vince in osaka
a glimpse into my life and living abroad in japan
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Busy life
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Time is flying.
So I just had my birthday last Friday. It was uneventful for the most part, but I still had a good time with some good friends. There was a tropical storm roaming around Osaka so we received 4 days straight of rain. It would come in spurts too. You could be walking around with no rain, and all of a sudden a torrential downpour. Luckily for me, I happen to love rain so it was good.
This week at my school is the last week of normal classes until the end of the semester exam. Most students are tired of studying but they have to really study more because of the tests next week. For my English Conversation class, the students are being paired up and asked to make a short dialog using some topics we have covered this semester. These include asking for a date, asking for a favor and talking about summer vacation. It's not that difficult, but if the students really try to learn and act out the dialog well, it will be difficult. I hoping for great results. Tuesdays are really busy for me here at my school. Six classes in a row is straining. I've only got 30-40 minutes to eat something and prepare for the next class. Wednesday and Thursday are really simple though because there are only 4 classes. Two classes each day. So the week starts fast and ends slow, which is probably the best way.
This past weekend I was watching a wonderful documentary called Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero. It is a powerful, sad and uplifting documentary. It chronicles the planning and the building of ground zero. They introduce you to people involved and how it effected them. Some parts will make you cry and some parts will make you realize what an amazing country America is. It makes me proud to be from America. It makes me proud that best city in the world is just going to get even better, New York City. I hope you guys try to watch it. It's on Discovery Channel in the USA. You can also search for in on YouTube.
Ok, I've got to go now. Tonight and every Tuesday night I play futsal with my futsal team. It's so much fun and I really love playing soccer and futsal. It's such an amazing sport. Have a wonderful day all.
vince
Thursday, September 1, 2011
After a year.
Well, I've officially started fifth and most likely final year of JET. It's hard to believe that I started this blog 4 years ago before I left to Japan. Nowadays I'm basically posting on Facebook. It's a lot more convenient and easy.
I've recently come back from a long 29 day European tour. Needless to say, it was absolutely amazing. The cities I visited included Rome, Florence, Pisa, Sienna, London, Manchester, York, Liverpool and multiple towns in Wales. I experienced so many highs and a few lows. I made a lot of new friends too. This trip has made me think about finally ending my tenure in Japan. My contract is over on July 31st 2012.
Tomorrow a typhoon is supposed to arrive here in Japan. It so happens to be my birthday as well. Should be a very windy and rainy birthday. I don't mind because I really like rain and they might cancel school. I'll be back with a better reflection of my trip to Europe. Pictures will also be posted here soon. It just takes a lot of time so please bare with me. I hope you are still reading after all this time. Take care.
peace,
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Where's the Typhoon?
Two Thursdays ago was my birthday and I became 28 years old. Wow, I'm really getting old! I still feel like I haven't really accomplished anything in my life. It's a weird feeling to be honest with you. I went to dinner with the misses and ate some delicious Korean style food. It made me remember how much I miss Korea. The food there was just amazing. Anyway, besides getting about 80 happy birthday messages on Facebook, it was just an ordinary day. One of my students gave me a cute little present with cookies and a Super Mario Lolly. I was really happy and surprised.
My Small Present
Yesterday, (9/12, Sunday), I went to watch my school's girl's basketball team play in the Osaka City Round of 16 high school basketball game. It was really interesting to see how it they play these games. They had girls playing on one court and the boys playing on a court directly across from them. Meanwhile fans and other teams waiting to play are in the middle of both courts. It's a really strange setup compared to an American style but I guess it's efficient. If my school would have won, they would have went to the final 8 of the city. Unfortunately they didn't win but they sure played hard. The other team just shot lots of three point shots and made about 60% of them. That pretty much ended the game there. I was so surprised to see how good my school was in terms of ball skills. They handled the ball really well and were good in the paint! Girls got some skills, even though they are so short. After the game I headed back to my apartment. It took me about 1 hour to get home, so it was a bit of a journey to see the game.
