Home-sickness?

Today marks 3 calander months since my arrival. I first ventured in to Gifu to work on the 13th of July, so although I've done nearly 14 weeks of teaching, in terms of real months, I have just hit the 3 mark. 3 down, 9 to go. Not that I'm counting too much- I am having too much fun for that. 3 months is, however, reputed to be the time at which homesickness first strikes. So far, though, I seem to be ok. Sure- I would love to go and watch a Bolton game, or meet up with my friends (or eat afull English breakfast), but that's beside the point. I am, at the moment, more than happy with life.

Tomorrow is a welcome change (as good as a rest?). Training to teach kids, which is a job I have been doing for the above mentioned period of time already. I am probably going to keep my head down and try to make the day as much like a day off as possible.

Saturday will be the first time I have watched a full Bolton Wanderers match life- which I am actually pretty excited about, pathetically enough. I always see the highlights, and sometimes catch a random Premier League game, but the Whites are on at my local this weekend, so that will be a lot of fun (I hope).

Next week I am off to Nara- the first ever capital city of Japan, and a place of historical significance. Basically, it's supposed to be really pretty and interesting, so that`s where we want to go. This weekend should be a quiet one, though.

Adios for now.

Onwards and upwards

Another belated post.Teaching is going well- I guess I should be a bona-fida kid-teaching genius by now, but for some reason that isn't quite the case just yet. I get a 3 hour child-teaching course next Friday, however, which should help. I guess it should be a breeze for someone responsible for the education of 57 children on a weekly basis (for a total of 13 weeks), but I'm not sure this will be the case or not. I guess this course is better late than never, buyt it does seem rather like trying to lock the stable door after the horse has bolted, since I am a quarter of the way through my contract already. Oh well...not to worry.

This weekend was fun. I went on a Ferris Wheel, visited a famous castle and drunk many-a beer. This all happened in or around sunny Gifu with Rachel. The ferris wheel is something that I have never experienced before- which is probably completely understandable to anyone who has ever seen the bag of nerves that I deteriorate into when I climb up even a 2 story building. The Nagoya ferris wheelo was pretty darn scary to say the least, but it offered some great views of the city, so it was well worth it.

The castle in question was Nagoya-jo. Iet isn't really up to much, to be honest. It looks ok from a distance through some trees, but then so does Sunderland. Inside, the castle was more like a hotel lobby, complete with fully functioning elevator. Good to see they really stuck to the authentic 16th Century feel. It was ok I guess.

Life in Gifu is still very good. I think my job is getting a lot easier now I am more experienced. I am looking forward to the Christmas break though, which will offer a solid 10 days off on the trot- which will be very welcome.