Week 116: January 15 – 19, 2024
Day 805: January 15, 2024
Monday – Rumoi
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| -6 degrees in Rumoi City |
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| It's a frigid day, but the cold never bothered me anyway. 👸⛄ |
According to the weather forecast, a snowstorm was expected today. My supervisor informed me that classes would be canceled, but teachers were still required to report to work. He kindly offered me a ride, but I declined, confident in my experience walking in snowy and windy conditions. However, it seems I made the wrong choice today. The weather was brutal—the wind was so strong it stung my face, and the whiteout conditions made visibility extremely difficult.
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| Rumoi High School 1.15.24 |
Thankfully, I got to Rumoi High School safely and also on time. I spent my day studying Japanese and helping my JTEs whenever they needed my help.
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| Thank you Kowaka-sensei for the omiyage from your trip to the Philippines. 🙇 |
After bonding with my children that evening, my wife and I watched a few episodes of "Forensic Files".
Day 806: January 16, 2024
Tuesday – Rumoi
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| It's -10 degrees today here in Rumoi City |
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| Rumoi High School 1.16.24 |
It’s a -10-degree snowy Tuesday. There is another snowstorm that is expected to hit Rumoi City sometime today. The Engan Bus company already sent out an announcement yesterday that they would be canceling trips in and out of the city. That’s why the officials of Rumoi High School declared the suspension of classes today, but as part of the Japanese work culture, the teachers are required to go to work.
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| If -10 degrees in Rumoi was a big deal, Rikubetsu experienced an icy -27.1 degree temperature today, according to NHK World-Japan News 😱 |
Like yesterday, I spent my day studying Japanese and helping my JTEs whenever they needed my help.
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| Thank you for the delicious bibimbap dinner my love @KC Nicerio! 😍 |
When I got home, my wife prepared bibimbap for dinner. Like yesterday, after bonding with my children, my wife and I watched a few episodes of Forensic Files before calling it a day.
Day 807: January 17, 2024
Wednesday – Rumoi
It’s another cold winter morning here in Rumoi City. However, unlike yesterday, the students of Rumoi High School are back in regular classes once again. Hence, today is considered the first day of classes for 2024.
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| Rumoi High School 1.17.24 |
Although there were classes today, I didn’t have any collaboration work with my JTEs. Hence, I spent my day crafting an activity for the Passive Voice lesson requested by my JTE in Embetsu Agricultural High School.
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| Dinner for tonight - spaghetti and quesadillas 🍝 |
When I got home, my wife prepared some delicious spaghetti for dinner. However, unlike the past nights, we didn’t stay up late to watch "Forensic Files" as I have to wake up very early tomorrow for my first school visit trip this year.
Day 808: January 18, 2024
Thursday – Embetsu
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| Embetsu Agricultural High School 1.18.24 |
It’s a beautiful, clear day. I’m off to the town of Embetsu for my first school trip for 2024. Today, I’m visiting Embetsu Agricultural High School. It’s my 22nd visit for the School Year 2023 – 2024. For this trip, I used my 2-day Moekko Free Ticket.
Here’s my workload today:
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| Collab works with Sasaki-sensei |
1st period – My Favorite Character @ 3rd year of Sasaki-sensei
3rd period – Passive Voice Review @ 2nd year of Sasaki-sensei
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| Saw dozens of deer along the Ororon Line on my way home |
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| Dinner for today - karaage, salad, and miso soup |
That evening, I immersed myself in the captivating world of the animated series Blue Eyed Samurai on Netflix, following a recommendation from my wife. Intrigued by her enthusiasm, I joined in from Episode 1, eager to catch up to her progress at Episode 5. While the storyline proved enthralling, although it’s a fictional story, I couldn't help but notice a few historical inaccuracies. Notably, the mention of the town of Horokanai in Hokkaido struck me as anachronistic, given that it was not yet established during the Sakoku period. Despite these discrepancies, the overall narrative held my interest, offering a unique blend of entertainment and historical elements.
Day 809: January 19, 2024
Friday – Tomamae
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| It's still -10 degrees in Tomamae |
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| Tomamae Commercial High School 1.19.24 |
It’s a beautiful sunny morning. Today, I’m off to my usual Friday school visit destination – Tomamae Commercial High School. It’s my 23rd visit for the School Year 2023 – 2024. For this trip, I used my 2-day Moekko Free Ticket.
Here’s my workload for today:
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| Collab works with Matsushita-sensei |
2nd period – Tell Me About Your Trip @ 1st year of Matsushita-sensei
3rd period – Tell Me About Your Trip @ 3rd year of Matsushita-sensei
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| Thank you for the omiyage, Matsushita-sensei |
When I got home, I just rested a bit and freshened up before heading back out again. This time, I went to Shogun, an izakaya restaurant located at 1 Chome 1-5 Nishikimachi in Rumoi City, for my bonen-kai with the 1st year teachers of Rumoi High School.
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| Walking to Shogun for our bonen-kai |
Photos during the Bonenkai at Shogun
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| Shogun (居酒屋 将軍) |
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| I feel like I'm the special guest here... |
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| Bonen-kai at Shogun (居酒屋 将軍) with the Rumoi High School teachers |
I had an amazing time. The food was delicious, and the bonding moments with my co-workers were super memorable. I got back at around 11 PM.
Overall, it’s my first week with the students in 2024. I visited Rumoi High School, Embetsu Agricultural High School, and Tomamae Commercial High School this week. I also had a fun bonenkai with the teachers from Rumoi High School. It was a great event to end my 116th work week here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme.
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 116
Moekko Free Ticket 15th Season
Hokkaido 179
Japan Diaries 4: Summary
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Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 115
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Japan Diaries 4: Week 117
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 117
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