During the game.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Hisashiburi! (Long Time No See)
Here are some pictures from my phone I've taken this year.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=161812&id=632777724&l=cfbff7fb6a
This is my album from Summer 2010
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=184645&id=632777724&l=3f5fc7ed44
I think that when you see these pictures you will get a good picture of what life has been like over in Osaka. It's a great place to be and I enjoy it everyday. From August 1st, I started my 4th year in Japan. When I first came to Japan I never thought I would be here 4 years. Time literally passes us by.
My next excursion is this month. A few friends and I will attempt to climb to the top of the largest peak in Japan! MOUNT FUJI!! I really can't wait and I know it will be a challenge, but I'm always up for a challenge. There is a famous saying here in Japan that the Japanese always say. "Everyone should climb Fuji, but you're a fool to do it twice." I'm really looking forward to that day! ;)
OK well, I just wanted to update this BLOG. I hope all of you readers are doing well and thanks for the continued support even though I completely neglect the BLOG. I'll try harder.
peace,
vince
p.s. If you are on facebook just add me!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Teaching English Reading
Each class consisted of 42 students. I have never taught a class of such size before in Japan, so I really didn't know what to expect. To raise the pressure, I had never taught with my teaching partner before. I literally just met him about 1 week ago! So we didn't know each others style. Anyway, I'm glad to report that the classes went just fine. The students were very enthusiastic and friendly. The English level at this school is fairly decent as well. This reading class is not an elective therefore they must take the class. That means that many students are assumed to not care about English. Luckily for me the students did like English. There was not even one student sleeping either class for 50 minutes. That would never have happened in Matsubara High School.
My lesson consisted of a sparsely laid out plan of introducing class greetings, bonus point rules and class rules. Then the last goal was to introduce Texas and myself to the students, giving out bonus points to students that answered questions or asked them. Overall it went smoothly considering all the obstacles. Afterwards my teaching partner and I discussed ways we could improve the class. I think that we worked well together!
I ate lunch in my school cafeteria on Monday for the first time. One of my fellow teachers came along with me to introduce me to the staff. As I first entered the cafeteria, I was shocked to see how nice it was. At my old school, the cafeteria staff consisted of some old guy and a young kid. At my new school there were 6 ladies cooking up a storm! The selection was excellent and I even got a tray! That made my day right there. My test was to order the same thing that I always ordered at my old school, curry rice. So came my piping hot bowl of curry rice, with a side of macaroni salad and tea. Delicious! Much better than the goo I was served before. At that point I knew, this year was going to be good. haha
Typical bowl of Curry rice w/pork cutlet. Delicious!
peace
vince
p.s. here is the link for my high school's website! http://www.osaka-c.ed.jp/kunijima
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
A Fresh Start!
Monday, December 28, 2009
The Return
Well to just update you on the past few months I will just show you some pictures! :)
Friday, October 9, 2009
What...Storm?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Meet Ms. Melor!
peace
vince
Check out the location of the storm here.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/map/interactive/JAXX0071?from=36hr_topnav_business
Oh and this 大阪 means Osaka!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Typhoon season
Last weekend my Xbox 360 died again. The way you can tell that your Xbox has died is because 3 flashing red lights appear on the front. This means "Hey, your xbox is now a fancy box of parts". Last time this happened, I had to get it fixed back home in the U.S.A. However, I didn't want to deal with all that again. So I just decided to buy a new one here in Japan. It was on sale anyway at Amazon.jp. I love Amazon.jp by the way. You can literally buy anything from there and it is usually cheaper than buying it at the store. Also you can ship everything for about 300¥ or about $3.00. Cool!
Well it's about time for me to get out of here (work). I had no classes today, so I used my whole afternoon writing this blog. What a difficult job I have! Talk to you all soon, have a brilliant week.
peace
vince
Friday, September 25, 2009
Docked and back in Japan!
