Today in my class, we got off on a politics topic. I asked the students if they ever had such a gathering for a president in Japan, like Obama did in America. Most students told me that they truly disliked the current prime minister of Japan, Aso. Well, honestly I have no idea about the president or politics in Japan. I asked them about the local Mayor of Osaka-Fu, Mr. Hashimoto. Apparently they don't like him either. I asked them why, and the reply was... "I don't like him because he won't let us bring our cell phones to high school!" From what I gather, he is trying to implement a big change in the lagging Osaka School system. After years and years of neglect, it's good to see at least something being done in the schools here.

Thanks for the suggestions for the party that I want to make. I'm still thinking about it, but I will let you know what my party theme will be. Today I only have 1 class this morning. Afterwards I will go home. Usually on Fridays I have 4 classes to teach. However, the Senior students have finished school already (even though graduation isn't for another month???). So that leaves me with one class on Fridays until at least April. Until next time folks...

peace

vince

Just life...

Well it's Wednesday, and you know what that means! Well actually I don't really know what that means... Anyway time for a new post!

Ok, well things have been going well the past few weeks. Last Friday we had a party for my room mates birthday. We invited about 15 people I suppose. I think a few people didn't show up though. We had a great time. All we did was buy cups, plates and forks. People brought, food and drinks. The party was definitely in Japan, because the food was sushi and Japanese bread. There was a cake for my friend and we ate that cake quite fast. Everybody was chatting, and at midnight we started to dance to salsa music. My room mate is a salsa dancer so he was showing us some moves. We probably danced for about 1 hour or so. By that time the alcohol had set in, and we were all pretty smashed. The last person left at about 2am and I just fell asleep. I had to wake up early in the morning because I had a private lesson at 10am. Unfortunately I woke up with a pounding headache, but a bit of coffee took care of that problem.

At my private lesson there were 10 people from the community. I showed them pictures of my trip back to America. They had many questions and seemed generally interested in it. It was an easy $50 dollars. Plus they gave me some coffee and sweets. Sunday was relaxing and ridiculously cold. I went walking around in the shopping district here. I ate a chicken kabob too! This week at school is going good as well. My students are starting to understand how to give their opinion about things. When I asked one of my students today if she believed in aliens, she said "I hope that we can meet them one day", I was really happy that she told me how she felt. Sometimes it's quite difficult for a Japanese student to tell you an opinion about something. I really don't know why though.

I have been able to drop about 6 pounds since coming back to Japan. I think I gained 15 pounds when I went back home. It was not good!! I ate everything you could possibly imagine, except McDonald's...:) My friends here told me that I had gained weight too! All I really have been doing is just eating what I normally do here in Japan and I lose weight. I think I lose weight because of all the walking and bike riding I do everyday. I probably walk at least 30 minutes a day. I ride my bike about 4 miles a day, so that is probably the reason for my rapid weight loss.

Last night I went shopping for some jeans and a couple of pillows for my bed. I went to GAP because I know that I can wear those jeans. For some crazy reason, the jeans at GAP are about $125 each. I don't remember exactly how they are back in America, but I know for sure they aren't that much. So basically I just left that place. If they aren't on sale, I won't buy them! haha I went over to French Connection and there was a big sale! I saw some really nice jeans that were priced at $145, but they were %70 off! So I tried them on and they fit great! I was quite happy about that. When I left, the girl asked me if I was from the United Kingdom, I said... of course! haha :) I then ventured to buy a couple of pillows. I hadn't changed my pillows since I arrived here in Japan. I bought some nice fluffy ones along with pillow covers. Everything came out to $35 dollars! Good times! Last night I slept on those pillow like a dream.

I am thinking about throwing a party soon at my apartment. I was thinking a clothing themed party, for example a "white party". But that is kinda played out. Maybe a "black party"? Give me some suggestions OK! I want to do this soon!

Ok, well enough about my life. I wanted to share with you some musical suggestions for this evening. I hope you will give them a whirl in your mp3 player or what not.

The first band is called The Apples in Stereo. They are really good. A bit of an indie rock type of sound, but amazing stuff.





