thanksgiving in japan

My turkey got a slightly blackened on the top (though only the skin, underneath was just fine) this year, but otherwise all went well. The risotto was tasty, the mashed potatoes garlicky, and the gravy was, well, gravy.

We had two Japanese guests, two Americans, and an Englishman. I handed a full plate of food to Katsumata sensei, a young teacher from my school, her eyes went so wide that I immediately turned to Tokushige sensei and told him to do his best (even he seemed skeptical). I went back and collected a smaller portion for Katsumata sensei.

blog lockdown

So, as everyone who can read this must be aware, someone at company HQ stumbled upon this blog and freaked out. Though our schools are both pretty aware of what we've been writing and posting here, the company has privacy concerns and is in CYA mode. So for the time being, everyone who wants to read will have to log in using a Google username.

If you know someone who wants to be included on the readership list, have them send a request to:

diamond@subtend.net
Ask them to put something about the blog in the subject line.

never a good sign

During 4th period the lunch lady (who serves, but does not cook lunch - it's made elsewhere) came into the staff room and announced, "Today's lunch is weird. Looks like hospital food."

I spent the next twenty minutes filled with dread (which ended up being mostly justified - that was pretty gross).

bored

Sam and I are both home sick this Monday. Not bronchitis this time, just seems to be a run of the mill cold, or perhaps a mild flu. We tried to take it easy all weekend hoping it would clear up by now, but no luck. So we're off to see the doctor in two hours or so.

Of course, even sick one can only lay around in bed for so many hours, so while trying to alleviate my boredom I stumbled upon this little thing. I thought it was neat.

fun with muticulturalism

My 3rd graders wrote haikus about Halloween. Wrap your head around that for a minute. Then go find someone who reads Japanese and marvel at how cute these are.

Halloween!

Not really much to report. I built a miniature haunted house at the entrance to Hishida's music room, and we played a bunch of games. Then the kids got candy. It was fun.

Sam's party was much more involved, and I'll let her tell you all about it when she can get around to typing.

Here are pictures from Hishida (my school).

The kids paired up and used toilet paper to turn each other into mummys. Here Hinano is wrapping her friend Mieko (both in the sixth grade).

The fifth and sixth grades posing. Differentiating the vowel sounds between mummy and mommy made for a good lesson point.

The first and second grades posing with their scarecrow creation.

Moena did her best to destroy the large bat-shaped thing that turned out to hold lots of candy.

The pirate pumpkin was impressive when lit.