The Backpack Adventures

Libraries have always played an important role in history as a source of knowledge and information. However, with the rise of the internet and how fast information is exchanged, libraries as becoming obsolete and some are closing down.  Applying for a Library Card in Rumoi City I'm probably one of those people who still find enjoyment in spending an hour or two of quiet solitude in a place full of books. That's why finding a beautiful library in Rumoi City in Hokkaido Prefecture is a big plus for me. As an Assistant Language Teacher ( ALT ) under the JET Programme, I have to be a good role model of continuous learning for my students. Since I only came equipped with the basic Hiragana and Katakana. I could say that the kid's section in the library improved my Japanese vocabulary and reading skills in the past months. I even borrow books and read them on the bus during my long commute to my visit school.  Rumoi City Library - Rumoi City, Hokkaido Inside Rumoi City Library

Rumoi City Library ( 留萌図書館 ) is a treasure trove of free knowledge in the city, located at 2 Chome 1-1 Suminoecho, Rumoi City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Rumoi City Library Rumoi City Library details ( Winter Edition )  Locally referred to as Shiritsurumoi Library , Rumoi City Library continues to be a gateway to learning and knowledge for the citizens of Rumoi, Currently, the library houses more than 5000 books that cover a range of topics. Rumoi City Library - Rumoi City, Hokkaido Prefecture However, the books here are mostly in Japanese so foreign readers with little to no knowledge of the language might have a hard time finding books that they might enjoy. On the brighter side, language learners such as myself find Rumoi City Library as a good source of materials for learning. You might probably find me in the children / young adult section of the library reading children's books if I'm not traveling on the weekends. This way to Rumoi City Library Heavy snow blanket

Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 7 Weekend 7: December 18 - 19, 2021 Day 47: December 18, 2021 Saturday - Janome Sushi with Hasegawa Sensei The snow keeps piling up by the day. Even if I wanted really badly to go out and take a walk early today I opted not to. -1 to -3 is super cold for a guy from the tropics. Instead, I did my laundry the whole morning.  Check out the powdery snow It's a beautiful day to go out for a walk.  Walked to COOP Rumoi for some groceries. That afternoon, I had an invite to Joshua's place for dinner. Aside from the Rumoi City ALTs, the Tomamae ALTs will also be there. I had to beg off though as I have another dinner appointment. Janome Sushi - Rumoi City, Hokkaido Prefecture Thank you for the treat Hasegawa Sensei That dinner appointment was with my Tomamae Japanese Teacher of English (JTE) - Hiroshi Hasegawa Sensei . He picked me up at my place at 5PM and we drove to Janome Sushi at 3 Chome-1-13 Nishikimachi, Rumoi City.  Janome Sushi Menu I tried the shirak

Week 7: December 13 - 17, 2021  A Week Before Christmas Hey guys! It's my 7th week here in Hokkaido as an ALT for the JET Programme. One more week before Christmas. Sadly, the atmosphere is very different here. There is no such thing as a Christmas Spirit. In a way it made me miss Christmas in the Philippines. For sure, the malls there are all playing Jose Mari Chan songs and are busy raking in cash with their Christmas Sales.  The quietness and coldness of Hokkaido have their pros and cons but for this season loneliness really does creep in. Regardless, I kept myself busy to defeat the feeling. So here's what kept me busy this week: Day 42: December 13, 2021 Monday - Rumoi  Snow falls (again) in Rumoi City . I wonder if this is the real deal. Rumoi High School 12/13/2021 I love how my Monday workloads are usually light. For me, it's the perfect way to start the week. However, the thing is, it has already begun snowing hard in just a night, and the city is covered with sno