Last Friday, Ets and I went over to the Foss' residence to experience the annual Takarazuka Fireworks Festival in what must be the best way ever.

The Foss' live 19 floors up across the river from where the fireworks are launched. Not only does this mean that the fireworks literally explode right in front of you, there's also the added bonus of not having to deal with hundreds and hundreds of other people and fighting to get a good spot to park yourself.

After getting the conference out of the way, Luke & Kayun, and Ets & Myself went to Two Lovers Point. Jen was with us too but for her I think it was One Lovers Point. As we were leaving, Jen noticed a spectacularly deep hole which most might have just passed on by without noticing. We then went on to look for a nice beach not crowded with tourists. There was a dirt road leading away from the Nikko Hotel that had the necessary tourist-repellents in place; “Construction Ends” road sign, frog carcasses, large murky puddles, and a lack of any creature comfort. That said, the beach was very secluded and made all the more promising by the presence of a small group of locals further down having a BBQ and snorkeling in the pre-twilight hours.

The next day, we took our car for a drive down to the southern parts of the island away from the city and tourist traps with the hope of finding a good place to snorkel. The sun was out in full force and so merciless in its duty that Kayun ended up with a very burned back. Despite this accidental frying, we had a great time out and about and even saw parts of the island we think normal tourists don't see at all.

Today on Day 4, Ets and I went to the Fish Eye Marine Park where visitors climb down a spiral staircase 30 feet into an underwater observatory. The regular sightings of the local fish life was interspersed by occasional appearances by divers who fed the fish and posed for pictures.

Scary immigration dude, torrential downpours and picking up an irate Japanese man. All remedied by a massive American-sized portion of BBQ ribs, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, and pan-seared tuna. Pretty good for our first day in Guam.

As part of my syllabus, my students have to write an evaluation of my classes so I can get some feedback. It's the usual "What did you like?", "What didn't you like?" kind of thing which could be left anonymous if they so choose.

One particular one stood out and I am seriously considering getting it framed to cheer me up in my old age.

I am thanks to Mr. Wong for giving me lessons in writing for 3 months and a half. Learning about writing grammar, connector, rule, paragraph and essay made me grow up in English skills.
Moreover, you taught us only grammar but various things. Sometimes kind, sometimes severely, you admonished us. To cheating students, you didn't give heavy punishment and called on them to reflect their past. As if the teachings of Buddha. Permissions relieve somebody's heart from suffering, it's a important things also on Christianity.
In conclusion, you are Saintly Wong. Except Saintly Hayakawa, another one Buddha exists in KSC, it's surprising! See you again.

Labels: work

The last time I was in Kyoto was in the summer of 2004. I had driven my family down all the way from Tokyo. It was nad-moisteningly hot with the mercury hitting 37 or so. On my previous visit some 4 years before that, I had heard of this hole-in-the-wall watering hole frequented by the local student and gaijin population. With my family in tow, I had managed to locate it once again despite my tremendous lack of directional sense. This particular bar possesses a special charm; bottled beers are opened with chopsticks and the walls are adorned with many a scribbling fueled undoubtedly by cheap beer and pub grub. At the time I had secured a marker and left my mark in the highest place in the joint.

Fast forward to May 2009 and I find myself back in Kyoto this time with my wife and some friends. I was very pleased to find my memento left untouched and still the only one up there. Ets and I procured a marker from the waitress and added our new visit to my slightly dust-covered scrawling.

We also made a day-trip to Kobe as I had to go to the Immigration Department to get a reentry permit. Our brief online search the night before turned up a herb park located up Mt. Rokko. As this was the middle of the week, there were hardly any other people there which made for a very nice day out. Nunobiki Haabu En was accesible either by foot or cable car with the latter being our preferred way up the mountain. On the way up we were treated to a great view of central Kobe and the port areas surrounding it. We could also see the greenhouse that was a part of the park area.

As I type this (on my 'research day', no less), ets and I are sitting at home enjoying our morning cuppa and watching a very strange TV program. You've heard of "job-hunting" and maybe even "wife/husband-hunting". How about "divorce-hunting"? Well, for those wanting out, they've outlined two very handy steps.

Step 1
If you find incriminating evidence, take a picture. For instance, check hubby's mobile for suspicious emails from mysterious ladies. If you find a condom in his bag (there's really no reason to take a condom to work), don't take a picture only of the condom. Take a picture of the condom AND the bag.

Step 2
Check hubby's bank account and make a copy of the statement. Then you'd know exactly how much alimony/damages you can get.

Apparently, some start job-hunting in secret in preparation, or even wait for certain timely events such as the children going to university before presenting the accumulated evidence and requesting a divorce.

Bear in mind that this is being shown at about 8.30 in the morning when most husbands have already gone to work.