I can't believe May is already over. And I can't believe there is only one month left until the JLPT Test in July. I'm not sure if I'm ready. My Kanji recognition has gotten better and my reading is faster but is it enough to pass the JLPT N4 test? June will be spent Studying … Continue reading June Reading List: JLPT Prep
After the Sakura finish blooming in early March, you don't have to wait long for another famous flower to bloom. Early May (AKA Golden Week), is the best time to see blooming Wisteria. Since I was traveling a lot during Golden Week I was able to see various places from Karatsu to Kyoto covered in … Continue reading Wisteria Hysteria: Golden Week
Last week I posted about the Karatsu Hanami on Kagamiyama. This post is all the other Sakura pictures I took during the season - and by that I mean one or two weeks. Cherry Blossom season is very special to Japan. Sakura or cherry blossoms are the unofficial national flower, it welcomes spring, … Continue reading Zo Many Zakura
One of the best things about living in Japan is being able to experience Hanami 花見 or cherry blossom viewing. Newspapers print when and where the sakura will be in full bloom. It's important to plan ahead especially if you want to travel, and many local venues with fill up quickly with viewing parties if the … Continue reading Sakura in the Fog
That's right I said sand pull. It's the only way I can describe what you are about to see The second day of Karatsu Kunchi begins mid-morning at a large sand lot between an elementary school and a major road. The road has been blocked to make way for the floats and hundreds of … Continue reading Karatsu Kunchi: Day 2 – The Sand Pull
If you ever find yourself in Japan at the beginning of November, I implore you to make your way down south to the island of Kyushu to a city called Karatsu. It's nestled on the west coast of Kyushu and quite easy to reach from Fukuoka. November is the busiest time of the year for Karatsu. … Continue reading Kyushu Festivals: Karatsu Kunchi – Day One
It Has Begun!! It's that time of year again folks - the National Novel Writing Month, better known as NaNoWriMo. This is my first official announcement. I am a participant. There! I admitted it. Even though I have failed spectacularly the last two times, I am determined to win this year. Yep, I going to … Continue reading Winning NaNoWriMo: Third time’s the Charm
I fell off the Blog-Wagon again. It's been...YIKES! Two months? A lot has happened in the past months; a new relationship ♥, new JETs arriving, visiting home after a year, and dealing with grief while abroad. It's not as if I haven't thought about blogging. I have brainstormed and drafted a bunch of posts. … Continue reading Standing Up After Failing…Again
Teachers and Leadership In part 1 of the review, I ended with a quote on how Finnish teachers perceive their careers as professional with obligations and responsibility. This does not mean teachers or the general population of say - the United States would claim the opposite for American teachers. Actually, I imagine many people arguing … Continue reading From the Finnish View: Review Part 2
The first reading I tackled for week one was also the shortest. Written by Sahlberg in 2013 "Teachers as Leaders in Finland" for Educational Leadership Magazine, is an article discussing the idea of teachers are leaders in Finland's schools and the lessons that can be learned from the Finnish experience. Since surprising the world (themselves included) with … Continue reading From the Finnish View: Reviewing Teachers as Leaders in Finland article PART 1
