the background.

Gym teacher.

The school humour.

Is it always my last day?

Got flowers again. Said goodbye again. Bored as hell again. I had a good time in the end though, whatever my massive failings as a teacher may be.

Taught this girl, Sachie Aoki, a lot of extra lessons, as she's going on homestay. Nice girl. She'll be ok, if blurry. Hot teacher in the background.

My first day I thought this girl would be a memorable part of my Hirochuu experience. She didn't disappoint.

I was Karin's partner in every lesson this summer, as no one sits beside her. before I left today (yesterday), the vice-principal said, "Oh, Karin. Her parents are dead. Her grandfather died last year, and her grandmother can't remember things. You know, that disease. So, she and her sister are alone. かわいそうね？" She's a great student, and plays well in the volleyball club.

Koshiba (did I remember?) taught me かわいいね. It may or may not be Japanese comedy, but he was a memorable guy this summer.

An all-star group of likeable, but near uneducatable girls. Rina (second from left) and Hisako (second from right) removed themselves from the homestay program. An unlikely display of maturity.

Productivity in the workplace

T-shirt, a la Mark

Break yr neck

Caught the last Keihin to Kita-Urawa. I blame Mark for making it sound so easy. An hour later, under moderate rain, I crawled up to Urawa station. Not where I live by the way. Actually quite a bit quicker than my usual trip home.