The next band is called Playradioplay. They are from Texas and the new album is so originally titled "Texas". I can't really describe the sound. Maybe a mix of "the postal service" and pop punk. Good stuff.






Ok that's enough for today. My blog is being renovated right now, so I hope you will like the new look. Cheers

peace

vince

Change

Well as you all know the American Presidential Inauguration was today. Actually in Japan it was early this morning. I stayed up all night watching and gazing at the pictures I witnessed live and on the Internet via MSNBC.com. I have never seen such a beautiful scene in my life. I have traveled many places in the world, but I realized that I have taken for granted the beauty of my own country. I have never been to Washington D.C. but I know I am definitely going to try and make in next time I go back. I just kept thinking about the history of that place. All the people that worked in throughout the years for equality, if only they could have lived to see it. I envy the people that were able to see it in person. I am looking forward to this next president. He seems to be a great man with a following like no other. Should be interesting time ahead for America!

Today in my class, we got off on the topic of Obama. I don't know why, but the Japanese are in love with him. My students had so many questions about America and Obama. I taught them a little about the slaves in south, segregation, human rights, MLK, World War 2 and the Iraq war. They really don't know much about history. I showed them how minorities were separated by using the water fountain example. They were really shocked about this. One student told me that he disliked what the Americans did to the "black mans" as he said. I told him that I agreed with him. However I continued to tell him about how the Japanese in World War 2 took Korean people as slaves to build their military installations. They had no idea! I was glad to teach them a little about the world. It was truly fun, and that is the way education should be. Heck, they even learned a bit of English too!! I really had thank my teaching partner though! She helped me translate so much, and it was soooo helpful to me. I'm really starting to think that my plan about teaching English by using current affairs is a good and feasible idea! I just hope the next presentation will go just as well! :) Be back soon!

peace

vince

From the desk of binsu...

Well I just finished two classes right now! They went pretty good. I gave a small presentation on the drug war in Juarez Mexico(the city across from El Paso). They were blown away by how many murders there were last year... about 1800. Perhaps I scared them about Mexico though! Oops... At least they learned about something, and they learned in English! Life is going good lately. I'm really trying hard on my new years resolutions. I think this year will be a great one! I was thinking about how my blog has somewhat become a small diary of sorts. At first I wanted to dish out all this info about Japan. But I realised, it's really hard to explain or for people to imagine your lifestyle here. I put pictures up and stuff like that but they don't do the story justice. I hope some people can come over here so I can share with them a bit of my lifestyle. As for my blog, well we'll just see what happens. Gotta go with the flow. Take care all, and I'll talk to you soon!

peace

vince

p.s. here is a pic i just took with my cell phone! search for things some of you have given me :)

Reflect

Well I am in the Denver Airport right now. It's a nice airport. If you ever come by here, you should definitely go eat at Heidi's Brooklyn Deli. The best sandwiches I have ate for a long time. Anyway, I was really happy to go home. I have gained a new appreciation for my family. They are the best. That's mainly who I saw when I went home. I saw a few good and friends, but it was mostly family time. I truly enjoyed it. I really like Japan, but I love America. As much as people love to complain about this country, you really don't appreciate it until you leave. Anyway, I just wanted to say... Don't take for granted what you have.

During this trip I ate a lot of food! I surely gained at least 5lbs! I could not stop eating!! haha And if you have ever been to El Paso Texas, then you definitely know how wonderful the food is there! I went snowboarding in Ruidoso New Mexico. It was fun, and my body took a beating! At night we went to look at the beautiful sky with my telescope. They sky was absolutely stunning. I was able to see the Milky Way in the middle of the sky. I spent a lot of time with my dogs too!

Anyway, soon I will be back in Japan. I'm not sure when I will be back in America yet, but I am glad that I was able to refresh myself and enjoy home. Thanks to everybody that made my holiday the best one in a long time. I appreciate it!

I'm going to finish this giant sandwich from Heidi's now...

peace

vince

El Paso

El Paso

El Paso

After the Lincoln Trail...

Snowboarding

Ski Apache

At White Sands National Monument

Give me more Santitas!!!

Good fun

El Paso Sunset