We started our trip with a boat ride. I didn't really know what to expect on the boat ride. However, I did know that it would be a 18 hour ride. The boat itself was a bit old and dingy, but it had a certain personality to it. Once we finally entered the boat we had to grab our room key. The room was a 4 bed bunk. It was very small and cramped but somewhat cozy. We put our luggage down in the room and continued to explore the ship. We went to the top deck of the ship to enjoy the views and the sea air. It was nice to get out of the big city. At about 7pm that night they served dinner. Surprisingly, the food was excellent. It was a buffet style with various Asian foods with a smattering of random western food like fries. That night we bought some beers from the vending machines and drank on the top deck. It was quite chilly and windy up there, but the beers went down well. My friends girlfriend felt a bit sea sick so she went to sleep. The rest of us went to run around like kids on the top deck with hurricane force winds at the top. The sea was quite ruff and we were swaying and hitting waves like crazy. Looking back on what we were doing, it was dangerous, but it was sure fun and a bit wet! haha
Sunrise on the boat, about 6:20 am.
This is a view of Busan, South Korea from the boat. The seas were so choppy!
Our last night we used another useful travel guide to lead us through some dicey streets to a wonderful 5 star Kalbi(BBQ ribs) restaurant. That food was absolutely delicious. The workers were very friendly and helped us cook the food. We were all happy and full after that meal. At night my friends girlfriend showed up in our hotel room and gave us some Korean face masks she had bought from a cosmetics store strangely called "skin food". Apparently they are very popular to buy for the Japanese. So she strongly suggested that we use them! We all put them on our faces and look completely ridiculous. We started to act like we were burn victims in our beds. Hard to describe how funny it was. It made our last in Korea a memorable one.
p.s. if you want to see my photo album of my trip, send me an email at trancewave2000@hotmail.com and I will send you a link!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Off to Korea!
peace
vince
Friday, September 11, 2009
Good times on a Friday
I decided that I would share some of the lessons that I do at my school. I scanned some of the works from my students so you can see the results. On this past Wednesday I made a lesson for my students that they have to make a short story by looking at a picture.
I made this sheet for instructions.
I have to make the English very simple. I also made a ridiculous story about an Elephant in a rain coat for an example. Next was the students turn.
The English is not perfect at all, but I don't punish them for it. It's just a conversation class not grammar! I just want them to use English.
You can see some of her notes in Japanese there on the paper. The English level is probably about middle school at my high school.
The next picture is one I gave to another student. He happens to be the funniest guy in class.
He had drawn angel wings on the backs of the kids. You will see why now... ;)
The next lesson I started in my class a few weeks ago was to make a recipe in English. I wanted them to make a simple recipe and them share them with each other. Here the best example from one of my 3rd year students.
Ok, I just wanted to share some of the things I am doing at my school. Teaching is very interesting here, I have to make up all my lessons on my own. I'm the only foreign teacher so sometimes it can get a little difficult. Enjoy, and I will be back soon!
peace
vince
p.s. don't forget 9-11-01. 8 years later and I can remember every last thing I did that day.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Football match in Kobe
The outside of the stadium.
The pitch
The end of the match. Vissel Kobe 3 Urawa Reds 2!! :)
I was at the market today. I found some little dried fish snacks! They were tasty, salty and sweet. They look crazy but they are really good! :) Want to try? :)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I've been here a long time!
I'm glad that my school feels that it needs to help the students with their interview skills! That's a great idea. However I just wish that they would try and push them a little higher. Damn I'm starting to sound like a trained teacher... oh wait! I am one! :)
Well I'm leaving school soon! And I have to ride my bike past that scary scarecrow mannequin again!!!! ahhh!!!
peace
vince
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Summer Vacation is over! :(
I'm excited about next month! I will be traveling to South Korea with my friend, his girlfriend, his brother and I. We are going to to take a ferry from Osaka to Pusan, South Korea. Home of Korea's most wonderful beach. According to the Internet, that is. We'll be leaving on September 18th. Should be quite fun!
As I left for home today, I was riding my bike as usual. There are many rice fields in front of my school. There are also many scarecrows our there, to scare away those giant freak black birds! Anyway, I saw this freaky looking scarecrow. I don't know where the farmer dude got that mannequin head but damn, if I was a bird, I'd fly away from it!
I'll be back soon with a few stories.
peace,
vince